The old boys group from St John's Institution of Kuala Lumpur, Dad's Alma Mater, gathered together in Singapore again. The last was in the year 2010 as recorded on this post when Mom was still alive. When one can keep friends for so long from school, they are as close as family members to me with so many school day stories remembered vividly. Yes indeed, Families and Friends can be Forever! This is the very reason why the Alma Mater page is attached to our familylane website
This gathering at the King's Hotel in Singapore for dinner on 21 April 2013 was made up by mainly those who are now residing or working in Singapore with some coming down all the way from Kuala Lumpur. In this informal gathering or reunion of old boys, the latest updates on the school was shared with us by Megat Mizan Nicholas Denney, an old boy who now sits on the Board of Governors of the school.
What was shared by Megat was of concern to us as the fate of the school seems to be affected by a decision of the Catholic Church to take back the land the school sits on from the De La Salle Christian brothers institution. A meeting would be scheduled in October to further discuss this and to contemplate the future of the school that would celebrate its 110 anniversary next year! It was also mentioned that if the school were to continue in another location, it is desirous to take the school out of the Government system as all would agree that the standards of the school etc have dropped tremendously from what the old boys were familiar with. What was generally agreed among the old boys was that it would be good to keep the 'inclusive' culture of the school that we knew, ie the rich and the poor students could attend it, not making it an exclusive school for the rich. Also what was generally agreed by those in attendance was that in order to get the best teachers for the school, it has to pay good money to attract them and therefore privatization of the school would be considered.
Coincidentally the successful models of St Joseph Institution( a La Sallalian institution) and ACS Anglo Chinese School (managed by the Methodist Church) in Singapore were mentioned that happened to be the two secondary schools our boys had attended. A video I had taken in St Joseph is found here while one of ACS is found here.
This gathering at the King's Hotel in Singapore for dinner on 21 April 2013 was made up by mainly those who are now residing or working in Singapore with some coming down all the way from Kuala Lumpur. In this informal gathering or reunion of old boys, the latest updates on the school was shared with us by Megat Mizan Nicholas Denney, an old boy who now sits on the Board of Governors of the school.
What was shared by Megat was of concern to us as the fate of the school seems to be affected by a decision of the Catholic Church to take back the land the school sits on from the De La Salle Christian brothers institution. A meeting would be scheduled in October to further discuss this and to contemplate the future of the school that would celebrate its 110 anniversary next year! It was also mentioned that if the school were to continue in another location, it is desirous to take the school out of the Government system as all would agree that the standards of the school etc have dropped tremendously from what the old boys were familiar with. What was generally agreed among the old boys was that it would be good to keep the 'inclusive' culture of the school that we knew, ie the rich and the poor students could attend it, not making it an exclusive school for the rich. Also what was generally agreed by those in attendance was that in order to get the best teachers for the school, it has to pay good money to attract them and therefore privatization of the school would be considered.
Coincidentally the successful models of St Joseph Institution( a La Sallalian institution) and ACS Anglo Chinese School (managed by the Methodist Church) in Singapore were mentioned that happened to be the two secondary schools our boys had attended. A video I had taken in St Joseph is found here while one of ACS is found here.
More photos can be viewed in the facebook album
26 comments:
Then, if Shuan succeeds in becoming a scientists when he grows up, he'll invent a shrink ray and make you smaller to fit into it haha....
oh wait, he should make an enlargement ray so he can make that car bigger heeheehee
Whatever the size, make sure the engine is working, hahaha.
To release the next surprise, here is the blog that the perfectionist Singapore girl would not release yet. Check out http://lioncitygirl.blogspot.com
As for the red Porsche surprise, hmmm.. maybe in the next next birthday ya??? hehehe
Happy Birthday and many Happy Days ahead!
Paul Oman
from ALL of us in Indonesia,
the Tandimans and Elder Ng
A Very Happy Birthday to You !!!
PS. At least you are sitting in your dream car; mine still exist only in my dream :)
Wish you have a Happy Birthday
Phyllis & Steven
New York - USA
Dennis and Ramona
It only gets better from here! You deserve the best life has to offer.
I love you.
Have a blessed and joyous celebration that is year round....till the next one!
Best wishes,
Joon & Ben Lee
Jaime Caldwell
Marilyn King
I hope you had a wonderful birthday!
Hey uncle, nice one!
meet our health and wealth challenges.
Hi.
I did not know where to find "comments in her photo post."
Hope all is going well for you.
Best,
Neil
I was the District Councilman for the China Shanghai Internaitonal District with responsibility for the Nanjing Branch. The Branch President there, Pres. Yu, said that a certain Sis Chong was there for a while. I guessed it must have been one of your girls. Not sure which one.
We'll be home this summer to send our oldest girl to college. Let's find some time to get together. It's been a while, hasn't it.
Soo Kee: Take care. Talk to you later.
BR
Eric Chew Yian