Direct School Admission through Applied Learning Programme

Talent Area: STEM - AEROSPACE AND AVIATION

Introduction

In 2015, Changkat Changi Secondary School started our Applied Learning Programme titled Student-centered Opportunities for AeRospace industry (SOAR).

SOAR aims to develop Changkateers by connecting Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) knowledge across subject disciplines and developing thinking skills by providing a safe environment for Changkateers to stretch their imagination. It also aims to prepare Changkateers for the future by appreciating the relevance of their learning beyond the classroom, provide authentic situations for Changkateers to apply STEM knowledge to address real world problems, and explore STEM-related post-secondary and career opportunities.

All lower secondary Changkateers undergo weekly ALP lessons based on the context of Aviation where they learn about Principles of Flight, build gliders and practise drone programming. Students who show interest and aptitude will receive opportunities to participate in competitions such as Singapore Amazing Flying Machine Competition (SAFMC), attend workshops conducted by our tertiary partners such as Singapore Polytechnic, and participate in aviation exchange programme and visit the aviation hub in Toulouse, France.

Photo 1: Our Sec 1 Changkateers launching a glider that they have just made.

Photo 2: Changkateers learning to fly the Flight Simulator as part of their CCA.

Photo 3: Changkateers attending an Aircraft Structural Repair workshop conducted by Singapore Polytechnic in 2023

Photo 4: Changkateers participating in a virtual exchange with French students in 2023 due to covid travel restrictions

Admission Criteria

Changkat Changi Secondary School is looking for Primary 6 students who possess or display at least one of the following:

passion for Aerospace or Aviation Industries
aptitude and interest in Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths
participated or attained any levels of achievements in STEM related competitions and/or workshops
involved in STEM-related clubs or societies (e.g. Science club, ICT club etc)

Please note that meeting all the criteria does not guarantee the student will be shortlisted/given an offer.

Application Procedure

Application for DSA-Sec can be submitted through the online DSA-Sec Portal. The application is free-of-charge and will be open from 4 May 2023 to 31 May 2023. For more details, please refer to the MOE website at https://www.moe.gov.sg/dsa-sec

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.

Applicants from MOE mainstream primary schools: Parent may log in directly to DSA-Sec Portal at www.moe.gov.sg/dsa-sec.

Only one parent’s SingPass is required. Parents/ guardians who are unable to apply online can approach their child’s primary school for assistance.

Other applicants not studying in MOE mainstream primary schools: They need to apply for a Registration Number (RGxxxxxxx) before they can apply through the DSA-Sec Portal. Schools may refer them to MOE website at: https://go.gov.sg/nmsdsa-sec-application

Students can indicate up to three choices (maximum of two choices for the same school under two different talent areas).

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.

Students who are successfully admitted to the school via DSA are expected to honour their commitment to the school, and participate in the activities related to the talent they are selected for from year 1-4.

The application timeline for 2023 is as follows:

Date	Event
4 May to 31 May 2023, 3pm	Submit your child’s application online through the DSA-Sec portal by 3pm on the final day.
15 Jun to 7 July 2023	School’s notification of shortlisted candidates. We regret to inform that only shortlisted students will be notified of the interview dates.
26 June to 11 September 2023	School-based in-person interview for shortlisted applicants.
By 11 September 2023	All applicants will receive a reply from the school on the outcome of the application as follows: (i) Confirmed Offer (CO), (ii) Waiting List (WL) or (iii) Rejected.
23 to 27 October 2023, 3pm	Students who receive at least one DSA-Sec offer (including from SOTA) will receive notification on the School Preference Submission in Oct 2023. Both parents are required to login to the DSA-Sec Portal using their SingPass to submit up to three school preferences. If parents are unable to submit online, they can approach their child’s primary school for assistance to submit the school preferences on their behalf. DSA-Sec offers not taken up will be considered as lapsed at the end of the School Preference Submission period.
Early - Mid November 2023	Students studying in MOE mainstream schools will receive their DSA-Sec results together with their PSLE results through their primary schools, tentatively mid-Nov 2023. The rest of the students (not studying in MOE mainstream schools) will receive their DSA-Sec results via email. Successful DSA-Sec Students. Those who took PSLE are NOT allowed to participate in the S1 Posting as they are expected to honour the commitment made to the DSA-Sec school when they exercised their CO or WL offer. However, if they are eligible for third language and/or course options, they may enter these options during the School Choice Submission period. Students are also NOT allowed to transfer to another school after the release of the PSLE results. They are expected to honour the commitment to the posted DSA schools for the duration of the programme they are admitted to. Unsuccessful DSA-Sec Students. They will be notified of the allocation outcome and to participate in the S1 Posting to submit school choices

Why Join Us?

SOAR exposes and equips Changkateers with the foundational knowledge and skills for STEM industries. Our strong partnership with tertiary institutions such as Singapore Polytechnic and aerospace companies such as SIA Engineering Company and Rolls-Royce means more authentic learning opportunities for our Changkateers.

For those are passionate and seeking to venture further, our school offers the Singapore Youth Flying Club (SYFC) as a CCA and a SOAR ALP scholarship to help Changkateers pursue their dreams.

FAQ

How many places can CCSS offer in DSA Exercise?
All secondary schools can admit up to 20% of their 2024 S1 non-Integrated Programme (non-IP) intake via the DSA-Sec. This allows students to better access school programmes to grow their talents and interests through DSA.
How does it value-add to my child?
Your child will grow in their STEM knowledge and thinking skills. The exposure to authentic industry experiences and real-world applications will ensure that your child is better prepared for the new Industry 4.0.
My child is an international student / Home-schooled / returning Singapore Citizen / SPR not studying in a local school. Can he/she apply for DSA?
Other applicants not studying in MOE mainstream primary schools need to apply for a Registration Number (RGxxxxxxx) before they can apply through the DSA-Sec Portal. Schools may refer them to MOE website at: https://go.gov.sg/nmsdsa-sec-application

Applicants who are not studying in MOE mainstream primary schools include Returning Singaporeans, International Students studying overseas or in local international schools, students in Special Education Schools (e.g. Pathlight) and home-schoolers. For all shortlisted International Students, schools should remind them that they are required to take and fulfil the requirements of the Admissions Exercise for International Students (AEIS) test to be successful in DSA.
Do my child/ward have to take the PSLE?
Students who take up Confirmed Offers or Waiting List Offers by schools during the DSA-Sec Exercise are still required to take the Primary School Leaving Examination (PSLE). Those who take up Confirmed Offers are guaranteed a place in the school that has extended them an offer, provided that their PSLE results meet the minimum requirement for a course [Express/ Normal (Academic)/ Normal (Technical)] offered by the school. Should the child obtain a PSLE score that lies between 2 streams, he/she will be able to opt for the preferred stream.
Can my child/ward apply for transfer after getting a confirmed place?
Students are also NOT allowed to transfer to another school after the release of the PSLE results. They are expected to honour the commitment to the posted DSA schools for the duration of the programme they are admitted to.