The 3rd AGM of SPSAA

NEWS UPDATE :-

The 3rd Annual General Meeting of SPSAA was successfully held at the Kinabalu Club at 2.00pm on the 20th May 2012. Thirty members attended the AGM. Lunch was served at 12.30PM before the commence of the meeting.Datuk Dr Allan Matthews gave his last address in the meeting as he will be the out-going Chairman. He thanked his committee for the cooperation given to him during his tenure as the Chief.

The Executive Committee for 2010-2012 was declared dissolved and the Legal Advisor, Datuk Stephen Foo took over the chair to conduct the election for NEW office bearers for the Period of 2012-2014. The election was conducted smoothly and the NEW Executive Committee Members were duly elected as follows.,

Patron : YAB Datuk Seri Panglima Musa Haji Aman (Ketua Menteri Sabah)

Legal Advisor : Datuk Stephen Foo

The NEW TEAM
1. Chairman : Datuk Chin Chee Kee (JP)
2. Dep Chairman : Bali Yusof
3. Secretary : Chan Kok Hwa
4. Asst. Secretary : Tony Lim
5. Treasurer : Calvien Ng

6. Committee Members :

1. Tarawi Rukot
2. Datuk Harris Mathews
3. Anthony Chung
4. Doris Pang
5. Vincient Kok
6. Hsu Ho Eng

7. Honorary Auditors :

1. Edward Ng
2. Peter Chung

 (Datuk Chin Chee Kee elected as the New Chairman with Mr. Chan Kok Hwa as the New Secretary and Calvien Ng as the New Treasurer for the Period 2012-2014.)

Just after the AGM adjourned at 3.30PM, The new Chairman called an immediate Executive Meeting with his new team to discuss about some urgent matters that needed to be resolved. The new Committee resolved that Datuk Dr. Allan Matthews was made as the HONORARY ADVISOR for SPSAA in view of his immense contribution to the Association from "Day One". The meeting finally ended at 4.15PM with vote of thanks from the new Chairman.

L-R : Datuk Chin Chee Kee, KH Chan and Calvien N

Pesanan dari Cikgu Khalid – Bekas guru St Paul (1975 – 1983)

NOSTALGIA MENGGAMIT RASA


Bila En. Tony Lim, Ahli Jawatankuasa St Paul Beaufort Alumni Association selaku Penyelaras Blog dan FB St Paul Alumni meminta saya menulis sedikit artikel mengenai kerjaya dan pengalaman saya bertugas di sekolah ini, saya merasa seronok tapi dalam waktu yang sama merasa ragu tentang apa yang perlu dicoretkan serta dikongsi bersama pembaca.

Saya Cikgu Mohd Khalid bin Adnan bertugas selama 9 tahun di sekolah ini bermula Jan 1975 hingga Dis 1983. Saya merupakan guru terlatih pertama dari Semenanjung yang dilatih di Maktab Perguruan Gaya Kota Kinabalu yang dihantar bertugas di sekolah ini. Bersama saya Cikgu Abtholudin Mahmud dari Maktab Perguruan Sultan Idris Tg Malim Perak. Pertama menjejakkan kaki di Stesyen Keretapi Beaufort, saya terkejut melihat lautan air menggenangi seluruh pekan hingga ke kaki lima stesyen keretapi. Bangunan bertiang dan bertangga akhirnya menjawab persoalan di benak fikiran. Hampir saya menangis sayu dalam kebingungan tanpa arah tujuan. Mujur rakan-rakan dari Sek Men St John seperti En Muda Ngah dan En Sarjunie Mohamad memberi tumpang dan panduan. Sejak itu fenomena Beaufort sebagai Venice Timur menjadi biasa pada saya dan rakan-rakan terkemudian.

Beaufort tahun 1975 bukanlah Beaufort seperti yang anda kenali sekarang. Belum ada lebuhraya, jalan tar, pasaraya dan bangunan moden. Segalanya lama, klasik tapi memberi asyik. Bahasa penghantar sekolah ketika itu ialah Bahasa Inggeris. Saya mengajar matapelajaran Bahasa Malaysia dan 'History'. Saya dewasa bersama sekolah ini sebenarnya . Dari seusia 22 tahun dan meneruskan khidmat di Kuala Lumpur pada usia 30 tahun. Di sini saya mengenali dan menangani karenah anak murid berbilang kaum, memesrai rakan taulan susah dan senang, menyantuni masyarakat berbilang adat dan budaya. Di sini juga berputik cinta pertama, berkeluarga dan membesarkan tiga orang cahaya mata. Tidak hairanlah Beaufort tetap menggamit rasa di sepanjang lorong kehidupan saya

Sekolah ini memberi ruang dan peluang kepada semua, baik pelajar atau tenaga pengajarnya untuk menyerlahkan bakat dan penglibatan dalam berbagai aktiviti dalam dan luar sekolah. St Paul sinonim dengan kehebatan sukan dan permainan, khidmat sukarela, seni dan budaya. Saya aktif dalam sukan badminton, hoki dan bolasepak di peringkat daerah, pertandingan drama dan teater serta menamatkan 3 tahun latihan pasukan askar Wataniah tempatan.

Keistimewaan Beaufort terletak kepada kemajmukan penduduknya yang berbilang bangsa, suku kaum, agama, adat dan budaya. Antaranya suku kaum Bisaya, Brunei, Murut, Kedayan, Lundayeh, Kadazan, Bugis, Jawa, Cina, Dusun, Timur, Filipinos dan lainnya. Menariknya mereka dapat bergaul dan hidup bersama dengan aman dan harmoni. Sebenarnya konsep hidup 1Malaysia sudah lama dipraktikkan di Beaufort ini.

Kepada anak didik yang masih menuntut di sekolah ini, tanamkan daya saing dan daya juang dalam menuntut ilmu sebanyak mungkin daripada guru-gurumu. Harus ada saling persefahaman dan rasa hormat sesama warga sekolah. Disiplin diri kunci kepada kejayaan tanpa perlu paksaan undang-undang dan peraturan.

Khalid Adnan
Bekas Guru
1975-1983

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)

Message from Mr. Ng Kim Huat - Ex Principal (1989-2000)

Mr. Ng is another charismatic principal of St Paul's from 89 to Year 2000. He was instrumental to improve the facilities of the school. During his tenure, he had created lots of projects to upgrade the school and St Paul's is much thankful to his sincere effort towards the well being of the institution especially it's "hard ware".

Following will be Mr Ng's message to all St Paulians.

".....There was much emphasis on the discipline and character building of students during the period when I was heading the school. Teachers were committed to motivating students and helping students realize their full potential. Academic programmes were designed to help all students, the GALUS group (weaker students but likely to pass exams) and the high achievers were given special attention. The school also excelled in co curricular activities although training at the time focused mainly on games and sports which the students were good at.

Realising the importance of parental involvement in the schooling of their children , the Parent-teacher Association was survived after years if inactivity. Prize giving days were held and parents were called to school twice to sign their children's report cards, providing opportunities for communication between teachers and parents. Examination results began to show improvement.

As the school grew and student population increased over time ,more sports and leisure activities were needed for P.E. and recreation as well as for developing the talents of students in Physical activities. The vacant land at the back of the school which was partially water logged was cleared and filled with earth to become the school field (1990-1991).basketball (1992) and Tennis Court were also built (1994) , the former with help both technical and financial ,from the basketball association as well as generous individuals who donated various construction materials. The road from the front entrance right up to the office block was overlaid with gravel (1992) while the iron gate and wall (1993) was erected with help from the Lions Club of Beaufort. Fencing around the entire school compound (1994) was put up using allocation from the State Education Dept.

Since the school was located in a low lying area with low hills bordering its back, drains filled up quickly whenever there was a heavy downpour or when the Padas River over flowed its bank. Under such circumstances, a 'flood mitigation system' was urgently needed to effectively control the flow of water and save the school from endless rounds of flooding and mud clearing not to mention the damage to school properties. Eventually, a system consisting of an electric pumps and a small metal door which could be opened and shut as and when desired was installed across a section of the drain just outside the school(once closed ,the door cut off water coming in from the drain outside while water from the drain inside was being pumped out). The overall cost was around RM10,000. Later on,an additional pump was donated by a parent . It was the most ambitious of all school projects thsu so far and it was therefore a great relief when the next flood hit the town and St Paul's flood prevention system lived up to expectations and performed superly. I heard it is still serving the school well , keeping it dry while some other parts of the town are under water.

I extent my deepest appreciation and thanks to all the teachers and support staff , the school Board, parents and students with whom I had the opportunity to work with for more then ten years. It was good team work that made things happened."

Mr. Ng Kim Huat
Principal (1989-2000)
Source : The Leaven Special Edition
(1958 - 2008)

History Of St Paul's School

 HISTORY OF ST PAUL'S SCHOOL

How it began..............

1st day of St Paul's School declared by Lady Goode 

In its' early years, St Paul's School saw massive and significant changes. Within a decade , a piece of vacant land was transformed into an education institution with buildings and facilities that were modern for that era.

Though the 10th year marks the end of its first decade, the history of the school dates back as far as pre-war years. In fact the beginning of the school was actually associated with the coming of the Anglican Mission to Beaufort Town in 1939.

Fr. Collier ,the then Rector as well as Principal of All Saints’ School, Jesselton through some Beaufort students took great interest in a small private school in Beaufort which was then being run by an Anglican Parish, Mr. Chin Ah Fook.

When Mr. Chin retired, he handed the school tp Fr. Collier and from then on, the school was then known as All Saints Branch School. The School was then situated on a site near the then tennis court of Beaufort Club. However, later when the Chinese self supporting church in Beaufort came into communion with the church of England, the school moved into the church with Mr. Kok Yu Kong and Mr. Leong Fun Yin running a bilingual school in English and Chinese simultaneously.

After the war, the English section of the school came under the care of Kung Ming Chinese School.

St Paul's Primary School in the 60s

However, in 1954 when Kung Ming School found the task of running the school unmanageable, Mr. Kok Yu Kong and Stanley Ho took over the separated English section and thus then the first seed of St Paul’s School was planted. Mr. Kok and Mr. Stanley Ho can said to be the co founders of the school.

It was however, not until 1955 that the school had its own building. On the 5th of January that year, the present primary school building , a chapel and a teachers’ quarters were completed. The student number was then only 96 with Mr. Kok Hon Siong as Principal. Mr. Kok Hon Siong’s years as principal were significant. It was under him that the secondary school was started in 1958.

in January on the following year. 1960, however was a hallmark in the history of the school for it was then that the school presented its first batcIn 1959, Rev. Fr. Tudball became the priest in charge and the principal of the school. Under his principalship the school expanded very rapidly and by the end of 1959, and additional block of classroom was constructed. Fr. A Tudball left at the end of 1960 and his place was taken over by Miss Owen Parker whose term of office was rather short for she left the school h of candidates for the Sabah Junior Certificate Exam.

On January 1961, Mr. Norman Bisset took over as the principal of the school. It was through him the school received numerous gifts of Science equipments from Australia under the Colombo plan. Regrettably, Mr. Bisset did not stay long for he left the school at the end of 1961.

St Paul's Secondary School in the early 70s

The following principal ,Mr. Thien Thau Kiong came at the end of 1962. Under him, the expansion of the school took a significant change ,for it was him who spearheaded the construction of the present secondary school building. 20th January 1963 was a historical occasion for the school as the State Director of Education , the Hon Mr. G.D. Muir laid the foundation stone and the parent building of the secondary school found its home and it is here that the school celebrated the end of the first decade. It was also noteworthy to mention that the school hostel was also completed at this period.

Mr. Thien left the school in August 1963 and his place was momentarily taken over by Rev. Fr. James Pun who served for about a term before retiring at the end of the same year.

In January 1964, Mr. Noel Chin became the principal of the school. The student number was 290 then. Under him, the expansion of the school was further accelerated. By the end of the same year, work on a new Science Block costing RM43,00.00 began and it was completed in the following year.

Mr. Noel Chin

The Science Block was officially declared opened on the 25th June 1966 by the Hon. En. Mohd Dun B Banir. Thus, at the end of 1966, the school was able to present its first batch of Science candidates in Physics and Chemistry for the School Certificate Examinations. The end of 1965 also saw the completion of the school library to cater for the increased number of students which then stood at 475.

1966-1967 saw the further expansion of the school. A new block of 4 classrooms was built adjacent to the ‘old block’ In 1967, St Paul’s was officially divided into primary and secondary school, with the primary school occupying the old building built in 1950s. Mr. Chong Cheng Cheong became the headmaster of the primary school.

By 1968, an additional two classes were completed below the new block as the students number has increased to 600. It was also a sad year for the school as the then and charismatic principal, Mr. Noel Chin whom had devoted so much for St Paul’s left to take up a new appointment as the new principal for All Saints School in Kota Kinabalu.

Father Hurford

His place was taken over by Rev.Fr.Collin Hurford. Under Fr. Hurford a badminton court was built and works on the school ‘padang’ began. The padang was built on a reclaimed swamp costed the school RM20,000.00. In addition, to this, a new Home Science Room was constructed under his tenure.

Fr. Collin Hurford left the school in September 1971, and was replaced by Mr. Goh Chit Yong. Under his principalship, the school had achieved high standards in the fields of both education and sports. Both areas could be witnessed by the number of successes in public examinations and the sports.

1973 can be considered as a year of achievement for the school. As a result, of the high performance of 96% passes in JCE of 1972, the school was able to start off with two Form Four classes and for the first time the school was able to have separate Form 4 Science and Arts classes. Apart from academic successes, the school also shone brightly in the field of sports. For the first time in history , the school captured the championship of the District Inter-School Sports, thus breaking the monopoly of the rival school, St John’s School. This was not to mention the successes in other games particularly basketball and table tennis where the school consistently uphold the top place.

Mr. Goh Chit Yong

While the school experienced high benchmark in its achievements, it encountered a fair share of problems and failures too. The problem of staffing, the low passes of SCE results, the inadequacy of sports facilities and others continue to be viewed as utmost concern by the school. However, in the spirit of the school motto “ Strive That Ye May Obtain” , it had continue to strive to seek answers to the problems.

St Paul’s has emerged a long way towards becoming one of the biggest schools in the State today. It will continue to progress in the years to come.The school will undoubtedly keep in mind those who have contributed one way or another into making St Paul’s of what it is today.

The Present St Paul's Secondary School

The frontage of the school - 2007