St. Michael's Institution

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St. Michael's Institution
Sekolah Menengah Kebangsaan St. Michael

Motto	Quis Ut Deus (Who is greater than God?) and Signum Fidei (A sign of faith)
Established	1912
School Type	Govt-Aided
Session	Double Session
Principal	Phoon Chong Chee
Students	Over 2,000
Location	Ipoh, Perak, Malaysia
District	Ipoh
Colours	Green and white

St. Michael's Institution (SMI), now known as Sekolah Menengah Kebangsaan St. Michael, (translated St. Michael's National Secondary School) is one of the premier schools ^[1] in Ipoh, Malaysia. It is situated on Jalan S.P. Seenivasagam (formerly Clayton Road). Located within the same premises are St. Michael's Primary School I & II (now known as Sekolah Kebangsaan St. Michael I and II). Students from both primary schools go on to secondary school at SMI.

St. Michael's Institution is a centre of all-rounded academic and co-curricular excellence, which has throughout the years, produced distinguished alumni. It is also a La Sallian school. The original building is now a designated heritage site.

Contents 1 History 1.1 The Early Days 1.2 Post War Expansion 1.3 The Modern Era 2 Principals of St. Michael's Institution 3 The School Rally 4 School Motto, Vision & Mission 5 Academic Curriculum 6 Cocurricular Achievements 7 List of Dramas (1955-2006) 8 Alumni 9 External links

[edit] History

[edit] The Early Days

St. Michael's Institution started off as a very small bungalow on a small plot of land in a coconut grove. In the year 1912, Reverend Father J.B. Coppin from St. Michael's Church initiated the idea. Despite Brother James' (a Brother Visitor) reluctance concerning the shortage of teachers; Coppin managed to buy a small plot of land in Kampong Pisang. A bungalow served as the school building situated on Clayton Road. P.J. Morsingh was appointed as the first Headmaster. For the convenience of students, a well was built beside the school. The foundation of the bungalow and the well remains to this day.

Coppin was given the task of administering the school and obtained the necessary grants from the Perak government on the undertaking from Brother Visitor that the management of the school would be taken over by the Christian Brothers as soon as possible. The first school day began on the rainy morning of 4 December 1912 with 37 students.

By 1913, the school enrollment grew to 139. The few teachers there were experienced and with the help of the headmaster, the promotions were rapid. There were three major government examinations: Standard IV, VI, & VII.

Cambridge classes were introduced in 1917. The enrollment reached 300 that year.

In 1920, Coppin found it difficult to manage the enrollment of 327 students, and requested La Sallian Brothers to help. After Morsingh resigned in 1920, James sent Irishman Brother Paul Gallanger to take charge of the school. Gallanger was also commissioned by James to draw up plans for a new building but unfortunately, before any plans could be finalised, Paul left fot Ireland in January 1921. He was then replaced by Frenchman Brother Vernier Augustus, a strong visionary.

Augustus, who was trained in the field of architecture, arranged for the construction of a proper building, which was completed by the end of 1921. The new building, which he designed himself was strongly ecclesiastical in feeling, in the Gothic vernacular, and simple in its detailing. An interesting feature was its class doors faced either north or south, so that sun rays would never cause disturbance to class activities.

The foundation stone was laid on 17 June 1922 by Major C.W.C. Parr OBE, who was the British Resident in Perak. Coppin blessed the finished building on 15 May 1923, the Feast Day of St. John Baptist De La Salle. Electric lighting was installed the following month. The school was completed in stages over a period of some 30 years, and was included as a must-visit site in the Tourist Guide Book to Perak.

The cost for the whole building was $200,000. The Brothers did not avail themselves of a government grant because there were strings attached to acceptance of grants, such as reversion of land to the government in the event of the Brothers ever withdrawing from Ipoh. In addition, grants could only be spent on specified types of building, and chapels did not qualify. To accommodate more students, the Brothers decided to build further. Patrick was responsible for the extension of the school that included the chapel, hall, and science laboratories, which were completed in 1941. Patrick also introduced science lessons.

By 1939, the school had 14 classrooms, and 500 boys from Standards 1 to 7, Junior and Senior Cambridge classes.

World War II caused the obstruction to the running of the school, when Japan declared war in December 1941. On 8 December 1941, the British army wanted a hospital base and St. Michael's Institution became an army transit hospital camp. 15 days later, Japanese planes machine-gunned the building and damaged the roof. Looters stole furniture and books and even tried to wrench the tabernacle door from the altar. For three days, the Brothers stayed in St. Michael's church. Soon, St. Michael's Institution became the headquarters of the Japanese government of Perak and became known as "Perak Shu Seicho".

The school served many purposes during the Japanese occupation. The first floor of the main building and the hall was used as the police department and the treasury respectively. A petrol kiosk was built near the porch of the building of the Primary school. The lecture theatre was the air raid shelter for Japanese officers and the top floor was used as the governor's rooms. The first classroom on the ground floor served as a telephone exchange. All these miseries ended after the Japanese surrendered and the school reopened on 24 September 1945.

[edit] Post War Expansion

Extensions followed when the school started to operate again. Brother Denis continued with the last two extensions to the main building, one at each end. During Denis' reign, two new basketball courts and a tennis court were added. Due to the continuing increase in student enrollment, Brother Pius erected a separate building for the primary schools, which was ready in 1960. The first primary school became an independent unit in 1957, and two years later, a second primary school was started. In 1958, priority was given to developing a more spacious library. Three classrooms were combined, and the space was furnished with new book cases and individual working tables for the students. It was named the Marian Library.

When Brother Ultan Paul took over, he erected an extension that actually doubled the size of the school, providing space for a new library, a canteen, more laboratories, a geography room, an art room, an administration centre and a staff room as well as extra classrooms. He started the project with a small fraction of the total cost of $700,000. 10% was subsidised by the government while class collections over a period of three years reached $100,000. Much of the remaining balance came from donations from many people.

In 1955, Brother Ultan Paul embarked on what would become one of the most defining pieces of Michaelian History. The Poet of Ispaha was the first of many school dramas to be produced by the students.

[edit] The Modern Era

Brother Vincent Corkery retired as director of the school in 1988 marking the end of an era. Mr. Chong Suan Ee became the first principle of the school was not a Brother. He was succeeded by Mr. K Subramaniam, Mr Teh Chor Aun and finally, Mr Louis Rozario Doss.

Under Lous Rozario Doss, the school underwent many structural improvements funded primarily by money raised through the school plays. Among these structural improvements was the building of a new school toilet, the conversion of the Brothers quaters into classrooms, the renovation of the lecture theatre and the resurfacing of the basketball courts. Rozario Doss was also responsible for making St. Michaels one of the top boys schools in the state with strong academic and co-curricular excellence. He retired in 2006, passing the baton to current principal, Mr. Phoon Chong Chee.

In the new millenium, enrollment increased to more than 2000 students making St. Michaels among the 100 largest schools in the country. Such numbers has caused the average number of pupils in each classroom to far exceed the government ideal of 25. A typical class in St. Michaels has about 40 students. Sixth form classes are even more dense with numbers running into the fifties.

In November 2005, construction on the new primary school building began on a remainding piece of land south of the existing secondary school building. This was in view of the state of the orignal building which was falling apart. Completion, scheduled for the end of 2006, will provide more modern facilities for the primary students of the school. Both primary schools will merge into a single primary school when construction is completed.

[edit] Principals of St. Michael's Institution

• 1912 (Founded): Father J.B. Coppin M.E.P.
• 1912-1920: Mr. P.J. Morsingh
• 1920: Reverend Brother James Byrne Visitor
• 1920-1921: Brother Paul Gallangher
• 1921-1924: Brother V. Austus
• 1925-1929: Brother S. Henry
• 1926: Brother V. Joseph
• 1930-1935: Brother Dositheus
• 1936-1938: Brother Finan Ryan
• 1938: Brother Marcian Cullen
• 1938-1948: Brother Patrick O' Donovan
• 1948-1955: Brother Denis Hylan
• 1955-1960: Brother Pius Kelly
• 1961-1971: Brother Ultan Paul Rosario
• 1972-1975: Brother Vincent Corkery
• 1975-1985: Brother Ultan Paul Rosario
• 1986-1988: Brother Vincent Corkery
• 1989-1991: Chong Suan Ee
• 1992-1994: K. Balasubramaniam
• 1995-1998: Teh Chor Aun
• 1998-2005: Louis Rozario Doss, AMP
• 2006-present: Phoon Chong Chee

[edit] The School Rally

All through our college
A voice is resounding
Promptly respond to your duty's sweet call
Harken you all for the trumpet is sounding
Your Mater's proclaiming her watchword to all
Forward my children dear
Ever with heart's sincere
Render with joy to your Mater her due
All that is vile reject
Heaven will e'er protect
Sons of St. Michael's
Valiant and true

[edit] School Motto, Vision & Mission

Motto
Quis Ut Deus (English: Who is greater than God?)

Vision
To be an educative community inspired by ideals of faith, fraternity and service

Mission
To enable each member of the Michaelian community:
1. Experience communion between students, staff, parents and alumni
2. Grow holistically in spirit of faith, zeal and community
3. Discover and exercise our unique gifts and talents
4. Develop a caring yet challenging school environment
5. Learn how to learn and learn how to live
6. Reach out in service to the last, the least and the lost
7. Promote inter-faith and inter-ethnic harmony
8. Take responsibility for the care and enhancement of the environment
9. Appreciate and celebrate our rich multi-cultural Malaysian heritage

[edit] Academic Curriculum

St. Michael's Institution offers both primary and secondary education. The Kurikulum Bersepadu Sekolah Rendah (KBSR) curicculum is available in both primary school, SK St. Michael 1 and SK St. Michael 2. From Standard One to Three the students are taught Malay, English, Science, Math, Physical Education, Music, Moral Education or Religious Studies for Islamic students and Civics. In Standard Four, Kajian Tempatan (Local Studies) which is a combination of both History and Geography and Kemahiran Hidup (Living Skills) is added to the sylabbi.In Standard Six, students sit for the UPSR (Ujian Penilaian Sekolah Rendah) which is a primary education assessment test.

The secondary education program, Kurikulum Bersepadu Sekolah Menengah (KBSM) is offered in the secondary school, SMK St. Michael. From Form One through Three, students are prepared for the Penilaian Menengah Rendah (PMR) examinations which is a lower secondary assessment test. The subjects tested in this examination are Malay, English, Math, Science, History, Geography, Living Skills and Religious Studies. There is also the option of taking a third language of Tamil, Punjabi, Mandarin, Arab or Bahasa Iban. In Form Four and Five, students are given the option of studying in the science stream or the vocational and technical stream. Compulsory subjects for all students are Malay, English, Math, Moral Education or Religious Studies, and History. In the science streams, students have the option of taking Physics, Chemistry, Biology, Additional Mathematics, English for Science and Technology and Information Technology. Vocational and Technical stream students have the option of Business Studies, Basic Economics, Accounting and Art.

The STPM pre university program is also available in St. Michael's Institution. These students study a one and a half year program as sixth formers. Subjects offered are General Studies, Pure Mathematics, Chemistry, Physics, Biology, Computing Studies, Economics, Business Studies, Statistical Mathematics, Malay, History and MUET (the Malaysian University English Test).

[edit] Cocurricular Achievements

School Dramas

The annual school dramas of St. Michael's Institution (SMI) began when the late Bro. Ultan Paul directed the first drama, The Poet of Ispaha in the year 1955. From then onwards, this Michaelian heritage continues until today. It is believed that SMI's annual school drama is one of the longest-running worldwide.^{[citation needed]}

Directors

Throughout the years, different plays were directed by various directors. Among the past directors are:
1. Bro. Ultan Paul
2. Bro. Vincent Corkery
3. Mr. Timothy Chee
4. Bro. Casmir Hannon
5. Bro. John Matthew
6. Bro. Aloysius
7. Mrs. Tan Khah Chuan
8. Ms. Corinne Mah

[edit] List of Dramas (1955-2006)

1. 1955 - The Poet of Ispaha (Bro. Ultan Paul)
2. 1956 - Twelfth Night (Bro. John Matthew)
3. 1957 - Variety Show
4. 1958 - Variety Show
5. 1959 - Lebourgeois Gentilhomme (Bro. Vincent Corkery)
6. 1964 - The Royal Jester (Bro. Aloysius)
7. 1965 - The Magic Key (Bro. Vincent Corkery)
8. 1966 - The King of Sherwood (Bro. Vincent Corkery)
9. 1968 - The Government Inspector (Bro. Casmir Hannon)
10.1969 - My Fair Lady (Bro. Vincent Corkery & Timothy Chee)
11.1970 - The Monkey's Paw (Timothy Chee)
12.1971 - A Battle of Wits (Timothy Chee)
13.1972 - Oklahoma (Timothy Chee)
14.1972 - St. Joan of Arc (Timothy Chee)
15.1973 - Bamboo Princess (Timothy Chee)
16.1974 - Dogs of War (Timothy Chee)
17.1975 - Drama Festival (Bro. Vincent Corkery)
18.1977 - Oliver (Timothy Chee)
19.1978 - Flower Drum Song (Timothy Chee)
20.1979 - The King And I (Timothy Chee)
21.1980 - Lady Precious Stream (Timothy Chee)
22.1981 - Finian's Rainbow (Timothy Chee)
23.1983 - Oklahoma (Bro. Vincent Corkery)
24.1984 - Wizard of Oz (Bro. Vincent Corkery)
25.1985 - Oliver (Bro. Vincent Corkery)
26.1986 - Tiao Chan (Timothy Chee)
27.1987 - West Side Story (Timothy Chee)
28.1988 - Twice A Bride (Timothy Chee)
29.1989 - The Monkey's Paw (Timothy Chee)
30.1990 - Lady White (Timothy Chee)
31.1991 - Half a Sixpence (Timothy Chee)
32.1992 - The King of Sherwood (Timothy Chee)
33.1993 - Wizard of Oz (Timothy Chee)
34.1994 - Smike (Timothy Chee)
35.1995 - Faithful One (Timothy Chee)
36.1996 - The Sound of Music (Timothy Chee)
37.1998 - My Fair Lady (Timothy Chee)
38.1999 - Justice Pao (Timothy Chee)
39.2000 - The Desert Song (Timothy Chee)
40.2001 - West Side Story (Timothy Chee)
41.2002 - Flower Drum Song (Mrs. Tan Khah Chuan)
42.2003 - Oliver (Mrs. Tan Khah Chuan)
43.2004 - The King And I (Mrs. Tan Khah Chuan)
44.2005 - Mulan ( Ms. Corrinne Mah )
45.2006 - The Hunchback of Notre Dame ( Ms. Corrinne Mah )

Debate

St. Michael's Institution's Debate Team has been long known as one of the best in the country. St. Michael's achieved great success in this field in recent years. The team was crowned Perak State Rotary Club Inter-School Group A Champions in 2001, 2003, 2004 and 2006; They were also Perak State Champions in the Tan Sri Datuk Wira Abdul Rahman Arshad Debate Cup for three consecutive years from 2002-2004 and Kinta District champions for six consecutive years beginning 2000. Their highest achievements so far are being crowned national runners up in the Tan Sri Datuk Wira Abdul Rahman Arshad Debate Cup in 2002 and national runners up in the HELP National Debate Competition in 2005 and 2006. Much of this success is attributed to former principal, Mr. Louis Rozario Doss, who was himself a former debater for the school.

Military Band

The school's Military Band has also done well at state level being consistently ranked in the top 3 in the state. They were placed 3rd in the State Marching Band Competition in 2003 and 2006 and end in 2002 and 2005. They also won the Best Drum Major Title in 2006.

Others

Ths school also excels in international competitions such as the New South Wales Competition for English, Math, Chemistry and Computing Skills. Every year, students achieve excellent results in this internationally recognise competition. Another competition Michaelians have frequently excelled in is the Commonwealth Essay Writing Competition.

St. Michael's Institution has also excelled in sports such as rugby, water polo, badminton, hockey, bowling, and squash.

[edit] Alumni

Notable alumni from St. Michael's Institution include:

Dato' Seri Lim Keng Yaik, President of the Gerakan Party and Minister of Energy, Water and Communications

Tan Sri Dato' Seri (Dr) Lin See-Yan, Pro-Chancellor of Universiti Sains Malaysia and former Deputy Governor of Bank Negara Malaysia.

Datuk Paul Leong Khee Seong, former Minister of Primary Industries and former Deputy President of Gerakan Party.

Tan Sri Lee Lam Thye, State Legislative Assemblyman for Bukit Nenas, Selangor from 1969 to 1974; Member of Parliament for Kuala Lumpur Bandar/Bukit Bintang from 1974 to 1990; Vice-Chairman of the Malaysia Crime Prevention Foundation; Member of the Kuala Lumpur City Hall Advisory Board; and Member of the National Service Training Council

Ahmad Farid Ridzuan, Chairman of TV3 television station, the largest private television station in Malaysia

Ralph Marshall, Group CEO of Astro All Asia Networks PLC, provider of satellite television services

Koo Kien Kiet, Malaysian badminton doubles player and Asian Games Gold Medallist

Peter Pek, prominent international brand strategist, designer, creative director and philanthropist.

Old Michaelians Association - http://oma-ipoh.blogspot.com

SMI Alumni Association Klang Valley - http://www.smialumni.com

[edit] External links

• Website
• Google Earth Placemark