6th February SJI International Newsletter
Term 1 - Issue 4
Message from the Principal
Dear Parents,
The term is now in full swing and staff and students are settling into a routine of lessons and activities.
This past week saw us hold our first parents information evening of the year. It was great to see so many
at the Grade 7 Parent Information Evening on Wednesday. I cannot stress how important it is for
parents to remain involved in their child’s schooling. Research shows that this is an extremely powerful
factor in students’ achievement. Although your involvement is different from what it was in the
Elementary School (and your children try to distance you from their schooling), you still have an
extremely active role in their education. Of course, this role should be
a balanced one, where you support, push and encourage. Pressure,
without positive support and encouragement is detrimental to your
child’s wellbeing and, ultimately, negatively impacts their learning
experience.
Click on the link to read:
Brother Larry’s Lasallian Reflection
Upcoming Dates
Friday 6th February:
G7 overnight camp
Saturday 7th February:
PSG Open Meeting 09:30 Glass Hall
Wednesday 11th February:
G11 Parents Evening 18:30 Glass Hall
Monday 16th February:
No School - CNY Holiday Week
Monday 23rd February:
School Resumes
Table of Contents
Grade 10 Camp - Page 3
Baan Dada Walk - Page 4
IB Theatre Report - Page 5
G11 Drama Workshop - Page 6
G8 Workshop at the Zoo - Page 7
Work Experience - Page 8
Sports Results - Page 9
Lasallian Reflection - Page 10/11
This week’s newsletter includes the following: A Report about the IB
Theatre Commedia Dell’arte Workshop, Reports about two Drama
trips to the theatre and feedback about the Grade 8 Drama
Workshop at the Zoo; News about a recent success of one of our
students in the Sivan Fine Arts Academy competition; the Grade 10
Camp held last Friday and the Sports Results for the past week.
This week’s newsletter also includes important notification of the
following upcoming events: The Walk for Education 2015 (linked to
Baan Dada School in Thailand); Request for assistance in offering
Work Experience placements for our Grade 10 students; An
advertisement for our upcoming gala Dinner; and the upcoming
Sports Fixtures.
“At Home” Learning Day - Monday 2nd March
At the start of next month, on Monday, 2nd March 2015, we will
have an “At Home” Learning Day. On this day, students will not
come to school. Instead, they will follow their normal eight lesson
day online, while at home. Students will be required to sign in at the
start of each lesson (at the normally designated time) and will then
complete the lesson. The aim is to make this lesson as active as
possible, so that students are continually engaged in their lesson.
Teachers will use a variety of IT platforms. Teachers will also be
operating from their own homes.
The main aim of this day is to prepare SJI International for any event that may require a school
shut-down. Those students who do not have internet at home should seek to find an alternative venue
for these lessons, possibly meeting with a friend (in the same classes) to work together. As this is our first
attempt at a whole school online day, we understand that not everything is likely to run exactly as
expected – one of the aims of this day is to pinpoint any problem areas (only possible when the event
actually runs). We will send out more details next week and the week after the Chinese New Year holiday
week.
PSG Open Meeting
The first Parent Support Group (PSG) Open Meeting of the year takes place on Saturday, 7th February,
from 09.30 to 11.30am, in the Glass Hall. We encourage all parents to attend this event. This is your
chance to learn more about school events and policy. As part of the morning, I will make a short
presentation that will include feedback about our recent IGCSE and IB Diploma results, as well as some
information about the facility planning for this coming year.
Confirmation of Student Information – A reminder
On Monday, 2nd February, your child was given a Student Information Form. This form listed your
child's essential information, as currently recorded on our Student Information System. We asked all
parents to double-check their child's information. If not correct, you were asked to return this form to
their Tutor by Wednesday, 4th February, with appropriate amendments (where there were no changes
we asked you to write the words 'no changes'). If you have not seen this form yet (already past the return
date) please get this from your child and return to us as soon as possible.
Grade 7 Parent Information Evening
Thank you to all the Grade 7 Parents who attended the Grade 7 Parent Information Evening on
Wednesday evening. We have uploaded the PowerPoint Presentation to the following website page:
http://www.sji-international.com.sg/page.cfm?p=467 (scroll down to bottom of page)
In Closing
Last weekend saw the school host the Grade 10 Camp at school. This was a wonderful opportunity to
further bond our Grade 10 cohort. This afternoon sees the start of the Grade 7 Camp. All Grade 7
students will stay over-night in the school. Our Senior Student organising team have a very full and
exciting programme prepared. Thank you to Mr Oliver Brown, Head of Grade 7 and his team of staff and
the student facilitators involved.
Finally, I look forward to seeing many of you at tomorrow’s PSG Open Meeting.
Wishing you a great weekend!
Yours sincerely
Bradley Roberts
Principal
High School
Grade 10 Camp
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Grade 10 Camp Unity
“You can’t spell Community without Unity!”
Over the weekend from Friday 30th January to Saturday 31st January the Grade 10 Council hosted a G10
Bonding Camp entitled ‘Unity’ as “you can’t spell community without unity! This camp was intended to
begin the year positively and to strengthen the bonds and friendships between our current Grade 10
students and welcome and develop friendships with the new Grade 10 FIB students.
The students participated in numerous activities including Capture
the Flag, Tug of War and flour bobbing (which Miss Powell was
unexpectedly involved in!) They finished off the Friday with dinner
and a film. On Saturday, after their games and activities, they
wrote reflections on their experience.
Overall, it was a wonderful event which all students participated
in, in a fun and enthusiastic way. I would like to thank the G11
Facilitators for their support and the G10 Council for their
organisation. Special thanks goes to Lu Yii Wong (10KWa) and Jay
Li Quek (10Jin) for their fantastic effort in making sure all the events ran
smoothly.
Ms Powell - Head of Grade 10
3
WALK FOR EDUCATION 2015 - Baan Dada Service Trip
When: 27th March- 4th April 2015
Where: Sangklaburi to Kanchanaburi (Thailand)
(approx 40km per group)
Who: G9 to G11s (max 20 students)
Approx cost: $600 per student
Consent forms from Ms Powell at the Pastoral Office
Deadline for deposit: Friday13th February
“love for all created beings in this world”
Help empower the children of Baan Dada Through
Active Service
be
Date to
ed
confirm
soon
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IB Theatre Commedia Dell’arte
Our first G11 IB theatre class began with an intensive, yet extremely engaging, Commedia Dell’arte
workshop with distinguished actor and director Marco Luly. Commedia Dell’Arte is a form of theatre
created in 16th century Venice, that involves the use of masks. Marco Luly is an Italian performer who
co-founded the Associazione Luoghi d’Arte and has won many prestigious awards as a director and for
his show, Dr. Harlequin: An imaginary autopsy. It was an absolute honour to be taught by Marco.
After a week of working with him, the class was privileged to see Marco perform in a Commedia piece
at NAFA (Nanyang Academy of Fine Arts) on Saturday 17th January. The performance was
Shakespeare’s Comedy of Errors in the style of Commedia. The playing was split into two languages
with some parts in English, and some in Chinese. I personally found the Chinese speaking characters to
be hilarious, as they brought out the element of humour that is essential to Commedia. Marco played
Zanni, the servant character, in one of the scenes. He displayed every aspect that he had taught us. It
was a totally different experience to watch him in an actual performance. Watching Commedia being
played was very useful to gain a better understanding of this art form. We are so grateful that Ms
Wendy arranged for this opportunity and look forward to learning more in the coming year. What a
wonderful start!
Tessa Rodrigues, 11ACh
.
5
IB Theatre Students Outing
As part of the IGCSE and IB Drama/Theatre curriculum, students watch several plays during the year in
order to learn from professionals both during the show, and in post-performance discussions. This year,
we have already attended two superb performances.
On 15th January we visited the National Museum of Singapore, to watch The Duchamp Syndrome, a play
performed by Antonio Vega. This performance was part of The Necessary Stage’s M1 Singapore Fringe
Festival. It involved the usage of miniature set designs, a ‘real life’ human playing the shadow, a talking
cockroach, a self-functioning Japanese vacuum cleaner and an insistent rat with a dream to have its 15
minutes of stardom on stage. As theatre students, we are taught to have a critical eye for set designs, the
use of lights, sounds and costumes etc. Throughout the play, the producers amazed me with their specific
use of the miniature set designs and the real-life human shadow. Overall, it was a great performance and
we had a wonderful time, especially after the show when we met the actor-creators.
IB theatre class chatting with the actor from The Duchamp Syndrome
On the 21st January, we went to watch “White Rabbit, Red Rabbit” written by Nassim Soleimanpour, at the
Esplanade’s Recital Studio. This play was a unique experience for most of us because the actor is only
allowed to read the script as he acts it out, giving him no time to prepare, making it all very impromptu.
There was no sets, just a table and chair, and a minimal number of props, mostly sourced from the
audience. Even without a physical presence, you could still feel the essence of the writer, Nassim, through
the words he wrote. Considering the circumstances, the actor, Lim Kay Siu, gave a wonderful
representation of the play, managing to engage the
audience. Natalie Wong, 11 EOx also got the privilege of
taking over the reading for the last section of the play.
She did an awesome job!
Daniella Andriesz, G11ASc
IB Theatre and the IGCSE Drama students discussing the
play-reading with actor Lim Kay Siu after the performance.
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Grade 8 take a Drama Workshop at the Zoo
Last week on Wednesday morning, three Grade 8 classes (8PNe, 8SDl and 8STa) visited the zoo. Here they
had a wonderful time watching and observing animals and exploring the zoo. From red butted Hamadryas
baboons to the African skulled tortoise, the zoo was great fun and educational. We had a drama workshop
after lunch, where some of us had the opportunity
to present short skits featuring a person with the
characteristics of a chosen animal! I'm sure that
everyone would agree that this year’s zoo trip was
one of the best school trip experience they have
ever had.
Thank you Ms Wendy, Ms Bradley, Mr Lim and
Mr Taylor!
Marilyn Tan G8SDL
Well Done Risma
On January 31st 2015, Sivan Fine Arts Academy
conducted a dance and music competition, in Singapore,
to celebrate a great Indian musician, Papanasam Sivan's
birth anniversary. Risma Remsudeen (10KWa),
participated in The Indian Classical Dance (Bharatnatyam)
and keyboard competitions. She was awarded (1st prize)
in the keyboard competition and was the runner up in for
Indian Dance Competition. Well Done!
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Grade 10 Work Experience Programme
15th- 19th June 2015
Support Needed
We are seeking support from parents and guardians who may be in a position to offer Work Experience
placements during the week of 15th to 19th June 2015, for our Grade 10 students. Providing Work
Experience can bring a number of opportunities and benefits to your organisation and the staff involved,
including helping to:
*
*
*
*
*
raise the profile of the organisation within the community;
develop supervisory and coaching skills as staff members mentor and guide the students;
demonstrate your organisation's commitment to investing in the future of our community;
guide and influence the future career paths of individuals;
share enthusiasm for work with young people.
Work Experience offers the students a number of invaluable opportunities, including the opportunity to
begin to:
*
gain an insight into the world of work;
*
develop skills required in the world of work;
*
learn about and reflect on their particular strengths, interests and abilities;
*
develop the skills required to become an outstanding IB student, namely independence,
*
time management, communication, problem solving and a responsible approach to
commitments.
If
you
are
able
to
offer
placements
please
contact
Julie
Thompson
at
[email protected] indicating the type of company, the area within the company
in which one or more students may be placed, and the number of student placements you would be able
to offer.
The Work Experience Programme will be held in the first week of the June/July school holidays. Last year
over 100 students in Grade 10 took part in the Work Experience programme. This was only possible
through the wonderful support of parents who contacted me to offer placements. Please consider this
for June 2015 and contact me if you think you may be able to help.
Kind Regards,
Julie Thompson
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From the Sports Desk
DATE
29-Jan
29-Jan
29-Jan
30-Jan
02-Feb
02-Feb
02-Feb
02-Feb
03-Feb
03-Feb
03-Feb
04-Feb
RESULTS
COMPETITION
ACSIS
ACSIS
ACSIS
ACSIS
ACSIS
ACSIS
ACSIS
ACSIS
ACSIS
ACSIS
ACSIS
ACSIS
SPORTS
14U Boys Football A
14U Boys Football B
19U Girls Tennis
14U Boys Football A
19U Girls Touch
19U Girls Touch
19U Boys Basketball
19U Girls Basketball
14U Girls Football
14U Boys Football B
19U Girls Tennis
19U Girls Tennis
TEAMS
SJIIA v AISB
SJIIB v UWC East C Team
SJII v UWC East
SJIIA v NPIS
SJII v CIS TK
SJII v UWC East D Team
SJII v CIS TK
SJII v UWC East C Team
SJII v CIS TK
SJIIB v GESS
SJII v SAIS
SJII v UWC East
SCORES
Drew 0-0
Lost 3-6
Won 4-1
Won 6-0
Lost 5-8
Lost 1-3
Won 53-51
Won 36-24
Won 3-2
Draw 0-0
Won 4-1
Won 3-2
TIME
16:45hr
16:45hr
16:30hr
16:30 hr
16:30hr
16:30hr
17:30hr
16:30hr
16:30hr
16:00hr
16:30hr
16:30hr
SPORTS
TEAMS
VENUE
TIME
Upcoming Fixtures
DATE
COMPETITION
February 5
ACSIS
February 5
February 5
February 6
SSSC
SSSC
SSSC
FOOTBALL 14U GIRLS SJII V MCM B
SJII
BADMINTON 14U
BOYS
ACS INDEP
SJII V KCP
FOOTBALL 14U BOYS SJII V WSS
AMK SEC
BASKETBALL 17U
GIRLS
SJII V HIJ
NJC
SJII V STC
KEPPEL
SPORTS
CLUB
TENNIS 17U GIRLS
February 6
SSSC
February 6
February 7
February 7
February 7
February 9,
February 10
February 11
February 11
SSSC
ACSIS
Friendly
Friendly
SSSC
SSSC
SSSC
SSSC
BADMINTON 17U
BOYS
SJII V RI
ACS INDEP
RUGBY 19U BOYS
SJII v MCM
MCM
FOOTBALL 14U BOYS SJII V MCM
MCM
FOOTBALL 14U GIRLS SJII V MCM
MCM
BADMINTON 17U
BOYS
BADMINTON 14U
BOYS
BASKETBALL 17U
GIRLS
BADMINTON 17U
BOYS
9
SJII V YSS
ACS INDEP
SJII V AMK
ACS INDEP
SJII V KRS
NJC
SJII V SG
ACS INDEP
16:30hr
14:30hr
15:00hr
15:00hr
15:00hr
14:30hr
10:30hr
10:30hr
10:30hr
14:30hr
14:30hr
16:00hr
14:30hr
Lasallian Reflection
From Br. Lawrence Humphrey FSC
Brother President
I was reminded of a kaleidoscope as I looked out at the gathering of Elementary School students decked
out in the national costumes and colours of some 39 nations represented at St Joseph’s Institution
International Elementary School. They had just concluded a Parade of Nations which reminded me of the
similar march every two years at either the Summer or Winter Olympics. As each nation was announced,
beginning with Australia, followed by Austria, all the way to Wales, the crowd would cheer and the
students would smile and wave banners and flags representing the countries of their birth.
This was all part of the annual Global Family Day celebration on Thursday. Many, many Elementary School
parents were present, but I wish the entire SJI International community could have been there to witness
this marvellous celebration of global citizenship and our unity as members of the human family. Following
the assembly the Grades 2 and 3 students presented a Global Family Concert for their families and in song
and dance they celebrated eight countries of the world. All of this points to the blessing we all enjoy by
being members of an international school community.
Most days I read The Straits Times, listen to the BBC World Service, and check out the New York Times
online. The world news headlines could leave me with a feeling of hopeless despair if it weren’t for my
daily encounters with the students of SJI International. Our students are serious about their studies,
respectful of their teachers and, most of the time, are genuinely kind to their classmates. One of the things
that impresses me most about students in both the ES and HS is their enthusiasm for celebrating the
successes of their friends and fellow students. We truly celebrate one another. Our students remind me
that there is hope for the world.
10
On Monday afternoon of this week students were dismissed early so that the staff of both the ES and HS
could come together for a programme we are calling Lasallian Study Days. Four times this year we are
meeting to explore various aspects of our work as educators in a Catholic and Lasallian school. On
Monday we considered the life of St John Baptist de La Salle and the conditions in 17 th century France
that compelled him to lay aside wealth and prestige to devote himself totally to the work of establishing
schools for poor children, which ultimately led to the founding of the Brothers of the Christian Schools
(the official name for the De La Salle Brothers). We then took a look at the many aspects of Mission for
SJI International – from the Mission of the Brothers and our Lasallian Core Principles, to the Mission of SJI
International as it is expressed in the SMILES Values and the Virtues. Highlights of the afternoon were
reflections by two recent graduates and two staff members. The students spoke of the ways Lasallian
values of Faith, Community, and Service enriched their time at our school. Both staff members gave
powerful reflections on their experiences of Mission and its impact on relationships with students and
with other staff members. Experiences like Lasallian Study Days help us address our goals of
strengthening the school’s Catholic and Lasallian identity.
Monday, 9th February, is the feast day of another of our Lasallian Brother Saints, St Miguel Febres
Cordero. In 1864 young Francisco Cordero was enrolled by his family in a Lasallian school soon after the
arrival of the Brothers in Ecuador, and later, overcoming strong family opposition, be became the first
Ecuadorian to become a De La Salle Brother. He was a master teacher, wrote textbooks and was called to
Europe to translate texts from French into Spanish. He was honoured with membership of the National
Academies of Ecuador, Spain, France, and Venezuela. One of his favourite experiences was preparing
children for their First Holy Communion. St Miguel died in 1910 in Spain, is buried in
Ecuador, and was canonised a Saint in 1984 by St John Paul II. St Miguel is one of the
four Patron Saints in the SJI International House System. Happy feast day on Monday
to the members of the Green House of St Miguel!
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