SJK(C) Han Chiang

SJK(C) Han Chiang
Sekolah Jenis Kebangsaan Cina Han Chiang
槟城韩江国民型小学
Location
Lim Lean Teng Road, George Town, Penang, Malaysia
Information
Type National type primary school
Founded 10 October 1919
Founders Teochew Association of Penang and Lim Lean Teng
Principal Puan Tan Hwa Hwa (1999–present)
Staff 46
Enrolment 864 students (as of 2010)
Campus Urban area
Houses Red, Green, Blue and Yellow

SJK(C) Han Chiang ( 韩江小学) is a national-type primary school located in Lim Lean Teng Road, Penang, Malaysia. The school is known for its excellent results in the UPSR nationwide examinations. It is also considered as one of the best primary schools in Penang due to its UPSR results and co-curriculum activities.

History

The origins of SJK(C) Han Chiang can be traced back in 1910. At that time, there were only 2 Chinese schools in Penang, and the Teochew community of Penang did not have their own school in Penang. Then, the Teochew Association of Penang and Lim Lean Teng founded Han Chiang School in 10 October 1919. Han Chiang was the 3rd Chinese school to be founded here. The name, "Han Chiang" was adopted from a river in Chaozhou, China. The town of Chaozhou is the town the Teochew people in Penang came from. The school was first located beside the Han Chiang Temple at Chulia Street. Construction of the building started in 1919 and was completed in two years. The new building was launched on 10 October 1922. At that time, the school only accepted students from Teochew families. World War II hit George Town in around 1942, forcing the school to cease for three years. After the war, the school building still stood.

In the 1950s, the Chulia Street school block was overcrowded so Mr. Lim Lean Teng gave Han Chiang School a 33-acre (130,000 m2) piece of land and this is where the school currently stands. After Han Chiang High School was constructed, some pupils relocated from the Chulia Street school building to the new Han Chiang High School block. At that time, the school was not yet constructed on the new 33 acres (130,000 m2) of land. In 1958, due to Lim's great effort, a statue was erected in front of Han Chiang High School and was unveiled by Abdul Rahman, Malaysia's first prime minister.

In 1960, the school was made a national-type primary school. Due to the increasing number of students, construction of the school block began in 1961 and was completed in 1962. In October 1962, the school moved into their new school block and students other than of Teochew origin were accepted for the first time. Mr. Lim Lean Teng died in 1963 at the age of 93. The road leading to SJK(C) Han Chiang was renamed Jalan Lim Lean Teng in memory of him. 2 years later, a canteen and a few classrooms were built beside the school block. Student enrolment reached 1,700 in the 1970s.

Work on a new block started in 1994 by demolishing the old canteen and few classrooms. The foundation stone was laid in 1995. The building was completed in 1996 and it was launched on 17 August 1998 by the then Chief Minister Of Penang, Tan Sri Dr. Koh Tsu Koon. Since then, the school has celebrated its school anniversary on 18 August.

In the 2000s, the school was recognised as an A-type school. On 2007, the Teochew Association of Penang announced that the real school anniversary date was on 10 October. In conjunction with the school's 88th anniversary in 2007, the Han Chiang Board Of Directors allocated some money to repaint the school and to improve the facilities. Part of the work was done and another part was done after the year-end school holidays, which was renovating and renewing the toilets in the school.

In 2009, in conjunction with SJK(C) Han Chiang's 90th anniversary, the Board of Directors renovated the school hall's ceiling, which was in a dilapidated condition before that. The school's canteen was also renovated and new fans were added.

The school, including Han Chiang High School and Han Chiang College have been flooded on several occasions in the 1960s, 1980s, 1995 and most recently in 2008. The 1995 and 2008 floods have caused the school to be closed for a day as cleaning works were carried on. In 2010, the school celebrated its 90th anniversary together with Han Chiang High School and Han Chiang College. The event lasted from 9–15 July and it was organised jointly by the Board of Directors and all 3 Han Chiang schools.

School Administration

There are 45 teachers currently serving in the school. The principal of the school is currently Tan Hwa Hwa, who has been the principal since 1999. There is also the Parents & Teachers Association (PIBG), whose current president is Lim Kean Yap. SJK(C) Han Chiang is also under the Board of Directors of all 3 Han Chiang schools, where the president has been Tan Kok Ping since 1996. All events held in the school are mostly supported by either the PIBG association or the Board of Directors.

Events

SJK(C) Han Chiang holds orientation day for new students in December. Registration of next year's students is held on March, with the confirmation whether the student is being placed in the school being held on August. The Annual General Meeting of the Parent-Teacher Association is in February, where parents give their opinion on the school. The sports day is held in May or sometimes late April, where four of its sport houses (Red, Green, Blue and Yellow) compete for the Sports Day trophy. So far, the Green Team has won the most titles since the first sports day on 1952. Teacher's Day is also celebrated in the school on 16 May. Students who get excellent results in their UPSR examinations come back to the school to receive prizes.

Parents' Day is held in June. On that day, parents collect their children's report books and activities are held. A memorial will be held in honour of the school's founder Lim Lean Teng every year on 15 July. The school's founding date is on 10 October, therefore there will be an annual celebration of the anniversary of SJK(C) Han Chiang every year on 10 October. Children's Day of SJK(C) Han Chiang is also held on that day. 10 October will feature performances by the school children and guests are invited. Graduation Day for the Year 6 students is held in November, when children who achieved outstanding results in school and outdoor activities/competitions receive their prizes.

Location

SJK(C) Han Chiang is located on Lim Lean Teng Road, to the south of George Town, Penang, Malaysia. It is near the State Mosque of Penang and it is surrounded by urban areas like Air Itam and Taman Free School. The other two Han Chiang schools, Han Chiang High School and Han Chiang College are located together with the school.

The school is connected to roads like Jalan Masjid Negeri which leads to Gelugor, Jalan Air Itam which leads to Air Itam, Jalan Terengganu which leads to most urban areas and George Town and other major roads. Other high schools located in the vicinity include Chung Ling High School, Heng Ee High School, Penang Free School, Convent Datuk Keramat, Chung Hwa Confucian High School and the Methodist Boys' School (MBS). Primary schools competing with SJK(C) Han Chiang in that area include SJK(C) Jelutong, SJK(C) Sum Sun and SJK(C) Convent.

The school

There are two blocks, namely Block A and Block B. Block A is the block constructed in 1995. Block A was formerly the site of the canteen which was demolished. Block B is the school block which was constructed in 1962. Block A is the block which contains the school facilities, whereas Block B hosts the school's classes.

Block A

Block B

Other facilities

School Motto

Motto (Mandarin): 勤，朴，公，勇 Motto (English): Diligence, Moderation, Fairness, Braveness

Achievements

SJK(C) Han Chiang takes part in many events each year, and have represented the state of Penang in many events.

2009

See also