Hillgrove Secondary School

Reply to Hillgrove Secondary School on Thu, 27 Nov 2025 09:20:13 GMT

zac's mum — Thu, 27 Nov 2025 09:20:13 GMT

@Serendipity said in Hillgrove Secondary School:

Hi, can anyone share the school hours for Hillgrove Sec? Do students typically have lunch in school? Thanks!

U can have a look at their timetable here:

https://sites.google.com/moe.edu.sg/hgv-student-matters/school-timetable

Reply to Hillgrove Secondary School on Thu, 27 Nov 2025 07:37:28 GMT

Serendipity — Thu, 27 Nov 2025 07:37:28 GMT

Hi, can anyone share the school hours for Hillgrove Sec? Do students typically have lunch in school? Thanks!

Reply to Hillgrove Secondary School on Sat, 14 Oct 2023 14:09:22 GMT

Oldgal — Sat, 14 Oct 2023 14:09:22 GMT

Hi parents, appreciate your feedback on Hillgrove. How is the school environment? Is it supportive of special needs children? My child academically is quite strong, but his ADHD can make it difficult socially, like integrating into the class, managing bullies etc. Are teachers approachable, and supportive? Appreciate your feedback. Thanks

Reply to Hillgrove Secondary School on Fri, 22 Apr 2022 04:30:14 GMT

kayla — Fri, 22 Apr 2022 04:30:14 GMT

Any Hillgrove parents here?

My girl is currently in Sec 1, would like to share information more effectively via this forum.

Reply to Hillgrove Secondary School on Mon, 29 Nov 2021 08:09:44 GMT

Cheerfulmommy — Mon, 29 Nov 2021 08:09:44 GMT

@VIVIDLAUREL : Thank you for your reply !

Reply to Hillgrove Secondary School on Mon, 29 Nov 2021 07:21:13 GMT

vividlaurel — Mon, 29 Nov 2021 07:21:13 GMT

My son graduated from Hillgrove about two years back and when I asked him about this, he said classrooms directly facing the tracks do get some disturbances, but they get used to it quickly and after a while, they don't even register the train noise.

Hope this helps.

Cheerfulmommy\" post_id=\"2049652\" time=\"1638167461\" user_id=\"102202:
Dear Hillgrove parents, I'm a P6 parent. Thinking to include Hillgrove for secondary school selection for my child. As there is a MRT track next just to the school, may I ask how is the noise level from the MRT trains passing by the school.
Thanks much!

Reply to Hillgrove Secondary School on Mon, 29 Nov 2021 06:31:01 GMT

Cheerfulmommy — Mon, 29 Nov 2021 06:31:01 GMT

Dear Hillgrove parents, I’m a P6 parent. Thinking to include Hillgrove for secondary school selection for my child. As there is a MRT track next just to the school, may I ask how is the noise level from the MRT trains passing by the school.

Thanks much!

Reply to Hillgrove Secondary School on Fri, 26 Apr 2019 06:30:14 GMT

vividlaurel — Fri, 26 Apr 2019 06:30:14 GMT

floppy\" post_id=\"1907835\" time=\"1556241520\" user_id=\"97579:

As for knowledge of controlling a plane / structure of the plane, he would need to excel in science, specifically Physics, and mathematics. I would look for a school that can provide him a good grounding in those subjects rather than zoom in on a CCA. Eventually, if he intents to fly, those subjects are the ones that would be the most important in understanding how things work and in selection All things being equal, having the CCA but not the required grades / subjects, won’t make the cut. Having the required grades / subjects but not the CCA will still get him through.

Well said floppy! While Hillgrove does focus on aerospace and has a flight & aerospace programme, you still need to be very strong in physics and maths to do well in this field. Also this CCA is quite competitive and irrespective of the school a child gets in (having this CCA), there is no guarantee that the child will eventually get into the CCA.

Reply to Hillgrove Secondary School on Fri, 26 Apr 2019 01:39:54 GMT

berrypie — Fri, 26 Apr 2019 01:39:54 GMT

Hi floppy,

Will keep these in mind.. thank you :salute:

[/quote]

While it’s true that SYFC may build up his interest in aeromodelling, you can do the same without being in SYFC. Better control of glider and drone requires practice, the CCA itself won’t make him better.

As for knowledge of controlling a plane / structure of the plane, he would need to excel in science, specifically Physics, and mathematics. I would look for a school that can provide him a good grounding in those subjects rather than zoom in on a CCA. Eventually, if he intents to fly, those subjects are the ones that would be the most important in understanding how things work and in selection All things being equal, having the CCA but not the required grades / subjects, won’t make the cut. Having the required grades / subjects but not the CCA will still get him through.
[/quote]

Reply to Hillgrove Secondary School on Fri, 26 Apr 2019 01:18:40 GMT

floppy — Fri, 26 Apr 2019 01:18:40 GMT

berrypie\" post_id=\"1907829\" time=\"1556239351\" user_id=\"100108:

Hey floppy, thank you for your feedback.
Personally, to be in sec sch SYFC is to building more on his interest in aeromodelling or understanding of how to have better control of glider or drone (got a drone for him but in the end got stucked on the tree...) and also participating in SYFC competition event will be a great exposure for him, it helps him gain more knowledge structure of the plane and understanding of controlling of a plane. These are just my thoughts...
Flying prog is just the next stage...

While it’s true that SYFC may build up his interest in aeromodelling, you can do the same without being in SYFC. Better control of glider and drone requires practice, the CCA itself won’t make him better.

As for knowledge of controlling a plane / structure of the plane, he would need to excel in science, specifically Physics, and mathematics. I would look for a school that can provide him a good grounding in those subjects rather than zoom in on a CCA. Eventually, if he intents to fly, those subjects are the ones that would be the most important in understanding how things work and in selection All things being equal, having the CCA but not the required grades / subjects, won’t make the cut. Having the required grades / subjects but not the CCA will still get him through.

Reply to Hillgrove Secondary School on Fri, 26 Apr 2019 00:42:31 GMT

berrypie — Fri, 26 Apr 2019 00:42:31 GMT

Hey floppy, thank you for your feedback.

Personally, to be in sec sch SYFC is to building more on his interest in aeromodelling or understanding of how to have better control of glider or drone (got a drone for him but in the end got stucked on the tree…) and also participating in SYFC competition event will be a great exposure for him, it helps him gain more knowledge structure of the plane and understanding of controlling of a plane. These are just my thoughts…
Flying prog is just the next stage…

Reply to Hillgrove Secondary School on Thu, 25 Apr 2019 07:25:11 GMT

floppy — Thu, 25 Apr 2019 07:25:11 GMT

berrypie\" post_id=\"1907774\" time=\"1556173210\" user_id=\"100108:

Hi vivid,

No worries..its the facts i understand.
It is just a matter of time of joining SYFC basic flying prog when he reaches that age.
However, it's good that he is able to participate in school SYFC first.

You don't need to participate in SYFC in secondary school to join the basic flying programme, and there's no advantage to being in the secondary school SYFC if you are thinking of joining the basic flying programme.

As long as he is in JC, Poly or IP/IB schools and above age 16, he can apply to join.

Reply to Hillgrove Secondary School on Thu, 25 Apr 2019 06:20:10 GMT

berrypie — Thu, 25 Apr 2019 06:20:10 GMT

Hi vivid,

No worries…its the facts i understand.
It is just a matter of time of joining SYFC basic flying prog when he reaches that age.
However, it’s good that he is able to participate in school SYFC first.

Reply to Hillgrove Secondary School on Thu, 25 Apr 2019 03:25:09 GMT

vividlaurel — Thu, 25 Apr 2019 03:25:09 GMT

berrypie\" post_id=\"1907611\" time=\"1556070311\" user_id=\"100108:

but not able to join SYFC as a CCA is not my option

Hi berrypie,

You may need to manage expectations about your son being able to join the SYFC. I can't speak for other schools, so I will give you an example using Hillgrove. They have 7 classes for Sec 1 across the three streams and roughly 280 students per cohort. I assume half these are boys and at least 60-70% of these boys (there are girls also who join the YFC, but you don't get more than 1-2 per cohort, so I will discount them) join the school because of the F&A programme and the SYFC. This means that we are looking at a minimum of 80-100 students who have an interest in this CCA. The intake is less than a quarter of this, which means only 1 in 4 students get in and the other 3 get posted to other CCAs (perhaps their second or third choice). It's all how you present yourself at the audition interview with your CCA leaders and teacher which determines which 20-25 Sec 1 students get this CCA. According to my son, they get around 100-120 applications each year and only 25 max get selected.

When my son was in Sec 1, he put SYFC as his first choice as he joined the school only for this CCA. But we also tempered his expectations and told him to have alternatives in mind in case he doesn't get in. He put one of the uniformed air groups as his second choice and Robotics as his third choice. He was lucky he got in, but I am sure there were many who didn't. It's difficult to appeal because this CCA is almost always full. Those who get in are super passionate and don't leave.

Sorry for the long post, but the intention is not to be fixated on one CCA to the exclusion of everything else. Yes, that's a great CCA to be in and my son has enjoyed his four years there. But it's not the end of the world if he had not gotten in. There are many pilots who have not taken this kind of CCA in school. There are other options like joining the SYFC on your own (I think they have a group of people who join because their secondary school does not offer this as a CCA). You can check them out and then discuss options.

Hope this helps and sorry if I have offended you in any way!

Reply to Hillgrove Secondary School on Wed, 24 Apr 2019 02:36:02 GMT

berrypie — Wed, 24 Apr 2019 02:36:02 GMT

Hey phtthp...thanks for your info abt NUSH, i just read thru its abt 6 years prog, didn't pay much attention to whether it's A level or high Dip....haha ...Does all the IP schools the same? Did your child went to NUSH?

Reply to Hillgrove Secondary School on Wed, 24 Apr 2019 01:59:16 GMT

phtthp — Wed, 24 Apr 2019 01:59:16 GMT

Fyi

For SST, the students studying inside, still need to take GCE O level exam.

Nus high : you mentioned above, that need to take A level, that "NUSH is a 6 years programme directly to a level "? No. Nothing to do with a level

no a level exam, for nus high students. Instead they will be given nus high diploma, not a level cert. After that hey proceed to local university nus or overseas uni

Reply to Hillgrove Secondary School on Wed, 24 Apr 2019 01:45:11 GMT

berrypie — Wed, 24 Apr 2019 01:45:11 GMT

Not sure abt SST but NUSH is IP school. I heard the T-score have to be 259 and above.

If thru DSA, is not an issue but not able to join SYFC as a CCA is not my option and their monthly school fee is S320++. NUSH is a 6 years prog directly to A level. Not sure if my son can handle that kind of stress if you don’t do well you are neither getting an O level nor A level. I’m not a tiger mom that academic is the priority than everything, manageable is good enough.

Reply to Hillgrove Secondary School on Wed, 24 Apr 2019 01:23:47 GMT

vividlaurel — Wed, 24 Apr 2019 01:23:47 GMT

I don't think SST and NUSH are elite schools. Yes, for both schools, you have to give the entrance test which determines if you go to the next round because both schools intake is almost 100% through DSA.

Both Hillgrove and Bukit View follow pretty much the same curriculum for the SYFC since this is mandated by the SYFC HQ at Seletar Airport. Both fly model planes and drones and at the secondary level that's pretty much all they do plus flight simulations. They do get to fly in an RSAF aircraft in sec 2&3, but this is always subject to weather conditions. In secondary school, it's about aeromodelling and it's only in JC or Poly they can opt for flying training.

Not really sure about this, but you can get more information from the https://www.syfc.sg/SYFC website

No, I don't think anyone goes for overseas training under SYFC, at least not in Hillgrove. I don't think BVSS also sends for overseas training. I am not sure of other schools though.

What you are referring to is probably the boys who went to Japan last year or the year before last. This was a separate project they did for which they were invited to Japan to see how their experiment was done in space.

But almost all secondary schools will have overseas learning journeys in various subjects and your child can choose which one he wants to go to. If I am not wrong, each child gets a minimum one chance to go.

berrypie\" post_id=\"1907606\" time=\"1556068065\" user_id=\"100108:
Hi vivid, my son likes science and math but don't think he is elite for SST and NUSH...haha..

I'm FTWM so planning this year attend 2 open houses and next year another 2 more, final year review again those schools he is interested in..i don't like to rush thru all the open houses in last mins..
I did a search on Bukit View but it seems to me they are more focus on flying the Dromes..nt sure if more related to SYFC.
Can i check with you, did your son went for oversea training under SYFC?
i heard if you are good, the school will send you to Japan for training...

Reply to Hillgrove Secondary School on Wed, 24 Apr 2019 01:07:45 GMT

berrypie — Wed, 24 Apr 2019 01:07:45 GMT

Hi vivid, my son likes science and math but don’t think he is elite for SST and NUSH…haha…

I’m FTWM so planning this year attend 2 open houses and next year another 2 more, final year review again those schools he is interested in…i don’t like to rush thru all the open houses in last mins…
I did a search on Bukit View but it seems to me they are more focus on flying the Dromes…nt sure if more related to SYFC.
Can i check with you, did your son went for oversea training under SYFC?
i heard if you are good, the school will send you to Japan for training…

Reply to Hillgrove Secondary School on Tue, 23 Apr 2019 06:42:51 GMT

vividlaurel — Tue, 23 Apr 2019 06:42:51 GMT

berrypie\" post_id=\"1907439\" time=\"1555986306\" user_id=\"100108:

Nope my son is not in P6...
He is in P4 this year, im super KS doing research now, planning and shortlist 2 open houses this year..Hope this will help him to seek what his interests are and motivate himself instead me nagging at him :pokeeye:
He will be the first batch for the new marking system..no longer based on T-score So wasn't sure if good or bad

Wow berrypie!

Actually it is good that you are starting early to check out schools. If your son is interested in science and math, you can also check out SST and NUSH, they are independent schools focussed on math and science.

Since he is in the pioneer batch of the new marking system, I am really unsure how things will work out. Maybe it will be for the better!

Reply to Hillgrove Secondary School on Tue, 23 Apr 2019 02:25:06 GMT

berrypie — Tue, 23 Apr 2019 02:25:06 GMT

vividlaurel\" post_id=\"1907426\" time=\"1555984898\" user_id=\"2712:

berrypie\" post_id=\"1907420\" time=\"1555982543\" user_id=\"100108:

Hi vivid, thank you so much for the value insights about SYFC..Will keep a lookout for their open house in Nov.
Thou, never hear of Bukit View till you mentioned. I will properly will go their open house too.. :rahrah:
Shortlisted: Hillgrove, Bukit View and Swiss Cottage.. :xedfingers:
No problem berrypie! Is your son in P6 now? If yes, you will get a booklet from MOE soon which has all the information about all secondary schools in Singapore.

I was in the same place that you are in now some time back. What we did was shortlist schools based on CCA (other things all being the same) and Hillgrove and Bukit View came to the top of our list because of SYFC. The other schools offering YFC were either in the north or too far away to commute on a daily basis.

In fact you can probably find last year's copy on the MOE website which has all the COP and CCAs plus subjects the schools offer. This will help you plan well ahead of time what your son wants to do.

Hope this helps!

Nope my son is not in P6...
He is in P4 this year, im super KS doing research now, planning and shortlist 2 open houses this year..Hope this will help him to seek what his interests are and motivate himself instead me nagging at him :pokeeye:
He will be the first batch for the new marking system..no longer based on T-score So wasn't sure if good or bad

Reply to Hillgrove Secondary School on Tue, 23 Apr 2019 02:01:38 GMT

vividlaurel — Tue, 23 Apr 2019 02:01:38 GMT

berrypie\" post_id=\"1907420\" time=\"1555982543\" user_id=\"100108:

Hi vivid, thank you so much for the value insights about SYFC..Will keep a lookout for their open house in Nov.
Thou, never hear of Bukit View till you mentioned. I will properly will go their open house too.. :rahrah:
Shortlisted: Hillgrove, Bukit View and Swiss Cottage.. :xedfingers:

No problem berrypie! Is your son in P6 now? If yes, you will get a booklet from MOE soon which has all the information about all secondary schools in Singapore.

I was in the same place that you are in now some time back. What we did was shortlist schools based on CCA (other things all being the same) and Hillgrove and Bukit View came to the top of our list because of SYFC. The other schools offering YFC were either in the north or too far away to commute on a daily basis.

In fact you can probably find last year's copy on the MOE website which has all the COP and CCAs plus subjects the schools offer. This will help you plan well ahead of time what your son wants to do.

Hope this helps!

Reply to Hillgrove Secondary School on Tue, 23 Apr 2019 01:22:23 GMT

berrypie — Tue, 23 Apr 2019 01:22:23 GMT

vividlaurel\" post_id=\"1907412\" time=\"1555977834\" user_id=\"2712:

berrypie\" post_id=\"1907334\" time=\"1555921463\" user_id=\"100108:

haha..i thought take bus 187 change to bus 945 at Swiss Cottage will be easier...Thanks for another option for bus 176.
Can you enlighten me why is it impt to have pts calculation?
To me, getting into SYFC is more impt wor..even my DS had been participating in the school competition in Pri sch and gives up his DSA entry to Hillgrove for SYFC.. I think he will be happier.
I usually help out in the school during open house and see many students come to Hillgrove because of the SYFC. But if you ask me, don't get too fixated on the YFC. As I have mentioned earlier, the CCA is usually very popular and only 20-25% of students who apply get in. The pro tip I can give you if your son gets to Hillgrove and is called for the CCA interview is to show how passionate he is for this field, maybe read up on planes and aerospace after the PSLE exams. Also go to the open house and speak to current and past students about the CCA. They usually have a flight demonstration then.

Also, you choose your CCA only in week 2 or 3 after you join the school and there is no guarantee that your son will even get into the CCA. I would suggest you look at a school first and see if the school's values and teaching pedogogy is something you are comfortable with and most importantly, your son likes the school. You should also prep your son about alternate CCAs in case he gets disappointed if he did not get into the YFC. As I mentioned earlier Hillgrove has NCC Air and Air Scouts which are flight based CCAs plus their Robotics Club is also quite popular.

If the SYFC is so important to your son, then please check other schools (outside the west area also) to see which schools you can put in your six choices. Maybe he will be willing to travel a bit just so he can get his CCA of choice.

Hi vivid, thank you so much for the value insights about SYFC..Will keep a lookout for their open house in Nov.
Thou, never hear of Bukit View till you mentioned. I will properly will go their open house too.. :rahrah:
Shortlisted: Hillgrove, Bukit View and Swiss Cottage.. :xedfingers:

Reply to Hillgrove Secondary School on Tue, 23 Apr 2019 01:14:26 GMT

berrypie — Tue, 23 Apr 2019 01:14:26 GMT

qms\" post_id=\"1907340\" time=\"1555924537\" user_id=\"5718:

berrypie\" post_id=\"1907334\" time=\"1555921463\" user_id=\"100108:
Can you enlighten me why is it impt to have pts calculation?
The level of attainment achieved through CCA, among others, are converted to bonus points which students can use for admission to JCs/Polys/ITEs.

For more information, please refer to https://www.moe.gov.sg/education/programmes/co-curricular-activities.

E.g. a student scores 8 points in the O Levels. If he has 2 bonus points from CCA, his net score becomes 6 points.

Thank qms for the heads up.. i never plan so far ahead..