Hillgrove Secondary School

[Sysac]

Thank you for the useful information! It is helpful in my decision making. I take it you are in PSG.

[vividlaurel]

Glad this helps! Yes, I am in the PSG!

[berrypie]

vividlaurel\" post_id=\"1820311\" time=\"1511945826\" user_id=\"2712:

Hi,

My Son is a student here. Their niche programme or ALP is Flight & Aerospace and all students, irrespective of stream, undergo this programme in Sec 1&2.

They also have some unique flight CCAs like the Singapore Youth Flying Club, NCC (Air) and Air Scouts.

The school is a STEM focussed school, so have many combinations for students who are interested in maths and science, especially in Sec 3/4. Hours are mostly 1:50 pm each day (except Friday when they end at 12:40 pm) except when you have CCA. CCA happens on Wednesdays and Fridays (depending on the CCA). The school parent support group is very strong and helpful.

If you have specific questions, let me know and i’ll be happy to answer.

Hi Vivid,
Your son may have already graduated from Hillgrove... May i know is it very difficult to get in CCA like Singapore Youth Flying Club or Flight & Aerospace prog?

[vividlaurel]

Hi berrypie,


My son will graduate this year. The SYFC is one of the most popular CCA in the school and many join this school for the CCA.

If I remember correctly, there are usually 20-25 places open for the CCA for an incoming Sec 1 cohort and the CCA gets around 100+ applications each year. So they usually have an interview and audition for the CCA. What they look for is basically a passion for aerospace and flying.

The F&A programme is for everyone, across all streams and they do this mostly in lower sec. This is usually incorporated in their science lessons.

Hope this helps. Please do reach out if you have specific questions, feel free to reach out.

berrypie\" post_id=\"1906780\" time=\"1555467579\" user_id=\"100108:

Hi Vivid,
Your son may have already graduated from Hillgrove... May i know is it very difficult to get in CCA like Singapore Youth Flying Club or Flight & Aerospace prog?

[berrypie]

Hi Vivid, thank you so much for your updates.

Is your son from SYFC? So once selected, it will be his CCA for 4 years?
Yes, the main reason for join Hillgrove is their CCA SYFC…haha…if not, i would no be choosing Hillgove as the location is not that convenient to us compare to Swiss Cottage… NUS high is another school that offer syfC but i doubt my son will be able to get and IP school too stressful which i wouldn’t like to go thru…
Hopeful, he is able to be selected thou he has the interest to become a pilot one day so SYFC will be great training ground for him…

[vividlaurel]

Hi berrypie,


Yes, my son is in the YFC and in secondary school, you do have to keep your CCA for four years. Most schools usually have a window in term 1 of sec 1 where you can ask for a change in CCA, but that depends on the reason you give as well as if your preferred new CCA has slots.

If YFC is the only reason for joining Hillgrove, then you can also look at Bukit View Secondary. I do know they also have the SYFC as a CCA.

From your post, it seems you stay somewhere in Bukit Gombak. There is a path which goes from Gombak MRT station to the school (Hillgrove) which most students taking the MRT take. It takes around 7-10 mins walk from the MRT.

Good luck in the selection of school. Maybe you could go and see Hillgrove and Bukit View during the open house in November to see which school your son likes.

By the way, Hillgrove has 3 CCAs which are air related. In addition to the YFC, they also have Air Scouts and NCC Air, which do have some aspects of YFC.

Hope this helps!

berrypie\" post_id=\"1907275\" time=\"1555893342\" user_id=\"100108:

Hi Vivid, thank you so much for your updates.
Is your son from SYFC? So once selected, it will be his CCA for 4 years?
Yes, the main reason for join Hillgrove is their CCA SYFC....haha..if not, i would no be choosing Hillgove as the location is not that convenient to us compare to Swiss Cottage.. NUS high is another school that offer syfC but i doubt my son will be able to get and IP school too stressful which i wouldn't like to go thru...
Hopeful, he is able to be selected thou he has the interest to become a pilot one day so SYFC will be great training ground for him..

[berrypie]

Hi vivid, i stay at Bukit Panjang.

If DSA to Hillgrove, does he have to stick to the same CCA? Meaning, if he is a soccer or basketball player thru DSA, he have to choose soccer or basketball in Sec?
i will find out more about Bukit View. Thank you

[qms]

berrypie\" post_id=\"1907301\" time=\"1555905826\" user_id=\"100108:

Hi vivid, i stay at Bukit Panjang.
If DSA to Hillgrove, does he have to stick to the same CCA? Meaning, if he is a soccer or basketball player thru DSA, he have to choose soccer or basketball in Sec?
i will find out more about Bukit View. Thank you

If your son DSA into the school through a particular sport, he HAS to stick to that sport for the four years. Hence, if he wants to keep his options open regarding choice of CCA and he wants to DSA, it's best to consider other domains.

[berrypie]

qms\" post_id=\"1907304\" time=\"1555908713\" user_id=\"5718:

berrypie\" post_id=\"1907301\" time=\"1555905826\" user_id=\"100108:

Hi vivid, i stay at Bukit Panjang.
If DSA to Hillgrove, does he have to stick to the same CCA? Meaning, if he is a soccer or basketball player thru DSA, he have to choose soccer or basketball in Sec?
i will find out more about Bukit View. Thank you

If your son DSA into the school through a particular sport, he HAS to stick to that sport for the four years. Hence, if he wants to keep his options open regarding choice of CCA and he wants to DSA, it's best to consider other domains.

Thanks qms. Good to know these info before submitting any form...I thought some schools allow 2 CCAs, i guess not blah..

[vividlaurel]

Oh, Bukit Panjang is easy to get to Hillgrove! There is bus 176 from the stop near BP Plaza which goes almost to the school. You just need to cross an HDB estate which is a less than 5-minute walk to the school from the bus stop.


We also live in BP and I do see many students from here who come to the school. The other alternative way is to take the LRT to CCK and then the MRT to Gombak and walk, which is what my son and his friends do.

As qms wrote, if you DSA into the school through CCA, then yes you need to stick with that CCA for the four years. In any case, even if you don't DSA through CCA, it's better not to switch CCA in Secondary school as you will lose your points because you will not have attendance and even may not represent the school in competitions which is important when it comes to points calculation.

berrypie\" post_id=\"1907301\" time=\"1555905826\" user_id=\"100108:

Hi vivid, i stay at Bukit Panjang.
If DSA to Hillgrove, does he have to stick to the same CCA? Meaning, if he is a soccer or basketball player thru DSA, he have to choose soccer or basketball in Sec?
i will find out more about Bukit View. Thank you