GEORGE TOWN – One of the biggest reunions in Penang took place last night when over 1,000 alumni of St Xavier’s Institution (SXI) gathered on its grounds for the landmark 170th anniversary of the grand institution here.
One hundred and seventy years ago, the La Salle Brothers movement established their first school in East Asia, here in Farquhar Street, and last night, its graduates of the modern age partied to mark the historic achievement.
SXI went on to become the second oldest school in the country – after its rival Penang Free School – and a school, which produced among others, the former Finance Minister Tun Daim Zainuddin and thousands of others, who had contributed to society.
They excelled in almost every vocational aspect of life from fighting in conflicts to treating the ill and managing corporate entities while defending those wronged.
For example, the retired Datuk Paul Kiong, who achieved the highest gallantry award for fighting the communists through his role as a Special Branch operative.
He was bestowed Malaysia’s highest award for bravery, the Darjah Kebesaran Seri Pahlawan Gagah Perkasa.
To mark the occasion, the school transformed part of the ground floor beneath its chapel into a heritage gallery, filled with memorabilia and profiles of individuals, who have blazed a path of glory in their respective careers.
The philosophy of the La Salle Brothers remains vibrant as it was 170 years ago in its main school as well as the feeder schools, SK St Xavier’s and SK St Xavier’s Branch.
Among the dignitaries present were Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow, Deputy Education Minister Lim Hui Ying, Pulau Tikus assemblyman Chris Lee, Bukit Bendera MP Syerleena Abdul Rashid, Titular Roman Catholic Bishop of Penang Rt Rev Datuk Sebastian Francis, SXI Brother director Bro Jason Blaikie, SXI Board of Governors chairman Victor Tan, and SXI Heritage Centre sub-committee chairman Ooi Gim Ewe.
Chow told the attendees that they should uplift the core principles of the school, which are faith, concern for the poor and social justice, respect for all persons, quality education, and living in an inclusive community.
Chow also thanked the teachers for their dedication and goodwill.
“Without the teachers, St Xavier’s will not be the success that it is today.”
Brother Blaikie and Tan later escorted Chow, Lim, and others to visit the heritage centre where they viewed the artefacts and panels depicting events that happened in different eras.
Besides the heritage centre, the Xavierians also visited the Hall of Gratitude, which features the names of the 35,000 students who had studied at SXI.
One of the legacies of the school was it educated everyone, who wanted to study, reflecting the diversity of a nation with students of diverse origins; from Malays, Chinese, and Indians to Eurasians, Thais, Burmese and other minorities. – The Vibes, December 18, 2022
