Michael Johnston Highlights the Power of Values-Driven Learning

Edarabia had the opportunity to interview Michael Johnston, CEO of St. Joseph’s Institution International, Singapore, to explore how schools are shaping compassionate, resilient learners in a rapidly evolving world. In this insightful discussion, he highlights the importance of values-driven education, responsible technology use, strong wellbeing systems, and building adaptability through challenge, reflection, and community partnerships.

1. With Singapore emphasising digital readiness and AI literacy in schools, how has your school incorporated AI as a core part of the curriculum?

We are early adopters for our adults collaborating with organisations such as Google and School AI to leverage the power of AI for learning and productivity to take even more time to connect with each other. We use AI to save time to get to things that matter, we use AI as a partner, not to do our thinking but to give us more time to think. Like with any literacy, we lead with compassion and take a moral responsibility with the use of technology. We have a new team member, AI, but we think deeply, apply AI where helpful and always live to serve.

2. How has your school adapted its approach to technology and device use to support student focus, learning, and social interaction?

We have adopted the Yondr pouches as an example of how to really connect with each other and be sure to help students learn about the constant need to be connected to a device. We take time in reflection, thought, prayer and conversation, not driven by AI and technology. We have articulated an SJI International Way of Being with the mindsets and skillsets required in this day and age. AI is exemplifying that these are the superpowers of the future, lets build them in each other through experiences like outdoor education.

3. How does your school guide students in using AI responsibly while preparing them for future academic and career opportunities?

We are very clear with our policies and acceptable use guidelines. We work with our curriculum partners like IGCSE and IB to work towards more authentic assessment of student learning. We also facilitate parent learning sessions on AI, digital citizenship, smart phones and a variety of technology topics because we know it takes a village to guide students in the age of AI.

4. How does your school ensure foundational subjects, including English, Mother Tongue Languages, Mathematics, and Social Studies, connect meaningfully with a diverse international student community?

We run a concept base curriculum that connects disciplines and at the core resonates with any culture or background to help understand this complex world. We don’t teach students what to think, we teach them how to think. The foundation of literacy and numeracy is the backbone of the deeper connected learning in all disciplines moving forward.

3. Beyond academic achievement, what three key competencies do you believe every student should develop to succeed in the coming decade?

I will quote our SJI International Way of Being as referenced earlier.

• Adaptive
• Resilient
• Compassionate

4. With rapid changes in the job market, how does your school foster adaptability and lifelong learning in students?

Part of our mission is to learn how to learn, whatever that learning may be. We leverage AI in the journey of learning and help students to know how to tackle complexity. Adaptability comes from being put into situations where you have to adapt. We provide these situations in a safe and nurturing environment so they can take on difficult challenges.

5. How does your school recognise and nurture each student’s unique strengths and talents?

The world of opportunities here at SJI International is vast to help students find areas of learning and areas of passion that they didn’t even know they had. Our Outdoor Education programme, Service learning opportunities, school clubs, activities, character development and faith formation allow all learners to thrive. We also empower students to create it if it doesn’t exist and support them to do so.

6. How does your school help students develop resilience and view challenges as opportunities for growth?

You learn to be resilient by having to be resilient when things get hard. We challenge them to do hard things. Fail just means the First Attempt In Learning. Feedback and reflection is the key to growth and we deliberately have mentors and peers giving feedback all along the journey to ensure growth. We also know that when it comes to high stakes external assessments there are deliberate ways to prepare for such things and our students do well because they understand how to do so.

7. What systems and practices are in place to support student wellbeing and help identify challenges early?

Our pastoral safety net is vast and no individual is not seen. Between early interventions, counseling systems, grade heads, tutors, learning support, safeguarding and more, every student has trusted adults to lean on. When students wobble, we have the systems in place to identify early and support.

8. How does your school support inclusive learning so that all students, including those with additional needs, can thrive?

We identity needs upon entry and support early in a student’s journey whether it be language support, learning support or social emotional support. We coach families through strategies and also identify needs based assessment support officially with our curriculum partners at each level.

9. How does your school help students develop a positive digital presence and manage their online identity responsibly?

We run a digital citizenship curriculum along with parent sessions and teacher training. We encourage our community to be upstanders and have mechanisms in place for students to step forward and share when they are concerned about someone, so we can support and aid in next steps whether they be in-person or online issues.

10. How does your school engage parents in supporting learning and community initiatives?

We have a very active parent community that we co-plan and deliver parent learning sessions with and for. We lean on external experts in areas of need identified by feedback from the community and best practice research. Our attendance is very high throughout the year at these sessions and it’s a testament to the community approach in raising caring and service-oriented students.

11. How does your school support educators in adapting to new learning approaches and technologies while building on their experience and expertise?

We have a very robust professional learning programme. We host quite a few events for not just our teachers but teachers and staff from around Singapore and Asia. We have staff research and development groups and professional learning communities to be sure we are on the front edge of learning research.

12. If you could share one inspiring message for your school community and the wider education sector, what would it be?

Never before have values-driven schools been so needed in this complex and ever changing world. No matter what changes on the technology front we still have the amazing opportunity to foster generations of caring, able, and motivated students who have a positive impact on the world.