St. John's Institution
St John's Institution (or SJI, as it is known to KLites - ie those who live in Kuala Lumpur) is a well-known boys' school in Kuala Lumpur, although - like other boys' secondary schools in Malaysia - girls are enrolled in the lower and upper sixth forms. It was established in 1904 and is a Christian Brothers' School, the Christian Brothers being an order founded by John Baptist de la Salle. It is therefore affiliated to other Christian Brothers' schools such as St Xavier's Institution (Penang), St Michael's Institution (Ipoh), St Francis Institution (Malacca), St George's Insitution (Taiping), St Joseph's School (Kota Kinabalu) and La Salle School (Petaling Jaya).
Site and Architecture
The school remains in its existing site in Jalan Bukit Nanas, in the city centre of Kuala Lumpur, yet is next to the Bukit Nanas forest reserve giving it a lush surrounding. St John's Primary School is across the road and the Bukit Nanas Convent is further down the road. The Fatima Kindergarten (which is now converted into a community service centre) and Roman Catholic St John's Cathedral are situated on the road leading up to SJI. The building is distinctive with its red-and-white Spanish- and Greek-influenced arches.
Administration
The school has traditionally been headed by men in the order, with a Brother Director (like a headmaster) and a Brother Supervisor (like a deputy headmaster). The headship of the school has since passed on to the laity and the present headmaster is Peter Yii. Former Brother Directors include Bro. Michael Wong, Bro. Cassian Pappu, Bro. Lawrence Spitzig (1979 to 1982; also earlier in 1955 to 1961), Brother Joseph Yeo (1969 to 1979, dying in office), Bro. Joseph McNally, Brother Dositheus Joseph Brophy, Bro. Cornelius, Bro. Marcian, Bro. Stephen Edward, Bro. James Gilbert and Bro. Julian Francis. They provide the names of the four houses in the school: D. Joseph, Cornelius, Gilbert and Lawrence.
Uniform
The traditional uniform was a white shirt, white trousers with a green tie (similar to the uniform of St Joseph's Insitutition in Singapore), although in the 1970s Malaysia imposed national school uniforms as opposed to uniforms distinct to each school.
School Motto
The school motto is fide et labore, Latin for faith and zeal.
School Rally
Cheer, cheer and courage display;
All ye Johannians join in the lay!
Send a volley of cheers on high,
Shake down the thunder from the sky.
What though the odds be great or small,
Dear old St.John's will win over all,
While her loyal sons are marching
Onward to victory.
Rise, boys and loudly proclaim
That ye will never sully her name!
Let the hills and woodlands ring,
Lift up your hearts and loudly sing.
What though the way be rough or steep,
We unto virtue's summons will keep;
And if e'er our country needs us,
Loyal and true will be.
SCHOOL RALLY (Bahasa Malaysia version)
Tunjukkan keberanian,
Marilah semua Johanian,
Laungkan semangat berkobar,
Hingga angkasa bergegar,
Walau apapun rintangan,
St John tetap berjaya menang,
Barisan putera setia,
Menuju puncak jaya.
Contact Details
The postal address of SJI is Jalan Bukit Nanas, 50250 KUALA LUMPUR. Telephone numbers: +60 (0)3-2078 2846 (secondary school), (0)3-2078 1643 (primary school), (0)3 2078 8594 (residence).