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GEORGE TOWN – In line with their alma mater’s anthem to “hearken you all for the trumpet is sounding”, the alumni of Malaysia’s second oldest school have come forward to support St Xavier’s Institution (SXI) to establish a heritage gallery on its grounds here.
The gallery was conceived to mark the school’s 170th anniversary celebration next year where a host of events are scheduled throughout 2022.
A former old boy and now the schools’ director Bro. Jason Blaikie referred to a line in the anthem to “promptly respond to your duty’s sweet call”.
I have witnessed it and I will proudly proclaim that the Old Xaverian loyalty is alive and flourishing in Penang.”
He was speaking during the handover of a RM120,000 cheque by Old Xaverians Association president Datuk Khoo Khay Seang at a simple ceremony here recently.
The old boys’ group has stepped forward to help the school, which needs up to RM500,000 to complete the gallery at its premise in Farquhar Street in the heart of the heritage inner city.
A majority of the amount has been collected although more funds are needed to upkeep the gallery, which will showcase the history, achievements and vision of the school.
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The school got its name when it was taken over by the La Salle Brothers in 1852. Prior to that the school had been set up in 1787, after George Town was established by Britain’s Francis Light the year before.
Although the school’s main building was bombed in World War II, it later emerged stronger as one of the renowned missionary schools in Southeast Asia.
Victor Tan, chairman of SXI’s board of governors, said the donations and support have boosted the efforts of the gallery’s committee to come up with the meaningful project.
Committee chairman Ooi Gim Ewe told the old boys that the school, with the help of design consultant Christopher Woolley, has plans to have many historical elements installed throughout the 4,380 sq ft space at Block B beneath the reverend brothers’ quarters.
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The plans include inscribing on an erected structure the names of some 35,000 students who graduated from the school.
The gallery will feature a timeline to reflect the 17 decades that the school has passed through in flourishing to become one of the leading educational institutions in the region.
“I was asked to have an honours area for students who became household names in our society,” said Ooi as he reflected on the growing number of outstanding personalities that the school has produced.
“I was asked to cap it at 65, but now I think I have reached 100 and it is looking beyond.”
The students not only came from Penang, but also from Kelantan, Perlis, Kedah, Perak, and as far as southern Thailand.
There are also plans to list down the names of the teachers who have served the school and its students. – The Vibes, December 24, 2021
