ST JOSEPH ’ S INSTITUTION • JOSEPHIAN ANNUAL 2014 A TRIBUTE TO BRO KEVIN BYRNE
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From Ms Charlotte Collars , teacher - “ I shall always remember ‘ the silent one ’ who always had time to chat with me over the progress of my students even if / when we met along the long corridors of the Bras Basah Rd SJI .”
Sebastian Anthony ( Class of 1981 ): “ He was such a humble man . A great principal and an even greater teacher . Thank you Bro Byrne .”
From Michael Au ( Class of 1986 ): “ I remember him as a very soft-spoken man whose words of advice , servant leadership and quiet assertiveness are qualities much needed in school leadership these days .”
Br Paul Rogers , former SJI Principal : “ Br . Kevin was Principal of SJI during a remarkable period of its history . Taking over in 1979 , he was to work with Goh Sin Tub over the coming 10 years to raise the funds and build the Independent SJI . Some of the early statements of the new school were exceptional and will stand the test of time as true reflections of the SJI that we all want it to be . He was a very humble man , as I knew him , but also a man who knew who to stand up for himself if his basic beliefs were tested . In his calmness and quiet confidence , he reflected all that was finest in being a De La Salle Brother and in working with teachers and young people to build a wonderful tradition in SJI , within the parameters of the “ new SJI ”, as we referred to ourselves for some years after the acquisition of independence . Br . Kevin gave all he had to SJI in the last 12 years of his Principalship , and as an active educator in Singapore , and to him we shall all be forever grateful . It is he who has helped build a school community which was stood the test of time extremely well . Let us pray that God will welcome Kevin and reward him well for all that this wonderful Brother displayed to us in the east over his years in mission there . May he rest in peace .”
“ With Goh Sin Tub , Br . Kevin worked tirelessly and the end result was the new school on Malcolm Rd . The agreement to go Independent was itself a big decision . Others were involved in many of the writing teams but Kevin was the person who held it all together .”
Adrian Lim , Honorary Treasurer , SJIOBA ( Class of 1978 ): Bro Kevin Byrne is remembered for his virtue of great patience .
Arulsingam Chandrasegaran , ex-teacher : “ My first encounter with Bro . Kevin was as a parent in 1985 in the old SJI . I knew him to be a very gentle and trusting gentleman . How could I forget him ; one afternoon on a Friday in December 1991 he called me to his office and offered me position as a science teacher in January 1992 without even verifying my credentials , and even though he was retiring at the end of 1991 . May he rest in peace .”