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) 

My Memories of St Anthony’s (1961-1975)

By Major D.Swami Gwekandam (Retired)

Joined St Anthony’s School:  1961(Primary)

Completed Form Five: 1975

Career in the Malaysian Armed Forces

1975 – 1996:

Trained in Engineers (Bombs & Booby Trap Squad)

Joined 7^th Rangers ( Platoon Commander)

Served in Bukit Cina (Kelantan), Sarawak, Ipoh PLAW, Mentakab

Counter-Insurgency (Operations from Platoon Commander until 2^nd In Command of an Infantry Company, later attended  Company Commander’s course and Squadron Leader, eventually commanding a Mechanized Infantry Company

Courses attended : Combat Engineers, Mine Warfare and Booby Traps, Platoon Commander's Course  - Kota Belud, Sabah, Orientation Commando - Special Warfare Training Center, Sg Udang, Instructor Unit Combat Intelligence - Special Warfare Training Center, Sg Udang, 81 MM Mortar - Army Combat Training Center,  Unit Emplaning Officer, Regimental Signals Officer, Small Arms Coaching - Decentralized Australia in  Army Combat Training Center, Staff Duties, Company Commander - Army Combat Training Center (Pulada), Squadron Leader (Armour) - Armor School, Port Dickson, Training Development Officer and Sniper.

Multiple exercises with foreign forces: Aussies, NZ, UK, Singaporeans, USA.

Dec 1993- July 1994: United Nations Force in Somalia (World Food Programme)

I have spent 26 years in the armed forces as one of the few Anthonians who have performed combat duty. I was asked :”In what way has your Anthonian school life prepared you for combat duty?”

I had to do some real soul-searching to provide the answers. The “military” side of my personal formation has its roots in the “military-style” training given by Mr Lawrence Guok, our Discipline Master and PE trainer. I remember his merciless form of “circuit training” which we all had to undergo in Damian Camp (sorry,Damian Hall!) during our PE classes. I must also give credit to the St John Ambulance training especially under the personal inspiration of Brother Damian,our Director. It was his personal encouragement that made our SJAM team go all-out for championships at state and national level. We emerged Perak State Champions in 1969/70 for the Foot Drill and in First Aid.

I must also thank the school for the leadership experience that I had in my capacity as Deputy Head Prefect. Together with Head Prefect, S.Santhanadass, I was greatly feared by all the smokers in the school because of the many sudden and daring anti-smoking cigarette confiscation raids I conducted. (What happened to the confiscated cigarettes is a top secret classified under the Anthonian  Official Secrets Act!) .

You may think that the military code of conduct is a far cry from the spirit of “CARITAS NON FICTA”. It need not necessarily be so. Part of my military career was in counter-insurgency operations against communist forces in the Malayan and Kalimantan jungles. My real motivating factor was what I had learned about the ugly and repressive side of communism from none other than my beloved Brother John. During his English and history lessons, he shared with us his true stories of his life experiences in Communist-ruled Poland and Czechoslovakia.

In addition, I learnt from Brother John  what I call “the civilian code of conduct” – the Lasallian virtues of “caring for the last,the lost and the least.” It was this burning spirit of caritas that impelled me to undertake the UN mission in Somalia. Thousands of war refuges were facing death through starvation on account of the civil war there. My mission was to provide armed escort for a UN food supply line from Mogadishu to Baidoa (a 200-km stretch) and to Xuddur near the Ethopian border, around 500 kilometers away.We had to travel in the semi arid desert. I commanded the  mechanized infantry units that gave armed protection to  the UN food convoys on this route. I completed all missions successfully. Thousands of lives were saved in Somalia as a result of this mission. Plus, I acted as the team leader for the Quick Reaction Force. Isn’t this a worthy example of Caritas Non Ficta?

I would also like to remember all my other teachers who inspired me in various ways. I remember Miss Chan Oi Kim who walked me to school every Saturday for cocurricular activities. Mr A Ambrose was my headmaster in Primary School. He was a model of excellent speech and personal virtue. Brother Damian Oliver, my Principal (Director) in my secondary school years was an educationist of world class excellence. Mr Finan Monteiro was an idol of youthful idealism for us all. Mr Fabian was a kind soul who was always close to the young. Mrs Sally Chin was a mother to all of us. Mr Cyril Teoh, young and handsome, was a worthy role model for us. Mr Robert Tripp (American Peace Corps volunteer) gave us his personal thoughts on the ongoing Vietnam War.

        It is great to belong to St Anthony’s. I pray that the spirit of “Doing and Daring” lives on at our beloved alma mater!

  

Family of  Anthonian Blogger Louis Rozario Doss (L-R) Noel (son) , Felix (brother-in-law), Vinobha (son)  , Julie (Mother), Louis (Father) 

email: louisrd49@gmail.com 

HP 010-3905011

St Anthony of Padua –  Saint, Scholar, Sage - Our Inspiration

Saint Anthony of Padua (Portuguese: Santo António de Lisboa), born Fernando Martins de Bulhões (15 August 1195 – 13 June 1231), is also known as Anthony of Lisbon,He was a Portuguese Catholic priest and friar of the Franciscan Order. He was born and raised by a wealthy family in Lisbon, Portugal, and died in Padua, Italy. Noted by his contemporaries for his powerful preaching, expert knowledge of scripture, and undying love and devotion to the poor and the sick, he was one of the most quickly canonized saints in church history. He was proclaimed a Doctor of the Church on 16 January 1246. He is also the patron saint of lost things.

He is the patron saint of Lisbon, Padua and many places in Portugal and in the countries of the former Portuguese Empire

WHY ST ANTHONY’S LIFE AND EXAMPLE ARE

RELEVANT TODAY

Our school is named in honour of St Anthony of Padua who is one of the greatest saints of the Christian world. He is also revered by millions of people of all faiths for the inspiring example of his saintly and scholarly life devoted to the preaching of the Holy Word and living the Holy Word especially by caring for the poor and the helpless. Indeed, St Anthony of Padua is our greatest role model because he is  an eloquent embodiment of our school’s motto “CARITAS NON FICTA”.

To this very day, there are very strong reasons why

St Anthony continues to be a great inspiration for young people.

• ·       He was born in Lisbon (Portugal) into a wealthy aristocratic family but he joined the religious life and devoted his entire life to a higher cause – the study and preaching of the scriptures and the care of the poor. He shows us that the greatest wealth comes from a life lived well and devoted to a higher cause in life.
• ·       He was an international  citizen who traversed Portugal,Morocco, Spain, France and Italy to carry out his mission in life. In the process, he mastered  several languages including Latin,Portuguese, Spanish,French and Italian. He is truly a model for young people in a multilingual world.
• ·       He was a great scholar.  His interest was not only in scripture and theology. He was fascinated by the first stirrings of scientific research in the Middle Ages. He had a sure grasp of human psychology as revealed by his sermons which earned him the title “Evangelical Doctor of the Church”.
• ·       He was a great communicator and educator. However, like his mentor St Francis of Assisi, St Anthony believed that the “dialogue of words” is not enough. Human beings are touched in heart and mind by action as declared by our motto “Caritas Non Ficta”.
• ·       St Anthony symbolizes the first principle of the Rukunegara -faith in God and the power of prayer in our lives. Many miracles have been attributed to St Anthony in countries all over the world.
• ·       Being Anthonian links us with many institutions and communities worldwide that celebrate the greatness of this person  .

·       He is especially invoked and venerated all over the world as the patron saint for the recovery of lost items and is credited with many miracles involving lost people, lost things and even lost spiritual goods.

                         CARITAS NON FICTA 

Blogger Louis Rozario Doss  studied at SMK St Anthony (1962-64) and at SMK St Michael ,Ipoh (1956-1961/1965-1966)Served as Principal SMK St Anthony (1996-1998)  & SMK St Michael (1998-2005)   Currently serves at Tenby International School ,Ipoh 

Conducts CIE A Level Seminars/Workshops on Literature,English, History & Law

email: louis49@gmail.com   Mobile: 010-3905011

Memories of St Anthony's by Mr Narayanan Suppiah

Memories of St Anthony’s  (1947-1985)by Mr Nara       

   

Mr Nara (left) with lifelong friend Anthony Kee

 Full Name: Narayanan s/o Suppiah

Born: 5^th September 1939

Place of Birth: Lumut

1947 – Entered Primary Year 1 at St Anthony’s Primary School,Teluk Intan

1957- Completed Form 5 at SASTI

March 1959 - Joined the school staff at SASTI as a laboratory technician

1985 – Transferred to SMK Hutan Melintang

1994- Retired from the Government Education Service

-------------------------------------------------------------

Interviewed by:   Louis Rozario Doss

Date: 23^rd March 2019

-----------------------------------------------------------

Q Mr Nara, who among the several primary school teachers, would you like to talk about first?

Among  the first teachers who had a strong impression on me were the siblings, Miss Almeida , and her  brother ,Mr Bruno Almeida. They were both talented in academics,in music, and in sports. They took a personal interest in every student and we loved them for  making school life so open,so joyous and something to look forward to each day.Both of them were temporary teachers starting on their life’s career paths. Mr Bruno Almeida, was an old boy of our alma mater.He joined the police force and retired with distinction as the Chief Police Officer (CPD) of Penang State.

Q That first question is meant to jog your memories. Have you any other nuggets of the past for us?

Mr Teoh Boon Gim was a legendary figure as our Maths master. He was the only person in Malaya who could draw a circle with just one free hand – without the support of any mathematical instruments!

Q Tell us about your years in the science labs of SASTI.

I worked under and with some of the most remarkable personalities I have met. When I first joined the staff, I worked under Mr Tan Chin Huat, an Anthonian himself. He was the Head Laboratory Technician, the person who guided and trained me for my future role as the Head of the Anthonian laboratories. He was a truly dedicated officer who worked for the school all his life until the age of 55. When I took over as the Head of the Lab Staff, my mentor was another towering school figure, Mr Martin Yong. Under Mr Martin Yong, the science laboraties were reshaped and renovated for the new science-oriented world our school was moving into. The Chemistry and Physics labs were first created and designed by Mr Martin Yong. In 1959, the labs achieved the status of “pure science “ labs. This was another feather in the cap for the school, again made possible by Mr Martin Yong’s innovative leadership. Mr Yong also helmed the leadership of the St John Ambulance Brigade after the departure of Mr J.D. Weller. Our SJAM unit was among the best trained units in Malaya at that time. In 1961, Mr Martin Yong, was appointed as Head of the MOE's Post-Primary Continuation Programme for Lower Perak  based at SMK St Anthony. Later, he was based in SMK Raja Muda Musa which became the new base for the programme. Mr Ewe Teng Khoon was his successor as Head of the Science Department.

Q You worked under the shadow of Brother Damian, a great Biology teacher and Sub-Director of the School  before he became Director. What are your memories of Brother Damian?

Brother Damian Oliver,Director

Brother Damian  Oliver was a great inspiration to all Anthonians, and especially to our future doctors,biologists and, young scientists in general. He made the laboratories truly up-to-date in terms of apparatus and teaching charts to make the learning of science a thrilling experience.He was a spell-binding teacher. You could see the students totally mesmerized by his teaching style. He was a master at both narration and experimental demonstration. As sub-director and later Director of the school,he  also understood teachers and staff well and was compassionate towards them especially when they shouldered family responsibilities which required time-off from school.

Q What are your best memories of school life?

The two strands that stand out are my exploits as a Boy Scout and as a member of the St John Ambulance. As Boy Scouts, our troop went on trips and tours along the banks of the Perak River, into rubber estates and to Seri Muara -the river mouth where the Perak River reaches the sea. As a St John   member, I mastered the first aid skills and became a marching machine! We were on civic duty at many government functions.  I also enjoyed playing an array of sports ranging from athletics and hockey to rugby. I represented St Anthony’s in the Combined Schools Championships and was awarded schools colour in hockey and athletics. The teachers who were the prime movers behind our prowess in hockey and athletics were Mr Teoh Boon Jim and Mr Anthony Rogers. I also played cricket and football for the school. Under the care of Mr Boon Gim and Mr Rogers, we travelled to sports events in the world of our time- Ipoh,Tapah and Kampar.Among the star sportsmen among our seniors   were two of Mr Anthony Rogers’ brothers    Aloysius and Dairiam Pillay.They were both super athletes in their days. In later years(1960s-70S), Mr Anthony Rogers did his Ph D in English and rose  to eminence as Head of English in the Curriculum   Development Centre,Ministry of Education,Malaysia.      

Q   What other highlights of school life in the 1950s  in your estimation deserve to be remembered by all Anthonians?

I must mention three things. The whole school used to celebrate our victories in the Combined Schools events in Ipoh,Tapah and Kampar.

Brother Denis Hyland,Director 

Brother Denis, our Director, used  to  declare a half-holiday   to celebrate our victories on Mondays as our outings usually took place on the weekends. Few of us had telephones at home but news of our sports victories surprisingly used to reach the homes of Lower Perak even before we arrived back in Teluk Anson! How come? Without any internet-based social media? Another frequent cause of celebration at school was the athletic prowess of the Supreme Anthonian Quartet  - (Dr) Cheah Song Kang,Linus Pereira,Benedict Gomez   and Wong Seng Heng . This legendary relay team was the talk of Malayan schools in 1955 when they broke all national and state records in the 4 x110  yards . They were the glory of the Anthonian sports scene in the 19 55/56 years.  Thirdly, I remember Chan Looi Chong, an outstanding badminton star at school.He went on to become a National Badminton Coach in the 1960s.     

Q Would you like to pay a special tribute to any of your other teachers?

Yes, I remember Brother Aloysius, a 250-pound Irishman, who introduced rugby at our school. Although the sport did not take root at our school, we all enjoyed its brief spurt of life under Brother Aloysius.  Another colourful personality was Brother Patrick O’Connor who founded the Anthonian Military Band and was a pillar of the St John Ambulance Brigade.       

Q What are your unforgettable memories of your life and work at St Anthony’s?

I have two things I will never forget. For many years, I was not just in charge of the science labs.I was given a job not usually done by lab staff. This was the school timetable. I created and managed the timetable for more than twenty years. This brought me into the inner corridors of decision-making in the school – something I never really wanted for myself but was thrust upon me by circumstances. The second unforgettable event took place in 1967  - on school Sports Day. You won’t believe this. The teachers were all on strike – under the orders of the National Union of Teachers.This was a nationwide boycott of all extracurricular activities. Brother Damian,our Director, firmly decided that the Sports Day would go on as planned. The teachers were all there – purely as spectators  in the tents. The entire Sports Day was run by two of us from the labs – Mr Tan Chin Huat and myself. We were only assisted by the students. It was a great day for our Anthonian students to show that they are made of the best stuff in terms of leadership and enterprise.  Bravo,Anthonians!

Blogger Louis Rozario Doss did his Form 1 -3 years at SMK St Anthony,Teluk Intan.(1962-64)
He completed his secondary education at SMK St Michael,Ipoh. He was Principal
of SMK St Anthony (1996-1998) and went on to serve as Principal of SMK St Michael,Ipoh (1998-2005).
He is currently the Head of Sixth Form (CIE A Level) at Tenby International School,Ipoh.
HP 010-3905011 email:louisrozariodoss@yahoo.co.uk