2025

March: Josephian Represents Singapore in Davis Cup Junior

Zachary Sng (ML401) is representing Singapore as part of the National Team in the Asia Oceania Pre-Qualifying rounds of the Davis Cup Junior! The competition takes place in Kuching, Malaysia, from March 10 to March 15, where 23 nations are vying for a coveted spot in the Final Qualifying Round later this year.

Zachary joins teammates Luke Ho and Allen Leong, under the leadership of Coach Pranash Babu, as they take on this exciting challenge.

Let’s cheer them on as they give their best on the court; go Zachary and Team Singapore!

March: SJI Tennis Makes History!

Josephians are still reeling with joy at the victory of the SJI Tennis Team in clinching the Championship Trophy in the finals of the National Schools Games B-Division Tennis on 6 March, after defeating the defending champions, ACS(I). This historic event, after a 34-year drought, took place at the Kallang Tennis Hub where our determined Josephian Tennis team battled it out to emerge triumphant with closely fought matches to a final score of 3-2 in a display of tenacity, determination and excellent teamwork.

Kudos to the leadership of the Captain, Edgar Chow (LE403), and under the guidance of the teachers in-charge Ms Juliana Woo, Mr Azhar Ghazali and Ms Koh Dee Yong and the dynamic duo of their coaches, Mr Tan Xu Teng and Mr Gary Tan, the team was relentless in pursuing that elusive title. This momentous event certainly marks the beginning of a new era for SJI Tennis.

The SJI family of teachers, parents, alumni and supporters were united in their prayers and cheers for the team, and left the Tennis Hub hungry for more victories in the near future.

God bless our Josephian Community!

March: SJI Cross Country Meet

The Singapore Sports Hub came alive with the Josephian colours on the morning of 5 March 2025, as 1,800 students and 175 staff gathered for the annual SJI Cross-Country Meet. From assembling at 7:30am to setting up the start and finish lines, the atmosphere was filled with anticipation. Meanwhile, off-site teams worked efficiently to prepare the route, position marshals, and ensure all safety measures were in place.

The event kicked off smoothly with Bro Paul’s opening prayer, followed by Principal, Mr Justin Arul Pierre’s declaration to officially start the meet. Competitors and non-competitors alike took their places at the starting line, eager to represent their fraternities; Red, Blue, Yellow and Green. Wave after wave, Josephians took off, their colours brightening the course.

This year, unexpected roadworks altered the planned route. In true Josephian spirit, the team adapted swiftly, seamlessly transitioning to a shorter yet safe alternative. The resilience and teamwork displayed were a testament to the unwavering Josephian spirit.

The morning concluded at 10:30am with the rousing School Rally, marking the end of yet another successful SJI Cross-Country Meet: a celebration of camaraderie, perseverance, and sportsmanship.

March: SJI Tennis Team Secures Spot in the Finals

SJI beat Raffles Institution on 4 March in a valiant display of grit and determination in all 5 tennis matches. The SJI Tennis team’s gutsy and juggernaut performance turned the overall tide in SJI’s favour with a final score of 4-1 in the National School Games B-Division Boys Tennis Semi-finals.

We cheer on the SJI Tennis team as they face defending champions ACS (I) in the Finals on Thursday, 6 March at the Kallang Tennis Hub at 3:00pm.

Wishing the Tennis boys all the very best as they strive to do the school proud!

March: SJI Ruggers Triumph Again!

On 22 and 23 February 2025, our C Division rugby team took on the challenge at the Singapore Rugby Union Schools U-14 7s Tournament with two teams representing our school. Competing against tough opponents, our boys showcased resilience, teamwork, and determination throughout the tournament.

One of our teams battled their way to the semifinals of the Main Cup competition. Despite losing in the semi-finals, our Rugby Team rallied and triumphed during the 3rd/4th placing match, ultimately securing 3rd place in the competition.

Meanwhile, our other SJI team fought valiantly in the Shield competition and emerged as the Champion.

A huge congratulations to all our players for their hard work and fighting spirit. Well done, boys!

March: SJI Scripts it Right Again!

Over 70 students - including Year 2 Higher Chinese students, Chinese Cultural Society members, and Year Three competition participants - gathered for the “Script It Right” Chinese Radio Drama Script Writing Workshop. This diverse group enjoyed an exciting and insightful afternoon with UFM100.3 Radio Station DJs on 27 Feb 2025.

This “Script It Right” Chinese Radio Drama Script Writing Workshop is organised by The Committee to Promote Chinese Language Learning (CPCLL), in collaboration with the Chinese Radio Station UFM100.3 and Holy Innocents’ High School.

This initiative is designed to promote Chinese language learning through a fun and interactive approach, sparking students’ interest in the language. It provides valuable skills and insights that will not only improve their Chinese language proficiency but also encourage them to participate in the “Script It Right” Chinese Radio Drama Script Writing Competition.

During the workshop, learners improved their Chinese Language proficiency in a fun and practical setting, bridging the gap between classroom learning and read-world application. It makes learning Chinese engaging and interactive through the art of scriptwriting.

In addition, SJI also warmly hosted two other Secondary Schools namely, Anglican High School and Unity Secondary School for this workshop.

LE202 林炡鋐（LIM TZEN HON）同学认为: “活动十分有趣，演讲者也十分幽默开朗。我从这个活动中学会了学剧本，也明白除了人物，地点和时间，声音的变化和人物对白语气的差异也同样重要。这个活动让我发现其他学校的学生华文能力很强，我更要继续努力，学好华文。” (“I am impressed by the presenters’ sense of humor and delivery of the workshop’s contents. Besides, scoping and scripting a story, I discovered intonation of the one’s speech is critical too. Through this workshop, I also discovered other Secondary Schools’ students’ strong Chinese Language ability and I am motivated to sharpen mine too.”)

LE201佘昊恩同学 (JOSES SEAH HAO EN)补充说道：“两名DJ李欣盈和詹靖禾的出现炒热了整个现场的气氛！我也从中学习到课堂以外的新知识。此外，和其他两所学校的学生进行交流，对我来说是一种新体验，我也结交到新朋友。”” The DJs’ (Andrew and Xin Yin) presence ignited the lecture hall! I also learnt lessons beyond the classrooms! Through interactions with other Secondary School students, I also made new friends. “

February: SJI Strengthens Digital Defence in Exercise SG Ready 2025

On 18 February, SJI experienced a simulated power and electricity disruption as part of Exercise SG Ready 2025 (ESR25), which involved several organisations across Singapore for Total Defence Day.

In this simulation, the cause of the nationwide disruption was an online phishing attack. The exercise underscored the critical role of Digital Defence - the 6th pillar of Total Defence - in safeguarding our nation’s security and resilience.

Our Josephians had the opportunity to reflect on the exercise. Here are some of their sharing:

Ashton Wong (LE102): Actually, I realised how it can be very uncomfortable without electricity. Thankfully my seat in class is next to the window! But I did realise how difficult it could be for other people when we have such disruptions.

Kieran Tan (MN301): … We were able to have conversations about how to respond and even help one another in such situations. Nationally, a disruption like this can cause panic, and so it is important that we trust and rely on one another.

Jing Xuan and Ethan Tan (MN517): This disruption is limiting and places restrictions on what we can do in terms of our work and day to day activities. Disruptions like these make us realise our reliance on resources and the importance of not taking these for granted!

Mdm Tan Kah Choon and her class: I think challenges and disruptions only impact us as much as we allow them. Here at SJI, our school community appreciates one another because we know we can count on one another when we, individually or as a community, face challenges. We must think of ways we can spread this culture and mindset among other communities we are a part of.

February: SJI Celebrates Inaugural Assembly 2025

The Inaugural Assembly at SJI is a cherished school tradition that celebrates the beginning of the new academic year. It is the first formal assembly when the entire Josephian community comes together in a spirit of thanksgiving. After a month of orientation, we officially welcomed the newest additions to the school - our Year 1 and Year 5 students, and the new members of the teaching and non-teaching staff.

To celebrate our sense of being a Lasallian community, the Inaugural Assembly began with a celebration of the Eucharist led by Friar Michael D’Cruz, OFM. During the service, he blessed the school flag and the school colours—cherished symbols that have guided and inspired many generations of Josephians both during their time at school and beyond.

The celebration was enriched by the beautiful sounds and harmonious performances of the SJI Vocal Ensemble and the SJI Band. The school community also enjoyed a short skit by the Drama Club, which showcased the importance of developing 21st century competencies and dispositions namely curiosity, adaptability, creativity and resilience when navigating change and challenges.

During the Principal’s Address, Mr Justin Arul Pierre set the directions and priority areas for the school in 2025 with emphasis on Nurturing Adaptive and Inventive Thinking, and Civic, Global and Cross-Cultural Literacy. He also introduced the school theme for the year, “Celebrating Growth and Shaping Possibilities Together”.

Mr Pierre encouraged the entire school community to face the challenges and disruptions brought about by our fast-paced and ever-evolving world with courage, a willingness to take responsible risks and to experiment with new approaches. By doing so, we can become more adaptable, agile, and resilient in the face of change and uncertainty. He urged Josephians to uphold the school values of Faith, Service and Community as they serve as our foundation, as well as our motivation and driving force in guiding our decisions and actions.

Mr Pierre reminded the school community that we must continue to uphold our Lasallian ethos and traditions, emphasising that the educational mission that the founding brothers of the De La Salle order brought to Singapore 173 years ago is even more important today. It is this mission and our strong values-based and human-centred education that defines and distinguishes SJI.

February: SJI Wraps Up Work Experience Programme 2025

SJI Work Experience Programme (WEP) 2025 successfully concluded on a high note with a celebratory closing ceremony on 3 February. This year’s programme involved close to 200 students, including students from our cluster schools, Bendemeer Secondary School and St. Andrew’s Secondary School, and fostered collaboration with more than 50 esteemed organisations.

Over 2-3 weeks in the month of January, the students stepped beyond the classroom and into the real world, gaining valuable insights into the professional environment. WEP provided participants with hands-on experience to apply their knowledge, learn new skills as well as enhance their career awareness and social emotional competencies.

Ariel Aiman (LE509) shared that the most memorable part of his WEP experience at the National Heart Centre was when he attended a live surgical procedure and was able to stay composed at the sight of blood. Werner Lee (LE507) who was attached to a law firm, Arul Chew and Partners, appreciated the opportunity to read correspondents’ cases and to learn more about the responsibilities of a lawyer via his mentor’s personal sharing. Although law was not Werner’s first choice for his WEP, the experience provided a space for him to reflect, and this revealed new possibilities for him that he did not consider earlier.

As evident from the students’ sharing, they had a deeper understanding of workplace culture and expectations as well as learnt to value all occupations after the 2-3 weeks of work experience in January. They should be commended for demonstrating a willingness to learn and for showing resilience to embrace new challenges and adapt to different environments.

We are indeed grateful for the wonderful opportunities and support provided by our industry partners, alumni and parents for this WEP. Special mention should be made to the mentors and supervisors who generously shared their time and expertise with our students in helping them to learn and grow.

We look forward to continuing this strong partnership in the future, providing more opportunities for our students to gain valuable industry insights and skills.

January: SJI Celebrates Chinese New Year

The spirit of the Lunar New Year came alive at SJI as the school community gathered to celebrate with a vibrant array of traditional activities, culminating in a lively concert at the Indoor Sports Hall.

In the days leading up to the celebration, teachers from the Chinese New Year Celebrations Organising Committee, together with students from various activity groups, adorned the school with festive decorations. Peach blossom flowers, radiant red lanterns and dreamy lights transformed the school premises into a scene of warmth and prosperity.

One of the highlights of the festivities was the Chinese calligraphy session, where teachers and students worked hand in hand to craft beautiful artistic pieces. More than just a creative exercise, the session provided a meaningful opportunity for cultural exchange and appreciation of this timeless art form.

The celebration culminated with an entertaining school concert, captivating the audience with vibrant performances. The energetic beats of the lion dance set the stage, ushering in blessings of good fortune for the year ahead. Josephians then dazzled with an electrifying line-up - the dynamic SJI Percussion Ensemble, the harmonious SJI Vocal Ensemble, an energetic hip-hop routine by the Dance CAS and a thrilling martial arts demonstration by our wushu exponent Ang Jet Hong (FN 602).

The Chinese New Year celebrations at SJI were a true reflection of our school’s spirit- one that embraces culture, tradition and unity.

January: SJI Participates in the Student Archivist Project

SJI participated in the Student Archivist Project (SAP), an oral history initiative organised by the Founders’ Memorial under the National Heritage Board. This meaningful project invited students to collect personal stories from senior interviewees about their experiences of becoming Singapore citizens in the 1950s and 1960s, along with their reflections on multiculturalism in Singapore.

Two teams of Josephians conducted insightful interviews, demonstrating exceptional oral history and interviewing skills. Representing SJI were:

Team 1: Alexander Tan (MN302), John Gabriel Lim (FN303), Krystian Su-Meng Ochman (MN303), Sherwin Junior Bok Jia Le (LE301)

Team 2: Aarya Ramesh (MN401), Kwok Han Rong Meyson (LE402), Ahsan Idris (MN401), Chidambaram Rohith (FN402)

Congratulations to our students for their commendable efforts and valuable contributions to preserving Singapore’s heritage!

January: A Strong Start for Our Young Taekwondo Josephians!

Seven talented young Josephians kicked off the year on a high note by competing in the Waein Cup Open Championship held at Our Tampines Hub from 17-19 January 2025.

This prestigious event brought together nearly 1,500 Taekwondo athletes from 12 countries including Australia, Cambodia, China, Hong Kong, India, Indonesia, Korea, Malaysia, Pakistan, the Philippines, Singapore, and Thailand. Sanctioned by the Singapore Taekwondo Federation, the championship provided a platform for athletes to showcase their skills and determination.

We are proud to congratulate our seven Josephians who participated in this international competition, achieving outstanding results: 6 Gold Medals, 5 Silver Medals, and 6 Bronze Medals!

Poomsae

Isaac Koh (LE301)

Junior Male Individual: Silver
Junior Male Team: Gold

Darius Lim (FN201)

Cadet Male Individual: Silver

Anders Yoon (FN101)

Cadet Male Individual: Bronze
Cadet Mixed Team: Silver

Athan Kiong (FN101)

Cadet Male Individual: Bronze
Cadet Mixed Pair: Bronze
Cadet Mixed Team: Bronze

Mitchell Chan (FN102)

Cadet Male Individual: Silver
Cadet Mixed Pair: Gold

Kyorugi

Isaac Koh (LE301)

Junior Male Team of 5: Silver

Kinley Ng (MN201)

Cadet Male Under-41kg: Bronze

Anders Yoon (FN101)

Cadet Male Under-45kg: Bronze
Cadet Male Team of 3: Gold
Cadet Mixed Team of 3: Gold

Kyler Tan (ML102)

Cadet Male Over-65kg: Gold
Cadet Male Team of 3: Gold
Best Male Cadet Kyrougi Player Award

Well done, Josephians!

January: SJI Welcomes our 2025 Year 1 cohort

Friday, 17 January 2025 marked the grand culmination of the two-week-long Year 1 Orientation at SJI. The Year 1 Initiation Ceremony and Campfire celebrated the coming together of our youngest and newest Josephians as a family. With their badges proudly pinned by Peer Support Leaders, the young gentlemen joined in cheers and songs that ignited the SJI spirit in their hearts. The batch song, “You Raise Me Up,” and the campfire glowing over the star at the SJI Oval under an overcast sky created a truly magical evening.

This memorable event brought together more than 1,000 parents, guests, alumni and Josephians, a testament to the strong bonds within our community as the Year 1 students were officially inducted into the school community in a celebration of unity, friendship, shared hope and purpose.

During the two-week orientation, our enthusiastic Year 1s immersed themselves in a variety of activities aimed at fostering camaraderie and enabling them to have a deeper appreciation of the history, culture and ethos of the school. Highlights included an overnight camp, a learning journey to the original site of the old campus in Bras Basah Road and an exploration of diverse CCAs - where students had the opportunity to try out the various sports and games, uniformed groups and enjoy the captivating performances of the various performing arts groups. Through these various activities and conversations with their Seniors, the Year 1s had the chance to learn a new skill, discover new interests and be open to the many possibilities within our wide range of CCA offerings.

The lively Campfire, where students from the four fraternities: Fintan, Lawrence, Marcian and Michael came together in a colourful and spirited display of songs and cheers, created unforgettable memories for the Year 1s to kickstart their academic journey and new adventure of learning, discovery and personal growth at SJI.

January: TABA 2025

SJI organised Camp TABA (Together And By Association), a programme aimed at fostering meaningful connections among Year 3 students to set the stage for a harmonious and supportive class environment for their educational journey in the school.

The camp comprised two parts: the first involved building sandcastles at the beach. Coupled with fun- filled games and activities on the beach that encouraged collaboration, the experience provided an opportunity to forge new friendships.

The second part of the programme saw our boys engaged in meaningful discussions and creative exercises in school. In these discussions, the boys articulated their shared vision, outlining goals, and aspirations that will guide them through their academic journey as a united class.

TABA 2025 marks the beginning of the school year for our Year 3 students, and it helps to lay the foundation for a vibrant and supportive learning community.

January: SJI Alumni Receive Prestigious NYAA Gold Award

On 10 January 2025, Adriel Lee Wei Xuan, Lee Le Jiin Matthias, and James Choong Fui Jae from SJI’s IB Class of 2023 proudly received the prestigious NYAA Gold Award from President Tharman Shanmugaratnam at the National Youth Achievement Award Ceremony.

Celine Lee Tse Qi and Giovanni Goh Zhen Rui, who were also recipients of the award, were unable to attend the ceremony.

Achieving the NYAA Gold is no small feat. Over two years, these five outstanding individuals embarked on a transformative journey, excelling in Healthy Living, Outdoor Appreciation and Service Learning, while also designing and executing a Community Leadership Initiative. Their commitment and dedication were put to the test during a rigorous interview process with the NYAA panel.

The National Youth Achievement Award (NYAA), established in 1992, stands as one of Singapore’s premier youth development programmes. It nurtures vital qualities such as self-reliance, perseverance and a profound sense of responsibility to oneself, society and the nation.

We are proud of Adriel, Matthias, James, Celine, and Giovanni for their inspiring achievements. Their hard work and passion exemplify the SJI spirit of becoming Men and Women for Others.

January: SJI Rejoices in the Outstanding O-Level Results of our Class of 2024

Josephians from the Class of 2024 have excelled in the 2024 GCE O-Level examinations, with 100% of the students passing and advancing to junior colleges and polytechnics for their post-secondary education. 98% of the cohort qualified for junior college, and 72% scored 5 Distinctions or more.

Mr Justin Arul Pierre, Principal of SJI, shared, “Our Josephians have once again demonstrated their ability to excel, achieving exceptional results in the O-Level examinations. This success reflects their unwavering resilience, dedication, and spirit of camaraderie, as they supported and encouraged one another throughout their journey.

“To the Class of 2024, the Josephian community celebrates your efforts and achievements with great pride and joy. As you step forward into new opportunities and challenges, hold close the values of Faith, Service, and Community that have shaped your time at SJI. May you continue to inspire others and make a difference and positive impact in all that you do.”

Congratulations, gentlemen!

January: Nigel Tan Shines on the International Sailing Stage

SJI congratulates Nigel Tan (ML303) on his outstanding performance at the 2024 Optimist Asian & Oceania Championship in Hong Kong! Finishing 4th out of 133 sailors is an incredible achievement, made even more inspiring by Nigel’s unwavering determination and resilience in overcoming illness and numerous challenges, including cold weather and difficult wind conditions during the competition.

Nigel’s sailing journey has been remarkable—at the end of last year, he excelled over four intense days at the Singapore National Sailing Championships 2024, where he placed 4th out of 82 sailors.

SJI is immensely proud of you, Nigel!

January 2025: Celebrating the IB Class of 2024

SJI is delighted to celebrate the efforts and achievements of our Class of 2024 in the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme (IBDP) November 2024 Examinations!

All 283 students who sat for the IBDP exams in November passed, and was awarded the diploma. The cohort achieved an impressive average score of 40 points, with more than 60% of students scoring 40 points and above!

As our graduates streamed into the Founder’s Hall on 3 January, they were warmly embraced by our School Leaders, teachers and parents, who celebrated not just their stellar academic accomplishments but also their journey of learning, discovery and growth into compassionate, purposeful, and critical thinkers. These young men and women have made us proud by using their gifts and talents to make a positive impact for others both in school and the wider community.

Our Principal, Mr. Justin Arul Pierre, shared his pride: “This remarkable 2024 IB cohort truly embodies the spirit of resilience and embracing an open mindset. They have shown throughout their IB journey their willingness to step out of their comfort zone, work hard, learn from mistakes, and never give up. We are immensely proud to graduate this cohort of future leaders who are ready to shape a better world with their compassion, integrity and strong sense of purpose.”

Here’s to the bright future awaiting our Class of 2024 - go forth with courage and conviction!