Hwa Chong Institution (High School)

[lego]

Sorry to intrude but I find it heartening to read TTC’s post.

TTC:

My son would not have transformed so tremendously without HCI. Hence I reminded him that he must give back what he received.

I think both the school and yourself have taught him well. All the best to your ds!

[TTC]

Thanks for the 3 PM. I will share a bit more here.

His MSG was always between 2.5 to 3.0 in High School. Never see 2.0 before. He never gotten any A in his JC exams before, never. The best is B with C, D, E and Ungraded. Everything grade he had. But his teachers remained confident which i did not understand back then.
My son did not go for China immersion because he was not interested. He prefers to do uniformed gp, volunteer and sports. I asked him to cut down because his results was at best 2.5 and sometimes in danger 3.0 area. His reply is ,\" I just want to be a normal IP student\". Ok lor....HCI is about holistic education ma.
I realized that the more parents meddle with them, the worst it gets. Unless you want him to be the next President Scholar. Bear in mind that not all kids can take the high pressure. All of them are talented in their own ways. Best to just discuss, understand his thoughts, and let him decide. Like what the humorous Dr Hon always remind parents, it's your son who is studying, not you!

[doodbug]

TTC,


Thank you so so very much for your post. My DS received a CO from HCI and we accepted the DSA offer. After the PSLE results were released, we were completely taken aback as it was out of line with his usual school results. At that point, I actually felt sorry for HCI for admitting this student! We wanted very much to switch my son back to his affiliated secondary school (not a top school) as it was more in line with his PSLE T-score. But as we all know, DSA commitments are binding both on the student and the school.

At that point, we decided we would give HCI a try, and every year the son can stay in the school, we will save on international school fees I guess. We wrote to HCI to explain our position, that we will work with the School to support our child, but if the academic misfit is insurmountable, we are willing to explore alternative options.

Half of Sec 1 has passed. Mysteriously, DS is Class Chair (we were so surprised that the form teacher allowed it, given his poor PSLE score). And he is so engaged in School. It’s almost like HCI opened a whole new world for him. The quality of the teachers is nothing he has ever experienced before. He loves all his teachers, and the peer support is out of the world. They form their own study group, and each of them prepares and shares notes. We’ve never experienced this in primary school. Yes, the son is also deeply engaged in IT and in devices, but all in a positive way. I’m so amazed how the kids are introduced to C++, Python, Web Publishing, and how interesting History is taught and delivered. A lot of initiative is required. But I see a lot of positive learning going on. Even the non-examinable subjects like Music and Art, I thought the School actually put a lot of thought into the curriculum and exposure! The School way exceeded our expectations, and I can truly say, if my son cannot cope academically, it is not the School’s fault.

The School culture also surprised me in a very pleasant way. I was expecting a high strung kiasu culture. And the Chinese stereotypical rote learning. But it was not to be! In fact I find the Chinese cultural elements rather charming! Like the 华中拳, table tennis tables etc all distinctive, and I think it is important to for the next generation to be culturally attuned to China/Chinese (it doesn’t mean they have to embrace it wholeheartedly).

It’s the early days, but my DS’ Sec 1 tests to date are decent. But what I can say is that the teachers have not stigmatized my child just because of PSLE T-score and for that I am very grateful.

[jj_1808]

Can anyone share with me more about DSA ?


Appreciate all your tips .

Thanks

[doodbug]

TTC, I got to say your son's story is sooooo encouraging! From PSLE to MSG 2.5-3, to perfect UAS and two scholarship offers - HCI added so much value and it's wonderful to read of how he has matured and transformed

[joy0727]

TTC and doodbug, thanks for the sharing...


First half of Sec 1 has passed. Indeed, a great motivation to progress to the next :grphug:

For history, my son actually struggled a little with the worksheet that teacher gave. He ended up getting some extra worksheet from bookstore for exam practice.

Next half, they will be doing Geography. How to tackle this subject please? Can anyone share some thought?

This is said to be a very very broad subject, and hard, if compared to History.

TIA.

[doodbug]

I’m of the impression that the syllabus for language and humanities subjects (and even Infocomm) are kind of designed by HCI and do not necessarily follow the MOE syllabus that closely. The best way to get help and extra practice may be to consult the teachers? Apparently the teachers welcome students to approach them during the academic consultation slots. I have no idea what’s in the syllabus for these subjects.

[lexis]

in lower sec, they still use the same texts as MOE mainstream schools, unless things have changed since 2014.


Based on what I have seen, answering technique for Geog is different from History, and may not necessarily be harder than history. Depends on the boy. I think most of the boys go on to do geog in Sec 3/4 though, those who choose Lit and History tend to be the minority.

[doodbug]

Are HCI students allowed to take Geog and History in Sec 3 & 4? (Instead of Lit?) This was popular among the Chinese High boys during my O level era of eeyons back lol The four available humanities then were History, Geog, E Lit, C Lit.

[lexis]

can only share with you what was applicable in my son's time (2016/2017).


HP students will do all 3 humanities- Lit, geog, history. (not sure about C lit).

For normal IP students, they will do Integrated Humanities Core (IHC) (which is the equivalent of Social studies in O level mainstream), and Integrated Humanities Elective (IHE) (Hist, Lit or Geog). Both IHE and IHC are counted towards MSG.

I think BSP and SMTP have different humanities requirements. You'll be briefed when the time is right.