PDF - SJI International School

4th March 2016 SJI International Newsletter
Term 1 - Issue 7
Message from the Principal
Dear Parents,
My week started with arguably the bumpiest ride of my life as I travelled by ferry to Bintan with the
Grade 7 Expedition. The sea was incredibly rough, with massive waves. After a 2-hour trip we arrived
safely on land. For most this was our first learning experience – being grateful for previous calm ferry
trips. I am glad to report that my trip back, while still a little bumpy, was so much better!
My trip with our Grade 7 students again reminded me how much work goes into planning a trip for 156
students (and 10 SJI International staff – supported by a large team at Loola). While students move
from one new and exciting activity to another, the staff involved work frantically to ensure all runs as
smoothly as possible. This is not a relaxing time for teachers as
they are constantly “on duty”, providing care and support to their
tutees. I would like to thank Mr Zagrodnik (Expedition
Coordinator), Ms Lucas (Head of Grade 7) and all SJI International
teachers involved, for their outstanding work on this trip. I know
this is a wonderful learning experience for our children!
Click on the link to read:
Brother Larry’s Lasallian Reflection
March
Saturday 5th - G7 Open House
Tuesday 8th - G10 & FIB Expedition Info
Evening for Parents
Wednesday 9th - SPORTS DAY
Thursday 10th - G11 Challenge Week Info
Evening for Parents
Friday 11th - Non Uniform Day - Woman’s
International Day (wear purple)
Table of Contents
Help for Hairspray - Page 5
U19 Touch Rugby Success - Page 6
B Div Girls Football Victory - Page 7
Green Team Service - Page 7
G10 Social Event - Page 8
Silver for Fencers - Page 9
SJI International Speaker Series - Page 10
Duke-NUS Medicine Visit - Page 11
Book Drive for the Philippines - Page 12
Yale Alley Cats Tour Information - Page 13
PSG Notices and Social Night Info - Page 14
Sports Results - Page 15
Lasallian Reflection - Page 16
This weekend sees the first of our Grade 8 Kayak training
weekends (Mr Z returns from Bintan tonight and then spends the
whole weekend doing kayak training!), with the second of these
happening next week. Next week also includes a parent
information evening for the Grade 10/Grade 10 FIB Expedition
(Tuesday evening) and Grade 11 Challenge Week Information
Evening for both parents and students (Thursday evening),
Sports Day (Wednesday) and Non-Uniform Day (Friday). The
week is set to be very full. Next Friday also sees the departure of
the Scout Expedition and our first Diving expedition for 2016.
This week’s newsletter includes the following: congratulations to
our U19 Touch Rugby team; our Green Team’s participation in
the Green Race; a photographic celebration of the recent Grade
10 Social Evening; more exciting news about the success of our
students in national fencing; news about the SJI International
Speaker Series 2016; a write-up about the recent Duke-NUS
Medical School visit to our school; and Sports Results from the
past two weeks.
This week’s newsletter also includes important notification of the
following upcoming events: an advertisement for the Yale Alley
Cats performance (17th March); a Thank You from our PSG to all
parents who have volunteered to donate food for the upcoming
Sports Day and an invitation to parents to attend the upcoming
PSG Social Evening, taking place on Thursday, 7th April; a book
drive to assist the library at the La Salle University,
Philippines which burnt down, and upcoming Sports Fixtures.
Announcing our New Website
I am very pleased to announce the launch of the new SJI International Website (same web address as
previously - http://www.sji-international.com.sg). Please take a few minutes to visit the new website,
which has been many months in the making. I would like to especially thank Mrs Ursula Ryan (from our
Advancement and Communications Office) for all the work she put in to making this a reality.
Our new website is different in many ways. Two important differences are:
1. We have one website for both our Elementary and High Schools
2. The website is primarily aimed at external audiences rather than our own community. Our new
internal virtual learning platforms will become the main communication tool for our own
community
We will be rolling out the new Teamie virtual learning platform to our parents from next week, starting
with Grade 7 (whose first Reports are coming out next weekend).
Non-Uniform Day – next Friday
Next Friday, 11th March, is our first non-uniform day of the year. Students wishing to participate in this
Non-Uniform Day will be required to make a minimum $5 donation towards this charity event (this money
must be handed to their teacher during lesson 1). This year’s event is also linked to International Women’s
Day, and we are encouraging students to wear purple in support of this. All money raised will go towards
the BaanDada Children’s home.
We ask all parents to assist us in ensuring that students who participate in this Non-Uniform Day come to
school wearing appropriate clothing. Clothing should not be too tight, too short, too exposing, nor ripped
and tattered.
Hairspray – We need your help!
Every two years the High School puts on a major school production. This year’s
production, Hairspray, will be our most ambitious project to date, with the
production taking place off-site at the Drama Centre on the 19th, 20th and 21st
May. In order to pull off this very special project, the Production Team has asked
the PSG to support them in seeking parental involvement. Please see the
request for help from the Chair of the PSG in the body of today’s newsletter.
To help raise funds for the production, there will be advertisement space for sale in the programmes at
the cost of: $1,000 for a full page; $500 for a half-page: and $250 for a quarter page. Please email Mrs
Ursula Ryan [email protected] if you are interested in advertising in our Hairspray
programme.
Grade 10 and Grade 11 Parent Information Evenings
Next week sees two parent Information evenings taking place:
*
Grade 10/10 FIB Expedition Parent Information Evening - takes place from 18:30 to 19:30 hrs
on Tuesday, 8th March, in the Glass Hall.
*
Grade 11 Challenge Week Expedition Parent Information Evening - takes place from 18:30 to
20:00 hrs on Thursday, 10th March, in the Assembly Hall.
I encourage all parents to attend these important evenings, as they provide details about these important
parts of the SJI International outdoor education programme.
2
Open Morning and Admissions for 2017
Tomorrow morning will see 600 people attending our first Open Morning of the year. Since closing
registration for this event we have continued to receive applications and now have about 150 people on
the waitlist for the Open Morning. This unprecedented interest in places, partly due to the recent changes
in MoE placement rules, means that we expect the number of people applying for 2017 to be even higher.
Please remember that applications for 2017 open on Monday, 7th March. If you really want your child to
attend SJI International, it is vital to be one of the first 120 applicants. These first 120 students go into our
Initial Application Pool. Once we have received 120 applications, further applications go into our
Reserve Application Pool. As happened last year, we are likely to offer all our places to students on the
Initial Application Pool. It is thus vital that interested parents submit applications as soon as possible.
Sports Day 2016
This is a final reminder about the annual SJI International Sports Day which takes place this coming
Wednesday, 9th March, at Yio Chu Kang Stadium (210 Ang Mo Kio Avenue 9, 569777). Sports Day is a
compulsory school day for all students. The event will start with a formal Registration for all students at
08:00 hrs. It will also end with a formal Registration at the end of the day. I have directed my team to
ensure that we deal with all incidents of absenteeism and we encourage all parents to support the school
by ensuring that all students are at Yio Chu Kang Stadium before 08:00 hrs on the day. Please see further
details overleaf. Also, please note that in the event of rain students MUST still arrive at the stadium by
08:00 hrs for registration. I am looking forward to another wonderful day. Please do note that parents are
most welcome to join us as there is loads of additional space on the grandstand. Please remember Sunscreen.
A very big THANK YOU to all those parents who have already volunteered to donate food to our
PSG food stall for Sports Day. Please encourage your students to support this
stall by giving them money to purchase these wonderful snacks and drinks at
super low prices. The PSG have also, once again, arranged the Milo Truck, to
supply free Milo to our students during the morning. Thank you to the PSG for
providing this essential service.
In Closing
I have been doing an analysis of school activities over the past week. This term sees SJI
International offering our students 102 different activity sessions (of which 77 are free). This includes 34
Sport activities, 18 Music and Drama activities and 50 Other activities (from debating, cross-stitch to
maths tutoring). This is an impressive list of opportunities for our students to gain a truly holistic
education. Again, I need to thank our teachers for making this possible.
I hope you have a great week ahead.
Yours sincerely
Bradley Roberts
Principal High School
This morning a team of Grade 9 and 10 boys participated in a 4 x 100 metre
La Salle Invitational Relay Race at our brother school, St. Joseph's
Institution. The event formed part of their annual Sports Day.
3
Sports Day Information
When:
Wednesday 9th March
Where:
Yio Chu Kang Stadium, 210 Ang Mo Kio Avenue 9, 569777. The stadium is a 5 minute walk
from the MRT.
Time:
08:00 hrs - Students should make their own way to the stadium and be there ready for the 08:00
registration with their Tutor.
End:
13:00 hrs approx - Students must make their own way home after final registration has taken place.
Dress:
All students whether you are competing or not must wear the following: House T-shirt or
house coloured T-shirt / School PE shorts / Trainers / Plenty of sunscreen / Sunhat / Sunglasses.
Please also ensure that your son/daughter brings a 1litre bottle of water and umbrella.
A snacks and drinks stall will be available to purchase items.
Note:
Map:
Normal ECAs will not take place on Wednesday afternoon unless your child has been especially in
formed to the contrary.
Please follow the blue arrow route
4
Hairspray – We need your support!
Every two years the High School puts on a major school production. This year’s
production, Hairspray, will be our most ambitious project to date, with the
production taking place off-site at the Drama Centre on the 19th, 20th and 21st
May. In order to pull off this very special project, the Production Team has
asked the PSG to support them in seeking parental involvement. The following
is a message from Sarah Low (Chair of the 2016 PSG):
Dear Parents,
Many of you know of me as the Chair of High School PSG. In addition to this, I am also the mother of a
student participating in school's "Hairspray" musical production this year.
As previously mentioned, the school is putting on it’s biggest production to date: Hairspray, in the Drama
Centre on 19th, 20th and 21st May 2016.
The school is seeking help in any of the following areas:
1)
Professional Hair - the hair pieces and wigs are being made by the school's regular supplier but he is
unavailable on the dates of the production. He has offered to do a training session for those willing to
learn how to put them onto our children on the dates of the performances.
2)
Professional stage make up - the school is still sourcing for an available make-up artist and is
looking for parents who have any leads. We are also seeking assistance from parents willing to help with
make-up on the dates of the performances.
3)
Programme - the school is planning to get our art technician to design the programme, and is
looking for a company to print it. If any parent has the capability to support such a task and is willing to
lend a hand, the drama teachers will definitely appreciate the help.
As you are aware, our children are putting tremendous effort into the rehearsals. The Production Team
greatly appreciates any assistance they can get, including financial assistance in the above areas, so that
ticket prices can be maintained at an affordable level.
To help raise funds for the production, there will be advertisement space for sale in the programmes at
the cost of: $1,000 for a full page; $500 for a half-page: and $250 for a quarter page. An outright donation
towards the production costs is also welcome.
The co-ordinator of this PSG effort is Yvonne Maier, the PSG Grade 9 Representative. Please contact
Yvonne through the normal PSG email account ([email protected]). Alternatively, you can
contact Ms Samantha Higgins ([email protected], Head of the Arts Faculty,
directly.
We know that this production is a wonderful opportunity for our children and look forward to your
support to make this production a wonderful success!
Sarah and the PSG Team
5
Congratulations U19 Touch Rugby Team!
The U19 touch rugby team emerged in second place in the 2015-2016 league, a great achievement from
2013 when we first started, when we were last in almost every competition.
This quick improvement would not have been been possible without the hard work of the coaches as well
as the students who consistently turn up for training and matches and who have often had to play games
with the bare minimum of players, sometimes without any substitutes. Despite this however, we were
not hindered and we continued to play just as hard against teams who had double the number of players,
with our team being not easily underestimated.
As a member of the team since I was in G7 in 2013 when it first started, this victory strikes deep within
me, as being able to watch the team grow with the strong team spirit from the time it was a losing squad,
to a second placed team, brings a mixture of emotions that is almost impossible to put down in words.
On behalf of the rugby team, I would like to extend my thanks to the Sports department and our coaches
Mr Brown, Mr Wray, Mr Hogg and Mr Tedstone, along with our original two coaches, Mr Rossiter and Ms
Curtis for coaching the SJI International team with so much dedication in order to bring us to where we
are today.
Isabel Lim (G10CCh)
6
The B Division girls football team pictured above after their
3-0 victory against Methodist Girls’ Secondary School.
Green Team Service Project
On Saturday 27th February, members of the Green Team, along with Mr Fantom, gave their support to
the very first Green Race in Singapore which was held at Old Bukit Timah Railway Station. Whilst there,
we conducted a litter pick of the running track to support the sustainability of the event and we talked to
the organisers about how a “green” event is planned and the logistics involved. This was a great
experience as it provided awareness of how to organise an event on a large scale and offered us invaluable tips on how we can make future SJI International events sustainable and help to spread the green
message.
The photo illustrates the amount of rubbish and litter we collected whilst walking down the running
track.
Saamin Sadiq (G12GYr)
7
Grade 10 Social Evening
Grade 10 students enjoyed a social evening organised by the Grade 10 council with the main aim of
welcoming Grade 10 FIB students into the school and grade. Students participated in a quiz before taking
part in a range of physical games. The evening concluded with more than enough pizza and a movie. All
the students had a great time.
Mr Gary Crumbie - Head of Grade 10
8
Fencing Team for Singapore
Akira Goh 11MTr and Ryan Ong 11BCh were selected to represent Singapore in the Asian Junior and
Cadet Fencing Championships 2016, held in Manama, in the Kingdom of Bahrain on 22nd February 2016.
There they competed with fencers from as far as Kazakhstan, China, Australia and the Middle East.
On the day of the competition, both of the boys were feeling nervous and anxious, but fenced well in the
qualifying rounds, with Ryan ranking 1st and Akira in 5th place. They fought hard to reach the
quarterfinals, but both lost narrowly to their opponents.
On the next day, the boys beat Qatar, and then Japan to reach the finals of the Cadet Foil Team
Competition. They fought hard, but could not overturn the big lead that their opponents from Hong Kong
had built up. The final results placed Akira Goh and Ryan Ong in second place, proudly securing them a
silver award for Singapore.
The whole trip to the island of Bahrain in the Persian Gulf was a wonderful opportunity for them to
experience not only a new culture but also to lift their standard of fencing in preparation for the World
Junior and Cadet Fencing Championships in Bourges, France next month.
Congratulations to both Ryan and Akira on an outstanding result.
9
SJI International Speaker Series 2016
Global Beards Team Up: ‘You never know who you’ll write a kids book with’ - Wayne Rée and Gene
Whitlock
Wednesday marked the official launch of the 2016 SJI International Speaker Series and we had a fantastic turn out from Grades 10-12 (and indeed staff as well). Wayne Rée is now deemed an official friend of
the Speaker Series having participated individually last year, and we were delighted to welcome him back
with fellow local creator Gene Whitlock, to talk about the importance of Collaboration.
Wayne Rée is the author of Tales from a Tiny Room and co-author of Prompt. He was also the editor and
main writer for Singapore's first tattoo magazine, FlashINK. Gene Whitlock is the author/illustrator of The
Unsavoury Alphabet and illustrator of Pitchers, and together they form Global Beards, the rag-tag team
behind Yellow Princess: Attack of the Dinosharks. Their mission is to produce content that is socially
aware, without being puritanical or heavy-handed.
Wayne and Gene also stressed the importance of hard work. Accountability is key, and you need to
consult experts – usually Gene’s seven year-old daughter, who is an extremely tough critic/boss! In addition, they talked about the need to ensure that their product is both commercially viable and well
positioned in the market. Getting sponsorship is a challenge and once you have it, and your work is
successful, it is equally important to support other up-and-coming writers/artists.
Wayne and Gene are passionate about what they do and their enthusiasm for their craft is infectious. In
their talk they shared their thoughts on the differences between professional collaborations and
personal collaborations – and how to find the sweet spot between both. Both Wayne and Gene talked
about the challenges and advantages of balancing two careers and stressed that the best collaborations
are for fun. Their books often start out as facebook chats and then develop into fully formed illustrated
stories; Gene can often be founded illustrating storyboards on the MRT during his commute for
example.
According to Global Beards, the guiding principles of a strong collaboration are to check your ego and,
contrary to expectations, there has to be a clear goal, a leader, and you have to be willing to try many
projects in order to figure out the relationship. Students commented to me afterwards that it was
interesting to learn that creative collaboration often involves a rigorous and structured process.
Next week…
We have an ultra-marathon runner/Microsoft programmer with a very unique story.
Claire Nortcliff
SJI International Speaker Series co-ordinator
[email protected]
“SJI International students are risk-takers, willing to seek challenging
experiences that will facilitate their personal growth”
10
Duke-NUS Medicine
On 29th February, several members of the senior school attended an
introductory talk which focused on what it takes to become a medical student
and eventually a doctor. The talk, led by the Duke-NUS medical school in
Singapore gave students an insight into the university pathways to becoming a
doctor, the skills required to be successful in medical school and they even
brought along a fun and engaging activity with them.
At the very beginning of the talk, the presenters posed a rather tricky question
to the students, “Is medicine a science or an art”. Well, many in the room, like me, assumed that medicine was
heavily science-based with very little to no focus on the arts. However, it was to the contrary. As the Canadian
doctor, William Osler said, “Medicine is a science of uncertainty and an art of probability,” and we learnt that
medicine is as much of an art as it is a science, with science focusing on the patient’s biology and the art focused on
patient interaction and interaction with their families. Additionally, we learnt that doctors are “disease detectives”
who have to work tirelessly, sifting through several clues, such as a patient’s past medical history, whilst at the same
time not ignoring the signs and symptoms that he/she has presented, before successfully finding the cause of the
person’s illness.
As the talk progressed, we learnt more about the history of medicine, and explored the evolution of medicine. In the
21st century if you have pneumonia, you would go to the hospital where you would be placed on strong antibiotics
and be expected to make a full recovery. However, in the past, there was no such luxury, as antibiotics had not been
discovered. Instead, a procedure called bloodletting would be carried out, where 10 fluid ounces of blood was
removed from the patient in order to stabilise the patient to allow him/her to make a full recovery. This shocked
many students and allowed us to realise how medicine has evolved over the years to become more effective and
successful.
We were treated to a demonstration about surgical scrubbing, a procedure carried out by all surgeons before they
begin operating. Whilst the demonstration was underway, we were offered explanations as to why certain
procedures had to be carried out in order to keep the patient safe. Through the demonstration we gained more
insight into the importance of sterility and had a first hand view of the “struggle” that surgeons go through in order
to keep their patients safe. Once the demonstration was over, 5 students were offered the opportunity to try out
the laborious procedures. It was only upon trying out the procedure for ourselves that we realised the difficulties
that surround these procedures.
The course ended with a discussion of the 7 things that would be required from us in order to become a successful
medical student and doctor. These included: Getting good grades and having good studying habits; Knowing what
course we were getting into and not just going into it for the prestigious title of being addressed as “Doctor”;
Getting involved, by trying to understand how the patients feel; Showing empathy, by placing yourself in the
patient’s shoes and understanding things from their perspective. As William Osler said, “The good physician treats
the disease; the great physician treats the patient with the disease”. It is also important that we build up our
references, by getting involved in research studies, be authentic, a powerful tool which is greater than getting good
grades and finally, being motivated and resilient, as becoming a doctor is literally a life-long journey of education.
In conclusion, I hope this course hosted by Duke-NUS will encourage many students within this school to move into
this career. Now let me end with an anonymous quote “suffer now and live the rest of your life as a great doctor”.
The road to becoming a doctor is indeed one of the toughest roads, but the reward at the end is wonderful.
Rebekah Chan (11GTh)
11
12
YALE ALLEY CATS
March 17th, Glass Hall, 7-8pm
One of America's most renowned a capella ensembles is coming to SJI International!
The Music Department is very excited to announce an upcoming concert by The Yale Alley Cats on 17th March.
The Yale Alley Cats are a fourteen member all-male a capella group, who have been spreading music around the
world since 1943. They find their roots in Jazz, but their repertoire has expanded to include Motown, pop, classical
and many other genres. Their diverse repertoire of songs and acknowledged musical excellence, has allowed The
Yale Alley Cats to perform at a multitude of venues including jazz clubs, embassies, the set of NBC's The West
Wing, the main stage at the Dresden Music Festival, Hawaiian beaches, Parisian squares and even the Martha
Stewart Living television programme.
The HS Music Department is very excited to host them for a one-off concert at SJI International, as part of their
Singapore tour.
The concert will be held in the Glass Hall on Thursday 17th of March at 7pm and will also feature one of our very
own students, Ledy Manurung from G12, performing alongside
them.
Tickets cost $20 and are available from High School Reception. Don't
miss out as there are limited seats.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3tQDc052gws
Ledy Manurung (G12)
13
PSG Notices
Sports Day
A big THANK YOU to all parents who have signed up to donate a wonderful list of food items and beverages for
Sports Day. Please let your children know that our PSG tent will be filled with many home-made goodies including
baked goods, hot snacks, vegetarian and savoury options. Water and isotonic drinks will also be available for sale.
We are selling these at a very low cost and the funds raised will help in our future PSG events. We are looking forward to meeting all our parent volunteers and definitely to their mouth watering contributions!
A milo truck has also been arranged to serve free cold milo to everyone.
For school activities or events which the PSG is assisting with, we will call for volunteers close to the event date.
However, if you wish to register early or have any queries for us, please do not hesitate to write to us at
[email protected]
Coming Up
Camaraderie and Curry - please
see poster.
Sarah and your PSG Team
http://goo.gl/forms/8EssWuK9nS
14
Sports Results and Upcoming Fixtures
Date
League Team Sport
Time
Venue
Feb. 22
SSSC
B DIV GIRLS FOOTBALL
4:45 PM
Hong Kah Bowan
Lost 0-10
Feb. 23
NITC
C Girls Tennis
3:00 PM
YCK
Lost 1- 4
Feb. 24
ACSIS
19u Netball A
4:30pm
AIS court1 Australian Int'l School -1
Lost 13- 65
Feb. 24
ACSIS
19u Netball A
5:30 PM
AIS court2 UWC Dover A
Lost 20- 48
Feb. 24
Feb. 24
Feb. 24
ACSIS
ACSIS
NITC
19u Netball B
5:30 PM
19u Boys Badminton D1 5:30pm
C Boys Tennis
3:00 PM
AIS court1 UWC East A
UWCD
UWC Dover
KTC
Anglo Chinese School Int'l
Lost 2- 49
Lost 0-5
Lost 0-5
Feb. 25
NITC
C Girls Tennis
3:00 PM
KTC
St. Margaret Sec School
Won 4-1
Feb. 25
ACSIS
14u Boys Basketball D2
4:30pm
SJII
NPS International
Lost 31-42
Feb. 26
Feb. 29
SSSC
NITC
B DIV GIRLS FOOTBALL
C Girls Tennis
3:00 PM
3:00 PM
GreenYCK
Greenview Secondary School Lost 0-12
Nanyang Girls High School
Lost 1-4
Feb. 29
ACSIS
19u Netball A
4:30 PM
TTS
Tanglin Trust School A
Feb. 29
ACSIS
19u Netball C
5:30 PM
TTS Court Anglo Chinese School B
Lost 29-51
Feb. 29
SSSC
B DIV GIRLS FOOTBALL
4:30 PM
Siglap
Methodist GS
Won 3-0
Feb. 29
ACSIS
14u Girls Basketball D2
4:30pm
SAS
Singapore American School B Lost 17-39
Feb. 29
Feb. 29
Feb. 29
Mar. 2
Mar. 2
Mar. 2
Mar. 3
ACSIS
ACSIS
ACSIS
ACSIS
ACSIS
ACSIS
ACSIS
19u Girls Badminton
19u Boys Badminton D1
19u Boys Badminton D3
19u Boys Badminton D1
19u Netball C
19u Netball B
14u Boys Basketball D2
4:30pm
4:30pm
4:30 PM
4:30 PM
5:30 PM
4:30pn
4:30pm
UWCE
UWCE
UWCE
SJII
AIS Court
UWCD
SJII
UWC East
UWC East
UWC East
ASCI
Australian Int'l School - 5
Australian Int'l School - 3
Chatsworth International
B Div GIRLS FOOTBALL
3:00 PM
Bowen
Bowen
Mar. 4
Opponent
Methodist Girls School (Sec)
Mar. 7
ACSIS
19u Netball B
4:30 PM
TTS Court Tanglin Trust School C
Mar. 7
ACSIS
19u Netball C
4:30 PM
UWCD
Canadian Int'l School B
Mar. 7
Mar. 7
ACSIS
ACSIS
19u Netball C
5:30 PM
19u Boys Badminton D1 4:30pm
UWCD
SAS
Anglo Chinese School Int'l
Singapore American School
Mar. 7
SSSC
B Div Girls Football
4:30 PM
Siglap
Siglap Secondary School
Mar. 7
NITC
C Boys Tennis
3:00 PM
KTC
SJI
Mar. 7
Mar. 8
Mar. 8
Mar. 10
Mar. 11
Mar.11
NITC
NITC
ACSIS
ACSIS
ACSIS
ACSIS
C Girls Tennis
C Boys Tennis
14u Girls Basketball
14u Boys Basketball
19u Boys Badminton
19u Boys Badminton
3:00 PM
3:00 PM
4:30pm
4:30pm
4:30pm
5:30 PM
Nanyang
KTC
SJII
SJII
SAS
UWCE
Tanjong Katong Girls School
Victoria School
Dulwich College
Australian Int'l School B
Tanglin Trust School
Lycee Francaois Singapour
15
Scores
Lost 14-22
Won 3-2
Lost 1-4
Lost 0-5
Lost 1-4
Won 32-1
Lost 0-52
Lasallian Reflection
From Br. Lawrence Humphrey FSC
Brother President
" nd, what is it that God likes most? Forgiving his children, having mercy on them, in order that
A
they may, in their turn, forgive their brothers and sisters, shining as torches of God's mercy in
the world." (Pope Francis)
Among the blessings of our focus on the Virtues in the Elementary School are the wonderful and
sometimes amazing opportunities to help students understand important lifelong lessons that
enable them to consider concepts and values that even adults have difficulty grappling with – like
the Virtues of Justice and Forgiveness that have been our focus these past two weeks.
The Virtue of Forgiveness follows smoothly on from the Virtue of Justice. Justice is about being
fair, doing what is right, standing up for the rights of others as well as our own, and choosing to
make amends. Forgiveness is the best way to encourage ourselves and others to take
responsibility for our actions, and to give someone another chance after they have done
something wrong. Again, instead of revenge, our goal is reconciliation and to make amends.
Forgiveness is an essential theme of The Jubilee Year of Mercy. The Year of Mercy began when
Pope Francis opened the Holy Door of St Peter's Basilica in Rome on 8 December 2015, and will
conclude when he closes that same door on 20 November of this year.
In the Catholic tradition, a Holy Year or Jubilee is a great religious event. It is meant to be a time
of forgiveness, reconciliation, and conversion – and consequently of togetherness, hope, justice,
and a commitment to serve God with Joy and in Peace with our sisters and brothers. A Holy Year
clearly represents a call to celebrate the Virtues with enthusiasm, determination, and gusto!
In the months ahead, students in both the Elementary and High School will learn more about the
Holy Year in their religious education and catechism classes, including the importance of our
practice of the Corporal and Spiritual Works of Mercy. I encourage parents and families to
continue these conversations, and the practice of mercy, at
home.
And what about these Holy Doors? Jesus said, "I am the
door. Whoever enters through me will be saved". (John 10:10)
Over the course of a lifetime we each pass through many doors.
Birth, baptism, new schools, first homes, new relationships, all
representing opportunities ahead of us, and some of which we
face more enthusiastically than others, before we face the final
doorway at the end of our earthly life. During the Year of
Mercy, Pope Francis invites us to contemplate the notion of a
Holy Door, “. . . a Door of Mercy through which anyone who
enters will experience the love of God who consoles, pardons,
and instils hope". Passage through the doorway represents a
journey from whatever we wish to leave behind and moving
forward to whatever comes before us.
16
Lasallian Reflection
Pope Francis has designated certain church doors in Rome as Doors of Mercy. In the Archdiocese
of Singapore, Archbishop William Goh has designated five churches as sites where individuals,
families, and other groups may make a pilgrimage, a holy journey, recalling and receiving the
mercy of God.
This morning I had the privilege of joining a group of SJI International parents past and present, on a
pilgrimage to Sacred Heart Church, one of Singapore’s pilgrimage churches, for an opportunity to pray for
the graces of mercy. If you are interested in joining this group for future visits throughout this Jubilee
Year, I encourage you to contact Mrs Rosaline Wilson, of the School’s Catholic Parents Group, at
[email protected].
The Cross of our Lenten Journey in the school's Chapel continues to take on more and more of our
prayers and promises for the season of Lent. All are welcome to add prayers and commitments on the
purple slips of paper provided near the Cross.
Be merciful.
17