The SJI International spirit crossed oceans as alumni gathered in the UK on 17 January 2026 for a special evening of reconnection. From the moment the doors opened, the atmosphere was deeply nostalgic. The alumni experienced a shared sense of history and connection that felt like stepping back into a familiar chapter of life, only to see how everyone had grown beyond it. This was evident as conversations flowed easily across the room, highlighting how deeply all the alumni cherished the school spirit that forged their formative years.

One highlight of the evening occurred when High School Principal, Mr Bradley Bird, took the floor. As he spoke, a hush fell over the room; the intent listening was reminiscent of a Monday morning assembly. However, the exciting reality was that those in the room were no longer students, but professionals and pioneers from all walks of life, reunited in the same space.

"In that moment, it really felt like time had folded in on itself," noted Scarlett Sim, our Alumni UK representative. "Our shared foundation brought us back together."

Bridging the Cohort Gap

The most common feedback throughout the night was the immense value of reconnection. Beyond catching up with old friends, attendees were energised by the opportunity to meet alumni from different cohorts. These "cross-generational" conversations proved that the school's mission, Enter to Learn, Leave to Serve, remains a powerful glue that binds the community together across decades.

The presence of staff members made the night extra meaningful. For many, seeing the teachers who shaped their formative years was the highlight of the evening, strengthening the bridge between their past at SJI International and their current lives in the UK.

Voices from the Community

For Savy Jajmann and Jose Hong (Class of 2009), the gathering was a heartwarming reminder of home. Savy, who moved to Singapore alone and lived in the school hostel, reflected on how the community is "reminiscent of a time which fundamentally changed me." He shared that "so much of his life was shaped by SJI International."

Jose admitted to some initial nerves before coming to the reunion: "We were both quite afraid that we would come over and there would be nobody we would know," he said.

Those fears evaporated when they spotted long-standing teacher and Vice Principal of High School, Mr Renato Rainone. After 15 years, the simple joy of recognising familiar faces and reconnecting with former staff members, such as Mr Vincent Anuraj, provided a profound sense of familiarity and relief. It was a testament to the fact that the impact of a great teacher and a good friend doesn't fade; it just waits for the next reunion to pick up right where it left off.

For our younger alumni, like Raghu Kohli (Class of 2024), seeing favourite teachers in the heart of London was equally exhilarating. To him, the event represented a "piece of the SJI International community anywhere we go around the world," providing a sense of confidence that no matter where an alumnus lands, they are never truly alone.
 

Building the Momentum

This event has set a vibrant foundation for future alumni activities in the UK, highlighting a genuine appetite for cross-cohort gatherings enriched by familiar staff members.

As we "Enter to Learn and Leave to Serve," events like these remind us that our SJI International bond is a lifelong connection. We look forward to many more UK gatherings that strengthen our shared network and keep the SJI International spirit thriving abroad.