Farewell!

To the Prefectorial Board of Saint Joseph's Institution,

2008 has been a year of many firsts, a year where we had set out bravely and boldly, with a new theme and mission: to 'Imagine, Inspire and Ignite'. It is also a year that has been full of achievements and success for the Board.

Our objectives, to bring the school community closer, and to improve the Board's image, has been brought a step closer. We feel that the Board as a whole has become closer, and students are beginning to realize that the Board is for them. Students are beginning to approach prefects for help more now. It is a good sign, because it shows that we are starting on our way to realizing our potential as a Board, as one that functions to help the student community.

Our projects this year, the Peer Tutoring Programme, the Teachers' Day event, as well as most notably the Hair for Hope satelite event organized in July, have all helped to bring the school community closer, and setting an example of Faith, Service and Community for the school.

Judging by opinions from students across all levels, the Board has indeed impoved its image, and students are now more willing to participate more actively in schoool initiatives. This should be the direction the Board should be heading for, and it is indeed encouraging to see that students are beginning to work more closely with the Board to improve school life.

This year, we implemented several changes in the administration of things, like the start of a more humane Detention System, both for prefects and for students, and the start of more student activism, with more Student Leader Assemblies held. Hopefully, these can be continued, and (definitely) improved upon.

To the Secondary One prefects, welcome aboard. It is indeed a privilege to have you join us. May you find satisfaction in serving you school in the most important student/service organization in SJI. Commit yourselves fully to the duties you have been appointed, and perform them honourably.

To the Secondary Two prefects, it is really heartening to see how much you all have grown this past year in your capacity as prefects. Continue to serve the Board and School with the same dedication that you have served them with this year. Next year brings long pants(yay!), a new badge to wear, and a whole new slew of responsibilities as senior prefects. Bear them with pride. Strive for personal excellence, so that you may employ you talents to bring about positive change to those around you.

To the Secondary Threes, who take over from us, next year will bring a whole new dimension of challenges. Meet them with courage and determination, for succeding will bring you immense satisfaction and joy. Remember always to conduct yourselves with pride, for the eyes and expectations of an entire school and Prefectorial Board will take their cue from you. "With great power comes great resposibility". Yours will be the most demanding job of all, but it will also be the most satisfying: that of passing on the passion, of maintaining, and strengthening the school spirit of SJI and of Lasalle. Treat your juniors with humility and compassion, and always remember that your office demands you to serve, and never to be served.

To the Prefectorial Board of Saint Joseph's Institution, it has indeed been an honour and a privilege to have worked with all of you: to have stood through thick and thin, and weathered the storms that have come our way this year. with you. We will never forget the times spent in your company, the lessons learned from your examples.

Continue always to

Imagine, Inspire, Ignite.


The ExCo, 2008
Choo Ruizhi (Head Prefect)
K. George Abraham (Deputy Head Prefect)
Nigel Seng (Head of Special Projects)
Kevin Martens Wong (Head of Affairs)
Sasinthiran (Head of Administration)
Joshua Song (Head of Detention),
3rd October 2008