LASALLIAN INSTITUTIONS IN SINGAPORE
Overview
Lasallian education in Singapore has a rich history and a strong presence, deeply rooted in the mission of providing a Catholic education to the young, especially the poor and marginalised. The Lasallian education system in Singapore is characterised by its commitment to holistic education, focusing on the intellectual, moral, spiritual, and physical development of students. The schools emphasise values such as faith, service, and community, aiming to nurture responsible and compassionate individuals who can contribute positively to society.
Since the establishment of the first Lasallian school in 1852, the Lasallian education system in Singapore has grown to include one preschool, five primary schools, three secondary schools, two pre-university schools, Hope House, LaSalle Centre, LaSalle House and Lasallian Trust of Singapore. In 1984, Brother Joseph McNally had a hand in establishing the Lasalle College of the Arts, which is now a leading institution for contemporary arts education in the Asia Pacific. The Lasalle College, which is now part of the University of the Arts, is a Singapore university fully funded by the Singapore Government.
Lasallian Institutions
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We provide an overview of all Lasallian institutions in Singapore in chronological order of their establishment.
Year
Institution
1852
St. Joseph’s Institution
https://www.sji.edu.sg/
St. Joseph’s Institution (SJI) is the first Catholic school in Singapore and the third oldest school after Raffles Institution and St. Margaret’s School. It is an independent school funded by the Singapore Government. As an independent school, SJI has a Board of Governors that manages the school, the flexibility and autonomy to determine its educational programmes, recruits teachers and staff directly, some flexibility to charge higher school fees and receives funding from various sources other than the Singapore Government.
SJI is an all-boys school from Secondary 1 to 4 and a co-educational school from Pre-University 1 to 2. It offers a dual-track programme at the secondary level, the integrated programme (IP) leading to the International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma at the pre-university level and the O-levels programme. The IP program allows bright academic students who are university-bound to through train into the IB Diploma Programme at the pre-university level without having to sit for the O- level examination.
Boys from the Lasallian primary schools can gain admission into SJI’s O- level Programme through affiliation points. There is no affiliation points advantage for boys from the Lasallian primary schools seeking admission into the IP Programme. Students from non-IP schools can apply to be admitted into the IB Programme using their O-level results.
See the MOE website for secondary school admission and pre-university admission at:
1879
St. Anthony’s Primary School
https://www.stanthonyspri.moe.edu.sg/
The Catholic Portuguese Mission of Singapore founded St. Anthony’s Primary School (SAPS) as a coeducational school for underprivileged children who could not afford an education. It started in a small rented house on Middle Road. In 1893, it became an all-boys school. In 1992, it became a coeducational school again when it moved to its Bukit Batok site.
As a Government-aided school, SAPS admits boys and girls from Primary 1 through Primary 6. The school offers a comprehensive curriculum that prepares students for the challenges and opportunities of secondary education and beyond. It offers a holistic education that focuses on intellectual, physical, aesthetic, spiritual, and social-emotional growth. Co-curricular activities (CCAs) are an integral part of the school experience, with options ranging from sports and performing arts to clubs and uniformed groups. Programs like the Environmental Science Club, Robotics Club, and Scouts provide students with opportunities to develop leadership skills, teamwork, and a spirit of service to the community.
See the MOE website for more information at:
1933
St. Patrick’s School
https://www.stpatricks.moe.edu.sg/
St. Patrick's School (SPS) is an all-boy secondary school that started as a branch of St. Joseph's Institution (SJI). Located along East Coast Road in Marine Parade, the school was initially built on land acquired in 1898. Over the years, SPS has grown into a proud Lasallian institution with a rich history and tradition of academic excellence for the students it serves.
As a Government-aided school, SPS admits boys from Secondary 1 to Secondary 4. The school offers a comprehensive curriculum that prepares students with a diverse range of academic abilities for post-secondary education at Junior Colleges, Polytechnics and Institute of Technical Education. Like SJI, it provides a holistic education that emphasizes both academic and co-curricular excellence. It offers a wide range of Co-Curricular Activities (CCAs), including sports, performing arts, clubs, and uniformed groups. Programmes such as the Environmental Science Club, Robotics Club, and Scouts help students develop leadership skills, teamwork, and a sense of social responsibility. The school also emphasizes values in action (VIA) and character and citizenship education (CCE) to nurture well-rounded individuals. It is dedicated to fostering a supportive and inclusive environment where students can thrive academically, socially, and emotionally.
See the MOE website for more information at:
1952
De La Salle School
https://www.delasalle.moe.edu.sg/
De La Salle School (DLSS) was initially established as an all-boys primary school in Kampong Bahru. The school relocated to its current premises in Choa Chu Kang in 1997 and transitioned to a co-educational institution in 1996.
As a Government-aided school, DLSS admits boys and girls from Primary 1 through Primary 6. From DLSS' modest origins, the school has steadily grown into a school that consistently strives to prepare primary school students not only with academic fundamentals but also with the values and character that shape them into individuals who will make a positive difference in others. It offers a holistic education that emphasises both academic and co-curricular excellence, including the Learning for Life Programme (LLP) and Applied Learning Programme (ALP). Co-Curricular Activities (CCAs) include sports, performing arts, clubs, and uniformed groups, providing students with opportunities to develop teamwork, leadership, and a sense of social responsibility.
See the MOE website for more information at:
1954
St. Joseph's Institution Junior
https://www.sjijunior.moe.edu.sg/
St. Joseph's Institution Junior (SJI Jr) started as St. Michael's School (SMS), a Catholic primary school for boys, at Moulmein Road. In the early days, SJI Afternoon School shared premises with SMS. When SJI Afternoon School moved to Bras Basah Road in 1961, SMS took over the premises and became a two-session primary school in 1965. In 2007, SMS was renamed as SJI Jr.
As a Government-aided school, SJI Jr admits boys from Primary 1 through Primary 6. It provides a comprehensive and rigorous academic foundation with a strong emphasis on character and holistic development. In addition to offering a curriculum based on MOE educational standards, it offers co-curricular activities (CCAs) such as sports, performing arts, and clubs that are integral to the school experience to help the students develop leadership skills, teamwork, and a sense of social responsibility. It also focuses on values in action (VIA) and character and citizenship education (CCE) to nurture well-rounded individuals who are confident, compassionate, and socially responsible.
See the MOE website for more information at:
1957
St. Stephen’s School
https://www.ststephens.moe.edu.sg/
St. Stephen's School, an all-boy Catholic primary school, was established in Siglap to cater to the growing number of boys in the eastern part of Singapore.
As a Government-aided school, SSS admits boys from Primary 1 through Primary 6. It provides a holistic and rigorous curriculum that lays a strong foundation for academic excellence and character development. It offers co-curricular activities (CCAs) such as sports, performing arts and clubs to promote holistic development and teamwork. Character-building is at the core of the school's ethos, with lessons and activities designed to instil integrity, empathy and social responsibility. The Stephenian Technology Programme (STeP) enriches learning using technology to help students develop 21st-century skills. The school is committed to creating a supportive and inclusive environment where students can thrive academically, socially and emotionally.
See the MOE website for more information at:
2006
St. Joseph's Institution International School
https://www.sji-international.com.sg/
St. Joseph's Institution International School (SJII) is a private, not-for-profit co-educational Catholic school started by SJI alumni in response to the changing education landscape in Singapore. While it operates under the MOE's Privately-Funded School (PFS) scheme, it does not receive any MOE funding. However, as an MOE PFS, the secondary school and junior college sections of SJII are allowed to admit Singaporean students without the need for approval from the MOE for admission. As a Catholic school, Catholic students are given priority in admission.
As a private school, it admits both Singaporean and international students from Grade 7 (Secondary 1) to Grade 12 (Junior College Year 2). The secondary school offers the International General Certificate of Secondary Education (IGCSE) from Grade 9 (Secondary 3) to Grade 10 (Secondary 4), and the Junior College offers the International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma from Grade 11 (Junior College Year 1) to Grade 12 (Junior College Year 2). The school accepts admission of students at all grades except for Grade 10 and Grade 12, subject to vacancies. The school does not accept admission at Grade 10 and Grade 12 as these grades are examination years leading to IGCSE and IB, respectively. Both of the examinations require a two-year preparation duration. However, the school accepts students for the Grade 10 Foundation leading to the IB Diploma examinations.
The school emphasises a balanced education that integrates international education with Lasallian education. Its programme consists of four pillars: a strong academic foundation, service learning, outdoor education, and co-curricular activities (CCAs). Students engage in diverse service activities to foster a sense of community and an international outlook. It offers a wide range of CCAs, including sports, arts and music, performing arts and clubs to develop 21st-century skills and personal interests and talents. Through a balance of academic excellence, character development and community service engagement, the school nurtures well-rounded students with an international mindset who are ready to lead and serve in a rapidly changing world.
2008
St. Joseph’s Institution International Elementary School
https://www.sji-international.com.sg/
After successfully establishing SJI International (SJII) School for secondary and junior college (JC) education, SJII went on to establish an elementary school. Unlike secondary and JC education, the SJI International Elementary School (SJIIES) operates under an international school license, which admits students from international families working in Singapore. Singaporean parents seeking admission into SJIIES must seek MOE's approval for the admission. MOE generally approves such admission for returning Singaporean students who have been away from Singapore for a significant length of time, which would make it difficult for them to continue in the MOE schools, or they have specific needs that MOE schools cannot provide.
As a co-educational school, SJIIES admits children from international families from Prep 1 (aged 4) to Grade 6 (aged 12). It offers the Early Years Programme for Prep 1, the International Primary Curriculum from Grades 1 to 5 and the International Middle Year Programme for Grade 6. It also provides a Bilingual Programme for students to develop proficiency in both Mandarin and English. It emphasises character education through the Virtues Project, which promotes values such as respect, responsibility, and empathy. Students also participate in a variety of co-curricular activities, including music, art, sports, and outdoor education, and in regional service learning journeys to develop leadership and collaboration skills and instil a sense of responsibility and empathy towards others. It is committed to fostering a learning environment that nurtures confident, compassionate and well-rounded individuals with an international mindset who can thrive academically, socially, and spiritually.
2009
LaSalle Centre/House
La Salle House, located on East Coast Road, represents a revitalised commitment to the Lasallian mission in Singapore. Formerly known as St. Patrick's House, the newly renovated building serves as a hub for retreats, formation activities, and residential programmes. It relies on volunteers and donors to sustain its work.
It welcomes Lasallian schools and similar institutions, individuals and groups seeking personal and spiritual development. With the help of volunteers, it organises retreats and workshops on spiritual renewal and leadership development, as well as supports educational outreach and community engagement projects on youth enrichment activities and the promotion of social equity. It also serves as a venue for conferences and stay-in retreats organised by organisations with similar missions for fostering spiritual growth and community involvement among participants.
2010
Hope House
Hope House is a registered charity and Institution of Public Character (IPC) dedicated to providing a supportive environment, including residence, for at-risk male youths aged 14 to 21 who need guidance and mentoring. The vision of Hope House is to be an "Oasis of Hope" where at-risk youths who face challenges such as family difficulties, behavioural issues, or legal troubles find themselves, learn who they are, and develop into independent and responsible adults.
Hope House provides individualized care programs tailored to each resident's specific needs, including counselling, educational support, and life skills training. It offers educational and vocational training to help residents continue their education and acquire skills, promoting their prospects for a better future. Therapeutic activities such as sports, arts, and music are provided to foster emotional well-being and develop positive coping mechanisms. The house also emphasizes community involvement and service, encouraging residents to participate in community projects to build social responsibility and facilitate reintegration. Additionally, Hope House offers transitional and residential support for youths needing stable living conditions, and counseling and mentorship to address emotional well-being and foster self-confidence. Family involvement is integral, engaging families in the care process to support reintegration.
While operating under the broader umbrella of Catholic and community welfare services, Hope House has grown through partnerships with schools, parishes, and volunteers, continually expanding its outreach and scope over the years.
2010
St. Joseph’s Institution Philanthropic Fund
https://www.sjifoundation.org/
The St. Joseph’s Institution Philanthropic Fund for the Lasallian Mission Ltd (SJIPF) is a registered charity and Institution of Public Character (IPC) in Singapore. It funds educational-related programmes and initiatives that benefit the Lasallian community and the wider society.
The SJIPF furthers the Lasallian mission in Singapore by supporting Lasallian institutions through financial assistance, scholarships and funding for educational programmes and initiatives. It also encourages the Lasallian community, including students, alumni, teachers and other volunteers, to participate in educational, outreach, and service projects that contribute to the betterment of society. In its outreach, the SJIPF is dedicated to working with stakeholders to nurture our students into future leaders who are committed to serving others and making a positive impact on society.
2024
St. Joseph’s Institution International Preschool
https://www.sji-internationalpreschool.com.sg/
The SJI International Preschool (SJIIPS) is the latest addition to the SJI International family of schools. It is a co-educational preschool. The preschool operates under the Early Childhood and Development Agency (ECDA) license and admits Singaporean and international students.
The
The preschool admits children from the ages of 3 to 6 for Early Years 1 and 2 and Kindergarten Years 1 and 2 It provides a holistic and engaging learning experience through a play-based and inquiry-led curriculum, fostering curiosity, creativity, and problem-solving skills. The preschool emphasizes social-emotional growth, character development based on Lasallian and Catholic values, and an appreciation for cultural diversity. Children engage in hands-on activities, including outdoor learning in a nature-inspired environment, and benefit from a bilingual literacy program in Mandarin and English. The school promotes values such as respect, responsibility, and empathy, creating a nurturing and inclusive environment where children can thrive academically, socially, and emotionally.
2024
Lasallian Trust of Singapore
With the approval of the Brother Visitor for the Lasallian East Asia District (LEAD), the De La Salle Brothers in Singapore worked with its alumni to establish the Lasallian Trust of Singapore (LTS). LTS is a company limited by guarantee (CLG) incorporated on 8 October 2024. It is a charitable organisation that provides governance oversight of all Lasallian entities in Singapore. It advances and supports the Lasallian mission in Singapore, ensuring that our Singapore Lasallian entities' educational philosophy, principles and values remain faithful to that established by St. John Baptist de La Salle, aligned with Catholic teachings. It plays a crucial role in maintaining the integrity and effectiveness of Lasallian educational institutions and initiatives in Singapore.