Hwa Chong Institution (High School)

[lizawa]

concerned mom:

Thanks for the response.He is still deciding. For Biology if they take subject is it up to Sec4 or do they have to take it all the way to jc?

During DS year, we were told that if you decide to drop bio for no good reason after term starts in sec 3, some penalty will be imposed. Not sure if this still applies.

[MandyMummy]

wonderm:

concerned mom:

Thanks for the response.He is still deciding. For Biology if they take subject is it up to Sec4 or do they have to take it all the way to jc?

Yes, only up to Sec 4. They are free to choose any subject combination in JC.

Just to share, the standard of biology in HCI (JC) is very high. Their notes are of high quality and their assessments are pretty tough. Maybe because of this, they topped all JCs in A levels biology results.

[pinky88]

lizawa:

pinky88:

Hi...anybody's DS in the SMTP? Pls. share abt tis special programme. Is it very stressful?

All the special programmes are not easy to cope with. DS is in CSE SMTP. To cope well, the child needs to be an independent learner, have self discipline, be initiative and must be able to manage his time well.

Besides the more demanding workload (all sciences and mathematics are taught at higher level, and they are expected to take the higher papers for all the sciences and mathematics at the end of the year), they are also put into a class with many foreign scholars. Some of them are way more advanced in mathematics and some of the science subjects. So our boys need to realize that “一山还有一山高” and not feel discouraged or lose self-esteem.

Some of the benefits. They learn the subjects more in-depth and they start to get a taste of what research is all about. They are expected to write a science research paper that counts into their grade at the end of the year. They learn to be more self-disciplined and better able to manage their time and resources. The class size is small, 23 for DS's case and the classmates are very close and helpful, although competitive. Surprisingly, the foreign
scholars are the ones who offer to help the locals with mathematics. Maybe DS is lucky to be in such a class.

Overall, DS experience with the programme and class is very positive. Hope you find some of these information useful.

Thks for sharing, lizawa:)

[ApronMama]

lizawa:

pinky88:

Hi...anybody's DS in the SMTP? Pls. share abt tis special programme. Is it very stressful?

All the special programmes are not easy to cope with. DS is in CSE SMTP. l.

Hi Lizawa, is CSE basically SMTP plus a chinese studies of China ? Student can choose to do only SMTP only without CSE, am I right? Or are all the H, B, S classes CSE ? If so what additional criteria to do CSE? HCL A1 or overall msg 1.5 will do?

[lizawa]

ApronMama:

lizawa:

[quote=\"pinky88\"]Hi...anybody's DS in the SMTP? Pls. share abt tis special programme. Is it very stressful?

All the special programmes are not easy to cope with. DS is in CSE SMTP. l.

Hi Lizawa, is CSE basically SMTP plus a chinese studies of China ? Student can choose to do only SMTP only without CSE, am I right? Or are all the H, B, S classes CSE ? If so what additional criteria to do CSE? HCL A1 or overall msg 1.5 will do?[/quote]The CSE students need to do china studies in Chinese on top of the specific programmes curriculum. Yes, currently all the S, B and H classes are the CSE classes. Those who do not wish to do china studies in Chinese can still do SMTP, HP and BSP but they will be part of the consortium. They are called SP SMTP, SP HP etc. SP stands for special programme. Not sure if there are any changes next year though.

For CSE, yes, MSG below 1.5 and LA A1 for SMTP and HP. Maths n scienc A1 for SMTP. BSP is either LA or CL A1, if I remembered correctly. for SP, MSG must be 2 and below.

There should be a briefing for all sec 2 parents and boys with regards to all these programmes. It will be good to attend. Or I believe the slides should be up on the website for reference.

[Randomer]

hi


my ds thinking of going to hci. is ispark only for gep ? is it more demanding than other groups ? thks 4 your help.

[lizawa]

Randomer:

hi


my ds thinking of going to hci. is ispark only for gep ? is it more demanding than other groups ? thks 4 your help.

iSparks is for GEP + selected students with high PSLE score.

[jhjkksdad]

Hi,


DS is thinking of going to HCI.

What is HCI CCA requirements? I read somewhere student needs to have at least 1 CCA. Must this 1 CCA be in sports or uniform groups? Or clubs like chess is also counted?

[lizawa]

jhjkksdad:

Hi,


DS is thinking of going to HCI.

What is HCI CCA requirements? I read somewhere student needs to have at least 1 CCA. Must this 1 CCA be in sports or uniform groups? Or clubs like chess is also counted?

Yes, you will need at least one CCA and it can be from any group. Some of the CCAs need trials. They will get a chance to learn about the various CCAs during the orientation week.

[lizawa]

jhjkksdad:

Hi,


DS is thinking of going to HCI.

What is HCI CCA requirements? I read somewhere student needs to have at least 1 CCA. Must this 1 CCA be in sports or uniform groups? Or clubs like chess is also counted?

Yes, you will need at least one CCA and it can be from any group. Some of the CCAs need trials. They will get a chance to learn about the various CCAs during the orientation week.