Nurturing innovative and enterprising minds

Preparatory Years and Primary Section Prospectus

Contents sIsHK CurrICulum overvIew

Principal’s message ....................................................... 2

About SISHK ..............................................................3 - 4

School life ..................................................................5 - 6

Preparatory Years ......................................................7 - 8

Primary ....................................................................9 - 11

Secondary .............................................................11 - 12

Fees and application information ................................. 13

Our campus .................................................................. 14

This prospectus is published for the guidance of students who wish to enter Singapore International School (Hong Kong) in the 2020/2021 academic year. The information in this publication is correct at time of going to press.

© Singapore International School (Hong Kong) September 2019

DP1 - 2

S1 - 2

S3 - 4

PY1 - PY2

P1 - 6

University

Pre-University Curriculum(IB Diploma Programme)

Upper Secondary Curriculum (IGCSE)

Lower Secondary Curriculum

Primary Curriculum

Preparatory Years Curriculum

2

welCome to tHe sIngapore InternatIonal sCHool (Hong Kong)!

Thank you for your interest in our SISHK Family. I hope that you will find the

information in this prospectus very useful in helping you to select a school

that best meets the needs and interests of your child; and we hope that we

are your school of choice.

Established in 1991 with the strong support of Singapore’s Ministry of

Education (MOE), SISHK today offers a Singapore-styled, 14-year through-

train education experience from Preparatory Years to Pre-University

level. The SISHK community is considerably enriched by the diverse

backgrounds of our students and their families. There are currently over

1,500 students from about 20 nationalities, including Singapore and Hong

Kong. Over 1,000 students are in the Preparatory Years and Primary

section and the rest in the Secondary section.

Many of our students join us in their Preparatory Years and they stay on

with the school to complete their Cambridge IGCSE and International

Baccalaureate Diploma Programme with outstanding results. Today, our

alumni can be found studying with prestigious universities around the world

or are graduates of these universities.

“The only thing that is constant is change”

Heraclitus, an ancient Greek philosopher

To prepare our students for the challenges of an ever-changing world, our student-centric, values-driven holistic education

aims to strengthen our students’ character so they become good and useful global citizens, help our students harness the

joy of learning for life-long learning, and nurture an entrepreneurial dare to deepen their capacity for an innovation-driven

future economy.

Our students are given the choices to explore and discover their interests and abilities, which encourage and motivate

them to learn for life. They are encouraged to be inquisitive and use their imagination to draw on their creativity and seek

solutions to real world problems. We want them to become persons of character who want to create value for others and

contribute positively for the betterment of the community, world and the environment.

Our teachers are dedicated professionals who are caring and will always go the extra mile for their students. They come

from many countries, and some including the Vice-Principals and myself are seconded from Singapore, MOE.

Together with our parents and students, we are united in our vision to creating a caring, safe and rich learning environment

in which all students have all the right opportunities to realise their full potential to strive for excellence.

Kelvin Tay

Principal

Principal’s message

禮 義 毅 信 仁 和

3

About SISHK

a student-CentrIC, values-drIven, HolIstIC eduCatIon

SISHK promotes a holistic and balanced development of the child in terms of moral, emotional, social, cognitive, aesthetic

and physical growth. Our students study a wide variety of subjects. Our range of creative, leadership, sporting and service

learning activities gives our students the opportunities to pursue their interests and also enhances their gifts and talents.

The diverse cultural backgrounds of our students and staff will further enrich the school community and promote a desire

to build a better and peaceful world.

Bilingual learnersAt SISHK, we aim to equip our students with strong language competencies

in both English and Chinese (Putonghua). We have a flagship programme

from primary to pre-university level focusing on Chinese studies to explore

and excite our students in learning about the Chinese language, heritage

and history. This will prepare our students to navigate and appreciate

modern China and the development in the Greater Bay Area. For students

whose mother tongue is not Chinese, Chinese as a second language is

also available at Upper Primary and Secondary section.

Quality staffOur teaching staff are dedicated to enabling our students to achieve their full potential. All our teachers are qualified

teachers and they come from over 20 nationalities of whom several are on secondment from Singapore, MOE.

Innovation-led curriculumOur application of the Understanding by Design framework means our students are guided to deepen their understanding

in the learning subjects, develop their thinking and innovation skills and apply the knowledge they have gained across

different subjects. Critical thinking enables our students to reflect on their learning and make good judgements in their

assignments and research. These are invaluable skills needed at the university and in the workplace.

Nurturing sound charactersOur pastoral care and student development programmes, together with the Life Skills subjects and Co-curricular Activities

(CCAs) are designed to instil sound values and develop skills for life and social responsibility.

4

About SISHK

Learning to leadOur students are encouraged to become committed and reflective

individuals who model risk-taking, caring and principled leadership to

enhance the learning community whilst striving for a healthy balance

in their own lives. Leadership opportunities include being prefects,

class monitors, subject representatives, CCA leaders and school

ambassadors.

Supporting individual needsIndividualised small group programmes to develop academic, social and emotional skills are available for students who

require additional support. For students who need a listening ear or to seek advice about their personal issues, the school

counsellors are here to listen in a non-judgemental way and guide our students to make responsible choices and focus on

issues more clearly.

Caring for the communityOur students care deeply about the community and the environment that we live in and strive to create a positive impact on

the community and the world. Initiatives to promote awareness of community and global issues or to help communities in

need include visits to care homes and fundraising activities.

Technology in educationThe school harnesses Information and Communication Technologies to enrich

learning and teaching in SISHK. Every primary year level has access to a range of

technology devices, including multi-touch interactive displays, desktop computers,

iPads and cameras. At the beginning of every academic year, primary students at

SISHK undergo a first lesson in the Digital Citizenship Programme to identify with

the values in technology use and renew their pledge towards maintaining positive

and constructive practices in their digital endeavours. From Primary 3 onwards, our

students undertake coding lessons to learn about computational thinking, using

mathematics and logic to solve problems. All Primary 4 to 6 students are join the

school’s 1:1 Chromebook programme whereby each student uses his/her device in the classroom daily to support learning.

To help our students to navigate an increasingly connected world where the internet permeates different aspects of our

lives, our students are equipped with critical thinking skills and they learn to be responsible digital citizens.

Partnership with parentsParents are integral to the SISHK Family. We value their involvement and support for school activities and events. Together

with the SISHK Parent-Teacher Association and the community, we strive to provide a conducive learning environment for

our students both in school and at home.

StorytellingParents received storytelling training during Library Week and apply their skills to share stories with students.

Making DumplingsParents volunteered and taught students to wrap rice dumplings.

Bake SaleParent brought their homemade food or package products to fundraise for student activities.

5

School life

lIfe as a sIsHK student

Besides cultivating the joy of learning in our students through the academic programme, our enrichment activities such

as level camps, overseas educational trips, learning journeys and summer programme provide our students with a broad

range of experiences and ample opportunities to develop their skills and demonstrate the values that they need for life.

Taiwan immersion programmeEvery year our P6 students visit Taiwan for an enriched learning experience to

appreciate the culture and heritage there. Such exposure will allow new students

to learn beyond the classroom and develop an international perspective in the

issues and challenges face by the overseas community.

SportsStudents who show promise in certain sporting areas are

encouraged to pursue the sport on a competitive level. The

school is a member of International School Sports Federation

Hong Kong (ISSFHK) and Hong Kong Schools Sports

Federation (HKSSF); our students regularly compete in the

following sports: badminton, basketball, football, swimming,

volleyball and table tennis.

Co-Curricular activities (CCA)Our students can develop their interests and talents in music, arts and sports

through our CCA programme. They can also develop their leadership skills and

social-emotional competencies.

NetballStudents were passionate about sports and have participated in Inter-School Netball Championship.

RoboticsStudents learned to design, construct and programme a robot.

Chinese Instrumental EnsemblesStudents learned to play Chinese instruments and perform in ensembles for school events.

BadmintonSISHK U12 Girls won the championship and the boys claimed the overall second place in the ISSFHK.

ChessOur P1-P3 students’ International Chess members won the first place in Champions of Inter-School Chess Championships 2019.

Visiting a pineapple farm Learning the origins of and playing with the Chinese drum

Hands-on experience with the traditional art of shadow puppets

6

School life

Service learning

School events

CampsLevel camps are part of our holistic eduation to provide our students with character-building and team-building experiences

that will enhance their school and personal life.

Our students are immersed in unfamiliar surroundings during the level camps and leadership camps. The actitivites in these

camps are designed to enable students to discover more about themselves and understand how to manage themselves in

different situations.

Games DayStudents played benchball, a skills-based competitive and energetic game where they learned about team spirit and teamwork.

Community Involvement Day (CIP) Programme –Project CARE (Community Art Via Inter-generational Relationships)A month-long collaboration in which students co-produced art works with the elderly.

Pocket of HopeStudents made pockets of hope for the elderly to hang in their homes.

Doctor Dog visitStudents learned about being responsible pet owners, specifically on how to approach, feed, groom and walk a dog properly.

Chinese New Year CelebrationsStudents performed a Chinese song to celebrate the Chinese New Year.

Library WeekFamous authors came to the school and shared a story during Library Week.

Primary 4 CampStudents learned to make music with glass bottles.

Primary 3 CampStudents explored the wonders of nature to spark their curiosity and learn to care for and respect the environment.

Primary 5 CampStudents learned about teamwork by building and sailing on the rafts.

Primary 6 CampStudents learned to be resilient and built self confidence during the rock climb session.

7

Preparatory Years

preparatory years

Our Preparatory Years (PY) Programme is one of the most highly sought-after in

Hong Kong for its focus on holistic development and bilingualism.

Our two-year programme offers a balanced education catering to our students’

moral, emotional, social, physical, intellectual and aesthetic development. While

we are known for our academically rigorous programme, we offer a broad-

based education in which every child is given the care and support to help

them flourish and enjoy the process of learning.

Culture of careAll our teachers are qualified teachers who are trained in early childhood

education. This ensures the teachers are suitably trained to meet the needs

of each child and recognise every child’s special abilities. Every class is also

assigned a teacher assistant to support teachers in meeting the students'

needs.

Equal exposure to both English and Chinese LanguagesAll our subjects except for Mathematics and the Languages classes are conducted in both English and Chinese (Putonghua),

giving your child lots of opportunities to use both languages. We are one of the few schools in Hong Kong to provide

Chinese lessons using Putonghua with simplified characters.

Subject English Chinese (Putonghua)

Chinese Language

English Language

Mathematics

Physical Education

Rhyme and Movement

Art

Outdoor Play

8

Preparatory Years

All-round developmentWe recognise the uniqueness of each child by catering for his/her abilities,

interests and aptitudes. Character development and values inculcation

are also an integral part of the PY programme. We believe in nurturing

our students to become responsible, respectful and caring individuals

by instilling sound values. Highlights of our wide range of activities and

enrichment programmes to support this include

• a Pastoral care and assembly programme

• Learning journeys to organisations such as HK Space Museum and the

Lion Nature Education Centre

• Gymnastics as part of Physical Education (PY2 only)

• Go Chess as part of Chinese Language (PY2 only)

• Structured Reading Programme

• Values Inculcation Programme

• School events such as Book Character Day and PY1 Family Day

PY2 students participate in the MindUP programme, a mindfulness-based

social and emotional learning programme, to help them learn to self-regulate

and focus their concentration for academic success while enhancing

perspective taking, empathy and kindness.

School hours

Level Duration Class size

PY1 12.00pm - 3.00pm 20

PY2 8.20am - 12.20pm 22

9

prImaryUniquely Singapore-styled, our primary section offers a broad-based education, anchored in a rigorous bilingual

programme designed to ensure the child's holistic development, in and out of the classroom, and most importantly to

develop critical life skills, sound moral values and competencies to navigate a fast-changing world.

Nurturing students for the futureWe focus on building a firm foundation in values, knowledge and skills so as to allow the child to understand his physical

and social world, be able to function in it and relate to others as part of a social group. Our curriculum framework is based

on the Singapore curriculum, adapted to HKSAR context, taking into consideration the different and varied backgrounds of

our students.

Our school framework is designed to help our students gain knowledge, skills and values they need to thrive in the 21st

century. This framework encapsulates the following values and competencies which we have identified as important for the

growth of each of our students:

• School values - respect, responsibility, resilience, integrity, care and harmony

• Social and emotional competencies – self-awareness, self-management, social awareness, relationship management

and responsible decision-making

• Emerging competencies – critical and inventive thinking, information and communication skills, civic literacy, global

awareness and cross cultural skills.

Comprehensive curriculum

Our Primary curriculum focuses on three main aspects of education – subject disciplines, knowledge skills and character

development.

• Subject disciplines comprise subject areas such as languages, humanities and the arts, and mathematics and

science

• Knowledge skills focus on developing your child’s thinking and communication skills. They are taught through a

variety of subjects using project-work approach.

• Character development is facilitated through our pastoral care lessons and daily student-teacher interactions, as well

as lessons focusing on life skills taught through Character and Global Citizenship Education, Co-curricular Activities

and Physical Education including swimming.

Primary

10

Primary

School hours

Subject areas and skill Core Subjects

Languages English Language

Chinese Language

Mathematics and Sciences Mathematics

Science

Humanities and the Arts Art

Dance 

Drama

Music

Social Studies

Life skills Pastoral Care and Character & Global Citizenship Education

Physical Education

Swimming

Knowledge skills Coding (P3 to P6)

Innovation and Design (P4 to P6)

Co-Curricular Activities after school A variety of uniformed groups, sports, performing arts and aesthetics club

Level Time Class size

School hours for P1 – P6 8.20am - 3.00pm 25 - 28 per class

After school co-curricular activities for P1 – P6 3.00pm - 4.30pm Varies for every CCA

11

Primary

12

Secondary

seCondary

Most of our primary section students stay with SISHK to complete their secondary and IB Diploma Programme.

Our secondary section opened in 2007 with just two classes and today we have over 400 students working towards their

International General Certificate of Secondary Education (IGCSE) and International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma.

In Secondary One and Two, students follow the Singapore syllabuses which have been

adapted to the Hong Kong SAR context. The curriculum is modelled after the rigorous and

practical Singapore syllabuses.

In Secondary Three and Four, students study towards the internationally-recognised

Cambridge IGCSE curriculum before progressing to the IBDP.

The IGCSE with its detailed, in-depth syllabuses and clearly structured courses is excellent

preparation for the IBDP.

To prepare for university, our students undertake the IBDP, an academically challenging

programme which prepares students for university and future life challenges.

The IBDP provides a balanced, academically rigorous curriculum that develops the skills,

abilities and work habits needed for success in university. All DP students are assigned a

DP mentor to guide and advise them to manage their schoolwork, personal issues, CAS

and university choices. All DP students will undertake an internship programme during their

summer break after the first year in the IBDP.

The DP is a preferred standard for university admission due to its reliability as an externally

marked and moderated academic admissions criteria. The multi-disciplinary nature of the

programme encourages well-rounded, creative learners who are active in the community and

strong global awareness; students understand how subjects are connected, just like in higher education where learning is

less compartmentalised.

Since 2013, SISHK students have gone on to study at prestigious universities in Hong Kong, Singapore, United Kingdom,

Australia, Canada, Japan and United States of America.

36- Average score of IB Diploma

graduates in 2019

76%- Average % of

IGCSE distinction grades in 2019

Hong Kong

• Hong Kong University of Science and Technology

• The Chinese University of Hong Kong

• The University of Hong Kong

Japan

• Hitotsubashi University

australIa

• Australian National University

• University of Melbourne 

• University of New South Wales

• University of Sydney

Canada

• University of British Columbia

• University of Toronto

unIted states of amerICa

• Berklee College of Music

• Boston University

• Carnegie Mellon University

• Case Western Reserve University

• Duke University

• New York University

• Tufts University

• University of California (Los Angeles)

• University of Chicago

• University of Pennsylvania

• Yale University

• University of the Arts London

• University of Michigan

• Emory University

swItzerland

• Ecole hôtelière de Lausanne

unIted KIngdom

• Durham University • Imperial College London • King’s College London

• London School of Economics and Political Science

• Royal Veterinary College • University College London • University of Bath

• University of Birmingham • University of Cambridge • University of Edinburgh

• University of Oxford • University of St Andrews • University of Warwick

• St. George’s, University of London

sIngapore

• Nanyang Technological University

• National University of Singapore

• Singapore Management University

• Yale-NUS College

13

Fees and application information

fInanCe matters*Application fee: HKD2,200 upon submission of application form (one-off basis, non-refundable)

Entrance fee: Students on personal debentures are required to pay an entrance fee of HKD13,000 (one-off basis, non-refundable)

Debenture: All students are required to hold either a Corporate or Personal Debenture at the point of enrolment.

Corporate debenture: HKD500,000 per nominee and validity is eight years.

Personal debenture: HKD200,000 per nominee. Personal debentures for students who are Singapore citizens are set at HKD120,000.

Capital levy: HKD20,000 annually for Personal debenture holders. HKD160,000 for Corporate debenture holders on a one-off basis.

School fees for AY2018/19

Preparatory Years HKD83,048 per annum

Primary 1 - 6 HKD131,200 per annum

Students who are Singapore citizens are eligible for an annual fee subsidy of HKD16,100.

Uniform, school bus, lunch, snacks, school books, stationery and special CCAs are not included in the school fees.

*Note: All fees and subsidies are correct at the time of printing and are subject to changes. The school fees quoted here are approved by the Hong Kong SAR Education Bureau.

applICatIon InformatIon

We accept applications for all levels and most of our students enter SISHK from the Preparatory years onwards. Only online applications are accepted. To apply for a place in SISHK, please visit www.singapore.edu.hk/admissions/

Application deadlinesAdmissions normally open at least 24 months before the start of the academic year the applicant wishes to enrol in. The application deadline falls on 30 September for both Preparatory and Primary sections. It is to the applicant’s advantage to apply well before the deadlines, applicants who apply after the application deadline may have to wait until a place becomes available before they are invited to participate in an admissions assessment. Applications from Singaporeans and applicants relocating to Hong Kong submitted after the deadline are considered on a case-by-case basis.

Selection processStage 1 – Application is received by SISHK

Stage 2 – Applicant is invited to an admissions assessment. The session helps us to determine the applicants’ abilities and is assessed according to the applicants’ intended level at SISHK.

Stage 3 – Application is considered by the Admissions Panel and Vice Principals.

Application feesHKD2,200 upon submission of application. Only complete applications accompanied by the full application fee will be considered.

Application enquiriesIf you should have any enquiries about the application process or the school, please contact us at +852 2870 6880 or email admissions@singapore.edu.hk.

14

Our campus

vIsIt us

Located in a scenic setting near Ocean Park, the School is well served by transport links and is situated just ten minutes

away from the Wong Chuk Hang MTR station on the South Island Line. Most of our students travel to and from school using

the school bus or public transport.

The campuses for the Preparatory Years and Primary section and Secondary section are situated side by side

and comprises 38,653 square feet in total. As you walk around the campus, you will feel a sense of openness and

connectedness that enhances learning and encourages community-building. 

Key features of the Preparatory Years and Primary campus include• State-of-the-art auditorium for concerts and plays

• Multi-functional indoor gymnasium for different sports and games

• 25m heated indoor swimming pool

• A roof-top multi-purpose playground

• Rubber floored play area for preparatory year pupils

• Three highly equipped science laboratories

• Dedicated music, art, dance and drama studios

• School library with an extensive collection of printed, electronic and multimedia resources

• Covered outdoor basketball courts

• Computer labs, Apple Macbook mobile labs and Apple iPad mobile labs

• Makerspace for innovation and enterprising minds

If you would like to visit our campus, our Admissions Team will organize school tours on a regular basis. Enquire about a

school tour please email us at admissions@singapore.edu.hk.

A vibrant community striving for excellence

ContaCt us

23 Nam Long Shan Road, Aberdeen, Hong Kong

+852 2870 6880

+852 2893 0367

admissions@singapore.edu.hk

www.singapore.edu.hk

T

F

E

suCCess InspIres suCCess