DIRECT SCHOOL ADMISSION (DSA)
Direct School Admission (DSA) is an MOE initiative designed to give selected schools greater flexibility in student admission, so that a more diverse range of student achievements and talents can be recognised.
In April 2008, MOE approved the school’s application for niche development in the area of Symphonic Band. Since then, Ang Mo Kio Secondary School (AMKSS) has been offering discretionary admission to talented band pupils who displayed the passion for band music. With the introduction of the Learning for Life Programme (LLP) in Arts Education, AMKSS has offered DSA places for a wider range of performing arts from 2017. From 2019, we have broadened our DSA offerings to include the area of Sports as well. Up to 20% of the Secondary One vacancies will be offered for DSA places for Band, Choir, Contemporary Dance (Modern Dance, Malay Dance), Drama, Badminton and Volleyball.
In line with the school's belief to provide a balanced and holistic education, the Co-Curricular Programmes have been designed to allow our students to experience an enriching learning journey over the four years in school, and to challenge each member to attain greater heights in their chosen interest/talent area in performing arts or sports.
AMKSS Symphonic Band
Over the years, the band has enthralled the public with different genres of music catering to different audiences at various performance venues such as Esplanade Concert Hall and Victoria Concert Hall, as well as Singapore Botanic Gardens. The Band took part in various events. In 2018, the Band collaborated with NParks to bring arts to the community by performing at the Gardens by the Bay for the Singapore Garden Festival and at Artists’ Night Out at Dhoby Ghaut Green during the Singapore Night Festival. The Band also had the privilege to perform at Istana during the National Day Open House in 2017 - and the opportunities to take part in various SYF events, such as the Parade of Bands (2016), Virtual Music Ensemble (2017), and SYF Celebrations - Festival Concert at Esplanade Theatre (2019).
Our comprehensive band programme aims to instil a passion for music-making in every member and inculcate lifelong learning in music appreciation. Besides acquiring the skills of playing an instrument, all band members will undergo music theory lessons such that they complement the learning and playing of band music. Our programme also seeks to provide band members with an enriching band experience through concerts, public performances, band exchanges with foreign school bands and appreciating music in general to encourage lifelong learning in arts.
| AMKSS SYMPHONIC BAND |
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Symphonic Band |
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Relevant instrumental skills in
primary school bands and string ensembles ●
Pass audition and interview done
via video-conferencing. ●
For the auditions all applicants
must prepare the following: Ø 1 piece of
music (1-2 min) of his/her choice on the instrument in his/her talent area. Ø 1-2 scales of
any key of at least 1 octave (For all instruments except non-pitched
percussion instruments) ● Candidate must be able to imitate melodies and rhythms given by instructor/teacher.
If the
primary school is unable to provide the musical instrument, the performance
may be done on instruments available from home (e.g. recorder, guitar,
keyboard, hitting drum sticks on the table top, etc.) ● Exemplify positive character traits, including resilience, motivation and integrity. |
AMKSS Chorale
Ang Mo Kio Secondary School Chorale has a current strength of about 60 dedicated members, comprising Soprano, Alto, Tenor and Bass and is helmed by talented chorister-conductor, Mr Lim Tiong Kiang. The choir achieved a Certificate of Distinction and Certificate of Accomplishment in SYF Arts Presentations in 2019 and 2017 respectively.
To hone our students’ vocal and public presentation skills, the choir performs in public, participates in choral exchanges with other schools and attends vocal workshops, master classes and concerts every year. Theory sessions based on the ABRSM syllabus are also carried out for the choir members to better equip them with knowledge and versatility in music.
The Choir showcases its talents at various school performances such as Awards Day, AMKsian Showcase and our school’s biennial event, the Night of Music, Arts and Dance (NOMAD). In the years 2015 and 2016, we had joint concert performances, “The Reason We Sing” and “The Reason We Sing II” respectively, with other school choirs at public venues and subsequently participated in the Voices of Singapore Festival at CHIJmes in 2019.
Besides singing, AMKSS Chorale organizes activities to instill, develop and promote self-discipline, teamwork, confidence and commitment in our choristers. Every chorister has a responsibility to serve both the Chorale and the community; as led by the Chorale's Executive Committee based on our philosophy that every AMKSian Chorister "Always Strives For The Best - to Sing, to Share and to Serve".
| AMKSS CHORALE |
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Choir |
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● Pass audition and interview done
via video-conferencing. ● For the auditions all applicants
must prepare the following: Ø Sing one piece
of music (1-2 min) of his/her choice. Ø 1-2 scales of
any key of at least 1 octave. ● Candidate must be able to imitate melodies and rhythms given by instructor/teacher. ● Representation in SYF Arts Choral Presentation or representation in international choral festival competitions. ● Relevant music theory background ●
Member of school choir. ● Exemplify positive character traits, including resilience, motivation and integrity.
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The Dance Club specialises in 2 broad categories of dance, namely Modern and Malay Dance. Two external instructors, who are professionally-trained dancers, train the two dance groups in the technical and artistic aspects of the dance. Through our yearly Dance auditions conducted at the start of the year, we hope to recruit members who are passionate about dance and are committed to undergo rigorous training to build on their flexibility, physical strength and stamina.
The Modern Dance group achieved the Certificate of Distinction in 2015 and Distinction in 2019, and the Certificate of Accomplishment in 2017 at the Singapore Youth Festival (SYF) Arts Presentation. The group also had the honour of performing for the SYF Opening Concert at Esplanade in 2016. The Malay Dance group achieved the Certificate of Distinction at the SYF in 2015 and 2017 and the Certificate of Accomplishment in 2019 SYF.
Through our Dance camps and Dance Exchange Programme, we give our students opportunities to learn from other instructors as well as dancers from other schools. These programmes help build confidence in our students when performing on stage.
| AMKSS DANCE CLUB |
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Contemporary Dance (Modern Dance) |
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All applicants will go
through an audition and interview session done via video conferencing.
● Preferably a member of a dance club in primary school. ● Representation in SYF Arts Presentation / Accomplishment at National level. ●
Exemplify positive character traits, including
resilience, motivation and integrity. |
Contemporary Dance (Malay Dance) |
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All applicants will go
through an audition and interview session done via video conferencing.
● Preferably a member of a dance club in primary school ● Representation in SYF Arts Presentation / Accomplishment at National level ●
Exemplify positive character traits, including resilience,
motivation and integrity.
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In the Singapore Youth Festival (SYF) Arts Presentation 2017 and 2019, our Drama Club achieved the Certificate of Distinction. From 2016 to 2018, the Drama Club also participated in re: ACT, a Theatre for Social Advocacy project created by inwardBOUND in partnership with different charity organisations which cumulated into a performance where different secondary schools represented each charity's cause.
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Drama Club |
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All applications will be required
to pass an interview and an audition done via video conferencing. ●
For the auditions, all
applicants must prepare a 2-min solo performance of either: Ø a piece meant for only 1 performer (i.e. a monologue) OR Ø a piece meant for 2 or more performers but with only 1
character chosen for the performance OR Ø a piece meant for 2 or more performers but with the same
student performing different characters. Students may perform something scripted, devised, or improvised, and can be something learnt in school (in class or CCA). Students preparing their own performance can search for scripts of fairy tale or folk tale adaptations online or create these themselves. ●
For the second part of the
audition, students to respond to a task with brief preparation time given
(max 5 mins). Feedback will be given after student’s first attempt for
student to attempt a second time. Students will be expected to act out the
following: ○
Taking up a character role in a
relatable scenario. (e.g. Meeting a schoolmate at the supermarket) ●
Applicants with drama background
and performance experience will be preferred.
●
Exemplify positive character traits, including
resilience, motivation and integrity. |
AMKSS Badminton Team
Badminton – referred to by some as ‘The Fastest Racquet Sport in the World’ – requires agility, power, mental and physical prowess as well as endurance. Badminton places tremendous demands on those who practice the sport.
Ang Mo Kio Secondary School has made a name for herself in this tough but satisfying sport which hones delicate wrist-work skills, nimble footwork and perseverance. Team AMKSS trains thrice a week in order to help the students build badminton skills as well as their grit and persistence in getting things right.
Over the years, our team has consistently made our presence felt in the South Zone Interschool Badminton Tournament. In 2018, our B Division Boys and Girls fought hard to clinch third position. The following year, our B Division Girls achieved fourth position. In addition, our teams also participated in the Wee Kim Wee Cup, where our U-17 girls’ team won 2nd runner-up in 2018.
Team AMKSS seeks opportunities that enable our players and leaders to plan, organize and implement a variety of programmes to benefit both the school and community. Annually, we organize a primary school badminton competition, the “AMKSS Invitational”, to promote the sport, encourage friendly sparring and help raise the standards of the sport amongst primary school students. In addition, players assist in the coaching of students in Ang Mo Kio and Townsville Primary Schools as part of our partnership and outreach efforts with our community.
AMKSS Volleyball Team
Ang Mo Kio’s Volleyball Team was established in 1999 and has grown from strength to strength over the 21 years. This year, our volleyball B Girls made it to top 4 in the South Zone Volleyball Championships. The Team has consistently punched above its weight at the South Zone and National competitions, finishing among the top schools in both competitions. Our teams are currently coached by Mr Teo Kee Theng. Over the years, the Team has produced talented individuals who went on to don National colours and represent the country. In 2018 , one of our girls, Seah Yun Zhen Desiree was selected to represent Singapore at the 2018 ASEAN Schools Games, while our alumni, Alicia Tan Kai Yun (class of 2017) represented Singapore at the 2018 Asian U19 Beach Volleyball Championships in Thailand.
Our Volleyball programme aims to develop and sustain our students’ skills, passion and interest in Volleyball. We also strive to achieve sustained excellence in zonal and national competitions. And most importantly, we are driven to inculcate values such as teamwork, discipline and resilience in them. Besides playing in the NSG games, our teams also play in invitational competitions and friendly games to expose and develop the talents in our players.
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Badminton & Volleyball |
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School
team players or its equivalent in primary school ·
Good track record of performance in CCA or relevant external
involvement. ·
Participation in Inter-school and/or International Competitions ·
Awards/Accomplishments in relevant areas. ·
Show the ability to work in team. ·
Exemplify positive character traits, including
resilience, motivation and integrity. · Applicants may be asked to carry out selected
performance tasks during the online conference. Applicant must also pass an
online interview. Primary
6 students who do not have relevant experience in school CCA or did not
participate in any sporting competitions but demonstrate talent in sports or
in their relevant CCA will also be considered. |
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 12 May 2020 to 5 Jun 2020. For more details, please refer to MOE website - 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 the mind the schools academic and non-academic requirements, and the programmes available to develop the area of talent.
- In view of the COVID-19 situation, to ensure the safety of the DSA applicants, the applicants need not visit our school in person. The school will conduct the selection exercise with shortlisted applicants via video-conferencing (VC). For Sports, the VC session will consist of performance tasks and interview components; for Performing Arts, it will be audition tasks and interview components. The VC sessions will be conducted between 7 July and 11 Sept 2020. All VC sessions will be conducted in the afternoons from 2:30pm to 6:00pm.
- The shortlisted applicants will be informed of the day and time of their VC session at least 2 weeks in advance and latest by 28 August 2020.
- The school will not inform applicants who are not shortlisted that they are unsuccessful in their application.
- Shortlisted applicants will be notified of their application status by 14 Sept 2020.
- 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.
Tel: 6454 8605 | Email: amkss@moe.edu.sg | Address: 6 Ang Mo Kio Street 22, Singapore 569362
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