SIBU: It was a walk down memory lane for Chung Hua School Old Students’ Association when its chairman Teo Boon Siew related to those present how village boys came to study in the school some 50 years ago.
Teo, speaking during their annual reunion last Saturday, said Chung Hua Secondary School at Upper Lanang Road used to cater for students from upstream villages.
While Teo was from Durin, he had classmates from Sungei Assan and other surrounding villages.
He said they had to go to school by motor boat, and they had to rise before daybreak.
“We were rather timid then, and being village boys, we feared being bullied by the town kids. Therefore, we ganged up with other village boys to act tough to protect ourselves.”
He recalled to the amusement of many that they might fight in school and rough, “but, as we gather in this reunion, many former rough boys are today’s successful people in society.”
Teo recalled he used to take a boat ride of up to five hours to reach school.
He introduced himself as a student of Form Five C Class of 1970, recalling Sibu was then not as well developed, but, said they enjoyed the simple life.
He invited his class of 1970 to the stage on Saturday night to sing with him a Chinese song entitled ‘We can only treasure the memories’ — a hit song of Taiwanese Yu Ya.
Being one of the earliest schools built in Sibu, he said Chung Hua School started as a primary school in town.
“For nearly a century, the school produced co
untless successful people.”
Among the former students attending the reunion dinner were Datuk Dr Soon Choon Teck, Dudong assemblyman Yap Hoi Leong, former chairman of Malaysia Medical Association (Sibu Branch) Dr Hu Chang Hock, and Kapitan Albert Lau.
Former banker Chew Peng Ann is also a former student. More than 600 former students attended the Saturday dinner.
Teo called on former students to remember and respect their teachers, saying without them they would not have been `moulded’.
Although some teachers had passed away, he said their dedication would remain in their hearts.
Guest-of-honour Lau Liong Kee, who is also a former student, said he had ganged up with other village kids during school days because they felt inferior when they were admitted.
“But we had great friends and time in the school. It’s like a big family staying and learning together. It is our pride to have come from Chung Hua School.”
Organising chairman Kee Hua Chiong said the students of Chung Hua might have scattered across the country and the world, “but, every Chinese New Year we shall meet. Bring more former students to the reunion next year.”
One of the highlights of the gathering was the presentation of ‘ang pow’ (red packets) to former students born in the Year of the Dragon.
- The Borneo Post
No comments:
Post a Comment