Message from

Cheng Ban Lian 

(Class of 1968)

The first batch of Sixth Form Arts, Class of 1968!

The 88th anniversary for St Anthony’s School (SAS) is indeed an auspicious occasion. Eight sounds like ‘fa’ (發 or 发)in Cantonese or Mandarin, which has several meanings, including sprout, develop, discover, grow, prosper, launch and certainly ‘to get rich’. So, double 8 is double the meaning of everything this occasion stands, as it represents an unforgettable time we had spent in the school community.

Ours was the first sixth form Arts batch in SAS in 1967 with over twenty girls and boys.  At the same time, the first science batch started in SMK Horley Methodist next door. Without the tremendous efforts of both headmasters Rev Brother Damian Oliver (SAS) and Mr P.S. Nagaratnam (SMK Horley Methodist) to establish the classes, many of us would not have been able to afford to study sixth form elsewhere. It was also a historic moment and pioneering period when girls were accepted into the all boys’ SAS for the first time.

Although there might have been some initial trepidation for ourselves and for the rest of the school, I would like to believe that we did the school proud and the school did us proud.  We went on to have our most formative school years together with our sixth form science counterparts in SMHM.

We achieved very good results and most of us went on to university and college and forged successful careers and are leading decently meaningful lives. Can we ever forget the challenges, learnings and inspirations from Brothers Damian, Patrick, John, Finan, Fabian, etc and the pioneer sixth form teachers, Mr Toh Soon Guan, Tan Ai Kok, Asok Kumar, S. Subrayan, Yeow Yew Hui, A. Damu, Miss Lily Tan and too many to mention, who may not have taught us directly but who contributed to enriching our experiences, including the inimitable Mr Anthony Kee, school administrator.

Last year, on 14-15 April, the SAS sixth form arts and SMK Horley Methodist science pioneer classes of 1968 had a memorable  two-day 50^th Anniversary Reunion back in Teluk Intan where we visited both schools as well as got to enjoy the sights and food in town. We had the good fortune of watching the SAS school marching band in practice in uniform, like a welcome parade.  We are very thankful to the reunion organising committee ably led by NP Thorairaj (Science) and committee members Teh Kwee Lian (Arts), Chong Yong Ku and Chin Mee Poon (both Science).

For many of us from out of town or overseas, it was the first time that we have met some of the reunion members  since our days in sixth form or at the university. We got to appreciate how we all have grown and prosper, just like good old Teluk Intan. The photos from our sixth form days and from the reunion speak volumes.

Although I am not able to attend the 88^th SAS dinner, my family and I wish all of you a grand reunion!

Keep the flag flying!

Best wishes from

Cheng Ban Lian (Class of 1968)

Melbourne, Australia.

2 June 2019. 

     

Founder of St Anthony's School Teluk Intan ,Father Michel Bonamy ,Catholic Missionary of the M.E.P (Paris Foreign Mission)

Memories of St Anthony's by Lee Siew Ling

88^th Anniversary

(1931-2019)

My Memories of St Anthony’s

Name: Lee Siew Ling

Education:

1.   Convent of the Holy Infant Jesus,Teluk Intan

2.   SMK St Anthony,Teluk Intan (Form 6 -1968)

3.   The University of Malaya,Kuala Lumpur (Bachelor of Arts (Hon)
 . Australian Catholic University (Bachelor of Social Science)(Family Studies)

5.  Deakin University ,Melbourne,  Australia  (M.Sc-Clinical Psychology)

Profession:  Clinical Psychologist (Private)         

                    By Lee Siew Ling

I look back on my two years at St Anthony’s with fond memories … the fun and laughter with my fellow classmates amidst the homework and preparation for exams.  We had dedicated teachers, to name but a few, Brothers Damian and Patrick, Mr Toh Soon Guan, Mr Tan Ai Kok, Mr Ashok Kumar … and Mr Damu who unfortunately passed away during his teaching term as a result of a motorbike accident and others, though not mentioned are remembered too.  They helped prepare us for our journey in life.

Like most of my classmates, I went to University of Malaya where I completed my Bachelor of Arts.  I taught briefly as a temporary teacher, married and was focussed on bringing up my family during those earlier years.  In 1991, we migrated to Melbourne and I decided to return to studying.  I completed my Bachelor of Social Science (Family Studies), my Masters in Clinical Psychology and worked in the public mental health service after graduation.  Currently, I have my own private practice, my clients are people with psychological/mental health issues.  At times, my area of work can be challenging but it is rewarding to hear from my clients that they have benefitted from therapy.  I am now working part-time, retirement is something that I look forward to, perhaps sometime in the near future.

To fellow Anthonians, past and present, I would like to say - treasure your school day memories for they are irreplaceable and keep in contact with each other, if possible.  I am honoured to be one of the sixth form pioneers and will forever cherish my memories of the Class of 1968 at St. Anthony’s.

Lee Siew Ling

(by email from Melbourne)

88th Anniversary

St.Anthony’s School,

Teluk Intan (1931-2019)

Memories of 1967/68

by the 1^st Batch of

Sixth Formers 

By AGATHA CHONG

Joined St Anthony’s in Form Six (1967-68)

Graduated B.A(Hons) (English Literature) (UM) Dip Ed (UM)

Served as Graduate English Teacher at the following schools:

1.               SMK Derma,Kangar,Perlis (1974 – 1978)

2.       SMK Sultan Yusuff,Batu Gajah (1979- 1986)

3.               SMK Anderson,Ipoh (1986- 1999)

It was two years of wonderful experiences,forging of old and new friendships and happy activities. Before this I had never had a close personal relationship with my teachers.My Form 6 teachers were like elder brothers – protecting,guiding, and caring.

Today, I count my form teacher ,Mr Toh Soon Guan, as a friend who found the bubbly element in me.

Mr Ashok Kumar,  a dreamer, who led me to the “Romantics” ,the poets – Keats, Wordsworth,Coleridge.

Mr Tan whose reading of  “TIME” magazine and interest in the United States of America presidential elections made me subscribe to the magazine  when I became a teacher myself.

Mr Subrayan who showed me that there is more to life  than just academic studies.

But,most of all, Brother Damian, whose interest in our –(the students’) – welfare ,put the human touch to our development.

Reunion at the Alma Mater .Pic contributor Ng Ban Lian (Melbourne)

Our teachers were with us  on our trips to Pangkor, Bidor Waterfalls, Taiping etc.,. An accident, when three of our girls were  in our teacher’s car,occurred in rainy weather.When we arrived home  and after a bath,immediately went to our teacher’s home,to show him we were all in one piece, as we knew he would be concerned. He had been our driver.

We love our teachers,- all of them! They made our life in St Anthony’s truly memorable!

MY ANTHONIAN CLASSMATES FROM THE CONVENT HIJ,TELUK ANSON

My old friends from the Convent went with me to Form Six at St Anthony’s. They are an inspiration to me.  I never was ambitious,never thought  about my future.They were my leaders and what they did I followed……Qualified for Form Six  (after the Form Six Entrance Examination)….followed them to St Anthony’s, …..qualified for  university…..joined them

there too!!! 

(Pic: Shared by Ng Ban Lian (Melbourne)

     A person of average intelligence,meek and self-erasing, I was pulled by them to perform in concerts: the musical “Othello”. Dancing the “A- Go-Go” on stage, participating in the fancy dress show.

They organized everything, and I was a “care-la-fair”,but a loyal supporter in all the activities (mini-sports,parties etc.,fun fair dance,fun fair day, flower decoration for St Anthony’s School Open Day).  

                I made new friends: Chin Teong,Bala,Jarnail,Masmuda -the boys in the class.Only two years together in Form Six  and we bonded. Chin Teong and Bala turn up for our get-togethers over the 50-year period. Chin Teong who took part in the choir has a powerful  voice. Bala, quiet, unassuming had hidden talents. He was always active behind the scenes.

                Thank you,dear teachers and classmates .You played a part in the person that I am now.Please continue to turn up when a reunion is organized in the future.Just love o “sembang” and catch up with news of each other.

              “CARITAS NON FICTA” 

(A Note from Blogger Louis: 

  My sincere thanks to Agatha, Jean Monteiro,Thong Sook Lean & Ng Ban Lian for their spontaneous response to our call for a worldwide school rally to honour our alma mater  - Louis Rozario Doss)

My e-address:

louisrozariodoss@yahoo.co.uk 

HP: 010-3905011 

Contact centre: Tenby International School, Bandar Meru Raya, 30020 IPOH,Malaysia

Blogger Louis Rozario Doss. Former SASTI Student & Principalof SMK St Anthony (1996-1998) and SMK St Michael,Ipoh (1998-2005)