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Message from our Chairman
That 2020 was a challenging year for everyone globally would be an understatement. Millions of lives have been disrupted and families have lost loved ones. The COVID-19 pandemic is still upon us; while we have learnt to protect ourselves and cope with the virus potentially becoming endemic in the community, we must remain vigilant even as we try to go about our activities. The school environment is uniquely vulnerable yet it can also provide a safe refuge that enables our students to continue their learning journey in the midst of a pandemic. Whether physically or virtually, the SJI International community has weathered the challenges brought about by COVID-19 in 2020 and we will continue to prioritise our students’ well-being, learning and development in 2021.
The Year of the Pandemic
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2020 was marked by COVID-19 and the ever evolving challenges it presented, requiring the Board of Governors and the Senior Leadership Team to work diligently to look after our SJI International community of students, parents and staff. We continually examined ways we could deliver a holistic Lasallian educational experience for our students in the COVID-19 environment, all the while committed to maintaining and supporting our teaching faculty, and adhering to our high admission standards across all levels. We were not sure how long the pandemic would last and how acutely the school would be affected but our commitment to our high standards and our mission would not be compromised. While we had unexpected overheads and increased operating costs due to the pandemic, we were also mindful that some members of our community were potentially also adversely affected by the fallout from the attendant economic downturn. As a not-for-profit school without any government funding, we have always been careful with our expenses while ensuring that we deliver a unique value-formoney educational experience and outcome. We brought forward our budgeting cycle to factor in the impact of COVID-19, and expedited our annual fee review. We made the decision to hold all school fees for the 2021 academic year at 2020 levels. At the same time, we also provided all families a 5% fee rebate on Term 2 2020 fees. For families that required further support or assistance, we worked with them to see how else the school could help. Families were also given the opportunity to give back their rebate to help those families more in need.
While the freeze on fees and rebates added some weight to the financial load of the school during 2020, we also saw the completion of a number of new buildings on campus, which were funded mainly using our reserves and partially using our Building & Development Fund. As the initial payback period was originally forecast to be over the duration of our time on our current premises, the freeze on 2021 school fees meant that we funded an increased portion of this development from our reserves. Although we have always believed in protecting our reserves for future lease renewals and long-term development, the Board nevertheless felt that these unique circumstances warranted the use of our reserves to support our community.
The adjustments to our academic and enrichment programmes and the impact on school life because of COVID-19 during 2020 were equally challenging, but our community more than rose to the occasion. Home-Based Learning and Work-from-Home models for our students, faculty and staff were put in place to ensure that our programmes remained strong and intact. Service and enrichment programmes, cocurricular activities and school trips were moved
online, modified or cancelled as appropriate; and to comply with all necessary measures, bubbles and social distancing policies were put in place to comply with safe distancing measures while on campus; additional steps were taken to supplement the various Leave of Absence, Quarantine and Stay Home orders for some members of our community. Thankfully, none of the members of our extended community were infected by the virus. We pray and hope that we will remain safe and well.
Achievements and Milestones
Notwithstanding the impact of COVID-19, 2020 was also a year of significant achievements and positive milestones for SJI International.
The 2020 cohort of 183 graduates scored an average of 38 points, an improvement on last year’s results, with 100% of the cohort obtaining the full IB Diploma. Congratulations to the Class of 2020 and the faculty for the outstanding achievement in the midst of very challenging circumstances!
In service learning, students showed their resilience and adaptability supporting various organisations and charities, both local and overseas. From raising funds for children with cancer and foreign workers in Singapore, organising virtual fundraising concerts and a debating tournament, delivering daily meals to the elderly, to developing a series of videos to help teachers in rural Cambodia use Google Suite tools, students actively engaged in community action despite the restrictions.
Our Elementary School received the EduTrust accreditation in 2020, a mark of high quality standards in the overall provision of education services and make continual improvements that lead to positive student outcomes. Like the CIS Accreditation received by our High School in 2019, the EduTrust accreditation achieved by our Elementary School reflects SJI International’s continuous efforts to improve our systems and processes by benchmarking ourselves to the best in class.
Our scholarship programme faced challenges with restrictions placed on our ability to identify and award qualified international scholars. However, we are very proud that we were successfully able to implement and offer our first six-year Lasallian scholarships to two deserving and well qualified local scholars who began with us in 2020.
On the development front, in spite of COVID-19 restrictions and our inability to host any community building and fundraising events, our parents, donors and friends continued to be extraordinarily supportive of the school’s ethos and aims, and we are immensely grateful. Through this support and co-funding from the SG Bicentennial Community Fund Grant, we were able to maintain support of our scholars and also meet the additional needs of our building programme with the physical enhancements made to the campus.
2020 was indeed an eventful year for SJI International. On behalf of the Board of Governors and management of the school, I want to express my deepest appreciation and gratitude to all our students, staff, parents, donors and volunteers for your commitment, perseverance and support over the past year. There is much to look forward to in 2021, and as we anticipate and begin our preparations for our 15th anniversary celebrations in 2022.
Please stay safe and well.
Ora et Labora
Roy Quek
Chairman, Board of Governors
