17 July 2006, Today

SJI Int'l draws $750,000 support, prominent council members from alumni
It has not been given the official green light to operate yet.

But the upcoming international school of St Joseph's Institution (SJI) has already received ample support from some prominent names in its alumni.

Over the past two months, about 40 old boys – including a permanent secretary and a top lawyer – have rallied together to donate more than $750,000 to what will be Singapore’s third international school by a local institution.

SJI International’s application for Privately Funded School status, submitted recently for approval, is expected to be considered only next month by the Ministry of Education (MOE).

However , some of SJI’s most prominent old boys are not waiting for the ministry’s official nod.

Led by Mr Philip Yeo, chairman of the Agency for Science, Technology and Research, they intend to raise $1 million by the end of the year.

The initiative will help 50 SJI students get a scholarship to do the International Baccalaureate at the international school after they complete their O levels at SJI.

Once the green light is given, the school will open its doors next year to between 200 and 300 students from Secondary 1 to Secondary 3, building up to a 1,200-strong co-ed enrolment over the next few years.

This evening, the 40 old boys, including former Mediacorp chief executive Ernest Wong and lawyer Davinder Singh, will sign a pledge of contribution to SJI International.

The ceremony will also mark the launch of the SJI International Leadership Council, of which these old boys will be founding members.

One of the founders, permanent secretary for national development Tan Tee How, told Today that the “excitement” of helping to set up a new school was a big pull factor.

Speaking in his capacity as a member of the SJI International interim board of governors, Mr Tan said: “The council’s role is advisory. We won’t be calling on them for meetings on a regular basis. But because the members come from different professions and have different expertise, they can be very helpful.

“For example, if we need views on design, we have the experts. Likewise with legal advice.”

Three old boys in the Cabinet – Mr George Yeo, Mr Mah Bow Tan and Mr Teo Chee Hean – have agreed to be patrons of the Leadership Council, as has National Research Foundation chairman Tony Tan.

SJI International has also found a principal-designate. Former United World College headmaster Andrew Bennett said in a media release he is now looking to recruit “the best and most experienced” teachers, both local and expatriate.

The leadership council, too, is looking to recruit more people into its rank so that it can offer more scholarships and increase accessibility to the school.

“We’re very clear that what we do is part of the Lasallian mission. There are many private schools in the De La Salle family internationally. But we try to make it affordable,” said Mr Tan.

“Just because we’re private doesn’t mean we’ll be elitist.”

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