ST. JOSEPH’S INSTITUTION INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL MALAYSIA (SJIIM) CELEBRATES ITS FIRST YEAR WITH A JOYOUS OPENING CEREMONY
Petaling Jaya (15 May 2017) – St. Joseph’s Institution International School Malaysia (Tropicana PJ Campus) (“SJIIM”), a Lasallian educational institution and brother school of St. Joseph’s Institution International Singapore celebrated its first year of school with an official opening ceremony at the school’s auditorium in Petaling Jaya.
Held in conjunction with the Founder’s Day celebration at the school, the auspicious event was graced by the honourable Minister of Education of Malaysia, YB Dato’ Seri Mahdzir Bin Khalid joined by YBhg. Tan Sri Dato’ Danny Tan Chee Sing who is the Founder & Advisor of Tropicana Corporation Berhad and Br. Edmundo Fernandez who is the Brother Visitor of the Lasallian East Asia District.
It was a truly significant occasion for the school’s Board of Governors which comprise senior representatives from Tropicana Corporation Berhad, the Lasallian Asia Partnership for International Schools (LAPIS), and Lasallian East Asia District (LEAD) as well as for staff, students, parents and the Lasallian Family of Malaysia.
The joyous occasion kicked off with various celebration activities such as a wonderful rendition of the Malaysian national anthem by the SJIIM High School Orchestra followed by Blessing Prayers by SJIIM students. In his welcome address, Mr Michael Sng who is the Chairman of the Board of Governors for SJIIM, expressed his excitement on school’s reception and growth and mentioned in his speech, “Establishing SJII in Malaysia was an important step for us in the expansion of our school beyond the shores of Singapore and as proud alumni of the Lasallian education system, we were confident that the public’s recognition of the values that a Lasallian education gives to a child. The school now has almost 500 students in classes from nursery to Year 12 and we are grateful to our founding parents for believing in our ethos and are proud to be the newest international edition in the long line of esteemed Lasallian institutions in Malaysia. On behalf of LAPIS, we would like to express our utmost gratitude to Tropicana Corporation Berhad for their support and generosity in making the setting-up of the school in Malaysia a reality.”
Dato’ Yau Kok Seng, Group Chief Executive Officer of Tropicana Corporation Berhad, said in a speech at the event, ““Tropicana is fully committed to providing a learning environment that will complement the Ministry’s aspirations to develop students who will be globally competitive. Our methodology will promote and develop critical and creative thinking capacities that enable our students to perform in both the sciences and the arts. We select the best teaching staff to help us develop students who are disciplined, ethical, tolerant, respectful and broadminded.”
After SJIIM’s Elementary School’s whimsical musical performance, it was followed by the highlight of the event which was the official opening ceremony by the Guests of Honour, YB Dato’ Seri Mahdzir Bin Khalid, YBhg. Tan Sri Dato’ Danny Tan and Br. Edmundo Fernandez.
YBhg. Tan Sri Dato’ Danny Tan said in a statement, “Tropicana Corporation Berhad is honoured to be able to play an instrumental role in partnering with LAPIS to establish St. Joseph’s Institution International School Malaysia in our flagship township in Tropicana, Petaling Jaya. Education is a critical component of today’s nation building. In recognising this, we decided to have strategic tie-ups with established education brand such as St Joseph’s Institution International to ensure that our community in Tropicana would have access to top quality education in schools with state-of-the-art facilities right at their doorstep. Going forward, Tropicana Corporation Berhad plans to build a school in each of its townships.”
To cap off the memorable occasion, there was also the presentation of a cheque for RM75,000.00 to the Lasallian Mission from the school’s Lasallian Fund which is in line with the proud traditions of a Lasallian school. In the school’s allocation of the Lasallian fund, its provisions functions to equally aid Lasallian outreach and service activities in Malaysia as well as the Lasallian Mission Fund initiatives of the Lasallian East Asia District (LEAD) which will be applied at the regional level at the advice of the LEAD council. This initial contribution was received by Br. Edmundo Fernandez of the Lasallian East Asia District from two student body representatives from SJIIM.
The ceremony rounded off with a vote of thanks by the school’s first Student Representative Council President, who on behalf of SJIIM’s student body, expressed appreciation to Tropicana Corporation Berhad and the school’s Board of Governors for establishing SJIIM. He promised that his peers and him will strive to make school proud even beyond the corridors of the school.
The school greatly appreciated the presence and support of a large number of well-wishing VIPs and guests for the official opening ceremony. It opened its doors on 29 August 2016 and has now almost 500 students in classes from nursery to Year 12 (IB Diploma) and welcomes inquiries on admission and visits to the school.
