Words from Mr.Vincient Kok, the present School Board Chairman

Mr. Vincient Kok the current School Board Chairman whom is also an Ex St Paulian (Class of 1978) took over the chairmanship in the year 1996. He is the eldest son of the first principal of St Paul’s School, Mr. Stephen Kok Hon Siong. The enthusiastic Mr. Kok has great passion for the school and his contributions were significantly discerned with the numerous plans and programs drawn up for the school over the years.

He was fervently involved in setting up a Computer Lab for the school and also actively taking part in organizing the ‘50th anniversary celebration’ of the school in 2008. In commemorate with this historical celebration, The Leaven – Special Edition was also revived and he was the chairman of the editorial board. Simultaneously, the plan for setting up of the Alumni Association was also conceived and after various talks,a protem committee was subsequently formed in the same year. On 1st Sep 2009, the Alumni Association was officially registered by the R.O.S. with Datuk Dr. Allan Matthews elected as the first Alumni Chairman.



Following are the words from Mr. Kok to all St Paulians extracted from the Leaven 2008.


“…Greeting to all and best wishes as we come together to celebrate our School’s 50th anniversary. Indeed St Paul Secondary School has come a long way from the school’s humble beginning with only a handful of pupils in a few class rooms sited on top of a hill of the present St Paul’s primary school. It was with great vision noble objective that our founding fathers from St Paul’s Anglican Church set up St Paul’s primary school in 1954 and four years later in 1958 the secondary school to cater for the growing demands in the pursuit of education in Beaufort.

The school has since grown to be a leading secondary school in Beaufort district. St Paul’s secondary school has been playing a pivotal role in helping to produce high caliber professionals who are making significant contributions to our nation. Many of our alumni have moved on to become very successful and prominent individuals holding positions as Cabinet ministers, including Chief Minister, Federal Minister, Chief Executive Officers, entrepreneurs professional leaders and prominent business personalities.

The confidence placed by parents and students in our school in providing good education is reflected in the enrolment of Form One students who picked our school as the preferred secondary schooling Beaufort district. With the school population of about 900 students in two sessions (morning and afternoon), our school has to limit enrollment because the classes are already full. With plans to have the school in just one session and eventually with Form Six classes too, intake in Form One will have to be further limited or we will need more classrooms. Given the circumstances, the school board is publishing the Leaven – Special Edition magazine and holding the 50th Anniversary reunion dinner this year to raise fund for a planned new school building. I encouraged you to come back to meet and to keep in touch with the school and schoolmates through this historical reunion. Gathering organized by the school board not only serves as an opportunity for you to be updated on the latest development of the school, but also strengthens your bond with your beloved alma mater, to relive the fond memories of yesteryear and to rekindle your long lost fellowship with other alumni as well.

In closing, I wish to thank the organizing committee and the teachers for their work, support and dedication. Thank you and God bless!

PROUDLY ST PAULIAN, BE PART OF IT, BE PROUD OF IT…..”

Vincient Kok
Current School Board Chairman

Words from Ex Principal ,Ms Tan Boon Kyee (2008-2010)

Hello to all St Paulians,

Congratulations to the school on its 50th anniversary (1958-2008). Bravo and ‘thumbs up’ to the Leaven editorial board for the successful production and re-launching of the ‘Leaven magazine 2008’ to commensurate the much momentous 50th anniversary celebrations of St Paul’s. The Leaven, is not only a school magazine solely for news of the past though with the many insertions of texts and photographs will definitely bring forth lots of nostalgic memories to the Alumni. Nevertheless, It also serves as a communication means to disseminate communiqué on the progress of the school presently.

St Paul’s School has evolved a lot. There are many transformations and expansions over the 50 years period since it was historical incepted in the year1958. Over the half century, St Paul’s has lived up to it’s motto “Strive That Ye may obtain” and has successfully nurtured many students to achieve their successes in the school academy. Such are duly witnessed by the many flourishing accomplishments of previous students in the various fields in the society currently.

The school, with the great support and close cooperation from the School Board, Parents/Teachers Association, public and private organizations are the literal mechanisms to facilitate students to excel on all aspects in the school academy, curriculum and personalities. Serious endeavors has been also given top priorities by the school to improve the standard of education pertinent to the students to ensure the graduates will be amply equipped with the optimum know ledges, academic qualifications, socials and spiritualities to face the present challenges in life.

May all merits and dedication to the school by all parties concerned be duly reminisced at all times. Nonetheless, God will grace every effort for the continuance in upgrading the school facilities for the benefits of the students currently and in the future.

Tan Boon Nyee
Principal (2008-2010)
Source : The Leaven Special Edition
(1958 - 2008)

Message from Mr. Seah Soo Lin - Ex Principal (2000-2008)

In April 2000, Mr. Ng Kim Huat, the then principal of St Paul’s Sec School was offered to be transferred to SMK Pamol in Sandakan. He has accepted the offer and a new principal; Mr Seah Soo Lin took over the helm of St Paul’s. Prior to his new appointment, Mr. Seah was the Administrative Assistant. Meanwhile, En Noor Zam Yusof and En. Azman Isa were also appointed as ‘Penolong Kanan Hal Elwal Pelajar” or administrative Assistants for Students welfare for St Paul’s.


Mr Seah would like to sent his message to all St Paulians.

".......The Year 2001 witnessed a new class called “Kelas Aliran Sains Tulen” and St Paul’s shaped students for the said new stream commenced in Year 2000.

In the Year 2003, the front portion of the school office was cemented while the canteen was extended at the end of the same year. During the same year, the Project ‘Kelas G’ or ‘Brilliant Class’ was inaugurated. ‘Kelas G” brought together selective students from Form One and Form Two and it was conducted in the morning session. This project ‘G’ is one of the programs for upgrading the standard of academic of the school.

In Feb 2004, The School Board and the school worked hand in hand to kick off the construction of a multi-purpose hall. The school hall was completed within six months. The building of the school hall gained the collaboration from two members of the PIBG or ‘Parents Teachers Association’ whom had also sponsored part of the cost of the construction.

The multi purpose hall was officially opened on the 30th Aug 2004 in conjunction with the 'Merdeka' Day. With the completion of the hall, the badminton project for students inducted in 2003 was now able to conduct effectively.

The students practiced the game in the new hall and a volunteer coach; Mr. Teo Han Chai was invited to assist the badminton team. With the coaching from Mr.Teo, the school badminton team excelled and was successful in participating the various Beaufort District organized badminton competitions.

In the same year 2004, a new teacher, Ms Liew Siew Wan was transferred to St Paul’s from SM St. Patrick, Tawau. The brilliant Ms Liew involved very much in assisting to improve the prestige and other fields of the school.

S.M. St Paul recorded in history for the year 2006 when the State Govt of Sabah sponsored a new Computer Lab facilitating with 30 units of computers. The official opening of the Computer Lab was graced by the Chief Minister of Sabah, YAB Datuk Seri Pg Musa Bin Hj Aman. In 2007, one of the PMR students, Cliff Asher R.Ongil achieved outstanding results and brought pride to the school. He was listed as one of the top ten students to have 8As in the State of Sabah.



In April 2008, I was transferred to S.M. St John, Beaufort and Ms Tan Boon Kyee succeeded me as the new Principal in helming St Paul's."

Seah Soo Lin
Principal (2000-2008)
Source : The Leaven Special Edition
(1958 - 2008)