St Joseph’s Institution is the only Catholic Independent School in Singapore. Founded in 1852 it has a rich history and tradition spanning over 150 years. In fact the school will be celebrating its 160th anniversary in 2012.
SJI is currently headed by Dr Koh Thiam Seng, the first Alumnus Principal of the school. Taking care of the learning needs of nearly 1,600 students in SJI are more than 140 teaching staff comprising Heads of Department, Heads of Level and teachers. The students and teachers are assisted by about 30 administrative and support staff.
Our teachers are, in true Lasallian tradition, big brothers and sisters to the boys under their charge. The strong pastoral care in SJI are manifested in our teachers who strongly believe in and live out the spiritual culture of the school.
With male teachers comprising nearly half the teaching staff, our boys benefit from having strong male role models. About 25 of them are also Old Boys of SJI who have returned to teach at their Alma mater, working in association with other teachers to preserve and pass on SJI traditions and culture.
There are currently three Brothers in SJI - Brother Jason Blaike, FSC, is an English teacher in SJI while Brother Kennedy is a Tamil Language teacher and Brother Paul Ho serves as an Allied Educator. Sr Julia Ong, an IJ Sister, is also serving as an Allied Educator. Friar Michael D’Cruz is the school chaplain. The Brothers, Sister Julia and Friar are also involved in the curriculum development and teaching of the Religious, Moral and Social Education to the boys.
About 30% of the staff have been with SJI for at least 10 years.
SJI Staff Profile - 2011
From left: Ms Melissa Yam, Mr Azhar Ghazali, Brother Jason Blaikie, Ms Deborah Goh
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Melissa Yam
Ms Yam oversees the SJI Military Band. She also teaches Physics, PSE and Business Design Thinking in lower secondary. She is a regular at the ACE camps, roughing it out in the jungles and wild waters with her wards.
“To me, teaching is a vocation. It is one of those jobs one needs to be totally in love with in order to survive the roller coaster of emotions that come with it. I love starting my day with a simple prayer and knowing that God is walking by my side. Seeing the happy faces of my students fills me with hope. These are good enough to keep me going.”
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Azhar Ghazali
Mr Ghazali is an old boy of the school (Class of 1979). Mr Ghazali teaches English Language and Literature in Secondary 1. He is also the one of the teachers in charge of the SJI Rugby team. Mr Ghazali is featured in “Men for Others” by Mr Warren Fernandez (pg 122).
“It is a joy to be back in class and to see new faces in the Sec 1 classrooms. I get flashbacks of myself, fresh out of St Michael’s, eagerly participating in lessons especially conducted by Brothers in SJI. Now, I strive to emulate them and other teachers as I continue their legacy with the boys under my care.”
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Brother Jason
Brother Jason is the founder and teacher in charge of the SJI Pipe Band. He also teaches English Language and Literature in Secondary 2.
“Many ask me what subject I teach. I prefer to say that I teach boys who are learning to be men. A personal mission of mine is to ensure that boys are happy in the classes I teach and not bogged down, stressed and overly pressured by life in fast-paced Singapore.
A maxim that means a lot to me is from Bro John D'Cruz: 'You have heard it said that in order to teach John Math you must know Math. I now say to you that in order to teach John Math, you must know John'.
That, for me, sums up a Josephian education.”
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Deborah Goh
Language powerhouse, Ms Goh, teaches English language and Literature at Secondary 2 and 3. She also covers RME for Secondary 2. She oversees the Service Group CCAs at SJI and heads the Legion of Mary/Chapel Sacristy. Her gentle nature and sensibility have won the hearts and respect of her peers and students.
“Being with the boys helps me to keep pace with the times. Together by association, we communicate, learn and discover meaning.”
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SJI Staff Profile - 2010
SJI Staff Profile - 2009
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