

VIRTUAL OPEN HOUSE (FAQs)
P6 Open House 2020 Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
A. General Information on School Posting
1. How will my child be posted?
Students are posted to secondary schools based on their PSLE aggregate score, according to the order of their school choice. A student with a better aggregate score will be considered for admission first, subject to the availability of vacancies in the selected school. If there are no more vacancies, the students will be considered for their next choice schools.
2. How is posting processed for two students having the same score choosing the same school?
In situations where there are two or more students with the same aggregate score vying for the last place in a school, they will be posted on their citizenship status. (Singapore Citizens, Permanent Residents, then International students) If there is a tie, e.g. between 2 Singaporean Citizens with the same aggregate score, then posting into the school will be determined by a computerised ballot where each student is given an equal opportunity.
3. What will happen to my child if he/she is not posted to any of the chosen schools?
If your child fails to get a place in any of their choice schools, he/she will be posted to a school near home which still has vacancies.
4. What are the considerations for S1 posting transfer appeals and what do I need to do if I wish to put up an appeal?
MOE will consider appeals for school transfer only for exceptional cases. Such transfers will only be considered for students with: serious medical conditions or severe physical impairments for example those requiring a wheelchair.
Students who wish to appeal for transfer must still complete formalities at the posted school. Please check with the posted school for the mass appeal process. (https://beta.moe.gov.sg/secondary/s1-posting/results/appeal-for-school-transfer/)
Appeal results will only be made known to applicants in early January through the posted Secondary School. Applicants should continue to attend lessons at their posted school while waiting for the results of the appeal.
If you are seeking a transfer due to reasons other than (medical conditions, or disability) you may approach the school of choice directly. Do note that your child’s PSLE aggregate score should meet the schools’ cut-off point of the posting year. Transfers will be subject to available vacancies and meeting the school-based criteria.
B. General Information about Hai Sing Catholic School
5. What is the school reporting and dismissal time?
Students are required to report to school by 7.30 am. Secondary 1 students will be dismissed at 1.40 pm on Monday, Tuesday and Thursday, 2 pm on Wednesday and 12.20 pm on Friday (or 1 pm for Higher Chinese students). However, due to COVID-19, there may be staggered reporting and dismissal time, subject to Safety Measures Management that applies when school reopens.
6. What are the streams offered in the School ?
The school offers Express, Normal Academic [N(A)] and Normal Technical [N(T)] courses.
7. How many students are there in a class?
There are around 40 students in each class. Based on the 2020 Secondary 1 cohort, we have 4 Express, 2 Normal Academic [N(A)] and 1 Normal Technical [N(T)] classes.
8. What were the school’s PSLE cut-off points for the 2020 Secondary 1 cohort?
Express: 225
N(A): 172
N(T): 119
9. Your school T-score cut-off for Express is 225 for the 2020 Secondary 1 cohort. If my child’s PSLE score is 225 (or above cut-off), will he/she be able to confirm a place at Hai Sing?
The aggregate cut-off of 225 is based on PSLE scores and school choices of the previous cohort and can be different this year. Hence, the score should only be used as a rough guide.
10. My child qualifies for the Express course but his PSLE score does not meet your cut-off, can we opt for the Normal Academic course in your school?
If your child has met the qualifying PSLE aggregate for the Express course, he/she has to opt for the given stream. Your child can only opt for the school’s N(A) course if he/she has met the qualifying PSLE aggregate for the Express/N(A) Option band, or the N(A) course.
11. Is the school affiliated to any Junior College?
The school is affiliated to Catholic Junior College. Hence, 2 bonus points can be awarded under the Joint Admission Exercise (JAE) for eligible students who opt for Catholic Junior College as their first or second choice.
12. Where can I find detailed information on transport, subjects offered, CCAs, school outcomes and special student development programmes?
Such information is made available via the MOE School Information Service (SIS) website at
https://sis.moe.gov.sg/SchoolDetails.aspx?schoolCode=7031
13. Where can I find information related to Secondary 2 Streaming Exercise?
You may access the following website for information related to our Secondary 2 Streaming Exercise 2020:
E streaming talk for secondary 2e n 2na students
14. As a Catholic school, is there any difference in education experience between a Catholic and a non-Catholic student?
At Hai Sing, we provide a values-based education that focuses on holistic development and growth of our students so that they become versions of themselves, capable of contributing to a better society and world. While we are a Catholic school, the values we impart to our students are universal in nature such as being truthful and having compassion, etc.
As a Catholic School, we start our day with a short morning prayer every morning led by our Catholic students leaders while the rest of the non-Catholic students would respect the prayer being said by observing silence. This helps our students to calm their mind so that they are better prepared for each new school day.
(For Catholic Enquiries Only)
The school has two chaplains and a small group of Catholic teachers who lead the Catholic Fellowship (CF) team. Monthly Masses and CF activities are organised for Catholic students to strengthen character and for faith formation. Lower secondary Catholic students also attend Catholic CCE lessons while their non-Catholic peers continue with their CCE lessons in class.
15. When will your school be moving to a new location?
The school will undergo upgrading from 2022 to 2023 (tentative) and will hold classes at 15 Pasir Ris Street 21, Singapore 518969 during this period.
16. My child’s PSLE cut-off is below that for your school. As a Catholic family, do we get any advantage in terms of admission?
The Secondary 1 Posting Exercise is based on students’ PSLE aggregate score. Appeals can only be considered if your child’s PSLE aggregate score meet the schools’ cut-off point of the posting year, subject to available vacancies and meeting the school-based criteria.
C. Academic Related Information about Hai Sing Catholic School
17. What are subject combinations and criteria for pure science?
Our school offers triple pure Sciences, double pure Sciences (Physics & Chemistry, Biology & Chemistry) as well as a pure Science with a combined Science (Physics with Science (Chemistry,Biology), Biology with Science (Chemistry,Physics)). The criteria for studying pure Science is to obtain 65% and above for English, Mathematics, Science as well as overall percentage.
18. Is Additional Mathematics offered to all Secondary 3 students?
Based on the 2020 Secondary 2 streaming criteria, students are allowed to offer Additional Mathematics if they obtain an overall score of 65% and above (for Secondary 2 Express) or 75% and above (for Secondary 2 Normal (Academic)) in Mathematics.
19. Does your school have Subject Based Banding (SBB)?
Yes. The school does offer SBB for eligible students in the Normal Academic (NA) and Normal Technical Streams.
20. How are the students identified to study a subject at a higher level?
Secondary 1 students in the N(A) and N(T) courses who are eligible to study a subject at a higher level based on their PSLE results will be issued a letter of offer by the MOE through the school.
Students who perform well academically for their school-based assessments could be offered higher level subjects by the school at the end of Secondary 1 for students in the N(A) and N(T) courses and at the end of Secondary 2 for students in the N(A) course. A student can only take up to a maximum of three SBB subjects.
21. What Art programmes does the school offer?
The school offers a 2-year general Art programme for all Lower Secondary levels. Normal (Academic)/Normal (Technical) Art is offered at the Upper Secondary levels for students who have a flair in the subject. 5
22. Does your school allow students to take AEP/MEP?
Students in non-AEP and non-MEP schools can apply to offer AEP or MEP at the AEP (National Junior
College) and MEP (Anglo-Chinese School (Independent) and Dunman High School) centres
respectively. Once the application is successful, the student is allowed to leave the school earlier to
attend the lessons at their assigned AEP or MEP centre.
Higher Mother Tongue Matters
23. What are the criteria to take Higher Mother Tongue in Hai Sing Catholic School?
If your child is among the top 10% of the PSLE cohort or are in the top 11% - 30% band who meet the language criteria (i.e. an A* grade in the MTL or at least a Merit in the HMTL), your child will be deemed by MOE to be eligible to take Higher Mother Tongue. He/She will receive an Eligibility Form from MOE upon entry to Secondary 1.
Hai Sing Catholic School has the autonomy to offer HMTL to students who are not in the top 30% of the cohort but has achieved an A* grade in the MTL or at least a Merit in the HMTL in PSLE. They will receive a HMT application form upon entry to Secondary 1.
24. My child did not meet the MOE’s or School’s criteria to take Higher Mother Tongue but has great interest in the subject. Can he/she still take HMTL?
Students will still have the opportunity to offer Higher Mother Tongue from Secondary Two onwards should they be assessed to be able to cope with the demands of Mother Tongue and the other subjects at a higher level.
25. Where will the Higher Mother Tongue lessons be held?
Higher Chinese lessons are conducted in the school during curriculum time.
For Higher Malay, your child will need to travel to Tanjong Katong Secondary School outside the curriculum time for the lessons.
For Higher Tamil, your child will need to travel to Pasir Ris Crest Secondary School outside the curriculum time for the lessons.
26. Can my child offer both O Level Mother Tongue and Higher Mother Tongue at the same time?
No. Your child will only offer Higher Mother Tongue should he/she be deemed eligible to take the subject. However, your child will have to sit for the O-Levels Mother Tongue Examination when he/she is in Secondary 3.
27. What are the benefits of taking Higher Mother Tongue?
Students who take Higher Mother Tongue at O-Levels and attain a grade between A1-C6 in both English and Higher Mother Tongue will be eligible for 2 Bonus Points for Junior College Admission. They will also have the option to use it to replace English as L1 for Junior College Admission.
Tamil Language Matters
28. My child is taking Tamil Language but the subject is not offered in Hai Sing Catholic School. Where will my child go for Tamil lessons?
Tamil lessons will be conducted weekly at Pasir Ris Crest Secondary School* for Hai Sing Catholic students. This is the Tamil language centre that is closest to our school.
You will need to register your child with Pasir Ris Crest Secondary School between 2.30pm and 5.30pm from Monday, 4 January 2021 to Wednesday, 6 January 2021.
*Parents may also choose to register their child for Tamil Lessons with Umar Pulavar Tamil Language Centre.
Non Tamil-Indian Languages (Bengali, Hindi, Gujarati, Punjabi, Urdu) Matters
29. My child is taking Non Tamil-Indian Language but the subject is not offered in Hai Sing Catholic School. Where will my child go for the Non Tamil-Indian Language lessons?
You will need to register your child at one of the approved NTIL community groups [CG: Bangla Language and Literary Society, Bangladesh Language and Cultural Foundation, Singapore Gujarati School Limited, DAV Hindi School, The Hindi Society (Singapore), Singapore Sikh Education Foundation, Urdu Development Society (Singapore)] with an approved NTIL application letter by MOE. The class will be allocated only after you have completed the registration.
30. Where can I get the NTIL application form if my child has lost the approved letter/yet to apply for it?
You may email the school with your request for the NTIL application form. Once you have completed the application form, the school will submit it to MOE on your behalf. Please note that it can take a few weeks for the application to be approved.
Asian Languages/Foreign Languages (French, German, Japanese, Arabic, Burmese, Thai) as Mother Tongue in Lieu Matters
31. My child is taking a Foreign Language as Mother Tongue in Lieu in Primary School. Does my child have to re-submit an application again in Secondary School?
No. Students who have registered for the Foreign Language in Lieu previously in Primary School do not need to register again upon entry to Secondary School. The application in Primary School will remain valid when your child is in Secondary School.
32. Where will the lessons for Foreign Language be conducted?
Your child may either choose to take the lessons at MOE Language Centres or choose to do private lessons. The subjects available at MOE Language Centres are French, German, Japanese and Arabic. You may contact the school for an application form should you be interested in registering your child with MOE Language Centre. Please take note that there are limited vacancies in MOE Language Centre and if there are vacancies, your child will have to take a readiness test.
Students taking Burmese and Thai will have to do their own private lessons.
Asian Languages/ Foreign Languages (French, German, Spanish, Japanese, Arabic, Bahasa Indonesia, MSP, CSP) as a Third Language Matters
33. My child submitted an application to take a Third Language. How do I know if he/she is successful in his/her application?
If your child is successful with the application, he/she will receive a Registration Form for Third Languages. You will need to complete and submit the registration form to MOELC or the assigned Zonal Centres to confirm that your child is taking up the offer of a place.
You may also contact the school for further enquiries.
D. Co-Curricular Activities (CCA) Matters
34. Is it compulsory for my child to take part in CCA?
Yes. CCA participation is compulsory for all students in secondary schools. It is an important part of school life that inculcates good character and life skills. For a full list of our school’s CCAs, please refer to our school website or MOE School Information Service (SIS) website at https://sis.moe.gov.sg/SchoolDetails.aspx?schoolCode=7031
35. What are the benefits of CCA participation?
CCA are a key component of students’ holistic education. Through CCA, students discover their interests and talents. Through CCA, students develop their character, learn values, social emotional competencies and skills to prepare them for future challenges.
CCA bring students from diverse backgrounds together. By learning and interacting with one another, students develop friendships and deepen their sense of belonging to the school and community.
Recognition of Students’ Level of Attainment
At the end of the graduating year, students’ co-curricular attainment will be recognised according to
Excellent/Good/Fair. The level of attainment will be converted to a bonus point(s) which can be used for admission to Junior Colleges/ Polytechnics/ Institutes of Technical Education (JC/Poly/ITE),
i.e. 2 Bonus Points for ‘Excellent’ and 1 Bonus Point for ‘Good’.