A  Brief History of St.Anthony’s School,Teluk Intan  

          The Founding Fathers and the Lasallian                                         Directors

Our Alma Mater had its humble beginnings in a wooden shack which was known as the Vianney Tamil School ion 2^nd February 1932 and it was situated in the compound of St.Anthony’s Catholic Church,Teluk Anson (Teluk Intan). The founder of this humble cradle of learning  was a zealous French missionary  priest,Father Bonamy. There were no primary classes at that time and the primary schoolchildren  were under the tutelage of the Convent  HIJ, Teluk Anson.

In 1935, Mr Keir,Inspector of Schools,Perak, recorded that there were 30 boys under two teachers at St.Anthony’s.There were 8,8,5,5 and 4 pupils in Standard One  to Five  respectively. His Excellency  Bishop Devals was pleasantly  surprised the next year to note that enrolment had risen to 52. Our Alma Mater  is name after St Anthony of Padua (Italy). He is one of the most revered saints in  Catholic iconology. He is greatly admired for his charitable work for the poor and for his love of children. He is also ranked as one of the greatest preachers and educators in the history of Christianity.Truly he can be regarded as one of the most eloquent practitioners of “CARITAS NON FICTA” – our school motto.

THE ESTABLISHMENT OF ST.ANTHONY’S SCHOOL  (1940s)

Under the next Parish Priest, Rev.Father John Edmond, the school continued to make rapid progress . Soon further classes were opened  on the ground floor of the parochial house,  known in later years as the Assumption (Private) School. It was Father Edmond who acquired the land across the road (Jalan Sekolah), the present site  of our school .It then had six classrooms  and it was ready in January 1941. The main block was opened  at 5 p.m. on January 27^th 1941 by British Reident, the Honorable Mr Marcus Rex, CMG. The school now afforded accommodation for classes from the Primary School up to  (Secondary)  Standard VII.

THE JAPANESE OCCUPATION (1941-1945)

The Imperial Japanese Army closed St.Anthony’s School and established its camp therein. Hundreds of Japanese soldiers were billeted at St.Anthony.

 THE LASALLE BROTHERS

Rev.Father John Edmond strove to re-open the school because he had to face several financial and teacher shortage problems. This was the time of the visit to Malaya of Rev.Brother Lawrence O’Toole, Assistant Superior-General of the worldwide Lasallian   brotherhood. In June 1947 , there were 333 pupils.By January the next year  four classes on the right wing  were ready and the number rose to 351. Rev.Bro. Matthias Patrick (1940-50) took over from Rev.Bro Finan Owen (1947-1949)  as the secomd Director of St.Anthony’s. A second extension, this time on the left wing was undertaken and completed before he left and another four classrooms were added to the school. In 1950, Rev.Bro.Henry (1950=55) took over from Rev.Bro.Patrick.In January, 122 boys were admitted and the year ended with 474 on the rolls in 1951. A third extensionon  became necessary in continuation of the second on the left wing  to provide accommodation for another 300 boys. In September 1952 work was started and by the beginning of the next year , the boys moved in. The complete building was 110 yards  long with 11 classrooms  to each floor. In  1952,  the Old Boys Association  was founded.  In March 1953, the Brothers Quarters was provided for on the upper floor of the left wing. Adjacent to these quarters  were an ornate chapel and a spacious study room.  In 1954, enrolment grew to 798.

BROTHER DENIS  (1956-1960)

 Under his tenure, St.Anthony’s grew in size  and stature to become the most highly  accredited English-medium school in Lower Perak. Bro Denis required a two-acre plot at the junction  of Anderson Road and Jalan Syed Abu Bakar .This became our school field.

BROTHER ALBAN DE ROZARIO  (1952 – 1965)

It was during Rev.Bro.Alban de Rozario’s stewardship that a basketball court was built. In addition, a 3-acre site was acquired along Jalan Sungei Nibong for the relocation of our primary school. Brother Alban was a strict and grim figure whose dour mien masked a great love for the education of young people. The school grew in educational stature under his leadership.

BROTHER DAMIAN OLIVER ( 1965 – 1973)

Under his dynamic leadership, St Anthony emerged as one of Malaysia’s outstanding schools,particularly in the sciences and at English studies.Brother Damian established St.Anthony’s Sixth Form Centre. The school library and the laboratories were updated.The crowning moment of his career at St.Anthony’s was the completion of the  new School Hall which today bears his name. Of his achievements it can fittingly be said:

                                  “Bliss it was in that dawn for be alive

                                   But to be young was very heaven.”

BROTHER KEVIN  (1973- 1976)

He took over from Brother Damian in 1973.Under his leadership,the number of students  increased and the school continued to be noted for its academic excellence.

BROTHER OLIVER ROGERS (1976)

Brother Oliver was the last Lasalle brother to be the Director of  our Alma Mater. The story of St.Anthony’s moves on.Let us hope that the future principals, teachers and students of this great school will live up to the hope and promise of  our founding fathers.      

Blogger Louis Rozario Doss (Old Boy & Past Principal)
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