View source for Hwa Chong Institution

{{Short description|Independent School in Central Region, Singapore}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=July 2023}}
{{Infobox school
 | name                    = Hwa Chong Institution
 | native_name             = {{nobold|{{native name|zh|华侨中学}}<br />{{native name|ms|Institusi Hwa Chong}}<br />{{native name|ta|ஹ்வா சாங் கல்வி நிலையம்}}}}
 | logo                    = [[File:Logo of Hwa Chong Family of Schools.svg|100px]]
 | image                   = [[File:Hwa Chong Institution Clock Tower and Tan Kah Kee Statue.jpg|265px|]]
 | alt                     = Hwa Chong Institution logo
 | motto                   = {{lang|zh-SG|自强不息}}
 | motto_translation       = Tireless self - improvement with tenacity, innovation and passion
 | location                = 661 [[Bukit Timah Road]], [[Singapore]] 269734
 | country                 = [[Singapore]]
 | coordinates             = {{Coord|1.326540|103.803491|scale:5000|display=inline,title}}
 | former_names            = {{ indented plainlist |
*[[The Chinese High School]] (1919–2004)
*[[Hwa Chong Junior College]] (1974–2005)
}}
 | schooltype              = Independent<br />[[Single-sex education|Boys]] (secondary)<br />[[Mixed-sex education|Co-educational]] (junior college)
 | established             = {{Start date and age|2005|01|01|df=y}}
 | principal               = Lee Peck Ping<ref name="Our Principals">{{cite web |title=Our Principals |url=https://www.hci.edu.sg/about-us/our-principal/ |website=Hwa Chong Institution |publisher=Hwa Chong Institution |access-date=5 January 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240105141552/https://www.hci.edu.sg/about-us/our-principal/ |archive-date=5 January 2024 |language=en}}</ref>
 | enrollment              = ~4000
 | website                 = {{URL|https://www.hci.edu.sg|hci.edu.sg}}
 | colors                  = {{colour box|red|Red|white}}  {{colour box|yellow|Yellow|black}} {{colour box|white|White|black}}
 | affiliations            = {{ indented plainlist |
*[[Nanyang Girls' High School]]
*[[Hwa Chong International School]]
*[[Hwa Chong Institution Boarding School]]
}}
 | campus size             = {{convert|29|ha|km2}}
 | campus_type             = [[Urban area|Urban]]
 | town                    = [[Bukit Timah]]
}}

'''Hwa Chong Institution''' ('''HCI''') is an independent [[Secondary school|secondary]] [[educational institution]] in [[Bukit Timah]], [[Central Region, Singapore|Central Region]], [[Singapore]]. It was established in 2005 by the merger of [[The Chinese High School (Singapore)|The Chinese High School]] (1919–2004) and [[Hwa Chong Junior College]] (1974–2005).

HCI provides secondary education for boys only from Years 1 to 4, and pre-university education for both boys and girls in Years 5 and 6. Since 2005, HCI and its affiliated school [[Nanyang Girls' High School]] have offered a six-year [[Integrated Programme]], which allows students to skip the [[Singapore-Cambridge GCE Ordinary Level]] examinations and proceed to take the [[Singapore-Cambridge GCE Advanced Level]] examinations at the end of Year 6. Its name "Hwa Chong" ("Hua Zhong" or "{{lang|zh-SG|华中}}") is an abbreviation of The Chinese High School's Chinese name, "Hua Qiao Zhong Xue" or "{{lang|zh-SG|华侨中学}}".

A [[Ministry of Education (Singapore)|Ministry of Education]]-designated ''FutureSchool'', HCI operates under the [[Special Assistance Plan]] (SAP) for bilingualism, and offers the Integrated Programme and the [[Gifted Education Programme (Singapore)|Gifted Education Programme]]. HCI has been a top feeder school for international students to the [[University of Oxford]] and [[University of Cambridge]].<ref name="HCI History" /> The institution is also a member of Strategic Alliance of Global Educators, Strategic Educational Alliance of Southeast Asia and the Global Learning Alliance which involves some of the world's most innovative schools from the highest performing nations, including Australia, Canada, China, Finland, New Zealand, Singapore, Sweden, and the United States.<ref>{{Cite web|title=A Global Academy {{!}} The HCI Advantage {{!}} Hwa Chong Institution|url=http://www.hci.edu.sg/advantage/a-global-academy|access-date=26 July 2020|website=www.hci.edu.sg|archive-date=6 August 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200806100514/http://www.hci.edu.sg/advantage/a-global-academy|url-status=dead}}</ref> HCI has also forged partnerships with educational institutions across five continents, including cross-border research collaboration with the [[Dominion High School]] in [[Virginia]] and [[Staples High School]] in [[Connecticut]].<ref>{{Cite web|title=About us {{!}} Hwa Chong Institution|url=http://www.hci.edu.sg/about/affiliation-partners|access-date=26 July 2020|website=www.hci.edu.sg|archive-date=27 April 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200427164743/http://www.hci.edu.sg/about/affiliation-partners|url-status=dead}}</ref>

==History==
Previously two separate but affiliated schools — [[The Chinese High School (Singapore)|The Chinese High School]] and [[Hwa Chong Junior College]] – HCI was established through a merger on 1 January 2005. It was among the first batch of schools to offer the six-year [[Integrated Programme]], which leads directly to the [[Singapore-Cambridge GCE Advanced Level]] examinations at the end of the sixth year. In spite of the merger, the High School section remains boys-only. The [[Junior college (Singapore)|College]] section remains co-educational; its Integrated Programme cohort consists of boys from Hwa Chong's High School section as well as girls from [[Nanyang Girls' High School]] .<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.nas.gov.sg/archivesonline/speeches/view-html?filename=2004032103.htm|title=Speech by Prime Minister Goh Chok Tong, at the Chinese High School's 85th Anniversary and Hwa Chong Junior College's 30th Anniversary Dinner, 21 March 2004, 8.15 pm|website=www.nas.gov.sg|access-date=20 October 2017|archive-date=21 October 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171021003647/http://www.nas.gov.sg/archivesonline/speeches/view-html?filename=2004032103.htm|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |url= https://www.nygh.edu.sg/milestones |title=Milestones |publisher=Nanyang Girls' High School |access-date=20 October 2017|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20180819083020/https://www.nygh.edu.sg/milestones |archive-date=19 August 2018}}</ref>

===The Chinese High School (1919–2004)===
[[File:Bell Tower in the 50s.JPG|thumb|right|200px|[[The Chinese High School Clock Tower]] in the 1950s]]
{{Main|The Chinese High School (Singapore)}}

The Chinese High School was founded by [[Tan Kah Kee]] in March 1919 at Niven Road, as the Singapore Nanyang Overseas Chinese Middle School ({{Lang-zh|c=|s=新加坡南洋华侨中学|t=新加坡南洋華僑中學|p=|first=t}}). With an enrolment of 78 pupils, it was the first Chinese institution of higher learning at that time in Southeast Asia, catering to Chinese dialect groups amongst the overseas Chinese.<ref name="legacy exhibition" /> Six years later, the school moved to its [[Bukit Timah]] campus.<ref>{{Cite web|author=Tan, Bonny |title=Tan Kah Kee |publisher=[[National Library Board]] |date=22 January 1999 |url=http://infopedia.nl.sg/articles/SIP_839_2004-12-28.html |format=article |access-date=24 July 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100701173657/http://infopedia.nl.sg/articles/SIP_839_2004-12-28.html |archive-date=1 July 2010 }}</ref>

After its founding, the school offered comprehensive secondary level Chinese education. It remained funded and supported by Tan Kah Kee until shortly before [[World War II]]. In 1934, [[Lee Kong Chian]], Tan Kah Kee's son-in-law, became the chairman of the school's board and remained in his post until 1955. During his tenure, the school faced the threat of closure several times due to financial difficulties, but managed to survive due to strong financial support from Lee and Tan. Together, they built a legacy which is currently commemorated by the school body through songs, plays, musical performances, and a heritage trail.<ref name="legacy exhibition">{{Cite web |title= The Legacy of Tan Kah Kee and Lee Kong Chian |publisher= [[National Library Board]] |url= http://www.thelegacy.nl.sg/exh_education.html |format= exhibition |access-date= 24 July 2010 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20090809071821/http://www.thelegacy.nl.sg/exh_education.html |archive-date= 9 August 2009 }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |author =Nor-Afidah Abd Rahman |title =Lee Kong Chian |publisher =[[National Library Board]] |date =13 July 2005 |url =http://infopedia.nl.sg/articles/SIP_978_2006-06-16.html |format =article |access-date =24 July 2010 |archive-url =https://web.archive.org/web/20090308033311/http://infopedia.nl.sg/articles/SIP_978_2006-06-16.html |archive-date =8 March 2009 |df =dmy-all }}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |date=15 February 2019 |title=Hwa Chong Institution turns 100 years old, and pays tribute to past and present teachers |first=Amelia |last=Teng |url= https://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/education/hwa-chong-institution-turns-100-years-old-and-pays-tribute-to-past-and-present |access-date=18 May 2021 |work=The Straits Times |location= Singapore}}</ref>

During the [[Battle of Singapore]], the school's [[The Chinese High School Clock Tower Building|clock tower]], due to its height and vantage point, served as a headquarters for the [[Allies of World War II|Allied defenders]].<ref name="Monuments Board">{{Cite web| title = Chinese High School Clock Tower Building | publisher = Preservation of Monuments Board | year = 2010 | url = http://www.pmb.sg/?page_id=246 | format = Listing | access-date = 4 July 2010 }}</ref><!-- Unreferenced: and later the [[Imperial Japanese Army]] during the [[Japanese occupation of Singapore]]. The school also served as a temporary concentration camp to detain people for examination during the [[Sook Ching massacre]].--> Following the war, the school resumed its Chinese education. In the 1950s and 1960s, during periods of civil unrest in Singapore, many students, teachers and alumni participated in or led the [[History of Singapore#Post-war period (1945–1955)|anti-colonial riots]].<ref name="legacy exhibition" /><ref name="NHB">{{Cite web | title = Heritage Trails :: Local School Clusters :: Hwa Chong Institution | publisher = National Heritage Board | year = 2009 | url = http://heritagetrails.sg/content/815/Hwa_Chong_Institution.html | format = article | access-date = 4 July 2010 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20111008003056/http://heritagetrails.sg/content/815/Hwa_Chong_Institution.html | archive-date = 8 October 2011 }}</ref>

After Singapore gained independence in 1965, the school came under the purview of the [[Ministry of Education (Singapore)|Ministry of Education]] and was accorded the [[Special Assistance Plan]] (SAP) status in 1979.<ref>{{Cite news |author =Ho Ai Li |title =Keeping SAP schools special |newspaper= The Straits Times |location =Singapore |date =28 February 2008 |url = http://www.asiaone.com/News/Education/Story/A1Story20080228-51819.html |access-date = 24 July 2010}}</ref> Later, in 1988, the school achieved the status of an independent school.<ref name="NHB" /> This scheme was perceived by the ministry as successful, and was thus extended to other well-performing schools in Singapore.<ref>{{Cite press release|title=Enhanced Programmes by Special Assistance Plan Schools to Enrich Students' Learning of Chinese Language and Values |publisher=[[Ministry of Education (Singapore)|Ministry of Education]] |date=11 February 2008 |url=http://www.moe.gov.sg/media/press/2008/02/enhanced-programmes-by-special.php |access-date=24 July 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130102105332/http://www.moe.gov.sg/media/press/2008/02/enhanced-programmes-by-special.php |archive-date=2 January 2013 }}</ref> On 19 March 1999, the school's clock tower was gazetted as a national monument.<ref name="Monuments Board" />

===Hwa Chong Junior College (1974–2004)===
[[File:HCJC plaza.jpg|thumb|180px|right|The Central Plaza of the college section, previously a part of [[Hwa Chong Junior College]]]]
{{Main|Hwa Chong Junior College}}

In the late 1960s, Singapore's education system for secondary schools was in the form of a four-year programme followed by a two-year programme for pre-university education. The Chinese High School's board of directors decided to construct a [[Junior college (Singapore)|junior college]] immediately adjacent to the school. This junior college was the second to be built in Singapore, and the first government-aided one.

Hwa Chong Junior College began lessons in 1974 under the same administration as The Chinese High School.<ref name="HCI History" /> The name "Hwa Chong" ("Hua Zhong") is an abbreviation of The Chinese High School's Chinese name, "Hua Qiao Zhong Xue", to mark the relationship between the two schools.<ref name="NHB" /> During its initial thirteen years, Hwa Chong Junior College gradually developed into a top junior college in Singapore, with the school frequently producing high-scoring students in the [[Singapore-Cambridge GCE Advanced Level]] examinations.{{Citation needed|date=May 2021}}

Hwa Chong Junior College moved out of its campus at Bukit Timah Road in the late 1980s following the discovery of structural problems with the building to facilitate rebuilding. Students were relocated to [[Ngee Ann Polytechnic]] initially, before a temporary campus was erected in [[Bukit Batok]]. The temporary campus was utilised from 1987 to 1992, as reconstruction works proceeded at the original campus. Lessons restarted at the original campus in 1993.{{Citation needed|date=May 2021}}

After The Chinese High School was accorded independent school status in 1987, Hwa Chong Junior College followed suit in 2004, becoming the first junior college in Singapore to be granted the status of an independent school.<ref name="HCI History" />

===Merger as Hwa Chong Institution (2005–present)===
Following the introduction of the [[Integrated Programme]] into Singapore's education system in the early 2000s, The Chinese High School merged with Hwa Chong Junior College on 1 January 2005 to form an integrated institution, featuring a High School section and a college section.<ref name="HCI History"/> The merged institution kept the native name of The Chinese High School ({{Lang-zh|c=|s=华侨中学|t=華僑中學|first=t|labels=no}}), and adopted "Hwa Chong Institution" as its administrative name. The college section is formally renamed as "Hwa Chong Institution (College)" ({{Lang-zh|c=|s=华侨中学 (高中部)|t=華僑中學 (高中部)|p=|first=t|labels=no}}) <ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.redotnews.com/society/show/53733.html|title=黄城四十-社会 – 新加坡新闻网|website=www.redotnews.com|access-date=18 October 2017}}</ref> In the same year, [[Hwa Chong International School]] was established under the auspices of the institution, offering independent education that leads to the [[IB Diploma Programme|International Baccalaureate Diploma]].<ref>{{Cite web |url= http://www.hcis.edu.sg/en_US/about-hcis/ |title=About HCIS |publisher=Hwa Chong International School |access-date=20 October 2017}}</ref>

When HCI was formed in 2005, the former Hwa Chong Junior College's principal Ang Wee Hiong became the new principal and chief executive officer of HCI, while Hon Chiew Weng, who was previously the principal of The Chinese High School, became principal of the High School Section and Deputy Chief Executive Officer of HCI.<ref name="About us">{{Cite web|title=About us|url=http://www.hci.edu.sg/about/pioneer-principals|access-date=29 October 2017|publisher=Hwa Chong Institution|archive-date=22 October 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171022220008/http://www.hci.edu.sg/about/pioneer-principals|url-status=dead}}</ref>

In 2008, HCI was selected by the [[Ministry of Education (Singapore)|Ministry of Education]] to implement the FutureSchools@Singapore programme,<ref name="InternationalisingSingapore">Anna Yap, "[http://www.challenge.gov.sg/magazines/archive/2007_11/coverstory.html Internationalising Singapore] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161011065502/https://www.challenge.gov.sg/magazines/archive/2007_11/coverstory.html |date=11 October 2016 }}", Challenge (Singapore), November 2007. Retrieved 2 September 2012.</ref> one of five initial schools to do so and amongst the eventual fifteen planned.<ref>{{Cite web | title = The Future of Learning Enabled by Infocomm | publisher = Info-communications Development Authority of Singapore | url = http://www.ida.gov.sg/News%20and%20Events/20080513132544.aspx?getPagetype=21 | access-date = 2 July 2010 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20120725234511/http://www.ida.gov.sg/News%20and%20Events/20080513132544.aspx?getPagetype=21 | archive-date = 25 July 2012 }}</ref> In the same year, the Hwa Chong Diploma was introduced and has been awarded to the best performing 30% of each year's graduating cohort on top of the [[Singapore-Cambridge GCE Advanced Level]] certificate.<ref>{{Cite news| title =Hwa Chong to give own diploma to top students |author =Ho Ai Li | url= http://www.asiaone.com/News/Education/Story/A1Story20080320-55457.html |newspaper =The Straits Times |location= Singapore |date= 20 March 2008 |access-date =3 July 2010 }}</ref>

After Hon Chiew Weng succeeded Ang Wee Hiong as Principal of HCI in 2009, the role of chief executive officer was abolished. Hon stated that since HCI was a school and not a company, there was no need for a chief executive officer. Hon retired on 22 December 2017, and was succeeded by Pang Choon How, an alumnus of the school who was previously the principal of [[Chung Cheng High School (Main)]].<ref name="About us"/>

==== 100th Anniversary ====
HCI commemorated its centenary on its founder's day, 21 March 2019.<ref>{{Cite news |url= https://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/hwa-chong-institution-celebrates-100-years |title=Hwa Chong Institution celebrates its 100th year |last=Tan |first=Sue-Ann |date=21 March 2019 |newspaper=The Straits Times |location= Singapore |access-date=6 April 2019}}</ref>

On 21 March 2019, in commemoration of the school's centennial, a dinner dubbed the "dinner of 10,000 people" was organised and held. It was celebrated in the field before the school's iconic clock tower and the statue of Tan Kah Kee, the school's founder. The celebratory dinner entered the Singapore Book of Records as the largest school anniversary dinner, with 12,581 attendees, including Prime Minister [[Lee Hsien Loong]].<ref>{{cite web |author=Guan Zhen Tan |title=12,581 people attended Hwa Chong's 100th anniversary dinner, 13 current MPs are alumni |url= https://mothership.sg/2019/03/hwa-chong-100th-anniversary/ |website=Mothership |date=22 March 2019}}</ref> This was the fifth time Hwa Chong had organised such a celebratory dinner, with prior dinners in 1979, 1989, 1999 and 2009.

The same year, the school staged the Centennial Musical at the [[National University of Singapore]] Cultural Centre. The musical featured 537 participants, and was attended by alumna [[Sim Ann]], Senior Minister of State at the [[Ministry of Communications and Information (Singapore)|Ministry of Communications and Information]]. The [[Singapore Symphony Orchestra]]'s Tan Wee-Hsin was the conductor, while Yang Wenzhong was the director at-large with the orchestra comprising HCI students.{{citation needed|date=May 2021}}

== School identity and culture ==
[[File:CHS tablet.jpg|thumb|left|180px|A stone tablet with the school motto inscribed]]

=== Uniform and attire ===
In the High School Section, students in Secondary 1 to Secondary 3 (inclusive) wear a white short-sleeved shirt with khaki short trousers and white socks, which must cover the ankles. The four metal buttons must be worn on the two front pockets and on both shoulders. The school collar pin should be worn on the left collar. Either white, blue or black shoes with either white or black laces must be worn. Secondary 4 students wear beige long trousers with a beige shirt, similar to the boys in the College Section. College girls wear a beige blouse and a beige skirt.<ref name="PMD">[http://www.hci.sg/studentcare/ge-01-1.php Rules & Regulations] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111009181820/http://www.hci.sg/studentcare/ge-01-1.php |date=9 October 2011 }}, Hwa Chong Institution. Retrieved 4 September 2012.</ref> The uniform for the College Section is the same as that of the former Hwa Chong Junior College, and it was designed by a Malay girl of the pioneer batch.<ref>{{Citation|last=Stephanie Ko|title=HCJC 30th Anniversary Video – Part 1 of 3|date=2 October 2008|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u7mNl6uVQhQ |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211222/u7mNl6uVQhQ |archive-date=22 December 2021 |url-status=live|access-date=16 July 2017}}{{cbignore}}</ref>

=== Discipline ===
Students earn demerit points for poor behaviour. Accumulated demerit points can affect final grades and eligibility for certain awards, scholarships and overseas trips.<ref name="DPS">[http://www.hci.sg/studentcare/ge-01-2.php Demerit Points System] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111009181856/http://www.hci.sg/studentcare/ge-01-2.php |date=9 October 2011 }}, Hwa Chong Institution. Retrieved 4 September 2012.</ref> The student handbook for the High School Section states that students who commit serious offences may be punished with detention, [[Caning in Singapore#School caning|caning]], suspension, or expulsion. Only the principal or discipline master may administer caning.<ref name="handbook" /> Students found smoking are immediately caned or suspended or both.<ref name="PMD" /> Caning may also be given for integrity-related offences (e.g. cheating), uncivilised behaviour (e.g. defiance), and criminal offences (e.g. fighting).<ref name="DPS" />

=== Crest ===
The current school crest of HCI is a stylised form of the traditional Chinese character ''Huá'' ({{lang|zh-SG|華}}), which is part of the school name and reflects its Chinese heritage. The red crest also bears much similarity to a burning torch of passion.<ref>{{Cite book|title=School Crest Examination|last=Zhuang|first=Justin|publisher=National Heritage Board|year=2013|isbn=978-981-07-6524-8|location=Singapore|pages=18–23}}</ref>

==Affiliations==
=== Nanyang Girls' High School ===
{{Main|Nanyang Girls High School}}

HCI offers the six-year [[Integrated Programme]] with its affiliated school [[Nanyang Girls' High School]] (NYGH), which is known as the Hwa Chong Affiliate Programme. Under the programme, NYGH students and HCI High School students proceed to the HCI College Section for their pre-university education in Years 5 and 6,<ref>[http://www.nanyanggirlshigh.moe.edu.sg/cos/o.x?c=/wbn/pagetree&func=view&rid=1095313 Life in Nanyang (IP)]", [[Nanyang Girls High School]]. Retrieved 5 September 2012.</ref> and sit for the [[Singapore-Cambridge GCE Advanced Level]] examinations at the end of Year 6. However, HCI High School and NYGH students who have not achieved a Mean Subject Grade (MSG) of 3.00 or below at the end of Year 4, or who have applied to leave the Integrated Programme, do not proceed to the HCI College Section for Years 5 and 6.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.moe.gov.sg/education/programmes/gifted-education-programme/integrated-programmes/|title=Gifted Education Programme: Integrated Programme|publisher=Ministry of Education, Singapore|format=document|access-date=24 July 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100731135358/http://www.moe.gov.sg/education/programmes/gifted-education-programme/integrated-programmes/|archive-date=31 July 2010}}</ref>

=== Hwa Chong Family of Schools ===
{{See also|Hwa Chong|Hwa Chong International School|Hwa Chong Institution Boarding School}}

Under the umbrella Hwa Chong family of schools, HCI is affiliated to [[Hwa Chong International School]] (HCIS) and [[Hwa Chong Institution Boarding School]] (HCIBS).<ref name="singaporeedu HCIS">{{Cite web|url=http://app.singaporeedu.gov.sg/asp/edu/edu0211.asp?IntId=516|title=Hwa Chong International School|publisher=[[Government of Singapore]]|format=listing|access-date=24 July 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110811150159/http://app.singaporeedu.gov.sg/asp/edu/edu0211.asp?IntId=516|archive-date=11 August 2011}}</ref> All three schools share the same prefix in their names, and are located in the same main campus. However, in spite of the multi-sharing, each school possesses its own set of facilities, though students from the different schools may access and use the facilities in other schools.

HCIS is a co-educational, private independent [[international school]] offering a six-year programme from Grade 7 (11–13 years old) to Grade 12 that leads to the [[IB Diploma Programme|International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma]]. In the interim years, the students will sit for the [[International General Certificate of Secondary Education|International General Certificate of Secondary Education (IGCSE)]]. HCIS saw its final batch of graduating IGCSE students and the first batch of graduating IB students in 2010.<ref name="singaporeedu HCIS" />

HCIBS is the institution's boarding school, accommodating HCI's international scholars. It also houses international scholars studying in other local schools such as [[Singapore Chinese Girls' School]] and [[Bukit Panjang Government High School]]. Local Singaporean boarders staying in the boarding school are participants of HCI's Integrated Boarding Programme. The boarding complex was designed by architect [[Kenzo Tange]],<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://architect.architecture.sk/kenzo-tange-architect/kenzo-tange-architect.php|title=Kenzo Tange: architect biography|publisher=architect.architecture.sk|access-date=2 July 2010}}</ref> consisting of seven six-storey halls providing accommodation for up to 1,000 boarders or guests.<ref>"[http://www.hcibs.edu.sg/Facilities.html Facilities] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110928184957/http://www.hcibs.edu.sg/Facilities.html |date=28 September 2011 }}", Hwa Chong Institution Boarding School, Retrieved 2 September 2012.</ref>

==Campus==
The main campus of HCI in [[Bukit Timah]] covers 72 acres,<ref name="HCI History">"[http://www.hci.edu.sg/about/history About us] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210113062542/http://www.hci.edu.sg/about/history |date=13 January 2021 }}", Hwa Chong Institution, Retrieved 30 August 2012.</ref> making it one of the largest campuses in Southeast Asia. The campus land is shared among the Hwa Chong family of schools, which also include [[Hwa Chong International School]] and [[Hwa Chong Institution Boarding School]]. Also onsite is the Bukit Timah campus of the [[Singapore University of Social Sciences]] and its administrative headquarters. Despite the multi-sharing, each entity possesses its own set of facilities, marked by certain perimeters. The school also has a [[National monuments of Singapore|national monument]] in its campus.<ref name="Hermes">{{Cite web |last=Hermes |date=1 September 2016 |title=Bound by a timeless piece of history {{!}} The Straits Times |url=https://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/bound-by-a-timeless-piece-of-history |access-date=14 April 2023 |website=www.straitstimes.com |language=en}}</ref>

{{Panorama
| image = File:Hwa Chong Institution Clock Tower Panorama.jpg
| height = 300
| alt = 
| caption = A panoramic view of the [[The Chinese High School Clock Tower Building|clock tower]] and its surroundings.
}}

=== Main Campus ===

==== Clock Tower ====
[[File:CHS Tower Block.jpg|thumb|230x230px|Clock tower of Hwa Chong Institution]]
The 31-metre tall [[The Chinese High School Clock Tower Building|clock tower]] of the school is a national monument. It is the only school in Singapore to have a national monument in its campus.<ref>"[http://app.mica.gov.sg/Data/0/PDF/1_PMB%20Monuments-2006.pdf 55 Gazetted National Monuments of Singapore] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120211122442/http://app.mica.gov.sg/Data/0/PDF/1_PMB%20Monuments-2006.pdf|date=11 February 2012}}", [[Ministry of Information, Communications and the Arts]], 2006. Retrieved 4 September 2012.</ref> It is built in the [[Neoclassical architecture|neoclassical architectural]] style. It was built in 1925 by [[Swan & Maclaren Architects|Swan & Maclaren]] and was funded by donations of the Chinese community. The clock tower was gazetted as a national monument in 1999.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Chinese High School Clock Tower Building |url=https://www.roots.gov.sg/en/places/places-landing/Places/national-monuments/chinese-high-school-clock-tower-building |access-date=14 April 2023 |website=www.roots.gov.sg}}</ref> The classrooms in the building which holds the clock tower is used for special programmes.<ref name="Hermes" />

==== Library ====
There are two libraries in the campus, the Jing Xian Library in the college section and the Kong Chian Library in the High School section respectively. The Jing Xian library was founded in 1974, and was renamed in 1983 in honour of the father of the chairman of the management committee. The Kong Chian Library officially opened as the Kuo Chuan Library in 1957, but was later renamed in honour of [[Lee Kong Chian]] in 1967.<ref>{{cite web |title=Hwa Chong Library |url=http://www.hci.edu.sg/advantage/campus-facilities/library |access-date=8 January 2021}}</ref>

==== Science Research Centre ====
[[File:Science Research Centre.jpg|thumb|Hwa Chong Institution Science Research Centre]]
The Science Research Centre, built in 2008, has ten purpose-built laboratories in which students experience different research disciplines outside of the usual curriculum, including labs for Robotics and Engineering, Biotechnology and Microbiology, and the Pharmaceutical Sciences.<ref>{{Cite news| title = Hwa Chong Institution opens new Science Research Centre | author = Hoe Yeen Nie | url = http://www.channelnewsasia.com/stories/singaporelocalnews/view/343879/1/.html | work = ChannelNewsAsia | location = Singapore| date = 26 April 2008 | access-date = 3 July 2010 }}</ref> The centre provides resources to support the research and innovation programmes, serving as a central facility for student research activities.<ref>"[http://www.hci.edu.sg/advantage/campus-facilities/science-research-centre Science Research Centre]", Hwa Chong Institution. Retrieved 2 September 2012.</ref>

==== Ong Teng Cheong SALT Centre ====
[[File:HCI SALT Centre.jpg|thumb|Hwa Chong Institution SALT Centre]]
The Ong Teng Cheong Student Activities and Leadership Training Centre (also called the Ong Teng Cheong SALT Centre, or the SALT Centre), named in honour of alumnus [[Ong Teng Cheong]], the fifth [[President of Singapore]], aims to develop students holistically, particularly in arts and leadership development. Housed in it are dance studios, music rooms, and a cardiovascular and weight-training room. The centre also houses a moot parliament hall modelled on the [[Parliament of Singapore|Singapore Parliamentary Chamber]]. The venue is used for events such as student council meetings, co-curricular activities, lectures by guests speakers, and [[Model United Nations]] conferences such as the Hwa Chong Model ASEAN Summit and The Hague International Model United Nations conference.<ref>"[http://www.hci.edu.sg/advantage/campus-facilities/ong-teng-cheong-salt-centre Ong Teng Cheong SALT Centre] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160825183231/http://www.hci.edu.sg/advantage/campus-facilities/ong-teng-cheong-salt-centre |date=25 August 2016 }}", Hwa Chong Institution. Retrieved 2 September 2012.</ref><ref>{{Cite web |publisher =THIMUN Singapore |title= Welcome to THIMUN Singapore |url= https://singapore.thimun.org/ |access-date=18 May 2021}}</ref>

Other facilities in Hwa Chong Institution include a table tennis room, street soccer courts, a judo dojo, three-storey library, a makerspace,<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.hci.edu.sg/news/envisioning-and-crafting-multi-disciplinary-solutions-to-emerging-challenge|title=Envisioning and Crafting Multi-Disciplinary Solutions To Emerging Challenges|website=www.hci.edu.sg|access-date=29 September 2018}}</ref> a gymnasium, a 400-metre track, a multi-purpose hall, a multi-storey carpark, lecture theatres, general laboratories and classrooms.

=== Overseas campuses ===
====Beijing Satellite Campus====
In line with the school's plan to set up a Global Academy, HCI established its Beijing Satellite Campus in 2007, the first of its kind for a Singapore school.<ref>{{Cite news | title = Hwa Chong students get taste of Beijing | first = Tracy | last = Quek | url = http://bsc.hc.edu.sg/bsc/content/article.pdf | newspaper = The Straits Times | location = Singapore | date = 10 November 2007 | access-date = 3 July 2010 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20110812221221/http://bsc.hc.edu.sg/bsc/content/article.pdf | archive-date = 12 August 2011 }}</ref> An agreement was inked with [[The Second High School Attached to Beijing Normal University]], in which classrooms will be leased. A total of four batches of students make their way to the campus every year, staying for up to two months. Priority is given to scholars of HCI's Bicultural Studies Programme and Humanities Programme.<ref>{{Cite web| title = English text of National Day Rally Speech 2007 in Mandarin Sunday, 19 August 2007 at the University Cultural Centre, NUS | publisher = ChannelNewsAsia | url = http://www.channelnewsasia.com/ndp07/rally_ch.htm | access-date = 2 July 2010}}</ref> Students in the campus take lessons together with students from China in partner schools, carry out community involvement activities, and take field trips to cities such as [[Xi'an]], [[Tianjin]] and [[Shanghai]].<ref>"[http://www.hci.edu.sg/advantage/a-global-academy/beijing-satellite-campus Campuses in China], Hwa Chong Institution. Retrieved 3 September 2012.</ref>

HCI has been quoted as saying that it is looking to opening satellite campuses in India and the United States, with the aim of establishing the two in the near future. In July 2010, it was announced that HCI would be developing a school in the Sino-Singapore Guangzhou Knowledge City in [[Guangzhou]], akin to that of its first satellite campus, following the inking of a [[memorandum of understanding]]. This would see HCI partnering a top local school for exchange and mutual learning programmes.<ref>{{Cite news |title= S'pore school for Guangzhou |author =Kor Kian Beng |date=1 July 2010 |newspaper =The Straits Times |location=Singapore |url = http://www.straitstimes.com/BreakingNews/Singapore/Story/STIStory_547999.html |access-date= 2 July 2010}}</ref>

==== Xi'an Winter Campus ====
In addition to the Beijing Satellite Campus, the Xi'an Winter Campus was set up in 2011 with its site based in High School Affiliated to [[Xi'an Jiaotong University]]. Students partaking in the Winter Campus programme would spend four weeks there attending lessons that are conducted in Chinese and focused on humanities subjects including history, geography, literature, socio-Economic as well as political aspects of China. This programme also provides opportunities for students who are strong in English, mathematics and the sciences, but weaker in Chinese, to better master the language and to immerse themselves in a different environment, and at the same time, appreciate Chinese culture and history.

== Information ==
Secondary 1 boys first enter the High School Section and study there for four years before proceeding to the College Section, where they prepare to take the [[Singapore-Cambridge GCE Advanced Level]] examinations at the end of Year 6. The High School Section uses the [[Academic grading in Singapore#GPA and MSG|Mean Subject Grade]] (MSG) grading system in tests and exams. The school-wide [[Integrated Programme]] offered enables students to skip the [[Singapore-Cambridge GCE Ordinary Level]] examinations,  which is typically taken by Secondary 4 students in Singapore. The Hwa Chong Diploma was introduced in 2008 and is awarded to the best performing 30% of its graduating cohort. It is awarded on top of the GCE Advanced Level certificate, and is an added qualification to university applications.<ref>{{Cite news| author = Ho Ai Li | title = Hwa Chong to give own diploma to top students | newspaper = The Straits Times | location = Singapore | date = 20 March 2008 | url = http://www.asiaone.com/News/Education/Story/A1Story20080320-55457.html | access-date = 24 July 2010 }}</ref>

The school enrols an estimated 4,000 students, spread across the six levels,<ref name="ST20080107">{{Cite news|url=http://www.asiaone.com/News/Education/Story/A1Story20080107-43892.html|title=Raffles JC, RI looking into merger|last=Davie|first=Sandra|date=5 January 2008|newspaper=The Straits Times|access-date=4 July 2010|location=Singapore}}</ref><ref name="ST20080901">{{Cite news|url=http://www.asiaone.com/News/Education/Story/A1Story20080901-85334.html|title=Next stop on Downtown Line: Hwa Chong station?|author1=Ee Wen, Jamie|date=2 September 2008|newspaper=The Straits Times|access-date=4 July 2010|author2=Teo, Esther|location=Singapore}}</ref> with a student-teacher ratio of 13:1.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://app.singaporeedu.gov.sg/asp/edu/edu0211.asp?IntId=443|title=Hwa Chong Institution|publisher=Government of Singapore|format=listing|access-date=24 July 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110811150129/http://app.singaporeedu.gov.sg/asp/edu/edu0211.asp?IntId=443|archive-date=11 August 2011}}</ref> Hwa Chong Institution has produced 58 [[President's Scholar]]s. The college section's Humanities Programme has a significant percentage<ref>{{Cite web |title=Class of 2022 Overcomes Formidable Challenges to Demonstrate Holistic Excellence |url=https://www.hci.edu.sg/news-n-events/news3/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241111225538/https://www.hci.edu.sg/news-n-events/news3/ |archive-date=2024-11-11 |access-date=2024-11-11 |website=hci.edu.sg |language=en}}</ref> of its students going on to study abroad at places such as the [[University of Oxford]], [[University of Cambridge]], [[Harvard University]], [[Yale University]], [[Stanford University]], [[University of Chicago]], [[NYU]], [[UC Berkeley]],<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://app.sis.moe.gov.sg/schinfo/SIS_SearchDtls.asp?strCode=0806|title=School Information Service – Hwa Chong Institution|publisher=Ministry of Education|access-date=2 July 2010}}</ref> [[Peking University]] and [[Tsinghua University]].<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.asiaone.com/News/Education/Story/A1Story20100305-202692.html|title=Students bag scholarships to top China unis|author=Yeo Shang Long|date=7 March 2010|newspaper=The Straits Times|access-date=3 July 2010|location=Singapore}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.asiaone.com/News/Education/Story/A1Story20090924-169778.html|title=Hwa Chong scores breakthrough to top China unis|author=Sim, Bryna|date=25 September 2009|newspaper=The Straits Times|access-date=2 July 2010|location=Singapore}}</ref>

===Consortia and faculties===
Students in the High School Section are divided into what are called ''consortia'' – a different naming convention from the typical [[house system]]. The four consortia in the school are Aphelion, iSpark, Ortus and ProEd. The iSpark consortium houses HCI's School Based [[Gifted Education Programme (Singapore)|Gifted Education Programme ]] (SBGE) students. From 2025 onwards, future batches will no longer be differentiated by SBGE across consortiums, and will have 3 iSpark classes instead of the previous 4. The consortia work closely with one another and each has its own student council.<ref>{{Cite web | title = Consortium System in Hwa Chong Institution | publisher = Hwa Chong Institution | url = http://www.hci.sg/studentcare/cc-00.php | access-date = 24 July 2010 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20100715153630/http://www.hci.sg/studentcare/cc-00.php | archive-date = 15 July 2010 }}</ref> In the College Section, the student population is divided into four faculties – Apollo, Ares, Athena and Artemis – named after [[List of Greek deities|Greek deities]].<ref>"[http://www.hci.edu.sg/advantage/student-development/consortiums-faculties Consortiums and Faculties]", Hwa Chong Institution. Retrieved 4 September 2012.</ref>

===Special programmes===
Various special programmes are offered in HCI, such as the Bicultural Studies Programme, the [[Art Elective Programme (Singapore)|Art Elective Programme]] and the Science and Math Talent Programme. These programmes offer a degree of specialisation that is generally not possible in the standard curriculum, enabling students in the school to explore respective fields to a greater degree. Despite having similar names, the special programmes offered in the High School and College sections are different; however, most are closely associated with each other. An example would be the Humanities Programme (HP), in which the high school HP focuses on the three core humanities subjects – History, Geography and English Literature, while the college HP offers a greater variety of subjects such as China studies and economics while gearing students for university humanities programmes locally and abroad.<ref>{{Cite web| title = A Guide to the Special Programmes @Hwa Chong for 2011 <nowiki>|</nowiki> 2011 年华中特选课程介绍 | publisher = Hwa Chong Institution | url = http://www.hci.sg/admin/uploadfile/2011BookletforS2%20PTGBookfoldUpdated25May2010.pdf | format = guide | access-date = 24 July 2010 }}</ref>

Special programmes offered in the school are as follows:<ref>"[http://www.hci.edu.sg/advantage/talent-development Talent Development Programmes]", Hwa Chong Institution. Retrieved 2 September 2012.</ref><ref name="academicprogrammes">"[http://www.hci.edu.sg/admissions/high_school/academic-programmes-highschool Academic Programmes]", Hwa Chong Institution. Retrieved 2 September 2012.</ref>

* Bicultural Studies Programme (BSP)
* Computing Talent Programme (CTP)
* Language Elective Programme (LEP)
* Science and Math Talent Programme (SMTP)
* Humanities Programme (HP)
* Art Elective Programme (AEP)
* Malay Special Programme (MSP)
* Research Studies
* School-based Gifted Plus Programme
* Gifted And Talented Education Programme (GATE)
* Structured Integrated Programme (SIP-for students who are not faring well in their studies)

In 2008, the Centre for Scholastic Education (CSE) was set up to house all special programmes in the High School Section except for the AEP and the MSP. They are the BSP, HP and SMTP. From 2013 onwards, all students participating in Special Programmes are housed under CSE, part of the iSpark Consortium.<ref>{{cite web|title=Special Programmes|url=http://hssec2to3.wiki.hci.edu.sg/Specialprog|access-date=28 June 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101111101952/http://hssec2to3.wiki.hci.edu.sg/Specialprog|archive-date=11 November 2010}}</ref> The Integrated Programme-Special Programme (IPSP) has been abolished in the same year.<ref>{{cite web|title=Option Exercise for Sec 3 FAQ|url=http://hssec2to3.wiki.hci.edu.sg/FAQSP|access-date=28 June 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170906154702/http://hssec2to3.wiki.hci.edu.sg/FAQSP|archive-date=6 September 2017}}</ref> CSE also used to house the now-defunct Entrepreneurship Programme. CSE is an [[umbrella term]] to describe the specialised academic programmes offered at the upper secondary level.<ref>{{Cite web | title = Centre for Scholastic Excellence | publisher = Hwa Chong Institution | url = http://www.hci.sg/studentcare/cc-05.php | access-date = 24 July 2010 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20100723114009/http://www.hci.sg/studentcare/cc-05.php | archive-date = 23 July 2010 }}</ref>

HCI's AEP students have consistently attained awards such as the UOB Painting of the Year Award, and scholarships from the [[Media Development Authority]], [[National Arts Council, Singapore|National Arts Council]], [[Urban Redevelopment Authority]] and [[Ministry of Education (Singapore)|Ministry of Education]] to further their studies within creative fields. All in all, the programme aspires to produce cultural leaders and entrepreneurs who will contribute to Singapore's cultural capital in the areas of fine art, design, and new media

In 2013, the Special Science and Maths Talent programme (SSMT) was introduced to the SMTP curriculum to train talented students in areas such as physics and biology.{{citation needed|date=October 2014}} 

Sexuality and relationship education programmes are also conducted.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Lee |first1=Pearl |title= Christian charity defends workshop which Hwa Chong student called 'sexist' |url= http://www.straitstimes.com/news/singapore/education/story/christian-charity-defends-workshop-which-hwa-chong-student-called-sex |date=7 October 2014 |work=The Straits Times |location= Singapore |access-date=8 October 2014}}</ref>

== School Information Systems ==

=== Integrated e-Message Board (iEMB) ===
The Integrated e-Message Board (iEMB) serves as Hwa Chong Institution's official platform for disseminating school-wide announcements and notices. All students, parents, and staff are instructed to check their iEMB daily for important updates.<ref>{{cite web |title=IT & Media Services: ICT Information |url=https://sites.google.com/hci.edu.sg/college-ehandbook/it-media-services/ict-information |website=Hwa Chong Institution Sites |access-date=28 August 2025}}</ref> The iEMB platform supports modern web browsers including [[Internet Explorer]], [[Firefox]], and [[Google Chrome]].<ref>{{cite web |title=iEMB Portal |url=https://iemb.hci.edu.sg/ |access-date=28 August 2025}}</ref>

=== Intelligent School Portal (ISP) ===
The Intelligent School Portal (ISP) functions as HCI's centralized administrative and academic gateway for students, staff, and parents. Users can access account settings, manage personal information, view examination results, register for co-curricular activities (CCAs), and submit out-of-campus requests.<ref>{{cite web |title=IT & Media Services: ICT Information |url=https://sites.google.com/hci.edu.sg/college-ehandbook/it-media-services/ict-information |website=Hwa Chong Institution Sites |access-date=28 August 2025}}</ref>

Login credentials for the ISP are identical to those used for iEMB, allowing seamless access across platforms. The ISP is essential for daily school operations and communication among all user groups.<ref>{{cite web |title=HCI School Portals |url=https://www.hci.edu.sg/school-portals/student/general-sites/ |website=Hwa Chong Institution |access-date=28 August 2025}}</ref>

==Sabbatical Programme==
Under HCI's Integrated Programme, the Sabbatical Programme is offered whereby students from Secondary 1 to 4 go on one-week [[sabbatical]] courses in each term in the first semester (Terms 1 and 2).<ref name="handbook">[http://isphs.hc.edu.sg/getfile.asp?ID=648 Student Handbook 2010] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110818171757/http://isphs.hc.edu.sg/getfile.asp?ID=648 |date=18 August 2011 }}, Hwa Chong Institution. Retrieved 4 September 2012.</ref> The programme is unique in allowing the majority of the school populace to put aside formal curricular lessons for a week in pursuit of their passions or interests, though some students are required to attend certain courses by their teachers' discretion. Sabbaticals offered are of a wide variety, in categories as defined by the school: Arts & Aesthetics, Chinese Studies, Humanities, English & Literature, Leadership, Technology, Science and Math, Camps and Student Exchange; they are essentially courses for students to opt for, such as beginner guitar and songwriting lessons, professional music production, Model United Nations training camps, football friendlies with other schools, etc. Also, the school requires students to use the specifically designed Online Bidding System – the i-ComP – to organise their sabbatical plans.<ref name="academicprogrammes" /> Students who accumulate demerit points as a result of various offences are penalised in their sabbatical bidding or are recommended for corrective work order.<ref name="DPS" />

==Co-curricular activities==
HCI offers a wide variety of extra-curricular activities called [[Co-curricular activity (Singapore)|co-curricular activities]] (CCAs) by the [[Ministry of Education (Singapore)|Ministry of Education]], and this is in part due to the school's large student population and size. It offers more than 30 CCAs.

===Sports===
[[File:华侨中学体育场.JPG|thumb|270x270px|right|The school track and field]]

Hwa Chong Institution offers a variety of sports Co-Curricular Activities (CCAs), including soccer, ten-pin bowling, wushu, and touch rugby. The school's fencing, canoeing, gymnastics, judo, shooting, table tennis, and track and field teams have consistently participated in national competitions. The track and field team has held national records in pole vault and has won championships in several divisions.<ref>{{Cite web |title= Record of Past Champions |publisher= RedSports.sg |url= http://redsports.sg/record-of-past-champions/#24 |access-date= 2 July 2010}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title= Chan Sheng Yao of HCI breaks C Division pole vault record to win gold |publisher= RedSports.sg |url = http://redsports.sg/2010/04/08/day-4-update-track-and-field/ |access-date = 2 July 2010}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |title =One new record by three pole vaulters |location= Singapore |newspaper=The Straits Times |url = http://www.asiaone.com/News/the%2BStraits%2BTimes/Story/A1Story20100406-208651.html |date=6 April 2010 |author= Chia Jie Min |access-date= 2 July 2010}}</ref> Other teams, including basketball, taekwondo, volleyball, water polo, and wushu, have also participated in various competitions, with notable achievements. For example, in 2010, the volleyball team won the championship in both the Boys' and Girls' A divisions.<ref>{{Cite news |title= Hwa Chong's double triumph |location= Singapore |newspaper=The Straits Times |date= 17 May 2010 |url = http://www.asiaone.com/News/Education/Story/A1Story20100517-216630.html |access-date= 2 July 2010}}</ref> Nine students from Hwa Chong Institution were selected to represent Singapore in the [[2010 Summer Youth Olympics]], two of whom were from the championship-winning basketball team.<ref>"[https://web.archive.org/web/20110719085259/http://www.hwachong.edu.sg/ViewBreakingNews.asp?BID=167 9 Hwa Chongians qualify for Youth Olympic Games 2010]", Hwa Chong Institution. Archived from [http://www.hwachong.edu.sg/ViewBreakingNews.asp?BID=167 the original] and retrieved on 5 September 2012.</ref>

===Uniformed groups===
Hwa Chong Institution currently offers four uniformed groups: the [[National Cadet Corps (Singapore)|National Cadet Corps (Land)]], [[National Police Cadet Corps]], [[St. John Ambulance in Singapore|St John Brigade]], and [[The Singapore Scout Association|Scouts (and Ventures & Rovers)]]. These CCAs operate with a structured organization and hierarchy. The Hwa Chong National Cadet Corps (HCINCC) has received the Gold award for 15 consecutive years and won the Best Unit Competition (BUC) in 2000. It is also recognized as a Centre of Excellence for Precision Drill among all NCC units in Singapore. The National Police Cadet Corps (NPCC) is the largest uniformed group in HCI and has achieved 25 consecutive Gold awards in the Unit Overall Proficiency Award (UOPA) as of 2022.<ref>{{cite press release|url=http://www.mha.gov.sg/news_details.aspx?nid=MjU%3D-A6CDSUT8mNk%3D |publisher=Ministry of Home Affairs |title=40th National Anniversary NPCC Day Parade – Speech by Mr Wong Kan Seng |date=24 April 1999 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120228225105/http://www.mha.gov.sg/news_details.aspx?nid=MjU%3D-A6CDSUT8mNk%3D |archive-date=28 February 2012 }}</ref> The unit has also received The NPCC Golden Cane in recognition of their achievement. The St John Brigade has earned Gold in the Corps Achievement Award for 20 consecutive years. The Scouts unit includes the Bugle Band and [[Lion Dance]] troupe, which perform at special events. All four uniformed groups have achieved Gold in the annual national assessment.<ref>"[https://web.archive.org/web/20100630090758/http://www.hci.edu.sg/ViewBreakingNews.asp?BID=202 Aesthetic Virtuosity & Sporting Accolades 2010]", Hwa Chong Institution. Archived from [http://www.hci.edu.sg/ViewBreakingNews.asp?BID=202 the original] and retrieved 5 September 2012.</ref> In addition to regular training, the units also participate in inter-unit competitions such as bowling and captain's ball.<ref>{{Cite web | title = NPCC Alumni – Inter-School Bowling Challenge Shield | publisher = National Police Cadet Corps Alumni Association (Singapore) | url = http://www.npccalumni.org.sg/bowling.html | access-date = 4 July 2010 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20110723055221/http://www.npccalumni.org.sg/bowling.html | archive-date = 23 July 2011 }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web| title = EPort@NPCC | publisher = Bishan Park Secondary School National Police Cadet Corps | url = http://bpsnpcc.files.wordpress.com/2010/03/eportnpcc-march-issue.pdf | access-date= 4 July 2010}}</ref>

===Performing arts===
In 2010, Hwa Chong Institution offered eleven performing arts groups, including the Chinese Orchestra, String Orchestra, Piano Ensemble, Chinese Drama Club, Harmonica Ensemble, English Drama Club, Choir, Music and Dance Society, Guitar Ensemble, Band, and Chinese Dance. By 2023, the number of active performing arts groups had decreased to six: Chinese Orchestra, String Orchestra, Chinese Drama, English Drama, Choir, and Band. In the 2010 [[Singapore Youth Festival]], the English Drama Club received a Silver Award.<ref>{{Cite web |title= Singapore Youth Festival 2010 Central Judging of Dramas |publisher= Singapore Youth Festival |url= http://www.singaporeyouthfestival.sg/images/pdf/2010/SYF%202010%20CJ%20Results%20of%20Drama.pdf |access-date= 2 July 2010 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20110428031332/http://singaporeyouthfestival.sg/images/pdf/2010/SYF%202010%20CJ%20Results%20of%20Drama.pdf |archive-date= 28 April 2011 }}</ref> In 2009, several of the performing arts groups were assessed, with the Chinese Orchestra and High School Band earning Gold with Honours.

In addition to occasional performances held locally at venues such as [[Victoria Theatre and Concert Hall|Victoria Theatre]] and the school’s Drama Centre, many of Hwa Chong Institution’s performing arts groups also travel overseas for exchanges and performances. The [[Hwa Chong Institution High School Band|High School Band]], Choir, Chinese Orchestra, and String Orchestra have participated in various international events. In 2010, the College Choir achieved notable results at the Festival of Songs in [[Olomouc]], Czech Republic.<ref name="worldchamps">"[http://www.hwachong.edu.sg/news/world-championship-titles 26 World Championship Titles (2006–2012)]", Hwa Chong Institution. Retrieved 2 July 2010.</ref> In 2011, the Choir received a Gold with Honours in the Singapore Youth Festival Central Judging of Choirs.<ref>{{Cite web |title= Singapore Youth Festival 2011 Central Judging of Choirs |publisher= Singapore Youth Festival |url= http://www.singaporeyouthfestival.sg/images/pdf/2011/SYF%2011%20Central%20Judging%20of%20Choirs%20JC%20Results.pdf |access-date= 16 November 2011 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20120425123550/http://www.singaporeyouthfestival.sg/images/pdf/2011/SYF%2011%20Central%20Judging%20of%20Choirs%20JC%20Results.pdf |archive-date= 25 April 2012 }}</ref> The Chinese Orchestra has performed in China, Malaysia, and Australia, and was part of the Singapore Youth Festival closing ceremonies in 2005 and 2009. From 2013 to 2023, the Chinese Orchestra received Distinction in the Singapore Youth Festival Central Judging for Chinese Orchestras, with the exception of 2019, when it earned an accomplishment award. Prior to this, from 1993 to 2011, the Orchestra consistently received Gold, the highest award at that time.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.singaporeyouthfestival.sg/arts-presentation/results |title=Ministry of Education, Singapore: Maintenance Page |access-date=7 June 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180612143127/https://www.singaporeyouthfestival.sg/arts-presentation/results |archive-date=12 June 2018 }}</ref> The High School Band has performed at the [[The Istana|Istana]] and participated in the Pacific Basin Music Festival in Hawaii in 2010, where it earned a Gold award. The Band has also performed at the [[Singapore National Day parade|National Day Parade]]. The High School String Orchestra, also known as HCISO, has toured internationally, including performing at the 2006 Gothenburg International Music Festival, where it earned first runners-up in the open category.<ref>{{Cite web |title= Goteborg Music Festival |publisher = Goteborg Music Festival |url= http://www.goteborgmusicfestival.com/ |access-date= 7 January 2012}}</ref> HCISO also toured with the [[Australian Boys Choir]] to [[Melbourne]] and [[Johor Bahru]] for the 7th JB Arts Festival.<ref>{{Cite web |title= The Australian Boys Choir with the Hwa Chong String Orchestra |publisher= JB Arts Festival |url= http://jbartsfest.com/the-australian-boys-choir-with-the-hwa-chong-string-orchestra/ |access-date= 7 January 2012 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20101129175749/http://jbartsfest.com/the-australian-boys-choir-with-the-hwa-chong-string-orchestra/ |archive-date= 29 November 2010 }}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |date=12 July 2010 |title=Impressive starters to JB Arts Festival |url=http://www.iskandarmalaysia.com.my/news/100712/impressive-starters-to-jb-arts-festival |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100714190638/http://www.iskandarmalaysia.com.my/news/100712/impressive-starters-to-jb-arts-festival |archive-date=14 July 2010 |access-date=7 January 2012 |work=New Straits Times |location=Kuala Lumpur}}</ref> More recently, HCISO received Distinction at the 2023 Singapore Youth Festival. In 2012, HCISO was one of six schools and the only one in Asia invited to participate in the Los Angeles International Music Festival at the [[Walt Disney Concert Hall]].<ref>{{Cite news |title= 2012 Los Angeles International Music Festival at Walt Disney Concert Hall |work= World Projects |location=Los Angeles |url =http://www.world-projects.com/newsletter/2012/newsletter_2012_may_3 | date=19 June 2012 |access-date= 26 August 2012}}</ref>

===Leadership===
HCI has nine major leadership bodies for both High School and College. The five leadership bodies in High School are: the High School Council (HSC), Green Council (GC), Values-in-Action Council (VIAC), Students' National Education Council (SNEC), and the Co-curricular Activities Council (CCAC), and four consortium councils. The College equivalent of the HSC is the Hwa Chong Students' Council (HCSC), and the College equivalent of the VIAC is the Community Involvement Programme Council (CIPC). HCI also has faculty committees for College, in place of consortium councils. Consortium councils and faculty committees represent the individual consortiums (Aphelion, iSpark, Ortus, Proed) and faculties (Ares, Apollo, Artemis, Athena).

Members of all councils in High School are selected through annual leadership selection camps; for College, members of the HCSC are elected via voting amongst students of the faculty candidates are from. For the College GC, CIPC and SNEC, the President, Vice-President and Attache are selected from the HCSC, while other members go through a standard selection process. For faculty committees, the Faculty Head and Vice Faculty Head are selected from the HCSC and sit as ex officio members of the HCSC Social and Relations Committee. Other members of the faculty committees, namely the Programmes, Sports and Publicity members-in-charge, are first elected by their classes. A shortlist of three students per class is then sent for an interview with faculty leaders before a faculty committee member is selected.

== Outreach programmes ==
HCI organises academic competitions and conferences, both for its students and external participants. The school organises the Asia Pacific Mathematical Olympiad for Primary Schools (APMOPS) and the Singapore Mathematical Olympiad for Primary Schools (SMOPS).<ref>{{Cite web |url= http://www.mathshub.com.sg/mathematics/competitionstrack-record/singapore-asia-pacific-mathematical-olympiad-for-primary-school-apmops/ |title=Singapore – Asia Pacific Mathematical Olympiad for Primary School (APMOPS) {{!}} MathsHub –Math and Science Enrichment Centre |location= Singapore |access-date=27 February 2019}}</ref> The [[International Science Youth Forum @ Singapore|International Science Youth Forum]] (ISYF)<ref name="NTU20100118">{{cite press release|title=Record number of Nobel Laureates at the International Science Youth Forum 2010|date=18 January 2010|publisher=Nanyang Technological University|url=http://news.ntu.edu.sg/pages/newsdetail.aspx?URL=http://news.ntu.edu.sg/news/Pages/NR2010_Jan18.aspx&Guid=beff19de-f3df-4698-9666-643da4df87c6&Category=All|access-date=2 July 2010}}</ref> is hosted at HCI and co-organised by [[Nanyang Technological University]], Institute of Advanced Studies (IAS), bringing students from across Asia-Pacific together to network and dialogue, with [[List of Nobel laureates|Nobel laureates]] coming down to share their experiences in the scientific field; a record five Nobel laureates were involved in 2010.<ref name="NTU20100118" />
Hwa Chong annually hosts the Asia-Pacific Young Leaders Summit (HCAPYLS) which brings students all across the world to discuss global issues in summit dialogues. The school also annually hosts the Asian Youth Chinese Forum (AYCF), in conjunction with the school's Bicultural Studies Program (BSP), as well the Student Leaders' Convention (SLC).

Hwa Chong also hosts various Model United Nations events such as Hwa Chong Model ASEAN Summit (HCMAS), and Hwa Chong Conflict Resolution and Inquiry (HCCRI).

== Incidents ==

=== 2020 Singaporean general election ===
In 2020, an email from the school administration advising students not to discuss matters regarding the [[2020 Singaporean general election]] sparked controversy and debate.<ref name="Kurohi">{{Cite news |title=Singapore GE2020: Hwa Chong defends advice to students to not discuss election on social media |url= https://www.straitstimes.com/politics/singapore-ge2020-hwa-chong-defends-advice-to-students-to-not-discuss-election-on-social |work=The Straits Times |location= Singapore |date=3 July 2020 |first=Rei |last=Kurohi}}</ref> It was sent on the school's Integrated e-Message Board to College Section students, advising them to avoid posting anything related to the general election on social media platforms associated with the school, as well as the students' own social media accounts. A screenshot of the message was leaked and circulated online, stirring debate on topics such as free speech, political opinions and whether youths should be free to engage in political discussions.

The incident led to a backlash in which a group of alumni, led by filmmaker [[Anthony Chen]], sent a letter to the school administration to express their disappointment. HCI defended its advice to students in a statement saying, "Our intention is not to silence students' voices, nor to curb their interest in national issues. Instead, we encourage our students to engage actively in discussions and even debates on national issues, in a safe environment." The school refused to comment if disciplinary action had been taken against students who had raised concerns.<ref name="Kurohi"/>

=== Homophobic sex education ===
On 13 July 2022, a school counsellor at the institution gave a talk to secondary 4 students using false content that many deemed to be homophobic. According to reports, amongst the content shown to students was ''"What are LBGT so proud of?"'' followed by a list: "''58% of homosexuals have problems with intestinal worms''", ''"23% of children with lesbian parents have been sexually abused", "78% of homosexuals have STDs"'' and ''"1 in 15 homosexuals is a pedophile"''.<ref>{{Cite news |title=Hwa Chong staff member reprimanded for making discriminatory claims about LGBTQ community in school presentation |url= https://www.channelnewsasia.com/singapore/hwa-chong-institution-staff-lgbtq-discriminatory-claims-presentation-sexuality-education-reprimanded-2817726 |access-date=18 July 2022 |website= Channel NewsAsia |location= Singapore |date=18 July 2022 |author=Ang Hwee Min}}</ref> Photos of the presentation quickly went viral and was reported by local press and by rights groups in Singapore.

Following the backlash, Hwa Chong released a statement saying that the presentation was based on the individual staff's personal perspectives and not of the school or MOE. The school also promised a review of the processes. The school initially suspended the counsellor from giving further sexuality education presentations. On 2 August 2022, however, Minister for Education [[Chan Chun Sing]] revealed in a written reply to a question in Parliament that the school had suspended the counsellor from all duties, pending further investigations.<ref>{{Cite news |author=Ng Wei Kai |date=2 August 2022 |title=Hwa Chong counsellor who delivered anti-LGBTQ content suspended from all duties |work=The Straits Times |location= Singapore |url= https://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/parenting-education/suspension-from-all-duties-for-hwa-chong-counsellor-who-delivered-anti-lgbtq-content |access-date=25 November 2022 }}</ref>

Organizations like Pinkdot have condemned the message and Hwa Chong's response to the incident, saying, "To chalk this incident up to the actions of one rogue counsellor ignores systemic issues of inadequate sexuality education.".<ref>{{Cite news |author=Ng |first=Wei Kai |date=19 July 2022 |title=Hwa Chong reprimands staff member, suspends him from sexuality education over anti-LGBTQ content |work=The Straits Times |location=Singapore |url=https://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/parenting-education/hwa-chong-reprimands-staff-member-suspends-him-from-sexuality-education-over-anti-lgbtq-content |access-date=19 July 2022}}</ref>

==Notable alumni==
{{Main|List of Hwa Chong Institution people}}
[[File:Ong Teng Cheong (cropped).jpg|thumb|Ong Teng Cheong]]
HCI and its predecessor schools, [[The Chinese High School (Singapore)|The Chinese High School]] and [[Hwa Chong Junior College]], have a wide alumni base extending to various sectors and industries in Singapore and other countries. One of the school's alumni is Pang Choon How, the previous principal of the school. Its best-known alumnus is probably [[Ong Teng Cheong]], the fifth [[President of Singapore]], who graduated from The Chinese High School in 1955.

Other prominent alumni include politicians such as [[Jek Yeun Thong]], [[Grace Fu]], [[Chee Hong Tat]], [[Ng Chee Meng]], [[Lee Yi Shyan]], [[Sim Ann]], [[Koh Poh Koon]], [[Tan Kiat How]], [[Ker Sin Tze]], [[Murali Pillai]] and [[Sam Tan (politician)|Sam Tan]], as well as [[Singapore Armed Forces]] top brass such as [[Ng Yat Chung]], [[Ng Chee Khern]], [[Hoo Cher Mou]], [[Ng Chee Peng]], [[Goh Si Hou]] and [[Kelvin Khong]].

HCI's more notable alumni in business and finance include [[TikTok]] chief executive officer [[Shou Zi Chew]], [[Hyflux]] founder [[Olivia Lum]], [[Trafigura]] Asia chief executive officer [[Tan Chin Hwee]], [[Novena Holdings]] founder [[Toh Soon Huat]], [[United Overseas Bank]] chairman [[Wee Cho Yaw]], [[Razer Inc.]] founder [[Min-Liang Tan]], [[Jumbo Seafood|Jumbo Group]] chief executive officer Ang Kiam Meng, [[CapitaLand]] chief executive Officer Ronald Tay, [[Qian Hu Corporation]] founder [[Kenny Yap]], and [[Sea Ltd]] co-founder Ye Gang.

In the arts and media, there are also notable HCI alumni such as ''[[The Straits Times]]'' editor [[Warren Fernandez]], film director [[Anthony Chen]], musicians [[Liang Wern Fook]], [[Eric Moo]], and [[Gentle Bones]], artist [[Tan Swie Hian]], and playwright [[Kuo Pao Kun]].

==Gallery==
<gallery>
File:南洋华侨中学校门.JPG|Gate 3 of Hwa Chong Institution
File:Statue of Dr Lee Kong Chian.jpg|Statue of [[Lee Kong Chian]], a major donor, after whom the Kong Chian Administration Centre in the background is named
File:CHS Tower Block.jpg|The [[The Chinese High School Clock Tower Building|Clock Tower Building]], a national monument, which formerly served as an observation point during the [[Battle of Singapore]]
File:新加坡南洋华侨中学钟楼.JPG|Another view of the Clock Tower, with a statue of [[Tan Kah Kee]] in front of it
File:华侨中学教学楼.jpg|Classroom Block A of the High School Section
</gallery>

==See also==
* [[Education in Singapore]]
* [[Integrated Programme]]
* [[List of schools in Singapore]]

== External links ==
{{Commons}}
* [http://www.hci.edu.sg School website]

==References==
{{Reflist}}

{{Hwa Chong Family of Schools}}
{{Special Assistance Plan}}
{{Pre-university centres and post-secondary institutes in Singapore}}
{{Overseas Chinese}}
{{Authority control}}

[[Category:Hwa Chong Institution| ]]
[[Category:Educational institutions established in 1919]]
[[Category:1919 establishments in British Malaya]]
[[Category:1919 establishments in Singapore]]
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[[Category:2005 establishments in Singapore]]
[[Category:Secondary schools in Singapore]]
[[Category:Junior colleges in Singapore]]
[[Category:Independent schools in Singapore]]
[[Category:Schools offering Integrated Programme in Singapore]]
[[Category:Bukit Timah]]
[[Category:Schools in Central Region, Singapore]]