Template 03 May 2023

2024 Direct School Admission – Secondary (DSA-Sec) Exercise

Application for DSA-Sec can be submitted through the online DSA-Sec Portal. The application is free-of- charge and will be open from 7 May 2024, 11am to 3 Jun 2024, 3pm. More information, including application timeline, authentication, number of choices allowed is available via [https://www.moe.gov.sg/dsa-sec](https://www.moe.gov.sg/dsa-sec).

Application is free-of-charge and the period of application is as listed below:

Start of Application: 1100 hrs, Tuesday, 7 May 2024

End of Application: 1500 hrs, Monday, 3 June 2024

Parents and students are encouraged to choose schools wisely based on the student’s aptitudes and strengths, bearing in mind the schools’ academic and non-academic requirements, and the programmes available to develop the area of talent.

Requirements of DSA-Sec Applicants

Mother Tongue Language

Catholic High School is a Special Assistance Plan (SAP) school that is committed to nurturing bilingual and bicultural students who are immersed in the Chinese language and culture, yet equipped with a global outlook. As with other SAP schools, we only take in students who offer Chinese or Higher Chinese. Students exempted from offering Chinese or Higher Chinese for PSLE in Primary School should not apply to SAP schools, including Catholic High. In addition:

*   Integrated Programme (IP) students must offer Higher Chinese Language in Years 1 and 2;

*   Singapore-Cambridge Secondary Education Certificate Examinations Programme (SP) students must offer at least Chinese Language.

General Academic Criteria

IP Track

Regardless of the talent area(s) an applicant applies for, he should have achieved consistent and excellent results for Primary 5 and Primary 6 Examinations.

SP Track

Regardless of the talent area(s) an applicant applies for, he should have achieved consistent and very good results for Primary 5 and Primary 6 Examinations.

Conduct

Applicants should conduct themselves with decorum, and have a positive attitude and sound moral values.

Talent-specific Criteria for Selection of DSA-Sec Applicants

We will further update the selection criteria, process and admin details for the talent areas by early-June. For more information on DSA-Sec, please refer to the MOE website at https://www.moe.gov.sg/dsa-sec

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Talent

CCA

Selection Criteria

Leadership (IP/SP)


  • Demonstrate exceptional character, aptitude for leadership, ability for critical thinking and good communication skill

  • Strong evidence of leadership experience and appointment(s) (e.g. CCA appointment, Prefectorial appointment), or other equivalent experiences that demonstrate aptitude and passion for leading changes in service of others

Music Elective Programme (IP/SP)


  • Demonstrate strong interest and drive to excel in music study and/or composition and/or performance

  • Strong evidence of outstanding achievement or portfolio in an area of music study and/or composition and/or performance

Performing Arts (IP/SP)

  • Chinese Drama

  • Chinese Orchestra

  • Choir

  • Concert Band

  • English Drama

  • Modern Dance

  • Demonstrate high competency for any of the following Performing Arts: Chinese Drama, Chinese Orchestra (Bass / Cello, Di Zi, Er Hu, Percussion, Plucked String, Sheng, Suona, Yangqin), Choir, Concert Band (Bassoon, Clarinet, Euphonium, Flute, French Horn, Oboe, Percussion, Saxophone, String Bass, Trumpet, Trombone, Tuba), English Drama, Modern Dance

  • Strong evidence of dedication, passion and aptitude for the Performing Arts 

Sports (IP/SP)

  • Basketball

  • Floorball

  • Softball

  • Table Tennis

  • Track and Field

  • Volleyball

  • Wushu

  • Demonstrate high competency for any of the following Sports: Basketball, Floorball, Softball, Table Tennis, Track and Field (Sprints, Cross-country, Throws and Jumps), Volleyball and Wushu

  • Strong evidence of dedication, passion and aptitude for the Sport

  • Medically fit

Bilingualism (IP)

  • Demonstrate passion and aptitude for both Chinese and English languages

  • Possess excellent reading, writing, speaking and listening skills

  • Strong evidence of outstanding achievements in both English and Chinese languages (e.g. in competitions, projects and programmes requiring bilingual and bicultural skills) 

  • Possess a strong interest and drive to excel and develop bicultural knowledge and skills for service to others

Humanities (IP)

  • Demonstrate passion and aptitude for the Humanities, Social and Environmental Sciences (e.g. current affairs, politics, international relations and sustainable development)

  • Possess excellent language (reading, writing, speaking and listening) and research skills

  • Have a portfolio of outstanding achievements and work in areas of Humanities, Social and Environmental Sciences

Mathematics (IP)

  • Demonstrate strong interest and drive to excel in Mathematics study and research 

  • Have a portfolio of outstanding achievements and work that demonstrates passion and aptitude for Mathematics

Science (IP)

  • Demonstrate strong interest and drive to excel in Science study and research 

  • Have a portfolio of outstanding achievements and work that demonstrates passion and aptitude for Science

Important

1.  Meeting all the criteria does not guarantee the student will be shortlisted/ given an offer.

2.  Parents and students are encouraged to choose schools wisely based on the student’s aptitudes and strengths, bearing in mind the schools’ academic and non-academic requirements, and the programmes available to develop the area of talent.

3.  Applicants who do not have prior experience may also apply. The school will assess applicants based on the selection criteria, which may include assessing the potential of the applicants.

4,  Students who are successfully admitted to the school via DSA are expected to honour their commitment to the school and programme (4 years for the Singapore- Cambridge Secondary Education Certificate Programme or 6 years for the Integrated Programme) and participate in the activities related to the talent they are selected for from year 1-4.

For inquiries regarding CHS DSA-Sec, please contact us at:

1.  Email Address:  chs@moe.edu.sg

2.  Telephone: 6458 2177

Information updated 6 May 2024