Off to a great start
AUGUST 29 was an auspicious day for St Joseph’s Institution International School Malaysia ( Tropicana PJ Campus, also known as SJIIM) as the Board of Governors and founding staff members welcomed its first batch of students to the school.
SJIIM has received tremendous feedback from interested parents leading up to its opening, which has delighted the school’s founding governors and staff members.
The institution recorded an inaugural enrolment of more than 430 students across all levels – a fantastic achievement for a new school in the tier one category.
Prior to the opening day, final touches were put in place in terms of teacher and student inductions, classroom decoration and cleaning, light repairs and moving in of school consumables. Traffic flow routes and security tags were also distributed to the school’s community as the school made preparations for its all- important day.
There were smiles all round as founding families were greeted by SJIIM’s equally excited founding governors and staff. Parents were welcomed with coffee and light refreshments to kick things off, giving them an opportunity to mingle with staff members and check out the school’s new grounds.
Meanwhile, for the founding students, it was a hive of activity with students from Year 2 to 12 seen eagerly exploring their school and making new friends. It was also a special day off from school grounds as Nursery and Reception students were visited at their homes by teachers in their first week, as part of the elementary school’s Home Visit programme.
A practice unique to SJIIM, the home visits for the Nursery and Reception students allow the young ones to familiarise themselves and get comfortable with their teachers first before transitioning into the new school the week after its official start.
As the day progressed, students were given a Lasallian formation introduction to officially induct them into the Lasallian family. A traditional yet jovial affair, the Brothers taught the students the school song before they moved into classrooms for their first SJIIM lesson.
One aspect that sets SJIIM apart from other international schools in the area is its ethos that stems from the age- old Lasallian values, and its combination with the best practices from schools and educators around the globe. In this, SJIIM Brother President, Brother Thomas Lavin said to parents in the morning, that every child entrusted to the school is seen as a great responsibility.
“In Lasallian tradition, we take this responsibility very seriously and encourage children to explore their talents by providing opportunities for them to be developed in school. We are preparing our children not just for examinations and careers but for life.”
With its holistic education philosophy in place and infused by the Lasallian spirit of service in the pursuit of knowledge, it certainly looks like SJIIM’s students are set for a bright educational journey ahead. High school principal Stuart Glascott mentioned in his welcoming speech that the founding students are part of the start of something special with SJIIM and together as a community, they will help make SJIIM a great school.
The first day of school went by quickly and by the time the day was done, children were seen excitedly sharing their experiences to their parents as they left for home. Meanwhile, for SJIIM’s founding governors and staff, the end of the day signified the accomplishment of a mission and the beginning of another exciting year for the school. Ora et Labora!
For more information, visit www. sji- international. edu. my or call 03- 8605 3605.