Hwa Chong Institution (High School)

[hwachie]

mamabear:

Hi fellow parents, is it single session in Hwa Chong institution?

Hi mamabear,

HCI only has morning session, school starts at 7.30, usually ends at 1.30 before the afternoon lessons (olympiads, third lang, remedials etc.) or CCA

[hwachie]

furfur:

Hi,


I like to find out more about the subject combination selection in year 2 & JC1, and the sports CCAs.

(1) In year 2 and JC1, are the students allowed to choose any subject combinations or there are pre-determined ones? What are the subject combinations for year 2 and JC1?

(2) In year 3, how many students can take triple Science (Pure Bio + Chem + Physics)?

(3) HCI offers only Pure Science?

(4) In JC1, triple science or double maths double maths is not offered?

(5) For sports CCA, can anyone join or only those in the school team can join?

Thank you!

Hi furfur, the following answers are to the best of my knowledge:

(1) Lower sec students need to take the same subjects: Math, English Language & Literature, Chinese, Lower Secondary Science (Physics/Bio/Chem, 1 per term) History/Geography (1 per semester) and Infocomm. Additional lessons include PE, Music, Art and Thinking Programme. I also had a taste of Chinese Drama in Sec 2, but not sure if this is still the case.

In JC1, students are free to choose their subject combis, provided they meet the criteria. However, it might be limited due to scheduling conflicts, although majority of students get what they want.

(2) If I'm not mistaken, in Sec 3, all students are required to take Physics and Chem, while Bio is an opt in. To qualify, students need to score well in their Sec 2 EOY exams and meet a certain requirement.

(3) Think so

(4) There's a requirement that students need to take a contrasting subject, so double math and double science is no longer an option. We're also required to take H2 Math to take the other science subjects, so triple science is out of the question too

(5) HCI CCAs are really competitive in general, several sports would probably only look at ex-school team players (Badminton, Table Tennis etc.)

During CCA Orientation however, several CCAs might let them try out the sport (e.g. Run 100m for Track & Field, returning service for Tennis) and the coaches might invite them to attend trials. Students are free to attend any CCA trial they want, thereafter the coaches will probably narrow it down to the best. I recall attending a few sports trials, the coaches didn't really pay much attention to those who had no prior experience, especially since there's limited spots in most CCAs.

Hope this helps!
~hwachie

[mamabear]

hwachie:

mamabear:

Hi fellow parents, is it single session in Hwa Chong institution?

Hi mamabear,

HCI only has morning session, school starts at 7.30, usually ends at 1.30 before the afternoon lessons (olympiads, third lang, remedials etc.) or CCA

Thanks!

[coffee lover]

westbb:

No tuition for mine... in fact no time to even go tuition. If based on your boy's score, I think he will cope well if he pays attention in class and does his work consistently. Be proactive in asking for help from teachers, they are always ready to help! (That's the impression I get from my boy)


3rd language - if u don't take up the offer now you won't be able to join the program again later. I would say join only if your boy is interested to even try. Else it's a waste of money n time. A large majority drop out by 6 months and the end of the first year.

Thanks for the info.

[coffee lover]

doodbug:

Sorry my child is not doing 3rd lang hence I can't help. Tuition - there are kids with tuition; others without. My son has Maths tuition, and nothing else. The teachers really avail themselves for the kids.

3rd language decisions have to be made now...you may wanna 'chope' a place first. Can drop later.
welcome to the HCI family! we really like the school and wished our DD could attend (lol!)

Thanks. I hope that he can cope well if he was selected.

[ngl2010]

coffee lover:

westbb:

No tuition for mine... in fact no time to even go tuition. If based on your boy's score, I think he will cope well if he pays attention in class and does his work consistently. Be proactive in asking for help from teachers, they are always ready to help! (That's the impression I get from my boy)


3rd language - if u don't take up the offer now you won't be able to join the program again later. I would say join only if your boy is interested to even try. Else it's a waste of money n time. A large majority drop out by 6 months and the end of the first year.

Thanks for the info.

Sorry to interrupt. I personally know 2 students who joined in 2nd year of 3rd language. They were tested of their proficiency before they were allowed to join.

[westbb]

ngl2010:

Sorry to interrupt. I personally know 2 students who joined in 2nd year of 3rd language. They were tested of their proficiency before they were allowed to join.

Thanks for sharing the info! They perhaps have some adequate experience in the language and hence able to join at year 2? For the majority who are learning as a novice perhaps that is not possible, right?

[ngl2010]

westbb:

ngl2010:

Sorry to interrupt. I personally know 2 students who joined in 2nd year of 3rd language. They were tested of their proficiency before they were allowed to join.

Thanks for sharing the info! They perhaps have some adequate experience in the language and hence able to join at year 2? For the majority who are learning as a novice perhaps that is not possible, right?

Yes. Both have some knowledge of the language. One boy has mother who speaks the language. Another boy had tuition (I don't know for how long). I heard they borrowed their friends' MOELC textbooks/workbooks to study during the December holiday.

[mamabear]

Are the students generally Chinese or English speaking? I mean fluency in the languages. Thanks

[Maple leaf]

mamabear:

Are the students generally Chinese or English speaking? I mean fluency in the languages. Thanks

I am sure is English.For DS class,all are fluent in both language except one or two.HTH.