The inaugural De La Salle Service-Learning Awards at SJIIS took place on 21 March 2025. This event, a significant milestone in our school’s history, was attended by members of the Board of Governors, school leadership team, parents, and Year 9-13 students. As part of the sixth-form Lasallian Education curriculum, sixth-form students undertook service-learning projects that integrated education, sustainability, and community engagement, directly supporting several United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
The event highlighted the remarkable efforts of our sixth-form students, who planned and implemented thirteen (13) impactful projects that significantly benefited the local community. From creating interactive learning experiences in STEM and financial literacy to promoting inclusivity through sports and wellness initiatives, the De La Salle Service-Learning awards programme of SJIIS encouraged students to apply their learning to serve others, especially the last, the lost, and the least. These projects had a tangible and positive effect on our local community, addressing real-world challenges such as refugee empowerment, environmental sustainability, gender-based violence, and neurodiversity.
These projects, besides making a tangible, real-world impact and being a force for the common good, also played a significant role in the holistic learning and character development of our students. Their active participation allowed them to hone essential life skills such as research, interpersonal communication, public speaking, and financial literacy, while also fostering their empathy and sense of responsibility to the world around them. This personal growth is a testament to their dedication and the transformative power of service-learning.
Ezra Lim, who was honored with the Outstanding Reflection Award from the Year 13 cohort, shared his profound reflections on the experience. He expressed that the journey instilled in him a “deep sense of gratitude” and a realisation to use his “privileges to serve those who are less fortunate”. He also highlighted that “the experience was also a lesson in empathy”, teaching him that “service is about fostering personal interactions and empowerment, rather than dispensing aid without knowing its value.” These reflections provide a deep insight into the transformative power of service-learning.
Julia Doraisamy, Outstanding Reflection Paper Awardee from Year 12, reflected on her service-learning journey and related it to her religious background, stating that: “As a Catholic, the skill of sewing, the knowledge of the political situation in Afghanistan, and the valuable lesson the organisation has taught me about women’s resilience have given me a more aware but optimistic perspective that God has plans to improve these women’s lives.”
Three outstanding projects were awarded for their relevance to the community, exceptional impact, practical application of learning, and connection to the Lasallian education principle of Concern for the Poor and Social Justice. Awardees received a medal with the image of St. John Baptist de La Salle and a certificate recognising their outstanding contribution to service-learning. In addition, the community partners of the most exceptional service-learning projects received RM6,000 (Gold), RM5,000 (Silver), and RM4,000 (Bronze). These awards were judged by an international panel of judges, each with extensive experience in community engagement, youth formation, and working with non-governmental organisations in Malaysia, Singapore, the United Kingdom, and Italy. The judging process was rigorous and comprehensive, ensuring that only the most deserving projects were recognized.
The Gold Award—The Bio Buddies (Y12) received the highest recognition. The group partnered with Ruth Education Centre, a UNHCR-registered education centre that aims to educate Myanmar refugee youth, and organised a science fair showcasing engaging experiments such as DNA extraction, chromatography-based mystery-solving, chemical reactions, and balloon-powered car challenges. They were followed by the Silver Award—Monkey Sea, Monkey Do (Y13), who partnered with The Sea Monkeys Project and hosted an environmental workshop raising awareness of plastic pollution and promoting sustainable habits through creative upcycling techniques. The Bronze Awardees, the Sharks (Y12), also collaborated with the REC and facilitated a business workshop introducing pitch ideas and identification, budgeting, and entrepreneurship concepts, culminating in a “Shark Tank” style competition where participants pitched innovative ideas.
In his remarks, Brother Mico de Leon FSC Lasallian Education Teacher, encouraged all our sixth-form Lasallians “to carry the school’s values forward and continue being role models for our younger students, like their older brothers and sisters, setting a great example for them to follow.” He further mentioned that their service-learning projects are their legacy, “but it doesn’t end here. Take what you’ve learned, and let it shape how you lead, serve, and make an impact in the world.”
Congratulations to all sixth-form students for their outstanding achievements!
