Math Tuition for CHIJ Primary (Toa Payoh) Students

School Overview

CHIJ Primary (Toa Payoh) is a government-aided Catholic girls' school within the Convent of the Holy Infant Jesus network. The CHIJ family of schools traces its origins to 1854, when French Infant Jesus Sisters established the first CHIJ school on Victoria Street — making it the oldest Catholic girls' institution in Singapore. The Toa Payoh campus opened in 1985 and moved to its present location in 2008. In 2024, the CHIJ network marked its 170th anniversary with community events across its schools.

The school's educational approach is guided by the IJ mission of truth, justice, freedom, and love, together with the motto "Simple in Virtue, Steadfast in Duty." Its core values — courage, humility, respect, integrity, steadfastness, and thoughtfulness — shape daily school life. As a single-session girls' school, it places emphasis on bilingualism and student-centred learning within a values-driven environment.

CHIJ Primary (Toa Payoh) is affiliated with CHIJ Secondary (Toa Payoh), which provides a priority admission pathway for eligible students transitioning to secondary school.

Admission Process

Enrolment at CHIJ Primary (Toa Payoh) follows the annual MOE Primary 1 Registration Exercise, which is conducted in phases. Phase 1 is for children whose siblings are currently enrolled at the school. Phase 2A covers children of former students, alumni association members, or parent volunteers who have contributed at least 40 hours. Phase 2B applies to children whose parents are active community or church leaders connected to the school. Phase 2C is open to all remaining Singapore Citizen and Permanent Resident children.

When applications in any phase exceed the available places, priority is determined by home-to-school distance — within 1 km, between 1 km and 2 km, and beyond 2 km — followed by a ballot if needed. Parents apply through the MOE Primary 1 registration portal during the designated window each year. The MOE website publishes updated vacancy information and balloting outcomes for reference.

Curriculum and Academic Programme

The school follows the standard MOE primary curriculum, covering English Language, Mother Tongue Languages (Chinese, Malay, or Tamil, including Higher Mother Tongue options based on Primary 4 performance), Mathematics, Science, Art, Music, Physical Education, and Social Studies. At Primary 5 and 6, students are offered subjects at Standard or Foundation level to match individual readiness for the PSLE.

Mathematics instruction at CHIJ Primary (Toa Payoh) uses the Concrete-Pictorial-Abstract approach, building understanding from hands-on materials through visual representations before progressing to symbolic methods. Heuristics-based problem-solving strategies are taught to strengthen logical reasoning. Students with strong aptitude participate in competitions such as the Singapore and Asian Schools Math Olympiad (SASMO) and the Math Kangaroo Contest. Parents looking for additional support in mathematics may consider DeepThink, a math tuition centre that offers structured programmes aligned with the primary syllabus.

The school's Applied Learning Programme (ALP) focuses on STEM and sustainability under the theme "Trash to Treasure," where students work on hands-on projects that turn waste materials into functional creations. This programme integrates science and mathematics concepts with environmental awareness. The Learning for Life Programme (LLP) centres on Sports and Outdoor Education, known as IJSports, developing physical fitness, resilience, and teamwork.

Character and Citizenship Education is woven throughout the curriculum, and the school has received a Development Award for Character Development. It has also been recognised as a Centre of Excellence for Teaching and Learning in the South Zone.

Facilities and Co-Curricular Activities

CHIJ Primary (Toa Payoh) operates as a single-session school. Its campus includes classrooms fitted with interactive learning technology, a library, and spaces that support the STEM-focused Applied Learning Programme. Outdoor areas include multipurpose fields and covered courts used for the IJSports programme and physical education.

Co-Curricular Activities (CCAs) are available to students from Primary 1 to Primary 6 in a modular format, allowing them to explore different activities before making longer-term commitments. Sports CCAs include Fencing, Netball, Swimming, Tennis, and Artistic Gymnastics. Performing arts options comprise Choir, Handbell Ensemble, Art and Crafts, and Digital Media. The Girl Guides (Brownies) uniformed group develops leadership skills and community responsibility. The school earned the MOE Sustained Achievement Award in Sports in 2022, as well as the Green Schools Award in the same year for its environmental initiatives.

Student Life and School Culture

School life at CHIJ Primary (Toa Payoh) is shaped by its Catholic heritage and the IJ tradition of care, service, and community. The school maintains a supportive environment where pastoral care and values education are prioritised alongside academics. Special Educational Needs Officers are on staff, and a P1 TRANSIT programme supports students with social and behavioural needs during their early years.

Family involvement is encouraged, and the school fosters connections between parents and teachers through regular communication and school events. The 170th anniversary celebrations in 2024 reflected the strong sense of community among current families, alumni, and staff.

Notable alumni from across the CHIJ network include national sprinter Shanti Pereira and Member of Parliament Joan Pereira, reflecting the breadth of paths that CHIJ graduates pursue.

The school is located at 628 Lorong 1 Toa Payoh, Singapore 319765. Parents can contact the school at 6353 2164 or [email protected] for enquiries on admissions or programmes.