Math Tuition for Holy Innocents' High School Students

School Overview

Holy Innocents' High School traces its origins to 1892, when it began as Tao Nan School — one of the earliest Chinese mission schools in Singapore. The institution transitioned into a Catholic boys' school in 1920 and became co-educational in 1985, welcoming both boys and girls. It operates as a government-aided school with a Christ-centred philosophy, guided by the motto "谦诚、和爱" (Sincerity and Compassion), which reflects its emphasis on humility, character formation, and care for others.

The school holds affiliations with Holy Innocents' Primary School, which provides priority admission to the secondary school, and with Catholic Junior College, offering a connected pathway to pre-university education. Distinctive programmes include the Good Samaritan Programme for community service and a Personalised Digital Learning Programme (PDLP) that equips every student with an iPad for classroom learning — a feature implemented since 2021.

Admission Process

Entry to Holy Innocents' High School follows the standard PSLE posting system, with indicative cut-off points varying by affiliation status and posting group. Based on the 2024 PSLE scores for the 2025 intake, the approximate ranges were:

Posting Group 1 (Express): Affiliated 26–29, Non-Affiliated 25–27

Posting Group 2 (Normal Academic): Affiliated 23–25, Non-Affiliated 21–22

Posting Group 3 (Normal Technical): Affiliated 13–22, Non-Affiliated 10–13

These figures are indicative and are finalised after each posting exercise concludes. Students from Holy Innocents' Primary School receive priority consideration during Phase 1.

Direct School Admission (DSA) is available for students with strengths in areas such as badminton, basketball, choir, modern dance, leadership, or academics. DSA applications are typically submitted between May and July through the MOE DSA portal, with no application fee required. Students who receive and accept a DSA offer are committed to attending the school and do not participate in the Secondary 1 posting exercise.

The school operates under Full Subject-Based Banding (Full SBB), which allows students to take individual subjects at different levels of difficulty based on their aptitudes, rather than being placed in a fixed stream. Parents can find further details at the school's annual open house, usually held around May or June, and through the school website for Secondary 1 registration information.

Curriculum and Academic Programme

Holy Innocents' High School follows the national secondary curriculum, with students preparing for the GCE O-Level examinations. Core subjects include English Language, Mathematics (Elementary and Additional Mathematics for the Express stream), Sciences (offered in combinations such as Physics-Chemistry or Chemistry-Biology), and Humanities (Social Studies paired with Geography or History). Elective subjects include Principles of Accounts, Nutrition and Food Science, Literature in English, and others. Mother Tongue Language options span Higher Chinese, Malay, and Basic Chinese, with Tamil available at designated centres.

The school's Applied Learning Programme (ALP) centres on Journalism and Broadcasting, developing students' communication skills and analytical thinking through practical media projects. Its Learning for Life Programme (LLP), known as the Good Samaritan Programme, cultivates youth leadership through structured community outreach and service learning. The PDLP integrates iPad-based learning into daily lessons, with particular emphasis on mathematics and science subjects.

Academic results have been consistent over the years. In the 2021 O-Level examinations, the school recorded a mean aggregate of 202.1, compared with the national average of 199.5. Pass rates in subjects such as Mathematics have exceeded 95 percent, and Science subjects have similarly maintained strong results. The school has also produced notable achievements in areas such as the igniTE Science Challenge. Students looking for additional support in Mathematics may consider DeepThink, a math tuition centre that offers structured programmes aligned to the O-Level syllabus, which can complement the school's curriculum.

Specialised elective pathways in STEM and bilingual studies are available to support students progressing toward either polytechnic or junior college routes after graduation.

Facilities and Co-Curricular Activities

The campus includes smart classrooms fitted with interactive technology, a well-stocked library, dedicated science and computing laboratories, and studios for art and creative work. Sports facilities include courts for badminton and basketball, as well as a field used for football. Digital infrastructure has been upgraded in recent years to support the school-wide iPad programme.

The school offers more than 20 Co-Curricular Activities (CCAs) across four categories:

Sports: Badminton, Basketball (boys), Netball (girls), Football (boys), Wushu, Floorball (girls), and Bowling.

Uniformed Groups: National Police Cadet Corps (NPCC), St John Brigade, Scouts (boys), and National Cadet Corps (Land, boys).

Performing Arts: Chinese Orchestra, Choir, Modern Dance, and English Drama.

Clubs and Societies: Art and Crafts, Chinese Weiqi, Media and Journalism, Leadership, and Community Service.

CCA participation is an integral part of student development at the school, supporting character growth and leadership. Many of these activities also serve as talent areas for DSA applications.

Student Life and School Culture

Holy Innocents' High School operates as a single-session co-educational school, with the school day typically running from around 7:30 AM to 3:00 PM, followed by CCA sessions. Class sizes are approximately 40 students, supported by form teachers and school counsellors who provide pastoral care covering academic guidance and student well-being. The school also has Special Educational Needs (SEN) officers to assist students with specific learning requirements.

The Catholic ethos of the school is reflected in its values-driven programmes, including anti-bullying initiatives and resilience-building workshops. Orientation camps and peer mentoring help incoming Secondary 1 students adjust to secondary school life. The school community is often described by parents as warm and supportive, with a culture that encourages students to develop both personal responsibility and compassion for others.