Hwa Chong Institution (High School)

[Chirunner]

kiasuest2:

Chirunner:

Ds2 will be in sec 1 HCI next year. After buying all the books I realised so many are optional, including ALL the Chinese n math books. Now I wonder if I've wasted money buying them. Anyone knows if these books will be used at all?


I should be happy my son's going there but I don't know why I wish he'd chosen RI or ACSI. Only consolation is it's so close to home he can walk to school. I hope it will turn out to be the right choice for him- he was adamant on HCI even though almost all the boys in his GEP cohort have chosen RI. Anyone with positive experiences in HCI who can allay this mom's apprehension? Ds1 is in the ACSI IB n I was positive about it from the startn still think it's the best choice for him. Just hope this is the best choice for ds2. Perhaps only time can tell?

Dear Chirunner, would you please, especially for the benefit of those intending to choose HCI, if the past year experience for your DS has been pleasant and enjoyable?

Thanks a million

I can say unequivocally that my son's had a very enjoyable year at HCI. He wants to get to school early everyday - before 6.30- even tho he can leave at 7 n still be in time for school. He says there's a certain calm over the school before everyone arrives. He comes home happy everyday.

So I'd say he made the right choice for himself . The teachers are very enthusiastic n the director of his consortium is a very dynamic lady who is very approachable. I like that there is a sabbatical week each term during which the boys are allowed to choose any activity they are keen to pursue the entire week subject to availability of places. He played badminton one week, picked up the guitar another week n I forget what else he did but he certainly had fun.

I also like the fact that the boys are required to read after recess n are provided with materials - newspapers n magazines in English n Chinese. Oral participation in class n presentations form a significant part of the curriculum so he's been required to do presentations in Chinese many times. His Chinese has definitely improved.

One thing I find lacking compared to ACSI is the level of cca participation. The boys in ACSI are required to do a minimum of 2 ccas but the boys in HCI only 1. I wish HCI would allow the boys to do more;perhaps I should ask the school.

Ds3 will be starting sec 1 in RI next year. I guess I'll be able to give a comparison of the 3 schools next year:-)

[ApronMama]

kiasuest2:

Chirunner:

Ds2 will be in sec 1 HCI next year. After buying all the books I realised so many are optional, including ALL the Chinese n math books. Now I wonder if I've wasted money buying them. Anyone knows if these books will be used at all?


I should be happy my son's going there but I don't know why I wish he'd chosen RI or ACSI. Only consolation is it's so close to home he can walk to school. I hope it will turn out to be the right choice for him- he was adamant on HCI even though almost all the boys in his GEP cohort have chosen RI. Anyone with positive experiences in HCI who can allay this mom's apprehension? Ds1 is in the ACSI IB n I was positive about it from the startn still think it's the best choice for him. Just hope this is the best choice for ds2. Perhaps only time can tell?

Dear Chirunner, would you please, especially for the benefit of those intending to choose HCI, if the past year experience for your DS has been pleasant and enjoyable?

Thanks a million

How come you can buy book so soon ...

My ds also, choose HCI when we advise him to consider RI as we thought a mix-culture envoirnment is also quite important. But we still respect his choice, a choice he has made and worked for it since two years ago. We dont want to look back and regret and blame us next time, afterall HCI is also a good school.

[kiasuest2]

Chirunner:

kiasuest2:

[quote=\"Chirunner\"]Ds2 will be in sec 1 HCI next year. After buying all the books I realised so many are optional, including ALL the Chinese n math books. Now I wonder if I've wasted money buying them. Anyone knows if these books will be used at all?


I should be happy my son's going there but I don't know why I wish he'd chosen RI or ACSI. Only consolation is it's so close to home he can walk to school. I hope it will turn out to be the right choice for him- he was adamant on HCI even though almost all the boys in his GEP cohort have chosen RI. Anyone with positive experiences in HCI who can allay this mom's apprehension? Ds1 is in the ACSI IB n I was positive about it from the startn still think it's the best choice for him. Just hope this is the best choice for ds2. Perhaps only time can tell?

Dear Chirunner, would you please, especially for the benefit of those intending to choose HCI, if the past year experience for your DS has been pleasant and enjoyable?

Thanks a million

I can say unequivocally that my son's had a very enjoyable year at HCI. He wants to get to school early everyday - before 6.30- even tho he can leave at 7 n still be in time for school. He says there's a certain calm over the school before everyone arrives. He comes home happy everyday.

So I'd say he made the right choice for himself . The teachers are very enthusiastic n the director of his consortium is a very dynamic lady who is very approachable. I like that there is a sabbatical week each term during which the boys are allowed to choose any activity they are keen to pursue the entire week subject to availability of places. He played badminton one week, picked up the guitar another week n I forget what else he did but he certainly had fun.

I also like the fact that the boys are required to read after recess n are provided with materials - newspapers n magazines in English n Chinese. Oral participation in class n presentations form a significant part of the curriculum so he's been required to do presentations in Chinese many times. His Chinese has definitely improved.

One thing I find lacking compared to ACSI is the level of cca participation. The boys in ACSI are required to do a minimum of 2 ccas but the boys in HCI only 1. I wish HCI would allow the boys to do more;perhaps I should ask the school.

Ds3 will be starting sec 1 in RI next year. I guess I'll be able to give a comparison of the 3 schools next year:-)[/quote]Thank you for your candid sharing; I am sure that your comments will put many of us at ease; especially those who cannot decide choosing HCI over RI or NCJ or ACSI, etc

IMO, it's important that the child makes the final decision after being made aware of all known facts (and figures) about all these top schools. At the end of the day, the child is the ONE who have to do the \"studying\" and as concerned parents, we should avoid \"impressing\" our opinion on the child. I am sure you are glad that you let your DS2 choose HCI over RI.

I am looking forward to end of next year when you will be able to enlighten us with details of these three very different schools!

[MdmKS]

I think in HCI, students are allow to sign-up for a select 2nd CCA so long as they can manage. Perhaps in ACSI and RI, it is made compulsory to sign up for two CCAs, so you see a commitment from the students, while in HCI, it is up to the students to do the second cca, therefore you may see most students rather stay with one and spend more time at home for more days as early as 2:30 pm. Some of them therefore play alot of computer games and neglect their studies. On the other hand, there are parents of kids with two CCAs also complained their kids have no time to study.

[wonderm]

MdmKS:

I think in HCI, students are allow to sign-up for a select 2nd CCA so long as they can manage. Perhaps in ACSI and RI, it is made compulsory to sign up for two CCAs, so you see a commitment from the students, while in HCI, it is up to the students to do the second cca, therefore you may see most students rather stay with one and spend more time at home for more days as early as 2:30 pm. Some of them therefore play alot of computer games and neglect their studies. On the other hand, there are parents of kids with two CCAs also complained their kids have no time to study.

Is it true RI has made it compulsory to take 2 CCAs? I thought it is optional for the 2nd CCA?

[Chirunner]

Yes it’s important to respect the child’s choice n to try not to impose our prejudices/opinions on him. In fact, I wonder if his choice was made after overhearing what some parents were saying about RI… anyway, HCI is a very good school n I have great faith in its leadership, philosophy n programs. My son is also stronger in humanities n HCI has an excellent humanities program.


Apronmama, that remark in relation to textbooks was made last year.

Btw, unless your son is in iSpark, try to get someone to queue for textbooks while you n your son queue to get uniforms. There is a separate queue for iSpark textbooks so it’s shorter- that was the case last year; I’m not sure it’ll
be the same this year. You may be able to buy uniforms at the bookshop already.

[ApronMama]

Thanks for sharing.


Wonder whether current HCI yr 5 & 6 take in non-chinese from ‘0’ level? Do see them wearing HCJC uniform long ago. It will be good to have them around but then they may not want to choose the school. Anyone ?

[Chirunner]

One of my friends whose son is going to HCI next year has already bought his uniforms and textbooks from the school bookshop. She said she obtained the booklist from the bookshop.

[ApronMama]

Thanks for informing…


Wow! your friend is really quick. I planned to take the list and go on 23rd and probably go back another day. No hurry. Not sure if they still use "village by the sea" next year?

[San03]

Anyone whose children has got into HCI via the DSA? How tough is it through this mode?