2020
December: Re-opening of Wallace Exhibition and Trail at Dairy Farm Nature Park
In 2018, St Joseph’s Institution (SJI) collaborated with the National Parks Board (NParks) through the Lived English Experience Programme (LEEP) in an effort to attract visitors to the Dairy Farm Nature Park by creating a more immersive and enriching experience for visitors. Through a shared vision between NParks (nature conservation to create the best living conditions in Singapore by transforming it into a city in nature), and SJI’s English and Language Department (empowering students through authentic experiences in language), Integrated Programme (IP) students in Year 3 saw the possibilities in the application of language and literature to real world issues. The students’ proposal to NParks saw the birth of the Lit on Life (LOL) project.
With a year in intensive development, the greater part of 2019 was invested in the development of three programmes. These were eventually presented to NParks in November 2019 and they were very well received. The plan was for the projects to be handed over to NParks and implemented on a national basis after the NParks bicentennial opening of the nature parks in Singapore in mid-2020. The students continued to refine and work on their programmes based on the feedback they received for their presentations at the re-opening of the Wallace Exhibition. However, due to the unfortunate pandemic crisis and Singapore’s implementation of the circuit breaker in 2020, their presentations were delayed to the end of 2020. Eventually, on 7 December 2020, our Josephians showcased their work at the reopening of the Wallace Exhibition and Trail at the Dairy Farm Nature Park.
The reopening exhibition saw our students reap the rewards of their hard work. The host of the event was Mr Desmond Lee, Minister for National Development and Minister-in-charge of Social Services Integration. Amongst the 50 guests attending the Wallace exhibition were Dr Vivian Balakrishnan, Advisor to Holland-Bukit Timah GRC; Professor Leo Tan, GCF Chairman; and Mr Joseph Koh, Chairman of Friends of Bukit Timah Forest. It was a highly enriching experience for the LEEP team as they had an opportunity to showcase their work to the visitors that day.
Samarth Bhatia and Martin Inglin (Left to Right) sharing their ideas with Mr Desmond Lee and Dr Vivian Balakrishnan
December: Josephians Are Champions at 9th ASEAN National Quiz
The Infocomm Media Development Authority (IMDA) organised the National- and Regional-levels of the 9th ASEAN Quiz, a biennial competition where youths can gain a deeper appreciation of the region’s political, economic, cultural and social developments. 15 Year 5 Josephians formed five teams of three members to participate in this year’s quiz.
The National-level Quiz attracted over 400 participants from 41 schools in Singapore. Adopting an online quiz format, the competition on 5 September challenged the participants’ understanding of ASEAN. The competition saw one of SJI’s five teams emerging victorious in a close fight, and the winning trio of the National ASEAN Quiz - Abdul Mateen (ML514), Jaedon See (ML515), Clarence Soo (LE506) - had the honour of representing Singapore in the Regional round in mid-December.
The Regional-level Quiz in December saw representatives from the various ASEAN nations coming together to compete for the grand prize of USD1,500. Our Team Josephian emerged as 1st runner-ups in the Regional ASEAN Quiz after losing out narrowly to the Indonesian team.
Congratulations to all participating students who participated in the National ASEAN Quiz:
Team 1 - Ho Weng Teik (FN501), Celine Chong (LE506), Tricia Sin Sze En (FN505) - Top 6
Team 2 - Hannah Nadia (LE510), Natalie Ng (ML515), Isabel Lim (LE509) - Top 6
Team 3 - Tiah Ie Zac (MN517), Shaun Singh (ML515), Gareth Hoon (MN520)
Team 4 - Ryan Sim (ML512), Jason Nathan Chang (FN503), Ang Yi Rui Paul (FN501) - Top 6
October: End-of-Year Thanksgiving Celebration
The Thanksgiving Assembly on 23 October officially marks the end of the school year. It began with a Mass where Catholic students and staff prayed in thanksgiving to God. This was live-streamed from the Chapel to various locations within SJI.
During the reflection exercise conducted in the classrooms, students penned their gratitude and reflections for the year onto paper which was then folded into origami. These were then strung together as a contribution from each class to be hung on the Gratitude Tree in the Chapel.
In his Thanksgiving Address, Fr Adrian reminded the school of the importance of giving thanks, especially in this difficult year. God has faithfully kept everyone safe and ensured we finished the school year well in spite of the many challenges. He invited all to especially give thanks for our efforts to keep our school community going and flourishing. He singled out the Executive and Administration staff for their quiet and generous service to ensure we were able to function as a school.
At the assembly, the school also thanked and bade farewell to the staff who are leaving and retiring, with words that celebrated their contributions and a token of appreciation.
October: Year 4 IP Paraliturgy & Farewell Ceremony
The Year 4 IP Paraliturgy & Farewell Ceremony was held on 22 October to mark the boys’ transition to the next phase of their Integrated Programme (IP) - the 2-year International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme (IBDP) from 2021 to 2022.
The paraliturgy and farewell event was a rite of passage for the IP boys to bring to a close their secondary years, and to be orientated for junior college education. In a blink of an eye, the Year 4 IP cohort has completed their 4 years of Secondary studies. This event provided the boys with an appropriate time to pause and reflect on their experience. They were invited to cherish the different groups of people who had journeyed with them, lifted them up when they are down, and encouraged them by their positive influence.
Due to safe distancing measures, parents and guardians were unable to physically attend the event. Instead, they were able to watch the event live via Zoom broadcast. The Parent Support Group (PSG) recorded a specially made video to offer words of encouragement and well-wishes to the boys. The teachers who taught them in Lower Secondary also came together to cheer for them via Zoom.
Their Year 4 Form Tutors who have watched them grow into fine gentlemen throughout their Year 3 and 4 also went on stage to share their words of encouragement and support. They also shared their wonderful experiences in teaching and guiding these students.
There were also sharings by student representatives from each class, led by Head Prefect, Brandan Nicholas Bolte (MN401). They also shared words of affirmation for their peers. The current Year 6 students and alumni also were present to give valuable advice on how the boys could better manage their time & the workload so as to meet the requirements and expectations of the IB curriculum and how they can make their IBDP experience in their Year 5 & 6 more enriching and meaningful.
The ceremony ended with a prize award presentation by Brother President, Bro Paul Ho to the following Lasallian Distinguished Service Awards 2020:
1. Colin Toh Sze Peng (ML402)
2. Koon Wei Pheng (ML402)
3. Tan Wei Shynn (ML402)
4. Tan Ying Liang Torance (ML402)
October: SJI Graduates the Class of 2020
SJI celebrated the graduation of both Year 4 OP and Year 6 IBDP cohorts from the Class of 2020 on 2 October. This day marked the official end of their educational journey with SJI.
The graduation ceremonies were conducted from several locations due to safe distancing measures. While parents and guests were not permitted in school to participate in the grandeur of this event this year, they were invited to join in the event via a live-streaming.
Teachers presented the graduating Year 4s with collar pin each while every graduating Year 6 received a scarf. These simple gifts symbolized not just their graduation but the school’s challenge for them to go forth and make a difference in the world by living lives of service for all.
Year 4 Josephian Dylan Choo Chi Tao (MN402) was named SJIOBA Sportsman of the Year.
The Lasallian Distinguished Service Awards were presented to these outstanding students who had served the SJI community tirelessly.
Year 4:
1. Do Thien Phuc (LE402)
2. Dylan Chew Yi Jie (MN403)
3. Edward Thomas Patani (FN402)
4. Luke Xavier Chew Wen Xiong (MN403)
5. Nguyen Pham Minh Quan (LE402)
6. Premshan Christopher Singh (ML401)
Year 6:
1. Caitlin Eve Ho Yuen-Ting (ML614)
2. Dylan Sim Rui Hern (ML611)
3. Jane Ee Zi Ying (LE609)
4. Koh Boon Kiat Matthew Henry (ML615)
5. Koh Tze Shyan Benjamin (MN616)
6. Kwong Jon (LE606)
7. Portia Alexandria Lim Jia Ing (FN605)
8. Sassidaran S/O Murugasu (LE609)
Year 4 Graduation photos:
Year 6 Graduation photos:
October: SJI Teacher Receives Inspiring Teacher of English Award 2020
Congratulations to Mr Karthickeyen Govindaraj, who was awarded the Inspiring Teacher of English Award (ITEA) for 2020! He is one of the five teacher awardees who received the award via an online ceremony on 27 Oct.
The ITEA is a national award for English teachers in Singapore schools that acknowledges teachers who ignite a love for the English language and are effective in helping their students speak and write accurately.
In his congratulatory message for the 2020 Inspiring Teacher of English Award, Education Minister Mr Lawrence Wong shared how he enjoyed his English Language classes as a student but did not realize the importance of English for effective communication and the power of words to impact people until he started working. Words, he said, have the power to inspire and uplift people. They also matter because they can change the course of history, as well as build empathy, trust and understanding among the community. All this is possible is because of the important role English Language teachers play in teaching students to communicate well, use language responsibly, and connect with others. These teachers are passionate and innovative in their teaching. They always strive to foster in their students a love for the language. These year’s ITEA awardees exhibit these traits, he noted. Read his full speech here.
Here’s what motivates Karthick as an English teacher:
Read more about the ITEA 2020 at https://www.languagecouncils.sg/goodenglish/inspiring-teacher-of-english-award/2020
October: Josephians Excel at the Commonwealth Essay Competition 2020
Among the 13,000 entries from across the Commonwealth were those from SJI. Our Josephians shared their views on the topic of ‘Climate action and the Commonwealth’. Their views were described as insightful, creative and beautifully written. Our young writers wrote passionately about environmental issues and the collective actions of individuals to create positive changes across the Commonwealth. Indeed, the words of EL Doctorow ‘Writing is an exploration. You start from nothing and learn as you go’ should continue to inspire our young to explore, innovate and write to make a difference in the world.
We are proud that our young writers have gone from strength to strength, with the number of winners surging from 43 in 2019 to 81 in 2020! Congratulations to all – 18 Gold, 21 Silver and 42 Bronze recipients!
18 Gold awards
| Ashvath s/o Seenigasagam | (FN101) |
| Chan Wye Yang, Julian | (FN103) |
| Joshua Leong Yong Jie | (FN103) |
| Pappu Krishiv | (FN103) |
| Z'enn Leroy Ong | (FN103) |
| Zachary Ho Min De | (LE101) |
| Lim Tzen Shen | (LE102) |
| Yow Hoi Kit Lucas | (LE102) |
| Ang Siew Penn | (LE103) |
| Abhinav Chitikela | (LE103) |
| Ciaran Condron | (MN101) |
| Muhamad Shahfiq Bin Jamaluddeen | (MN102) |
| Guhan Venu | (ML102) |
| Tan Kiat Ren Kieran | (LE202) |
| Harjas Singh Sidhu | (ML201) |
| Marc Leong Weng Mun | (ML202) |
| Agarwal Ananmay Abhishek | (ML203) |
| Phua Yan Zhi, Owenn | (ML202) |
21 Silver awards
| Benjamin Thomas John | (FN102) |
| Kieran Tan | (FN102) |
| Jerrad Ng | (FN103) |
| Leedon Yong Zheng Rong | (FN103) |
| Danish Iskandar | (LE102) |
| Hey Jiun Yi Cedric | (LE103) |
| Shaik Aqeel | (LE103) |
| Tan Jun Jie | (LE103) |
| Ashton Wong Yhu Jhae | (LE103) |
| Ethan Ng Ming Jun | (ML102) |
| Saravanan Meyyappan | (ML102) |
| Ang Jan, Adan | (ML102) |
| Liyu Jiong Yang | (MN101) |
| B D Sooriiya Narayanan | (MN102) |
| Caleb Goh Ren Jet | (FN203) |
| Nitishwar Mohan | (FN203) |
| Kieran Krygsman | (FN203) |
| Wu Shu Han | (ML201) |
| Chakravarty Johaan Ajay | (ML202) |
| Jayden Ho Junjie | (ML203) |
| Goh Wei Loon Gregory | (MN201) |
42 Bronze awards
| Caden Z Malabanan | (FN102) |
| Ralph David C. Geronimo | (FN102) |
| Aryan Anil Rao | (FN102) |
| Quah Xiao Heng | (FN103) |
| Sim Geng Giag | (FN103) |
| Jonathan Chen Xiao Jing | (FN103) |
| Aric Mark Amaraganthan | (FN103) |
| Marcus Russell Yeo | (FN103) |
| Aviraj Man Singh Shreshtra | (LE101) |
| Lim Ying Zhi, Jaden | (LE103) |
| Ang William Lee | (LE103) |
| Lau Cheng Xun | (LE103) |
| Casper Wee Yong Sian | (LE103) |
| Go Youngwoo | (LE103) |
| Fitri Anwari Bin Roslan | (LE103) |
| Chen Le Qi | (ML101) |
| Aidan Foo Yi Kai | (MN101) |
| Shane Hew Yan Xi | (MN102) |
| Jiao Wenyao Tony | (MN102) |
| Aadil Ahamed | (MN102) |
| Aidan Ng Guang Xuan | (MN102) |
| Lim Kia En Noah | (MN102) |
| Shaun Chiu Rui Jie | (MN102) |
| Ng Sean, Maximillian | (FN202) |
| Lai Ye | (FN203) |
| Keagan Goh Rui Xian | (LE202) |
| Thng Toh Yong, Wesley | (LE202) |
| Jeff Chan Jing Kai | (LE202) |
| Chen Yan Shuo | (LE202) |
| Rahul Singaram Senthilkumar | (LE202) |
| Articona Matthew Calutan | (ML201) |
| Joshua Chng | (ML201) |
| Koenig Nicholas Gerard | (ML201) |
| Choo Yi Ming | (ML201) |
| Rais Aqila Tossin | (ML201) |
| Nathaniel Ng | (ML202) |
| Francis Leong Yu Xiang | (ML203) |
| Farhan Zachary Ewell | (ML203) |
| Joshua Goh | (ML203) |
| Jeryl Koh | (ML203) |
| Rick Ong | (ML203) |
| Tan Kai Wen Ignatius | (ML203) |
October: SJI Pelandok Scouts Receive Chief Commissioner Awards
The St Joseph’s Pelandok Scout Unit is proud of the 16 Year 4 Scouts who have completed and received their Chief Commissioner Awards, the highest Award that a secondary school scout can achieve. We congratulate this great and wonderful cohort of hardworking scouts:
1. Keith Loh Zi Quan (MN401) - Troop Leader
2. Isaac Yoshimura (FN402)
3. Matthew Koh Khee Png (ML402)
4. Nicholas Fong (ML403)
5. Roger Quek (LE402)
6. Goh Jun Hao (MN402)
7. Li Yi An (ML401)
8. Gautham Ramesh (FN401)
9. Nicholas Ng Yu Chang (FN403)
10. Marcus Chen Meng Boon (LE403)
11. Bruce Yong Zhi Yu (LE402)
12. Timothy Tan (MN401)
13. Rohan Varatharajan (MN402)
14. Evan Neo Ren Jie (MN401)
15. Joshua Loh Zhi Jie (MN401)
16. Thia Kheng Huo (ML403)
October: Josephians Are Finalists in “Create your own Newspaper Competition” (2020年全国中学编采比赛)
October: Innomakers Win Most Popular Award in Innovation Bootcamp
Our Innomakers participated in the Design Thinking & Innovation Bootcamp 2020 - ‘Redesigning a Greener Future’. This was organised by Nanyang Polytechnic during the September holidays.
Our young Innomakers from Years 1 and 2 submitted the following projects:
- “A World Without Plastic” by Team 1: Xavier Pan (ML303), Lim Rui Ze (ML101), Jack Wigmore, Elliot Yu (FN103), Sidharth (MN101) and Liver Ong (LE101)
- “Reducing Plastic Contamination” by Team 2: Isaac Wong, Nguyen Sapiens (ML102), Gabriel Ng, Aidan Tseng (MN101) and Ethan Koay (FN103)
- “Compost Together” by Team 3: James Chen, Joshua Chng (ML201), Joshua Teo, Tristan Lee, Joshua Hanitio (FN202) and Reuel Fong (MN203)
Congratulations to Team 3 who won the Most Popular Award for their “Compost Together” App and Product Design!
The judges said that their design is practical, implementable and does not demand people to make drastic changes in their lives in order to live sustainably. The group showed high quality research and is able to integrate the research into their physical product and app.
October: Josephians Participate in Chinese Text Recital Competition
The 3rd Chinese Text Recital Competition for primary and secondary schools was jointly organized by Anderson Primary School and CPCLL (Committee to Promote Chinese Language Learning). The competition aimed to promote the interest and passion for the learning of Chinese Language via recitation of texts from the Chinese books so that the students will have a deeper understanding and appreciation of the texts.
Congratulations to the following Josephians who have won the bronze and silver medals:
1. Lower Secondary Individual - Bronze awards
- Jaylen Chan Jun Wu (FN201)
- Toh Jia Qing (ML203)
2. Lower Secondary Group - Bronze awards
- Zhang Ruo Wei (MN202), Xie Rui Chuan (MN202), Lu Jun Long (MN202)
- Noah Yang Shan Wei (ML101), Richard Tu Rui Chen (MN103), Tong Guy Ian (ML102)
3. Upper Secondary Individual - Bronze award
- Teo Jun Ree Juston (FN303)
4. Upper Secondary Group
- Silver award
- Luo Jia Qi (MN303), Dylan Tan Ray Herng (LE301), Jayven Soh Jun Hao (LE301)
- Bronze award
- Wei Yu (MN303) and Joel Teo Wei Xin (FN303)
September: Josephian’s AI Essay Wins First Prize in Annual Essay Competition
This year, the Singapore Mathematical Society (SMS) Essay Competition continued to motivate students to explore and discover fascinating applications of Mathematics in our everyday life with the Series in the Application of Mathematics. The Theme for the SMS Essay Competition was “Mathematics and Artificial intelligence” as Artificial Intelligence (AI) is thought to define the next phase of Singapore’s Smart Nation Journey and transform our economy and society for improved outcomes in economic competitiveness and human welfare.
Congratulations to Guru Anand Anish (MN401) who participated in the annual competition and was awarded First Prize (Category B). The title of his Essay is “AI-CovidAssistant For Identifying COVID-19 Super Spreaders: PageRank Algorithm.
September: Debaters Spar at SJI’s Inter-School Debate II
Students from St. Joseph’s Institution and River Valley High School (RVHS) participated in SJI’s Inter-School Debate II. This was an impromptu debate and debaters from both schools argued for and against the following motion – ‘This House believes that the feminist movement should support the narrative that “beauty does not matter” over the narrative that “all bodies are beautiful”
SJI was represented by debaters from both the Foundation Programme Academy and the IB Programme Academy. Our debaters argued well and were commended for their abilities. Like in the first inter-school debate between SJI and CHIJ in 2019, this inter-school debate has allowed SJI students to interact and reach out to students from RVHS.
September: SJI Supports Food From The Heart for CSR Initiative
“What is the essence of life? To serve others and to do good”~ Aristotle
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As part of our school motto to reach out to the last, the lost and the least, staff of SJI embarked on our annual corporate social responsibility initiative in hope of rendering help to the community at large, especially during this difficult time. This year, SJI continued the partnership with our adopted beneficiary organisation - Food From The Heart (FTTH). During the month-long collection drive, our staff were encouraged to donate food items such as Milo, biscuits, sardines and baked beans. It was heartening to see our staff give back to the community by contributing in the little ways that they can. The donation drive was concluded by end September and representatives from FTTH collected the donated items from the school.
September: SJI Educators Receive Caring Teacher Awards
Congratulations to Mr Lim Eng Kong, Mrs Nicole Khoo, Mrs Josephine Lee and Ms Wong Kah Yan!
The Caring Teacher Awards is a biennial event that pays tribute to teachers who show care and concern for the holistic development of their students and go the extra mile to ensure their charges grow up to be confident and independent learners.
Started in 1996, the Caring Teacher Awards is organised by the National Institute of Education, Singapore with support from ExxonMobil Asia Pacific Pte Ltd and the Ministry of Education.
September: SJI Celebrates Teachers’ Day
SJI celebrated Teachers’ Day this year with an online concert put up by these talented Josephians who displayed their own renditions of famous hits:
- 24/7 Motif (“Niall Horan” - Put A Little Love On Me by Niall Horan)
- Nicholas’s Band (“Heal the world” by Michael Jackson)
- Jerome (“Happy” and “All Start” Drum Cover)
- Brandon Cheah (“Green and White” by Brandon Cheah)
- Parkway (“Arctic Monkeys” by Fluorescent Adolescent)
- Choo Yi Ming (“Feel Special” by TWICE)
- Lutfil and Raiyan (“Stone Cold” by Demi Lovato)
- David’s Band (“Wake me up” by Avicii)
- BMC5K (“Loverboy” by Phum Viphurit)
Staff and Josephians cast their votes for the “Most innovative” and “Most talented” Performances in the “SJI Got Talent showcase”:
- Most Popular Award goes to David’s Band performing “Wake me up” by Avicii with 38.7% of the students’ votes!
Performers: David Wong (MN518), Edmund Yao (ML511), Nicholas Yee (MN517), Nicholas Tan (LE510), Naomi Ong (FN501), Matthew Ng (MN518), Brandon Cheah (ML514)
- Most Talented Award goes to Brandon Cheah showcasing his original song ‘Green and White’ with 24.1% of the teachers’ votes!
- Most Innovative Award goes to Parkway performing ‘Arctic Monkeys’ by Fluorescent Adolescent with 45.8% of the teachers’ votes!
Performers: Graeme Foo (FN403), Ryan Ng (LE402), Joshua Ong (LE401), Timothy Soh (MN401), Issac Chua (MN401)
Our alumni also sent in their messages of appreciation to our teachers as they were not able to visit the school this year. View our Wall of Appreciation here.
August: SJI Staff Achievements & Development
Congratulations to our teachers who have achieved various awards for their service to the school:
SJI Uniformed Groups - Long Service Awards
- Mr Alphonsus Gregory (35 years)
- Mr Chong Jun Hien (5 years)
- Mr Firmin Lee (5 years)
National Day Awards 2020
Commendation Medal –
- Mr Jeremy Liew
Long Service Medal –
- Ms Lim Boon Siang
- Mrs Ng-Yeo Bee Kheng
- Mrs Vivian Tan
- Ms Daisy Chia
- Ms Wong Wah Lee
- Ms Tan Sia Hui
- Mrs Janet Kwok
- Mr Karl Lee
Ms Chia Yin Shian, Mr Karthickeyen Govindaraj, Ms Nalini Moorthi and Ms Wong Wah Lee have completed the Harvard University Project Zero’s online course on “Creating Cultures of Thinking: Learning to Leverage the Eight Forces that Shape the Culture of Groups, Classrooms, and Schools (CCoT)” from 24 February to 24 May.
August: Gems of OMG Challenge 2020
A group of Year 1 and 2 Josephians pitted against one another in the ‘One Minute Gem’ (OMG) Challenge held at the PAC. The boys spoke with enthusiasm, confidence, and a high standard of English on a topic given to them just 10 minutes before they took to the stage. Even though they are very talented in their own ways, it was tough to speak for a minute (almost impromptu) in front of an audience as well as to the audience in the classroom yet these students did it with candour.
The OMG Challenge was helmed by Jasper Davis Slade Lim An, Gong Xin Huan, Nigel Rushton-Young, Ethan Koay, Kayden Ee, Gopikannan Nishesh, Alexander Pook, Fan Enrui, Koenig Nicholas Gerard, Chen Wei En James Ryan and Dinesh John Peeris who produced the promotional video, design of the badge, logistical support and hosted the event.
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August: SJI Celebrates Poetry Potpourri
Our English teachers together with Teacher-Librarian Mrs Boey put up POETRY POTPOURRI - a week-long celebration of local and international poetry in July.
Due to the current safe management measures, the Author Visits and mass gatherings could not be held in the Library. Instead, the competitions and activities were moved online: https://sites.google.com/sji.edu.sg/librarywebsite/events/poetry-potpourri (this site requires an SJI email login)
Staff and students shared their favourite poems and poets during this time, and many also attempted to craft their own bouquets of poetry! Read about them via the Poetry Bouquet Display Board.
August: Giving Life Through BLOODay
SJI successfully held its first BLOODay of 2020 on 12 August. 88 altruistic students and staff members who registered to donate blood saw a total of 63 bags of blood being collected.
This long-awaited BLOODay came after the cancellation of the first blood donation drive in April this year due to the Circuit Breaker. Although there was a need to adhere to the safety measures put in place, the SJI community still took the time to donate and rallied together to support a greater cause in a responsible manner. Even though some donors were turned away due to low haemoglobin levels or fine veins, everyone’s intention to donate displayed a readiness to help the last, the lost and the least. Their efforts responded to the dwindling blood bank as many Singaporeans were not able to donate blood during this pandemic time.
August: Alumnus is MHA Scholarship Awardee
Congratulations to Peter Andre Dumont (IB Class of 2017) who has been awarded the MHA Merit Scholarship!
The MHA Merit Scholarship is for outstanding individuals who are passionate in strengthening Singapore’s security and public safety and to serve the nation and citizens through a career with the Home Team.
Peter will be reading Microbial Biology at the University of California, Berkeley.
August: Josephians Awarded MOE Scholarships
Congratulations to our Year 5 students who were presented these scholarships:
- Aaron Goh Chong Jun (MN518) - MOE Pre-University Scholarship 2020
- Lim Rae Keat, Marcus (MN519) - MOE Pre-University Scholarship 2020
- Nicolette Joy Devrajan (FN504) - Spanish Language Elective Scholarship 2020
We are delighted that MOE is recognizing them for their academic and linguistic abilities. Nicolette is our first-ever recipient of the said scholarship. Part of her interview was conducted in Spanish. Aaron and Marcus have demonstrated proven academic performance as well as good values through their CCAs to be selected for the prestigious MOE Pre-university Scholarship.
Well done, Josephians!
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August: Josephians Are Winners of the ST-MOE Outreach Programme
Congratulations to our Josephians who are winners in the ST Big Quiz 2020 that was held from March - July:
- Natalie Lisa Chong Yi Ling(MN517) - Quiz 1, 2, 3, 4
- Matthew Ng Chen Hao (MN518) - Quiz 2, 4, 5
- Joan Tan Ern Xin (MN516) - Quiz 1
- Jane Ee Zi Ying (LE609) - Quiz 5
Natalie is the NATIONAL WINNER! Lisa was one of the 3 winners in our group of schools (Group 1) for Quizzes 1 - 4. She consistently obtained full marks for each quiz (8/8) - a total of 48/48 for all 6 quizzes, and was the best performer among the participants across all the school groups.
The 6 Big Quizzes were based on 12 Straits Times articles. Each quiz consisted of 8 questions, each of which had to be answered in 18 seconds. The first 3 students who submitted all correct answers in each quiz were winners for the round. The National Winner is the student who has obtained the highest score throughout all 6 quizzes.
August: Josephians Attained Perfect Scores in SNCF Quizzes
Singapore National Co-operative Federation (SNCF) published the Journey to Co-operatives Series, sharing about the various schools’ Learning Journey where the students were exposed to local real-life co-operatives and industry. Congratulations to our six Josephians who participated in the quizzes have attained perfect scores and won prizes-stationery pack and RFID case.
Journey to Co-operatives Quiz
- Caitlin Loh (FN503)
- Cathlyn Wong Yan Ning (ML512)
- Imran Zaki Bin Mohamed Azam (MN516)
- Tiah Ie Zac (MN517)
- Chieng Josiah (MN520)
Co-operatives Value Quiz
- Choy Kar Ho Aloysius (LE507)
August: Reaching out in a Pen-demic
Josephians from selected Year 1 classes were involved in a writing initiative with their younger peers from Bendemeer Primary School (BPS). This Pen-Pal programme aims to promote social interaction of young people from different age groups, develop positive attitudes towards writing and for students to experience the joys of writing and receiving a physical letter.
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Over a period of 6 months from March to August, there were 4 exchanges of letters – 2 from SJI and 2 from BPS, where our Josephians would initiate to share their thoughts about secondary school life, their interests/hobbies as well as experiences about the HBL. In turn, the BPS students would reply in kind. The students from both schools gained an authentic writing experience which allows them to communicate with confidence and empathy, as well as develop a greater sense of social responsibility and cultural awareness.
The joy in learning is echoed by the students who participated in the programme:
“I never thought I would receive a letter from a pen pal. Receiving her reply was thrilling. I felt pleased that my ideas and opinions were accepted. We communicated quite well because we share common interests in food and hobbies and the love of Maths. I realised my pen-pal is a young Malay girl and through our letters, I learnt more about cultural sensitivity. My interest in writing has improved and I no longer show reluctance when asked to write. This assignment has taught me to be more appreciative of others. It has made me realise that we live in a global village and most of us share the same needs and concerns regardless of age and culture. I hope I’m a better person!” – Dayal Nitai Rauinderan, SJI
“Writing pen pal letters is a truly refreshing take on the learning of the English Language as we were provided with the opportunity to converse with a Primary 5 junior in a new manner. My pen pal and l had a delightful conversation, albeit spread across several months. From this task, l have learnt how to write a meaningful letter and l look forward to more activities like this.” – Samuel Lim, SJI
“The Pen Pal Programme has been an amazing experience for my friends and me. It helps to improve our writing skills and we learnt a variety of vocabulary words and sentence structures. It also makes learning more meaningful as we learn to write a letter to a real audience. It is also exciting to receive letters from older students who gave us advice for our studies, on managing stress and preparing for the transition to secondary school life.” – Pearlyn Kaur, Bendemeer Primary School
“The COVID-19 pandemic did not dampen our spirits. In fact, through the letters, I learnt about how my older pen pal coped with Home-based Learning during the Circuit Breaker period. Furthermore, interacting with someone whom I have never seen or spoken to before makes it a delightful experience for me. My pen pal is very friendly. He motivated me to study hard. I really wish to continue this programme because it was very fun reading and writing these letters. This experience was enjoyable and pleasant.” – Aaradhana Chandrasekaran, Bendemeer Primary School
July: Cyberthon 2020 Competition
The second edition of ‘Cyberthon’, a cybersecurity competition for students studying in Junior Colleges and Centralised Institute organized by Hwa Chong Institution (HCI) was held on 2 May. Cyberthon aims to nurture young talents in cybersecurity and provide students with a glimpse of the important roles of a cybersecurity professional. Cyberthon consists of two components: a training session and a competition. This year, due to the evolving COVID-19 situation, both the training session and competition were held online. The Centre for Strategic Infocomm Technologies (CSIT) conducted an online training session on 4 April for students who were introduced to basic cybersecurity and data science concepts. The students were then given an additional one-month online training where they could work on more cybersecurity and data science exercises to further hone their skills before the competition.
As part of the Coding and Technology CAS activities, eight Year 6 students (forming two teams) represented SJI in the Cyberthon competition. This competition is a blessing for our students as they had little experience and knowledge of cybersecurity. It was also a great opportunity to learn about the rapidly-developing field of computer science and security systems. Concepts like web exploration, penetration testing, reverse engineering and much more were taught, then tested in the intense 8-hour competition through real-life scenarios. Taking part in Cyberthon enlightened the students of the sheer utility and cruciality of skills and knowledge in programming and relevant technologies that drive the fundamentals of modern-day growth and development. The students received certificates of participation.
The participating students who received their certificates and goodie bags at SJI:
Back row, L-R: Lim Kai Xuan, Vu Minh Huy, Arvind Natarajan
Front row, L-R: Jeremiah Lim Wen Jun, Snodgrass Eliot Peter, Livia Iriawan, Keerthi G Kaarthik
Not in the picture: Chabanel Tristan Emmeran
July: Tribute to La Salle Br. Dominic Chong, and Former SJI Teacher
SJI is saddened at the passing of Br. Dominic Chong Soon Cheong, FSC on 29 July at Residencia De La Salle, Dasmariñas City, Cavite, Philippines. He was 81 years old and a De La Salle Brother for 60 years.
Br. Dominic taught in SJI from 1967-1993. He was also the Community Director and Auxiliary Visitor of Singapore from 1980-1988.
Eternal rest grant unto Dominic, O Lord.
And let perpetual light shine upon him.
And may the souls of all the faithful departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace. Amen.
July: SJI Celebrates Racial Harmony Day in Ethnic Fashion
In line with the theme for this year’s Racial Harmony Day, ‘Diversity Our Strength’, Josephians and staff were encouraged to dress in their ethnic costume to participate in the competition under the 3 categories:
1. Unity In Diversity - where all different races are represented
2. Colour Me Lively - for the most vibrant/whacky photo
3. Back To Old School - for the most traditional/ethnic costume
Prizes were awarded to the Most Spontaneous Class and the class with the most number of participants of each level:
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Staff Racial Harmony Day Ethnic Dress Photo Competition
- Back To Old School:
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- Colour Me Lively:
- Unity In Diversity:
July: Blessing & Opening of the new Labyrinth at SJI
The Labyrinth sits in between the Secondary Science Lab Block E and Block F. An initiative by the SJI Chaplaincy team, it was blessed and officially opened by Fr Adrian Danker on 16 July 2020, on the Feast of Mount Carmel.
A labyrinth is a curving path. It is an ancient, sacred symbol found in many religious traditions. Christians in the Middle Ages saw the labyrinth as a symbolic pilgrimage. The labyrinth is basically a prayer space; a space where we enter to experience the presence of the divine, regardless of whatever life situations we are in.
The labyrinth is not a maze, because there is not a choice which way to turn. The path of the labyrinth will lead you to a center, and the way to exit the labyrinth is the same way as you enter. The center is where we meet the divine, who is always in the center of our lives.
Entering the labyrinth is to set ourselves apart to enter into a pilgrimage, a journey where the divine shows Himself to us in ways beyond our understanding. The labyrinth provides us with a space to slow down from our hectic lives, to take a slow walk, to reorientate, and to realign our compass in our lives.
The school plans to introduce students to the labyrinth as part of the Year 1 Josephian Formation Journey Programme. It will also be used for Level retreats and recollections.
Josephians are welcomed to spend time contemplating as they walk the labyrinth.
July: Josephians’ Works Are Featured in Publications
Congratulations to our Josephians whose works have been featured in the following publications:
- Caleb Chan (FN602) whose short story “Insomnia” was published in this year’s edition of ‘Eye on the World’. This book gathers the best writing of the students who have attended MOE’s Creative Arts Programme. Caleb participated in the CAP seminar in June 2019 and was then selected for the CAP mentorship programme. A copy of the ‘Eye on the World’ is available for reading in the Beurel. Synopsis of his story:
A man harbors an irrational fear that his son will be taken away by the darkness of nighttime. While he fights sleepiness to keep a vigil, he eventually succumbs to the fatigue and dozes off, only to have nightmares of a familiar, shadow-like figure swallowing his son whole. When he wakes up in tears, his son comforts him and day breaks. - The essays by Daniel Hoh (FN202) and Edmund Wong (LE303) were shortlisted and published by the New York Times. The theme of the 2019 New York Times Asia-Pacific Writing Competition was “Our World: 2050”. Their works were selected from amongst over 1,200 entries received from 24 countries and regions.
- Miao Qiaozi (FN402), Uy Robert Frederik Diaz (FN402) and Yuan Chenghao (ML403) who researched, authored and presented a paper on ‘Bimetallic Ammeter: A Novel Method of Current Measurement’ in the journal, Emergent Scientist. Read about their paper in Emergent Scientist, Volume 4, 2020.
July: Josephians Participate in annual International Elementz Science Fair
The 21st International Elementz Science Fair 2020, organised by Anderson Serangoon Junior College (North Zone Centre of Excellence for Science) is an annual science fair for secondary and JC students to showcase their research and to participate in workshops. SJI sent in 5 submissions by Year 4 and 5 Josephians.
Due to the COVID-19 situation, our students had to convert their research report to a poster and to record a video presentation instead. The projects were judged by these online submissions. Congratulations to the following Josephians who achieved these awards:
Silver Award
1. Reuben Fong Shi Yu (LE508) & Nicholas Ee Chun Hua (ML514) - Feasibility of an Oil-Waterfall Graphic Curtain (this was their NRP junior project in 2019)
2. Axel Jude Chong He Jun (MN516) & Lucius Yeo Jun Jie (LE507) - Effects of the different types of microplastics on morphology & swimming behaviour of Paramesium Sp. (this was their SMP project 2019)
3. Uy Rober Frederik Diaz (FN402), Yuan Cheng Hao (ML403), Miao Qiaozi (FN402) - Bimetallic ammeter: Novel method of current measurement (Mentors: Ms Wong Kah Yan & Mr Jamues Ng)
Bronze Award
1. Torance Tan (ML402), Samuel Pang (MN401), Koon Wei Pheng (ML402) & See Hou Yuen (ML402) - Investigating the effects of conservation of angular momentum on the flight of helicopter (Mentor: Mr Jamues Ng)
Merit Award
1. Nguyen Pham Minh Quan (LE402), Lin Sixun (LE402), Zhang Zhuoyu (LE402) - Investigating the characteristics of the conducting line (Mentors: Ms Wong Kah Yan & Mr Jamues Ng)
July: Josephians Attain Top Awards in Science Research
Congratulations to our Josephians who achieved top awards for their science research projects!
1) Nanyang Research Programme (NRP) - Gold Award (April 2019 - April 2020): IBRAHIM BIN MOHAMAD ROZMAND (LE607) Project "Effect of In-Games Advertisement on Sponsor Recall" conducted at NIE, School of Physical Education and Sports Science. |  |
2) Nanyang Research Programme Junior Researcher (NRPjr) - two Silver Awards (team project, April 2019 - April 2020):
Project “Gamification of Educational Modules - Digital Electronics” conducted at NTU, School of Electrical & Electronic Engineering.
 SUNITH SUNIL MANI (FN504) |  LIM YAN KAI BENJAMIN (LE508) |
3) A*STAR-MOE Local Student Attachment Programme (LSAP) (November - December 2019) - Certificates of Participation:
 LI YUNXUAN (ML615) Project "Analysis of Singapore Weather Data for Solar and Wind Prediction" conducted at the Institute of High Performance Computing (IHPC), A*STAR. |  YANG MENGYUJIA (MN616) Project "Inspection automation for aerospace structures" conducted at the Advanced Remanufacturing and Technology Centre (ARTC), A*STAR. |
July: Alumni Conferred Healthcare Scholarships
Congratulations to our IBDP alumni who have been conferred scholarships by the Ministry of Health Holdings:
- Geraldo Nick K Kanayalal (Class of 2018) - MOHH Healthcare Merit Award (Overseas)
- Rainier Goh Yue Yang (Class of 2017) - MOHH Healthcare Merit Award
- Chng Hui Ru, Melanie (Class of 2016) - MOHH Healthcare Administration Scholarship
July: Alumnus Graduates With Diploma with Merit and Top Awards
Congratulations to Zenith Tay Xin Ying (Class of 2016) who is one of the Top Nine award winners from Ngee Ann Polytechnic’s (NP) cohort of 4,583 students this year.
Zenith graduated with a Diploma with Merit in Banking & Financial Services. He was awarded the Lien Ying Chow Gold Medal Award for being one of the most outstanding graduates from a non-technology course in NP. He also received the NP Outstanding Achievement Award for being among a select group of graduates who have demonstrated all-round excellence.
June: Josephians Sing In Unison with De La Salle Schools in Virtual Combined Choir Video
Our Josephians from the Catholic societies lent their voices to this virtual combined choir video by De La Salle Schools worldwide. United as Lasallians, they sang the famous hymn - ‘Joyful, Joyful, We Adore Thee’, which was written by Henry Van Dyke and set to Ludwig van Beethoven’s symphony number 9.
This hymn was chosen to thank the selfless sacrifice of medical personnel around the world. It is hoped that in times of despair during COVID-19, everyone around the world can remain joyful.
The choirs were from:
- Colegio La Salle Buenos Aires, Argentina
- De La Salle College Ashfield, Australia
- La Salle College, Mass Choir, Hong Kong
- La Salle Green Hills, Kundirana Music Ministry, the Philippines
- Lycée des Francs-Bourgeois, France
- St. Joseph’s Institution, Singapore
(embed fb post here)
June: Alumnus Pays It Forward During COVID-19 through the Singapore Strong Fund
Alumnus and co-founder of local philanthropic organisation The Majurity Trust - Danny Yong is enabling ordinary Singaporeans to address challenges related to COVID-19 through the Singapore Strong Fund (SSF). Backed by 10 main donors, the SSF has helped more than 52,800 people, as well as rallied together over 3,700 volunteers through 112 local community projects. Underpinning the S$550,000 fund, The Majurity Trust which dispenses advice and grants, is a conviction in the power of the collective to forge a sustainable society. Read more here.
May: Josephian Awarded SAF Young Leader Award
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Congratulations to Sudeesh Thiagu (ML612) who has been awarded the SAF Young Leader Award 2020! The award recognises his academic excellence, strong leadership qualities and a keen interest in defence-related issues that matter to Singapore.
Sudeesh was presented with the award by Colonel (COL) Amos Yeo, Director of Defence Policy Office.
May: Josephians Win Distinction and Merit Awards at 2020 International Mathematical Modelling Challenge
Congratulations to Lin Sixun (LE402), Lee Rui Kai (LE509), Chen Dong Jun (MN516), Ramesh Babu Rohan Babu (MN517), Judah Lai (FN302), Nguyen Quang Minh (LE403), Edmund Tan Chun-Kiat (LE403), Axel Jude Chong He Jun (MN516) on their excellent performance at this year’s International Mathematical Modelling Challenge (IMMC)! They have shone by earning Distinction and Merit Awards as the two mixed-level teams from SJI!
As part of the competition, our 2 groups of students were required to work on a real-world problem and devise a Mathematical solution in a 20-page report during the school holidays in March. They were not allowed to seek any help from teacher advisors or any other “human” help and were only allowed to refer to online sources and books.
The IMMC is an annual international competition on mathematical modelling. It aims to promote the teaching of mathematical modelling and applications at all educational levels. It is based on the firm belief that students and teachers need to experience the power of mathematics to better understand, analyse and solve real-world problems outside of mathematics itself – and to do so in realistic contexts. IMMC (Singapore) is jointly organised by mathmodelling.sg and IMMC, in collaboration with the Academy of Singapore Teachers, National Junior College and Raffles Girls School.
May: Alumni Awarded Scholarships
Congratulations to:
- Emmanuel Jason Adrianus Sutanto (IB Class of 2018) who has been awarded the SJI Foundation-Cambridge Scholarship to study Economics at Christ College. He is currently serving NS and will be starting in Cambridge in Oct 2021.
- Ng Jin Justin (IB Class of 2017) has been awarded the PSC (Engineering) scholarship. He will pursue Engineering in the University of Michigan.
- Liew Jun Cheng Zon (Class of 2017) was selected for Singapore Polytechnic’s Sports & Arts Scholarship this year. The award recognises students who have excelled in or contributed to the sports and arts scenes at the national level or higher.
May: Alumni Admitted to Universities
SJI congratulates our alumni who have been admitted to the following universities:
- University of California, Berkeley
- Peter Andre Dumont (IB Class of 2017) - Microbial Biology
- Yong Chong Huan (IB Class of 2018) - Business
- University of Cambridge
- Emmanuel Jason Adrianus Sutanto (IB Class of 2018) - Economics
- Tan Ying-Shuen Nicholas (IB Class of 2018) - Land Economy
- University of Michigan
- Ng Jin Justin (IB Class of 2017) - Engineering
- London School of Economics and Political Science, University of London
- Goh Ning En Glenda (IB Class of 2019) - Economics
- Liu Yunuo (IB Class of 2019) - Finance
- NTU Lee Kong Chian School of Medicine
- Aw Kinn (IB Class of 2018)
- Jed Lim Shouheng (IB Class of 2018)
- NUS Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine
(From IB Class of 2019)
- Chan Zi Xuan Carissa
- Darius Wan Wei Jun
- Darren Wee Wen Hon
- Dillon Foo Jie Ming
- Gabriel Seah Jun Fai
- Jasmine Huang
- Jeraine Pang Sian Er
- Loh Wai Loon Zachary
- Low Zekai Loet
- Moses Tan V
- Quraish Shoeb Burhanuddin
- Soh Wern Rong Bryan
April: Josephian Awarded Young Defence Science Programme Scholarship
Congratulations to Lim Darren (formerly FN201/2019) for being awarded the YDSP (Young Defence Science Programme) Scholarship. The scholarship is awarded annually to deserving Year 2 (IP) student who shines in Mathematics, Science and CCA.
April: Josephian Placed 15th in Singapore Skateboarding Championships
(Photo by Asian skateboarding championship)
Congratulations to Cillian Lim Jin Han (LE102) on being placed 15th in this competition. He pursued his passion with enthusiasm and determination. He competed with older and more experienced skateboarders and has done well!
As a “Sk8tr Boi” – also the title of his essay contribution – Cillian counts skate parks as his second home. “Sk8ter boi”, or more commonly known as “skater boy”, is street slang for a skateboarder.
He has been taking skateboarding lessons since he was seven. He said, “You get a certain satisfaction when you land a trick. After all the hard work, you feel like you’ve actually achieved something.”
His skill set includes ollies, which involves using his back foot to smack the tail of his board against the ground while his front foot pulls the board up into the air, and boardslides, which see him sliding the middle of his board across a rail or a ledge (pictured above).
He wrote about his skateboarding experiences in his essay last year when he was in Primary 6 at St Joseph’s Institution (SJI) Junior. He is now a Secondary 1 student at SJI. Said Cillian: “I want to give skateboarding more recognition… This could be my future.”
April: Josephians Score in ST Online Quiz
Congratulations to Natalie Lisa Chong Yi Ling (MN517) and Joan Tan Ern Xin (MN516) who were 2 of the 3 individual winners with the highest score in the ST Online Quiz 1 on Climate Change and Budget 2020. They were up against ACS(I), ASRJC, RI, SSS and YIJC in Group 1.
There are 6 quizzes to participate until July 2020. At the end of the final quiz, SPH will award one national prize to the student with the highest number of points across all six quizzes cumulatively.
April: Josephians Win Awards at Singapore Science and Engineering Fair 2020
Congratulations to our students who participated in the Singapore Science and Engineering Fair (SSEF) 2020!
SJI nominated 6 projects for SSEF, of which 5 were selected as finalists. They included 3 individual projects by M N Nismitha (MN617), Gong Tingchen (ML613) and Yang Mengyujia (MN616), and 2 mixed schools team projects that won Silver Awards. Axel Jude Chong He Jun (MN516) and Prathiksha Karthikeyan (ML614) were part of these mixed schools teams.
Our Josepians improved on SJI’s 2019 performance; then we had 3 finalists and no awards. This year we have 5 finalists and 2 Silver Awards! Well done!
April: Tribute to Mr Felix Li Tai Ho, SJIOBA’s Founding President
SJI is sad to announce the passing of our alumnus Mr Felix Li Tai Ho (Class of 1974) on 28 April 2020. Felix was instrumental in the establishment of SJI Old Boys’ Association (SJIOBA) in 1994 and served as its founding president from 1994 - 1997.
May the soul of Felix Li and all our dearly departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace. Amen.
Live Jesus in our hearts, Forever.
(Tribute written by his good friend and Scouting Josephian brother, Mr Tan Tee How.)
April: Josephian Selected for MOE Creative Arts Programme
Dewi Sabrina Husnan (LE507) has been selected for the Creative Arts Programme (CAP) 2020. She will participate in the Creative Arts Seminar on 18 and 25 July 2020.
April: Josephians Embark on Green Lenten Project in 2020
The SJI Lenten initiative this year created an opportunity to promote a greater awareness of the environmental needs, using the Pope’s encyclical, Laudato Si’ as its inspiration. The aim was to give the students an approach to Lent with a different perspective such as:
- fasting from unnecessary use of materials that are harmful to the environment.
- giving alms by recycling used products (that are still in good condition) to people who do not have the privilege of using them.
- and ‘grounding’ everything in prayer.
Read more about this on Catholic News at https://catholicnews.sg/2020/04/25/sjis-lenten-labour-with-an-environmental-flavour/
April: Commemoration of St John Baptist de La Salle (30 April 1651 - 7 April 1719)
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Today, we commemorate the 301st death anniversary of our Founder, St. John Baptist de La Salle. He is the patron saint of teachers.
301 years on, the Lasallian mission and legacy continue in more than 80 countries around the world.
Bro Paul Ho, FSC, shares his thoughts in his message to the Lasallian educators on 7 April:
Today we commemorate our founder of the Brothers of the Christian Education who are associated with the work of education especially the poor.
You and I made a conscientious choice in joining the teaching profession and as a Lasallian community in SJI, we work together by association to ensure that our young students needs are taken care of.
On behalf of the Institute of the Brothers of the Christian Schools, we thank you for your generosity in sharing your CHARISMS that God has given you in the ministry of education especially the neediest.
We are always united in prayer and service. God bless us all.
Ora et Labora 🙏
Bro Paul Ho, FSC
Brother President
St. Joseph’s Institution
https://www.sji.edu.sg/about-sji/the-de-la-salle-brothers
#LaSalle
March: Josephians Are Orator’s Trophy 2020 Semi-Finalists
Congratulations to Fan Enrui (ML201) and Raphael Goh Rae Yang (FN301) who were selected for the semi-finals online Orator’s Trophy organised by ACJC.
March: Unique Role of Teacher-Librarian Mentioned in Straits Times
Congratulations to Mrs Boey Wah Fong, our teacher-librarian! Her good work in SJI was mentioned in Prof Loh Chin Ee’s opinion piece for The Straits Times - “Using tech well in learning is not about giving every student a laptop”
March: Alumni Achieve Outstanding ‘A’-Level Results
SJI congratulates our alumni from Class of 2017 who have achieved outstanding results in the 2019 GCE ‘A’ Level examinations:
- @ Temasek JC: Lee Ze Rey who has attained the perfect score of 90 points for university admission. Qiu Zi Hao, Lan Yiduo and Ng Kota attained 4 or more distinctions.
- @ Jurong Pioneer JC: Chua Zi Hao
March: Josephians Show Appreciation to the COVID-19 Frontline Healthcare Workers
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Our SJI students and parents expressed their appreciation, thoughts and prayers for the frontline healthcare workers who are battling with the COVID-19 in Singapore. Through this schoolwide activity, they penned their heartfelt appreciation on 2000 ‘Thank You’ cards to show their admiration and gratitude to the staff of Tan Tock Seng Hospital. This was presented to the hospital last week.
#JosephiansUnited #LasalliansUnited #SGUnited
March: COVID-19 Inspires Josephians To Respond With Care
Some of our Josephians penned a short message of gratitude to the medical and frontline personnel who are fighting against the COVID19. This was done as part of our Josephian Formation Journey programme in line with Total Defence Day.
#JFJ #everydayherossg #SGUnited #JosephiansUnited #LasalliansUnited
In the midst of the coronavirus outbreak and its many challenges, our Year 4 student, David Ho (MN401) shared his self-drawn comic about how a Josephian should respond at this time — with care and concern.
March: Alumnus Awarded SP’s Sports & Art Scholarship
Alumnus Liew Jun Cheng Zon (Class of 2017) was selected for Singapore Polytechnic’s Sports & Arts Scholarship this year. The award recognises students who have excelled in, or contributed to the sports and arts scenes at the national level or higher.
March: Josephian Educators Reflect Through Lasallian Conversations
In times like this with the COVID-19 outbreak, what holds a school together? A community that cares.
This was the focus of our Lasallian Conversations for Term 1 on 5 March. Each term, the staff gathers to reflect on our identity and mission as Lasallian educators. Through our conversations, we build on the values that distinguish us as a Lasallian fraternity of educators.
Today we reflected on St John Baptist de la Salle’s call that teachers “must get to know their students and discern the manner in which to act towards them.” In short, we reflected on how we teachers care in SJI. We did this by reflecting on how much and how intimately we know each student by class, level, academy and CCA/CAS. We also challenged ourselves to describe what we know about students as learners and persons.
We ended by recalling the story of the old man throwing starfish back into the sea. Our students are like starfish we must care for. We gave each teacher a card to identify students who they least know and want to care for by making a significant difference in their lives – this year. Why? Because each one of them matters as a person. More significantly, we want our teachers’ good work of preferentially caring for the least known to matter to others. We hope that others seeing how our teachers care, they will care too, as Alan Johnson eloquently said.
“It was a good morning spent amongst a fraternity that really cares to build the SJI community. Thank you, teachers, for reminding me about what matters in times like these. And thank you, Lasallian Conversations Committee, on a job well done today!”, said Fr Adrian Danker, SJ.
(photos: teachers conversing, adrian danker, sj, march, 2020)
https://www.facebook.com/stjosephsinstitution/posts/10163303218335691
February: Celebrating Ash Wednesday, the start of Lenten Season
“You cannot give what you don’t have.” We’ve heard this phrase. This is why we educate Josephians to give what they receive in school, most of all the gift of themselves as God forms them to serve others.
Today we were blessed to celebrate Ash Wednesday in SJI and have the ashes sprinkled on our heads. We also heard God’s promise to restore us as his beloved even though we are sinful. The ashes remind us to repent and return to the Gospel life. This is Jesus’s life with God and all peoples.
We are called to live like Jesus and be His ambassadors to all, especially, the last, the lost and the least in today’s world.
This is why Josephians carried home ashes from SJI to their families and friends. To invite them to remember, celebrate and believe in God’s promised restoration as Lent begins in Singapore without Masses in churches because of the coronavirus.
Today Josephians gave what they received - more than ashes, God’s love for all peoples.
(photos: michael ee, cherie chua and adrian danker, sj, february, 2020)
(embed fb post here)
February: Teacher-Led Workshops
Congratulations to Ms Vivien Sim who led a presentation on “Applying Thinking Routine And ICT In Teaching Of History” for fellow educators at the Academy of Singapore Teachers.
February: 2020 SWF Youth Fringe -Youth Curators Programme
Singapore National Book Council has nominated SJI to help develop the 2020 Singapore Writers Festival (SWF) under the banner of its Youth Curators Programme. Jin Zhujun (ML614) has been nominated once again, to be part of the panel of Youth Curators who will help ideate, develop and curate programmes for SWF Youth Fringe 2020.
February: Singapore Science and Engineering Fair (SSEF) 2020
Congratulations to these Year 6 students whose projects for SSEF have been selected for the finals: three individual projects by M N Nismitha (MN617), Gong Tingchen (ML613) and Yang Mengyujia (MN616), and two mixed-school projects by Axel Jude Chong He Jun (MN516) and Prathiksha Karthikeyan (ML614). They are shortlisted for the final online judging on 9 - 25 March.
February: Josephians Receive Scholarships & Awards
Congratulations to our Year 5 students - Ngu Fang Zhou Nexus and Lim Kye Ann, Isabel - who have been amongst the 42 students selected for the 2020 Geography National Team! Four students from the National Team will subsequently be identified to represent Singapore at the 2020 International Geography Olympiad (iGeo).
February: Josephians Participate in Singapore Young Physicists’ Tournament
The Singapore Young Physicists’ Tournament (SYPT) is an annual event which tests the participants’ ability to solve complicated real-world physics problems. It seeks to bring students through a process of what physicists do.
Two teams under the guidance by Ms Wong Kah Yan participated in this event on 1 February. One team clinched the Bronze award (ranked 6th) out of 10 teams in the Main Fight category.
The SJI team was the only team amongst the six that was awarded the Certificate of Distinction for the poster presentation.
Poster Presentation (Certificate of Distinction)
- Nguyen Pham Minh Quan (all from LE402)
- Zhang Zhuoyu
- Lin Si Xun
Main Fight category (Bronze Award, 6th placed team)
- Yuan Cheng Hao (ML403)
- Miao Qiaozi (FN402)
- Uy Robert Frederik Diaz (FN402)
February: SJI Celebrates Inauguration 2020
SJI begins every new school year with an Inaugural Celebration. In light of the COVID-19 situation and the need to minimize co-mingling within the school community, Inauguration had to be celebrated with a different touch this year. We began with a mass for the Catholic community, where the school colours were also blessed.
The Inaugural Celebration was then broadcast live to all the classrooms from Missio 1852, our heritage gallery. Everyone prayed together, listened to the Inaugural Address, and recited the Teachers and Josephian Pledges. We closed with the singing of the School Rally and rang the old school bell to mark the new school year beginning!
In spite of the challenging landscape and various limitations, SJI began the 2020 school year by starting right, starting together and starting better this year!
February: SJI Welcomes Year 5 Freshmen at Orientation Week
SJI welcomed the new batch of Year 5s with vigour and excitement on 5 February. Despite the evolving circumstances arising from COVID-19, the Orientation programme was swiftly modified by the organising committee that comprised the 7th Senior Student Council and their teachers Mr Wong Chee Choy and Mr Christopher Ngoh. They facilitated a smooth transition and immersion for the new students into the IB Diploma Programme.
The Year 6 OGLs and Student Council invested great effort to ensure that the freshmen enjoyed Orientation 2020 to the fullest. Several of the seniors from Year 6 prepared a heritage play for the newbies that reenacted the story of our Founder, De La Salle. This garnered a number of praises and positive response from the Year 5s as they had fun watching the play and learning about De La Salle’s struggles in providing education to the poor. Through the Josephian Challenge, the Year 5s bonded with their friends in their Orientation groups through team games and had a chance to visit the heritage gallery, Missio 1852, to learn about SJI’s rich history.
Orientation concluded with the Year 5s tying on their SJI ties and wearing their badges. The Principal, Fr Adrian, shared a reflection about the significance of wearing the SJI tie with the Year 5s.
January: SJI’s B-Division Tennis Reaches Semi-Finals
Congratulations to SJI’s B Division Tennis Team for making it to the semi-finals of the National Tennis Competition! Our Tennis Team overcame strong teams from St Patrick’s (5-0), ACS Barker (3-2) and Victoria School (4-1) to reach this milestone! Bravo!
SJI’s semi-final match against RI is now postponed in view of COVID-19.
January: Josephians Celebrate Lunar New Year
The Lunar New Year or “spring festival” is a time to celebrate Togetherness with our families. This is what staff and students did as we welcomed the Year of the Rat.
The Chinese Language Department led a series of activities to celebrate the Lunar New Year. This included a workshop on couplets writing, an exhibition on the traditions of the Lunar New Year and CNY Classroom Decoration Competition. They also organised the sharing of the festive goodies amongst the staff.
Our celebrations of the Lunar New Year in SJI are like the ‘springtime’ buds beginning to blossom in school. Be it the bud of friendship and community, of learning and growing up, of teaching and becoming better, of care and support, of living together and sharing for all, there is something good waiting to burst forth into our lives and for our lives in the coming new lunar year.
January: SJI Welcomes Our New Year 1 Josephians
The lighting of the fire over the Star at the Oval on 17 January is to symbolise the Josephian Spirit that burns in each and every Josephian from the day they join SJI. The evening of the Orientation Campfire was ‘lit’ with cheers and songs that were sung the way Josephians would sing.
Witnessing the Year 1s proudly singing the school songs and moving to action songs with enthusiasm was a delightful sight and memory for the Josephians, their parents, guests, and alumni who were present. With one voice, everyone sang in unison and with good cheer as one Lasallian, Josephian community.
The flame kindled in the hearts of the new Josephians and their parents. It was fanned into a great big flame by the school’s welcome. It will be sustained by the brotherhood our new Josephians now share.
This flame was lit in our Year 1s to burn in them as a light to guide their way ahead. More so, as light that transforms them to be a light for others through life’s journey. Finally, as the light that disperses the night and brightens each new day.
Welcome to SJI, Year 1s!
January: SJI Welcomes Australian Trainee Teachers as Part of Professional Development
SJI believes in sharing the very best that makes us SJI. We call this aspiration ‘sharing our SJI significance,’ and we want to share not just within our shores but beyond our shores as well. This is why we welcomed 4 South Australian trainee-teachers – Claudia Richards, Daniel Massaci, Sarah Browning and Luke Wittenberg – who were attached to SJI from 7 to 24 January. Their attachment was under the auspices of the Australian Government New Colombo Mobility Plan which aims to increase Australian tertiary students’ knowledge and relationships with the Asia-Pacific region. Trainee-teachers under this programme have the opportunity to learn about teaching through intercultural visits.
These South Australian trainee-teachers were mentored by Mrs Pennie Ong (Innomaker + Art), Mr K. Arul (PE) and Mr Lee Han Seng, Mr Anthony Khoo and Ms Ong Mei Fen (Math). Under the guidance of these experienced teachers, the Australian trainee-teachers learned about our teachers’ dedication to the profession and the rigour of the Singapore curriculum. As part of their learning journey, they were assigned to a Year 1 class and participated fully in the Orientation Programme. All of them remarked how the spirit of ‘brotherhood’ was palpably evident as it bonded the new Years 1 with the SJI Community so well and so quickly.
Besides observing their mentors, having conversations on pedagogies and curriculum and planning for their own lessons, the Australians also received feedback that helped them to improve their craft.
‘Your school’s sense of community and core values have inspired us,’ they said, adding that they look forward to incorporating what they had learnt into their future practice.
January: Alumni Admitted to Foreign Universities
SJI congratulates our alumni who have been admitted to various prestigious universities:
- Chew Kai Ming (Class of 2017) will be reading Law in King’s College
- Gokul Rajiv (Class of 2017) has been offered a place in Oxford to study Physics
- Wai Yan Oo Willy (Class of 2017) has been admitted into Cambridge for Law
- Jason Adriantus (Class of 2018) has been accepted by the London School of Economics for business.
- Brendan Chen (Class of 2019) has been accepted by NYU
January: Alumnus Awarded TP Engineering Scholarship Award
Alumnus Katipunan Markus Diego B (Class of 2018) has excelled academically at Temasek Polytechnic. He has been awarded the TP Engineering Scholarship Award based on his first year of study in AY 2018/2019.
January: Winners of Translation Contest
The Tamil Pattimandra Kalai Kazhagam organised a Translation (English to Tamil) Contest on 11 January. Anirudh Arun (MN618) and Bhavesh Murugan (ML611) were awarded the Consolation Prize as they achieved a top 10 position amongst 103 participants. Congratulations!
January: Alumnus Awarded Harvard Book Prize
Congratulations to our alumnus Anastasia Kurniadi (IB Class of 2019) who was recognised at the Harvard Book Prize Presentation for more than academic excellence. She was celebrated for her self-giving contributions to improving others and the community. She is helping to make God’s goodness real for many.
Harvard believes in ‘making caring common’. Anastasia and the other 25 recipients from junior colleges, polytechnics and the institutes of technical education live this call so well that they were celebrated by the Singapore Harvard Alumni Chapter.
https://www.facebook.com/stjosephsinstitution/posts/10163019812865691
January: SJI Class of 2019 Excels at GCE ‘O’ Level Examinations
SJI’s Class of 2019 has performed well in the GCE ‘O’ Level examinations. All 217 boys who sat for the GCE ‘O’ Levels advanced to junior colleges and polytechnics for their post-secondary education, with 93% of the boys qualifying for junior college. 99.1% of the students received at least 5 GCE ‘O’ Level passes.
In this Class, 42% (90 out of 217 boys) scored 6As or better, and 46% (99 of 217) of the boys achieved scores of 10 points or less (L1B5).
SJI is proud of the students who have performed very well in the 2019 GCE ‘O’ Level examinations. They testify to the holistic education that SJI provides. The school is confident they have received an education for life as the Josephians in this Class have demonstrated over four years that they have imbibed the right values to live purposefully and to care for all, especially, the less fortunate in society.
| Summary of SJI’s GCE ‘O’ Level Examination Results | 2019 |
|---|---|
| Number of students who sat for the GCE 'O' Level examinations | 217 |
| Pass rate/ Qualify for JC/Polytechnic education (%) | 100% |
| Boys who qualified for JC education (%) | 93% |
| Boys with 5 GCE ‘O’ Level passes (%) | 99.1% |
| Boys with 6A’s or more (%) | 42% |
| Boys with scores of less than 10 points (L1B5) (%) | 46% |
| Distinctions (A’s) per student (%) | 59% |
| Subjects With High Distinctions: | SJI |
|---|---|
| English Language | 62% |
| Mathematics | 84% |
| Additional Mathematics | 70% |
| Physics | 67% |
| Humanities (SS, History) | 66% |
| Geography | 66% |
| Chemistry | 54% |
| Biology | 50% |
January: SJI Releases 2019 International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme Examination Results
Summary of 2019 International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme (IBDP) Examination Results:
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99.64% of 280 IBDP students from our Class of 2019 cohort were awarded the International Baccalaureate Diploma, with an average score of 40 out of 45 points.
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Two students were awarded the prestigious Bilingual Diploma.
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59% of the cohort (164 students) attained at least 40 points out of 45.
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19% (52 students) achieved 43 points and better.
The Class of 2019 includes 122 boys who were admitted to SJI at Secondary 1 in 2014 under the Integrated Programme. The results achieved by our Class of 2019 attests that the SJI IBDP relates well with students who enjoyed high academic expectations from the programme. They have found joy in learning by being risk-takers who pursue their interests and passion instead of being rote-learners.
The school is proud of the Class of 2019 for their determination, effort and great faith in overcoming many challenges to attain good results. More importantly, this Class exemplifies the very best of being a Josephian – they have studied hard, grown up well and contributed to make the school and world a better place.
As a Catholic and Lasallian school, SJI is committed to developing every student’s character and to helping them realize their academic potential, so that they become men and women whose education empowers them to make a positive difference in the world. The IBDP results of the 2019 cohort are an affirmation of the quality of the balanced and holistic education offered at SJI.
| IBDP Results by SJI Class of: | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 | 2014 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Number of students | 280 | 270 | 138 | 80 | 80 | 76 |
| Diploma pass rate (%) | 99.64% | 99.6% | 100% | 100% | 100% | 100% |
| Average points out of maximum 45 points | 40 | 41 | 41 | 41.5 | 40.7 | 40 |
| Number of students with 43 or more points | 59 | 68 | 47 | 35 | 19 | 10 |
| Percentage of students with 43 or more points | 19% | 25% | 34% | 44% | 24% | 13% |
| Number of students with 40 or more points | 164 | 180 | 109 | 67 | 57 | 44 |
| Percentage of students with 40 or more points | 59% | 67% | 79% | 84% | 71.25% | 58% |
| Number of bilingual diploma students | 2 | 4 | 6 | 2 | 3 | 2 |
January: SJI Staff Go on Mystery Bus Tours
On 3 January, our SJI staff boarded six buses that took them to six undisclosed destinations. This was part of our fun-filled Staff Bonding Afternoon, an activity in the Annual Staff Conference to begin the new academic year. During the 3-hour long mystery journeys, our staff discovered new places and strengthened friendships with one another.
1. The historic Former Ford Factory where the British forces surrendered unconditionally to the Imperial Japanese Army on 15 February 1942 was one of the six sites. Here, our staff gained fresh perspectives on the fall of Singapore through three intertwining narratives on Japanese aggression, British defences and how civilians in Singapore were caught up in the large forces of imperial struggle and war. It encouraged the teachers to embrace history and appreciate anecdotes shared by those who have experienced the tumultuous time. Many said they would not to take Singapore’s success for granted. More importantly, they left understanding the importance of teaching our students about resilience and managing diversity and differences.
2. At the Asian Civilisations Museum (ACM) staff viewed the rich artistic heritage of Asia, especially the ancestral cultures of Singaporeans. ACM focuses on the many historical connections between the cultures of Asia, and between Asia and the world.
Staff also viewed a special exhibition, “Living with Ink: The Collection of Dr Tan Tsze Chor,” that explores the passion and connoisseurship of Chinese art in the Singapore art world in the turbulent 20th century. The creative station allowed our staff to try their hands at designing and creating Chinese scrolls.
3. Staff also visited FireFlies Health Farm. Through sight, smell, hearing and touch, our they were introduced to the basic knowledge of farming. They learned about the differences between organic farming and conventional farming.
4. Gardens by the Bay. The staff stopped to smell the roses at the Flower Dome where they were surrounded by a kaleidoscope of colours. They were transported to a mystical land of mist at the Cloud Forest with its many plants of intricate designs. The beautiful greenery was both calming and rejuvenating. It was a wonderful afternoon of leisurely strolls, casual conversations and relaxation.
5. The National Gallery. Here, the SJI teachers had the opportunity to have a ‘dialogue’ with Art. The artworks from across Southeast Asia allowed them to see the history and transition of the art scene Southeast Asia, giving us an insight into their lives, traditions and culture. The Kepple Centre for Art education not only provided an exciting line-up of programmes for youth, children and families. It gave the teachers the opportunity to have hands-on experience with creating art. It was an enjoyable afternoon to be immersed in art, to learn art, appreciate art and even create art - together!
6. Jewel Changi Airport (JCA). The teachers were thrilled that they were heading to one of Singapore’s latest iconic attractions! Upon reaching JCA, they gleefully explore the Canopy Park, where they enjoyed the creative and dazzling displays of flowers. A few adventurous teachers tested the giant slides within the park while the savvy shoppers later satisfied their retail fix with a plethora of shopping options. What better to bond than through food as they ventured to engage in hearty conversations over shared root beer floats, curly fries and other delectable delights.
All in all, the Mystery Bus Tours was an opportunity to rekindle old relationships and establish new ones. This staff bonding activity is certainly one that we will remember for a long time!
January: SJI Staff Resume For New Academic Year
All SJI staff were welcomed back to school on 2 and 3 January to prepare and plan for the new academic year. We also welcomed new staff who joined the school. At this annual Staff Conference, the school leaders and academic heads discussed the school’s 2020 Work Plan that focussed on developing the Josephian to share the SJI significance. Staff were introduced to Josephian Formation Journey, a new programme by the Student Development Team. This aims to develop our students’ character and citizenship for them to become persons of integrity and persons for others.