DSA 2024(For 2025 Sec 1 Admission)
2024 DIRECT SCHOOL ADMISSION –SECONDARY (DSA-SEC)
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Our school is offering the following talent areas for the 2024 DSA-Sec exercise: Concert Band, Hockey, Rugby, Water Polo, Student Leadership, STEM and Visual Arts.
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Applications will be open to male Primary 6 Singaporean, Singapore PR and International students who have outstanding talent in the areas. Interested students may browse through our school website for more information on the talent areas offered.
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Please refer to the table for the selection criteria in the different talent areas. Note that meeting all the criteria does not guarantee that the applicant will be shortlisted or given an offer.
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Application for DSA-Sec will open from 7 May 2024. All applications must be submitted online through the DSA-Sec Portal by 3.00 p.m. on Monday, 3 June 2024. For more details, please refer to the MOE DSA website.
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Shortlisted applicants will be contacted for the trial, audition or interview after 3 June 2024.
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Parents and students are encouraged to choose schools based on the student’s aptitude and strength; the schools’ academic and non-academic requirements; and the programme available to develop his area of talent.
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Students who successfully enrol in the school through DSA are expected to honour their commitment to the school and participate in the activities related to the talent they are selected for from secondary 1 to 4.
ST. ANDREW’S SECONDARY SCHOOL SELECTION PROCESS
Talent areas |
Selection criteria |
Selection stage 1 (Talent area-specific trial/audition) |
Selection stage 2 (Face-to-face interview/group task) |
Selection stage 3 (Outcome) |
Programme and opportunity for successful applicants |
Hockey Rugby Water Polo |
Primary 5 and 6 academic results or equivalent results from 2023 and 2024. Results from National School Games (NSG) and/or other competitions sanctioned by the respective National Sports Associations or relevant competition organisers. Physical fitness test results. Relevant experience, qualification, participation in Co-curricular Activity (CCA). Conduct at least Good. |
Students will be required to exhibit their sport-specific skills and proficiency and knowledge of the sport. After the application period, the students will be informed of the specific tasks that are expected of them during the trial. |
Shortlisted applicants will be called up for an interview/group task. |
All applicants will be issued a notification letter stating Confirmed Offer (CO), or Wait List (WL), or Unsuccessful (R). Please note that the school is unable to accept any appeals. |
Successful applicants will develop their talent in the CCA programme and be provided the opportunity to represent the school in National School Games (NSG) and other related sports competitions. |
Concert Band |
Primary 5 and 6 academic results or equivalent results from 2023 and 2024. Results from Singapore Youth Festival (SYF) and/or other competitions sanctioned by relevant competition organisers. Relevant experience, qualification, participation in Co-curricular Activity (CCA) and/or community programme. Conduct at least Good. |
Students will be required to play their band instrument. Band instruments that are eligible for DSA are:
After the application period, the students will be informed of the specific requirements on what to play during the audition. |
Successful applicants will develop their talent in the CCA programme and be provided the opportunity to represent the school in Singapore Youth Festival (SYF) Presentations and other related performances and competitions. |
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Visual Arts |
Primary 5 and 6 academic results or equivalent results from 2023 and 2024. Results from Singapore Youth Festival (SYF) and/or other competitions sanctioned by relevant competition organisers. Relevant experience, qualification, participation in Co-curricular Activity (CCA) and/or community programme. Conduct at least Good. |
Students will be required to showcase their personal art portfolio, demonstrating their proficiency in various art techniques and skills. After the application period, the students will be informed of the specific tasks that are expected of them during the trial. |
Successful applicants will be Art advocates, develop their talent in art projects and competitions, and be provided the opportunity to join the Enhanced Art Programme (EAP) and offer upper secondary Art subject.
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STEM |
Primary 5 and 6 academic results or equivalent results from 2023 and 2024. Results from competitions sanctioned by relevant competition organisers. Relevant experience, qualification, participation in Co-curricular Activity (CCA) and/or community programme. Conduct at least Good. |
Students will be asked to demonstrate their STEM knowledge by constructing a robot using LEGO and programming its movements using either the LEGO Mindstorms EV3 or Spike Prime. |
Successful applicants will develop their talent in Robotics CCA and be provided the opportunity to represent the school in inter-school competitions related to robotics. |
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Student Leadership |
Primary 5 and 6 academic results or equivalent results from 2023 and 2024. Relevant leadership role, experience, qualification, participation in Co-curricular Activity (CCA) and/or community programme. Conduct at least Very Good. |
Students will be required to submit a two-page write-up on their personal development and leadership experience. After the application period, the students will be informed to attend a group role play. |
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Successful applicants will assume the role of Peer Support Leader and be provided the opportunity to develop in leadership programmes, school and community projects. |
Please take note that meeting all the criteria does not guarantee that the student will be shortlisted or given an offer. |
SUMMARY OF DSA TIMELINE 2024
ACTIVITY |
DATE & TIME |
Application Opens |
Tuesday, 7 May 2024 |
Closing date for submission of application form and supporting documents |
3.00 p.m., Monday, 3 June 2024 Submit your child's/ward’s application online through the DSA-Sec Portal. |
Face-to-face trials/auditions and interviews for specific talent areas |
Monday, 24 June - Monday, 9 September |
Notification Letter of outcome to DSA applicants (CO, WL, R) |
Late November Collect the results at your child's/ward’s primary school. |
ST ANDREW’S SECONDARY SCHOOL DSA TRIALS AND AUDITIONS FOR 2024 DSA-SEC EXERCISE
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Shortlisted participants will receive notification from the school regarding the schedule of the trial or audition.
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Kindly wear your designated school CCA t-shirt or PE t-shirt and bring along the required sports gear and equipment specific to your talent area on the day of the trial.
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Please ensure that you bring your personal water bottle and any necessary medication
USEFUL MOE WEBLINKS
DSA-Sec Main Webpage |
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Instructions on Application (Mainstream students) |
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Instructions on Application (Non-mainstream Students) |
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Direct to DSA-Sec Portal (Mainstream Students) |
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Direct to DSA-Sec Portal (Non-mainstream Students) |
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DSA-Sec iFAQs |
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DSA-Sec School Finder |
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. What is Direct School Admission (DSA)?
Direct School Admission (DSA) gives schools flexibility in selecting students in the talent areas as specified by the individual schools. This also allows Primary 6 students to be recognised for a more diverse range of achievements and talents.
2. Is there an admission quota for DSA in St Andrew’s Secondary School?
St Andrew’s Secondary School admits up to 20 % of our Secondary 1 students through DSA.
3. How much flexibility is given to St Andrew’s Secondary School in terms of choosing students?
The school decides our own talent area criteria. However, primary school students must achieve the PSLE results that would enable them to be eligible for admission to the school via the posting groups.
4. Can I apply to St Andrew’s Secondary School through another CCA not listed in the school's talent areas?
No. Applicants through the DSA-Sec Exercise may only apply through the talent areas listed.
5. Must I still sit for PSLE if I have received a Confirmed Offer (CO) from St Andrew’s Secondary School?
Yes, students must sit for the PSLE even though they have received a Confirmed Offer (CO) from St Andrew’s Secondary School.
6. Can a student in Primary 5 apply for DSA?
No, admission to Secondary 1 is only for Primary 6 students or its equivalent.
7. Can I still opt for St Andrew’s Secondary School in the Sec 1 Posting Exercise if I do not make it through the selection rounds?
Yes, you can still choose St Andrew’s Secondary School in the Centralised Posting Exercise after you have received your PSLE results. Admission will be based on your PSLE results and the number of places in the school.
8. Can I apply for more than one talent area in St Andrew’s Secondary School?
Yes, you can apply for more than one talent area but you will only be offered ONE programme. For instance, if you apply for DSA through both rugby and hockey, you will only receive a Confirmed Offer for either rugby or hockey if you successfully pass the trial and interview.
9. How does St Andrew’s Secondary School select the students?
Selection is conducted through face-to-face trials/auditions by the respective CCA teachers and coaches/instructors. There will also be an interview/group task conducted with the CCA teachers, selected key personnel and school leaders.
10. When will I be notified of the trials and interviews?
The respective CCA teachers will inform you of the details via email after 3 June 2024.
11. Will I receive a notification if I am not shortlisted for the trial/audition and/or interview/group task?
You will not receive a notification if you are not shortlisted.
12. When will I know if I have been selected?
The outcome of the DSA applications (successful or unsuccessful) will be released by late November.
13. Do I still have to take part in the MOE Posting Exercise if I am given a Confirmed Offer (CO) by St Andrew’s Secondary School?
Students successfully allocated to their DSA-Sec schools will NOT be allowed to participate in the annual Secondary 1 Posting Exercise to opt for secondary schools and are expected to honour their commitment to the allocated DSA-Sec school for the entire duration of the programme. They will also NOT be allowed to transfer to another school after the release of the PSLE results.
14. Do successful DSA-Student Leadership/Visual Arts applicants need to take up a CCA?
Yes, all students will need to join a CCA as it is an integral part of holistic education. Students admitted through DSA Student Leadership/Visual Arts, will be assigned a CCA during the CCA selection process at secondary 1. The CCA assigned will be based on student interest and vacancy in the CCA.
SASS DSA(SEC) Webinar
SASS will be holding a Webinar on our DSA talent areas on 18 May, Saturday, 10am - 11am. Scan the QR code in the poster below, or click here to register for the Webinar.
Please complete the registration with the required details. The Webinar link and password will be sent to you between 3 days before the Webinar. Do ensure that you enter a workable email for us to reach you.
Please note that the e-Webinar registration closes on 15 May, Wednesday. We will not be accepting late registrations.