1. education
2. school

16th January SJI International Newsletter
Term 1 - Issue 1
Message from the Principal
Dear Parents,
Welcome to the 2015 Academic Year! The term has started at a frenetic pace and it already feels like the
Christmas holiday is in the distant past. This week’s newsletter is a bumper edition, including various
celebrations and welcomes. I encourage you to take the time to read this, even though it is quite long.
This week’s newsletter includes the following: News about the upcoming Baseline Testing that students
will participate in; An introduction to our 23 new teachers; photos of our 6 students who scored 45
points in the recent IB Diploma Examinations; Exciting news about one of our alumni who has been
awarded a Jardine Foundation Scholarship to Oxford; An outline of the
procedure for parents to follow if their child is absent from school;
A message about traffic congestion and information about the
alternative drop-off point; Reports about the Grade 9 Geography
Trip and the NYAA Gold Award Trip (both took place at the end of
last term); and news about four of our students who participated in
local and international fencing competitions.
Click on the link to read:
Brother Larry’s Lasallian Reflection
Upcoming Dates
Friday 16th January:
Early close 13:20
Friday 23rd January:
Canadian Fair 08:00 to 08:30
Wednesday 28th January:
Catholic Parents Meeting 19:00
Glass Hall
Friday 30th January:
Grade 10 Camp overnight
Table of Contents
New Staff - page 3 - 10
Top IB Students - 11
Alumni Awarded Scholarship - 11
Absence Procedure - Page 12
Traffic Congestion - Page 13
G9 Geography 2014 Trip- page 14
NYAA Gold Trip 2014 - page 15
Fencing Success - Page 16
Upcoming University Fairs - Page 17
Parents Meeting Invitation - Page 17
Sports Announcements - Page 18
Lasallian Reflection - Page 19
This week’s newsletter also includes important notification of the
following upcoming events: The upcoming Canadian and London
University Fairs; and the upcoming Sports Fixtures for the rest of
January.
Baseline testing for Students
As part of the school's philosophy of expecting the highest academic
standards of our students, whilst being able to focus on their
individual needs, SJI international have invested in a system which
provides assessment and monitoring information on students at
various stages in their education at the school.
During the next two weeks, all Grade 7, 9 and 11 students (as well as
students new to the school in Grade 8 and 10FIB) will be taking a
computer based test designed to measure, as far as possible, ability
and aptitude for learning. These tests are developed by the Centre
for Evaluation and Monitoring at Durham University
(http://www.cemcentre.org).
This is not an IQ test or a subject based test and it is certainly not a
test that students can revise for or should be worried about. The test
will take approximately one hour and is comprised of vocabulary,
mathematics, non-verbal and skills sections. These various
components contribute to an overall measure of ability that strongly
predicts subsequent achievement, giving SJI International a set of
baseline data/information that allows us to track and measure
individual student progress.
These test results are used purely for internal purposes (the results are not reported on). They can be
used to identify a pupil's strengths and weaknesses, support professional judgment and inform the
teaching and learning process within the school. Importantly it helps monitor a student's progress during
their time with us at SJI International and aids the process of setting targets for individual students,
departments and the school as a whole.
Please reassure your son or daughter that it is not something to feel anxious or concerned about. Please
contact Mrs Amy Lee, Vice-Principal (Curriculum), at [email protected] for any additional
information.
Monday, 2nd February - Early end of school day
This is a reminder that school will end early on Monday, 2nd February. We will be following a modified
timetable on the day. Students will attend all timetabled lessons but each lesson will be 5 minutes shorter
than normal. There will only be one Break (between lesson 4 and 5), from 10:35 to 11:00 hrs. School will
end at 13:20 hrs and all students will leave early. Teachers are all involved in a special Lasallian Training
Day (a combined High School and Elementary School activity for staff, designed to enhance our Lasallian
identity).
Anti-idling Regulations
We have been asked, by the National Environment Agency (NEA), to remind all parents about the
anti-idling regulations in Singapore. Under the Environmental Protection and Management (Vehicular
Emissions) Regulations, it is an offence to leave the engine of a motor vehicle running while stationary for
reasons other than traffic conditions. Errant motorists can be fined up to a maximum of $5000. Another
reason to get your children to use public transport! Please see information regarding drop off to and from
school on page 13.
Sad News
It is with deep regret and sadness that I am informing you that Uncle
Osman, one of our long serving security guards (and one of our
founding members of the school), passed away on the 14th December
2014.
We have set up a collection box to receive donations which we will
present to Uncle Osman’s family (to assist with funeral costs). We invite
any members of the community who would like to participate in the
collection to place their donations in the collection box in the High
School reception. We will close these collections on the 23rd January.
In closing, we have started 2015 with our biggest ever cohort of just under 1000 students in the High
School. I am looking forward to another excellent year and wish all members of the SJI International
community all of the very best for 2015.
Yours sincerely
Bradley Roberts
Principal
High School
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New Staff
Dr. Nicholas Mercer - Teacher of English
Nick is originally from Australia and completed his PhD in English at the
University of Western Australia. He subsequently obtained a Diploma in
Education from UWA after realising that teaching rather than academic
research was his true love. Nick has spent the last seven years in Singapore,
teaching in the Humanities Programme at Hwa Chong Institution, one of
Singapore’s premier independent schools. He is also an unabashed
cinephile and a perennially frustrated Arsenal fan.
Nick and his wife Sophie have two wonderful children, Amaia and George.
George likes to be addressed as “batman” and Amaia would like to own an
animal shelter cum rainbow shop.
Shue Chieng - Teacher of Mathematics
Shue is Singaporean and has just moved from the United States where she
obtained her Masters in Mathematics Education from Teachers College,
Columbia University. As a New York State certified mathematics teacher she
has taught in middle and high schools in Manhattan and on Long Island for
the past five years. Her work included curriculum design for maths grades 7
and 8, and coaching students for mathematics competitions. Shue majored in
mathematics at the National University of Singapore, and obtained her PGDE
in Secondary Teaching in Mathematics and APD in Drama and Drama
Education from the National Institute of Education, Singapore.
Prior to teaching in the United States, she taught at Anglo-Chinese School (Independent) in
Singapore. Her interests are painting and watching performances such as plays and ballet.
Dr. Samatha Del Linz - Teacher of Physics
Samantha, who is of mixed British and Chinese descent, graduated with
an MSc in Physics from the Imperial College London. She then went on to
University College London, where she studied for an MRes and PhD in
Biophysics and also undertook post-doctoral research. Samantha decided
to pass on her passion for science to the next generation of scientists and
completed her PGCE at the Institute of Education, University of London.
She then taught at Haberdashers’ Aske’s Hatcham College in London and
enjoyed her time there as a physics teacher and form tutor. Samantha is
now looking forward to her first international teaching experience. Samantha’s interests include
reading, experimenting with recipes and learning to play the guitar.
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Trevor Latham - Teacher of Mathematics
Trevor is from England and studied for his BSc in Mathematics at the University
of York. He then stayed in York to gain his PGCE before teaching in schools
across Yorkshire. Trevor sees the beauty in mathematics, and enjoys working
with young people to help them discover their own love of the subject. During
his career he has fulfilled the role of Curriculum Leader for Mathematics and
has led the school in establishing intervention strategies across all subjects at
key stage 3. His professional skills and attributes have also given him the
opportunity to be involved in an initiative shaping the delivery of functional
skills in Mathematics across Yorkshire.
Trevor enjoys spending time outdoors: hiking, kayaking, skiing, or traveling the world to explore new
places and cultures. He has over 10 year’s experience in scouting leadership and has led a school
based expedition from the UK to Malaysia, as well as supporting trips throughout Europe. Now based
in Singapore, Trevor is excited at the prospect of seeing even more of the world.
Victoria Bradley - Teacher of Drama and Music
Vicki graduated from the University of Hull with a joint honours degree in
Music and Drama. Having gained QTS through the Graduate Teacher
Programme, she has spent the last 7 years teaching in the UK. During that
time Vicki has been Head of Performing Arts, Lead Teacher in Music for
North Yorkshire, and has designed and delivered whole school teacher training.
Vicki is a passionate educator who enjoys utilising the power of the arts
subjects to support students in both their learning and their understanding
of themselves. She is a vocalist, pianist, and percussionist and can play the acoustic and bass guitar
well enough to impress grade 7! Vicki brings extensive experience in extra-curricular opportunities
having produced and directed whole school productions including We Will Rock You, Les Miserables
and Little Shop of Horrors. She has run Swing Bands and numerous choirs, as well as band workshops
for aspiring rock band members. She also established a school Samba Band which performed at various public events including at the Olympic Torch Tour through North Yorkshire.
Vicki loves travelling and hopes to see more of the world from her new base in Singapore.
Brother Jason Blaikie - Teacher of RE and Member of Faith
Formation Team
Brother Jason comes from Penang island, Malaysia and joined the De La Salle
Brothers there in 1993. He did some theological and Lasallian studies in Sri
Lanka, Nairobi and Rome and graduated with a B.Sc. Ed. (summa cum laude)
from St Mary’s University, MN (Nairobi campus), majoring in English and English
Literature. Recently, he completed his M.Ed. studies in Sydney focussing on
leadership.
Brother Jason was assigned by his former superior (Brother Visitor) to SJI Independent for 12 years
and formed the Pipe Band there back in 2002. He enjoys playing the bagpipes which he has learned
since he was 12 and is open to start a pipe band here despite time constraints. His newly-found
interests are bush walking, which he picked up from Australia, being a newbie Whovian and the occasional blue vein cheese on a crackly cracker with the Brothers in his community.
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Danielle Solk - Teacher of Art (Part-time)
Danielle Solk is a practising artist from Leeds, England and has been teaching
Art, Design and Photography in English secondary schools for the past 10 years.
Danielle specialised in sculpture at Winchester School of Art and won the Clyde
Hopkins award for Valorous Art at her graduation ceremony. She has gone on
to pursue her passion in Art in a wide variety of ways, never limiting herself to
one medium or technique and always seeking new ways to communicate ideas
in a visually engaging way. She has exhibited her paintings throughout her time
abroad and in her local town of Otley. As an art teacher she particularly enjoys
giving students the practical skills and self confidence to realise their own creative aspirations.
Before qualifying to be an Art teacher Danielle was commissioned to produce a series of sculptures in
Indonesia and later taught English as a Foreign Language in Hong Kong, Vietnam and Mexico.
As well as teaching and creating her own art work, Danielle enjoys keeping fit by swimming, running
and entertaining her two children. She is married to Aidan Carr, a Psychology teacher and Head of
Humanities at SJI International. Danielle is also a fluent Spanish speaker and is hoping to learn a third
language within her first year in Singapore.
Aidan Carr - Head of Humanities and Teacher of Psychology
Aidan is originally from the North East of England but spent four years studying in
Liverpool before moving on to work in the Midlands, County Durham and more
recently North Yorkshire. He completed a joint honours degree in Psychology and
History, (Major in Psychology) at the University of Liverpool before moving on to
complete his MSc specialising in Evolutionary Psychology within the same
department. A brief stint of A Level teaching quickly developed into life as a full
time Psychology lecturer at both undergraduate and postgraduate level.
A solid background in neurophysiology lead to a useful three year sabbatical in the pharmaceutical
industry but the intrinsic rewards of teaching were too great to resist and Aidan returned to A Level
teaching in Durham for two years before moving on to be Head of Psychology, Head of Year, Director
of Sixth Form and eventually an Associate Assistant Head at Tadcaster Grammar School.
Aidan is a proud father of two, who tries hard to find enough time to encourage Solomon (6), Lily (14)
and his wife Danielle to share his love of sport, especially Rugby Union and kayak canoeing. This
remains a work in progress at best but he is always hopeful!
Lee Boon Ann - Teacher of Mathematics
Upon graduating from the National University of Singapore with a BSc (Hons) in
Mathematics, the Singapore government sponsored Boon Ann for his PGCE (Sec)
course at the University of Leeds, UK. Since then, he has taught A levels and IBDP
Mathematics in schools including Victoria Junior College and the School of the Arts.
He has been a Senior Teacher and a Subject Head in various capacities, including
Project Work at A levels.
Boon Ann believes in the process of learning and growth. He seeks to share the joy of figuring things
out with his students.
Besides spending time with his wife, three children and mother, Boon Ann enjoys reading, doing yoga,
meditating, building Gundam models and taking long walks.
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Jane McGennisken - Teacher of RE, English and History
(Part-time)
Jane is joining the SJI International community from Australia. She has a PhD in
English, a Bachelor of Teaching, a Bachelor of Creative Arts (Honours) and she
is just one unit away from completing a Graduate Certificate in Theology. She
really likes studying!
Jane is married to Duncan and they have two inquisitive, and sometimes wilful,
children: Clancy (7) and Frances (4).
Before moving to Singapore, Jane taught English, History, Geography and R.E. at a Catholic girls’
school in Hobart where she was also the Humanities and Social Sciences Coordinator. Always keen for
an adventure, she was actively involved in the college’s outdoor education programme. She has been
on snow camps, various three-day hikes and has twice accompanied students on the six-day Overland
Track (an iconic Aussie bushwalk through the central highlands of Tasmania).
Jane loves reading, knows next to nothing about the world of sport and, according to many past
students, is strangely passionate about apostrophes, poetry and topic sentences (although not
necessarily in that order). Her son Clancy has commented that she is very good at weeding – a
talent she is yet to take to the international level.
Jane suspects she won’t need to wear merino woollen dresses to school in Singapore and is quite
excited about leaving her many winter coats in Tasmania! If she does not melt, she is looking
forward to the learning journey she is about to share with her new students, colleagues and their
families.
Aziz Majeed - Teacher of Physics
Aziz is from the United Kingdom and studied for his BSc in Hertfordshire, during
which time he gained research experience in galactic dust. Aziz did his MSc in
Astrophysics at Queen Mary College, University of London. He specialised in
Cosmology.
Aziz gained his PGCE at the Old Naval College, Greenwich. He has 8 years of Alevel teaching experience including 5 years as Head of Physics. He has spent the
last year and a half teaching Cambridge IGCSE in Saigon.
Aziz enjoys playing Cricket, Badminton, and Table tennis. His favorite past time is walking in the countryside, although living in Vietnam has changed walking to riding in the countryside. Aziz is a big fan of
all things science fiction; in particular he has been known to be a bit of a “trekkie”.
Colin Travis - Teacher of Geography
Colin was born in the USA but has lived most of his life in England. He has
been a Porsche mechanic, an oil geologist and, since 1999, a teacher of
Geography. He graduated with a BSc in Geology from Oxford Brookes
University, then worked around the world in the oil industry before
completing a PGCE in Cheltenham, UK. Since then he has taught Geography
in the UK, the last 10 years as Head of Department. Colin is married to Zoe
and has two children, Eliza and Alfie.
Since he was little, Colin has always enjoyed playing outside and currently
enjoys running, skiing, biking and climbing, and has climbed throughout
Europe and North America. Colin has always tried to encourage his students to venture to the great
outdoors and has run expeditions to Mexico and Iceland, as well as skiing trips to the European Alps.
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Duncan Brain - Teacher of Science and Biology
Duncan is from the southernmost part of the ‘Great Southern Land’ (Australia)
– the Island state of Tasmania. He grew up on a farm where spider webs would
glitter with frost all day in winter, and the temperature would hover at 40
during summer. He has lived in Sydney and Melbourne but has spent the
longest time in beautiful Tasmania. He is married to Jane and has two children,
Clancy and Frances.
In moving to SJI International, Duncan leaves his roles as President of the Science Teacher Association of Tasmania, and member of the national council for
ASTA, the Australian Science Teachers Association. He has taught for several years at primary,
secondary and senior secondary levels in government and Catholic schools. He has also just completed his Masters in Education.
Duncan has a love of science and thinks that if there is something in the world you can’t understand,
then science should be able to help shed some light on the topic!
Other passions include the outdoors, bushwalking and surfing. These interests fuel his continual
curiosity and inquisitiveness about the world around us. He looks forward to meeting everyone in
the St Joseph’s Institution International School community.
Cherry Ji - Teacher of Chinese
Cherry is from China and is a graduate of Nanjing Institute of Education. She
worked in China for 2 years teaching Chinese and Literature before coming to
Singapore. She has completed an MA in Chinese Studies at Nanyang
Technological University. Currently she is pursuing a PhD degree in Chinese
Literature at Nanjing University.
Her most recent post was at Nanyang Girls’ High where she was a Senior
Teacher and taught Higher Chinese, Chinese Literature and Bi-culture Studies and led several
overseas immersion programmes to China and England. She enjoys drama, plays, concerts and
attending Zumba Dance classes.
Christopher Ironside - Teacher of Chemistry
Chris is from England and studied at Durham University where he read
Chemistry, obtaining a BSc (Hons.). He remained at Durham for one more
year after graduating, during which time he qualified as a teacher. He then
moved home to London, where he worked for 3 years at a school he had
attended as a student.
Chris enjoys an active lifestyle. His main passion is football, but he also
enjoys squash, badminton, tennis, running and cycling. Last summer Chris
cycled all the way from Italy to London, all in the name of fun! Like many
others Chris also loves to travel. Before joining SJI International, he spent a month trekking around
the Andean mountains of Peru and Bolivia.
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Morag Hamilton - Teacher of Science
Morag is from the UK and graduated with a Masters in Chemistry from the
University of Bristol and completed her PGCE in Secondary Science Teaching
at the University of Southampton. Prior to arriving in Singapore, she taught
GCSE and A Level Chemistry at Ashcroft Technology Academy in South-West
London, where she also organised trips and activities to encourage girls to
enjoy Science and Engineering subjects.
Morag has been teaching part-time in the Science department for the
previous year and is looking forward to teaching Chemistry full time this
year. Morag enjoys travelling to new destinations and baking as well as
putting her array of useless knowledge to good use at quiz nights!
Amy Lucas - Teacher of PE
Amy is from England and graduated from Liverpool John Moores University
where she obtained a BA (Hons) Degree in Sports Development with Physical
Education and went on to complete a PGCE in Physical Education.
Amy taught at a School in Telford for the past 7 ½ years. As well as teaching
PE Amy has been Head of Year 7, the Lead Internal Verifier for BTEC Sport
and Transition Manager. Amy went on to complete NSCL Leadership Pathways and spent 2 terms on the school’s Senior Leadership Team improving
Community Engagement.
Amy enjoys going to the gym, playing tennis and running. Amy has taken part in many different
running events in England including 10k’s, half marathons & marathons. Amy enjoys teaching all
sports and has experience in delivering a range of sports including Box Fit, Cheerleading, Football,
Tennis and Team Building. Amy is a keen fundraiser and has raised money for various charities.
Nicola Berge - Teacher of English and Coordinator of PSE
Nicola is from England and graduated from the University of Kent with a
BA Honours degree in English and American Literature with Creative
Writing. Whilst at university, she was a member of the Junior College Committee, RAG and the student representative for her course, as well as successfully losing many tennis matches! She then went on to Canterbury
Christ Church University to do her Post Graduate Certificate of Education
in English, Media and Drama.
She completed her NQT year and the following year worked at Whitmore
High School in Harrow. She then moved to Spain and worked for three
years as the Head of Media Studies at King's College, Madrid, a British
School, where she also taught English and ICT. In her last year there she was also made Head of
House, which she describes as the "most fun I have ever had" particularly organising charity
fundraisers for their house charity, Nyumbani.
She came to Singapore straight after completing a 3 month expedition in Costa Rica and Nicaragua
working on a community project for the youth charity, Raleigh. She says the best part of the
experience was working with young people who were so motivated to make a positive difference in
the world.
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Qian Zhao - Teacher of Chinese
Qian Zhao, who is Chinese, completed his Bachelor of Arts in Chinese Language
and Literature at Anhui Normal University. He later studied for a Masters
Degree in Teaching Chinese to Speakers of Other Languages at Nanjing Normal
University.
He has previously taught at Holy Innocents’ High School in Singapore. Qian Zhao
loves travelling and reading.
Ronak Punjabi - Head of European Languages
Ronak was born and grew up in Hong Kong to Indian and Mauritian parents.
He obtained a BA (Hons.) in French and Spanish at University College
London, during which time he spent a year in France and Mexico. Ronak
stayed on to complete a Post Graduate Certificate in Education (PGCE) at the
University of Cambridge. He then taught in a comprehensive state school in
Richmond, Surrey whilst completing his Master's thesis at the University of
Cambridge on the reasons for the perceived lack of liaison between primary
feeders and secondary schools after the introduction of Primary Modern
Foreign Languages in the UK in 2010.
On his return to Hong Kong, Ronak taught French and Spanish at the same international school to
which he went as a student. During this time he very much enjoyed his role as Learning Technologies
Coach for his Faculty (which included leading staff in the production of interactive and studentcentred course pages on the school VLE), collaborated on the curriculum design of a Hindi A syllabus,
contributed to a bank of teaching resources for an innovative skills-based curriculum, and trained
other teachers in the St. Martin's Method of teaching MFL.
In his free time, Ronak loves catching up on rubbish American comedy shows, hanging out with his
friends, and getting fit with Insanity and T25.
Guo Yueru - Teacher of Chinese
Guo Yueru is from P.R. of China and graduated from Suchow University
where she obtained a Master's Degree in Modern and Contemporary
Chinese literature. Then she did her teacher training and has a high school
Chinese teacher's certificate issued by the Chinese government. She has
seven years' IB teaching experience in SSIS, China and over those years she
has taught at all different levels. As well as teaching Chinese, she has been
an IB Examiner.
Yueru also enjoys Chinese culture and participating in community and
service. She has led some Chinese cultural clubs and organised students'
service projects at retirement homes.
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Donald Humphrey - Teacher of Economics
Don is from New Zealand where he graduated with a BSc from Canterbury
University, Christchurch.
While at university, Don attended Christchurch Teachers’ College where he
completed his Teaching Diploma. Don is married to Charlotte, an Assistant
Principal and English teacher at Avondale Grammar School in Singapore.
Their children, Sam and Emma, have completed their university studies in
Wellington, New Zealand, where they are both currently working.
Don has taught senior economics in New Zealand and the United Kingdom
and has been a New Zealand Qualifications Authority exam marker. He is
also a sports and outdoor enthusiast. He played rugby for many years and has coached schoolboy
teams to first-fifteen level. He has also been involved with New Zealand Surf Life Saving and has
coached life-saving and swimming. Don is a keen runner and cyclist, enjoying the road cycling scene as
a member of ANZA in Singapore.
Don has a special love of outdoor education. Having set up and run an off-site campus for his previous
school, he is an advocate of experiential education, which helps young people learn about themselves
and others, and develops confidence and resilience.
Tom Condon - Teacher of Science and Biology
Tom was born and raised in the Chicago area where he went to
Northern Illinois University. He obtained a B.Sc. in biology with a
chemistry minor and an M.Sc. in molecular biology. While watching
the news on TV one day it was reported to be the coldest day in
Chicago’s history while it was 23oC and sunny skies in California. That
was a pivotal moment for Tom as he decided to move west to San
Diego after he graduated from university.
Tom started his career at the Salk Institute for Biological Studies
where he met the founder Jonas Salk who invented the polio vaccine
and Francis Crick who won the Nobel Prize winner for deducing the
structure of DNA. He spent 27 years in the biotech industry doing research and development making
new medicines for humans. He has published dozens of peer reviewed scientific papers and has six
patents approved. After such a fruitful career in biotechnology he decided to switch careers and
pursue education. While working full time he obtained his teaching credential from The College of
New Jersey. He began his science teaching career in Singapore at the Overseas Family School in 2010.
Tom has two beautiful children, 18 and 21, who are now studying in universities in California. He is a
Yoga Alliance registered 500-hour teacher, likes to read, hike, snowboard and mountain bike.
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Outstanding IB Results for Class of 2014
Congratulations to the graduates of 2014 on their outstanding
IB results. Students achieved an average score of 36.2 points.
26% of our students achieved 40 points or more, a result
achieved by only 6.9% of students worldwide. These 6
students featured, achieved a perfect score of 45.
Equally impressive were the 3 students who attained 44
points (Alvita Ardisara, Viany Sutisna and Nicholas Yoon),
while another 7 obtained 43 points, (Mateus Aboud, Matthew
Hui, Le Van Canh, Joshua Ng, Pham Minh Tue, Elizabeth Tan
and Gem Tan.
Juan Ru Hoong
Vu Duc Nam
We are also very pleased to report that 98.1% of our students
were awarded the Diploma.
Nguyen Tuan Doan
Bushra Amin
Le Nguyen Nhat Thu
Joshua Fung
Brian Theng awarded Jardine Foundation Scholarship to Oxford University
SJI International is proud to announce that Brian Theng, SJI International Class of 2012,
has been awarded a Jardine Foundation Scholarship to read Classics at Queen’s
College, Oxford University.
The Jardine Foundation aims to assist scholars who have the potential to become outstanding citizens with a high commitment to the community. Consequently, the
selection of candidates is based on criteria including academic achievement, leadership
qualities, and involvement in non-curricular activities and community affairs.
Brian studied at SJI International on a scholarship awarded by the Peter Lim Foundation. He was awarded the 2012 History Prize as well as the 2012 Principal’s Award
(sponsored by Monash University), the latter in recognition of his extensive and exceptional service while at the
School. His commitment to service while at SJI International formed the basis of his application for the Jardine
Foundation Scholarship as well.
Brian joined SJI International in Grade 11, for the last two years of his schooling. During this time, he was
instrumental in bonding together the entire IB Diploma cohort. He did this through the morning reflections, which
helped set the tone for the group, as well as through countless presentations and small actions that helped the
group remain supportive of each other and cohesive. These were entirely his own initiatives as he did not hold any
position on the Student Council, nor did he hold any other titles. Brian has a natural ability to put others before
himself; he genuinely believes that he can, and should, make a difference. He is a true follower of the mission of
the Lasallian Schools, to be a person for others.
This is another wonderful way in which the SJI International Scholarship Programme has given students the
opportunity to enjoy the exceptional education provided by SJI International. It is financed solely through gifts from
donors. Please contact the Principal (Mr Bradley Roberts [email protected]) if you would
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like to contribute toward this programme.
Absences from School
Your child has an appointment and
will miss part of the school day.
(Inform school as soon as
appointment is made).
If your child/ward is ill in the
morning and is unable to come
to school.
Parents to do the following please
Phone Reception (6871 5200/1)
Or Email
G7 - G10 [email protected]
G11 - G12 [email protected]
Or Email your child’s tutor
Attendance registers will be updated accordingly.
If your child/ward takes leave
outside of school calendar dates.
(non-school event).
If your child/ward has to take
leave for family emergencies
ie Bereavement.
Email the Head of Grade to
inform them about planned
absence in advance.
Email the Head of
Grade.
Authorised absence will be given for
this time period.
Your child’s tutor will be informed.
Compassionate leave.
This is usually recorded as an
unauthorised absence.
Your child’s tutor will be informed.
Head of Grade 7
Head of Grade 8
Head of Grade 9
Head of Grade 10
Head of Senior School
Mr Brown
Mr Fantom
Mr Crumbie
Ms Powell
Mr Rainone
Assistant Head of Senior School Mr Wood
[email protected]
[email protected]
[email protected]
[email protected]
[email protected]
[email protected]
If your child/ward is late for school - they have to report to
reception and sign in please.
If your child/ward feels ill during school they are to report to the School nurse.
They may not leave school without Head of Grade permission.
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School Traffic – Waiting Time
As in the past, the start of the new school year has again created major problems with traffic congestion
at the start and end of the school day. In the afternoon these issues are caused by a long row of stationary cars, waiting for children to arrive.
SJI International does not have the capacity to cope with this long queue of cars. It has always been a
“rule” that no car is allowed to stop for more than a couple of minutes to wait for their child. Any car
stationary at the front of the line (first 5 cars) for more than a few minutes will be asked to move on. This
will mean that you may have to leave the school and make another circuit. I request your support with
this initiative. Please stress to your child the importance that they arrive promptly for pick-up and do not
leave you waiting for a long time. Please do not arrive early – this simply increases the problem. Also,
remember that for the rest of January the High School finishes at 15:10 hrs.
Of course, this issue can be avoided completely by doing one of the following:
A) Getting your child to use public transport home – it is a 6 minute walk to Toa Payoh MRT station and
we have a bus stop outside the front of the school;
B) Arranging a pick-up time that is slightly later (maybe 15:30 hrs);
C) Picking up your child at the Toa Payoh West Road entrance (next to the Philips factory) – there is a lot
of space at this point (highlighted in Yellow). See the map below for this pick-up point. Yellow arrow
shows the path students follow to get to pick-up point.
13
Grade 9 Geography Fieldtrip 2014
The Sedili Besar trip consisted of around 40 geography students and 4 teachers. This trip has not only
broadened my geography skills for paper 4 in IGCSE but also has allowed me to bond more with my class.
From measuring the wetted perimeter of a river to measuring the percentage of vegetation in the forest
contained buzzing mosquitoes and creeping leeches; many of these activities have helped me improve
day by day while doing past paper examinations. Being able to have a first hand experience of human
impacts on nature, using equipment such as clinometers and ranging poles has given me a vivid and clear
understanding on how to carry out investigations and create my own hypothesis.
To be able to do something outside of the classroom has made learning challenging and fun at the same
time as it was something other than learning from pictures in a textbook. Overall, I am glad that I went on
the geography trip as it
has enabled me to
become
a
better
geographer and hopefully do well on the paper 4
exam next year.
Jay Li Quek 10JIn
14
NYAA GOLD
At the end of last term 22 intrepid NYAA Gold students, plus Ms Silverwood and Mr Lennon, headed
out to Hong Kong for their five day expedition. Squeezing every minute out of the day, the group met
at Changi at 4am and after a checking in (and a quick Starbucks to wake us up) we were off.
We arrived in HK and headed out to Pui O beach to meet our guides from T.I.G, an adventure
company based in Pui O for a day of planning. Kit was organised, food and meals were planned and
backpacks re-packed. By the end of the day we had all been transformed into human turtles, (sadly
not of the ninja type) with our homes and everything we needed securely fastened onto our backs.
The four days three nights expedition across the hills and peaks of Lantau Island was everything
everyone hoped for in terms of challenge and scenery. Averaging about 8km a day, the group
navigated their way across Lantau's famous peaks and still had a little bit of time to take in the local
sites and sample a little bit of the local food when time allowed. The group arrived back at Pui O 4 days
later, extremely tired, a little bit smelly but thrilled at the fact that they had taken on the elements and
won.
Flying back on the Thursday night everyone remarked how much quieter
the flight had been ....sleep was certainly the order of the day.
Mr Lennon - Assistant Principal (Enrichment)
15
SJI International Foil Fencers’ conquests during the recent holidays
Over the school holidays, Tan Wei Quan
(12MTr), Yau Han Xiang (11NMe), Akira
Goh (10ILH) and Yau Jun Sheng (7Bwo)
participated in the 2014/15 Singapore
Junior (Under-20) and Cadet (Under-17)
Fencing Championships.
In the Junior Men’s Foil Individual Event,
Akira won a Bronze (3rd placing) while Han
Xiang and Wei Quan came in with a 7th and
12th placing respectively.
In the Cadet Men’s Foil Individual Event,
Akira, Han Xiang and Jun Sheng secured the
6th, 10th and 26th placing respectively.
In the Cadet Men’s Foil Team Event, Han
Xiang captained his team from Z Fencing to
win the Silver (2nd placing), while Akira’s
team (also from Z Fencing) won
the Bronze (3rd placing).
While in Germany over the holidays, Jun
Sheng
also
participated
in
th
the 14 Marburger Stadtmeisterschaft, an
annual German Fencing Championships
hosted by the town Marburg. In the Under13 Men’s Foil Individual Event, Jun Sheng
was victorious claiming Gold (1st placing).
Well done!
16
Upcoming University Fairs
Each year, a large number of universities from around the world visit SJI International. Some sessions
are for students only. For others, parents are welcome to attend such fairs and some talks. While these
are predominantly for Grade 11 and 12 students and parents, students in younger grades are welcome
to attend if interested.
This month we have two events which parents are invited to attend.
Canadian University Fair, Friday January 23 from 08:00 to 08:30 hrs in the Glass Hall
Carleton University, Concordia University, Coquitlam College, Dalhousie University, Humber College,
SAIT Polytechnic, Seneca College, University of Alberta, University of British Columbia, University of
Calgary, University of Manitoba, University of New Brunswick, University of Toronto, University of
Waterloo.
We expect the representatives will be ready by 07.45hrs so you are welcome to arrive early.
Study in London, Tuesday, January 27, 18:00 to 19:00hrs in the Assembly Hall
Representatives from University College London (UCL), Imperial College London, King's College London
(KCL) and the School of Oriental and African Studies (SOAS) will give a presentation on the advantages of
studying in London and also information specifically about their four institutions. Information will also
be included about UCAS, focusing mainly on the personal statements and what the institutions would be
looking for. There will be time at the end of the presentation for students to ask any general questions.
This is a presentation and will start at 18:00hrs. It is usually a very popular presentation and a highlight
for our students. To facilitate planning, we need an idea of the number of people planning to attend. We
will be sending all Senior School students and parents an email outlining the Registration process.
We look forward to seeing you at these events.
Tannaz Daver and Julie Thompson
University Counsellors
Helping Your Child to Grow In Faith
A Meeting for High School Parents (Grades 7-12)
Dear Parents,
You are invited to a meeting on Wednesday evening, 28th January, to learn more about the Religious
Education Programme and Religious Opportunities organised for Catholic students in the High School.
Although the topic for the evening is focused on those activities organised for Catholic students,
because students of all faith traditions are welcome to participate in these programmes, all parents
are also welcome to attend the meeting. The meeting is expected to last about one hour, and
refreshments will be served.
Wednesday, 28th January 2015
7:00 pm
Glass Hall, SJI International
I hope you can join us to learn more about opportunities we offer on behalf of our students as we
accompany them in their faith journeys while attending SJI International.
Sincerely,
Brother Lawrence Humphrey, FSC
Brother President
17
From the Sports Desk
DATE
16-Jan
19-Jan
19-Jan
21-Jan
21-Jan
21-Jan
21-Jan
21-Jan
21-Jan
22-Jan
22-Jan
22-Jan
23-Jan
26-Jan
26-Jan
26-Jan
27-Jan
28-Jan
Upcoming Fixtures
COMPETITION
ACSIS
ACSIS
ACSIS
ACSIS
ACSIS
ACSIS
ACSIS
ACSIS
ACSIS
ACSIS
ACSIS
ACSIS
ACSIS
ACSIS
ACSIS
ACSIS
ACSIS
ACSIS
SPORTS
14U Boys Football A
16U Boys Rugby
19U Girls Touch
19U Boys Rugby
19U Boys Basketball
19U Girls Basketball
19U Girls Touch
19U Girls Touch
19U Girls Tennis
19U Girls Tennis
14U Girls Football
14U Boys Football B
19U Girls Basketball
19U Girls Tennis
14U Boys Football A
19U Boys Basketball
14U Boys Football B
19U Girls Basketball
TEAMS
SJIIA v SAIS
SJII v ACS Int
SJII v ACS Int B
SJII v MCM
SJII v SAS
SJII v SAS
SJII v UWC East
SJII v CHIS
SJII v SAIS
SJII v OFS
SJII v GISS QT
SJII v MCM
SJII v NEXUS
SJII v UWC Dover
SJIIA v NPIS
SJII v Gess
SJIIB v YBIS
SJII v ISS B Teacm
YCK
Balis
SJII
SJII
UWC Dover
SJII
Gess
SJII
SJII
TIME
1630 hr
1630 hr
1630 hr
1630 hr
1800 hr
1630 hr
1630 hr
1730 hr
1630 hr
1630 hr
1630 hr
1630 hr
1700 hr
1630hr
1630 hr
1600 hr
1630 hr
1630 hr
SJI International Merchandise
Starting a new school year? In need of items
for the new semester? The Advancement
and Communications Office may just have
the items you need. We have added new
products to the list of merchandise for sale.
All proceeds will benefit the Scholarship
Fund.
Our new merchandise: (Water Bottle,
Executive Ball Point Pen, Sticky Notes, NonWoven Bag).
We also have keychains, umbrellas, shoe
bags, caps and thumb drives available for
sale.
Visit; http://www.sji-international.com.sg/merchandise to view more products, and for more
information, or visit us at the Advancement and Communications Office to check out the various items.
18
Lasallian Reflection
From Br. Lawrence Humphrey FSC
This year a good deal of attention will appropriately be focused on the 50 th
anniversary of Singapore and on the future. In a recent article in The
Straits Times, Education Minister Heng Swee Keat identified three key
values as being essential to help young people today face the challenges of
the next 50 years – being rugged, inventive, and caring.
It would seem that SJI International students are well poised to ruggedly
face life’s challenges. Being rugged means developing qualities which help
a person to be sturdy, strong, and resilient, capable of successfully dealing
with difficult situations that are part of life. Our emphasis on fostering
Mutual Respect for all persons, truly honouring the dignity of all
individuals, helps to build up the kind of character that we hope to develop
in our students.
We identify Experiences as another of the SMILES values in the High
School, and without doubt SJI International students in both the ES and HS enjoy the kinds of experiences,
outings and expeditions that have a transformational impact on their lives.
Creativity is a hallmark of a Lasallian education. It is also one of the Virtues developed among our
students in the Elementary School. In fact, the founding of our school was itself an act of creatively
responding to the needs for a school like ours in Singapore – where students from Singapore and around
the world could come together to receive a world class education in an learning environment inspired by
our Lasallian mission. Anyone attending the Activities Fair held this week in the High School can attest to
the creative geniuses among our SJI International students and staff.
The very foundations of our school empower us in the development of young people of integrity and who
genuinely care for others. Our Lasallian Core Principles (Respect for All Persons, Inclusive Community),
the Virtues (Caring, Compassion, Forgiveness, Generosity, Love, and Loyalty, among others), and the
SMILES Values of Mutual Respect and Leadership all underpin what goes on at SJI International, in and
outside the classrooms. I witness caring behaviour on the part of our students every day, and I hope they
are sharing these fruits of their SJI International education, as well as their upbringing, at home, as well.
In the newspaper article mentioned earlier, Mr Heng is quoted as saying that Character “. . . has to be
deeply internalised and the way for this . . . is to put values into action”. Putting values into action is what
we are about every day at St Joseph’s Institution International. I daresay you won’t find young people
anywhere more rugged, inventive, and caring than the students of our school.
All High School parents have been invited to a meeting on Wednesday evening, 28th January, to learn
more about the Religious Education Programme and Religious Opportunities available to students in the
High School. Although the emphasis is on those activities organised for those of the Catholic faith, all
parents are welcome to attend. A similar meeting for Elementary School parents will be held at a later
date.
May 2015 be a year of special blessings for all of your families and the family of SJI International!
19