the ground at Malcolm Road .
The Founders , then numbering no more than 300 , put up a bold public declaration of their commitment on a signboard which still stands on the site . The Founders ' stirring pledge read as follows :
' Pledge of the Founders .
On this site the New SJ1will be built . We , the Founders , hereby pledge our dedication to the task of developing the New SJI as a school worthy of the tradition of excellence in moral , intellectual and physical education which has been so carefully nurtured since 1852in Bras Basah Road . So help us God .
Founders of the New 511 '
On All Saints ' Day , 1 November 1985 , E . W . Barker , Minister for Law and MP for Tanglin , was at the site to lay the Foundation Stone on behalf of the Founders .
He buried a bottle containing a Commemorative Note similar to a Note in a bottle buried at the SJI ( Bras Basah Road ) Foundation Stone-Laying .
The Minister praised the Founders and other supporters on behalf of all other Singaporeans :
' For the rest of us Singaporeans , this is the time to extend our hand of warmest congratulations , though not without a tinge of envy . For it does not come to everyone , this rare opportunity to become part of a country ' s heritage , part of the re-birth of a great institution and one ' s alma mater - this opportunity to join in a truly worthwhile mission , the building of the new 511 ." As MP for Tanglin , Mr Barker extendedawarm welcome to SJI to his constituency in words which must have left a glow of pride in every [ osephian ' s heart :
' As MP for Tanglin , I heartily welcome the New SJI into our constituency . You bring with you colour and tradition . And you bring with you the promise of many great moments which we will share with you as you scale the heights of scholarship and athletic prowess with exemplary endeavour , courage , honour - all those things which together constitute the legend which is SJ1 . Indeed as your banners proudly proclaim : a tradition worth keeping .' On All Saints ' Day . 1 November 1986 , the [ osephians gathered for a special Mass in the old school chapel to pray for the success of the New SJl and for guidance on support for the New 511by alumni , parents , teachers and other well-wishers .
Three days later , on 4 November 1986 , SJIwas invited by Dr Tony Tan , Minister for Education , along with a few other selected established schools , to consider the upgrading of our school towards excellence ( both spiritually as well academically ) through a greater measure of autonomy for the school , ie the socalled independent school proposal .
All Saints ' Day , 1 November 1987 , is the contractscheduled date for the completion and hand-over of the New SJI .
My hard-working colleagues in the New SJI Development Committee deserve a special record of thanks . They are :
Brother Kevin Byme ( Secretary and Treasurer ), Mr Francis Loh ( Assistant Secretary ), Mr Dominic Yip ( Assistant Treasurer ), Brother loseph Kiely , Brother 1 . Patrick , Brother [ oseph Guan , MrTan Eng Yoon , Mr PatrickMowe , MrChristopher Hooi , Mr [ oseph Hoo , Mr Dermis Khoo , Mr Martin Lim , Mr Goh Phai Cheng and Mr Francis Fong .
Of the above I should single out Brother Kevin Byme for a special tribute . The history of SJlis indeed resplendent with names of great heroes who were builders : Father Beurel , Father Nain , Brother Michael
Noctor , BrotherIgnatius ( Patrick Barry ). Today ' s builder in that long line of religious heroes is Brother Kevin Byme , the modest and unassuming Brother Director of 511of the 1980s whose quiet charisma inspired all of us in the team of lay apostles in both the New 511 Development Committee as well as the school faculty and shaped us into that determined brigade that together planned and re-built the physical structures of SJI and is even now poised ready to rebuild the spirit of 511in Malcolm Road .
We the laymen have been inspired to do what we can for S } 1because of the example of people like Brother Kevin and the other Brothers .
At the beginning of this century , a predecessor , Brother Director Michael Noctor , said something which expresses the call to action for the Alma Mater to which we have tried to respond in this task of rebuilding 511 .
He said :
' I know of no place Where more good can be done Than here . But we must have Good men To do it .' Our sentiments regarding our humble efforts for the New 511are best summed up in the words which one member was inspired tosay ata committee meeting along the way :
' One day we will stand at Malcolm Hill and we will look at the completed New S } 1 . And in our hearts each of us will then realise : even if we do nothing else before or after this great task , this alone gives meaning to our lives !' Goh Sin Tub , Chairman , Board of Management Chairman , New SJIDevelopment Committee
80 Memories of Sf ]