Back on Stage, Back Together: SJI International’s Still Got Talent 2026

The familiar grounds of the SJI International Campus were abuzz with vibrant energy and excitement on the evening of 18th July 2026, as alumni returned home for the biggest reunion of the year. 

This year’s gathering held a deeply special significance for the entire community: the evening served as a heartfelt tribute to Ms Ineke Thorpe, the creative force behind the original SJI International’s Got Talent series, as she marked her final term at SJI International. 

Making a spectacular comeback after a six-year hiatus, the popular talent showcase drew a crowd of more than 80 alumni, teachers, and staff for a night of entertainment, laughter, and celebration.

Reconnecting with Familiar Faces & Fond Farewells

The cosy, welcoming atmosphere of the high school assembly hall provided a nostalgic and ideal backdrop for alumni across many cohorts to reconnect over food and drinks, swap life updates, and express gratitude to their former mentors. Among the faculty and staff in attendance were "Aunty" Glenis Chng, "Ibu" Susi Teo, Mr Rainone, Ms Branson, Mr Gregory Thorpe and Ms Ineke Thorpe.

For many, the school’s faculty created some of the most emotionally resonant moments of the night. A standout highlight was a special Ukulele Ensemble Performance featuring Ms Ineke Thorpe alongside Dominic Chan '23 and Kho Min Xiang '24.

"The atmosphere was amazing while watching Mrs Thorpe take the stage to perform with her students. It was almost like being taken back in time to assembly. It was nostalgic and bittersweet, but I’m grateful to have witnessed her passion for music once more before she returns to New Zealand." — Angelica Teo '18

Unscripted Magic & A Showcase of Diverse Talent

The excitement of the night was undoubtedly the talent show, as performers ranging from recent graduates to the Class of 2010 brought a mix of musical genres and artistic specialties to the stage.

The show featured high-energy full-band sets from the Classes of 2020 and 2023, soulful vocal performances by Sarah Chong '10 (piano) and Ivan Abisha '18 (guitar), as well as captivating solo instrumental acts like Dominic Chan '23's ukulele solo and Kho Min Xiang '24's bass solo. Adding a touch of fresh artistic flair, Angelica Teo '18 delivered an expressive vocal performance, treating the audience to a preview of a new song from her latest EP.

For the performers themselves, stepping back onto the campus stage held a renewed meaning beyond the spotlight. One of the performers, R&B singer-songwriter Angelica Teo shared,

"It definitely didn’t feel like a competition, since all the contestants had grown up and left the school. Definitely felt more like a reunion or a-check-in to showcase where all our passions for the arts have gone."

The evening was also packed with dynamic, unscripted moments. Co-emcee Darius Kawasoe, Class of 2025, kept the crowd roaring during live jury deliberations with quick-witted improvisation, while the judging panel, comprising teachers Ms Glenis Chng and Mr Tony Scheelbeek, alongside High School Principal Mr Bradley Bird, delivered wickedly funny, crowd-pleasing critiques.

Yet, beneath the friendly competition lay a profound sense of camaraderie.

"What I think truly represented our school spirit was how each winner celebrated the others on the roster. That sense of community and mutual uplifting is what I remember most fondly about SJI International." 

— Dominic Chan '23

Bridging Cohorts & Looking to the Future Together

Beyond the music and laughter, bringing back SJI International's Got Talent served a deeper purpose: bridging generational gaps and reigniting alumni’s bond with the school community.

As the night progressed, age boundaries naturally dissolved as attendees from different eras bonded over shared roots and life updates.

"Aside from interacting with our teachers and being able to reconnect with them, we also get to reconnect with students that attended school the same times we did, and meet our juniors or seniors. The age gap doesn’t feel so large as it did back in high school, because I guess we’re almost all in similar stages of life now... [I've] met new people from several years before me that I now feel truly inspired by, and will keep in touch with."

 — Angelica Teo '18

The evening didn't just honor SJI International's past and present; it offered an inspiring glimpse into the future. Alumni were thrilled when Mr Bird presented a preview of the new campus, giving attendees an exciting look at the future-ready, eco-smart sanctuary SJI International will call home in a few years' time.

The energy of the talent show left many in the audience feeling inspired to step onto the stage next time. Event Chairperson Dominic Chan '23 recalled hearing a recurring theme echoed across the crowd all evening:

"If there is another [talent] show next year, I might just perform something."

Reflecting on what the gathering meant to the alumni community, Sarah Chong '10 shared:

"I think a night like this strengthens and refreshes our collective memory of one of the many fun, immensely entertaining, valuable and rewarding experiences we had in school, and helps us value the fact that we got to relive it again in this new setting."

The spirit of support and community at SJI International’s Got Talent proves that no matter how many years pass or how far alumni’s individual paths take them, the warmth, creativity, and enduring bonds of the SJI International family remain as strong as ever.