SJI INTERNATIONAL ALUMNI MAGAZINE VOLUME 10 2023
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CONTENTS Alumni Association President’s Message Connection Matters Celebrating The Class of 2022 Graduation 2022 Awards University Matriculations: 2018-2021 Interview with Mr Kenneth Hegarty Interview with Ms Tannaz Daver Interview with Mr Greg Thorpe Interview with Ms Beverly Branson Answering the Call of Service: Journey of Social Justice and Rehabilitation Not Your Typical SJI International Love Story Forging a Path as an Asia-Pacific Policy Expert Beyond the Calling of Teaching A Curveball Opens Up to a New Opportunity in Life Breathing Life Into Characters Building Bridges: The Impact of SJI International on My Life Fusing Passion for Birds With Love for Writing Alumni - Back On Campus! Alumni Summer Reunion 2022 Meet Your Class and Country Representatives Alumni Engagement Programmes
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Success is often seen to be the same as achievement or attainment.
ALUMNI ASSOCIATION PRESIDENT AND VICE PRESIDENT MESSAGE
Success is often seen to be the same as achievement or attainment. For example, during our time in school, success was probably associated with higher grades, leadership roles in activities, or winning a competition. When we’re younger, goals are often defined for us and we don’t necessarily have the self-awareness to decipher what success means to us and what goals we want to pursue. All of us have also been recently affected by COVID-19: our high school and university experiences probably looked very different to what we anticipated or the foundations of your professional lives might have evolved differently than what you had thought. There are so many uncontrollable elements that can interfere with what success looks like in our lives.
In our own journeys, both of us (Dhanesh and Simren) are at the cusp of making important decisions professionally and personally. We have learnt some things about what success means to us and wanted to use this platform to share our thoughts you. This isn’t meant to be a boring or detached piece filled with advice, but an honest sharing from fellow young adults trying to make our way in the world. We hope some of this resonates with you and if ever there’s something you’d like to chat about as we all navigate our journeys, don’t hesitate to reach out. Adopting a growth mindset has been important. Success isn’t a fixed notion for the simple reason that all the elements that contribute to our success are not fixed either. For example, having a growth mindset means that we don’t believe things like intelligence are static. Instead, we believe in change, growth and learning through effort. Learning to believe in ourselves has also been critical. Even if it doesn’t yield a specific attainment, this means giving ourselves the opportunity to learn without tying ourselves to an idea of what that looks like or has to yield. The more we’ve done this, the more we feel like we have been able to turn inward and understand our emotions and intrinsic motivations. Research has shown that personal,
intrinsic motivators tend to be better at predicting performance quality. It is important to remind ourselves that we are at our most effective when we are doing things because we enjoy them, or because we find it meaningful. Taking the time to pause has meant we can then move forward with greater self-awareness. Rather, we can move forward understanding what success means to us as individuals. As a result, we’ve learnt that success likely looks different for everyone which means we need to (try to) stop comparing ourselves with others. Success is not measured by you doing ‘better’ than others. Success is only framed by our own journey and vision: being the best version of ourselves we can be. When things don’t go the way you want it to (as often happens in life), we also need to remind ourselves that it’s okay. Be kind to yourself - if you knew exactly what to do and where to go, then the learning potential from life would be severely limited (and not as fun really). Falling gives us another chance to pause, reflect, learn and move forward with even more gusto. Ask for support when you need - the better we know ourselves, the better we’re able to communicate the support we need from trusted members of our network: be it our family, friends or partner.
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Simren Sekhon ‘15 Vice President Alumni Association Success also looks different at different phases of life and we’ve learnt that’s not a bad thing - it’s probably a sign that we’ve grown. Being aware of this self-evolution also means that success has no deadline or timeline. Success is also wide-ranging in type: emotional, social, professional, financial etc. - the list goes on. Don’t limit yourself. Adapt to change the best you know how. After all, the best is all we can do at any given moment. It will probably help you feel like the journey is more tangible if you create and write down specific and attainable goals for yourself and reward yourself along the way. To be clear, both of us don’t have all the answers to success, but we hope that sharing our learnings here will be a way to keep ourselves even more accountable to our own journeys.
more intentionally with the current student body at SJI International. We urge you to use the Alumni Association as a space to discuss ideas, define areas of growth collaboratively and contribute to our community within your own capacity. We hope that as a community, we can continue to be open with one another and grow together. May this Presidents’ message bring the start of deeper conversations in our community, where members offer each other a space to listen, and support one another during our own unique journeys. With that, we shall leave you in the company of the wonderful stories and experiences of our SJI International community in this edition of Infinitas.
Dhanesh Thiru ‘14, President Alumni Association
When it comes to our alumni community and acting as leaders of your Alumni Association, success has also looked different over time, with unexpected obstacles requiring us to readjust along the way. This year, we’ve defined a scope of activities for ourselves that is different from before and we are motivated to implement it together with you. In the upcoming months, you have a number of activities to look forward to: from local and international reunions to servicebased engagements and interacting 05
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Alumni Connect has been created so that alumni who shared a unique student experience while at SJI International can stay in touch and connect with each other after graduation.
CONNECTION MATTERS
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SJI International Alumni Connect has been created so that alumni who shared a unique student experience while at SJI International can stay in touch and connect with each other after graduation. As a membership portal, it offers updated news stories, upcoming events listings, publications, mentorship and business directories and more. All the things our alumni want access to but within a safe password-protected space, making it an excellent place for alumni to visit and connect.
LOOK FOR OR POST JOBS AND INTERNSHIPS One of the most exciting things about the alumni connect platform is how alumni can find or post internships or job opportunities through it. It’s an excellent way to find that outstanding opportunity, or that ideal candidate! Additionally, alum should log on regularly to make use of the directories, search for batch mates or promote your own business and alumni events.
DISCOVER WHAT YOU CAN DO AT SJI INTERNATIONAL ALUMNI CONNECT
SIGN UP TO ATTEND EVENTS
BE IN THE KNOW
Join your former schoolmates for a casual get-together, a sports event, a professional networking event or a reunion. Look for regular updates to the event list.
Want to know what the rest of your class is up to? Or the class above? Or your house? Through the ‘Share Updates’ feature everyone can share recent news, or post reunion gathering photographs and albums. So whether your school and batch mates have posted a business success, a birth, a marriage or a life update. The ‘Share Updates’ feature is the place to do it.
VOLUNTEER YOUR TIME Many SJI International alumni are so proud of their school’s unique efforts or ethos and values that they often ask how they can give back something by volunteering their time in support of the school. Opportunities arise throughout the year to support the counselling office with college or career fairs and talks, or to assist the admissions office with family and student tours. There are also opportunities to come in to speak with students on specific subject areas as and when possible. READ THE LATEST NEWS The site’s news pages cover everything from current school news, alumni and school event highlights, and alumni in our spotlight features who share their stories about their academic, professional accomplishments as well as adventures they may have been up to and wish to share.
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SJI International
The Class of 2022’s graduation ceremony honoured their remarkable journey from the challenges of the pandemic to the completion of their studies and a renewed sense of normalcy.
CELEBRATING THE CLASS OF 2022
The Class of 2022’s graduation ceremony honoured their remarkable journey from the challenges of the pandemic to the completion of their studies and a renewed sense of normalcy. Symbolised by new graduation gowns, robes, and regalia, the graduates proudly marched past the excited crowd, knowing that all their hard work led to this one beautiful moment. With open borders, families joyously reunited to share in the celebrations.
Subject Award Prizes and the presentation of individual certificates completed the 2022 Graduation event. Alumni Association Vice-President, Simren Sekhon, also attended the event and addressed the 2022 High School graduates, welcoming them to the SJI International Alumni family.
Brother Lawrence Humphrey, FSC, Brother President opened the ceremony with a prayer followed by the Principal’s Address by Mrs Roisin Paul. The ceremony continued with the Major Awards presented by Mr Gabriel Lim, Vice-Chairman of the Board of Governors and Brother Lawrence Humphrey, FSC, followed by the Josephian of the Year speech by Elias Bay. 09
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Proud families attend Graduation 2022 once again in a joyous post pandemic reunion.
GRADUATION 2022 AWARDS
ELIAS BAY Josephian of the Year GILBERT FOO Academic Excellence Award NATALIE TONG Distinguished Service Award SMYAN KAPOOR Sportsperson of the Year (Male) NATANYA TAN Sportsperson of the Year (Female) MUSKAN RAO Artist of the Year NATANYA TAN Outstanding Achievement Award SHER MAE GOH The Principal Award ACADEMIC SUBJECT PRIZES IMAN JUMABHOY English Literature MARIELLE ANG English Language and Literature ALYSSA LIN (Chinese B) ZINUO SHI Languages other than English A (Chinese A)
RIYA CHAMOLA Languages other than Chinese B - (French B) RIYA CHAMOLA Language Ab initio - (Spanish Ab initio) SAGE CADENCE WU Economics SHERRISA TEDY Business Management ELIAS BAY Geography SARAH CHONG History ELIAS BAY Psychology VALERIE YIU Biology VALERIE YIU Chemistry JACOB YUAN Physics JENNY ZHUO Computer Science ALYSSA TANG Sports Exercise and Health Science
JULIAN GIUMMARRA Environmental Systems and Societies JULIENNE GOH Mathematics MAIA CANAGA-RATNAM Visual Arts ALISON LEE Music SOPHIE LAM Theatre SHAN-SHAN KU Theory of Knowledge
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Singapore - 34.6% UK - 27.0% Australia - 15.7% US - 11.1%
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UNIVERSITY MATRICULATIONS 2018-2021 ASIA UNIVERSITIES Beijing University of Chinese Medicine
Edith Cowan University Monash College Monash University
British University of Vietnam
Murdoch University
Chung Ang University College of Medicine
RMIT
Fudan University Ghent University Global Campus Hong Kong Baptist University Hong Kong Polytechnic University Hong Kong University of Science & Technology
University of Adelaide University of Melbourne University of New South Wales University of Queensland University of Sydney University of Technology Sydney (UTS)
Istituto Marangoni (Paris School of Fashion) Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland Tampere University Trinity College Dublin UniLasalle University College Cork University College Twente University College Utrecht University of Amsterdam Wageningen University
International Medical University
University of Western Australia
SINGAPORE UNIVERSITIES
Kyushu University
Victoria University
Curtin Singapore
New York University - Abu Dhabi
William Angliss Institute
EHL Singapore
Seoul National University
CANADA UNIVERSITIES
James Cook University Singapore
Sungkyunkwan University Tama Art University Tsukuba University University of Hong Kong University of Tsukuba Waseda University Zhejiang University AUSTRALIAN UNIVERSITIES Australian National University Curtin College Curtin University
Concordia University McMaster University University of British Columbia University of Toronto
Lasalle College of the Arts Nanyang Academy of Fine Arts Nanyang Technological University National University of Singapore
Western University
PSB Academy (University of Newcastle Sydney)
York University
SIM - University of London
EUROPE UNIVERSITIES
Singapore Management University
Bocconi University
Singapore University of Social Sciences
Ecole Hotelier de Lausanne
Singapore University of Technology & Design
Erasmus University College
Yale-NUS College
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Europe (Excluding UK) - 4.3% Canada - 3.8% Asia (Exclusing Singapore) - 3.4%
One or more students from the Classes of 2018 - 2021 have chosen to matriculate at the following universities
UNITED KINGDOM UNIVERSITIES
University of Liverpool
Northeastern University
University of Manchester
Northwestern University
University of Northumbria
Occidental College
Birkbeck, University of London
University of Nottingham
Penn State University
Cardiff University
University of Oxford
Rhode Island School of Design
Durham University
University of Sheffield
SAIC
Goldsmiths University
University of Southampton
Sarah Lawrence College
Imperial College London
University of St. Andrews
King’s College London
University of the Arts London
Savannah College of Art and Design, Georgia
London School of Economics and Political Science
University of Warwick
Architecural Association School of Architecture
Newcastle University
University of York
Skidmore College Stanford University SUNY Geneseo
Norwich University of the Arts
UNITED STATES UNIVERSITIES
Queen Mary, University of London
Barnard College
The New School
Royal Veterinary College
Bates College
University of California, Berkeley
University College London
Boston University
University of California, Irvine
University for The Creative Arts
Brandeis University
University of California, Los Angeles
University of Bath
Brown University
University of California, San Diego
University of Birmingham
Colgate University
University of Kentucky
University of Bristol
College of the Holy Cross
University of Notre Dame
University of Cambridge
Duke University
University of San Francisco
University of Dundee
Fordham University
University of Southern California
University of East Anglia
Georgetown University
University of Virginia
University of Edinburgh
Georgia Tech
University of Washington
University of Exeter
Indiana University Bloomington
University of Wisconsin, Madison
University of Glasgow
Loyola Marymount University
Vassar College
University of Leeds
Michigan State University
Wesleyan University
University of Leicester
New York University
Yale University
Swarthmore College
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One of the things I enjoy most when interacting with students, is witnessing their energy and enthusiasm for learning.
KENNETH HEGARTY VICE PRINCIPAL SENIOR SCHOOL
HOW LONG HAVE YOU BEEN TEACHING AT SJI INTERNATIONAL? WHAT CHANGES HAVE YOU SEEN? I’ve been teaching at SJI International for eight years, joining the school in July 2015. In my time here, I have been so proud to see the school grow and develop in so many ways. From the addition of new facilities like the Solomon & Wisdom blocks, the enhanced sports facilities, the increase in staff and students, to the expansion of our trip programmes and performance events, SJI International has become an even more vibrant and engaging learning environment for our students. I am proud to be a part of this wonderful community and to see the positive changes we have made together. WHAT DO YOU ENJOY MOST WHEN INTERACTING WITH STUDENTS? What I enjoy most when interacting with students is witnessing their energy and enthusiasm for learning. It is truly inspiring to see their curiosity and eagerness to explore new ideas and perspectives, and I enjoy the opportunity to learn from them and to be challenged in my own thinking. Building relationships with students and seeing them grow and develop over time is one of the most rewarding aspects of teaching.
WHAT ARE SOME OF YOUR FONDEST MEMORIES AT SJI INTERNATIONAL? I have so many fond memories of SJI International, but some of my favourites have been on our expeditions and during our CCA activities. I have had the privilege of accompanying students on trips to Tioman, Rawa, Bintan, Hong Kong, Switzerland and Cambodia, and have been blown away by their resilience, adaptability, and positive attitudes. In CCAs, I have seen students come together and collaborate in truly amazing ways, whether it be in the performing arts, sports, or in our community service projects. These experiences have been a true highlight of my time at SJI International.
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WHAT ARE YOUR HOPES FOR THE CURRENT GRADUATING BATCH? My hope for the current graduating batch is that they continue to pursue their passions and make a positive impact in the communities they will find and serve in the future. I hope that they take the skills and values they have learned at SJI International and use them to create a better world. I also hope that they stay connected to the SJI International community and continue to give back, grow and learn throughout their lives. WHAT ARE SOME OF THE CONTRIBUTIONS THAT YOU LOOK FORWARD TO FROM OUR ALUMNI COMMUNITY, AND WHY DO YOU THINK IT IS IMPORTANT FOR CURRENT STUDENTS TO INTERACT WITH ALUMS? I look forward to seeing the contributions that our alumni community will make in their respective fields and in society as a whole. They have the potential to make a tremendous impact and to inspire the next generation of our students.
It is important for current students to interact with alums because it provides them with role models and mentors who can offer guidance, support, and advice as they navigate their own chosen paths. It also helps to strengthen the bonds of our community and to foster a sense of belonging and true connection. ANY MESSAGE FOR OUR ALUMNI COMMUNITY? My wish for our alumni community is that they stay engaged and connected with the school, and that they continue to be ambassadors for the values and ideals that we hold so dear. I also hope that they continue to learn and grow throughout their lives, and that they use their talents and resources to make a positive impact in the world. Finally, I wish them all the best in their personal and professional endeavors, and hope that they stay in touch with their fellow alumni and visit us on campus from time to time. Ora et labora!
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I enjoy working with students as individuals, to help them figure out what is the best decision for them at that particular stage in their lives.
TANNAZ DAVER HEAD OF UNIVERSITY COUNSELLING HOW LONG HAVE YOU BEEN TEACHING AT SJI INTERNATIONAL? WHAT CHANGES HAVE YOU SEEN? I’ve been at SJI International since October 2008, always doing University Counselling. I was initially hired part time, working 2 days a week. That moved to 3 days, then full time, and now we have a department of 3 full time University Counsellors. Our first class graduated in November 2009. Hence, I have had the opportunity to work with every graduating class so far. Despite having grown from our first class of 59 students to graduating over 200 now, we have maintained a strong understanding of what it means to be a Lasallian school and our sense of belonging to a community. WHAT DO YOU ENJOY MOST WHEN INTERACTING WITH STUDENTS? In general our students and their families are very open minded when looking at further study options, although it may not always seem so. I enjoy working with students as individuals, to help them figure out what is the best decision for them at that particular stage in their lives. I love reading application and scholarship essays and personal statements. It is an opportunity for me to get to know the student and to witness their development. Unique to us in Singapore is working with our National Service candidates and the added maturity of thought that the NS candidates often bring to their essays and statements is impressive to witness.
WHAT ARE YOUR FONDEST MEMORIES AT SJI INTERNATIONAL? For many years I supervised the table tennis CCA and always enjoyed it. Now I supervise a Grade 9 service where we visit a nursery school every week to run literacy activities with them. Both seem completely unrelated to my role but I’ve really enjoyed interacting with younger students and in a different setting. Before I joined SJI International I had worked in 3 international schools for 18 years as a teacher and had pastoral responsibilities, so I enjoyed having these interactions again.
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Graduation every year of course is always a fond memory, as is our first assembly with Grade 11. The Grade 7 “clapping” the Grade 12 down the driveway on the way to their awards assembly last year, after not being able to hold such events because of covid, is something I will also remember. Singing “We Are Lasallian” any time also makes me tear up. WHAT ARE YOUR HOPES FOR THE CURRENT GRADUATING BATCH? I hope you continue to embody our Lasallian ethos. It will mean different things to you at different stages in your life; at times it will be more important and at other times it will seem insignificant. But it is something you can always fall back on. And I hope you graduate with excitement for what lies ahead.
WHAT ARE SOME CONTRIBUTIONS YOU LOOK FORWARD TO FROM THE ALUMNI AND WHY IS IT IMPORTANT FOR CURRENT STUDENTS TO INTERACT WITH ALUMS? Our students always love to have opportunities to interact with alumni. So please drop by whenever you can! It means a lot to teachers as well and we always learn from our alumni. It is a huge boost to my day to get an unexpected email from an alum telling me what they are up to and how they are. We had to stop our Alumni Fairs during Covid-19 but hope to be able to start them again in the next few months. Please look out for information about them and participate whenever possible. Many of our alumni have gone on to finding their own definitions for “to leave to serve”. There is no one way
to do this, and our alumni are involved in their academic, professional and personal communities in different ways. It is important for our current students to know this and to learn about the variety of ways our alumni are finding to continue to be Lasallians. As schools go, we are still a very young school and our alumni are still pioneers. We look to our alumni community to continue to help us define our identity. ANY MESSAGE FOR OUR ALUMNI COMMUNITY? Remember you always have a home at school.
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I probably love the classroom banter the most in terms of interaction but there’s nothing quite like seeing a student’s Aha! moment.
GREG THORPE HEAD OF ECONOMICS
HOW LONG HAVE YOU BEEN TEACHING AT SJI INTERNATIONAL? WHAT CHANGES HAVE YOU SEEN?
serotonin and endorphins kicking in. Put simply they feel a degree of joy and I love being a part of that.
I started at SJI International in January 2009, coming from another international school in Singapore. Part of the reason for the move was to have the opportunity to teach Singaporeans as well as International students. At SJI International I immediately noticed the respect students had for teachers and the importance they placed on their education. I don’t think this has changed but I think the approach taken by students has. Students are more willing to engage in different learning activities and have come to expect it. Something that brings me joy is seeing how many students get out and play sports at break times now. In pre-covid times this was not as evident. I don’t know whether it’s a change that would have happened anyway, or a result of the Covid-19 restrictions, either way, I love to see it.
WHETHER IT WOULD BE IN CLASS, WHAT ARE SOME OF YOUR FONDEST MEMORIES AT SJI INTERNATIONAL?
WHAT DO YOU ENJOY MOST WHEN INTERACTING WITH STUDENTS? I wouldn’t be in this profession if I didn’t love interacting with people. I probably love the classroom banter the most in terms of interaction but there’s nothing quite like seeing a student’s Aha! moment. When they experience those moments you know there must be a bunch of “feel good” neurotransmitters such as dopamine,
Cheesy as it sounds, my fondest moments are all those learning moments for students both in and out of the classroom. My fondest memories include both the economics trips to South Africa and Botswana; some of the students we took on those trips were characters, to say the least, and some of the experiences we had were amazing. Coaching volleyball teams to win both ACSIS division 2 and 3 were rewarding but I would be just as fond of the memories of the teams that didn’t win anything. The gossip and games we played on the bus back to school would sometimes have me in stitches. The Grade 9 kayaking trip to Krabi was incredible and the Grade 8 students on my most recent trip to Khao Yai National Park would be the most well-behaved and joyful large group I have ever accompanied in over twenty years of teaching.
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WHAT ARE YOUR HOPES FOR THE CURRENT GRADUATING BATCH? I have spent a lot of time with the current graduating batch as I was a tutor for a group of them from Grades 7 to 10, as well as partaking in trips with Grades 7 and 8 to Loola and Tioman. Three of them were in my tutor group and I have coached them volleyball for six years so I’m sure they are ready to see the back of me. I will miss this cohort when they go and I hope they drop me an email and stay in touch, even if it’s just a nostalgic moment generated by their interesting and varied lives. WHAT ARE SOME CONTRIBUTIONS YOU LOOK FORWARD TO FROM THE ALUMNI AND WHY IS IT IMPORTANT FOR CURRENT STUDENTS TO INTERACT WITH ALUMS? One of the aspects of our community that I think has improved over the last few years has been the building of relationships between our senior and junior students, not only as mentors but also as friends. I would like to see these same relationships between alumni and current students. I think our students would benefit from our alumni sharing their successes but just as importantly their failures. They really are the big sisters and brothers and students get a lot more out of those conversations than what is often thought.
ANY MESSAGE FOR OUR ALUMNI COMMUNITY? I would like to thank all the students I have taught at SJI International. Teaching is my passion and to get paid to do it is a bonus. I would struggle to think of a bad memory of teaching at SJI International and I wish everybody’s experience on campus to be as good as mine.
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How could these 12 years have gone by so quickly? It is because I love where I am and the people I engage with - SJI International.
BEVERLY BRANSON HEAD OF HISTORY
HOW LONG HAVE YOU BEEN TEACHING AT SJI INTERNATIONAL? WHAT CHANGES HAVE YOU SEEN? As I walked along the corridors of this new school, in 2006, I immediately felt a sense of belonging. The new SJI International was about to be launched and my husband and I were eager to start our new life in Singapore with our new baby. Fast forward and we are still here in 2023. I have seen many changes and dramatic developments in the school and have thoroughly enjoyed being a part of it.
As a History teacher, I have seen students in the classroom develop from the initial Singapore History, the roleplays for the Bastille, the Russian Revolution roleplays, USA 1920s dance challenges and then to the passionate ones, who pursue History at IB. I have always felt heartened by how students would continue to greet me in the corridors because they recognise that they wanted to be that ‘Lasallian’. It is definitely a home for all the alumni, to come back to, a place where you will always be greeted with familiar smiles.
The changes of the infrastructure with new buildings, like the new Wisdom and Solomon blocks are now giving the school more of a diverse feel, but the heart of the school is still the same. WHAT DO YOU ENJOY MOST WHEN INTERACTING WITH STUDENTS? The students make the school. At SJI International, we know that we could always count on students to lead in Service initiatives, shine at sporting events and performances, and definitely also mimic their teachers in a very humorous and respectful manner, which proves that sometimes we all just need to be able to laugh at ourselves. The banter in class and the canteen, the vibrancy that students bring to the table, have made me realise that we are all constantly learning and growing. The ‘peoplebusiness’ of teaching is something that I personally thrive on and feel that it has made me strive to be a better person, especially watching such young minds and hearts embrace the challenges and adventures they face, with gusto. WHAT ARE SOME OF YOUR FONDEST MEMORIES AT SJI INTERNATIONAL? Students at SJI International know they want to give back, even after a hard day of learning. The meal delivery programme as a Service envelops the core of how students at our school embrace the many opportunities to get involved with and they also have fun doing it. With fund-raising events like Waves and Wheels, the multitude of Challenge Week service initiatives, bake-sales, pie-throwing stalls, jewellery creations and movie screenings, encase how students have shared many memorable and meaningful moments. Particularly, I have been dazzled by the array and high quality of talent watching the performances of West Side Story, Oliver Twist, Bugsy Malone, Hairspray, and Agatha Rex, just to name a few. I know that some of these service
projects and events have also been some of the best memories for some of the alumni. Additionally, having now embarked on four History trips to Europe, Berlin, Poland, France and Belgium and our first post-COVID trip to Italy, I have so many astounding memories. Students who engaged with History far beyond their comfort zones, braving some icy European springtimes in trainers and layers of cotton, these students wanted to see the rich tapestry of history. The emotions felt as we visited Auschwitz and the various Holocaust sites, the befuddlement as we stood on the beaches of Normandy wondering how did they land all the WWII hardware, the respect for the stoicism and experiences as we stood on the battlefields of Belgium and the awe of the Roman ruins of Italy and bounteous art found in Rome, these are just some of the reasons why I plan these trips. Students who have embarked on these trips, come back so much more enriched and they have a real passion for how history is allembracing. The real appreciation for new experiences is what I have felt SJI International students genuinely devour, but with profound respect, which reflects how they make us proud because at their core they understand that the empathy we aim to inculcate from Grade 7, makes them truly, ‘people for others’.
through their attempts, learning and growing will inevitably happen. WHAT ARE SOME CONTRIBUTIONS YOU LOOK FORWARD TO FROM THE ALUMNI AND WHY IS IT IMPORTANT FOR CURRENT STUDENTS TO INTERACT WITH ALUMS? The alumni have always shown that they want to be remembered. This is now their time to understand that they too can be proactive in reaching out. Sometimes it may be to an old friend, sometimes it may be to a school appeal for expertise or even unique experiences. We know that the alumni have so much to offer, so please continue to be a part of the wider school community or even now make an effort to be more engaged with us. The fond memories you have of SJI International, the friendships you cherish, and the people who have crossed your path, have all made you richer. Seeing you at reunions, online media events, or as the school continues with events you are familiar with, Hair for Hope, Blood Donation Drives and Speaker Series, will make us richer as we can benefit from your participation and action. Pay it forward and you have it in you, always a Lasallian. Signing off and wishing you all peace and fabulous wishes for the rest of 2023, Ms Branson
WHAT ARE YOUR HOPES FOR THE CURRENT GRADUATING BATCH? I hope this graduating batch of 2023 realise that they can make a difference in their own small or big ways and they will be setting out beyond the school gates, with a purpose to embody the school’s mission. They are also encouraged to pave new ways, be independent thinkers and know that
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THE ONLY APP EVERY TIGER MUST HAVE SJI INTERNATIONAL CONNECT Alumni Association
Download the “SJI International Connect” app now to make sure you stay connected wherever you are! It’s your mobile engagement tool that makes connecting with fellow alumni’s easier than ever before. If you haven’t signed up, it’s very easy to register on your computer at connect.sji-international.com.sg or scan the QR code to access the page. Once registered, you can download the app and stay connected!
ST. JOSEPH’S INSTITUTION INTERNATIONAL
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A call to remember our Lasallian values and principles
JOSHUA REBEIRA ‘09
To be a Lasallian is to be a person for others. I am not accustomed to writing about myself but am honoured to be given this privilege. I am delighted to have heard from many who have graduated from SJI International who have succeeded, picked up a wide array of skills, talents and importantly an all-rounded education. I wonder if any of us recalled that we were Lasallians while doing so? I for one, had forgotten for a period of time. I am currently working for the Ministry of Social & Family Development as the Assistant Head of the Singapore Central Authority and a Manager of the Child Protective Services in Singapore. I spent my entire Primary, Secondary and Tertiary education in Lasallian schools. From St Michael’s to St Patrick’s and lastly graduating from SJI International in 2010. Over a decade ago now, my time in SJI International is still one that I look back fondly on and cherish. Having been exposed to a new and holistic way of learning (IB) whilst also enjoying school playing football,
bridge and jamming only puts a smile on my face. The friendships and bonds formed could last more than a lifetime and I am grateful for those who are still close to me. Being a playful and idealistic teen, cultivating Lasallian values and principles were never my top priority and where academics were concerned, I struggled in attaining top results for my IB Diploma. Nevertheless, I was privileged to have a supportive family to further my education and dove headfirst to the University of Nottingham pursuing a Bachelors’ degree in Law with gusto. I had envisioned my future-self working as a lawyer representing criminal and family litigation matters but was tirelessly attempting to “survive” the law degree. Over time, I grew weary and lost; unsure of my purpose and intentions on employment upon completing the degree.
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I questioned what my passion was and if being a lawyer would truly fulfil it. I never pondered on what values I had in store to tackle these challenges. Instead, it was a dark period where I played a mantra in my head daily:
“Do not waste this opportunity and investment. A law degree can only open more options to your future.” Another mantra that echoed was “Why live in a bubble when you are fortunate and blessed to study overseas”. I recount having a diverse and inclusive group of friends from St Patrick’s and SJI International. Living in a rented student house with seven university friends of different races and religions was further enlightening to say the least. Over the first year of university, we grew to understand each of our different characters, cultures and cuisines. We had each pursued a different course which exposed us to more knowledge. These seven friends were my support network in England and they have become some of my closest friends to date. I encourage any of you who can study or work overseas to take the opportunity to make as many friends and contacts as possible to build your social network. In order to break though the challenges, I was introduced to the concept of mindfulness. I learned to be intentional in every decision and experience and to dig deeper on what was truly important to me. Two words resonated more than any others –
“Lasallian” and “Service”. What I had not realised, which was inculcated in me all along, were important values such as caring for the less fortunate and the numerous acts of service that SJI International had strived for us to carry out. It was as if a beam shone on the Lasallian principle of “Concern for the Poor and Social Justice”. I was encouraged by remembering past experiences at SJI International especially of helping at the Singapore Association of the Visually Handicapped (SAVH), St Theresa’s Home, Lee Ah Mooi Home and Humanitarian Organisation for Migration Economics (HOME). This desire to help others was amplified when I joined the University of Nottingham’s Pro Bono Society that targeted at advising troubled youth who have been incarcerated and Working in Tandem which is an organisation that aided in educating children in need in Tanzania. Focusing on this newfound desire, I opted to understand and tackle other social issues arising in Nottingham including raising funds and helping the homeless and destitute find shelter. I returned to Singapore after completing my degree eager to help individuals who faced a myriad of societal challenges. As such, I have been working for Singapore’s Child Protective Service and the Singapore Central Authority. I currently manage a team of officers that deal with the operations of cases pertaining to international child abduction, adoption and youth at-risk. I have also been involved in the amendments to two legislations relating children and young persons and formulating policies on the creation of safe and strong families. It is through SJI International’s wide array of Service co-curricular activities and teachings that opened my eyes to
the greater vulnerable population of Singapore and the need to give back to society. Although there are truths that the social service sector can be an emotionally taxing industry, it is extremely fruitful and breathtaking when there is a positive change either on an individual or societal level. I strongly advocate for all of you to take conscious efforts or continue participating in acts of service if time permits. Despite the many questions by family and friends on my intention to practice Law privately, I have found a calling and passion to be a civil servant to protect the vulnerable in society and rehabilitate and journey with those who have strayed. It is bizarre and amusing that my office is located at the ‘two towers’ next to SJI International. While I know my journey is far from ending, it has brought me near full circle to my understanding of Lasallian values by helping the last, the lost, the least and the need to achieve social justice. I am honoured to be a Lasallian not only by merit of the schools I have attended but in being a person for others. I appreciate SJI International for instilling this need to be grounded. For those still studying at SJI International, graduating or my fellow alumni, I take this opportunity as a call to remind each of us of the Lasallian values that were instilled in us and to embody them courageously in being people for others daily; be it in school, office, place of worship and your community. If you need, take time to look deeper in a mirror and ponder inwards, I am sure you will find that Lasallian value tucked close to your heart.
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Matthew and Natalie share their unique love story, an example of how destiny can lead us down the most unexpected and cherished paths.
MATTHEW TAN ‘10 AND NATALIE ANG ‘13
Reflecting on his time at SJI International, Matthew added: “SJI International taught me to be more outgoing and sure of myself. I used to be shy and reserved although I am still an introvert at heart. Attending SJI International also ignited my love for service, as I knew that I wanted to do work that would benefit people’s lives. Hence, I went into Civil Engineering so that I can eventually assist with the construction of water systems in developing nations.” Natalie continues: “The IB Programme helped to prepare me for university - sometimes I found IB subjects even more challenging than some of my college classes. It also taught me to challenge myself and realise that the value of education is in the learning process itself,”
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They say love knows no boundaries and can bloom in unexpected places. One such enchanting tale unfolds within the familiar confines of SJI International, where destiny uncovered a blossoming romance. Here is the story of alums Matthew ‘10 and Natalie ‘13, who met as teenagers at SJI International, and are raising a child of their own. One fateful night many years ago, Matthew was carpooling back home from a Senior Council event, and Natalie hopped in. It wasn’t love at first sight. The car ride was so awkward, and both teenagers barely exchanged words. Interestingly, their lives overlapped frequently as both participated in peer mentoring and rock climbing in high school. Matthew was on the Debate Team and Student Council while Natalie helped form the studentled Handball Club and was heavily involved in the Drama club. Unbeknownst to them, they met again at the University of Illinois UrbanaChampaign where they both attended for higher study. To his surprise,
Matthew ended up seeing Natalie at the university dorms on move-in day, but he was overlooked by her. Their initial conversations were often timid, but their shyness soon faded and they eventually became good friends. They were both heavily involved at St John’s Catholic Newman Center where they regularly helped facilitate and lead retreats for students who were either interested in learning about the Catholic faith or growing deeper in their faith. “Our friendship consisted mostly of attending theatre shows, discussing various anime and laughing about puns. Two years later, we started dating. And the rest is history,” the two shared.
“We’ve been married since 2019 and we are still loving it! Marriage truly is a beautiful Sacrament where you discover how selfish you apparently are and how you should give yourself to each other. It is amazing and the most challenging thing we have both faced! We don’t recommend getting married and moving across the world and into your in-laws’ place all within two months… but we have no regrets at all, communication is so important and making the effort to have date nights and quality time together is key as well,” Natalie said.
They are now back in Singapore for good, happily married. Matthew is currently working for Public Utilities Board (PUB) as a Drainage Construction Engineer, whilst Natalie is a Youth Coordinator at the Church of St. Ignatius. In February 2022, the family welcomed a new addition, their beautiful baby daughter Chiara. 27
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I am proud to say that I am part of a special ‘pioneer’ group who came to SJI International back when it was first started in 2007 and did a full cycle of finishing to Grade 12.
ALDWIN YUSGIANTORO ‘12
Greetings, my name is Aldwin Yusgiantoro and I graduated from SJI International in 2012. I am proud to say that I am part of a special ‘pioneer’ group who came to SJI International back when it was first started in 2007 and did a full cycle of finishing to Grade 12. I am currently based in Washington DC working as a Director of Energy and Natural Resources for a strategic advisory firm called BowerGroupAsia. I received my Bachelor’s degree in International Affairs from the University of Colorado at Boulder (2016) and Master’s degree in International Development Studies from the George Washington University (2019). As soon as I finished IB, I struggled in figuring out what I want to do
with my life. I was feeling extremely disheartened and unmotivated after I received my score. I knew well among my friend’s group; I was the lowest. It took a few months until I gathered some courage and overcame what I considered then as a “failure” - eventually I saw it as driver for motivations to do better. If I could turn back time, I would have been kinder to my younger self and not let scores define me or my life. I have developed a great passion for politics and international relations early on in my IGCSE and IB days. Working as a public servant or at multilateral organisation was always a dream of mine. Therefore, choosing to focus on International Relations for my study and later on honing
in on International Development more broadly was a straight forward decision. I have had a great college experience in the United States both in Colorado and Washington DC. The experience of learning from great professors, community of students and alumni have undoubtedly shaped who I am today. I entered college with one goal in mind which was to absorb everything there was on the subjects I would be learning during that semester and to not let one bad grade bog me down. During college I have learned that it is okay to fail and it is okay for you to take time to dwell on the failure. But the most important component would be how you reacted and looked for lessons to be ‘learnt.
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During and after college, I always knew that I want to pursue a career in a nexus between politics, policy and development. While I did not achieve my dreams of working in the public sector or multilateral organisation, I am currently aspiring to be an Asia-Pacific policy expert. My line of work focused on the development and implementation of strategies encompassing government relations, public affairs, facilitating investment, and capturing new opportunities for the world’s leading multinational companies in the APAC region. To sum up, all of my life experiences including during my time at SJI International have contributed to where and who I am today. And if I may give a word of advice to IB juniors who
will be embarking on your next journey after SJI International would be to remember that failure is temporary and its aftereffects do not have to be long lasting. It is all up to you and how you will respond that can and will define your true character. All the best!
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It can be hard to not get caught up in the social media game of keeping up with the Jones’, but the minute you relinquish the need to be known and focus on your goals, it will all come into focus.
MAXIMILLIAN CVETKO ‘13 comfort zone and begin to see all the world has to offer just off the beaten path. I have to give props to Mrs Higgins and Mr Ingram for believing in me with all the “street” art in IB!
I graduated from SJI International in 2013; I had originally come to Singapore in 2008 when I first joined the school in Year 7. I’ve been very fortunate to do a great amount in my short time on this green earth, and I am currently working as a teacher in Sydney, Australia. Since finishing school I continued to grow into the hobbies and interests I fostered while in Singapore; sharpening a sense of adventure in my travels through skateboarding, playing music and documenting the world around me in prose. I completed my Undergraduate studies at the University of Queensland in International Business Management (BBus) and English Literature (BA) with a minor in languages. I continued to explore and contest the legitimacy of art outside of the walls of a gallery in university, and spent my time outside of studying playing music in Brisbane’s burgeoning music scene – finally having a chance to transpose my interest in the written word to a musical pursuit with friends. I have a lot of fond memories of the time I spent in Singapore and the freedom it afforded me to step outside of my
Something that stuck with me after my time in Singapore was my desire to do things a bit differently: the last thing I wanted was to end up stuck in an office job! After university, I bounced around a bit trying to figure out where it was that I could strike the happy medium between building up the community others had helped me build for myself, and working towards something I could genuinely be proud of. A bit of wandering across the continents of the earth later, a pandemic and some self-reflection would lead me to a career change and a shot at teaching in some of Sydney’s most prestigious schools – as well as their most vulnerable. While I now work within the catholic mission in the outer west (for those of you who know) of Sydney, it was the duality of these experiences and places that cemented my belief in the journey of teaching – and here I am. Even though I had returned home from overseas for university, it really felt like a second bout of culture shock: I was definitely not mentally prepared for the change of scenery that came with a new environment, and a radically different concept of city life and infrastructure to match. Brisbane now feels like a third home to me, but the earliest stages of studying there felt difficult to navigate: making friends all over again, re-acclimatising to Queensland slang (yes, it changes
between states!) and relying on having a car to get anywhere outside of a 5km radius. I chose to undertake a double degree because it seemed like a happy medium between my interests and my career options – something I wanted to be able to balance and try to use to hopefully find a spot in an industry adjacent to my interests, rather than ending up working in something unrelated. University was a foundational experience for me in building independence and developing my social skills in a setting where I wasn’t expected to spend 8 hours of my day with my classmates – to develop bonds in university took a lot more proactive engagement. This worked out brilliantly in the end, and turned into an expansive network of close friends now scattered across the eastern coast of Australia who I am still able to collaborate with on creative projects, and that I am fortunate enough to be able to visit on a whim! Looking back on it now, the two hardest aspects of university to deal with were knowing my own limits, and developing realistic expectations of myself and others. It can be hard to not get caught up in the social media game of keeping up with the jones’, but the minute you relinquish the need to be known and focus on your goals, it will all come into focus. Being realistic with yourself and not over-committing to social events, or to trying to cram too many courses into one semester will be a balancing act at first, but was an extremely worthwhile undertaking that I learned during my time at university.
SJI International
My advice to anyone about to head into university – soak up every second of it! Join clubs, make friends and spend time out on the college greens. Make it count! I played around with a few different career paths as I went through university: I started off with an internship at an advisory firm, and joined two fintech startups in their earliest push towards a soft launch, as well as going overseas briefly to work on a craft beer proposal in Taiwan before deciding to roll the dice in the big city of Sydney with a travel firm, which unfortunately was not for me at all. I felt like I’d been sold a completely different job and a different career. What I did begin to notice though, was a common thread that ran through all of these jobs: whether directly, or through a product being developed, I wanted to find a way to make someone’s day better – or to share with them something they didn’t know before that would make their life easier, or even more interesting. I skipped off to work in—again—an entirely different industry, dealing with highly-specialised software engineers in Sydney’s growing Silicon Basin. Again – it left me with the feeling that something wasn’t quite right, and even if I enjoyed being around my colleagues, this wasn’t what I pictured myself doing for the next 30 years. What would follow now feels like ancient history, but it was my fiancée who would push me to take the leap of faith and make a drastic career change that meant returning to university to complete a Master’s degree. When I spoke to my family about it, the answer was unanimous: you’d be crazy not to
do it. I spoke with some close friends in confidence about the decision, who also shared the confidence of my family in making this decision. It sounds crazy, and I’m sure anyone from my class of ‘13 would probably spit out their drink at the idea – but I have never genuinely enjoyed a job the way I am able to enjoy teaching. My students tell me I’m cool, so I’ll take it without second guessing it! Looking back at it – I wouldn’t change a single thing. I’d say if anything, it was the teachers that stood out to me—two of whom I’ve already mentioned, props to Mrs Higgins and Mr Ingram!—like Mr. Nurney, and Mr. Scheelbeek who showed me a particularly human and caring aspect of teachers and their profession as I moved through High School that would eventually influence my decision to carry on the journey of teaching. To everyone currently in the IB Programme, or looking towards the Programme in the coming years at SJI International know your own limits, and set realistic expectations of yourself and others. No point in sugar-coating it: It will be a difficult, but manageable, 2 years of your life. It will also be a time life where you will begin to figure out a lot of your own missions going forward. Be kind, and don’t hold grudges. Try something new at least once a week. Go out for a walk in the evening and forget you even have a phone - just enjoy being in the moment. Every summit leaves you with a new, greater mountain to conquer ahead. Don’t be afraid to reach out and ask for help from those around you, and remember to extend that same kindness to others. Good luck and Godspeed! 31
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As cliché as it may sound, sometimes life throws you curveballs and leads you down a path which was not in any of your plan’s A, B or C but you will just need to trust that you will always figure it out somehow & that it will all work out.
TATIANA TABRANI ‘15
It’s been 8 years since I graduated from SJI International in 2015, and sometimes it feels like just yesterday because I formed some of my closest friendships during my time there. Instead of taking a break before college, I decided to enroll in a semester at IMG Academy in Florida. Those six months were transformative, as I underwent intense tennis training and studied various subjects. Being in a foreign land, I was tested physically and mentally every day, and it completely changed me as a person. Afterwards, I pursued my studies at Boston University, majoring in Mechanical Engineering and minoring in Business Administration and Management. Currently, I’m working as a Digital Product Manager (Product Owner) at DBS, and I’ve been in the workforce for two years. Life has been incredibly challenging yet rewarding, and I wouldn’t have it any other way. When the SJI International team approached me for this write-up, I was pleasantly surprised. I hope my story inspires and supports you on your IB/career journey. I enjoyed reading about others during transitional periods like these, and I’m happy to share my experiences.
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Choosing to study in Boston was a relatively easy decision for me because I always yearned for the experience of studying and living overseas. Additionally, I wanted to major in Engineering to expand my future job opportunities, as I had a keen interest in product and manufacturing. I knew I could also incorporate business aspects through electives and eventually pursue a minor, as it was another field that fascinated me. It’s worth noting that studying for a bachelor’s degree in America provides the advantage of changing your major with minimal consequences.
However, studying in Boston presented its own set of challenges. Despite it being a vibrant college town, cultural differences both inside and outside the classroom had a significant impact. Adapting to the “American ways of teaching” took time—understanding how theories were explained and how grades were distributed among various assignment types. Beyond academics, encountering a diverse pool of students required patience in finding my own circle. But this pushed me to step outside my comfort zone and expand my horizons. It may sound intimidating, but don’t let fear hinder you because everyone starting college goes through the same experiences, and you’re never alone.
College is the epitome of independent learning. You have the freedom to decide how much you want to study and how much you want to enjoy yourself. Ultimately, you’re responsible for your own progress and success. To some extent, the International Baccalaureate (IB) Programme prepared me for college by exposing me to various assignment types and fostering a sense of independent learning. It also taught me the importance of seeking help when needed and that it’s perfectly okay to do so. My career path has veered significantly from my initial plans, primarily due to the impact of COVID-19. It goes to show that despite our best efforts to plan, we must always be prepared for unexpected turns, as many factors in life are beyond our control. I had secured a job offer in Michigan at one of the world’s largest automobile wire harness suppliers, where I had previously interned. Unfortunately, the pandemic hit hard in early 2020, resulting in severe setbacks for the automobile industry. The company had to furlough about 75% of its employees, and my offer was rescinded. Faced with this sudden shift, I had to reassess my plans and broaden my job applications to both America and Singapore. I had always dreamt of working in America after college, but it became evident that the chances of getting a job offer there were low, especially after several unsuccessful interviews in Boston. Around seven months into my job hunt, I received an offer in Singapore. While it wasn’t an easy decision, the opportunity aligned
perfectly with my career aspirations. It bridged finance & technology which was extremely fitting to the opportunity. Furthermore, it was a turbulent and uncertain time in the world with an unknown virus at that time and I think I felt more comfortable being around family during such a period. In hindsight, it all worked out in my favour, and I don’t think I would do it any differently. Several unforeseen circumstances occurred after coming back home, and I am glad that I was able to be with my family. As cliché as it may sound, sometimes life throws you curveballs and leads you down a path which was not in any of your plan’s A, B or C but you will just need to trust that you will always figure it out somehow and that it will all work out. To those about to start their career, I’d say to embrace opportunities that come your way. There is time to try your hands on several different paths before ‘settling’ down on one! Also, it is very common for your career to be completely different from your degree which is totally fine and normal. To the current IB batch and to anyone applying for college or entering college, I’d say to go into every experience with an open mind and heart. You will learn something from every kind of experience. Sometimes the most insignificant experience you’re facing in the present can have the largest lessons and impact on you in the future. Don’t be afraid to ask for help as most of the time, most people would be more than happy to share and help you out whether it be in college or at work. I think that learning to adapt to different situations, and being flexible and openminded can bring you a long way!
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I owe this school a debt of gratitude. The times I’ve spent here without a doubt played a significant role into sculpting the person I am today.
STANLEY SOENDORO ‘17
Hello there! I’m Stanley Soendoro, and I graduated from SJI International back in 2017. Currently, I’m a senior at Savannah College of Art and Design (SCAD) majoring in animation and minoring in visual effects! Little did I know that the three-year scholarship I received around 7 years ago to study at SJI International Singapore would have impacted so much of my life. From the amazing people I got to meet, to the places I got to travel (to do service of course!), to the student clubs and leadership roles I got to be involved in, I owe this school a debt of gratitude. The times I’ve spent here without a doubt played a significant role into sculpting the person I am today. I even felt closer to my own Indonesian culture after playing the Balinese Gamelan here for the first time, thanks to Mrs Susi Teo. Back then, people thought I’d be majoring in architecture due to my IB combination (Visual Arts, Math, and Physics HL). The truth is, I just love things related to creativity and problem solving! I also enjoy playing badminton, guitar, drums, solving puzzles, and doing magic. But what I’m very much passionate in is animation, specifically 3D animation. However, being a 3D animator hasn’t always been on my
radar since a young age. I didn’t even know it’s existence until I watched a YouTube video in 2014 about how Pixar created their films. Aside from having a greater appreciation for animation, witnessing the intricacy of the process sparked my interest into exploring this medium deeper – so I did … and fell in love with it! The animation industry is highly collaborative, and people are usually specialised in one area. Our biggest responsibility as 3D animators is to move the characters you see on screen. We are like puppeteers moving digital puppets in the computer (so drawing skills aren’t even necessary but can be a huge plus). But really, it’s much more than merely ‘moving’ them. We breathe life into these characters and give them believable motion. We consider each of their personality because they don’t all move/behave the same. Take Joy and Sadness from Pixar’s Inside Out– both have literally opposing personalities and visual designs, and hence move differently. Even though animation is a time-consuming process (what an understatement), I still can’t really put into words how rewarding it is when we get to see our character comes to life. The reaction I get from my audience is pure magic and it never gets old!
I’ve always been surrounded by supportive people who believe in my dreams, especially my family to which I’m forever grateful for. When I got into SCAD, suddenly I was surrounded by talented artists who are all passionate in the creative industry. It was a great environment to be in, but the scary part is realising that some of them will also be my competitor eventually. Suddenly I wasn’t the only aspiring animator in the block. It’s very easy to feel intimidated by your peers, but the way I like to think of it is that they are also my collaborator and motivator. I just kept pushing myself to do above and beyond, grasped all opportunity for collaborations, and sought ways to improve my skills from every resource possible. One can never learn enough of anything, so be humble and keep learning!
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Our industry consists more of than just “people who draw” (like I said, even 3D animators don’t need to draw). While it is very much considered as a creative field, there are a lot of technical elements going on behind the scenes that support, if not, enhance this craft, especially in 3D animation. An animator is just like a needle in a haystack (you’ll understand this when you watch the end credits of any animated film). There are probably roles you didn’t even know existed, so I’d advise people who are interested in this industry to do their research. 3D animators themselves can work in games, TV series, and films just
to name a few. Our field is highly competitive – some recruiters will receive hundreds and even thousands of applications, so we really need to make our works stand out. I’m very inspired by my rich Indonesian culture, so I try to infuse them into my works whenever I can. I also love trying new things and challenging myself – making mistakes early is an integral part of the journey! My dream goal is to one day be a feature animator (those who work on animated films in studios like Pixar, Sony, DreamWorks, etc.). Though I am open to explore different possibilities and be involved in as many various
projects as I can with different industries, so long as I get to do what I love most: animate! During my 2021 Summer break, I got the opportunity to be a freelance animator at Lumine Studios in Jakarta and worked on a children TV series. I learnt a lot throughout this experience and very thankful for having a glimpse into the professional career life. If you have a passion you’d like to pursue as your career, believe in yourself and persist to achieve it because when you love what you do, you’ll never work a day in your life!
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The education I received at SJI International played a crucial role in shaping my professional journey.
PRISCILLA LAYARDA ‘17
When I was just fourteen years old, I embarked on an incredible adventure, leaving behind my neighbourhood school in Jakarta and venturing into the vibrant city-state of Singapore. SJI International, one of the best schools in town, became my new home. Recently, I had the chance to revisit the school after four years, during a transit in Singapore. I was amazed by the changes, with new buildings, courses, and fresh faces. However, amidst the excitement, I also felt a wave of nostalgia, reminiscing about my own memories at SJI International. Inspired by this experience, I felt compelled to share my reflections with you.
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Years after graduating from SJI International, I’ve come to recognise a pivotal moment that altered the course of my life. It was the day I bid farewell to my parents at Changi Airport, as they headed back to Jakarta. Little did I know that this marked the beginning of my SJI International chapter—a chapter that would reshape my life in unimaginable ways. The education I received at SJI International played a crucial role in shaping my professional journey. The IB Diploma Programme not only taught me the “whats” of education but also the “hows” and “whys.” It equipped me with the skills to learn, think critically, and express myself effectively. Thanks to this comprehensive education, I secured multiple full-ride scholarships offers from top universities worldwide. Ultimately, I chose the University of Toronto, where I discovered my passion for economics, a subject that now shapes my worldview. Understanding economic concepts has empowered me to delve into data and literature, enabling me to form detailed opinions on current events. It gave me the toolkit to excel academically, graduating with a 3.97 GPA! Alongside academic achievements, I enjoyed a vibrant university experience, engaging in research studies, competitions (including presenting monetary policy recommendations to the Governor of the Bank of Canada!), consulting projects, and socialising with friends. Best of all, I was able to spend time with my sister to rediscover our sisterhood after living apart for many years. These experiences allowed me to create cherished memories and grow holistically. My university journey further prepared me for a career in consulting. By exploring economics through classes, research projects, competitions, and teaching opportunities, I honed both my quantitative analytical methods and qualitative communication skills. I delved into statistical analyses, machine learning techniques, and
various programming languages, including the ever-reliable R. I learned how to synthesise my findings into reports tailored for different audiences, both academic and general. My internship at a global economic consultancy during my junior year confirmed that the skills I developed were truly applicable in the real world. More fundamentally, the SJI International community made all the difference in my personal growth. I met amazing peers who were as dedicated to serving others and making a difference in their communities as they were to excel in their academic and extracurricular pursuits. I was surrounded by teachers and staff members who went above and beyond to support students – from spending the extra time to make sure I understand a particular concept to cheering me on as I tried new things, sometimes successfully and other times failing miserably. This community gave the opportunity and the support the fourteen-year-old me needed to navigate living alone in a foreign country, with towering linguistic barriers and a clouding sense of selfdoubt, and grow into someone eager to make a difference in her community – someone confident enough to lead a student club, champion fundraising efforts, give a TEDx talk and perform as part of a flute quartet without the booming sounds of the tuba to hide behind.
you well to tackle the challenge that university presents. The second is to take full advantage of the resources and support at SJI International. Let yourself experiment with new things – join a new club, organise an event, get to know a new person, and ask questions! Experimenting does not feel easy (and I suspect never will), but know that SJI International is a safe space for you to try. So, aim high and give it a go! Beyond SJI International, when you find yourself in unfamiliar surroundings, which may or may not be a university, have confidence in the fact that you know how to learn, how to persevere, and how to follow your heart! I want to take this opportunity to say thank you to all the teachers, staff members, parents, friends, and partners with whom I shared my three years at SJI International. Thank you for inspiring me with your passion and your kindness, for cheering me on through my ups and downs, and for supporting me in discovering a path for myself in the world. Thank you to everyone who has made the SJI International scholarship possible.
By the time I graduated in 2017, I was a stronger, more confident version of myself, who was not only ready to receive but also keen to serve. This community was a second family for me, miles away from home. It gave me a safe space to grow to know myself better, to be better, and to dare to reach for the stars. I would like to share a few pieces of advice that I would love to have shared with my SJI International self over four years ago. The first is to stay focused on learning how to learn and to keep persevering. The hard work that you are putting in right now will prepare
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I’ve met a ton of amazing teachers and friends who provided me with the support and love I needed to fuel my passions and ambitions.
ELLENA GABRIELLE ‘22
SJI International
I guess I couldn’t lump all my learning experiences from SJI International all into one description. It was a memorable journey for sure, and I know for a fact that I wouldn’t become the person I am today without this experience. I’ve met a ton of amazing teachers and friends who provided me with the support and love I needed to fuel my passions and ambitions. The people I’ve met and interacted with happen to be like-minded, as in they also happen to be avid fans of either birds or artmaking, and it made me only more excited to share the fruits of my labour with them. I learnt to be more comfortable and accepting of myself too. I didn’t actually expect myself to eventually become a writer. I just knew full well that I loved anything to do with birds, and since I’ve been birdwatching a lot, I felt the strong need to share this joy with the world, in hopes that people would understand. If I were to just print out my illustrations of these birds, it needed a story to accompany it; to give people an idea on why I spent so much time curating this bird art collection of mine. My first major challenge as a writer was definitely struggling to choose the page layout and how much information regarding the bird did I actually want to include. Since my age demographic target was people from ages 6-12 (but people outside that age range are always welcome to read the book too, of course), I wanted to create a more friendly-appearing and easyto-read page layout, but it took me it
took a long time to find the balance between informative and friendly. It boiled down to cherry-picking the information, and even font choices. There was a point in my book drafts where the page ended up looking like a university essay! The long process of writing a book does, of course, come with its rocky moments. And I’ve had my fair share of art and writers block, especially due to me writing and illustrating this book along with doing the IB. But what helped motivate me was definitely my love for birds. I’d often rejuvenate myself by going out birdwatching, whenever I get burnout from drawing or I’m lacking inspiration for writing material. I’ve always wanted to spread awareness about environmental conservation to the public, and I realised I could achieve this through my bird book - and go down the fundraising route where I donate the profits to the National Parks Board. But I also wanted to include my own encounters with these birds, because, drawing from my personal experience, I felt more inclined to contribute to a cause that I felt strong feelings towards. And if I made my reader audience see birds in a different light through my own writing, they would feel more motivated and engaged in helping spread the importance and intrinsic value of these creatures. I remember the times in early 2021 when I would meticulously spend hours into the night researching about the diet of Pink-Necked Green Pigeons. But I don’t think I could give an exact amount of time that
it took me to research about said birds, because I found that research, illustrating and writing all go hand in hand when it came to putting my book together. My advice to aspiring writers would be don’t worry if your first draft isn’t absolute perfection just yet. That’s why they’re called a first draft, anyway. You learn and develop as you go. You don’t have to solve every single underlying issue with your story right as you’re writing it, just keep going and you can go back to that after you’re done. Also, get a beta reader. You often are your own worst critic, so your best bet is to get a friend or family member to read and critique the book for you (who isn’t going to just tell you that your work is good just because they know you). A fresh set of eyes always helps to steer you in the right direction on whether the diction / page layout is suitable for what you want to achieve. I hope you know that it’s never too late to start a new passion or find something you never knew you would enjoy doing. Life is short, earth’s natural resources are finite, we really don’t have a lot of time on this earth, so pick up something new to try out.
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Gratitude and Joy: Celebrating all our Alumni events and visits in the last year - a testament to SJI International’s enduring spirit and alumni support
ALUMNI - BACK ON CAMPUS!
Following the removal of Covid-19 restrictions, we have been delighted to welcome more and more alumni back on campus this last year. We look forward to seeing even more of you in the coming months - welcome back we missed you!
SJI International
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Following a hiatus lasting over two years due to Covid-19 restrictions, the 2022 Alumni Summer Reunion event on campus was eagerly anticipated by all and didn’t disappoint!
ALUMNI SUMMER REUNION 2022
Graduates from various cohorts of previous years gathered together, mingling and bonding with fellow alumni and staff, creating a lively atmosphere filled with laughter and revelry. It was an unforgettable night that will be cherished for years to come!
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MEET YOUR CLASS AND COUNTRY REPRESENTATIVES
ANDRE SNG ‘14 HEAD OF COUNTRY REPS Bar Candidate, Singapore Institute of Legal Education
CLARE ONG ‘20 HEAD OF COUNTRY REPS Film and Television with a minor in Journalism, Boston University
KATHERINE TAN SI ‘19 COUNTRY REP FOR UK English Literature and History of Art, the University of Edinburgh
TARA KRIPALANI ‘19 COUNTRY REP FOR UK Biochemistry, the University of Bristol
ASHLEY HENG ‘18 COUNTRY REP FOR CANADA Director of Operations, Artsideout
MARK RODRIGUES ‘17 CLASS REP Political Science, National University of Singapore
JAXEN CHEW ‘17 CLASS REP Mechanical Engineering, the National University of Singapore
JONAS CHEW ‘18 CLASS REP Biomedical Science, University of Adelaide
AMY ZHANG ‘19 CLASS REP Chinese Medicine, Beijing University
JUSTIN TAN ‘19 CLASS REP Firefighter, SCDF Marina Bay Fire Station
ALEX BROWN ‘21 CLASS REP National Service Singapore Civil Defence Force - Fire Fighter
KERRI MOK ‘21 CLASS REP Bsc Media, Culture and Communications, New York University
ENZO VELOO ‘22 CLASS REP National Service MINDEF
SJI International
ALI JUMABHOY ‘ 12 CLASS REP New Ventures Manager, Utu
HSIN CHONG LEE ‘12 CLASS REP Business Owner, axxaglobal
ALISTER YIM ‘12 CLASS REP Management Consultant, Accenture
RURU HOONG ‘14 CLASS REP PhD Candidate, Economics Harvard Business School
SAMUEL TAN ‘14 CLASS REP Postgrad, East Asian Languages, Columbia University
ANIKA MUTHUKUMAR ‘20 CLASS REP Social Sciences, Singapore Management University
MEGAN CHUA ‘20 CLASS REP Medicine, NUS Yong Loo Li School of Medicine
ISABEL TAN ‘20 CLASS REP Undergraduate, Architectural School of Architecture, London
LEEANNE CHAYAVIRABOOD ‘21 CLASS REP Law Undergraduate, Durham University”
KARISHMA KARUNAGARAN ‘21 CLASS REP Undergraduate, Queens College University of Melbourne
AMISHA MEHTA ‘22 CLASS REP
ELINA CHO ‘22 CLASS REP
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SJI International
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St. Joseph’s Institution International Ltd Co. Reg & GST No. 200607833C 490 Thomson Road, Singapore 298191 T 6353 9383, sji-international.com.sg
alumni@sji-international.com.sg connect.sji-international.com.sg
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