Monday, March 19, 2007

UPDATE ON THE ST.AIDAN OLD BOYS&GIRLS REUNION


The informal gathering has been confirmed for the 31st of March 2007 from 5pm onwards.Please RSVP your attendance to Mr.Anbu at 0196549127.

Sunday, March 18, 2007

Birthdays (dedicated to my sis,Anne)

Top:My 17th Birthday.Bottom:blowing candles together for our 12th/9th birthday
Our birthdays were all about presents,presents...

Can we speeden things up please...the icing looks delicious.Our 7th/4th birthday

Our 5th/3rd Birthday.I must say anne looks like a doll here.

My 8th birthday.We decided to have separate birthdays for once.

...and more presents!!!

Our 9th/6th birthday.One of my best birthdays ever.Almost all my classmates attended.

What birthday would be incomplete without a musical chairs event??


I have no clue whose birthday this is,but this must have been taken in St.Aidan during the late 60's or early 70's.My dad is 3rd from the left,standing!
There was a time when I couldnt imagine a birthday without celebrating it with my baby sister,Anne (she was named after St.Anne). It was the one event that both of us would long for all year round,and thankfully,mum and dad never let us down. Anne's birthday fell on March 31st and mine on 22nd...so to kill two birds with one stone (and save a heck load on birthday cost), we'd always end up celebrating a joint birthday either on March 31st or by the end of the first week of April.
Our sibling relationship has always been very special.Besides born under the same zodiac, we were both left-handed,and to my mum's utter agony,we were also very telepathic.I think she's lost count on the hundreds of occassions when we used to always say or do the same things at the same time. But as the years passed, it was something both of us began to comprehend and accept, and realised how close we really were. The more I think about it,the more I believe we should have been born as twins. Anything I did,she copied.And on one occassion,when i tried to imitate a character from the movie "Bionic Boy", she jumped off a hill simultaneously with me,and fell head first onto the tar road,ending up with 5 stitches on her forehead.
But our birthdays were something else.I think it was also the one occassion that most of the kids from Bahau used to look forward to because it always had at least 70-80 kids attending.The excellent part about this whole birthday thing was how we used to unite plenty of young adults who would willingly come forward to help my mum and dad organize the party,chip in with the cooking and assist my dad with the kiddy games. In fact,long after the kids had gone home, the adults would still linger on,creating a mini-party of drinks,food and sing-a-longs. To my sis,and me,we would be itching to open up (no..tear up) all those present wrappers to unearth what wonderful treasures that beckoned in our midst. Every new toy, we hugged with joy.At times, we tugged at each other's present,mostly grappling away over the largest one.Yet,I'll never, ever forget my sister's million dollar smile,and the twinkle in her eyes as she opened each present.Something money could not buy,and I saved every single smile in my mind for each birthday that sailed past in our lives.
I miss those birthdays with my sister.
The last time we celebrated together was for my 17th birthday, almost 20 years ago.We havent stood side-by-side,stooping over to whoosh the candles away for too long. I dont think it will happen this year either,but at least we get to meet each other once every two months.I met her 3 days back in Port Dickson,and the first thing I did was to walk over and give her the longest hug I have ever given her.It must have surprised her too.I guess, the sibling love I have for my baby sister still reigns supreme over everything else in this world.Sometimes as we grow out of our childhood, and progress from the teenage rebel years and into our adulthood,we lose some very precious portions of our lives.For me,I cherish those very wonderful moments I spent with my sister, from the day she was born, to the day I gave her away in marriage 8 years ago.In a flash, she has flown by my heart,blossoming from a little doll, to a gawky teen and into a beautiful woman.
I see a lot of her in the eyes of my nephew, and his mannerisms reflect a lost world I once used to share with my sis.
I guess time changes everything.As adults, we all undertake new responsibilities once we begin a family.Every day spent in the present, erases a piece of our past.Seasons change, people change..but as brother and sister we shall forever remain.I carry my sister's smile as my sunshine wherever I go, and she paints my world with colours whenever I think back of all those wonderful birthdays we used to share.









Tuesday, March 13, 2007

THE HISTORY OF ST.AIDAN'S SCHOOL


The school was officially opened by the Yang Di Pertuan Besar of Negeri Sembilan




(The above scanned articles were taken from the very rare "follow the gleam" yearbook of 1965.The first of only 3 year books ever published by the school.We have also extracted the text and are publishing it in its original nature, below) Click on each image above to enlarge it

HISTORY OF ST. AIDAN'S SCHOOL 1958 - 1965
The people of Bahau had for many years wanted an English Medium School. Requests to Government did not seem to meet with much response. A group of people in town therefore got together and formed themselves into a Committee - the Bahau English School Fund Committee and went about raising money so that they could build their own school.

The Rev. T. M. Oliver, who used to visit his friends in Bahau, was approached by members of this Committee and asked if the Church would be prepared to start a school. After examining the situation, the Rev. Oliver recom­mended to the Bishop that an English School should be built.
The then Diocesan Secretary for Anglican Schools, Canon Dr. D.D. Chelliah, discussed the project with the then Chief Education Officer, Mr. S. Thambiah and Officials of the Ministry of Education and finding that the Government was prepared to support the school, plans were finalised.

Monday 16th December 1957 was therefore a milestone in the development of Bahau when the Venerable Archdeacon of Singapore laid the foundation stone of St. Aidan'; School. The historic occasion was witnessed by a distinguished crowd of people who then adjourned for tea to the Malayan Chinese Association.

The three months prior to the laying of the foundation stone were indeed very busy months. Rev. Oliver was given the job of finding a Headmaster and one or two teachers who would be prepared to be pioneers in the field of English Education in Bahau.

Mr. Lionel van Geyzel, retired Headmaster of the Government English School, Port Dickson, agreed to become the Headmaster; Mr. Devadas Dorairaj, a teacher at the Anglo-Chinese School, Seremban, volunteered to serve at the new school.

A public announcement was made in Bahau that an English School would be opened and that parents with children born in 1950 and 1951 who wished to send them to an English School could register at 16, Main Road, Bahau, the residence of our Board Treasurer, Mr. Lee Poh Seong, on the Saturdays of 16th September 28th, October 5th and 12th.

In November, Mr. Van Geyzel decided to decline the Headship of the new school. The Rev. Oliver was in a quandry; he finally approached Mr. David Gunaratnam who was teaching at the Anglo-Chinese School, Seremban, and fortunately Mr. Gunaratnam agreed.

It must have been indeed quite an experience for him. There were 140 children who had to start school in early January 1958 - just two months away. There was only one teacher; three more had to be employed - Miss Lu Fang from Kuala Pilah, Miss Lily Sundersingh from Bahau Estate and Miss Janet Lim from Bahau. Two classes, Standard 2 Express, were held at the Malayan Chinese Association building, one in the morning and the other in the afternoon. A creche on Taisho Estate was used morning and afternoon for another two classes, Standard 3 Express. The Headmaster, Mr. Gunaratnam had his office at 16 Main Road and had therefore to do his work at three places!
The School was officially opened on 29th November 1958 by his Highness the Yang di-Pertuan Besar of Negri Sembilan and dedicated by the Rt. Rev. H. W. Baines, the then Lord Bishop of the Diocese, The cost of $100,000' was met from a Government Grant of $80,000, $4,000 each from the Dunlop Malayan Estates Ltd., Guthries and Harrison & Crosfield, $4,000 each from the Indian and Chinese Communities.

The first batch of candidates were presented in November 1961. These were pupils born in 1949, admitted to school in January 1958 when St. Aidan's began and who completed the six year ordinary course in four years, so that they could be of the right age for the promotion examination; 75 out of 102 pupils gained promotion to Form One.

The 1962 candidates did the six year primary course in 5 years. Once again the promotion pass was above seventy percent. The attainment continued in the last year of this public exam in 1963, our first group of pupils to do the primary school course in the proper time.

SECONDARY SCHOOL. To cater for our 75 pupils who gained promotion to Form One in January 1962, our first Secondary classes were started. In 1963 and 1964, the Secondary classes progressed to Forms Two and Three. The first set of candidates for the Lower Certificate of Education Examination in 1964 obtained a 65% Pass.
The foundation stone of the Secondary School was laid by the Rt. Rev. S. K. Sansbury on 5th September 1961. An administrative block, toilets and six classrooms were built in 1962 as the first phase of the Secondary School at a cost of $75,000 from a Government Grant of $60,000 and $15,0(}0 Parents' Donation to Building Fund. Unfortunately, plans for development into a full Secondary School had to be shelved in 1964 due to the building of a new Lower Secondary School under the Government's Comprehensive Education System. We record our gratefulness to the Dunlop Malayan Estates Ltd. for a grant of 57,500 towards the Secondary School Development.

As St. Aidan's was not going to be allowed to develop into a full Secondary School, our Form Three graduands had to go elsewhere for their Upper Secondary Education.

The abolition of the Secondary Continuation School System at the end of 1964, resulted in the integration of their 4 classes with our secondary classes in January 1965.
In the successful life of St. Aidan's School over the past seven years, thanks be to God for the dedication and guidance given by His faithful servant, Padre Oliver, the keen interest shown by all those who have served on the Board of Managers, for the farsightedness and good foundations laid by its first Headmaster, Mr. David Gunaratnam, for the service that the teachers have given and for the wonderful support from the parents and people of Bahau.

January 10th 1966, the opening of the school for the new year, would begin a fresh page in the history of our school, the march to develop St. Aidan's into one of the finest Primary Schools in the countrt•.Our beloved Chairman, Padre Oliver retires in June 1966 and Bahau will bid farewell to the man who was instrumental in bringing English Education to them - The Founder of St.Aidan's School.



Monday, March 12, 2007

STOP PRESS!!! OLD BOYS&GIRLS REUNION ON MARCH 31ST

Our two models (Viji and Jeeva) posing as if they were Miss Malaysia candidates.Do note the contents of the banner above.There are plenty of hand phone numbers you can contact.Please RSVP your attendance for the gathering by 27th March.


"This is a great chance for the old girls and boys of St.Aidan to meet up and to re-connect friendship. The March 31st event will also be the platform for the formation of a St.Aidan Alumni- a strong voice of past students to look into ways of betterment for the school. We will also showcase some issues that may need the guidance and thought of the old students.But most of all, we would just love to see old friends meet up and experience the school once again. We are planning to have the event in the school hall,and it is most probably to be held from 6pm onwards.Please pass the word to your batch mates to come join us for this preliminary event to the 50th Anniversary grand celebration of St.Aidan which has been confirmed for 27th October 2007." - Mr.Anbu, ex student of St.Aidan and organizing committee of the 50th Anniversary.

A few words from Tun Hussein Onn

The late Tun Hussein Onn,and his thoughts on St.Aidan school,published in the 1972 yearbook.Click on the above image to read the article.

(THE FULL CONTEXT OF THE ARTICLE)


"Saya alu2kan penerbitan majalah Sekolah St. Aidan, Bahau. Negeri Sembilan ini, serta saya perchaya melalui majalah ini ramailah pelajar dapat menchurahkan bakat mereka untok di-muatkan didalam-nya
Kechergasan sekolah dalam bidang memajukan pelajaran murid2-nya dan kebaktian yang dapat di-usahakan-nya terhadap masharakat adalah di-antara kandongan majallah yang ,sa-umpama tetapi tidak-lah terlalu besar kalau saya mengharapkan supaya soal kemurnian hati dalam mendokong chita2 kebangunan bangsa hendak-lah mendapat perhatian yang pertama dan utama. Kerana rahsia kebangunan sa-suatu bangsa yang besar dalam Sejarah di-mulai daripada kemurnian jiwa ra'ayat-nya yang berani berkorban supaya bangsa-nya hidup dan yang berani hanchor supaya negara-nya luhur.
Akhir-nya ,saya mendo'akan agar Sekolah ini akan terus maju jaya dan pelajar2-nya belajar bersunggoh2 hingga terchapai segala, chita2."

Kuala Lumpur,
9hb Nobember, 1972.
( HUSSEIN ONN)



The Houses of St.Aidan

I got this scanned from the "FOLLOW THE GLEAM" yearbook of 1972 (15th Anniversary issue).You can click on the above image to see the finer details and accompanying story on the page. Also check out the Lindesfarne house,which is now a chapel.
Mr Devadas house as it stands today,now converted into a kindergarden

Sunday, March 11, 2007

Our Journey Back to St.Aidan

My lil' house.Now converted into an education centre for children with disability skills
Mission accomplished!The holy grail..the foundation stone of St.Aidan(Note the date:16th December 1957)

The location of the foundation stone.


Mr.Nadarajah's house.Jeeva and Viji had loads of good memories here


Side view of the first blocks in St.Aidan which was built in 1958

A peek through the square hole from the projector room and out into the school hall
Orange school hall,but sooo much better than how it looked like a few years back

The projectors may not be around,but that didnt stop Viji and Jeeva re-enacting their versions of how our dads used to handle the movie projectors.

Sometimes, we travel far and wide,looking for the one thing that continues to elude us.The one thing that can finally fill the empty space inside of us that we deem "unfillable".To some it may be a lost love,to others it could be material things. But to three childhood buddies, it meant going home.

Our home,St.Aidan.
Jeeva,Viji and myself decided to take road trip back to Bahau with the mission of capturing the one photo that we did not have...the holy grail..the foundation stone of St.Aidan. I picked them up from Seremban, and we first did a quick pit-stop back at my hometown in Tampin to collect two priceless publications - the "follow the gleam" year books (1965&1972).Thank god my dad was clearing up his cupboard and stumbled upon them.

Within half an hour,we were cruising past landscapes of greenery,cutting through the warm afternoon breeze,and the frozen landmarks of small towns like Jelai,Johol and Dangi,that stubbornly continue to fight progress-ancient chinese restaurants and classic kopitiam outlets that would dwarf Starbucks and Coffee Bean from their sheer heritage and taste.

To the three of us,we just couldnt figure out why we kept reminiscing about St.Aidan.To most people reading this blog,you'd probably be wondering what in the world could be so grand about a place that we only lived in for 10 years,and fragments of memories that we could hardly conjure up today.What made it so special to us? Its really hard to express,but I do believe it has everything to do with the fact that we had a decent childhood with a recipe that included ingredients of a multi-racial friendship, strong-knitted family bonds, a super balance of a great education system and co-curriculum activities, and loads of great events,parties and fiesta.

As we neared the school, we were relieved to see that there was a wedding preparation being staged at the school,meaning we could easily get into the school compound without too many questions asked.Thankfully we had the old caretaker around,Mr Sukumaran,who was cheerfully on hand to provide us with as much information and freedom to snap away with our digital camera.Yet,I noticed something different.Something vastly diverse from the last trip I made a couple of years back.We were faced with a ghastly shade of orange everywhere we laid our eyes upon.Could it be true??Yes...the school had a new coat of paint..every building..even the school hall..and to us,ghastly or not,it was heavenly!!

The grass had been cut,the hall was nicely decorated,the chapel looked wonderful...even my old house with its previous broken windows and scaly paint was all spruced up as if royalty was making a visit.That got us in high spirits,and I didnt waste time snapping up some glorious eye-shots.The highlight of our trip was when we were given a chance to go up to the projector room.It was really walking down memory lane.The steep steps up,the old trap-door, the dark,dingy walls...aaah....sheer nostalgia.Jeeva and Viji were really having a grand time,and we re-lived the moments when our dads used to prop us up on tall benches with cushions so that we could peek out of these square holes in the walls while the movie sailed majestically from the projectors to the silver screen.

We were then introduced to one of the organizing committee of the 50th Anniversary event, Mr Anbu, who himself was a student in the early 60's. He filled us in on more information over a cup of tea, before introducing us to the current headmistress of St.Aidan, the ever-so-friendly Ms Ng Tai Tai.Thank god the school is in her good hands.We gave her a quick background overview of ourselves, and she responded positively about our blog efforts,giving us her blessings.

We made a quick stop-over back at St.Aidan to snap a few photos of Jeeva and Viji's old home,and wished Mr Sukumaran and Mr Anbu goodbye before whisking our tired bottoms back to the concrete jungle.Sigh! The price we pay as adults.But as night falls,and our eyes drift away to slumber land,we are thankful that our childhood is just a dream away,as we once again run and play among the memories that shall forever be a part of us.Home...