Sabah Tshung Tsin Secondary School
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| Principal | Mr. Tsen Kui On |
| School Motto | In the progress strives for the progress in the ultimate good |
| School Anthem | Tshung Tsin anthem |
| School type | Chinese Independent High School (Malaysia) |
| Founded | 1965 |
| Founders | too many to be listed |
| Location | Kota Kinabalu, Sabah, Malaysia |
| Enrollment | 3349 (as of 2005) |
| Faculty | Science and Arts |
| Campus surroundings | Urban |
| Campus area | 9.26 acre |
| Sports Houses | Purple, Blue, Yellow, Red, Green, Pink, Orange |
Sabah Tshung Tsin Secondary School (Sekolah Menengah Tshung Tsin Sabah in Malay, 沙巴崇正中学 in Chinese) is a secondary school located in Kota Kinabalu, Sabah, Malaysia. It is one of 60 Chinese Independent High Schools in Malaysia. Tshung Tsin has developed relationships with schools from other countries such as Taiwan and Hong Kong.[1][2][3]
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[edit] History
In 1962, the Malaysian government brought in legislation so that only pupils who excelled in their Ujian Pencapaian Sekolah Rendah (UPSR) or (Primary School Leaving Examination) and were under the age of thirteen were eligible for education in secondary schools. As a result, at least 40-50% of students were unable to further their studies, the majority of whom were Chinese. Consequently the Chinese community began to set up their own independent schools, and Tshung Tsin was one of the schools set up. The school was founded by the Sabah Hakka Association in 1965, and 78 students were enrolled in the school. The following year another 670 students joined the school. The first permanent school building was officially opened in 1967. In 1968, the government introduced a higher graduation rate for primary school pupils, which significantly reduced the enrolment rate for independent schools throughout Malaysia. By 1974 there were only 24 students left in the school, and it risked being closed down.
The Sabah Hakka Association decided to take action and appointed a new management for the school, under the leadership of a new principal, Mr. Chang Yu On, who was appointed in November 1974 Some professional Chinese teachers were also invited to teach in the school. The Hakka Association's efforts bore fruit in the very next year (1975) as the enrolment rate went up to 250 students for Junior One, and 60 students for the Senior One section. The school's grand entrance ceremony in 1975 changed the local community's view of the school.
In 1975, the school started classes for Senior 3 students, and for the first time participated in the government's Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia (SPM, Malaysian Education Certificate). The results which the school's students received in the public examinations in that year were good, and as a result 600 students were entrolled in enrolments in Junior One. Consequently the administrators decided to conduct an entrance examination to take in only the best students.
After that, the Hakka Association tried to implement improvements for the school, independent of the Government because of the discrimination of Chinese independent schools. Although under duress of such a discouraging situation, the Hakka Association were able to persevere, and by the 1980s, many improvements were made and this included the building of several school structures. The new buildings included two permanent classroom buildings, a building for the school administrators, a hall with a capacity of around 1000 students, a multi-purpose field, two basketball courts and a volleyball court.
On 19 August, 1984, a new five-storey building was opened. The new building provided a canteen on the ground floor, a computer lab on the second floor, and a library on the third and fourth floors. The fifth floor was used to provide accommodation for the teachers for two years until a new teacher's hostel opened in 1986.
In 1984, as the results for the Unified Examinations Certificate (UEC) of the school's students were quite encouraging, the school decided to have classes for qualified students who were planning to further their studies in universities. It was initially planned that a building was to be built in Menggatal, Sabah, but then the school lost the land which the building was planned to be built on due to the loss of the ruling party Barisan Nasional to the Parti Bersatu Sabah in the 1986 Sabah state elections. In the end, the fifth floor of the five-story building was used instead. Classes officially started in January, 1987 with 152 students attending the class. The idea of this "Pre-University" class was warmly received. The method of teaching was also lauded. In the same year, students who went for the A-Level and LCCI examinations organized by the University of Cambridge garnered good results, and this has prompted the Hakka Association to raise funds to build a building specially for the "Pre-University" students. Finally, in 1989, the building was built and officially used. The Pre-University was known as "Sabah Tshung Tsin Pre-University Centre". Now, the Pre-University is known as Institut Sinaran.
On 4 November 1989 the principal of the school, Mr. Chang Yu On died due to a heart attack. At that time, he was 48 years old. Everyone in the state, and even the whole country, mourned the death of the principal who had contributed so much to the school. In 1991, the Yang di-Pertua Negeri of Sabah had bestowed the title "Datuk" to Mr. Chang Yu On posthumously to remember his commitments made to the state's education.
The school administrators, after asking for the opinions of the Hakka Association, elected Mr. Liew Xuan Fook, who was the Vice-principal at that time to be the Principal, meanwhile in March, 1990Mr. Tsen Kui On and Mr. Hiew Hoh Shin were elected the vice-principals of the school.
With the election of Mr. Liew as the principal, the results of co-curricular activities such as basketball, volleyball, choir singing, public speaking, had an obvious improvement. It was also during his time that air-conditioning was added to classrooms. The library was also expanded with a bigger catalogue of books. Even so, Mr. Liew decided to retire in 1996. With his retirement, Mr. Tsen Kui On was elected as principal, a post which he holds to this day. Mr. Hiew continues to be the vice-principal to this day too.
With co-curricular activities being hotly promoted, a seven story "Co-curricular Activity Building" was built and was officialised in December, 1994. The canteen was moved to this building from the original five-story building, and another two computer labs were also made there. The co-curricular activity offices were also situated on the third floor. Music rooms, ochestra centres, photography rooms, et cetera were also built into this building.
Due to the fact that the current number of students enrolling was increasing tremendously, the Hakka Association proposed to build a new school campus in Menggatal. In 1998, the then Chief Minister of Sabah, Datuk Yong Tek Lee, approved a permit and a land title was received. Approximately 40 acres of land was given to the Hakka Association. The building which was planned to be built is costly, and fund-raising is still held even till today. Phase 1 of the school's new campus is planned to be done by 2008. Currently, the building of the new campus is still on-going.[4]
[edit] School fees
The school fees vary among each form, ranging from RM2,095 to RM2,586 each year for normal students, including insurance, sports fees, living skills. Students who cannot afford the school fees can apply for financial assistance.
A scholarship is obtainable for those pupils who score an overall A1 in the entrance examination, or who have 7As in UPSR with an A2 in the entrance examination. The scholarship covers the fees for three years. No scholarships are offered for students in the Senior section. Special fees are applicable for staff's children. Scholarship students, staff's children and full remission students pay RM770 to RM825 annually.
Students that go to public secondary schools in Malaysia do not need to pay school fees at all, if not paying them once a year at a much lower rate (eg. Students in Tshung Tsin have to pay around RM200 a month, while students in government schools only have to pay around RM20 a year). Since only those who are able to afford the school fees are people having higher income, this has led the unsatisfied members of the public to call students from the school 'rich spoilt brats' .
[edit] Success
The school has a six-year consecutive 100% passing percentage in both public examinations, SPM and PMR since 2001. The name of the school has also always remained in the list of most straight-A students of these public exams.[5][6]
Beside SPM and PMR, Tshung Tsin students at the same time have to sit for the Chinese Independent Schools' Unified Examination Certificate (UEC) examination. In the most recent result, Tshung Tsin even broke its own record and got an overall 96.17% passed.[7][8]
In the MSSM Kota Kinabalu South Track and Field Championship 2007, the school managed to secure an overall of third place with 13 gold, 23 silver and 12 bronze medals.[9]
[edit] Facilities and Buildings
Generally, the school has 3 classroom buidings, two dormitory buildings, one air-conditioned hall (兆龙堂), one multi-purpose co-curriculum building, 4 Workshops for Living Skills, parking lots, 1 football field, 2 basketball courts, 1 volleyball court and 4 indoor badminton courts in the school hall.
[edit] Multi-purposed Co-Curriculum Building
This building have 7 stories. The ground floor and first floor is the school canteen. There is also a hair salon, Sharon D' House, and a stationery shop on the first floor. Students who are found with their hair against the school rules will be sent to the hair salon to be cut. Computer Lab B and the Multimedia Room are both located on the first floor. The Multimedia Room is usually used for lessons, international interschool communication and sometimes, for students' computer lessons. Computer Lab B has 60 computers, all with internet connection. The co-curriculum office is located on the second floor of the building. From the 2nd floor onwards, there are over 25 co-curriculum activity rooms such as the Cultural Orchestra practise room, Concert Band room, Dancing room, Knitting room, Music room (equipped with piano, guitar, television and radio), etcetera. The 6th floor, which is the highest point in the school, is a multi-purpose open space. A surau for Islamic students is also located in this building
[edit] Classroom Building
The building includes over 50 classrooms (44 main classroom, one special room and 4 extra classroom, all air-conditioned), 5 science labs (Junior Science Lab A & B, Physics Lab, Biology Lab and Chemistry Lab), and Computer Lab A. The Teachers' Office (office B for Chinese, Malay, English, Moral and Art teacher while office A for other teacher), Education Department, Vice-Principal office, Secretary office, Principal office, General Affairs Department, Administration Department, Meeting room, Financial Department, Health office, Teacher and Students Welfare Department, Counselling Department, Disciplinary Department, Prefect Board, and Computer office is located in these classroom buildings as well. Opposite the Teacher office A is the teacher rest room, which includes washrooms, a dining room, a computer room and a meeting room. The broadcasting room is found opposite the Principal's office. It is usually used for announcement and for the broadcasting team to play some music or programme during the 3rd recess period. The double-story fully air-conditioned library is located above the Teachers' Offices. The library has more than 10,000 books and magazines of various types. A photocopy shop can be found on the ground floor.
[edit] Gardens and Kiosk
The Yu On Court (佑安苑) is located next to the broadcasting room. The garden is named after the previous headmaster, Chang Yu On.
The western-most part of the school compound is the herbal garden. Inside the garden is also benches and tables for relaxation or a game of Xiangqi.
There are 3 kiosks located in different parts of the school. These kiosk are named Jing Si Ting（静思亭〕, Si Yuan Ting〔思源亭〕and Tshung Tsin Pavillion〔崇正亭〕.
[edit] Annual Events
The school holds various activities throughout an academic year. Events are listed as below:
[edit] Sports Meet
The Sports Meet is an annual event which is held for six days consecutively. The first 3 days (Monday till Wednesday) is the preliminary round of some events such as long jump and also finals for specific events such as shot putt. Starting on from Thursday till Saturday, the school will cease class. Most of the events will be held during Thursday and Friday. The event, however, will only officially open on afternoon in Saturday. It is usually held during the month of February. However, preparations are held starting from the October of the previous year.
The main aim of this event is to create the Olympic spirit among students, to develope leadership among senior students and also to strengthen the relationship between students.
Athletes to represent the school in the state or national level will be selected according to the result from this event.
The event is planned and hold by the Senior 3 students, from selecting athletes to compete in the events, logo and mascot designing, cheering slogan, cheerleading practises, marching practises, house camp building/designing to leading the members of the house. However starting from 2007, rumors have been said that the whole event shall be organized by Senior 2 students instead of Senior 3 students.
Students of the school are divided into seven houses, and the houses are (Red, Pink, Orange, Yellow, Green, Blue and Purple. The members of the houses will be competing in various events, such as 100 meter dash, 5000 m, high jump, long jump, javelin throw, shot putt and etcetera in order to collect points.
However, the overall results are not based on the points gained in the sport events alone. Overall results are accumulated based on the performance on the camps, cheering team, cheering dancing, marching and special activities. To make the Senior 3 students responsible for their house, points will be deducted from the overall result of a house if any member of the houses breaks the school rules when the event is held.
Camps are pitched next to the field, so that supporters from each house can cheer for their house.
[edit] Bazaar
The bazaar will usually be held on the fourth day of the sports day, starting from 8 a.m. in the morning to 3p.m. in the afternoon. Coupons are sold by the Prefect Board and Monitor Board of the school weeks before the actual date of the baazar. Various stalls selling a wide variety of food ranging from western food such as sphagetti to Japanese food such as takoyaki and local food such as satay are set up around the campus of the school.
Games stalls where students are required to use their coupons to take part in can be found in the hall during the bazaar. Usually, gifts are redeemable after winning the games several times by using special gift coupons. Games usually vary from year to year, depending with the Prefect Board's decisions.
[edit] Cross-Country Race
The cross country race is an annual event which is held around the period of the sports day. Each and every student of the school is required to participate in the event. The students are divided into 3 groups, which are Group A (Senior 1, 2 and 3 students), Group B (Junior 2 and 3 students) and Group C (Junior 1 studnts). The race is approximately 5.2 km, both started and finished in the school compound. There are usually 2 checkpoints set in the race, and students must collect checkpoint tickets and bring them back to the finishing line within the given time. The time which is set are different for boys and girls and each group.
The seven houses have to compete for the first place of the race, as the result of the race will go directly into the total score of the Sports Meet. The first 30 student from each group who completes the race will be awarded with medals, while 5 trophies will be prepared for each group for the first 5 students who reaches the finishing point. For the students who able to complete the race within the time given, one point will be added to the house for each student.
Note: Due to the recent construction works being held in Jalan Damai, the school has decided to cancel the cross-country race for 2007 (and 2008 [to be confimed]).
[edit] Teachers' Day
Teacher's Day celebration would be held in the month of July. Usually, a party would be held by each class to thank and present their highest gratefulness to their respective teachers for their care and teaching all along the year. Students will do the programming of the party, food preparing as well as class decorations.
Later on, all the teachers and students are invited into the school hall where there would be a Teachers' Day Celebration Ceremony with exclusive performances and entertainments for the teachers by the students. During the ceremony, only one lucky teacher will be chosen to give a speech.
The celebration will go on till the night. At night, there will be a Teachers' Day feast in the hall where all the teachers, staff and administrative workers will gather here to have their dinner and share their feelings of teaching. Also, the 'Most Outstanding Teachers Awards' will be given here as well.
[edit] Tshung Tsin Night
Musical societies such as the Cultural Orchestra, Concert Band, Violin Club and the Sunflower Choir will perform in this special performance. It's an annual event organized solely by the officials of the Co-Curricullum Activities Department of the schools. Tickets ranging from RM10-RM20, could be bought 2 weeks prior to the event.
[edit] Concert Band Annual Concert
Every year, there will be an annual concert by the Concert Band of the school. Tickets will be sold and the prices would range from RM10 to RM50. The main purposes of this concert are, 1) To provide the member of the Concert Band a stage to perform for themselves; 2) To let the public know about the Band; and 3) To raise fund for the uses of the club itself.
Usually, there will be a theme of the night and the songs will be played around the theme. For example, the concert of 2007 is the 30th anniversary of Concert Band and the concert is given the title: "The Melodeous Aurora" while the theme for previous year was "The Secret Box of Pandora".
[edit] Art Exhibition
Since the school's 40th anniversry in year 2005, the Art Exhibition has received bounds of compliments from the local community and thus become one of the annual event held in the school. The Art teachers will have the responsibilities to collect art works from their students to be exhibited. Beside the art work of the school's own students, there shall also be a colouring competition for the primary schools students. Drawings of winners in this competition shall also be exhibited.
[edit] Cultural Singing Competition
This singing competition had been a tradition of Tshung Tsin since decades ago. The categories are the junior and senior section of male solo, female solo and choir. Participation in the choir category is complusory for each class of the school. Male and female representatives from each class will compete in the solo categories the same day too.
Usually, both preliminary round and the final round would be held in the school hall. For the preliminary round, the competition would start in the morning with the male solo of Junior section, followed by Junior female solo, Senior male solo and Senior female solo. After a short break during the noon, the competition of the choir would begin, also from the Junior section followed by the Senior section.
The 5 finalist from each group will be chosen to perform in a the finals. The finalist are announced the next day in the school assembly. Tickets are sold to the public to watch the competition. Besides the winners of each group, prizes will also be given to the overall Best Solo, Best Accompanist and Best Choir Conductor.
[edit] Trilingual Speech Competition
The students who participate in this competition will have to present their speeches in 3 different languages, Chinese, English and Malay). The marks of these 3 speech will be given by specific judges and the marks will be accumulated. In the preliminary rounds, 3 speech will be held in 3 different days.
In the finals, 5 competitors chosen from the preliminary rounds will have to give their speech on the stage. First, 5 contestants will give their Chinese speech. The contestants will not have the chance to prepare anything of this section as the titles of their speech would only be given by the organizer half an hour before the competition starts and they only can finish their scripts within this period. After that, the contestants would have to give away their Malay and English speeches together whereby the scripts are prepared by themselves. The results will be announced soon after the competition. Prizes and certificates are given away.
Representatives of the schools to compete in the State competition as well as the National competition would be selected among the finalist.
[edit] Current Administrators of the School
Principal : Mr. Tsen Kui On
Vice Principal : Mr. Hiew Hoh Shin
Disiplinary Master : Mr. Lai Pak Dong
Assistant Disiplinary Master: Mr. Francis Y.L. Lee
Assistant Disiplinary Master: Mdm. Mary Liau
Co-Curicullar Activity Master : Mr. Y.D. Chan
Head Librarian: Ms. K.S. Chan
Counselling Department Master : 郑宝维主任
Information and technology Development Department Master: Mr. William Chu
General Affairs Department Master : 林日文主任
Financial Department Master : 黄晓诗主任
Teachers and students Welfare Department Master: Mdm. C.C. Tan
Assistant Educational Department: Mr. P.K. Gan
Dormitory Supervisor : 余国伟老师
[edit] Notes and references
- ^ "Tshung Tsin creates history".
- ^ "Tshung Tsin was invited to Hong Kong".
- ^ "Tshung Tsin was invited to Guangdong".
- ^ "School History".
- ^ "Press Release: SPM 100% Passing Rate".
- ^ "PMR Results from 1993-2006".
- ^ "Junior Section UEC Results from 1992-2006".
- ^ "Senior Section UEC Results from 1992-2006".
- ^ "St Francis Convent Steal The Show".
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