15 May 2006, Today

If all goes well, St Joseph’s Institution (SJI) International will open its door in January next year, giving Singaporean students another school to choose from in their pursuit of an International Baccalaureate curriculum.

The school was set up to cater to those who want a non-Singaporean curriculum.

Said chairman Noel Hon of the SJI Board of Governors: “Not all students respond well to our education system. There are some that might be better in other areas and might prefer an international-type education so we have established a school for that.”

The SJI Board said SJI International will allow students to sink their roots in Singapore and stay on to work after they graduate. Strong regional demand for the SJI brand of education also led to the opening of this school.

Not to be left behind, local secondary school SJI Independent is also refocusing its education goals.

It has collaborated with one of its feeder primary schools to create the Josephian Programme, which will promote the “T” shaped student – one that has not only breadth but also depth in one area of his passions.

The programme, which will launch in January next year, will allow students who do not make the cut for the Gifted Education Programme, but who have talents in certain areas, to develop.

Said Miss Sara de Souza, principal of Saint Michael’s School: “We recognise that our students are not gifted in all subjects. And we would like to be able to help them explore and develop their special interests in certain subjects.”

To foster a closer identity between SJI and its feeder primary school, Saint Michael’s School may be renamed SJI (Junior).

SJI Independent may consider including its three other feeder schools in the programme in the future.

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