Messages

GREAT THINGS ARE POSSIBLE

Brother Lawrence Humphrey, FSC

Brother President

In December 2019, experts watched anxiously as the emergence of a novel coronavirus was first identified. Within a year all of our lives would be impacted by the worldwide pandemic. In fact, it has been reported that the education of 90% of the world’s children has been disrupted by the virus.

2020 came, and with it, more global challenges. The Australian and US wildfires, the Beirut explosion, the devastating floods in Indonesia, the aftermath of the volcanic eruption in the Philippines, not to mention attacks on the dignity of human beings exhibited in matters like migration, exacerbated individualism, human trafficking, child slavery, and the like.

One might ask: what worse could come after this? And nevertheless, even in the face of all these challenges, great things are possible. This has been the theme for reflection in Lasallian schools across the globe. Throughout the year, we have been asked to consider what the “great things” are, so that we Lasallians can positively respond to the challenges posed to us by the world today.

This issue of Humanitas showcases how your overwhelming support for our Scholarships and Bursaries Fund through SINGALA III enabled us to award our very first batch of Lasallian scholarships in 2020. This 6-year scholarship programme enables us to extend the opportunity of an SJI International education to qualified young people from Lasallian primary schools in Singapore.

This issue also features three of our scholars from the Class of 2019 who recount many of the great things that happened to them during their time at SJI International. One scholar describes it as some of the “most transformative years” of his life. While 2020 has been a year like no other, thanks to you, great things continue to take place every day at SJI International. Even while masked and safely-distanced from one another, our community proved that we could do virtually anything. For many of our students, these experiences are only possible because of your support. As they leave SJI International, they take with them the culmination of their learnings and discoveries that embody what it means to be a person of integrity and a person for others. I hope that you enjoy reading their stories in this issue and that they inspire you to continue to partner with us in our mission to reach out to the last, the lost and the least.

Once again, for all that you do for our students and for making great things happen – thank you.

WHY GIVING MATTERS:

AN INTERVIEW WITH MR KENNETH LI

A passionate parent, Board Member and supporter

What is your connection to SJII and how long have you been part of the community?

My connection with SJII started in 2014 when my oldest daughter, Audrey, joined SJII as a Prep 2 and my connection grew stronger when my other daughters, Kendra and Kate, joined the SJII family the following years.

What is your background? What do you do for a passion or fun?

Passion and fun for me revolves around family and friends. As a family, we love horse riding, skiing, and traveling together as we believe that these 3 activities promote great bonding experiences. In addition to riding horses, the entire family can often be seen at the stables taking care of our horse, Lilli. Despite living near the equator, we love spending the winter months skiing as it is a fantastic opportunity for the family to spend time together (and with friends) both on the slopes and by the fireplace. Finally, we love to travel. In addition to seeing new places, it is an excellent opportunity for the family to share wonderful memories.

What excites you about the education and opportunities for students at SJII?

My grandfather is an incredible role model for me when it comes to the support of education. A phrase he always uses is “if a country is to be prosperous and strong, the most important element is education” (translated from Chinese). Therefore, providing education opportunities to everyone has always been a goal of his. Assisting him in many of his “education ventures” for many years has naturally developed my passion for supporting education and inspired me to join him in this cause. The differentiating aspect of SJII’s education that excites me most is our commitment to service, which can be seen starting in the Elementary School all the way to the High School, highlighted by the Grade 11 Service Trip. It is this virtue of giving back and paying it forward, which can be felt through the entire SJII community that makes SJII truly unique as an institution. This positive energy which emanates through the school is what excites me and drives me to do more for the school and our students.

Tell us why you wanted to volunteer and sit on the SJII Board, and what is your role?

Four years ago, I was asked to join the SJII Board of Governors which I am grateful for each and every day because it gives me the opportunity to contribute to a school with an education ethos I strongly believe in and to give back to the remarkable school that has been integral in the positive development of my 3 kids. As a Governor, I have had the opportunity to work alongside a fully committed Board and a selfless Leadership Team who work in unity with only the best interests of the school and its students in mind. This has become the driving force that pushes me on to continue to serve this extraordinary school. In 2018, I was very fortunate to be assigned Chair of the Scholarship Committee where I get to work hand in hand with the most altruistic group of committee members to further our scholarship program.

What are you most proud of with the work done by the Scholarship Committee?

There are way too many proud moments, but one thing I admire most about the legacy of the Scholarship Committee that has been passed down to me is the “never give up” mentality when it comes to the support of our scholars. I am proud that we have a supportive and compassionate Board of Governors, School Leadership Team, teachers, staff members and an SJII community who never gives up on our scholars and are all integral in the success of our scholarship program. I am also most proud of our scholars who are the most deserving group of young men and women who bring so much to our community.

What would you say to parents and alumni about why they should consider supporting SJII (this can be about volunteering and/or giving)?

In volunteering or giving, it is imperative that one believes in the cause. In the case of SJII, this refers to believing in the school, our faculty, our core Lasallian principles, our mission, and most importantly the confidence in SJII’s ability to develop students who will make a difference and contribute to society. For this, I am thankful to all our supporters who share our vision. I hope that with greater participation in school events, more will be able to interact with our students and see for themselves our exceptional student body and our ever-so dedicated faculty and staff.