St Joseph’s Institution International
Elementary School
Newsletter
Swimming Gala
Season is here!
Summer Term, 5 May 2017
Dates for your Diary
Mon 8 May
 G5&6 Swim Gala
Tue 9 May
 EPSG May Meeting
Wed 10 May
 Vesak Day Holiday
Thu 11 May
 G1 Swim Gala
Fri 12 May
 Mass @7.45am
 CPG Meeting
 10th Anniversary Dinner
Mon 15 May
 Founder’s Day – Early dismissal
Prep1&2 @11.20am
G1-G6 @12.20pm
Tue 16 May
 G4 Swim Gala
 G6 Field Trip
Thu 18 May
 Prep 1&2 Proms
Fri 19 May
 Mass @7.45am
Mon 22 May
 Prep1 2018 Observation Session
Wed 24 May
 G3 Swim Gala
Thu 25 May
 Mass for Ascension of Our Lord
 G5 Field Trip
Fri 26 May
 G2 & G3J Celebration of Learning –
books going home
Summer Term Dates
Term Dates 2018
Principal’s Diary
Dear Parents,
The swimming gala season is almost upon us. Next week on Monday we start
with the Grade 5 and 6 children competing and on Thursday it is the turn of
Grade 1. The children have been preparing for this through their PE curriculum
time. The galas continue over several weeks and take place on different days
through the week to ensure that the same lessons are not affected for those
children not involved. As well as the grade swim galas we have many other
galas for the school swim squad coming up. These range from our novice
swimmers through to the more elite performers. Next Friday 12th May is a swim
gala at Nexus School, the following two days is the Meyado May Madness event
and on Friday 19th May is the UWC Phoenix 50m Challenge. Good luck to all
the swimmers participating.
I have written previously about the strong emphasis we place on the
development of the ‘whole’ child in our school. What this means is that the
academics of the school is only one aspect of the learning for the children. They
spend time each day in Maths and Language Arts lessons and doing the IPC
and Mandarin. However, we also spend time on Character Education, have a
broad Co Curricular Activity programme and learn a variety of skills in Physical
Education.
Our vision for the school has this holistic development of the children expressly
stated:
We are responsive to the needs of our children as learners, working
alongside them to adapt and succeed in an ever-changing world. We aim to
promote learning through the innovative use of digital tools.
We are committed to further the use of authentic assessment to inform
teaching and to activate children as drivers of their own learning.
Click here to read
Br. Larry’s
Lasallian Reflection
We strive to empower our children to take responsibility and action change
to become compassionate global citizens, through their commitment to
service and environmental sustainability.
We aim to enthuse our children to be passionate about achieving their best
by immersing them in a holistic education, providing them with diverse
opportunities to develop their interests and talents.
St Joseph’s Institution International Elementary School
Summer Term, 5 May 2017
Principal’s Diary Continued
Each week we publish the ‘Spotlight on Sport’ which keeps you informed of the many happenings on the sports front. Please do
have a look at the many opportunities your child has to get involved in the sporting life of the school. Our team of hardworking PE
staff are approachable and friendly and always willing to answer your questions and offer encouragement and support to the
children.
This weekend is the ACSIS Track and Field championships. We have a team of class teachers who will be there to support the
kids and help with the events. Good luck to all the children from both the ES and HS who are competing.
Kevin Hannah
Principal, Elementary School
News from the Principal’s Desk
Kevin Hannah
Cinema Under the Stars
My thanks to the EPSG organising committee for this wonderful event that took place last Friday night. They took a slight
risk setting up outdoors as grey clouds were threatening but they moved off to the south of us leaving a balmy, warm
evening behind. 570 members of the community signed up to come along which is a fantastic turn out and testament to the
popularity of this event. I enjoyed chatting to many parents who were on picnic rugs in front of the screen and also watching
the children running about playing football and competing in a mass tug-of-war. The screening started with Brother Larry in
‘The Hot Seat’, a new feature of ESTV. Some technical difficulties delayed the screening of the feature film until eventually
a decision was made to change films and the perennial favourite, ‘Finding Nemo’, was screened.
10th Anniversary Dinner
The 10th Anniversary Dinner, with the theme of ‘Giving Back, Looking Forward’, takes place next Friday night. This event
is now oversubscribed with more than 600 people attending and promises to be a fantastic evening. We have over 60 ES
children performing in front of the President of the Republic of Singapore, Dr Tony Tan, including two soloists. I am very
much looking forward to the evening and seeing many of you there.
School Reports
It is that time of the year when the teachers are hard at work writing reports. We try and scale back events outside of school
during this time so as not to overburden them. The teachers take a great deal of time and put in a lot of effort to write the
reports to keep you formally up to date with the progress of your child and set some targets for them to ensure they continue
to make progress. My thanks to all the teachers for the care and commitment they show to the children on a daily basis
and particularly during this time.
2nd Semester Invoices - January Academic Calendar
Next week, the Finance Department will commence to send these invoices. In our efforts to ‘Go Green’ we no longer will be
sending paper invoices rather e-invoices. As most communication with parents issued by the school is via email, please
ensure that the school has your correct details registered.
Payment, Registration and Consent Reminders
We are continuing to see a trend of some parents not being prompt with their commitments to the school, whether it be for
the payment of school fees, providing consent and payment for field trips and expeditions, or simply not showing up to
events that they had registered for. This creates additional work for staff across the school having to continually issue
reminders, having excess materials not utilised and bearing financial costs to the school for the purchase of unused entrance
tickets, etc. Clearly, this is something that we cannot sustain over the longer term without either financial impact or having
to draw a hard line and not allowing those children without parental consent to participate in events.
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St Joseph’s Institution International Elementary School
Summer Term, 5 May 2017
News from the Principal’s Desk Continued
I would like to once again, remind parents that your cooperation and timeliness in these matters is integral to the
parent/school partnership. Should you know in advance that your child is not able to attend an event, or if you have
registered for an event and are unable to attend please inform us of this at [email protected] as
soon as you know.
Please note that next Wednesday is Vesak Day and therefore a public holiday. This is a day celebrated by Buddhists
around the world to mark the birth, enlightenment and death of Buddha. I hope you enjoy the weekend and Vesak Day
when it arrives.
IPC Workshop
Claire Douglas
On Wednesday morning the IPC team held a new workshop 'Supporting your child at home with the IPC.' After going
through a quick introduction about the IPC and how it is structured here at SJI, the team went through the importance of
the Curriculum Newsletters and what information parents can find here and how they can use it to engage in learning at
home.
Parents had the opportunity to work together in small groups to plan discussions and activities they could do at home to
support the learning in the classroom, encourage enthusiasm for the topic and have fun together.
Key language used in the IPC was discussed and parents were given fridge magnets to help prompt discussions at home.
The key message from the workshop is not to give children extra 'work' but try to develop a love of learning through working
together and supporting their ideas and projects.
The slideshow from the session can be found here.
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St Joseph’s Institution International Elementary School
Summer Term, 5 May 2017
Solidarity Walk – Justine Elliott
Jill Murphy
Many of you will remember our dear friend Justine Elliott who was a vital member of the founding SJIIES community. It was
Justine's drive, enthusiasm, joyfulness and commitment that helped get our community off to such a positive start. As Head
of the EPSG Justine played a key role in fundraising for school facilities and also in organising some of our favourite school
wide events such as the Christmas Fair.
In December Justine was diagnosed with Stage 4 cancer and given 6 – 18 months to live. Despite her prognosis, and true
to her selfless nature, Justine will be doing a 10 mile (16km) walk to raise funds for a new NHS cancer unit in Bath - a
commendable feat after 5 rounds of Chemotherapy. She will be doing this on Saturday 13th May. Please see Justine’s page
for further details and how you can contribute to her cause here.
Members of our community - past and present parents, teachers and students have decided to "Walk with Justine" in
solidarity on May 13th at MacRitchie Reservoir. This is an opportunity for us to come together to show our support for
Justine and all those fighting cancer.
Details:
Saturday 13th May @ MacRitchie Reservoir 0645 for 0700 start
Meet at the Grassy area between the carpark and the toilets
Option 1 Yellow Trail 11 km 2-3 hours
Option 2 Gray Trail 5 km 1 hour
We plan to all commence together. This is a rain or shine event and will only be cancelled if the weather is dangerous. We
will be walking at our own risk - please come prepared with water, snacks & repellent. We hope to see many of you there.
sjii.tv
Carl Rayner & Antony Grigson
In this ESTV Rewind episode, we place the spotlight on one
of our favourite events of the school year; Global Family Day.
We celebrate our school’s diversity as we feature clips from
the spectacular parade. Here you will see how we take pride
in
representing
our
multiple
backgrounds
while
simultaneously showing our unity as an international
community. The Middle Years Global Concert is also featured
as we show some of the fourteen participating classes
performing their entertaining items onstage. And Sam
attempts a feat that is probably going to cost her a triple cone,
quadruple dip chocolate ice cream topped with caramel syrup,
whipped cream, rainbow sprinkles, M & Ms and cute little
Gummy Bears. Go to sjii.tv to enjoy yet another one of our
phenomenal ESTV Rewind episodes. Enjoy!
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St Joseph’s Institution International Elementary School
Summer Term, 5 May 2017
Spotlight On Sport

ACSIS Finals Week is almost here! Good luck to all our teams as they GO FOR GOLD!
Training in black, matches in red, Special Events in Blue
Peter Vassbotn
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St Joseph’s Institution International Elementary School
Summer Term, 5 May 2017
Spotlight On Sport Continues
Josephian Soccer Sevens 2017
Dear Parents,
After a 3 year hiatus the JSS (Josephian Soccer Sevens) football tournament is back. The event is back in celebration of Founders
Day and the school's 10th Anniversary Celebrations.
Date: Saturday, May 13
Time: 8:00 am - 1:20 pm
Place: SJII Upper and Lower Field (Lunch in Pavilion)
The JSS is a friendly 7 a-side soccer tournament that will celebrate unity and friendship among 3 Lasallian schools/Clubs; SJIIES,
SJI Junior School and St. Michael's Soccer Academy. Each school/club will enter teams for each grade level from Grade 2-6 and
play for trophies, medals and FUN. Families are encouraged to bring along food to share for the community lunch that will happen
after the tournament (12:20 - 1:20) in the Pavilion. Drinks/snacks will also be on sale at the field level.
Teams will be made up with mixed abilities and genders. All the SJIIES players will be in PE kit for the day, not in their ACSIS
team kit.
The focus of the day is on friendly competition, unity and fun. We hope you can join us!
Please click HERE to register. If you have any questions or concerns please contact Mr. V at [email protected].
You can only register one child at a time. (for those who are registering more than one child)
Thank you,
PE Department
Monday 8 May
8.00 – 11.00am
Grade 5 & 6
Thursday 11 May
8.00 – 11.00am
Grade 1
Tuesday 16 May
8.00 – 11.00am
Grade 4
Wednesday 24 May
8.00 – 11.00am
Grade 3A & 3J
Thursday 1 June
8.00 – 11.00am
Grade 2
Tuesday 6 June
8.15 – 9.15am
Prep1 LCh
Wednesday 7 June
8.15 – 9.15am
9.15 – 10.15am
Prep1 KDe
Prep1 RMu
Thursday 8 June
8.15 – 9.15am
9.15 – 10.15am
Prep1 LAg
Prep2 HRo
Friday 9 June
8.15 – 9.15am
9.15 – 10.15am
Prep2 AKo
Prep2 RDa
More information about the galas will be given nearer the date.
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St Joseph’s Institution International Elementary School
Summer Term, 5 May 2017
Lasallian Reflection
Enabling students in a Lasallian community to learn how to
learn, and to learn how to live, empowering them to become
people of integrity and people for others
Enter to Learn – Leave to Serve
“Form the hearts and minds of
all, especially of children,
to love and live in peace with
everyone and with the
environment.”
(Christians & Buddhists: Walking Together on
the Path of Nonviolence, 2017)
Next Wednesday, as the one million
Buddhists in Singapore observe Vesak
Day, all of us will be enjoying the public
holiday.
Vesak Day is the most
significant holy day celebrated by
Buddhists, and commemorates the
birth, enlightenment and death of
Buddha.
The Vatican, in a letter written for
Vesak Day, has called on Catholics and
Buddhists to work together to teach the
wider society of the value of a
nonviolent lifestyle. The founders of
the two faiths were alike in their
promotion of peace-making. The letter,
titled Christians and Buddhists:
Walking Together on the Path of
Nonviolence, quotes from Pope
Francis’ message for the 2017 World
Day of Peace, in which he writes that
Jesus “. . . marked out the path of
nonviolence. He walked that path to
the very end, to the cross, whereby he
became our peace and put an end to
hostility.” The letter also quotes from
the Buddhist Dhammapada, saying
Buddha “. . . also heralded a message
of nonviolence and peace.” Buddha
encouraged all to “. . . overcome the
angry by non-anger; overcome the
wicked by goodness; overcome the
miser by generosity; overcome the liar
by truth,” says the letter.
In his message for Vesak Day 2017, Most Reverend William Goh, the Roman
Catholic Archbishop of Singapore, writes, “Buddha taught that ‘Though one may
conquer a thousand times a thousand men in battle, yet he indeed is the noblest
victor who conquers himself.’ (Dhammapada, no. VIII, 4) In the same vein, Pope
Francis also noted in his 2017 Message for the World Day of Peace, that ‘Jesus
himself lived in violent times. Yet, he taught that the true battlefield, where violence
and peace meet, is the human heart: for “it is from within, from the human heart,
that evil intensions come.”’ (Mark 7:21)”
The Vatican letter ends with a call for Buddhists and Catholics to work together on
nearly a dozen areas, including: “to study the causes of violence; to teach our
respective followers to combat evil within their hearts; to liberate both victims and
perpetrators of violence from evil; to bring evil to light and challenge those who
foment violence; and to form the hearts and minds of all, especially of children, to
love and live in peace with everyone and with the environment.
At SJI International, we embrace the challenges outlined in the above
mentioned document. The SMILES Value of Mutual Respect and the Lasallian
Core Principle of celebrating diversity and welcoming all member of an
Inclusive Community remind us of what a Lasallian education is all about.
Similarly, we strive to put into practice the Virtues of Tolerance, Respect, and
Peacefulness. We speak of Peacefulness as giving up the love of power for
the power of love. Peace in the world begins with peace in your heart.
Best wishes for a holy Vesak Day to our Buddhist families, and a happy holiday
to all on Wednesday.
credit: Pope Francis greets a Buddhist monk during a Nov. 3, 2016, audience with
religious leaders at the Vatican. (CNS/L'Osservatore Romano)
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St Joseph’s Institution International Elementary School
Summer Term, 5 May 2017
Catholic Corner –
Catholic Assembly in honour of Our Lady
Simone Tan
“Prayer draws down God’s graces on others.” Saint John Baptist de La Salle
In honour of our Mother Mary, six prayer leaders volunteers from Grades 5
and 3, led a prayer service on the theme of Mary, who represents the fullness
of holiness and who was assumed to heaven because of her special role on
our salvation.
We can look to Mary as a perfect example of
someone who said “yes” in practical ways to
God’s spirit of goodness. After hearing the
gospel reading from Luke 1:26-38 on Simeon
and Ana’s faithful wait to see the Messiah, we
prayed intercessory prayers including one for
all mothers and those who nurture others
throughout life. “May they be open to God’s
creative Spirit to bring new life into the world.”
William led us with the Hail Mary prayer and Olivia concluded with the Magnificat, two beautiful prayers that remind us of
Mary’s holy life and which we can prayer with great confidence, knowing that she intercedes for all our intentions.
The children were given lovely Magnificat prayer cards, thoughtfully prepared by Ms
Tina. Thank you Sofia, Thomas, Ana, Juliana, William and Olivia for showing your
courage and service in leading the prayer service.
We hope that many mothers will join us for a special blessing at mass on May 12th
where we will honour all mothers.
ES CPG
The Elementary School Catholic Parent Group meeting is scheduled for 12th May Friday 8.30 - 9.30 am at the ES
Conference room. We will discuss upcoming Faith Formation events for the Elementary School.
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St Joseph’s Institution International Elementary School
Summer Term, 5 May 2017
Virtues Corner
Antoinette Cooney
This week our Virtue of the week was Consideration.
Throughout the week, we reminded ourselves and our
students to think about how their actions affect others
and caring about how others feel is helpful as we enter
into the final term.
There are two words that we have all used and heard
others use. These words have a certain power to call
us to action or to defy other's expectations. These two
words are be considerate. This phrase is sometimes
used when someone is intolerant, or to remind
ourselves about our actions. But this week, in class we
focused on what being considerate really means.
Research has proven that we can only understand what
being considerate really means, for others and how our
actions will affect others, when we define it ourselves.
Throughout school, the children discussed what being
considerate meant to them, how to show it and what
virtues helped them to practice it better.
What does being considerate mean to you?
 Being aware of others, being thoughtful and
respectful. (Ms Simms)
 It means being mindful of someone and
respecting others. (Paige, 6ACo)
 Treat others how you want to be treated.
(Isaabel, 4SDa)
 Making someone happy. (Jemima 2CDy)
WHAT IS CONSIDERATION?
Consideration is being thoughtful about other people
and their feelings. It is thinking about how your actions
affect them and carrying about how they feel. It is
paying attention to what other people like and don’t like,
and doing things that give them happiness.
Congratulations! You are practising Consideration
when:

Respect other people’s needs and feelings

Consider others’ needs as important as your own

Stop and think how your actions will affect others

Put yourself in other people’s shoes

Give tender attention

Think of little things to bring others happiness
I am considerate of others. I stop and think about how
my actions affect them. I do thoughtful things that bring
happiness to others.
Next week’s Virtue is Courage.
How do you show consideration?
 Helping people, showing your manners and
thinking about people's feelings. (Victor 6ACo)
 I like to share my food with people. (Isabelle,
5PMc)
 By showing good manners. (Andre, 3CDa)
 I give good words to someone. (Jason, 1LAg)
What other virtues do you need to help you show
consideration?
 You need Kindness and Thoughtfulness. (Zhou
Lao Shi)
 You need Tact, Assertiveness, Kindness, Caring,
Courage and Truthfulness. (Madhav 6ACo)
 You need Helpfulness and Kindness. (Nyra,
5SDa)
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St Joseph’s Institution International Elementary School
Summer Term, 5 May 2017
Elementary Parents Support Group
Cinema Under the Stars
Thank you to SJIIES School Leadership and crew, the EPSG Cinema Team of volunteers, ESTV Team and to everyone
who came. It was a really enjoyable night!
A big thank you to all those who bought a raffle ticket to benefit the President’s Challenge and congratulations to all the
winners of the raffle draw.
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