SJI International denies claims of alleged negligence of S'porean teen who died on Maldives school trip

St. Joseph's Institution International (SJII) has denied the allegations of negligence in the claim that the late Jenna Chan's family filed against the school.

An earlier report stated that her family filed a negligence claim in the General Division of the High Court of Singapore against SJII on Jul. 20, 2026.

The family is suing the school for alleged negligence over Jenna's death after she died during a 2024 snorkelling trip while on an overseas expedition to the Maldives.

She was 15 at the time and would have turned 17 yesterday (Jul. 20).

Denies allegations, remains open to meeting

Speaking to Mothership, SJII's chief executive officer Michael Johnston confirmed that Jenna's parents had filed the claim against the school in the Singapore High Court.

"The school denies the allegations stated in the claim, which have misattributed fault to the school. As such, the school has retained legal counsel to defend the claim," he said.

The school said it has previously conveyed its position to Jenna's parents, including that it does not agree that there are valid claims against the school and that the accident was allegedly caused by the boat captain's act of putting the vessel into reverse after Jenna had entered the water.

He added: "The school also informed Jenna’s parents that it did not agree with any suggestion that the school was withholding information from them and that while the school had taken steps to obtain information from the Maldivian authorities who were investigating the incident, the school did not receive any such information."

SJII has reportedly reached out to Jenna's parents on numerous occasions and remains open to meeting with them when they are ready.

"Deeply mindful of immense loss"

Johnston said that as a school, SJII has continued to offer the family their "unwavering support" and hold them in their thoughts and prayers every day.

"We are deeply mindful of their immense loss and strive to be respectful and sensitive in every way possible," Johnston said.

"The loss of Jenna was a tragedy, and our hearts remain with her family. As a school, we continue to offer them our unwavering support and hold them in our thoughts and prayers every day."

He noted that as the matter is now before the Singapore Courts, the school will refrain from commenting further on the matter publicly at this juncture.

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