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Dear Dr . Koh ,
ROLL OF HONOUR
Thiam Seng came to SJI at the time when SJI was a Band 2 school and struggling to get into Band 1 . He was supportive of the re-positioning of SJI strategy paper that Tan Tee How and I wrote . He was able to translate that strategic thrust into reality by galvanising the school , connecting with the students and engaging with the alumni and parents . With his keen sense and reading of the dynamics of the larger educational landscape , he worked hard and succeeded in getting SJI to become an IP school and thus firmly secure for SJI its place among Singapore ’ s top schools while maintaining its reputation for holistic education and character development .
Mr Chan Keng Luck 10 th SJI Board Of Governors
Thank you for your leadership in SJI . You have taught me to think deeper about teaching and started me delving into many articles which you had sent us . May God continue to bless you with good health and happiness wherever you go .
Mr Anthony Khoo
In the 7 years that Dr Koh Thiam Seng was principal of SJI , he demonstrated brilliance in vision and foresight and was never shy of a challenge or taking chances on students others would have given up on . We are truly grateful for his leadership through which the school came to emphasize even more strongly the virtues of compassion and humility , and in so doing students imbibed and grew in the values which would make them truly citizens of integrity and servant leaders . SJI is more authentic to its Lasallian roots because of him . We ask that the Lord will bless Dr Koh with fruitful endeavours in all his future appointments and in every aspect of his life . Praying and working together for the glory of God and the service of man .
Dr Gerard Nah President , SJIOBA
Someone congratulated me when they knew that I was joining SJI . She said “ Thiam Seng has a good heart and he is a good man .” I came , I saw and I witnessed a true blue Lasallian Josephian , a good man with a heart in action . Thank you . God bless .
Mr Lee Han Seng
Thank you for leading and steering the SJI Community with your visionary leadership . You have guided and shown us what it means to live out the School ’ s Mission . We salute a true Josephian who has answered his Alma Mater ’ s call to serve and served with zeal and who has upheld and exemplified the school values .
Mrs Goh Poh Kenn Deputy Principal
Thank you for : 1 . Changing the staff meeting time to
Thursday morning . 2 . Supporting IT dept in our purchases of
Lego robots 3 . Being always supportive and offering a listening ear 4 . Allowing me to take my boys and trainer to compete in world robotics Olympiad in Jakarta . That experience was unforgettable Thank you , for also things which I cannot recall right now . You have definitely left your mark as a forgiving and understanding principal . God bless you and your family always !
Mr Michael Poh
It has been a great pleasure working with you on the various projects to advance the school mission . Your commitment to the school and drive to get things done are infectious . I wish you all the best in your next endeavor which I have no doubt you will excel in .
Mr Lee Kok Fatt 10th SJI Board Of Governors
Your strong presence and wise leadership has led the school from strength to strength . I am thankful for your availability , being always approachable and helpful . God has blessed us with your Lasallian leadership .
Bro Nicholas Seet 10th SJI Board Of Governors
If you are looking for a person who is clear headed and very much down to earth , Dr . Koh is your man . I find him very much aware of his moral principles , MOE procedures and ethical practices that have helped SJI to function efficiently . His constant reminders on the vision and mission of SJI have helped us to evaluate and reflect the ways we wish to steer SJI community to be in the future .
As the curriculum leader of SJI , he has always shared many good educational articles and books with staff , indeed he is very much abreast with current global educational conversations and innovations .
In his rapport with staff , students , parents and alumni he gives a willing ear and prudent in his responses . He is never short of reminding teachers that teacherstudent relationship is top priority as it is a good start to an effective learning journey . “ Young people need the light of watchful guides to lead them on the path of salvation .” John Baptist de La Salle .
Dr Koh has received talents and graces from God and in his years as principal of SJI he has done his part to help build up the kingdom of God in the hearts of staff and students . Thank you & God bless , Dr . Koh .
Bro Paul Ho Brother President , SJI
I had the honour and privilege to be one of Dr Koh ’ s class teachers many many years ago .
During that time , the class sizes were huge - some had 44 students in a non-airconditioned small classroom . The tables were wooden , with lids hinged on the top which you could open to keep your books . Chairs were mismatched , and some rickety . The boys were more keen on playing outdoors than being in such a crowded classroom . They were a rambunctious lot , waiting for recess and the end of the school day to expend their energies .
But Dr Koh was an outlier in the class . He was methodical in his habits , organised in his thoughts , and reflective in his nature . His handwriting was small and neat . Till today they are . His high intellect and ability took him to the highest pinnacle of his academic accomplishments . He would recall with enduring gratitude to an SJI teacher , Dr Agnes Chang , whom he said opened the door to opportunities for him .
I guess Dr Koh could never have imagined , and neither could I , that our paths would meet again . These are life ’ s unexpected experiences that only God could have seen .
Dr Koh answered the call to serve his alma mater with conviction in his faith , for he could have taken a path more predictable and assuring . We teachers see him steer SJI with a compassionate heart and a steadfast mind - traits of a Lasallian . One year , when our O level results were not what we wanted , I recalled his words , that he did not lose any sleep over it . Such was his faith in the community and the confidence he has in his staff . The next year , the school did well . Thank goodness ! His time here ended well , for he sees his last batch of O level students and first batch of IB students obtained stellar results .
As he leaves SJI , I am certain he can look back with satisfaction on the bold transformations that he brought on to the running of the school , and in its academic frontier and holistic character . We the teachers and students are the beneficiaries of this gentle evolution .
While we here say goodbye to him , we know that he is still in the great big Lasallian family . We wish him God ’ s richest blessings as he takes up his new appointment as CEO of SJI International . We thank him for making us part of his life ’ s journey .
Mrs Tan Eng Hong
I got to know Thiam Seng when I joined MOE in 2003 . Since then , we have become not just good work colleagues but also friends . What I have come to appreciate and value most in Thiam Seng is his loyalty , commitment and reliability - he will always be there for you , in good and bad times . He is a dedicated educationist , one who truly believes in and seeks to nurture our future generations . He has done SJI proud as a student and school leader , and he continues to contribute to the Lasallian community in so many ways . While we may bid farewell to Thiam Seng as Principal of SJI , we are grateful and appreciative of his legacy in SJI . We should all be proud to call Thiam Seng a true Josephian .
Mr Roy Quek 10th SJI Board Of Governors
ROLL OF HONOUR
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I met Thiam Seng in my capacity as a board member for the first time in 2008 . SJI was looking for a new Principal to build on the good work of Benjamin Lui Seng Cheong and Thiam Seng had been identified as someone who could bring the school to the next level .
At the end of the meeting , I was convinced that we had found the right person . Thiam Seng was obviously someone who had thought deeply about education and had a clear vision of how the school could develop in her next phase . My concern though was whether he would agree to take up the position given that he was already at Director level in MOE and being a Principal could be regarded as a step backwards . My fears were unfounded . As a true Josephian who believes in being a man for others , Thiam Seng agreed to take on the role .
The rest , as they say , is history . Thiam Seng has in his 7 years as Principal firmly placed SJI on a stronger footing . SJI ’ s academic standing has risen and the school ’ s Catholic ethos has continued to remain strong . In addition , Thiam Seng has led the efforts to allow SJI to offer the Integrated Programme track , and overseen the academic developments necessary for the school to offer the International Baccalaureate programme at the newly established Senior School . Even though this programme is new to SJI , the first batch of graduating students has done extremely well and the programme as taught in SJI already has a stellar reputation . This is a remarkable achievement in itself and there is much that Thiam Seng can be proud of during his tenure as Principal . SJI owes him a great debt of gratitude - he has been an outstanding Principal !
Prof Tan Cheng Han 10th SJI Board Of Governors
Dr Koh helmed the school in a period of transition . Turning SJI into an IP school meant that many of his efforts were unseen and unthanked but hestill helped to restore SJI to preeminence . I will never forget the one maxim he held dearest : Pick your battles wisely .
Adriel Yovel Lim LE402 ( 2015 )
I am always inspired by your heartfelt and insightful speeches during morning assembly that I am sure has left a significant and memorable mark in the lives of Josephians .
Andrew Chew Jing Wei ML402 ( 2015 )
ST JOSEPH ’ S INSTITUTION JOSEPHIAN ANNUAL 2015