13th February SJI International Newsletter
Term 1 - Issue 5
Message from the Principal
Dear Parents,
The past week has again been filled with exciting events. The Grade 7 students spent last Friday evening
at our school attending the Grade 7 Camp. This event was organised and led by a group of Grade 11
student leaders (under the supervision of Mr Brown and the Grade 7 Tutors). I met many of the
students on Saturday morning, at the end of the event, and they were
literally buzzing with excitement. All indications are that they had a
wonderful time. I am also pleased to say that our Grade 11 camp
facilitators did an outstanding job (as they did for the Grade 10 camp
the week before). It is wonderful to see so many students showing
active servant leadership.
Click on the link to read:
Brother Larry’s Lasallian Reflection
Upcoming Dates
Monday 16th February:
No School - CNY Holiday Week
Monday 23rd February:
School Resumes
Wednesday 25th February:
G9 - G11 Drama Compulsory Workshop 15:00 to 18:00
Thursday 26th February:
G9 - G11 Drama Compulsory Workshop 15:00 to 18:00
G10 IB Options Evening 18:30 Glass
Hall
Saturday 28th February:
MYMNOFS G7 - G9
Sunday 1st March:
MYMNOFS Conference G7 - G9
G7 Students Depart for Expedition
Monday 2nd March:
Home Learning Day
Table of Contents
CNY Celebrations - Page 4/5
Cambodia Fund Raising Info - Page 5
Sports Trip to Marlborough - Page
7/8/9
Baan Dada Info - Page 10
US Linden University Fair - Page 10
Work Experience Info - Page 11
Sports Results - Page 12
Lasallian Reflection - Page 13
I attended the PSG Open Meeting on Saturday morning. It was
wonderful to see so many parents at this event. It will be great if this
level of attendance can be maintained throughout the year. Thank
you to those parents who attended. On Wednesday evening I also
went to the Grade 11 Meet the Tutor Evening. Again, this was very
well attended. It was a good opportunity for parents to gain further
insight into our IB Diploma programme. It was also an opportunity to
meet their child’s Tutor, a very important person in their child’s life
for the next 2 years. Thank you to the Senior School Team for
arranging this wonderful evening.
This past week was also a very busy week for our Grade 12 students
as most of them completed their IOC (Individual Oral Commentary),
one of the coursework components of IB Diploma English. These
commentaries are recorded and sent off to the IB for grading. I am
sure that the students were prepared for this as I know their
teachers have worked hard to get them to this point.
Today, 36 of our Grade 9 students visit the Singapore Armed Forces
50th Anniversary celebrations at VivoCity. This is a jointly organised
military exhibition featuring all three armed forces: the Singapore
Army; the Republic of Singapore Navy (RSN); and Republic of
Singapore Air Force (RSAF). The visit forms part of our National
Education Programme.
This week’s newsletter includes the following: Reports about the
Chinese New Year Assembly and activities done in Chinese classes
around this special celebration; Feedback about the recent sporting
trip to Marlborough College; and the Sports Results for the past
week.
This week’s newsletter also includes important notification of the
following upcoming events: Request for assistance in offering Work
Experience placements for our Grade 10 students; and details about
the upcoming SJI International Gala Dinner that will take place on
9th June at the Goodwood Park Hotel.
It also includes an advert for the PSG organised Garage sale, taking place on 25 th April, Information
about the upcoming US Linden University Fair, An invitation to participate in a Cambodian charity Second hand Book Drive; and the upcoming Sports Fixtures.
Social Media
One of the growing problems in schools, around the world, is the inappropriate use of social
media platforms by students. Unfortunately, SJI International is not immune to this. Already this year,
we have had to become involved in several online incidents where students have been nasty, unkind
and, sometimes, abusive to fellow students. For whatever reason, social media seems to make some
students think that the normal rules of behaviour and manners do not apply. They say things that they
would never say face-to-face, often in a totally open forum, posted for all to see.
As a school, SJI International deals with these sorts of issues as if they occurred in the classroom. We do
not hesitate to take appropriate action whenever this happens. We ask parents to support us in this
fight against the inappropriate use of this form of communication. One of the Core Values of Lasallian
Education is the strength of the relationships between the students in the school. SJI International has
always been known as a school where strong and positive relationships exist between students. Let us
all work to ensure this remains a real strength.
“At Home” Learning Day - Monday 2nd March
This is a reminder about our “At Home” Learning Day that takes place on Monday, 2nd March 2015. 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 the lesson. Teachers will use a variety of IT platforms.
Teachers will, ideally, also operate 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).
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Chinese New Year Holiday Week
As you are aware, SJI International is closed next week for our one week Chinese New Year holiday . This
is a wonderful opportunity for staff and students to relax, recharge and, in some cases,
consolidate. SJI International does not expect students to be overloaded with work over these
breaks. While students will probably have the normal homework load from the previous week,
they should have loads of time to do other things. Please ensure that your child/ren return to
school at 08:00 hrs on Monday, 23rd February. Any extended vacation leave will be marked as
an authorised absence.
In Closing
I will be away from school for the week immediately following the CNY holiday. I am attending a
conference for Heads of Lasallian secondary schools. I am looking forward to gathering with school
leaders who are running schools with the same core values as ours. This trip forms part of our drive to
further enhance the Lasallian nature of SJI International, one of our developmental goals for this current
academic year.
Finally, I wish all members of our community who celebrate the Chinese/Lunar New Year a very special
celebration. Have a wonderful time with family and friends!
May you have auspicious year and your wishes be granted.
恭贺新禧，吉祥如意。
Yours Sincerely
Bradley Roberts
Principal
Head of High School
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Chinese New Year Celebrations
On Monday, 9th February, the Asian Languages Department presented the Lunar New Year Assembly to
celebrate the upcoming Spring Festival. Vivian Jin (12EHo) presented a guzheng solo (The
Percussion Rhythms of Harvest). Following this, the Folk Songs Group and our new Chinese teachers: Ms
Cherry Guo, Ms Cherry Ji and Mr Qian Zhao, presented a few festive songs to the school. The assembly
ended with, two of our Grade 7 students, dressed up as Datou Wawa, presenting mandarin oranges to our
Principal, (Mr Roberts), and Brother President (Brother Larry).
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Preparation for CNY
Recently, during Chinese lessons, students have also celebrated the CNY festival by participating in
various activities. Grade 7 tried their hands at origami, of all shapes and sizes, to usher in the Year of the
Goat. Grade 8 learned how to make sweet dumplings while Grade 9 dabbled in Chinese calligraphy red
couplets. Grade 10 participated in Chinese “Lohei”, while Grade 11 embarked on their Spring Festival
Class project.
The Chinese Team, wish all of you a fruitful and fulfilling new year ahead!
5
Cambodia – Second Hand Book Drive
Undertaking a Chinese New Year Spring Cleaning? Don’t be so quick to throw away your items!
Many students in rural Cambodia are not as privileged as children in Singapore. They are required to walk
5km or more without shoes to get to school. Also most cannot afford to buy school uniforms, school bags
or stationery.
The Rotary Club of Sentosa (RCS) has invited students from SJI International to donate their gently used
second hand items to this cause. There is no cost involved for either the participating school or student.
This is a nationwide project and the Rotary Club of Sentosa plans to collect sufficient gently used
school-related items to fill a 20-foot container that will then be shipped to Cambodia.
I invite you to take part and to give towards this meaningful cause. Collection of items has begun and we
have received great response in just a few days. It is tremendously humbling to see everyone’s donation
which have already filled over 10 boxes; I look forward to receiving further donations from our bighearted school community!
The collection box is in the foyer of the High School, on the brown benches towards your right. There is a
brown box labelled “Cambodia Gently Used Items”. Please place your donations in this box.
The items that you can continue to donate include gently used water bottles, stationery, uniforms (dark
blue trousers/skirts and white shirts) in addition to school bags (canvas back packs), water bottles and
stationery for children in Cambodia, who come from extremely impoverished backgrounds.
Later in 2015, the Rotary Club of Sentosa, along with myself (as a representative from SJI International),
will visit Cambodia and personally distribute the items to primary and secondary school students in the
province of Pursat, near Phnom Penh.
If you have any further queries regarding the project, please feel free to email me at:
[email protected]
I look forward to all your further contributions!
Let’s all welcome the New Lunar Year by giving back to these less fortunate children!
Wishing you a very happy and prosperous Lunar New Year!
Simren Sekhon G12 NGh
6
Sporting Feast at Marlborough College
Girls Touch Rugby
Last weekend the SJI International girls Touch Rugby Team went international with a very productive trip
to Marlborough College, in Malaysia. The senior girls played two games against a well drilled and
experienced combined 1st and 2nd team of Marlborough girls. The girls did us proud, demonstrating how
far they have progressed in a short space of time, continuously putting both home sides on the back foot
and showing great skill, aptitude and determination throughout their games. A pleasing aspect of the
game was the way SJI International girls encouraged each other and shared their observations as to how
to improve. Although we lost 3 tries-0 and 1 try-0 respectively, the girls realised that they are not far from
being a force to be reckoned with. Training is a must and new players coming through will add some fresh
blood to the team. With large numbers now turning up for training each week we are sure to see this
sport develop and more sides competing in the future.
Touch Rugby is a fast-moving, minimal contact evasive game. It is played throughout the world by people
of all ages and skill level. It originated as a warm up game for contact rugby. The game is similar to rugby
but without the technical aspects such as tackling or kicking. It encourages teamwork and the
development of ball skills, agility, spatial awareness as well as physical fitness. Over the past year SJI
International has been developing this sport for the girls in particular and now around 40 girls turn out for
practice each week.
Ed Hogg - Touch Rugby Coach
7
The Boys U19 Rugby Team
Our game against the Marlborough College U19 Rugby team, on 7th February, was a good fixture and
provided many learning opportunities that we will work on as the season progresses. It was decided to
play a 10-A-Side match as we had been hit by injuries in previous games and were down on numbers. The
Marlborough team was strong, well organised and had been training and playing as a team for some
time. We played with plenty of spirit, but were outflanked as we struggled to contain their fast outside
backs on a less congested rugby field. Our newer players showed a great deal of promise and Ben Ong,
our Captain, and David Darcocus our fly-half shone because of their very good decision making and
general play. David scored one our two tries and Ben assisted by setting up both of them. It was
worthwhile game, although we lost 51:10, and we look forward to the opportunity of a return fixture
sometime in the near future.
Don Humphrey - Rugby Coach
The Boys U14 Football Team
Our U14 Football boys played a mighty game with determination and great team work but sadly lost to
Marlborough College, 3-6. We are positive as this is a new team and the start of the season, the team
will acquire more skills to succeed further. Well done to all the team members and thank you for your
sporting spirit.
8
U14 Boys Football Team in action
The Girls U14 Football Team
Also the first game of the season for our U14 Girls football team who played a magnificent game against
Marlborough College beating them 4 goals to 2. This has really kick-started their season and the girls are
very determined to hold this victory and take from it all the skills and team work learnt. Congratulations
to all the team members.
9
WALK FOR EDUCATION 2015 - Baan Dada Service Trip
When: 27th March- 4th April 2015
Where: Sangklaburi to Kanchanaburi (Thailand)
(approx 40km per group)
es left
c
a
l
p
Who: G9 to G11s (max 20 students)
Only 6
Approx cost: $600 per student
Consent forms from Ms Powell at the Pastoral Office
Deadline for deposit: Wednesday 25th February
“love for all created beings in this world”
Help empower the children of Baan Dada Through
Active Service
Linden US University Tour
We have six US universities visiting us on Friday, February 27th from 13:00 to 14.40 pm in the Glass
Hall. This is a fair and parents are welcome to attend together with students.
Central Penn College, Pennsylvania
Embry Riddle Aeronautical University, Daytona Florida
Fairleigh Dickinson University, New Jersey
Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis, Indiana
Linfield College, Oregon
Portland State University, Oregon
We look forward to seeing you there.
Tannaz Daver and Julie Thompson
University Counsellors
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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
RESULTS
COMPETITION
SPORTS
TEAMS
SCORES
TIME
February 5
ACSIS
FOOTBALL 14U GIRLS
SJII V MCM B
Won 5-0
16:30
February 5
SSSC
BADMINTON 14U BOYS
SJII V KCP
Won 4-1
14:30
February 5
SSSC
FOOTBALL 14U BOYS
SJII V WSS
Lost 0-3
15:00
February 6
SSSC
BASKETBALL 17U GIRLS
SJII V HIJ
February 6
SSSC
TENNIS 17U GIRLS
SJII V STC
Won 4-1
15:00
February 6
SSSC
BADMINTON 17U BOYS
SJII V RI
Lost 0-5
14:30
February 7
ACSIS
RUGBY 19U BOYS
SJII v MCM
Lost 12-53
10:30
February 7
Friendly
FOOTBALL 14U BOYS
SJII V MCM
Lost 3-6
10:30
February 7
Friendly
FOOTBALL 14U GIRLS
SJII V MCM
Won 4-2
10:30
February 9
SSSC
BADMINTON 17U BOYS
SJII V YSS
Lost 2-3
14:30
February 10
SSSC
BADMINTON 14U BOYS
SJII V AMK
Lost 0-5
14:30
February 11
SSSC
BASKETBALL 17U GIRLS
SJII V KRS
Won 26-17
16:00
February 11
SSSC
BADMINTON 17U BOYS
SJII V SG
Lost 1-3
14:30
DATE
Upcoming Fixtures
COMPETITION
SPORTS
TEAMS
VENUE
TIME
12 February
SSSC
BADMINTON 14U BOYS
SJII V SG
ACS INDEP
14:30
12 February
SSSC
FOOTBALL 14U BOYS
SJII V AMK
AMK SEC
16:30
13 February
SSSC
BADMINTON 14U BOYS
SJII V BTY
ACS INDEP
14:30
23 February
SSSC
FOOTBALL 17U GIRLS
SJII WDLS
BOWEN SEC
15:00
24 February
SSSC
BADMINTON 14U BOYS
SJI V RI
ACS INDEP
14:30
24 February
SSSC
FOOTBALL 14U BOYS
SJII V BSS
AMK SEC
15:00
24 February
SSAC Invitational
FOOTBALL U19 Boys
SJII V ACSI
SJII
16:30
25 February
SSSC
BASKETBALL 17U BOYS
SJII V QSS
PESEB
15:30
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15:00
Lasallian Reflection
From Br. Lawrence Humphrey FSC
Brother President
“Make known to them the virtues they ought to practise and help
them see how easy this is.”
(St John Baptist de La Salle, Meditation 33.3)
I don’t know if there are any real shepherds in Singapore, but I am told
that there is a goat farm. In preparation for Chinese New Year, I have
made two trips to Chinatown in the last few weeks. Observing the traffic
whizzing by the illumined goats along New Bridge Road, I couldn’t help
but think of what it would be like for goats and sheep today to be caught
on a traffic island and in need of some shepherding.
Many of us are familiar with the Gospel story of the Good Shepherd, wherein Jesus compares those
responsible for the welfare of others to a good shepherd who has great care for the sheep. One quality he
needs to possess according to the Gospel account is to know each one of them individually. In De La
Salle’s Meditation (#33) on the Good Shepherd, he writes of two qualities needed by teachers if they are
to be successful in leading their students. The first is that they must be good role models for others,
possessing “a high level of virtue” according to De La Salle. The second quality is “. . . the great tenderness
they must show for those entrusted to their care”.
But what I find particularly striking in this Gospel story is the image of the sheep following the shepherd
because they recognise his voice. In the same Meditation, De La Salle points out how important it is, then,
for teachers to speak to students in ways that they can understand, so that they really come to
understand the message of what is being taught to them. “Make known to them the virtues they ought to
practise and help them see how easy this is.”
De La Salle knew how significant teachers are in the lives of their students. One of the blessings of a
school like St Joseph’s Institution International is the remarkable men and women who truly care for and
look after the welfare of their students, shepherding them, if you will, not only in class, but also through
the experiences and in the many activities that are part of SJI
International life. So, in addition to teaching staff, I’m also gratefully
reminded of our nurses, security personnel, counsellors, and so many
others.
As we begin our celebration of Chinese New Year, I wish all of you a
Happy Year of the Goat (or Sheep), and a most enjoyable holiday with
family and friends. The more I learn about CNY traditions I see how
much so many of the customs have to do with food. Perhaps it’s a
good thing, then, that we are also beginning the season of Lent.
Best wishes for peace, prosperity, and happiness!
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