Staff Profile 2011

SJI Staff Profile - 2011                                                                                  Return to Our People


From left: Ms Melissa Yam, Mr Azhar Ghazali, Brother Jason Blaikie, Ms Deborah Go

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.” 
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. He 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.”
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.”
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.”