The Pattimura Song — A History

Teacher Gina Rosbrook was tasked with writing a new song for our PEL students in 1992. We asked Ms. Rosbook about the origins of our school song, sung by generations of PEL Dragons.

"First of all, I'm really happy to know that it is still being sung! In 1989, I was hired to teach fourth grade at the Elementary School in Cilandak [PIE], and when the music position at Pattimura came open in 1990, I leapt at the chance to move into the Pattimura music room. 

“When Susan Stengel became the principal in 1992, she asked me if I would write a new school song to replace ‘Pattimura Pride’, the original song. We were in the process of learning about restitution before we began using it with the students. I always wrote songs for kids that were directly related to something we were doing as a school or something they were learning about, so it seemed like a good idea to base the song on the pillars of restitution. 

“Since the students were already fairly privileged and did not have to deal with Survival, I chose the Restitution themes of Power, Freedom, Belonging, and Fun to include in the song. I deliberately made it fast, short, and snappy with the clap to provide some syncopation.

“Later on, as we went through the years of having heightened security for our school campuses, it was particularly important to have a song that evoked pride in the school and a fun attitude about being there every day. If it's still being sung, I guess it worked!"

And as we prepare to celebrate the 75th anniversary of our school, PEL Music Teacher Krissi Olsen has written a new song to add to the collection. 

Ms. Olsen said: "The new song [‘Pattimura, Pattimura’] will premiere in our final assembly in June 2026. We'll be singing our new song, as well as Ms. Rosbrook's ‘Pattimura School Song’ and the older ‘Pattimura Pride’ next school year during the JIS 75th birthday celebrations."