IN remembrance of its founder St John Baptist de La Salle who had passed away 300 years ago, St Xavier’s Institution (SXI) has been carrying out several activities to commemorate his death.
The school’s Parent-Teacher Association, headed by chairman Victor Tan with See Swee Sie as the vice-chairman, is actively involved with the school in carrying them out. Both also sit on the school’s board of governors.
Tan said an inaugural SXI Padang Kota Run would be held on July 14 and the event would be officiated by Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow, who is also the Padang Kota assemblyman.
“We will use the proceeds to help the needy as well as for the maintenance of the school,” he said.
“Also, we will hold a mentoring programme to bring awareness to students and parents about the importance of learning and understanding a third language. This, I am sure, will help the students in their career path. ”
“While this programme involves the community and parents, we will also be inviting old Xaverians back to share their advice and experiences through some sharing sessions,” Tan added.
See added that they hoped many Xaverians and La Sallians from far and near would be able to take part in the event.
“We will also be holding a dinner tentatively on October 19 to commemorate the tercentenary death of St John Baptist de La Salle. We will set up a scholarship fund, called the ‘Tercentenary Fund,’ to provide financial help to needy students,” See said.
“In conjunction with the tercentenary, the school has been running many events including the provision of free food to the needy in Padang Kota and a Jazz and Pop Concert at the Karpal Singh Hall, jointly organised by the school and the Penang Jazz Society.”
Recently, the school gathered about 200 Form One and Form Two students to create a human formation of the number “300” to commemorate the tercentenary of its founder St John Baptist de La Salle’s death.
School principal Dr Sim Hock Keat reminded the students and teachers during the assembly of the huge sacrifices of St John Baptist de La Salle, who was the founder of the La Sallian education.
“Education then was a luxury thing to poor children some 300 years ago. But St John Baptist de La Salle inspired many to follow him to contribute to free education.
“His philosophy, vision and great mission resulted in the formation of 44 La Salle schools in Malaysia and more than 1,500 institutions in 82 countries,” he said in his speech on April 22.
Sim also reminded the teachers to educate and instil good values in the students.
“When we touch hearts and change lives through our education work, life becomes more meaningful and our daily work routine has a special purpose,” he said.
About 1,100 students and 110 teachers who attended the assembly shouted “Hip Hip Hooray” three times as they paid tribute to the school’s founder after a cake-cutting ceremony.
Among those present at the cake-cutting ceremony were Penang Port Commission (PPC) chairman Jeffrey Chew Gim Ean, Old Xaverian Association vice-president Koay Seng Chong, Tan and other old Xaverians.
The link for the registration to participate in the SXI Padang Kota Run is https://www.ticket2u.com.my/event/13271?r=wa
Story by K.H. Ong