Holy Innocents’ High School: A Comprehensive Guide for Parents

Welcome! If you’re exploring secondary school options for your children in Singapore, Holy Innocents’ High School stands out as a premier institution. Founded in 1892, this respected co-educational, government-aided Catholic school in Hougang has a rich legacy of providing quality education while nurturing students’ character and leadership skills. This article offers a detailed overview of the school’s history, academic achievements, facilities, extracurricular activities, and location, while also highlighting the importance of mathematics education and introducing Odyssey Math Tuition (OMT) as a valuable resource for students.

School Overview

Holy Innocents’ High School began as Tao Nan School in 1892, one of Singapore’s first Chinese mission schools, teaching Bible studies and classical Chinese. In 1920, it was renamed Holy Innocents’ Chinese Boys’ School to reflect its aspiration for students to embody purity, wholesomeness, and innocence. During the Japanese occupation (1942–1945), it operated as Syonan School. In 1985, the primary section separated to form Holy Innocents’ Primary School at Lorong Low Koon, allowing the secondary section to become single-session. Between 1992 and 1994, the school underwent significant expansion, adding new teaching and administrative blocks, officially commissioned on July 30, 1994, by Archbishop Gregory Yong.

The school’s motto emphasizes four pillars of student development: intellect, morality, physical wellness, and harmony. This philosophy is brought to life through programs like the Applied Learning Programme (ALP) in Languages – Journalism and Broadcasting, which develops critical thinkers and effective communicators, and the Learning for Life Programme (LLP) in Community Youth Leadership via the Good Samaritan Programme (GSP), fostering compassionate leaders. Unique features include the Bilingual Competence Programme (BiCEP) for English and Chinese proficiency, as well as offerings like Chinese Language Syllabus B, Basic Chinese Language, Higher Chinese Language, and Tamil Language lessons at the nearest Tamil Language Centre.

Academic Excellence

Holy Innocents’ High School is known for its academic rigor, reflected in its competitive PSLE cut-off points (COP) for Secondary 1 posting in 2022:

Stream	Affiliated Students	Non-Affiliated Students
Posting Group 3	13–22	10–13
Posting Group 2	23–25	21–22
Posting Group 1	26–29	25–27

These figures highlight the school’s popularity and high academic standards. The curriculum includes subjects like Additional Mathematics, Biology, Chemistry, Physics, English, Chinese, Geography, History, and Principles of Accounts, catering to Express, Normal (Academic), and Normal (Technical) streams. The school prepares students for the Singapore-Cambridge GCE O-Level and Normal Level examinations, with affiliations to Catholic Junior College and Holy Innocents’ Primary School ensuring a seamless educational pathway. The presence of Special Educational Needs Officers further supports students with diverse learning needs.

Facilities and Extracurricular Activities

Holy Innocents’ High School boasts modern facilities, enhanced by a major expansion in the 1990s that added new teaching blocks and an administrative block. While specific details are limited, the school likely includes well-equipped classrooms, science laboratories, a library, and sports facilities to support 21st-century learning.

The school offers a vibrant array of co-curricular activities (CCAs) to nurture students’ talents and interests, including:

Sports: Badminton, Basketball, Netball, Football, Wushu, Floorball, Bowling
Uniformed Groups: National Police Cadet Corps (NPCC), St John Brigade, Scouts, National Cadet Corps (NCC)
Performing Arts: Chinese Orchestra, Choir, Modern Dance, English Drama
Clubs & Societies: Art and Crafts, Chinese Weiqi, Media Resource Library, Community Service, Journalism, Leadership, Media/Journalism

These CCAs foster teamwork, leadership, and creativity, complementing the school’s academic offerings and helping students develop into well-rounded individuals.

Location and Contact

Holy Innocents’ High School is conveniently located at 1191 Upper Serangoon Road, Singapore 534786, near Hougang MRT station. Several bus services (27, 72, 74, 80, 87, 89, 101, 107, 113, 116, 119, 132, 136, 147, 153, 161, 165, 324, 325) provide easy access. For further inquiries or to arrange a visit, contact the school at:

Phone: 6283 3381
Email: [email protected]
Website: Holy Innocents’ High School

FAQ’s about Riverside Secondary School

Is Holy Innocents’ High School a good school?
Holy Innocents’ High School is a government-aided Catholic secondary school with a long history of providing holistic education, focusing on character development through programmes like the Good Samaritan Programme and Journalism and Broadcasting. It offers a range of CCAs and subjects to support student growth, and parents can assess its suitability based on their child’s needs by visiting the school or open houses. As a Christ-centred community, it emphasizes values like compassion and leadership.
Source: https://www.moe.gov.sg/schoolfinder/schooldetail?schoolname=Holy%20Innocents%27%20High%20School

Is Holy Innocents’ High School a co-ed school?
Yes, Holy Innocents’ High School is a co-educational school, admitting both boys and girls.
Source: https://www.moe.gov.sg/schoolfinder/schooldetail?schoolname=Holy%20Innocents%27%20High%20School

What is the ranking of Holy Innocents’ High School Sec School?
Singapore’s Ministry of Education does not publish official rankings for secondary schools to encourage a focus on holistic development rather than competition. Parents are advised to consider factors like programmes, CCAs, and school culture instead.
Source: https://www.moe.gov.sg/microsites/psle-fsbb/posting-to-secondary-school/choosing-sec-schools.html

What is the cut-off point for Holy Innocents’ High School Sec School?
Under the Full Subject-Based Banding system, the indicative PSLE score ranges for Holy Innocents’ High School are: Posting Group 3 (non-affiliated: 10-13, affiliated: 13-22), Posting Group 2 (non-affiliated: 21-22, affiliated: 23-25), Posting Group 1 (non-affiliated: 25-27, affiliated: 26-29). These ranges are based on the previous year’s posting exercise and may vary annually.
Source: https://www.moe.gov.sg/schoolfinder/schooldetail?schoolname=Holy%20Innocents%27%20High%20School

What are the admission requirements for Holy Innocents’ High School?
Admission is primarily through the Secondary 1 Posting Exercise based on PSLE scores, with priority for affiliated students from Holy Innocents’ Primary School. Students can also apply via Direct School Admission (DSA) for talents in areas like sports, arts, or leadership. Use all six school choices wisely, including schools with a range of cut-off points.
Source: https://www.moe.gov.sg/microsites/psle-fsbb/posting-to-secondary-school/choosing-sec-schools.html

How to apply via DSA to Holy Innocents’ High School?
Apply through the DSA-Sec Portal during the application period (typically May), showcasing talents in areas such as sports, performing arts, or leadership. No fees are required, and successful applicants commit to the school without participating in the S1 posting. Check the school website for specific talent areas offered.
Source: https://www.moe.gov.sg/secondary/dsa

Is Holy Innocents’ High School affiliated with a primary school?
Yes, Holy Innocents’ High School is affiliated with Holy Innocents’ Primary School, offering priority admission and affiliation bonuses in PSLE score ranges for eligible students.
Source: https://www.moe.gov.sg/schoolfinder/schooldetail?schoolname=Holy%20Innocents%27%20High%20School

What are the O-Level subjects at Holy Innocents’ High School?
Holy Innocents’ High School offers O-Level subjects including English Language, Mathematics, Additional Mathematics, Sciences (Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Science combinations), Humanities (Social Studies with Geography/History, Literature in English), Languages (Chinese, Malay, Higher Chinese), Art, Computing, Design & Technology, Nutrition and Food Science, Principles of Accounts, Music, and Physical Education. Subject offerings may vary; check the curriculum page for updates.
Source: https://www.moe.gov.sg/schoolfinder/schooldetail?schoolname=Holy%20Innocents%27%20High%20School

What is subject-based banding at Holy Innocents’ High School?
Subject-based banding allows students to take subjects at more or less demanding levels based on their strengths, under the Full Subject-Based Banding (Full SBB) system implemented from 2024. This promotes flexibility, with mixed form classes and customized learning pathways to support transitions from primary to secondary education.
Source: https://www.moe.gov.sg/secondary/courses

What CCAs are available at Holy Innocents’ High School?
CCAs at Holy Innocents’ High School include Sports (Badminton, Basketball, Netball, Football, Wushu, Floorball, Bowling), Uniformed Groups (NPCC, St John Brigade, Scouts, NCC Land), Performing Arts (Chinese Orchestra, Choir, Modern Dance, English Drama), and Clubs/Societies (Art and Crafts, Chinese Weiqi, Media Resource Library, Community Service, Journalism, Leadership). These promote character development and leadership skills.
Source: https://www.moe.gov.sg/schoolfinder/schooldetail?schoolname=Holy%20Innocents%27%20High%20School

What is the Applied Learning Programme at Holy Innocents’ High School?
The Applied Learning Programme (ALP) at Holy Innocents’ High School focuses on Journalism and Broadcasting to develop critical thinkers and effective communicators. Students engage in classroom-based and hands-on experiences, participating in competitions to empower them as leaders and innovators.
Source: https://www.moe.gov.sg/schoolfinder/schooldetail?schoolname=Holy%20Innocents%27%20High%20School

What is the Learning for Life Programme at Holy Innocents’ High School?
The Learning for Life Programme (LLP) is the Good Samaritan Programme, emphasizing community youth leadership through service learning. Students initiate projects addressing beneficiary needs, fostering compassion and character development.
Source: https://www.moe.gov.sg/schoolfinder/schooldetail?schoolname=Holy%20Innocents%27%20High%20School

What are the school hours at Holy Innocents’ High School?
Information not available on the official websites. As a single-session secondary school, typical hours are from around 7:30am to 2:00pm, but contact the school for the latest schedule.
Source: https://www.moe.gov.sg/schoolfinder/schooldetail?schoolname=Holy%20Innocents%27%20High%20School

What are the school fees for Holy Innocents’ High School?
School fees vary by citizenship status (Singapore Citizens, Permanent Residents, International Students) and include GST subsidies for citizens and PRs. For detailed monthly fees, visit the MOE fees page or contact the school.
Source: https://www.moe.gov.sg/financial-matters/fees?schoolname=Holy%20Innocents’%20High%20School

What is the history of Holy Innocents’ High School?
Founded in 1892 as Tao Nan School, one of Singapore’s first Chinese mission schools, it was renamed Holy Innocents’ High School and became a Catholic institution. It separated its primary section in 1985 and underwent upgrades in the 1990s, focusing on holistic Catholic education.
Source: https://www.holyinnocentshigh.moe.edu.sg/

Is Holy Innocents’ High School affiliated with a junior college?
Yes, Holy Innocents’ High School is affiliated with Catholic Junior College, supporting post-secondary pathways for students.
Source: https://www.moe.gov.sg/schoolfinder/schooldetail?schoolname=Holy%20Innocents%27%20High%20School

What facilities does Holy Innocents’ High School have?
Information not available on the official websites. As a standard secondary school, it typically includes classrooms, labs, and sports areas; contact the school for details.
Source: https://www.holyinnocentshigh.moe.edu.sg/

Does Holy Innocents’ High School have special educational needs support?
Yes, Holy Innocents’ High School has Special Educational Needs Officers available to support students with learning needs.
Source: https://www.moe.gov.sg/schoolfinder/schooldetail?schoolname=Holy%20Innocents%27%20High%20School

What are the contact details for Holy Innocents’ High School?
The school is located at 1191 Upper Serangoon Road, Singapore 534786. Contact via phone at 6283 3381 or email at [email protected].
Source: https://www.holyinnocentshigh.moe.edu.sg/contact-us/

What are the achievements of Holy Innocents’ High School?
Information not available on the official websites in detail, but the school has a history of participation in CCAs and programmes like ALP and LLP. Check the honour roll on the school website for latest updates on awards in sports, arts, and societies.
Source: https://www.holyinnocentshigh.moe.edu.sg/

You may want to check out other secondary schools in Singapore below:

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Summary

Mathematics is a cornerstone of education, equipping students with critical thinking, problem-solving, and analytical skills essential for academic success and future careers. At Holy Innocents’ High School, mathematics is a core subject, with offerings like Additional Mathematics preparing students for rigorous examinations like the GCE O-Level.

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Disclaimer: All information provided here has been compiled from publicly available sources. While we have made every effort to ensure accuracy, we do not guarantee that the information is complete or error-free. We disclaim any liability for inaccuracies or omissions. If you find any errors or have concerns about the content, please let us know so we can address them promptly.