ST JOSEPH S INSTITUTION

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1 ST JOSEPH S INSTITUTION SJI Senior School International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme

2 SJI Senior School International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme ABOUT ST JOSEPH S INSTITUTION Founded by the De La Salle Brothers in 1852, St. Joseph s Institution (SJI) is an independent Catholic school, whose mission is to nurture students to learn how to learn and to learn how to live, so that they can be empowered to grow into men and women of integrity and men and women for others. Innovative Education: Built on more than 160 Years of Tradition St. John Baptist De La Salle, founder of the De La Salle schools, pioneered a progressive education system more than 300 years ago. Today, SJI continues that spirit of education following the mission and supporting innovative education. In addition to secondary school education for boys, SJI offers pre-university education for both boys and girls with the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme (IBDP) at the SJI Senior School. The International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma, as an alternative to the GCE A Levels, is recognized for admission to all Singapore universities and leading universities globally. It is valued for its holistic curriculum and strong focus on independent learning and thinking for university studies, the work place and the all round development of young people for a fulfilling life. Its strong emphasis on internationalism, intercultural understanding and making a positive difference to the world fits well with the mission of SJI. The IBDP also empowers Josephians to address the complexity and diversity of a rapidly changing world to become youth with a global outlook, while remaining strongly rooted in faith, values, culture and community. Our hope for each young person at the SJI Senior School is to achieve academic excellence, to gain an enriching transformative educational experience that will allow them to become true global citizens, and ultimately, to be a catalyst for change and never lose sight of the last, the lost and the least. SJI is committed to providing a high quality education in the true spirit of the IBDP, which aligns to the ethos and values of our Lasallian education. The SJI Senior School comprises of three distinguishing but interlinking elements: Academic: the SJI Approach, Holistic Development: the SJI Way of life, and Character: the SJI Difference. The three elements provide a holistic learning experience and varied platforms to engage our students, commencing their journey of life long learning. 2

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4 Academic: The SJI Approach Curriculum The SJI Senior School is an IB World school and is committed to providing quality international education. Recognized as the leader in international education, the IB Diploma Programme (IBDP) cultivates the knowledge, skills and attitudes that enable students to excel in university. Through the SJI IBDP, students gain rigorous and balanced academic preparation, an ability to draw on knowledge and understanding of various cultures and histories, and the experience of learning how to think critically and apply what they have learned in different contexts and across disciplines. The challenging curriculum educates the whole student aiming to develop their capacity for inquiry, research and problem solving, as well as essential skills for communication and collaboration. Over the course of the two year IBDP, students will: Study six subjects chosen from six subject groups Complete an extended essay Follow a theory of knowledge course Participate in creativity, action, service The IB Academic Groups: Group 1: Studies in Language & Literature Group 2: Language Acquisition Group 3: Individuals & Societies Group 4: Experimental Sciences Group 5: Mathematics Group 6: The Arts (or Elective) English A: Literature English A: Language & Literature Chinese A: Literature Chinese B Malay B Tamil B Chinese Ab Initio Malay Ab Initio French Ab Initio Economics Geography History Biology Chemistry Physics Mathematical Studies Mathematics Further Mathematics Music Visual Arts Elective: Instead of an Arts subject, students can choose a subject from groups 3 or 4 The IB Core: Extended Essay (EE): a 4000-word research paper for students to investigate a topic of personal interest, under the guidance of a supervisor. The EE promotes high level research and writing skills, intellectual discovery and creativity, and acquaints students with the independent research and writing skills expected at university. Theory of Knowledge (TOK): encourages critical thinking about knowledge itself and aims to help young people make sense of what they encounter. It focuses on questions such as: What counts as knowledge?; How does it grow?; What are its limits?; Who owns knowledge? For the IB Diploma assessment, students complete a 1,600- word essay over a period of time, and make a presentation on a TOK topic of their choice. 4 Creativity, Action, Service (CAS): students will be offered a wide range of co curricular activities that give students the opportunity to experience new challenges in sports, the arts and community service. Some students also choose to continue with their CCA from secondary school. The SJI Senior School offers a rich and varied selection of activities and programmes, including an International Project Week (IPW) where students take responsibility to plan and implement a trip overseas as part of their service component. This is to develop the leadership skills and fuel the student s sense of idealism and help them to become true global citizens and to see that they too can become a catalyst for change.

5 Faculty The teachers at SJI Senior School are experienced Singaporean teachers, joined by a group of engaging and experienced IB teachers recruited internationally from the UK, Canada, Australia, Germany and New Zealand, with a number of them being IB Examiners. Together, they provide a richly diverse and stimulating learning environment for our students. SJI teachers are passionate about encouraging a love for learning and model for students how to learn independently and with others, so that they can navigate and sustain these principles throughout life. Our teachers are, in the true Lasallian tradition, big brothers and sisters to the youth under their charge. The strong pastoral care in SJI is manifested in our teachers who strongly believe in and live out the spiritual culture of the school. Active learning in small groups Learning in the SJI Senior School is typically conducted in small groups of between 10 to 20 students, which will facilitate a more engaging and intellectually-active experience, and offers strong personal attention for each student. Our goal is to have everyone actively involved in lessons, and students are expected to participate and become engaged. Our teachers set high expectations and create a challenging and thoughtprovoking environment. We encourage our students to be intellectually curious while exposing them to a wide variety of views. To help our students enjoy learning, our teachers encourage the students to develop strategies to lead their own learning and to have greater responsibility for their own development. 5

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7 Holistic Development: The SJI Way Of Life SJI Senior School places holistic development at the heart of its approach to learning, and the CAS programme plays a key part in this. The following quote from the IB organisation (IBO) expresses our aspirations. Holistic Education focuses on the fullest possible development of the person, encouraging individuals to become the very best or finest that they can be and enabling them to experience all they can from life and reach their goals. There is an emphasis on life experience and learning beyond the confines of the classroom and the formal educational environment towards education as growth, discovery and a broadening of horizons. It encourages a desire to elicit meaning and understanding and to engage with the world. Creativity, Action and Service (CAS) This programme develops students beyond the classroom and counterbalances the academic studies. Students are encouraged to initiate, lead and develop a range of activities. They include Astronomy club, Basketball, Chamber Ensemble, crosscountry, drama, Japanese Cultural Society, football, free style skipping, street dance, kayaking, self defence and uniform groups. Students are also involved in a wide range of service projects. SJI encourages young people to contribute and take an active role in the communities within which they live. This process helps to reinforce our Lasallian core values where we expect our students to be people for others and make a difference to society. International Project Week (IPW) Our students take part in the International Project Week as part of their CAS programme. They conceptualize, organize and carry out in small groups an independent service project in the region that serves as the capstone project of their service programme in the SJI Senior School. This supports our aim to develop internationally minded students with a genuine global outlook. In line with the Lasallian ethos, we want our students to be young people of integrity with a vision for a better world. 7

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9 Character: the SJI Difference At SJI, we pride ourselves on producing young people who have integrity and a desire to serve others. Ethics, values and character development are hallmarks of the SJI education system. Thus, character education and faith formation are integral parts of the holistic education offered at the SJI Senior School. Through Creativity, Action, and Service (CAS) and SJI s own Character and Faith Formation and Exploration (CAFFE) programme, our students are nurtured into becoming Men and Women of integrity and Men and Women for others. The CAFFE programme gives our students the opportunity to explore the big issues associated with faith and spirituality by grappling with complex ethical and philosophical ideas. SJI places a great deal of emphasis on character formation, and our holistic approach aims to develop well rounded young men and women ready to make a difference to their world. 9

10 Entry Into SJI Senior School Admissions SJI seeks to enrol students who are able to embrace the opportunities offered and who are committed to our mission and vision. Admission to the SJI Senior School is primarily via the JC Joint Admissions Exercise (JAE) conducted annually by the Ministry of Education (MOE). The SJI Senior School also admits students via the Direct School Admission (DSA) for students who demonstrate a diverse range of achievements and talents. For more information, please visit our website at Scholarships and Merit Bursaries SJI provides scholarships and merit bursaries to encourage and support top performing students to pursue their pre-university education in the SJI Senior School. SJI is also prepared to help every Singaporean student who cannot afford the school fees. More information on scholarships, bursaries and financial aid can be found on For more information, please visit our website or contact our Admissions staff via: St. Joseph s Institution: visit SJI Senior School and admissions office: [email protected]. International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme: 10