SJI International School

St. Joseph's Institution International School 圣若瑟国际书院 (Shèng Ruò Sè Guó Jì Shū Yuàn) Institusi Internasional Saint Joseph செய்ண்ட் ஜோசஃப் கல்வி நிலையம் சர்வதேச பள்ளி
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Location
490 Thomson Road, Singapore 298191
Information
Type	International Mixed School, Private Institution
Established	2006
Principal	Bradley Roberts (High School); Kevin Hannah (Elementary School)
Enrolment	Approx. 1500
Colour(s)	Green, White
Website	SJI International School

Saint Joseph's Institution International School (often referred to as "SJI International School", "SJI International" or "SJII") is an independent co-educational Catholic international school in Singapore. It comprises an Elementary and High School. The Elementary School students range in age from 4-12 while in the High School the students are aged 12–18. The High School was founded in 2006 and the Elementary School opened in 2008.

The Elementary School teaches the International Primary Curriculum (IPC), which is used by over 1000 schools in 65 countries around the world. Singapore maths and Chinese are also included in the curriculum as Chinese is part of the fabric of the school culture.

SJI International Middle School offers the IGCSE programme, while SJI International Senior School offers the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme. The school caters to both local and foreign students from Grade 7-12. The first batch of Senior School Grade 12 students graduated in 2009.

The school has a diverse international community of staff and students. Nationalities represented include Australia, Brazil, Burma, Canada, China, East Timor, France, India, Indonesia, Malaysia, New Zealand, Nigeria, Pakistan, the Philippines, South Africa, South Korea, Spain, Sri Lanka, Taiwan, Thailand, USA, UK, Vietnam, and Zambia.

History

In 2006, upon the urging of Singapore's Economic Development Board, St Joseph's Institution established an international school. SJI International High School began classes in January 2007 with 104 students. In January 2012, SJI International welcomed around 700 students from grade 7 to grade 12, a 600% increase in enrolment in five years. Numbers have continued to grow to the current (2015) High School enrolment of 980, and 660 at the Elementary School.

SJI International High School was the third "local international" school to open in Singapore (i.e. a school which can admit both local and international students and secondary and pre-university levels) after Anglo-Chinese School (International) and Hwa Chong International School (both of which were also established by well-known local schools). It is open to both Singaporean and international students from the age of 12. The student population is 63% Singaporean, while 31 other nationalities comprise the remaining 37%.

In adherence to government regulations, Elementary School enrolment is currently closed to Singapore citizens but open to all foreign students, provided the child holds a valid Dependent’s Pass (tied to the parent’s Employment Pass), Singapore Permanent Residency (Entry/Re -Entry Permit), or Immigration Exemption Order (for diplomats).

Association with St Joseph's Institution

Main article: Saint Joseph's Institution, Singapore

SJI International School is part of a group of seven Lasallian schools in Singapore whose history dates back over 150 years. Together, the Elementary and High School form the group's first international school. The School is a non-profit organisation and is overseen by the SJI International School Board, composed of SJI alumnae. The School is currently supported by a Brother President and two Lasallian Brothers on the teaching staff.

Today there are 7000 La Salle Brothers and 75 000 lay Lasallian teachers working in 85 countries around the world, teaching 900 000 students in 1000 Universities, Schools and Special Education Centres. SJI International is one of these Lasallian Institutions.

Academic Programme

The High School offers places to students from Grade 7 (Secondary 1) to Grade 12 (Pre-University 2), and at the end of their academic pursuit, if they have met all the requirements, they graduate with an IB Diploma Certificate. Students in Grade 10 sit for the International General Certificate of Secondary Education (IGCSE), which is certified by the Cambridge International Examinations Board. Alternatively, they can take the Foundation IB programme (FIB) that the school offers at Grade 10.

In Grades 7 and 8, students take the foundation IGCSE course, so the aim of the curriculum in those grades is to provide a broad range of subjects necessary for the IGCSE course in Grades 9 and 10.

IGCSE

In Grades 9 and 10, under the IGCSE course, students take 9 subjects, which will be examined in November, at the end of their 2 years. Subjects include English Language, English Literature, Maths, Additional Maths, Second Languages, Physics, Chemistry, Biology, Co-ordinated Sciences, Economics, History, Geography, Music, Drama, and Art.

Alternatively, students in Grade 10 can take the Foundation IB curriculum. The aim of the FIB Curriculum is, in a one-year course, to prepare students for the IB Programme. Students who join SJI International either very late in Grade 9 or at the start of Grade 10 generally take the FIB course as they cannot sit the IGCSE examinations in most subjects (the IGCSE is a two-year course). Instead of sitting the externally set IGCSE examinations, all FIB students will sit internally set examinations towards the end of the academic year.

IB Diploma Programme

In Grades 11 and 12, students pursue the International Baccalaureate programme where they choose a subject from each of six groups, namely: 1 - First Language; 2 - Second Language; 3 - Individuals and Societies; 4 - Experimental Sciences; 5 - Mathematics; and 6 - Music, Theatre Arts, and Visual Arts. Group 6 may be replaced by another subject from Groups 3-5. This is in addition to the core section of the course, which requires students to study Theory of knowledge, write an Extended Essay, and undertake Creativity, Action, Service. Three subjects are taken at Higher Level, which requires more focus and class time to complete than the other 3 Standard Level subjects.

Academic Performance

Several of the school's students have won the International Leader of Tomorrow Scholarship for studies at the University of British Columbia. Students have also won the Freeman Asian Scholarship, ASEAN Undergraduate Scholarship, Public Service Commission Scholarship, A*Star Local Scholarship, Singapore Airlines NOL Scholarship. Other scholarships include those such as the Harvard University Faculty Scholarship, University of Queensland Centennial Scholarship and International Economics Scholarship, Trent University Global Citizenship Scholarship, University of Cincinnati Global Scholarship, Colgate University Alumni Memorial Scholarship and the University of Toronto International Scholarship. The average IB Diploma score for the most recent (2014) cohort of students was 36.4 points, with 29% of students achieving 40 points or more. Seven students scored a perfect 45. The A*/A pass rate at IGCSE was 75% (40% at A*).

School Facilities

The school has numerous facilities, including four main school blocks, 2 tennis courts, 2 basketball courts, a netball court, a large sports complex including a fitness area, and specific drama and music rooms. There are also two soccer fields, a swimming pool and an assembly hall. In May 2011, the school gained a new block, dubbed the La Salle Block, which is home to the Indonesian Centre (the first of its kind in Singapore), added to SJI International through the Development Fund. For its foreign students boarding facilities are provided at external venues.

Subjects Offered

Languages

• English
• Chinese
• Indonesian
• Malay
• Spanish
• Hindi
• Tamil
• French

Sciences

• Biology
• Chemistry
• Physics
• Environmental Systems and Societies
• Sports, Exercise and Health Science
• Psychology

Humanities

• Geography
• History
• Economics
• Theory of Knowledge
• Religious and moral education (RME)

Arts

• Music
• Visual Arts
• Theatre Arts

Mathematics

• Elementary Mathematics (IGCSE)
• Additional Mathematics (IGCSE)
• Standard Level (IB)
• Higher Level (IB)
• Mathematical Studies (IB)

Activities

SJI International offers a wide range of activities for students: over 20 sporting activities, 11 music groups and 35 other activities, separated into Creativity, Action and Service (CAS) for the IB Diploma Programme. Sporting activities range from akido through to zumba and include all major sports as well as hip hop dance, rock climbing and scuba diving. Non-sporting activities include a range of creative activities such as art, drama, debating, literature and newspaper clubs. There are also activities supporting the Lasallian ethos of the school, such as the Chapel Ministry and Legion of Mary. Various other clubs support physics and maths and Indonesian culture. While most activities are led by teachers, a few special interest groups are student-led, being mentored by teachers.

Service

All students are expected to support a range of charities and organisations. The school currently supports 40 different service activities, including local community groups and events and overseas projects that provide opportunities to engage with various communities.

Leadership

• Development Team
• Lasallian Youth
• Senior Council
• Student Advancement Board

Expeditions

Grade 7, 8, and 9 students participate in week-long expeditions overseas: to Bintan, Indonesia, Tioman and Cameron Highlands in Malaysia, and to Krabi or Chiang Mai in Thailand. Grade 11 students plan and implement the milestone Challenge Week, when they travel to another country to serve a charity of their choice in a self-organised group. Additional educational trips and personal development programmes – like the National Youth Achievement Award – are also supported.

Affiliated Schools

• St. Joseph's Institution

External links

• Official school website