FROM THE EDITOR | LUMEN 1
From the Editor
As the lights of Orchard Road took on their customary sparkle at the year ’ s close , it reminded me that another year has passed . And what a year it has been ! It seems that in our 170th year , there was more to do than ever and people were busy teaching or studying , preparing for exams , playing sports , building relationships , masking or unmasking themselves , and growing up or growing old .
This issue of the Lumen hopes to remind us of the many , many things which make up the SJI experience and that more than the BIG events and formal occasions , it is the quotidian and seemingly insignificant that we will remember as being valuable in our individual and collective school life – that sighting of a hornbill perched delicately on the railing of the 6th floor , the detail in a painting we see every morning , the cleaning aunty ’ s chirpy greeting in the staffroom , the push and shove coming into classes , the quiet ( and laboured ) climb up the stairs …. these will accrue to that familiar feeling we recognize as nostalgia when we return to the beloved space . We hope that our feature on the “ Things we love about SJI ” will remind us to look , savour and notice the many features and traits of SJI that we all treasure and will come to value even more as the years go by .
Another highlight of this issue is the “ 17,000 good deeds ” initiative by the 11th Student Council . Again , it ’ s the same idea that every little thing matters - that door that you hold open for that teacher , that smile you give to the canteen vendor , that bit of kindness you extend to another individual – God is in the details ! We hope the feature gives you much food for thought as we enjoy the festive season .
Blessed Christmas and a happy New Year !
Ora et Labora !
Our young Year 2 Josephians from the Innomakers Programme sharing a bit of festive cheer this Christmas with Children ’ s Wishing Well , a nonprofit organisation which helps primary school students from less advantaged homes . Theydonated hampers and $ 1000 from their winning project ( The ReCyclean ) at the NTU Young Innovators ’ Challenge in April .