here

23rd January SJI International Newsletter
Term 1 - Issue 2
Message from the Principal
Dear Parents,
It has been a very good week for SJI International. Last weekend our debating team defeated the other
international schools in Singapore, to be crowned winners of the international schools debating
competition. Congratulations to the team and to Mr Nicholson on this achievement. Then, on
Wednesday, our IGCSE results for 2014 exceeded all expectations, setting a new record for our school.
This week’s newsletter includes the following: Photos of our top achieving IGCSE candidates; A
reminder about the process for reporting school absences; Names and contact details of all our Tutors;
a report about our victory in the international schools debating tournament; A report about one of our
students participation in the ASEAN Schools Games in Manila; The
Calendar for 2015 and the provisional Calendar for 2016 (at the end
Upcoming Dates
of today’s newsletter) and the first Sports Results of 2015.
Wednesday 28th January:
Catholic Parents Meeting 19:00
Glass Hall
Wednesday 28th January:
Grade 8 Trip to the Zoo
Friday 30th January:
Grade 10 Camp overnight
Wednesday 4th February:
G7 Info Evening about Loola
18:30 Glass Hall
Table of Contents
IGCSE Top Students - Page 2
Debating News - Page 4
Absence Procedure - Page 5
Important Email Information - Page 6
ASEAN Games in Manila - Page 7
Virtues Parenting Workshop - Page 8
Upcoming University Fairs - Page 9
Parents Meeting Invitation - Page 9
Sports Announcements - Page 10
2015 Calendar - Page 11
2016 Calendar - Page 12
This week’s newsletter also includes important notifications of the
following upcoming events: An invitation to attend the Virtues
Project Parenting Workshop; An advertisement about the SJI
International merchandise available through our Advancement
Office; The upcoming Canadian and London University Fair; An
invitation to a meeting with the SJI International Brother President
this coming Wednesday evening; and the upcoming Sports Fixtures.
Outstanding IGCSE Results
It is my great pleasure to announce the IGCSE results for the 2014
cohort. Our students have set another new record, with 75.3% of all
exams taken, scoring an A or A* grade (up from our previous record
of 69.6%, set in 2013). Our students were graded at an A* level
(equivalent to an A1 in the Singaporean system) in 40.3% of all
examinations written, an absolutely outstanding achievement.
About 24% of students in the UK score A or A* grades.
A number of students did exceptionally well. Our top achieving
students are: Toh Sook Lin (9 A* grades); Ardon Pillay, Andres Sena,
Joshua Yong and Dan Tan (8 A*plus 1 A grade); and Kieran Arul,
Augustine Leong and Charmaine Neo (7A* and 2A grades).
I would like to congratulate all our students on these wonderful
results. I would also like to thank our staff for all their hard work and
dedication they put in to support our students.
Class of 2014 - IGCSE Stars
Toh Sook Lin
9 A*
Dan Tan
8 A* + 1 A
Ardon Pillay
8 A* + 1 A
Joshua Yong
8 A* + 1 A
Andres Sena
8 A* + 1 A
Kieran Arul
7A*+2A
Augustine Leong
7A*+2A
Charmaine Neo
7A*+2A
Canteen News
As you are aware, we have increased our student cohort to 977 this year. One of the impacts of this
increase is that the canteen is busier than ever, especially at lunch. We have been monitoring this
problem and have decided that we need to try to alleviate this congestion at the start of lunch.
We have thus decided to trial a lunch in two settings for the next two weeks, starting on Monday 26 th
January. This system will see two grades attending a first sitting (from 12:55 to 13:15 hrs) and two grades
attending a 2nd sitting (from 13:15 to 13:40). Food will also be sold in two sittings, with the 2 nd batch of
food only being made available at 13:15 hrs. Grades 11 and 12 will be allowed to attend either sitting or in
their free sessions.
Week 1
Week 2
Grades 7 and 8
Grade 9 and 10
Grade 9 and 10
Grades 7 and 8
st
Grades attending 1 sitting
from 12:55 to 13:15 hrs
Grades attending 2nd sitting
from 13:15 to 13:40 hrs
Students with lunch-time activities will be allowed to join the 1st sitting. We will monitor this trial carefully
and make a decision once we evaluate the impact of this change.
At the same time, I have ordered 56 additional chairs and tables (we have space for these). We are also
investigating the possibility of extending the seating area, possibly with the addition of an extra
serving area, as a more permanent, medium term solution.
2
Academic Calendar for 2015 and 2016 (provisional)
Please see the end of this week’s newsletter for the 2015 and 2016 (provisional) Calendars. We hope this
is useful in planning year (s) ahead.
SJI International to host IB Workshops
We are pleased to announce that we will be hosting a series of IB Workshops from 28 th February to 2nd
March. This is an excellent way of exposing our school to a wide range of IB teachers from around the
region.
In Closing
As I mentioned last week, it is hard to believe that our academic year started only 2 weeks ago. So much
has already happened. I have heard that our Canadian University Fair this morning was a great success
with many interested students and parents attending. I am currently in London, attending the Search
Associates Teacher Recruitment Fair, with 120 schools and about 650 candidates. We have a small
number of posts coming available in July, and this fair is a great opportunity to see a large number of staff
in a short time. It is also a sharp reminder that not every city has an almost constant temperature of 30 oC
– it is very cold here!
Wishing you a wonderful coming week!
Yours sincerely
Bradley Roberts
Principal
High School
Happy Students
receiving their
IGCSE results!
3
SJI International Champion Debaters in
International School Debate League
Last weekend, the SJI International Debate Society sent two teams to participate in the Singapore
International Schools Debate League. The teams were the Senior Debate Team, SJII A, led by our captain
and Debate President, Mark Hangchi (G12), along with team members: Yin Lng Low (G12), Augustine
Leong (G11) and Han Wei Low (G11). Our second team, SJII B, was our junior team, comprised of Joe
(G8), Nadya (G8), Max Finkelstein (G10), Raphael (G10) and Marcus (G10).
The debates were a great success. SJI International A emerged as the champions of the tournament,
winning all three debates versus UWCSEA and SAS, both very formidable and worthy opponents. In the
individual speaker rankings, Mark Hangchi ranked 2nd best speaker in the tournament, while Han Wei
Low ranked 4th and Yin Ing Low 7th. Motions, two of which were impromptu, ranged from the
politically complex notions of belligerents’ legal obligation in International Humanitarian law to rebuild
post-conflict societies, to the outright controversial topic of the unifying or disintegrative effects of
religion on the sphere of international relations. Nevertheless, all debates were won.
The support of Mr Guy Nicholson, our teacher-in-charge who generously lends time and effort to
support us, and the lessons of Mr Andre Kua, our debate coach, were vital to victory. They have taught
us to balance the passion and nervousness of speaking and an aggressive opponent, with cool
rationality and the application of superior intelligence. We shall learn more. We shall train harder. We
shall go further.
Audacit et Effectus.
SJII Debate Society
4
Absences from School
Your child has an appointment and
will miss part of the school day.
(Inform school as soon as
appointment is made).
If your child/ward is ill in the
morning and is unable to come
to school.
Parents to do the following please
Phone Reception (6871 5200/1)
Or Email
G7 - G10 [email protected]
G11 - G12 [email protected]
Or Email your child’s tutor
Attendance registers will be updated accordingly.
If your child/ward takes leave
outside of school calendar dates.
(non-school event).
If your child/ward has to take
leave for family emergencies
ie Bereavement.
Email the Head of Grade to
inform them about planned
absence in advance.
Email the Head of
Grade.
Authorised absence will be given for
this time period.
Your child’s tutor will be informed.
Compassionate leave.
This is usually recorded as an
unauthorised absence.
Your child’s tutor will be informed.
Head of Grade 7
Head of Grade 8
Head of Grade 9
Head of Grade 10
Head of Senior School
Mr Brown
Mr Fantom
Mr Crumbie
Ms Powell
Mr Rainone
Assistant Head of Senior School Mr Wood
[email protected]
[email protected]
[email protected]
[email protected]
[email protected]
[email protected]
If your child/ward is late for school - they have to report to
reception and sign in please.
If your child/ward feels ill during school they are to report to the School nurse.
They may not leave school without Head of Grade permission.
5
Grade 7 Tutor Groups
7BWo
7NBe
7VBr
7DCb
7SCh
7RPu
Mr Wong
Ms Berge
Ms Bradley
Mr Brain
Ms Chieng
Mr Punjabi
[email protected]
[email protected]
[email protected]
[email protected]
[email protected]
[email protected]
Grade 8 Tutor Groups
8RBe
8CWa
8STa
8NiB
8PNe
8SDl
Mr Bennett
Mr Walsh
Ms Taylor
Ms Bennett
Ms Newman
Dr Del Linz
[email protected]
[email protected]
[email protected]
[email protected]
[email protected]
[email protected]
Grade 9 Tutor Groups
9KUp
9EWa
9ITh
9CIr
9MHa
9CCh
Ms Upshall
Ms Walsh
Mrs Thorpe
Mr Ironside
Ms Hamilton
Mr Chang
[email protected]
[email protected]
[email protected]
[email protected]
[email protected]
[email protected]
Grade 10 Tutor Groups
10MCh
10JIn
10DSa
10KWa
10ATe
10ILh
Ms Chai
Mr Ingram
Mr Saranam
Mrs Walsh
Mr Tedstone
Ms Hadisantoso
[email protected]
[email protected]
[email protected]
[email protected]
[email protected]
[email protected]
Grade 11 Tutor Groups
11SHi
11ACh
11PDe
11ASc
12VJu
11SMc
11GNi
11Carr`
11LBA
11EOx
11PRa
11CTr
11NMe
Mrs Higgins
Mr Chaudhry
Mr Denousse
Mr Scheelbeek
Ms Juett
Ms McBride
Mr Nicholson
Mr Carr
Mr Lee
Ms Oxley
Ms Rana
Mr Travis
Dr Mercer
[email protected]
[email protected]
[email protected]
[email protected]
[email protected]
[email protected]
[email protected]
[email protected]
[email protected]
[email protected]
[email protected]
[email protected]
[email protected]
Grade 12 Tutor Groups
12PBu
12SiB
12NGh
12SRa
12RaL
12EHo
12PMa
12GTh
12MTr
12TCo
12AMa
Mrs Bull
Mr Banks
Ms Ghosh
Mrs Rao
Ms Lock
Mr Hogg
Mr Macario
Mr Thorpe
Mr Trigg
Mr Condon
Mr Majeed
[email protected]
[email protected]
[email protected]
[email protected]
[email protected]
[email protected]
[email protected]
[email protected]
[email protected]
[email protected]
[email protected]
6
My Experience at the ASEAN Schools Games in Manila
During the December holidays, I was in the Singapore contingent that took part in the 6th ASEAN School
Games in Manila. It was the second time I was selected to participate in the Games. I was really looking
forward to the competition and spent many hours training for it. I was also excited that my brother was
going to be there to support me, having travelled all the way from New Zealand.
It was a great experience being at the Games and seeing the older and more experienced gymnasts
perform their routines. Being one of the younger ones, I knew I still had a lot to learn and develop. We
had podium training the day before the actual competition. Although tired from the flight, I managed to
perform all the skills on the different apparatus. I was pleased that I was able to execute a new skill on
the parallel bars which I planned to perform during the actual competition. I got my high bar routine
perfected. Things couldn't have gone more smoothly until I went to practise my floor routine. I was able
to execute my landings perfectly, sticking the dismounts.
However, when I was practising my last dismount, I landed heavily and twisted my ankle. I was in
excruciating pain and it felt like I had fractured it. The physiotherapist who examined me did not think I
would recover in time to compete the next day. I was put on crutches to help me move around and was
devastated and very disappointed. I couldn't believe I would sustain an injury the day before the
competition. This couldn't be happening to me! All the hard work I had put in for this seemed to go down
the drain! I felt I had let everyone down: my team, my brother and family who were there to support me,
and most of all, myself.
While watching my team mates warming up for the competition, I decided I couldn't just sit there and
watch them. I had trained hard for this competition and didn't want to see it all go to waste. I made the
decision to take part in the competition, even though I was not able to execute the landings. I hobbled on
one leg and despite the pain, managed to carry out part of my routine on the parallel bars and high bars,
to my best ability. I was proud of my perseverance and the cheering from my team mates and other
competitors spurred me on.
I learnt a lot from this trip and it is an experience I will never forget. I learnt that life is unpredictable and
we never know when it will knock us down, sometimes at the most important times. But what is
important, is what we choose to make of these moments; whether we choose to let it get us down or
whether we decide to make the best of it! I chose to make the best of it and am pleased I did.
Christopher Chew (G10ATe)
7
The Virtues Project is the foundation of the pastoral care programme in our Elementary school. The respectful, friendly and enthusiastic environment we enjoy at SJIIES has been achieved through this unique
and inspiring programme.
Would you like your children:…to listen and cooperate more respectfully?
…to resolve their conflicts peacefully and fairly?
…to be more responsible and confident?
Register for the upcoming…
Virtues Project Parenting Workshops
Workshop 1
Tuesday March 3rd: (8:30am -11:30am)
During Workshop 1 you will learn:

How to inspire and encourage your child to show their Virtues….confidence, respect,
responsibility, excellence...

How to replace shaming/ negative thinking and use positive empowering language.
Workshop 2
Tuesday March 10th: (8:30am -11:30am)
(participants need to have attended workshop 1)
During Workshop 2 you will learn:
●
How to overcome power struggles and build unity in your family
●
Set Clear Boundaries that are simple, clear and measurable.
Workshop 3
Tuesday March 17th: (8:30am -11:30am)
(participants need to have attended workshop 2)
During Workshop 3 you will learn:
●
An effective counselling tool to support and mentor your child when they face moral dilemmas
or need to resolve conflict.
Venue : ES Multi Purpose Room
Cost: Each workshop $75 per person/ $150 per couple
Three workshops $180 per person / $280 per couple
Fees contribute to our Global Initiatives Program and are payable to Rachel in the ES Office on the day of the
workshops. Please register at our website: www.sji-international.com.sg/virtues_workshop
For more information, please email: [email protected]
For more details on the Virtues Project visit the website at www.virtuesproject.com
8
Upcoming University Fairs
Each year, a large number of universities from around the world visit SJI International. Some sessions
are for students only. For others, parents are welcome to attend such fairs and some talks. While these
are predominantly for Grade 11 and 12 students and parents, students in younger grades are welcome
to attend if interested.
We were very pleased to see so many students and some parents at the Canadian University Fair this
morning. Next week parents are very welcome to attend a talk given by four University of London
Colleges. The presenters have just informed us that they would like to start the talk at 18.15pm because
their previous appointment only ends at 17.15pm.
Study in London, Tuesday, January 27, 18:15 - 19.15pm in the Assembly Hall
Representatives from University College London (UCL), Imperial College London, King's College London
(KCL) and the School of Oriental and African Studies (SOAS) will give a presentation on the advantages of
studying in a city like London and also information specifically about their four institutions. Information
will also be included on UCAS, focusing mainly on the personal statements and what the institutions
would be looking for. There will be time at the end of the presentation for students to ask any general
questions.
This is a presentation and will start at 18.15pm. It is usually a very popular presentation and a highlight
for our students. To facilitate planning students have been signing up in Tutor Groups. However,
registration is not required and all Senior School students and parents are welcome to attend.
In addition to this we have many university visits in the school day that are for students only. Students
are informed of these through a weekly email as well as in their weekly assemblies. We encourage our
Senior School students to use these opportunities to learn more about higher education opportunities
around the world.
Helping Your Child to Grow In Faith
A Meeting for High School Parents (Grades 7-12)
Dear Parents,
You are invited to a meeting on Wednesday evening, 28th January, to learn more about the Religious
Education Programme and Religious Opportunities organised for Catholic students in the High School.
Although the topic for the evening is focused on those activities organised for Catholic students,
because students of all faith traditions are welcome to participate in these programmes, all parents
are also welcome to attend the meeting. The meeting is expected to last about one hour, and
refreshments will be served.
Wednesday, 28th January 2015
7:00 pm
Glass Hall, SJI International
I hope you can join us to learn more about opportunities we offer on behalf of our students as we
accompany them in their faith journeys while attending SJI International.
Sincerely,
Brother Lawrence Humphrey, FSC
Brother President
9
From the Sports Desk
DATE
16-Jan
19-Jan
19-Jan
20-Jan
21-Jan
21-Jan
21-Jan
21-Jan
RESULTS
COMPETITION
ACSIS
ACSIS
ACSIS
ACSIS
ACSIS
ACSIS
ACSIS
ACSIS
SPORTS
14U Boys Football A
16U Boys Rugby
19U Girls Touch
19U Boys Basketball
19U Boys Rugby
19U Girls Touch
19U Girls Touch
19U Girls Tennis
TEAMS
SJIIA v SAIS
SJII v ACS int
SJII v ACS int B Team
SJII v SAS
SJII v MCM
SJII v UWC East
SJII v CHIS
SJII v SAIS
SCORES
Won 5-2
Drew 29-29
Lost 1-4
Lost 38-42
postponed
postponed
postponed
postponed
TIME
16:30 hr
16:30 hr
16:30 hr
18:00 hr
16:30 hr
16:30 hr
17:30 hr
16:30 hr
SPORTS
19U Girls Tennis
14U Girls Football
19U Girls Basketball
14U Boys Football B
19U Girls Basketball
19U Girls Tennis
19U Boys Basketball
14U Boys Football B
19U Girls Basketball
14U Boys Football A
TEAMS
SJII v OFS
SJII v GISS QT
SJII v SAS
SJII v MCM
SJII v NEXUS
SJII v UWC Dover
SJII v Gess
SJIIB v YBIS
SJII v ISS B Team
SJII v NPIS
VENUE
YCK
Balis
SJII
SJII
SJII
UWC Dover
Gess
SJII
SJII
SJII
TIME
16:30 hr
16:30 hr
16:30 hr
16:30 hr
17:00 hr
16:30hr
16:00 hr
16:30 hr
16:30 hr
16:30hr
Upcoming Fixtures
DATE
22-Jan
22-Jan
22-Jan
22-Jan
23-Jan
26-Jan
26-Jan
27-Jan
28-Jan
30-Jan
COMPETITION
ACSIS
ACSIS
ACSIS
ACSIS
ACSIS
ACSIS
ACSIS
ACSIS
ACSIS
ACIS
SJI International Merchandise
Starting a new school year? In need of items for the new semester? The Advancement and
Communications Office may just have the items you need. We have added new products to the list of
merchandise for sale. All proceeds will benefit the Scholarship Fund.
Our new merchandise: (Water Bottle, Executive Ball
Point Pen, Sticky Notes, Non-Woven Bag).
We also have keychains, umbrellas, shoe bags, caps and
thumb drives available for sale.
Visit http://www.sji-international.com.sg/merchandise
to view more products, and for more information, or
visit us at the Advancement and Communications Office
to check out the various items.
10
11
12