WITH over a century of history, Penang Chinese Girls’ School (PCGS) continues to stand as a beacon of education, tradition, and lifelong camaraderie. In celebration of its 105th anniversary, thousands of alumni spanning generations returned to their alma mater for a grand reunion, strengthening their shared legacy.
Following the ‘PCGS 105: Completing the Circle’ gala dinner on March 8, the celebrations continued with a large-scale reunion and charity bazaar, uniting past and present students in a heartfelt tribute to the school’s enduring spirit.
“The Board of Directors hopes to reach a target of RM500,000 through this charity sale, following the recent stadium upgrade.
“The funds raised by each school will be directed into their respective school funds. For Penang Chinese Girls’ High School (PCGHS), we plan to allocate the funds towards students’ co-curricular activities, including coaching and equipment funds, as well as for student welfare.
“It’s great to see the students giving their best in their roles while also contributing to Chinese education. At PCGHS, we remain steadfast in our commitment to providing Chinese education and I’m heartened by our students’ dedication to preserving it,” said PCGHS headmistress Chong Fook Yu.
Meanwhile, The Penang Chinese Girls’ School Alumni Association marked its 85th anniversary today with the 309 Back-to-School Day grand reunion.
“The theme ‘蓝天展翅，百年飞伍’ (Soaring in the Blue Sky, A Century of Flight) carries a deeper meaning. If you look at ‘百年飞伍’ (A Century of Flight), the character ‘伍’ (five) also resembles ‘105,’ symbolising our 105-year milestone. It represents how alumni have spread their wings and taken flight from PCGS, but our hearts remain rooted in our alma mater,” shared PCGS Alumni Association vice-president and PCGS 105th Celebration Committee secretary-general Oon Phei Ti.
“In our official design, you’ll notice that the birds are still flying towards ‘105’— a reminder that, no matter where life takes us, our love for PCGS never fades. The school has nurtured us, and while we may have ventured far, we always find our way back.”
PCGS Alumni Association president and PCGS 105th Celebration Committee Co-chair Ch’ng Hooi Chin also expressed how heartwarming it was in seeing thousands of alumni, spanning over 50 years, from graduates of the 1970s to the class of 2024, return for this grand reunion.
“We also welcomed our sister alumni associations today, such as the PCGS Alumni Association of Selangor, who share our deep connection with PCGS. Their presence here today is a testament to the strong bonds that unite us, no matter where we are,” Ch’ng added.
During the celebrations, alumni actively took part in the fundraising sale. Among them were the Class of 1983, who sponsored various food items, including cheesecake, sushi, curry puffs, dumplings and coffee. The booth, led by Agnes Chan, Lenny Ooi, Ginny Wong, S.P. Koay, and Khoo Gaik Yee, stood out as they proudly wore their customised cohort T-shirts to celebrate decades of friendship since high school days.
“I feel incredibly proud to be an alumna of Penang Chinese Girls’ School, one of the best schools not only in Penang but also nationally. From preschool to primary and high school, my entire education was shaped by PCGS.
“I hope more students will enrol because it is truly a great school, one that nurtures talent and builds character. PCGS serves as a strong training ground, and we can see its impact through the outstanding achievements of its students in society. Keep it up PCGS!” said Khoo.
PCGHS teacher Mohd Naim Zainul expressed his gratitude to the school for successfully organising the celebration, calling it a historic milestone.
“This event has brought together students from different generations, including those from the school’s early years, some of whom have sadly passed on and even those nearing 100 years old.
“I met a former student from the Class of 2007 who returned and recognised me as a teacher. It was truly remarkable,” said Naim.
Story & pix by Lim Min Jun