Art Elective Programme (AEP)

The Art scene at Hwa Chong Institution has historically been graced by Singaporean greats. Pioneer artists Liu Kang, Chen Wen Hsi, and Lim Hak Tai, just to name a few, have all taught at the school. Today, their legacy lives on in our Art Elective Programme (AEP). The AEP nurtures talented, young artists into future cultural leaders, advocates and scholars who can contribute to the nation’s cultural capital in the areas of fine art, design and new media. AEP students are encouraged to pursue their passions and constantly innovate, developing their creative, conceptual and analytical thinking in the process.

These results culminate in the recognition that Hwa Chong AEP students are consistent frontrunners in prestigious competitions such as the UOB Painting of the Year award, as well as leading contenders in being conferred scholarships from the Media Development Authority and other ministries.

“AEP is a programme that prioritises participation and interest, ensuring everyone remains engaged and motivated in their pursuit of the visual arts! 

Throughout these lessons we learn different art styles, drawing methods, as well as the science and theory behind art. These include learning to utilize fun techniques in your attempts to draw!  We improve our skills and even learn from our friends to develop new art styles and try out interesting techniques. The paintings of many AEP students are even displayed throughout the school for everyone to enjoy with a special art gallery for AEP works. We have kind and engaging AEP teachers who always keep our classes entertaining, as well as a safe space for students.”

- Dong Yuanfeng

双文化课程 | Bicultural Studies Programme

华侨中学双文化课程的愿景在于培育国家未来的双语双文化领袖，继续引领新加坡搭建国际桥梁，开拓新契机。课程目标与课程规划主要通过引导学生以新加坡视角看我国与中西方以及东南亚的关系，结合历史与现代局势发展，开拓学生思维。                                                                              

华侨中学双文化课程旨在：                                                            

• 加深学生对本土文化的了解；

• 加强学生对当代中国的认识；

• 提高学生对东西文化的热爱；

• 培育学贯中西的双文化精英；

• 掌握21世纪技能及全球化视野。                                                                               

The Bicultural Studies Programme (BSP) aims to produce a pipeline of future Singapore leaders who are not only effectively bilingual, but also possess cultural nous, allowing them to continue building bridges and forge opportunities for Singapore’s advancement on the global scene. Its curriculum anchors Hwa Chongians in the Singaporean Perspective, while developing their ability to form cutting-edge insights on the relationships between China, the West and Southeast Asia. Students develop their thinking skills and capacities as they make connections between past and present global trends from the East and West.                                                                                        

Overall, the BSP curriculum aims to give students:

• A deepened understanding and appreciation of our local culture;

• An all-round knowledge and multi-faceted understanding of contemporary China;

• A passion and life-long interest in the cultures of the East and West;

• Opportunities to become adept at bicultural knowledge and its relevant applications;

• A concrete mastery of 21st Century Competencies and a strong global outlook.

“For me, the Bicultural Studies Programme (BSP) has allowed me to step out of the confines of normal classroom academia into exploring the shifting sands of today's society. Experiential learning through multiple overseas immersions allows us to see what we have learnt in class before our very eyes, broadening our horizons and ultimately, strengthening our sense of purpose as a student studying in Singapore. In addition, flagship BSP events like the annual Asian Youth Chinese Forum and BSP symposium have not only added splashes of colour into my life, but also given me a chance to garner deeper insights from local and foreign experts. Beyond everything, BSP constantly teaches me to be culturally aware of the world around me as we navigate its complexities in this day and age.”
- Chan Jian Kai

华文语文特选课程 | Chinese Language Elective Programme

华侨中学（高中部）在1990年推出语文特选课程（简称语特），旨在陶铸通晓双语而又对中华文化有所认识的双语精英。2020年，华侨中学（初中部），获选为开办中学华文语文特选课程的9所中学之一。华中语特课程的愿景在于栽培精通双语的人才，提高学生的华文水平和文学素养。

华侨中学语特课程旨在：

• 引导学生走进中华文学和历史精粹，拓展思路，增进人文情怀；

• 引导学生在文学、历史、哲学的世界里领悟不同的人生；

• 培养学生高尚的道德情操、人生观和价值观;

• 培养具有环球视野的双语人才

Since its inception in 1990, the Chinese Language Elective Programme (CLEP) at Hwa Chong Institution has dedicated itself to nurturing the nation’s next generation of bilingual talents and cultural ambassadors, well-versed in the intricacies of the Chinese Language, Literature, and Culture. In 2020, we became one of the 9 schools in Singapore to offer CLEP to Upper Secondary students.

Overall, the CLEP curriculum aims to:

• Nurture students into open-minded scholars of Chinese Literature;

• Provide guidance for their endeavours in the humanities under the Chinese Literary domain;

• Develop a generation of students with empathy, values and the dedication to bettering the human condition;

• Develop future leaders who are effectively bilingual with a strong global outlook.

Computing Talent Programme (CTP)

The Hwa Chong Computing Talent Programme (CTP) is tailored for students who have a strong passion for, and the ability to pursue Infocomm as a specialisation at the Secondary 3 and 4 levels. The core curriculum emphasises problem-solving and computational thinking — a thought process involving formal reasoning, logical and algorithmic thinking, and the formulation of problems to enable computer-based solutions. There is also a strong focus on computer applications and technology.

Beyond the core curriculum, CTP provides exposure to various enrichments, including competitive programming, cybersecurity, and artificial intelligence (AI). Students will also participate in an immersion programme with the High School Affiliated to Southern University of Science and Technology (HSAS) from Shenzhen, China, fostering cross-cultural collaboration in computing. Additionally, the annual Computing Forum offers CTP students the opportunity to work on projects with HSAS peers and present their work, further deepening their learning and innovation in the field.

As a progression from lower secondary Infocomm studies, CTP not only equips students with essential computing skills but also lays a strong foundation for further studies in computing-related disciplines at the post-secondary and tertiary levels.

“Being in CTP has allowed me to connect with other students with the same interests as me. It is motivating to see other people programming their own projects and leveling up their skills, and I have gained inspiration from seeing other people write up cool things. I also recently participated in the Computing Forum and worked with students from Shenzhen to come up with a project which uses AI for sustainable development. It was an interesting experience interacting with the Shenzhen students, and it gave me new insights into the lives of students in China. Recently, a CTP student committee has been set up to organise more engaging and useful events for this programme.”

- Ng Chen Yi

Entrepreneurship Programme

The Entrepreneurship Programme (EP) cultivates an entrepreneurial mindset in students, empowering them to think boldly, innovate, and solve problems effectively. Through projects, students explore new ideas, refine their design thinking, and develop essential problem-solving skills that will benefit them well beyond the classroom.

A key feature of the Entrepreneurship Programme is its emphasis on real-world learning experiences:

• Alumni Mentorship: Successful alumni share their entrepreneurial journeys, offering invaluable insights and guidance to help students overcome the challenges in bringing ideas to life.

• Industry Attachment: Students collaborate with professionals across various industries, gaining firsthand experience and a deeper understanding of the business landscape.

Humanities Programme (HP)

Each year, the Humanities Programme (HP) attracts top talents who are curious thinkers, avid readers, and persuasive communicators. Through the study of the three Humanities subjects—Geography, History, and Literature—students are able to appreciate complex global issues from multiple perspectives. Interdisciplinary modules, involving the Humanities, Languages, Mathematics, and Sciences, are also a key feature of our curriculum. Through these authentic projects, students appreciate the resonance between disciplines, as well as the constructive potential of harnessing differences. Beyond the classroom, learning comes alive for our HP students when they work in senior-junior teams to organise integrated activities, such as symposiums, mock conferences, field studies, and drama, among others. Many of our HP students go on to flourish in top universities around the world, with half of Hwa Chong’s President’s Scholars coming from the Humanities Programme alone. Moreover, our HP students and alumni alike are actively involved in Service Learning projects which uplift the community. We are proud of our HP students—past and present—who embody our vision of being engaged citizens of the world, and empathetic leaders of Singapore.   

“Joining the Humanities Programme (HP) has been one of the best decisions I have made in High School. In HP, we have numerous events to participate in and organise, such as the inaugural HP Roadshow for prospective HP students, the Humanities Research Symposium for Youth (HRSY), an immersion programme with three other overseas schools, as well as the Humanities in Celebration (HiC) concert at the end of the year. These activities enable us to not only develop a greater appreciation for the arts but also develop us holistically by training our collaborative and communication skills which are vital in modern society. The most important thing I have taken away from my experience in HP is the ability to think critically. As we live in an age filled with misinformation, HP has trained me to effectively critique the information I receive and distill the truths from the falsehoods in our globalised society.”

- Ashton Tan Ke Han

Malay Special Programme (MSP)

The Malay Special Programme (MSP) contributes to Hwa Chong students’ cross-cultural leadership and perspectives in multiple ways. Firstly, it ensures that every Hwa Chong student will graduate with basic proficiency in Malay. This is because all Hwa Chongians learn the language, as well as the accompanying Malay culture and customs, at Secondary Two. Secondly, students interested in pursuing the Malay language further can study it as a Third Language with our in-house cikgus. It is an experience that goes beyond the classroom, as MSP students are accorded with a myriad of opportunities for sustained, meaningful interaction with the language and culture. These include Scrabble challenges, cultural immersions, oratorical competitions, and chances to lead the MSP student community in inter-school activities that enable them to share their love for the language.                                                   

“The Malay Special Programme (MSP) has been a fruitful and rewarding experience for me. As a student of the MSP since Secondary 1, I am privileged to participate in many of the exciting activities my teachers: Cikgu Tan, Cikgu Raihana and Cikgu Azimah, have organised, for us students to immerse ourselves in the Malay culture. These experiences like mosque visits have definitely left a lasting impression on me, and have allowed both me and my classmates to greatly appreciate our multicultural society. Being a Chinese student, taking Malay as a Third Language was definitely not an easy task. However, with my teachers and such an encouraging environment, I was able to slowly gain proficiency in this language. I am extremely grateful for the programme and my teachers in helping me develop in this language and appreciate the Malay culture.”

- Guo Zijia

Science and Mathematics Talent Programme (SMTP)

Be it developing eco-friendly, low-cost alternatives to purifying water; devising solutions to remove herbicide efficiently, or discovering novel methods of improving UV protection, students in the Science and Mathematics Talent Programme (SMTP) make their mark not only on the national stage, but also at prestigious international science fairs and mathematics tournaments. These include but are not limited to the Intel International Science and Engineering Fair, the International Stockholm Junior Water Prize, and the International Mathematical and various Science Olympiads. Indeed, this is because the SMTP, catered to gifted and high-achieving Upper Secondary students, is a programme that:

• Enriches by broadening the curricula and learning experiences,

• Accelerates by providing the right pace for high-ability students, and

• Extends by deepening learning through higher-order thinking processes

SMTP students also have opportunities to experience the rigour of Science Mentorship Programmes with the Gifted Education Branch, as they pursue scientific research under the guidance of experts in various fields. This is complemented by students’ convenient and immediate access to state-of-the-art laboratories in Hwa Chong’s Science Research Centre, the first to be established by any school in Singapore. Ultimately, the Hwa Chong SMTP is one with a difference, moulding students to become future leaders who possess values of research integrity, as well as innovation and empathy through solving real-world problems in the community.

“Being a part of the SMTP program at Hwa Chong has been a tremendously fulfilling experience for me. Through SMTP, I am given the wonderful opportunity to immerse myself in the broad realms of STEM, developing not only a deeper comprehension of scientific and mathematical topics but also a genuine appreciation for the beauty and intricacy of science and mathematics. This curriculum always challenges me to broaden my perspectives, pushing me to new levels of knowledge and understanding while offering many doors of opportunity. To me, SMTP is more than just a programme about equations and formulae but a place where we discover how things truly work in the world around us.”

- Ethan Lim Jun Hee