THE importance of education was strongly emphasised during the La Salle Tercentenary Dinner when 20 students from St Xavier’s Institution (SXI) were given some financial aid.
Organising chairman Jeffrey Chew said the event was organised basically to raise funds for needy students and also give an opportunity for old Xaverians to be reunited and understand what the school was going through.
He said the Parent Teacher Association (PIBG) and the school raised about RM10,000 from the inaugural SXI Padang Kota Run in July to help the 20 students, who may have difficulty even to pay for their examinations.
“The school’s board of governors has decided to have this event (dinner). One of the important things is to reach out to old Xaverians about the importance of community as well as to help current students.
“We’re beginning to see a lot of students going to tertiary education but are unable to support themselves. We are doing this event to raise some funds to help the PIBG disburse funds every year,” said Chew, who is also the Penang Port Commission chairman.
Chew said the dinner was held to commemorate the 300th anniversary of the passing of St John Baptist De La Salle, the founder of the Institute of Brothers of the Christian School who passed away in 1719.
“This Christian Brothers believe in education and that education should be affordable. That is why SXI accepts all types of students, irrespective of their financial status.
“This (dinner) reminds us that although our founder had passed away, his legacy remains because former students want to continue the legacy,” he added.
On top of that, Chew said the SXI Class of 85/87 had raised RM110,000 in the last four years, of which RM27,000 were given away as bursaries to nine students to further their education after Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia (SPM) and Sijil Tinggi Pelajaran Malaysia (STPM) in September.
Three students received RM5,000 each, two RM3,000 each, two RM2,000 each and two RM1,000 each.
Chew paid tribute to some of his teachers for their dedicated service. He also thanked SXI principal Dr Sim Hock Keat, who would be retiring at the end of the year.
The dinner was attended by 500 guests, including Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow, SXI Brother Director Datuk Rev Brother Anthony Rogers, Pulau Tikus assemblyman Chris Lee, PIBG chairman Victor Tan, organising vice-chairman See Swee Sie and SXI counsellor James Koay.
Chow, in his speech, said the event was a celebration of fellowship, friendship, unity in community service, developing a network of La Sallians young and old, and a recognition of St John Baptist and the Christian Brothers.
“Throughout the world, celebrations are held to commemorate the event with an emphasis that La Sallians are One, One Heart, One Commitment, One Life.
“The Xaverian and La Sallian spirit is deeply entrenched in the five core principles of faith, respect, community, education and concern for the poor and social justice.
“These teachings and traditions of the La Sallian schools across the nation which emphasise charity and giving while looking out for the last, the least and the lost, are truly to be commended.
“Such teachings, especially in the current times, are so precious and rare. These are lessons and values that we want to instil in our younger generation.”
Chow later joined the organising committee members and other dignitaries in the cake-cutting ceremony. He also presented the financial aid on behalf of the organising committee to the students and also a long service award to 87-year-old Vincent Michael, a former laboratory assistant.
Story by K.H. Ong
Pix and video by Nur Afiqah Zainudi