23rd February 2007

Monsignor Eugene Vaz, Vicar General, representing the Archbishop of Singapore, blessed the school. Also honouring the occasion with his attendance was Mr Philip Yeo, Chairman of A*Star.

Monsignor Vaz with Mr Philip Yeo in the foreground

Mr Philip Yeo congratulated the school ‘for getting off to a very good start with things important for a new school put in place – a quality academic team and strong support from the community’. He commented that SJI International ‘is a special kind of international school which, while reaching out to the world, is at the same time rooted in Singapore’. He observed that the school had a ‘good mix of local teachers, and teachers from different countries – Indonesia, Canada, the UK, Holland and Belgium’ and that ‘the diversity and strength of this team is set to increase as the school expands’. He further welcomed the new school as an alternative to the current range of top schools: ‘Singapore cannot afford to have its best and brightest schooled only in a few top schools and within the same system of education’.

Philip Yeo as an SJI graduate is a Lasallian like the above students who are singing the Lasallian song

He explained that the school would be offering up to 65 scholarships for the start of its International Baccalaureate course (authorisation currently in process) for January 2008. The scholarships are funded by loyal supporters and alumni of SJI. Despite his own hectic programme he is publicising his own email address to students of SJI International so that they can contact him if they need any careers advice. He encouraged other SJI alumni to do the same. He concluded by predicting that SJI International would nurture good citizens and future leaders both in Singapore and the region.

Parents produced and served wonderful food assisted enthusiastically by the students

The students, only six weeks after the opening of the school, had organised an impressive cultural performance to entertain the guests.

The emphasis was upon regional culture and the Balinese dancers and Asian singers caught the eye. (see above).

The grade 7 Chinese class performed a Chinese dance and song, The boys (out of view) practised their Chinese by singing of their admiration for the girl dancers of the village. (see below)

The occasion drew the whole community together and there was much excitement.

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