Best Practices - Hwa Chong Institution

Distinguished

"Do what is right and do it well"

Hwa Chong Institution

Aged 90, Hwa Chong Institution is a merger of the former Chinese High School (founded in 1919) and Hwa Chong junior College (founded in 1974).

They produce the top scholars of the island, close to 50 President's Scholars and the highest number of Most Oustanding National Science Scholars in the A*STAR Honours list for 4 consecutive years, from 2004 to 2007.

So NOTHING is done without deep reflection and thought.

Both her principal Mr. Ang Wee Hiong and vice-principal Mr.Hon Chiew Weng were the former protege of Dr. Low and so it was without much surprise that she was greeted with the great respect due her. When again mentor met mentees there was much nostalgia as the teacher was so excited about their achievements. She gleefully and delightfully savoured in the information of Hwa Chong Institution's future plans for development in the education field.

At the briefing in the conference room

Best practices of the institution include the following.

First, Hwa Chong though fully-funded by the government is given a full autonomous status to run her own show without following the present state education system. She has adopted a 6-year integrated Programme where students are led by the following formula:

• Year 1 & 2 - Exploration of Interest
• Year 3 & 4 - Development of Passion
• Year 5 & 6 - Consolidation of Knowledge

As she has a full autonomous status and the trust of the Singapore MOE, students undergoing her programme need not prepare themselves for the O- level exam. Their exit point is at the A- levels examination. The guide did point out that some parents do worry about this status. They are afraid in the event their children do not fare well at the exit point, there is no backup plan without the O-levels. Joseph explained that they are more into problem -solving and project-based assessment where cooperative and collaborative learning is emphasised to enhance creativity and originality. Some may be in the form of dissertation and oral defence is a possible feature.

Besides, the reflective Mr. Ang pioneered a bold move by setting up a satellite campus in Beijing where Hwa Chong students are given the opportunity to have a half year stint in the integrated programme. There are plans to set up similar campuses in India and the States. Such are their forward-looking endeavours and they dare to change.

Next, Hwa Chong has a science research centre of her own in which teachers and staff acquire their post graduate degrees in collaboration with the University of Western Australia (UWA).

The labs are fully equipped with the latest and educationists from UWA make a 6-monthly visit to the center to monitor the progress and work of researchers. Imagine having a research centre in your school ! You need not go anywhere ... for a post graduate degree. Sounds futuristic indeed.

Joseph, our very informative guide explaining the ins and outs of the lab. The lady (in black) leaning against the table is none other than the Associate Professor herself and I am that pondering one behind her.

Though so Science and IT-based, Hwa Chong has not neglected her Humanities base. Her Humanities Programme is one of the world's leading Oxford and Cambridge entry centres outside the UK, with close to 300 students to date. There...the left and right brains.

Her Art Gallery displays great works of international standard. Joseph showed us a working studio in which students vent out their best splashes and the outlook of the studio gets transformed each year with each new batch.

Some of the pieces :

Very impressive

And with a field three times the size of the one in MPSJ Subang Jaya,

Hwa Chong does not lack in her sporting accolades producing sportsmen and women in Track and Field, Volleyball, Basketball, Softball, Waterpolo and Gymnastics. She also excels in National and International Competitions encompassing competitions such as World Schools Debating Champioship, Intelligent Ironman Creativity Contest and Oxford & Cambridge Society of Singapore letter-writing Competition, to name a few.

Like any ambitious body, Hwa Chong's approach is holistic and in the words of Joseph who has been serving the institution for the last 20 years ,
"Though Hwa Chong is ambitious she has 2 core aims ...to produce students based on values and skills. Her first core value is joy and the rest include integrity, resilience, courage..." Yes she wants to produce joyful spirits who are able to handle the stresses of life.

A formidable and outstanding institution in the field of education, Hwa Chong produces individuals who reflect Passion, Character and Leadership qualities for the world to see.

A most enriching experience.