Brother Michael Broughton and all La Salle Brothers present here,
Chairmen, Board members, Principals and staff of SJI and SJI International,

Parents,

Scholarship recipients,

Fellow Josephians,

Ladies and gentlemen,

SJI always has a special place in my heart. It is where I spent my formative years, where dedicated teachers inspired me to learn and develop myself to the fullest; and where my friends and I developed deep friendships by working with and helping each other. So, when Bro Michael invited me to officiate at this scholarship presentation ceremony, I said yes immediately. It is a small way for me to show my support for the mission of the De La Salle Brothers, who founded SJI 155 years ago and are still overseeing SJI, SJI International and other Lasallian schools in Singapore today.

2 In this competitive world, it is easy to think that success in life is solely measured by material success. Extensive media coverage of glamorous pop stars, footballers and tycoons, driving posh cars and living in luxurious mansions add to the hype. Surely, the definition of success should be broader. In this regard, the Brothers’ goal of developing the young under their charge into “persons of integrity and persons for others” is apt. Specifically, they teach that success in life should be a virtuous life, underpinned by a solid core of values and morals, lived with integrity, helping our fellow men, nurturing our families, and contributing to society as useful citizens. And it is during our formative years in school that such values should be taught and imbibed.

3 SJI is one such school that prepares its students to be well-balanced adults with the right perspectives and values. It teaches its students to learn how to learn and how to live. Academic excellence is important, but it is not to the exclusion of everything else. Beyond excellent grades, students are developed into leaders and team players – in this close-knit world of ours, there are very few endeavours that require only solo effort. Both SJI and SJI International are well placed to prepare students for the real world as they offer a diverse environment, with a healthy mix of students of varying abilities, from different backgrounds and nationalities.

4 A value-centric education that prepares our young people for life is even more important in today’s world of rapid change and social upheaval. Our young people will need self-confidence and a strong moral compass to journey through the rough seas of our globalizing world. Hence, I was very pleased to read in SJI’s recent letter to the Josephian community that it will remain steadfast to its founding mission even as it responds to the challenges of the changing educational landscape in Singapore.

5 I also applaud this initiative to award scholarships to promising students for them to study in SJI and SJI International. For this first year, 69 students have been selected through a stringent process and amidst stiff competition. They comprise 32 Primary 6 students who will pursue their secondary education in SJI next year. Another 37, which comprise 24 Sec 4 Singapore students and 13 from Vietnam, Indonesia and India, will be admitted into SJI International for post-secondary education leading to the International Baccalaureate (IB) diploma programme.

6 Bro Michael tells me that the scholarship recipients have all distinguished themselves in terms of consistently high academic performance. They are also very active in non-academic activities, and have shown leadership potential. They come from different socioeconomic backgrounds and schools and possess different strengths and talents. I am sure that as a group they will enhance the learning environment in both SJI and SJI International, making it richer and more vibrant.

7 For the scholarship recipients, I hope you will make full use of the opportunity offered by SJI to develop yourself to the fullest. My own life was changed because of my education in SJI and the opportunity afforded by the State scholarship I won to further my studies overseas. The scholarships you are receiving have been made possible through the generosity of many donors, including the Estate of the late Tan Sri Khoo Teck Puat and many other successful old boys, and corporations such as Keppel Land and KMP Group. You can return their generosity and kindness by doing your best, both in and outside the classroom, and do your parents and the school proud. Seize the opportunity to learn and develop, and make the best of your talents, so that one day, you too can make a difference to society.

8 I want to take this opportunity to thank all the wonderful teachers of SJI and SJI International, both past and present. It is their dedication and commitment that has made the learning environment so caring and nurturing, and make SJI and SJI International, a different kind of school for our young.

9 On behalf of the Josephian community, congratulations to the scholarship recipients once again and I look forward to them joining SJI and SJI International.

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