Holy Innocents' High School
Encyclopedia
Holy Innocents' High School (Abbreviation
: HIHS; Simplified Chinese:圣婴中学, Traditional Chinese: 聖嬰中學, pinyin
: Shèngyīng Zhōngxué) is one of the earliest catholic schools in Singapore
. Founded in 1892 by the Church of the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary
, the Chinese mission school is providing secondary school education leading up to a Singaporean GCE 'O' Level certification, in both express and normal streams. Every year during Thanksgiving Day, the students and teachers attend church for thanksgiving mass and award ceremonies.
The co-educational high school has received major facelifts in 1994 and 2004 in order to upgrade its old colonial style buildings and facilities.
Today, Holy Innocents' High School stands on an elevated ground in Hougang Central, surrounded by the HDB flats and shopping centres.
The school motto stresses four areas of student development; intellect, morality, physical wellness and harmony. The four areas branch out and include values like humility, hardwork, honesty, kindness, righteousness, sincerity and charity.
is widely spoken in the school. Almost all the students are Chinese, with some Indians and Malays.
The majority of the students come from Holy Innocents' Primary School
, situated about 500 m away. Most students continue their studies in polytechnics or junior colleges such as:
Holy Innocents' High School is also attended by international students from Indonesia
and Thailand
.
In 2003, the class naming changed, as below:
during school vacations.
屹立狮岛，美丽如虹,
环境清幽，校址宽宏,
树人树木，俱收事功.
济济多士，共坐春风,
荣主救灵，功德无穷,
砥砺品学，婴德是宗,
谦诚和爱，景仰大同.
宣传文化，中西并攻,
阐扬学术，文质兼丰,
培植翘秀，失勤失忠,
蔚为国器，南邦之雄.
Verse 1:
I am special because God created me,
And he has blessed me with unique talents.
I'll be responsible and strive for excellence,
So that, I can contribute most meaningfully to my
school and society.
Chorus:
I will uphold integrity,
and be sincere and charitable.
In what I do,
I will not hurt others and myself.
So as to create a more loving,
and peaceful community* for all,for all!
Verse 2:
I am special because God created me,
And he has blessed me with great potential.
I'll strive to be an independent lifelong learner,
Humble in spirit, to accept new challenges.[Back to chorus]
Verse 3:
Standing with all, in the HIHS family.
We will be one where the love of God reigns.
(RP) to offer elective modules to expand the learning experience of pupils and provide exposure to the practice-oriented learning approaches adopted in the polytechnics.
AEMs may be used for polytechnic admission under the Joint Polytechnic Special Admissions Exercise (JPSAE) and the Direct Polytechnic Admission (DPA) exercise. They may also be used for credit exemption in subjects that are relevant to the pupil’s subsequent course of study in the Polytechnic.
and Catholic Junior College
Holy Innocents' High School is a partner of Temasek Polytechnic
and Nanyang Polytechnic
, offering Advanced Elective Modules to the relevant courses of these polytechnics.
during the rebuilding of Hougang campus. The school moved back in early 2006.
The upgraded campus at Hougang
Central has an air-conditioned hall, a chapel
, an alumni room, two theatres, and a 500 square meters roof garden
. On June 2, 2006, the upgraded campus was opened and blessed by Archbishop Nicholas Chia
, head of the Catholic Church, Archdiocese of Singapore.
74, 112, 113, 119, 136 and 147. Hougang Central Bus Interchange
, Hougang MRT Station
and Hougang Mall
are within 5 minutes walking distance.
Abbreviation
An abbreviation is a shortened form of a word or phrase. Usually, but not always, it consists of a letter or group of letters taken from the word or phrase...
: HIHS; Simplified Chinese:圣婴中学, Traditional Chinese: 聖嬰中學, pinyin
Pinyin
Pinyin is the official system to transcribe Chinese characters into the Roman alphabet in China, Malaysia, Singapore and Taiwan. It is also often used to teach Mandarin Chinese and spell Chinese names in foreign publications and used as an input method to enter Chinese characters into...
: Shèngyīng Zhōngxué) is one of the earliest catholic schools in Singapore
Singapore
Singapore , officially the Republic of Singapore, is a Southeast Asian city-state off the southern tip of the Malay Peninsula, north of the equator. An island country made up of 63 islands, it is separated from Malaysia by the Straits of Johor to its north and from Indonesia's Riau Islands by the...
. Founded in 1892 by the Church of the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary
Church of the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary
The Church of the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary is a Catholic church in Singapore. It is located at Upper Serangoon Road in the Hougang Planning Area, within Singapore's North-East Region....
, the Chinese mission school is providing secondary school education leading up to a Singaporean GCE 'O' Level certification, in both express and normal streams. Every year during Thanksgiving Day, the students and teachers attend church for thanksgiving mass and award ceremonies.
The co-educational high school has received major facelifts in 1994 and 2004 in order to upgrade its old colonial style buildings and facilities.
Today, Holy Innocents' High School stands on an elevated ground in Hougang Central, surrounded by the HDB flats and shopping centres.
Motto
谦。诚。和。爱The school motto stresses four areas of student development; intellect, morality, physical wellness and harmony. The four areas branch out and include values like humility, hardwork, honesty, kindness, righteousness, sincerity and charity.
Students
The Chinese languageChinese language
The Chinese language is a language or language family consisting of varieties which are mutually intelligible to varying degrees. Originally the indigenous languages spoken by the Han Chinese in China, it forms one of the branches of Sino-Tibetan family of languages...
is widely spoken in the school. Almost all the students are Chinese, with some Indians and Malays.
The majority of the students come from Holy Innocents' Primary School
Holy Innocents' Primary School
Holy Innocents' Primary School is a catholic school located in Lorong Low Koon, Hougang, Singapore. It was the primary school section of Holy Innocents' High School, which was established in 1892...
, situated about 500 m away. Most students continue their studies in polytechnics or junior colleges such as:
- Anderson Junior CollegeAnderson Junior CollegeAnderson Junior College is a junior college established in 1984 and located in Ang Mo Kio, Singapore, a short distance from Yio Chu Kang MRT Station...
- Catholic Junior CollegeCatholic Junior CollegeCatholic Junior College is a junior college in Singapore, offering a two-year course for pre-university students leading up to GCE 'A' Level examination. Founded in 1975, CJC was the third junior college established in Singapore...
(affiliated) - Nanyang Junior CollegeNanyang Junior CollegeNanyang Junior College is a junior college which is part of the education system in Singapore, offering a two-year course for pre-university students leading up to the GCE 'A' Level examinations....
- National Junior CollegeNational Junior CollegeNational Junior College is the first junior college established by the Ministry Of Education, located in Bukit Timah, Singapore. It is considered as one of the top five junior colleges in Singapore. NJC offers a two-year course for pre-university students leading up to the GCE 'A' Levels...
- Serangoon Junior CollegeSerangoon Junior CollegeSerangoon Junior College is a junior college in Singapore, offering a two-year course for pre-university students leading up to GCE 'A' Level examinations.-History and Achievements:...
- Temasek Junior CollegeTemasek Junior CollegeTemasek Junior College is a prestigious junior college located in the Eastern region of Singapore and is considered as one of the top five colleges in Singapore....
- Victoria Junior CollegeVictoria Junior CollegeVictoria Junior College is a Pre-University co-educational institution in Singapore. It was established to replace the Pre-University classes of Victoria School in 1984. It stands on Marine Vista, about 5-minute walk to the East Coast Park. It in the East Region of Singapore...
- Nanyang PolytechnicNanyang PolytechnicNanyang Polytechnic is a Singaporean polytechnic located in Ang Mo Kio next to Yio Chu Kang MRT Station, Singapore.-History:*Established 1 April 1992...
- Temasek PolytechnicTemasek PolytechnicTemasek Polytechnic is the third polytechnic to be set up in Singapore. The polytechnic was established on April 6, 1990. With a 30 hectare campus overlooking the scenic Bedok Reservoir in the eastern part of Singapore, TP's campus places particular emphasis on the preservation of the natural...
Holy Innocents' High School is also attended by international students from Indonesia
Indonesia
Indonesia , officially the Republic of Indonesia , is a country in Southeast Asia and Oceania. Indonesia is an archipelago comprising approximately 13,000 islands. It has 33 provinces with over 238 million people, and is the world's fourth most populous country. Indonesia is a republic, with an...
and Thailand
Thailand
Thailand , officially the Kingdom of Thailand , formerly known as Siam , is a country located at the centre of the Indochina peninsula and Southeast Asia. It is bordered to the north by Burma and Laos, to the east by Laos and Cambodia, to the south by the Gulf of Thailand and Malaysia, and to the...
.
Uniform
In 1997 upper secondary boys were allowed the option of wearing long trousers. Lower secondary school boys continued to wear shorts. For both females and males alike, students wear a white top and light blue bottom. The school has introduced a new uniform but the colours of white and blue remain unchanged.Class names
Previously all express streamed classes were named after the alphabet: A, B, C and D. Numbers 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5 were used for Normal Academic and Normal Technical streamed classes.In 2003, the class naming changed, as below:
| Express | Normal Academic | Normal Technical | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Before 2002 | 2003 to 2006 | 2007–present | Before 2002 | 2003 to 2006 | 2007–present | Before 2002 | 2003 to 2006 | 2007–present |
| A | Humility | Humility | 1 | Faith | Faith | 4 | Hope | Hope |
| B | Sincerity | Sincerity | 2 | Joy | Joy | 5 | Unity | |
| C | Charity | Charity | 3 | Peace | ||||
| D | Diligence | Diligence | ||||||
| E | Integrity | Integrity | ||||||
| -NIL- | -NIL- | Respect |
Outward Bound course
All secondary three students attend the OBS Camp in Pulau UbinPulau Ubin
Pulau Ubin is a small island situated in the north east of Singapore, to the west of Pulau Tekong. Granite quarrying supported a few thousand settlers on Pulau Ubin in the 1960s, but only about a hundred villagers live there today...
during school vacations.
School song
圣婴中学，黉宇高嵩,屹立狮岛，美丽如虹,
环境清幽，校址宽宏,
树人树木，俱收事功.
济济多士，共坐春风,
荣主救灵，功德无穷,
砥砺品学，婴德是宗,
谦诚和爱，景仰大同.
宣传文化，中西并攻,
阐扬学术，文质兼丰,
培植翘秀，失勤失忠,
蔚为国器，南邦之雄.
School Creed
Verse 1:
I am special because God created me,
And he has blessed me with unique talents.
I'll be responsible and strive for excellence,
So that, I can contribute most meaningfully to my
school and society.
Chorus:
I will uphold integrity,
and be sincere and charitable.
In what I do,
I will not hurt others and myself.
So as to create a more loving,
and peaceful community* for all,for all!
Verse 2:
I am special because God created me,
And he has blessed me with great potential.
I'll strive to be an independent lifelong learner,
Humble in spirit, to accept new challenges.[Back to chorus]
Verse 3:
Standing with all, in the HIHS family.
We will be one where the love of God reigns.
Advanced Elective Modules
Holy Innocents’ High School will be one of the few schools in the pioneering batch to offer Advanced Elective Modules (AEMs) in 2007. The school will be collaborating with Republic PolytechnicRepublic Polytechnic
Republic Polytechnic , commonly abbreviated to RP, is a tertiary institution located in Singapore. It was the first school system in Singapore to use Problem-based learning pedagogy for all its diplomas....
(RP) to offer elective modules to expand the learning experience of pupils and provide exposure to the practice-oriented learning approaches adopted in the polytechnics.
AEMs may be used for polytechnic admission under the Joint Polytechnic Special Admissions Exercise (JPSAE) and the Direct Polytechnic Admission (DPA) exercise. They may also be used for credit exemption in subjects that are relevant to the pupil’s subsequent course of study in the Polytechnic.
Subjects offered at GCE O Level
Beside compulsory subjects, English, Chinese, Elementary Mathematics and Social Studies, the school also offers:- Additional Mathematics
- Art
- Design and Technology
- Food Science
- Higher Chinese
- Higher Malay
- Pure Biology
- Pure Chemistry
- Pure Physics
- Pure Geography
- Pure Literature
- History
- Principles of Accounts
- Music
Affiliated Schools
Holy Innocents' Primary SchoolHoly Innocents' Primary School
Holy Innocents' Primary School is a catholic school located in Lorong Low Koon, Hougang, Singapore. It was the primary school section of Holy Innocents' High School, which was established in 1892...
and Catholic Junior College
Catholic Junior College
Catholic Junior College is a junior college in Singapore, offering a two-year course for pre-university students leading up to GCE 'A' Level examination. Founded in 1975, CJC was the third junior college established in Singapore...
Holy Innocents' High School is a partner of Temasek Polytechnic
Temasek Polytechnic
Temasek Polytechnic is the third polytechnic to be set up in Singapore. The polytechnic was established on April 6, 1990. With a 30 hectare campus overlooking the scenic Bedok Reservoir in the eastern part of Singapore, TP's campus places particular emphasis on the preservation of the natural...
and Nanyang Polytechnic
Nanyang Polytechnic
Nanyang Polytechnic is a Singaporean polytechnic located in Ang Mo Kio next to Yio Chu Kang MRT Station, Singapore.-History:*Established 1 April 1992...
, offering Advanced Elective Modules to the relevant courses of these polytechnics.
Facilities
In 2004, the school moved to it temporary premises in PunggolPunggol
Punggol, or Ponggol, is a neighbourhood in northeastern Singapore. Presently, much of Punggol is undeveloped, although plans to turn the area into a residential new town under the "Punggol 21" initiative have begun to take place in the south-eastern parts of the area bordering neighbouring...
during the rebuilding of Hougang campus. The school moved back in early 2006.
The upgraded campus at Hougang
Hougang
Hougang is an urban planning area and a suburb in the north-eastern area of the city-state of Singapore. Under classification by the Urban Redevelopment Authority, the area is part of the North-East Region, an urban planning division. Hougang borders Sengkang in the north and Serangoon to its...
Central has an air-conditioned hall, a chapel
Chapel
A chapel is a building used by Christians as a place of fellowship and worship. It may be part of a larger structure or complex, such as a church, college, hospital, palace, prison or funeral home, located on board a military or commercial ship, or it may be an entirely free-standing building,...
, an alumni room, two theatres, and a 500 square meters roof garden
Roof garden
A roof garden is any garden on the roof of a building. Besides the decorative benefit, roof plantings may provide food, temperature control, hydrological benefits, architectural enhancement, habitats or corridors for wildlife, and recreational opportunities....
. On June 2, 2006, the upgraded campus was opened and blessed by Archbishop Nicholas Chia
Nicholas Chia
Most. Rev. Monsignor Nicholas Gerald Chia Yeck Joo D.D., S.T.L. is third and current Roman Catholic Archbishop of Singapore and the first Singapore-born clergyman to hold the office...
, head of the Catholic Church, Archdiocese of Singapore.
Activities
Holy Innocents' High School has a co-curricular programme, with some groups gaining recognition on national level competition.2009
- Scout: Gold (consecutively for the past 4 years)
- St. John Ambulance: -Silver (consecutively for the past 7 years)
- St. John Ambulance: -6 chief commissioner award receivers
- St. John Ambulance: -zone first aid and home nursing competition (ambulance cadet TOC: 2nd position)
- St. John Ambulance: -zone first aid and home nursing competition (nursing cadet footdrill: 3rd position)
- St. John Ambulance: -zone first aid and home nursing competition (nursing adult footdrill: 2nd position
- Modern Dance: Gold
- Military Band: Silver
- Choir: Silver
- Chinese Orchestra: Bronze
- Drama: Bronze
2008
- Scout: Gold
- Scout: 6th National Patrol Camp (Gold Award)
- Scout: Serangoon District Field Day (Scout: Lower Sec Soccer) (Champion)
- Scout: Serangoon District Field Day (Venture: Basketball)(1st Runner-up)
- St. John Ambulance: -Silver (consecutively for the past 6 years)
- St. John Ambulance: -Soccer Girls (Champion)/ Soccer boys golden boots award: Samuel Quah Cheng Kai
- St. John Ambulance: -Zone first aid and home nursing competition (Nursing cadet foot drill: 3rd position)
- St. John Ambulance: - 10 chief commissioner award receivers.
- St. John Ambulance: - Foot drill Competition 2008: Champions
2007
- Scout: Gold
- Scout: National Scoutcraft and Pioneering Competition - Gateway (Gold Award)
- Scout: National Scoutcraft and Pioneering Competition - Logging (2nd Runner-up)
- St. John Ambulance: -Silver (consecutively for the past 5 years)
- St. John Ambulance: -Zone first aid and home nursing competition (Ambulance cadet foot drill: Champions)
- Choir: Gold
- English Drama: Gold
- Military Band: Bronze
- Dance: Bronze
- Chinese Orchestra: Bronze
2006
- Scout: Gold
- People Developer Standard
- Sustained Achievement Award: Uniformed Group
- Development Award: TAF Award (Silver)
- Achievement Award: Academic Value-added (Normal)
- NPCC: Silver
- St. John's Ambulance: Silver
- Military Band: Merit (Assessment of Marching Bands)
2005
- Scout: Silver
- Sustained Achievement Award: Uniformed Group
- Development Award: TAF Award (Silver)
- Choir: Gold
- Military Band: Silver
- NPCC: Silver
- Scout: Silver
- St. John's Ambulance: Silver
- Chinese Orchestra: Bronze
- Dance: Bronze
- Drama: Bronze
- Shooting awards
History
- 1892 Holy Innocents' High School was one of the first Chinese Mission Schools to be founded and was named Tao Nan School. Bible studies and classical Chinese were taught.
- 1920 Rev Fr Becheras was the Supervisor of the school. The name of the school was changed from Tao Nan to Holy Innocents' Boy School. It means pure, wholesome and innocent.
- 1942 During the Japanese Occupation, the school name changed to Syonan School
- 1957 A two-storey building consisting of 12 classrooms was built at 7 1/4 miles, Upper Serangoon Road (The present site). Rev Fr Berthold, then Supervisor, appointed Rev Fr Shih as Principal.
- 1958 Secondary classes were started and the name of the school was modified to Holy Innocents' High School. His Grace, Archbishop, Rt Rev M Olcomendy, blessed the school and declared it open on 5 January.
- 1960 to 1964 An additional eight classrooms and two laboratories were built.
- 1965 The school started her first Pre-University classes (Science Stream)
- 1968 A new three-storey building was added
- 1969 Fr Shih was transferred to Taiwan. Rev Fr Peter Lu assumed office as Principal.
- 1983 On 9 September, Mr Ho Kah Leong, Parliamentary Secretary, Ministry of Education, officiated the opening of the Auditorium and four classrooms. Rev Fr Peter Lu retired at the end of the year.
- 1984 The Vice-Principal, Mr Lee Tho Nee, was appointed Principal
- 1985 On 25 March, Holy Innocents' High School's primary school section moved to new premises at Lorong Low Koon and was named Holy Innocents' Primary School. The secondary section functioned as a single-session school
- 1987 A School Building Committee was formed headed by then Chairman of the School Management Board, Rev Fr Mathias Tung, to expand the school to a standard-sized secondary school. Approval was given with an 80% capital grant.
- 1992 The school's lower secondary classes occupied the ex-Hai Sing High School premises while the upper secondary classes reminded at the present site. Construction and refurbishment work started in May.
- 1994 The official commissioning of the upgraded facilities by Gregory Yong, Archbishop of Singapore, took place on 30 July The completed project added three new teaching blocks and an administrative block to the original building. The total built in area was 9000 sq m.
- 1996 Mrs Mary Bay, the Vice-Principal, was appointed Principal in July.
- 2001 Mrs Pauline Wong was appointed Principal in December
- Moved to holding school at 51 Edgedale Plains in June, while upgrading of the original site was completed.
- 2005 moved back to original site in December
- 2006 The new school building was officially opened and blessed by His Grace, Archbishop Nicholas Chia on 2 June 2006
- 2007 Ms Soh Lai Leng was appointed Principal in December
Principals
- 1920 : Rev Fr Becheras
- 1957 - 1969: Rev Fr Shih
- 1970 - 1984: Rev Fr Peter Lu
- 1984 - 1996: Mr Lee Tho Nee
- 1996 - 2001: Mrs Mary Bay
- 2001 - 2007 : Mrs Pauline Wong
- 2008–Present: Ms Soh Lai Leng
Transport
The nearest bus stops are opposite and outside Hougang Plaza, which is next to the school. Bus services include SBS TransitSBS Transit
SBS Transit Limited is a public transport operator in Singapore. Its major competitor in Singapore's duopoly transport system is SMRT Corporation, which also operates bus, rail, taxi and other transport services....
74, 112, 113, 119, 136 and 147. Hougang Central Bus Interchange
Hougang Central Bus Interchange
The Hougang Central Bus Interchange is a bus interchange serving the town of Hougang. It is located directly above the Hougang MRT Station and is operated by SBS Transit.-Redevelopment:...
, Hougang MRT Station
Hougang MRT Station
Hougang MRT Station ' is an underground station on the North East MRT Line, Singapore. It is located in the central part of Hougang New Town which is connected to the bus interchange and surrounding HDB flats and shopping centres....
and Hougang Mall
Hougang Mall
Hougang Mall , previously known as NTUC Hougang Mall, is a suburban shopping mall located in Hougang, Singapore. It is located near Hougang Central Bus Interchange, as well as Hougang MRT Station....
are within 5 minutes walking distance.