Catholic High School

[zac's mum]

I was from SNGS then HCJC. Brother was from CHS then HCJC.


Word of mouth on the street, HCI and HCJC now tends to attract the PRC kids (maybe born in SG), especially those who don’t like religious schools. So he will have plenty opportunities to converse with them in Chinese if they choose to.

Hwa Chong is extremely strong on Chinese culture (even till today) as in they have strong Lion Dance, Wushu, Chinese Drama Club CCAs, celebrate the various Chinese festivals year round in a very big way, teachers emphasize bowing & respect and all that. In terms of the academic subject HCL and any special language programs they may have at HCI, there would be the iron sharpens iron challenge for him if that’s what he wants. The standard is high due their native language. I didn’t like the academic pressure to the exclusion of all other pursuits but maybe suits your child.

[phtthp]

Option\" post_id=\"1996007\" time=\"1600824174\" user_id=\"185249:

SG_KP1\" post_id=\"1996004\" time=\"1600823892\" user_id=\"188234:

EJC does have the BSP, which starts at CHS/SNGS/SCGS. However, none have the CLEP if that is of interest to you. For both BSP and CLEP, HCI and DHS are the choices.

What is CLEP ?

9 Secondary schools offer CLEP

https://www.google.com.sg/amp/s/sg.news.yahoo.com/amphtml/language-elective-programme-to-be-introduced-in-secondary-schools-from-2020-ong-ye-kung-022542747.html

[MerlionInGermany]

Option\" post_id=\"1996009\" time=\"1600825055\" user_id=\"185249:

Thanks SG_KP1,
Ok, but neither the English nor Chinese version mentions what is really in the program, only broad strokes. E.g. if students do Geography, they look at maps, urbanisation, environments etc. Is there something more elaborate out there ? I am assuming that it is a standardised syllabus and therefore there should at least be an outline (then decide later if checking by text book levels make sense).

I just want to add that Temasek JC is the other IP that has CLEP. If you are planning to do a timed journey, you should do one for the Bedok campus and another for the temporary campus, as I believe they will move while your son is there, assuming he goes there. Just a headsup so that your research is accurate.

If you are in the east, you can prob easily find out about CLEP from TJC students, you can find them and ask them in Chinese and see what they say. You can find out about the program and their level of Chinese at the same time.

What school is your other children in? They would have friends who are in one or two of these programs or schools? Asking the students will be better than parents. Sometimes the school can give ideal situation model answers, as can be seen from VS handphone policy.

[phtthp]

zac's mum\" post_id=\"1995903\" time=\"1600752546\" user_id=\"53606:[quote=\"zac's mum\" post_id=1995903 time=1600752546 user_id=53606]
Aren’t there some SAP schools in the East that you can pick from?[/quote]

In the east, only 3 IP schools -

Temasek Junior College,
Dunman High and
VS (IP), dual-track school

Both TJC and Dunman High, offer CLEP. VS, doesn't

To do CLEP,
your Higher Chinese results must be strong. Just your Standard Chinese alone being strong, not enough. Your \"gao hua\" must also be good. When reach JC level, many students taking CLEP are either China scholars, or those who have a strong passion in Chinese

If son of Option not keen in BSP scholarship but keen in CLEP scholarship, can consider TJC or Dunman High

Temasek JC CLEP
https://www.temasekjc.moe.edu.sg/flagship-programmes/chinese-language-elective-programme-clep


MOE CLEP scholarship

https://beta.moe.gov.sg/fees-assistance-awards-scholarships/awards-scholarships/programme-scholarships-pre-u/



https://www.google.com.sg/amp/s/sg.news.yahoo.com/amphtml/language-elective-programme-to-be-introduced-in-secondary-schools-from-2020-ong-ye-kung-022542747.html

[Option]

SG_KP1\" post_id=\"1996013\" time=\"1600825718\" user_id=\"188234:

Option\" post_id=\"1996009\" time=\"1600825055\" user_id=\"185249:

[quote=SG_KP1 post_id=1996008 time=1600824428 user_id=188234]
Chinese Language Elective Program. Here is some info.

https://beta.moe.gov.sg/uploads/clep-sec-infosheet-students-2019.pdf

Thanks SG_KP1,
Ok, but neither the English nor Chinese version mentions what is really in the program, only broad strokes. E.g. if students do Geography, they look at maps, urbanisation, environments etc. Is there something more elaborate out there ? I am assuming that it is a standardised syllabus and therefore there should at least be an outline (then decide later if checking by text book levels make sense).

Sorry but I don't have a ton more info. Each of HCI/DHS website has some info but probably not to the level you are looking for (DHS has a bit more). One thing to note is that I believe each of the BSP and CLEP (if continued in JC) will take up an H2 space. Thus, you are left with only Math + 1 Science on the other side, which may or may not be of concern.[/quote]Actually thanks for the inputs (so you 'sorry' cannot be accepted !). At least, there's a CLEP that we can ask MOE directly and see what's inside. Your point on taking up a H2 space is important. May be back to what MOE's position is. ok.

[Option]

floppy\" post_id=\"1996015\" time=\"1600826160\" user_id=\"97579:

IMHO, all things considered, DHS is the best option.

DHS was one of the earliest options we looked at. MerlionInGermany correctly guessed we had concerns on handphone policy. We are aware that the handphone usage is virtually every school day. So we tried to check for the school's position on if the concept of risk was inculcated. We are aware that when it comes to handphone implementations (not policies), there's a continuum scale (not binary scale) of school responses out there. At both ends, we see schools that are extremely liberal and those that are extremely strict.
The original thinking was : If the school is extremely strict, how to address the issues of missed opportunities of learning the handphone can bring. If the school is extremely liberal, what measures had been taken to address the risk of usage.
This line of thinking was used hopefully to widen the options available. At the same time, introduce to DS how certain adverse impacts/ risks are mitigated.
DHS belongs to the liberal end so we wanted to see if there are measures taken to address risks. No traces at the point of checking. Unfortunately, having a school policy and leaving the parents or the children to bear the brunt of risks materialised requires strong hearts, and we don't think we have them.
It's SAP and distance is good, but the uncertainty for DS to handle a handphone environment like this and for 6 years is high (4 years if he decides to take a detour to poly, we are not shutting off the poly option because we don't know enough yet).

[Option]

MerlionInGermany\" post_id=\"1996017\" time=\"1600826731\" user_id=\"2964:

Option\" post_id=\"1995996\" time=\"1600821036\" user_id=\"185249:

No lah, we spoke to VS directly. From this year onwards, Sec 1s through their 4 years are supposed to put their handphones away till dismissals.

I asked 2 current students on 22/9/2020. One is a sec 2 and one is a sec 3.
They also told me it is not that they needed to hide from teachers when they were using it.
So in theory, they are prob supposed to put it away till dismissals.
In practical, it is not enforced, or they have decided to implement it only from 2021.
But it is ok, doesnt matter to me.

Thanks again. Your findings are consistent with ours. The school did say they are starting with the Sec 1 this year for 4 years over the new handphone policy. I think they are aware of the tradeoffs where to start the policy from and to what degree.

[Option]

zac's mum\" post_id=\"1996019\" time=\"1600827299\" user_id=\"53606:[quote=\"zac's mum\" post_id=1996019 time=1600827299 user_id=53606]
I was from SNGS then HCJC. Brother was from CHS then HCJC.

Word of mouth on the street, HCI and HCJC now tends to attract the PRC kids (maybe born in SG), especially those who don’t like religious schools. So he will have plenty opportunities to converse with them in Chinese if they choose to.

Hwa Chong is extremely strong on Chinese culture (even till today) as in they have strong Lion Dance, Wushu, Chinese Drama Club CCAs, celebrate the various Chinese festivals year round in a very big way, teachers emphasize bowing & respect and all that. In terms of the academic subject HCL and any special language programs they may have at HCI, there would be the iron sharpens iron challenge for him if that’s what he wants. The standard is high due their native language. I didn’t like the academic pressure to the exclusion of all other pursuits but maybe suits your child.[/quote]

Thanks again. Actually some time back we heard about the PRC rumour for PRC kids (whether born in SG or not), but it's hard for us to verify anything because every interaction with schools is virtual now. We have seen that he is nationality-blind enough when it comes to conversing with SG or PRC people. But I guess your point was SG people gravitates towards English, and PRC gravitates towards Chinese, therefore for locals whom he meets, it is unlikely for him to interact in Chinese (?)

There is a distinction between having Chinese CCA and conversing in Chinese. He was and is still experiencing Chinese culture. Many schools including non SAP ones have lion dance, wushu too. But you rightly pointed out that the way Chinese festivals are celebrated will be different. And DS will definitely agree that going after academic pressure and leaving all other pursuits out does not work for him. His time to studies is confined to school homework, no tuition so not as high as some others. Have to discuss with him on interactions in Chinese but probably after PSLE. This itself can be a heavy sub-topic.

And no, we are not biased against religious or 'secular' schools.

[Option]

phtthp\" post_id=\"1996021\" time=\"1600827664\" user_id=\"35251:

Option\" post_id=\"1996007\" time=\"1600824174\" user_id=\"185249:

[quote=SG_KP1 post_id=1996004 time=1600823892 user_id=188234]EJC does have the BSP, which starts at CHS/SNGS/SCGS. However, none have the CLEP if that is of interest to you. For both BSP and CLEP, HCI and DHS are the choices.

What is CLEP ?

9 Secondary schools offer CLEP

https://www.google.com.sg/amp/s/sg.news.yahoo.com/amphtml/language-elective-programme-to-be-introduced-in-secondary-schools-from-2020-ong-ye-kung-022542747.html[/quote]Thanks, I will wait a while and see if anyone has additional insights. Else, my action item to ask MOE what is inside the program by outline.

[Option]

MerlionInGermany\" post_id=\"1996022\" time=\"1600827722\" user_id=\"2964:

Option\" post_id=\"1996009\" time=\"1600825055\" user_id=\"185249:

Thanks SG_KP1,
Ok, but neither the English nor Chinese version mentions what is really in the program, only broad strokes. E.g. if students do Geography, they look at maps, urbanisation, environments etc. Is there something more elaborate out there ? I am assuming that it is a standardised syllabus and therefore there should at least be an outline (then decide later if checking by text book levels make sense).

I just want to add that Temasek JC is the other IP that has CLEP. If you are planning to do a timed journey, you should do one for the Bedok campus and another for the temporary campus, as I believe they will move while your son is there, assuming he goes there. Just a headsup so that your research is accurate.

If you are in the east, you can prob easily find out about CLEP from TJC students, you can find them and ask them in Chinese and see what they say. You can find out about the program and their level of Chinese at the same time.

What school is your other children in? They would have friends who are in one or two of these programs or schools? Asking the students will be better than parents. Sometimes the school can give ideal situation model answers, as can be seen from VS handphone policy.

Wah this kind of feedback..... can even check until temporary campus level Got your point.
Actually you are right. We spoke to some students from different schools in Chinese. The conversations usually began (not end) with topics that they were familiar and we were not :-). Yes, we are trying to find out from friends of my DG too, but that only limits us to views from one school. You rightly pointed out that asking the students is better. Many things can be gathered from the the feedback or non feedback, and the nature of the feedback. Was this something you have tried too, and if so what was your experience like ?