ControllerOfTime:

Are we able to buy the PE Attire outside from school?

As far as I know I don't think anyone gets it from outside. Probably not available outside of school.

yukilei:

ianwongkj:

I'm a student in HCI so I know that at this point of time, Sec 2s have no more IPSP and Q class is now called \"Structured IP\". In Sec 2 it is fine if you end up in the Structured IP class with the school's rationale being that they want to help students whose foundations are weak. According to this year's criteria to get out of Sec 3 Q Class and go into Sec 4 IP you need 2.5.


I'm not sure about the criteria for Sec 2 to go to CSE but I think it is 2.0 now instead of 1.5 previously. Apparently last time when CSE was started HCI did not have IPSP but they introduced it to allow students to 1) stay within their consortiums yet have special programs 2) have a chance to experience a special program even though MSG is not below 2.0. The IPSP/CSE papers are not actually more challenging than the IP papers; for example, I'm in Humanities Program and the Chemistry/Physics/Math papers are the same as the IP paper, but my Humanities will be harder. So special programs are good if you have a specific passion in a particular subject. CSE is special in the sense that you get an affective mentor whom you can confide in and he/she will help you through whatever difficulties that you have. It is a very independent aspect because there is no form teacher but rather a \"class mentor\" who oversees the general development of the class, but the individual is mostly taken care of by the mentor, whereas in IPSP there is no such thing.

I'm in a pretty bad state myself because I'm Sec 3 this year and will have to go to 4Q next year if I don't do well for my re-exams. There are re-exams if you are borderline above the criteria. The workload in HCI is actually quite manageable but it is the standard Singapore education system - requires a lot of mugging for tests and such. Homework is almost never due on the next day; deadlines are usually around 1 week or so. I sleep at about 10 to 11pm everyday. There is the topic of ACE and the Independent Studies component but there is always enough time to complete both. Find the opportunities to jump on - if you engage in some academic activity you like, go do a writeup or whatever and you get ACE points. Teachers in HCI are very patient and dedicated; the ones I've had throughout are always approachable and you can confide in them when you have problems.

Generally I believe that the important thing is to find your passion in a particular subject. Then you will have the joy in studying. Don't feel discouraged if you do badly for the EOYs or any exam at all. I think what works is that you must reflect on where you went wrong. A lot of people are unable to accept failure. You must understand that in Singapore's stressful and competitive education system there are bound to be those who end up as the losers. Don't despair because you failed; just because you failed doesn't make you a failure in life. Don't scold your child because of failure but encourage him instead. Don't be afraid of failure but embrace failure as a learning opportunity. As a child myself I feel demoralised when I get scolded by my parents or see them disappointed. Make it a point to encourage children to do better.

Sec 2 exams are slightly easier this year as compared to last year I think. So really , don't have to worry too much. If MSG really exceeds the criteria maybe you can consider appealing for re-exams.

That's about it feel free to ask any questions about anything I can try to answer them.

Thank you ianwongkj for sharing your insights! My DS will be joining HCI family next year. Will definitely share your post to him. All the best to u!

Glad to be of help and thanks for the wishes. Hope he will enjoy himself in HCI!

Hi,


For Literature it is important to be able to formulate ideas of your own and not rely too much on the teacher’s notes/memorisation. Make sure that he has a clear understanding of the text and the themes behind it. Once that understanding is established he will be able to give answers and substantiate them. Literature doesn’t always have a right or wrong answer so it is important to be able to come up with your own answers and make sure they are logical interpretations.

For History memorisation is quite an effective way to do it. Mind-mapping, as suggested, is a good method. Try making and compiling his own notes as well.

For Geography, it’s about memorising the technical terms and mind-mapping can help as well. For the human geography part, it’s good to understand the why/how aspects and with logical answers + statistics, usually the answer is correct. For the physical part just need to visualise abit, very helpful.

Hope this helps.

I’m a student in HCI so I know that at this point of time, Sec 2s have no more IPSP and Q class is now called "Structured IP". In Sec 2 it is fine if you end up in the Structured IP class with the school’s rationale being that they want to help students whose foundations are weak. According to this year’s criteria to get out of Sec 3 Q Class and go into Sec 4 IP you need 2.5.


I’m not sure about the criteria for Sec 2 to go to CSE but I think it is 2.0 now instead of 1.5 previously. Apparently last time when CSE was started HCI did not have IPSP but they introduced it to allow students to 1) stay within their consortiums yet have special programs 2) have a chance to experience a special program even though MSG is not below 2.0. The IPSP/CSE papers are not actually more challenging than the IP papers; for example, I’m in Humanities Program and the Chemistry/Physics/Math papers are the same as the IP paper, but my Humanities will be harder. So special programs are good if you have a specific passion in a particular subject. CSE is special in the sense that you get an affective mentor whom you can confide in and he/she will help you through whatever difficulties that you have. It is a very independent aspect because there is no form teacher but rather a "class mentor" who oversees the general development of the class, but the individual is mostly taken care of by the mentor, whereas in IPSP there is no such thing.

I’m in a pretty bad state myself because I’m Sec 3 this year and will have to go to 4Q next year if I don’t do well for my re-exams. There are re-exams if you are borderline above the criteria. The workload in HCI is actually quite manageable but it is the standard Singapore education system - requires a lot of mugging for tests and such. Homework is almost never due on the next day; deadlines are usually around 1 week or so. I sleep at about 10 to 11pm everyday. There is the topic of ACE and the Independent Studies component but there is always enough time to complete both. Find the opportunities to jump on - if you engage in some academic activity you like, go do a writeup or whatever and you get ACE points. Teachers in HCI are very patient and dedicated; the ones I’ve had throughout are always approachable and you can confide in them when you have problems.

Generally I believe that the important thing is to find your passion in a particular subject. Then you will have the joy in studying. Don’t feel discouraged if you do badly for the EOYs or any exam at all. I think what works is that you must reflect on where you went wrong. A lot of people are unable to accept failure. You must understand that in Singapore’s stressful and competitive education system there are bound to be those who end up as the losers. Don’t despair because you failed; just because you failed doesn’t make you a failure in life. Don’t scold your child because of failure but encourage him instead. Don’t be afraid of failure but embrace failure as a learning opportunity. As a child myself I feel demoralised when I get scolded by my parents or see them disappointed. Make it a point to encourage children to do better.

Sec 2 exams are slightly easier this year as compared to last year I think. So really , don’t have to worry too much. If MSG really exceeds the criteria maybe you can consider appealing for re-exams.

That’s about it feel free to ask any questions about anything I can try to answer them.