St. John's Turns 108! (1904-2012) Getting To Know Her Illustrious Years (Part 3)

St. John's Turns 108! (1904-2012) 

Getting To Know Her Illustrious Years (Part 3)

BY NIZHAN FARAZ UNIVERSITY OF TORONTO CANADA

SJI NEW CLOCK STRIKES 8x(8 O'CLOCK) IT CHIMES HOURLY.LISTEN...!!

There is a Malay proverb that says, "Pisang takkan berbuah dua kali" (The banana plant will not bear fruit twice). In 1979, St. John's was blessed to get her 'Good Shepard' back at the helm. After 18 years away, Bro. Lawrence made his grand return as Director of St. John's. It was the same year our school celebrated her Diamond Jubilee. Bro. Lawrence revived public speaking competitions, this time with the addition of Bahasa Malaysia public speaking as well.

   

Bro. Lawrence retired as Director in 1983 and was succeeded by Bro. Cassian Pappu. In 1984, St. John's turned 80, and a carnival was held to raise funds for the school, with the guest-of-honour being Tun Abdullah Ahmad Badawi, then Minister of Education. The increasing number of students strengthened the need for a new building, and thus, the Form Six Block (named in honour of the Archbishop, Mgr. Tan Sri Dominic Vendargon) was constructed behind St. John's Cathedral, and completed in 1988. End of that year, Bro. Cassian was given a deserved vacation and his post as Director of St. John's was taken up by Bro. Michael Wong in 1989.

THE COVER OF THE 1983 GARUDAMAS MAGAZINE DEDICATED TO BROTHER LAWRENCE. 
THE DEDICATION READS: REV. BRO. T. LAWRENCE SPITZIG F.S.G....FOR SOMEONE WHO HAS GIVEN US SO MUCH BUT HAS TAKEN NOTHING BUT PARTS OF OUR HEARTS AND MEMORIES, WE AT ST. JOHN'S PROUDLY AND SINCERELY DEDICATE THIS YEAR'S GARUDAMAS TO YOU, DEAR BROTHER..!

This was the same year the 35-year lease on the school field ended, and Dairy Maid made a request to build a multistory parking lot beneath the school field, which was approved by City Hall. It was a move that made Johannians fieldless for an extensive duration of time. As compensation, Dairy Maid agreed to construct a sports complex, comprising of a open hall on the ground floor (concourse), a badminton hall, and 3 squash courts. The complex was officiated by Bro. David Liao on the 90th anniversary of St. John's in 1994.

However, the La Sallian Brothers administration of St. John's was numbered. In June 2002, Bro. Michael Wong retired, marking the end of the 98-year line of Bro. Directors running the school. So, the administration of St. John's was passed on to her first lay principal, Mr. Peter Yii Sing Chiu. Mr. Peter was committed to revive the tradition of excellence in St. John's, he is remembered for the "Budaya Membaca" initiative every morning, he himself making sure that it was implemented properly by conducting checks every morning before assembly. In 2004, St. John's celebrates its centenary anniversary of its existence on Malaysian soil. The birthday celebration on January 18th had the then Deputy Prime Minister, Dato' Seri Najib Tun Razak as the guest-of honour. Dato' Seri Najib was an old boy of St. John's. The school was graced by the visit of many of its prominent old boys, for example the Raja Muda of Perak, Raja Dr. Nazrin Shah, Internal Affairs Minister Datuk Seri Hishamuddin Tun Hussein, and many more.

End of 2009, Mr. Peter Yii was replaced by Mr. Leong Kum Loy. In September 2010, Mr. Leong was succeeded by Mr. Lim Hean Hwa. Mr. Lim is a Johannian, who received his education in St. John's since primary one to form six, during the tenure of the late Bro. Joseph Yeoh. Last year, the new tower clock, dedicated to the late Bro. Lawrence was commissioned by guest-of-honour, Mr. Leong Kum Loy in conjunction of the school's 107th birthday.

This year, due to the close proximity of the school's birthday and Chinese New Year, a join celebration will be held this Friday, January 20th, starting from 7.20am. I would like to take this opportunity to urge all Johannians that can make it to the celebration to attend it, as the invited guest this year is Mr. Vincent Fernandez, one of the school's legends. Mr. Vincent is a former teacher in St. John's, and was the coach of the school hockey and football team. This year's celebration is expected to revive the Lasallian spirit among Johannians, past or present, so do make it a point to be there!

MR. VINCENT FERNANDEZ ( ZAHARI ABDULLAH)

I hope St. John's will continue to soar and excel in all fields, so that we can continue to write her colourful history in the many years to come :)

Happy Birthday, dear St. John's!

May God bless all of you, Fide et Labore!

BY: NIZHAN FARAZ

UNIVERSITY OF TORONTO

CANADA