The annual SJI International Alumni Reunion returned this summer after a two-year hiatus, bringing 200 alumni, teachers and staff back together at the High School Assembly Hall on 30 July.

This marks the first in-person reunion since the COVID-19 pandemic started, and what better way to celebrate it than with a retro-themed affair.

Mr Renato Rainone opened the evening with a welcome message, accompanied by a nostalgic video that he pieced together with photographs of each cohort he taught, delighting everyone with his funny anecdotes. Other staff members present during the evening were Aunty Glenis, Mrs Susi Teo, Mr Greg Thorpe, Ms Ineke Thorpe, Ms Beverly Branson, Ms Kathy Smyth, Mr Koushik Majumdar, Mr Liam Bergin and Mr Daniel Padron.

Time flew by as alumni reconnected with friends, old and new among the crowd, exchanging stories and sharing new adventures over food and drinks. 

Samuel Tan from the Class of 2014 commented: “I really loved how it was held in school! That was the best part of the reunion for me, especially after being away for a few years. It was important for me to get to see friends from my cohort once again.”

Capping off the evening, alumni bands from the Class of 2020 – Lyn Rose and Green Juice – serenaded the crowd with popular songs such as Jailhouse Rock, Just The Two Of Us and Love On Top.

From the exciting atmosphere of homecoming to the joy of seeing old friends, this year’s reunion was a particularly poignant one, a celebration of friendships made and the spirit of SJII.