ROLL OF HONOUR

ROLL OF HONOUR

A Leader , Visionary and Community Builder “ SJI is not just a school . It is a community , a home to return to anytime .” Staff and students will remember the year 2009 when Dr Koh Thiam Seng did indeed return home to take over the reins as Principal of SJI , where he was to become its first alumnus Principal in her 158-year history . He graduated from SJI in 1976 to pursue his post-secondary education in Catholic Junior College - just like many of his peers during that time . What followed was an illustrious career in the education sector as Teacher in St Gabriel ’ s Secondary School and Raffles Junior College ; Lecturer , Associate Dean and subsequently Deputy Director of National Institute of Education ; and Director at the Educational Technology Division of the Ministry of Education .

Quality Education Dr Koh had a mission to accomplish as the incoming principal : to enhance the quality of education in a fast changing educational landscape . Included in this plan was obtaining approval from the Ministry of Education to offer the Integrated Programme ( IP ) which allows Josephians to experience a through-train programme of 6 years from Secondary 1 to Junior College 2 . They will then graduate with the International Baccalaureate ( IB ) Diploma . Dr Koh stepped up processes and worked on professional training to prepare staff for inevitable challenges and changes . With the approval for SJI to be a dual-track school offering IP and O-level tracks as well as offer the International Baccalaureate ( IB ) Diploma Programme in 2013 , the school was able to re-position itself as a mission school of choice . Hence SJI was able to offer a brand of education to students with a wider range of academic abilities .

Integrated Programme Always having a purpose in mind , Dr Koh believed that “ in offering the SJI education successfully , we need to dare to push the envelope of how education should be delivered . We need to constantly dare to question our assumptions and practices and to think out-of-the-box to resolve the challenges ahead . In order to increase our chances of success in pushing the envelope of education , we should not attempt to work alone but we should always collaborate and tap on each other ’ s strengths to achieve the best possible results . Only then , we and our students can do the best we can , be the best we can be and work together collaboratively as a community to achieve our school mission with the best possible outcomes .” He seized favourable moments to do so :

2013 and 2014 saw the launch of the IP track for Secondary 1 and Secondary 3 students respectively . They presented opportune time to make further changes to the curriculum and pedagogy ( some

of which were already in force ) - aspects which Dr Koh constantly reiterated to help students become independent and self-directed learners ; learners who read widely and possess critical thinking skills . The 3-tier curriculum structure initiated by Dr Koh became the staple whenever curriculum matters were deliberated . In essence , Level 1 learning which is common to both “ O ” and IP tracks would provide the academic foundation ; level 2 and 3 learning would provide the depth and breadth of learning beyond the “ O ” level requirements which catered to individual talents and interests . This was done through units such as Creativity , Action & Languages , Academic Discovery Modules and Independent Study Modules . Special Programmes such as ArtScience , Business Design Thinking and

World and Me further honed students ’ critical thinking , oral presentation and collaboration skills . As a leader , Dr Koh enhanced the Catholic ethos of the school by enriching the Religious , Moral

and Social Education ( RMSE ) Programme as a flagship programme . This was done through developing the framework , the reflective response tool , the pedagogical approach and lessons for students . He reiterated the importance of teachers modelling the way and sharing life experiences and beliefs in accordance with values set up in the RMSE programme .

Lifelong Learner One of the most important directions Dr Koh charted for the teachers in SJI was the importance of professional learning , not only to keep pace with the changing world but to also focus on how teachers can achieve the mission of helping students learn how to learn and to learn how to live . To this end , he also encouraged learning among staff and supported those who pursued Masters and Doctorate degrees .

Dr Koh believed that teachers had to adapt and adopt pedagogies relevant to their students . Stressing the importance of helping students understand the concepts and principles of the discipline to delve deeper into the learning of the discipline , he was untiring in his efforts to share publications and articles for reading and exploration . What also ensued was a drive towards a curriculum mapping exercise to facilitate and reinforce the learning of concepts and principles across subjects . His logic was simple : to make way for depth of learning and in the process make learning meaningful and relevant to prepare students for the real world . So relentless was his love for learning that he continued to share readings even towards the last few weeks of his tenure as Principal .

ArtScience 2015

The IT-Man One of Dr Koh ’ s vision for SJI was to transform learning to go beyond the four walls of the classroom . Technology was key to enhancing the capabilities of teachers to help our students learn more effectively . Other than professional training in 1-to-1 computing , systems were also improved to facilitate collection of data for assessment and review to enhance teaching and learning . The Bring-Your-Own-Device ( BYOD ) programme also took off in 2013 , where all new Secondary 1 and JC 1 students will bring and utilise their personal computing device for learning . The enhanced use of technology in learning aims to create a rich , stimulating and interactive learning environment beyond the traditional classroom , and in the process develop the students ’ capacity to be self-directed and to engage in collaborative learning , as well as to help them to acquire necessary 21st century skills and dispositions to prepare them for the future .

Make a Difference Dr Koh has always encouraged Josephians to be proactive , to make a difference by contributing one ’ s talents to the community and to step up and take charge by leaving our comfort zone . The class committee was given greater autonomy as to how the class develops , thus providing Josephians the opportunity to take the initiative in making a difference , a difference to something as basic as keeping the classroom environment clean and conducive to teaching and learning .

Much was stressed on creating opportunities to develop life skills such as working with people through studentinitiated activities . He strongly supported projects that enriched school life and built community spirit . Dr Koh , in fact created a legacy himself by mooting the idea of the SJI Carnival , a school function organised and helmed by student leaders . The student-run carnival was a platform for many a student leader to make a difference to school-life not only for himself to contribute his talents and leadership but for the community for which he served .

Dr Koh ’ s advice to young Josephians as they advance to post-secondary education will always be remembered : “ Be a big fish in a small pond , rather than a small fish in a big pond ”, a practical advice which saw Josephians thrive in an environment where they found opportunities to serve the community and step up as leaders .

ST JOSEPH ’ S INSTITUTION

JOSEPHIAN ANNUAL 2015