First Class Honour With A Body of A Soldier: St Michael, my Alma Mater

I began my secondary education in St Michael's Institution, best known as SMI by the Ipohans. It is located in the heart of Ipoh city, very near to Ipoh's Taj Mahal (the Railway Station). Situated at the Kinta Valley where it was once famous of tin mining, this school becomes one of the most prestigious schools in Malaysia along with St Victoria; KL, St Xavier; Penang, Chung Ling; Penang and many more. St Michael is founded in 1912 by La Salle Brothers. These brothers wanted to educate the local community and back then, especially the Christian community. No offense but St Michael was once open to Christian students only. Back then, Malays, Chinese and Indians who wish to study in SMI must be loaded. Education dated decades ago was not free and people have to pay for it. Unlike now, the fee is cheap and everyone is affordable to study. SMI was once used as the Japanese Headquarter of Perak state when Japanese invaded Malaya and captured Ipoh ( back then was called Paloh). SMI became the center ground to torture Ipoh folks and one most notable person being tortured was Sybil Kartigesu. She was a nurse who supported the guerrilla force with food and medicine together with her husband who was a doctor. She had 3 daughters but her youngest was killed by Japanese. Despite constant torturing, she never gave up on the guerrilla force and remain silent for their safety. Each time, she got emboldened and her determination was strong. My teacher once told me that a staircase which I always use, was the staircase the Japanese used to push Sybil. In honour of her dedication, a road in Ipoh had been named after her, Sybil Kartigesu Road.
SMI also produced numerous prominent people over the century. Those notable ones are Michelle Yeoh, Lee Loy Seng, Lee Oi Hian, Lee Hau Hian, Lee Lam Thye, Justice Chang and many more. Im proud indeed to have studied in St Michael. One thing that I love about SMI was there is no streaming among classes. You see, some schools, they put the bright ones in a class and the poor ones in another, increasing the gaps. St Michael does not do streaming and distribute the students equally among classes which I think i a healthy education system. No academic gap is felt and no student is left off. St Michael still hold the slogan 'For the Last, the Least and the Lost'. Behind St Michael is the Kinta River and has a breath-taking scenery. The location is so strategic and has been made one of Ipoh Heritage Sites. This year St Michael will be celebrating her 100th year birthday. Consider young compared to MGS and Convent which were founded in 1897 and 1907 respectively. St Michael is always on good terms with Convent because St Michale was part of it. If you happened to pass by Convent, you will notice there is a ST Michael Church opposite to it and this church is next to Same Tet High School, another prestigious school. St Micahel was initially located in the church before moving to the current ground.
Convent is said to be the mother of schools which is why we name her The Main Convent. Tarcisian Convent, Ave Maria Convent and St Michael were all from Convent. In case if you din know, St Michael got its name from the name of a brave and powerful Archangel Michael. His stature remain at the top of the school, The Angel of St Michael. The greatest among 4 archangels, the rest of the 3 are Lucifer(Satan), Gabriel and Raphael. I studied in St Michael from Form 1 until my Upper Six and the teachers there have nourished me and taught me efficiently. I am really grateful to have been admitted into St Michael in the first place. During my time there, I have only encountered two principals who served for the school. One is Mr Louis Rozario and another is Mr Poon Chong Chee. I must say that the former is the best principal ever and because of his dedication, St Michael is well-known especially in debates. Of course, such an old school has many mysteries unrevealed. There were rumours in the city saying that during the Japanese occupation, an underground tunnel was made to connect Convent and St Michael. However, after a long search no tunnel was found or was it a hoax? Some rumoured that the tunnel was situated right under the foor of the Deo Gratias stature located in the foyer. Who knows? Old school is always rich in ghost stories, I have a few myself but lets save them for another blog.

Together with this blog is the school rally...notice the English they used (kinda ancient)
All through our College a voice is resounding
Promptly respond to your duty's sweet call!
Harken you all for the trumpet is sounding
Your Mater's proclaiming her watchword to all

Forward my children dear!
Ever with heart sincere
Render with joy to your Mater her due
All that is vile reject; Heaven will e'er protect,
Sons of St. Michael's valiant and true

Michaelian Military Band