ST Xavier’s Institution, Penang made history when it became the first school in Malaysia to receive an official tartan certification from the Tartan Registry of Scotland.
This certification means that SXI has its tartan colours, exclusively worn by the school and its alumni but mostly confined to the colours of its prided marching band.
Through the persistent efforts of the school's governing board led by Victor Tan and the school's Penang-born Brother-Director Jason Blaikie, the tartan colour was brought back to SXI as its own.
It also symbolises that working hard is a lifetime endurance and forms the fighting spirit and courage of the SXI Alumni, evidenced by the growing number of its former students, who have contributed on the international and national fronts.
Among those who walked the halls of the school were former Penang Chief Minister Tan Sri Wong Pow Nee, former Finance Minister Tun Daim Zainuddin, former DAP iconic leader Karpal Singh and former Second Finance Minister Tan Sri Nor Mohamed Yakcop.
This prestigious recognition highlights the school’s commitment towards celebrating cultural heritage and fostering a unique sense of identity among its multi-racial students, faculty, and alumni.
The certified tartan, named the “St. Xavier’s Tartan,” is a bespoke design symbolising the school’s legacy, values, and unity.
It is designed by Lim Kee Sitt and features a carefully curated combination of colours, while the design reflects the institution’s dedication to academic excellence, diversity, and resilience.
While there are currently no physical weaves of the tartan, the official certification serves as a testament to the school’s innovative approach to connecting tradition with modernity.
The Tartan Registry of Scotland, the global authority on tartan designs, ensures that each registered tartan meets strict standards of originality and cultural significance.
To commemorate this achievement, the St. Xavier’s Tartan Certificate was officially presented to Brother-Director Blaikie by Tuan Megat Mizan Nicholas Denney during a ceremony at the SXI Heritage Centre in the school.
The event will celebrate the symbolic importance of the tartan and its role in representing the school’s identity.
As the first school in Malaysia to receive this honour, SXI paves the way for other educational institutions to embrace creative and meaningful ways of celebrating their heritage. - January 25, 2025.
