FAQs on Direct School Admission

Questions Responses

Section A: Direct School Admission

1. Can my child apply to join Yes. Your child may choose up to TWO categories for DSA from one HCI in more than one DSA school. It will count as two of his three choices. In the event that he is category? shortlisted by two categories from HCI, he will be offered DSA interviews in BOTH categories.

2. Will my child be considered Applicants just need to apply for DSA in accordance to their strengths for more than one DSA and interests. category if he has multiple Should any shortlisted applicant be found to be more suitable for talents, even if he only chose another category by the interviewers, a recommendation may be made HCI in one DSA category? to transfer to the other DSA category.

3. How will the students be The DSA selection panel will study the data provided by MOE (such as shortlisted for the interviews? P5 and P6 results, CCA records, etc) and supporting evidence of talent Must they have taken part in related to the applicant’s DSA category supplied by applicants through competitions? the MOE DSA portal. Competition results will be taken into account but are not the only evidence of talent.

4. What is the DSA interview The interview panel is primarily looking out for talent/potential and panel looking out for? passion for the talent area, as well as a good fit with HCI’s culture and values.

5. How will my child be Each DSA category has its own selection process which may include assessed in the DSA interviews, hands-on activities, problem-solving tasks and discussions. interview?

6. Will the interviews be done Interviews will be done mostly individually, and if logistics permit, up to individually or in a group? groups of 3. With the new e-interview system in place for 2020 - we will be working closely with the primary school coordinators to ensure that the interviews can take place safely and fairly.

7. Will my child have to stay in Yes, HCI offers a 6-year programme and school transfers are not HCI for 6 years? permitted for DSA entrants unless there are extenuating circumstances.

8. My child has talents in other Our focus during the DSA exercise is to spot specific talents that are areas not directly relevant to related to our DSA categories, and thereafter develop them through our the DSA category. Will these programmes and expertise. be considered? Nevertheless, if you think that your child’s talents and achievements have an indirect relevance to your child’s chosen DSA category, please add this information to the “Non-school based award and achievements” section as you see fit.

9. How many places does HCI MOE will be managing the actual admission details. On average, IP offer for students admitted via schools admit 30% of their Sec One cohort via DSA. DSA? Questions Responses

10. How many places does We have no exact numbers or percentages for each DSA category as it HCI reserve for each DSA will depend on the quality of talents who apply for each category. category?

11. Must my son take Higher No, he need not. However, pupils who take Higher Chinese in Primary Chinese in primary school to school will have bonus points added to their T-Scores for admission qualify for HCI? into SAP secondary schools: 3 points for Distinction, 2 points for Merit, and 1 for Pass.

However, if he is enrolled at Hwa Chong, he has to study Higher Chinese.

12. Must my son stay in the Taking up a DSA offer is a serious commitment on the part of the same Sports CCA if he joins student athlete. HCI through DSA (Sports)? Athletes will be required to commit their best efforts to the sport for the entire time at HCI barring exceptional circumstances.

13. Are DSA (Academic) It varies among categories. Applicants who enter HCI via DSA- students required to join a Infocomm are required to enrol in the Infocomm and Robotics Club as specific CCA? their CCA. Applicants who enter HCI via DSA-Chinese Language are strongly encouraged to join the Chinese Society. Entrants from other DSA (Academic) categories can select CCAs out of their own interests and passions beyond the classroom setting. Our focus is on the holistic development of each child.

14. If my child is selected via Yes. Students enrolling at HCI via DSA Mathematics are free to take DSA Mathematics, can he take up any CCA they wish to, as long as they meet the CCA's up a sports CCA? requirements. The focus is on the holistic development of the student.

15. What are the commitments DSA (Academic) students may be placed in special talent-specific of a DSA (Academic) student? classes. Their progress and development will be monitored by programme ICs - and if deserving - they will be given a full range of mentorship and competition opportunities (such as Olympiad trainings and overseas exchange programmes) to stretch their talents in the DSA area.

16. What commitments must a Students enrolling at HCI through DSA (Leadership) will be groomed DSA (Leadership) student fulfil, to take on leadership positions incrementally throughout their 6 years and for how long? Will he be at HCI. This may start off with positions in the Class Management assigned a specific CCA? Committee, and may progress into positions of greater influence, such as Consortium Councils, High School Council, College Council and other student leadership bodies (e.g. in their respective CCAs, Service Learning etc). They are not allocated any specific CCA by default.

17. If my son is a GEP student The iSpark consortium will host DSA (Sports) students who are from and joins HCI through DSA GEP. (Sports), will he be assigned to the iSpark consortium?

Questions Responses

18. Can my son apply for DSA if he is not studying in an MOE Singaporean ? Student

Home-schooled Returning All international / Madrasah: Singaporean not students need to If they are taking taking PSLE: take part in the the PSLE, they Eligible to register Admissions will be considered for DSA. Exercise for together with all International the other DSA Students (AEIS) applicants centrally studying in MOE conducted by schools. MOE and be accepted before he can apply for DSA.

Do not need to Need to take Need to take take placement placement test for placement test for test. English, Chinese English, Chinese and Math. and Math.

Section B: Academic Programmes

1. Will the special programmes Certainly. Students will delve deeper in their areas of talent, such as at HCI develop my child’s through engaging in deep research and by broadening their talent well for a future career in perspectives through competitions and collaboration with industry that domain? experts. Graduates from our special programmes have gone on to emerge as leaders in their respective fields in research, industry and government.

Information regarding our Talent Development Programmes at these pages will offer you more information about their depth and breadth. http://www.hci.edu.sg/advantage/talent-development http://admissions.hci.edu.sg/programmes/talent-development/

2. If my son enters HCI Yes. While your son will be specially developed in his area of talent, through DSA in a particular we aim to develop every student holistically and he will not be denied academic category, will he still opportunities in other areas. In fact, he will be encouraged to broaden be developed in other areas? his perspectives.

3. Are the DSA talents from the Some subjects will have pull-out classes within curriculum time whilst same category grouped into other subjects will have extra trainings and opportunities after school. the same classes? Regardless of the permutation - HCI will ensure that our DSA talents are nurtured and well-cared for holistically as well as in their talent- areas.

4. How is the iSpark curriculum While the core curriculum is the same for all consortia, the iSpark different from that of the other curriculum is enriched in terms of depth and scope. consortia? iSpark students will get to explore subjects in accordance to a more concept-based approach. This is reflected mainly in their enrichment projects and assignment tasks where groupwork, in-depth research and interdisciplinarity are emphasised. Questions Responses

5. Where are 3rd language Malay language lessons are conducted in school. For other 3rd lessons conducted? language lessons, MOE assigns the campus that students report to (MOELC Newton or Bishan).

6. How is the Literature The Hwa Chong Literature unit aims to nurture engaged citizens of the syllabus like for the Humanities world and empathetic leaders of , which is in line with the Programme? school mission, as well as its vision to nurture individuals who “live with passion and lead with compassion”. This vision informs our text selection, where we seek to expose our students to works beyond the Western canon, and include both local works, as well as writers of various cultural backgrounds across the globe. For this reason, we have also embraced translated poems—written in Asian forms, like landays, ghazals, and pantuns—in our Literature classrooms.

With a broad-based text selection, we consciously expose our students to a variety of literary genres and themes, so as to develop critical thinkers, who appreciate multiple perspectives; have a deep understanding of humanistic concerns; and possess a heart of compassion. We also seek to groom students, who are able to engage with both the classics, as well as the concerns of those who are under-represented. This will help them to consider the varied accounts and numerous narratives surrounding any issue.

Section C: Non-Academic Programmes

1. What avenues of support Many factors may affect performance. Issues such as academic are available to a DSA athlete pressure, stress and injury will be comprehensively addressed by the who cannot cope with training? teachers, coaches, sports psychologists and, where necessary, school counsellors. These will be done in collaboration with parents.

Student athletes may explore transferring to another Sports CCA to tap on their natural talent in another sport, but such a measure is usually taken as a last resort after all other options have been explored.

2. What is the ideal HCI At HCI, we have the same aspirations for every student. Our student athlete? overarching vision is to empower our students to live with passion and lead with compassion, and we aim to nurture them to serve the nation by being leaders in Research, Industry and Government.

The immediate relevance of these ideals to our student athletes may be encapsulated in our core values. HwaChongians live by the core values of 自 强 不 息 (tireless self-improvement with tenacity, innovation and passion), 己 立 立 人, 己 达 达 人 (WIN – WIN) and 饮 水 思 源 (remembering our roots and honouring our benefactors). In the sporting arena, this means that our student athletes should be resilient as they aspire towards peaks of sporting excellence. In doing so, they must respect their competitors with utmost sportsmanship and show gratitude to the people who have developed their talents along the way - their parents, coaches, teachers, teammates, fellow competitors and supporters.

Questions Responses

3. How are the students GEP students enter the iSpark consortium while other students are grouped into the various assigned randomly to any consortium. consortia?

4. How are CCAs assigned to Students will have the chance to try out different CCAs during CCA students? Orientation at the start of the year. Students who display interest and aptitude in a particular CCA will be shortlisted for further trials. Students will also be asked to rank their CCA choices before they are eventually assigned one.

5. How often do students The level of commitment expected from all students is the same. The attend CCA training? Are DSA number of CCA training sessions varies across CCAs and depends on (Sports) students expected to the period of competition. attend more training sessions? Let’s take as an example since there is a specific question raised by a parent about Basketball CCA. Training for Basketball is usually conducted after curriculum time for up to 3 hours, 3 times per week. DSA and non-DSA basketballers attend the same number of sessions for the same duration. During the competition season, the training schedule is dependent on the competition schedule. For this intensive period, the basketballers may find themselves competing and training on alternate days. Following the competition, they may get more rest.

Section D: School Culture

1. What is the Hwa Chong Firstly, it is the undaunted spirit of strength, resilience and spirit that we often hear about? tenacity, as espoused in the school value of “自强不息”. Guided by the continual quest for excellence and continual self- improvement, it is manifested by an innate entrepreneurial dare and the determination to persevere and never give up.

Secondly, it is the enduring spirit of community and service to others, as espoused in the school value of WIN-WIN or “己立立 人，己达达人”. Guided by a deep sense of humility and gratitude to others who have nurtured or developed us (饮水思源)，it is to consciously seek a virtuous and meaningful cause larger than oneself by bestowing self-worth and success to others and the community.

Together, “自强不息” and “己立立人，己达达人” complement each other and form a balanced disposition and character. It also describes how the cultivation of one’s heart and mind should not cease at the personal mastery level, but should be extended to an active contribution towards the betterment of society and humanity, including the family, nation and the global community (修身、齐家、治国、平天下).

Questions Responses

2. What are the food options at We have a diverse range of food options at the HCI school canteen. the HCI canteen? Here’s a listing of the stalls: - Fruits and drinks - Snacks and beverages - Mixed rice (x2) - Noodles - Chicken rice - Western food - Yong Tau Fu - Muslim food

Being located close to the canteen at the College Section and the Hwa Chong International School canteen also means our students get to enjoy a wide variety of options.

Section E: Others

1. What are HCI’s school fees? For details, please refer to the information on our school website at http://www.hci.edu.sg/admissions/college/financial-information- college#fee-structure

2. Will there be scholarships No deserving Singaporean student will be denied entry to HCI and subsidies offered to because of financial reasons. There are a range of subsidies and students? scholarships available for those who are financially needy and/or with special talents. For details, please refer to the information on our school website at http://www.hci.edu.sg/admissions/high_school/financial- information-highschool#financial-assistance

3. What is the PSLE cut-off The PSLE cut-off is dependent on the overall cohort performance. But point to enter HCI (non-DSA)? the general range of PSLE T-scores is from 256-285 in recent years.

4. How big will the 2021 HCI The size of our Sec One cohort is dependent on MOE allocation. The Sec One cohort be? number has been approximately 400 in recent years. This figure is likely to remain stable in the near-future.

5. Are the normal classrooms The Upper Secondary classrooms are air-conditioned (with windows in Hwa Chong air-conditioned that allow the option of natural ventilation), while the Lower Secondary for all levels? classrooms are not. Nonetheless, all our classrooms are well- ventilated and are conducive for learning.

6. How long does it take to The all-sheltered walk from MRT Station to the High walk from Tan Kah Kee MRT School Section takes about 10 minutes. The alternative partly- Station to the High School unsheltered walking route takes about 7 minutes. Otherwise, High Section? Is it sheltered all the School is just 2 bus stops down from Tan Kah Kee MRT Station. way?

7. What are the typical school The typical day for a Secondary One student begins at 7.25am (flag- hours like? raising) and ends at 1.30pm. CCA days typically end at about 5.30pm or thereabouts. Upper Secondary students have afternoon lessons on certain days, and the timing varies across programmes.

8. What is the duration of The duration of recess is 30 minutes. On days with afternoon lessons recess? or other activities, there is also a lunch break that lasts 50 minutes.

Questions Responses

9. Is a laptop/tablet compulsory The use of laptops and tablets is encouraged but it is not compulsory for all students? If so, does the for students to own one. The school library allows the borrowing of school arrange any laptops / tablet for day-use. If laptops/tablets are required to be laptop/tablet sales for students, borrowed for longer-term use (e.g. Full Home-Based Learning), or are they given the required provisions will be made for such circumstances. specs to buy one on their own? Occasionally, vendors approach our school to host IT fairs.

10. Will Hwa Chong be So far, we have preferred to engage prospective students and their arranging any live chats during parents through the provision of comprehensive information, such as the DSA application period? information videos of our programmes. We have also endeavoured to answer all relevant questions through this FAQ page. On our social media channels (Facebook and Instagram), you will also find voices of HwaChongians, alumni as well as highlights that showcase the Hwa Chong experience. We hope such a multimodal approach has provided a more dynamic method of answering your queries. Should there be further information required, we will get back to you as soon as we can at [email protected] (for DSA queries) and [email protected] (for other general enquiries).

11. Are there plans to have a At the moment, there are no plans to have a physical open house, but physical open house this year our communication channels continue to remain open. if the COVID-19 situation eases?

12. Is there a school map Yes we do. Please refer to the campus map below. where we can see where the various school facilities and entrance points are?