CALLING FOR OEs AGAIN...

OEAKL Dinner seats for sale : Vistana Hotel, Sunday 19th December, 7.30pm, 25 tables @ 250 seats only. Dress code : Casual in Red & Black theme. For further info, contact OE Hamdan Azmir @ 0123123786.

Magni Nominis Umbra!! :)

Parade of the Edwardians!!!

Thank you to OE Raja Rahman for the following announcement.

LETS JOIN THE ANNIVERSARY PARADE ON 31.7.2008!!!


Tigers, please make yourself free on 31st July to be in Taiping, to take part in the 125th Anniversary Parade.

It is a special day for King Edward VII School Taiping, where 2000 students will take part in the parade waving the school and the respective house flags. Lets see which house is the the champion basing on the most numbers attending the parade.

To lead the parade is a young tiger (with the cooperation of Taiping Zoo ) and the much talked about school band. I understand the school band is the new Larut and Matang Champion. Lets give them encouragement so they could be the State Champion in the near future.

The walk is only 3 km starting at 8.30 am. So please bring along your partner and children. Both the Taiping (Malaysia) and Kuala Lumpur/ Selangor OE Association Presidents will lead the Old Boys/ Girls during the parade.

Dear Edwardians, Come and join the parade of a life time!!!

MAGNI NOMINIS UMBRA.

KING EDWARD VII COFFEE TABLE BOOK

It's on SALE.... I think, all Tigers should have this copy!!
For further info, contact V T Ratnam at 016-3127949 or Sulaiman Hassan at 012-2123272.


A coffee-table book on the history of King Edward VII School, Taiping, will be published in conjunction with the school's 125th anniversary.

Datuk Abdul Mutalib Razak, chairman of the coffee-table book committee, said the book which covered the history of the school during its first 100 years, would include stories on its principals and outstanding Edwardians.

King Edward VII is the oldest government school and the second oldest school in Malaysia. The oldest is Penang Free School.

Events lined up by the Old Edwardian's Association to celebrate the anniversary include a parade through Taiping town by Edwardians on July 31, rugby matches and a gala dinner.

Mutalib said proceeds from the sale of the book would go to the school's trust fund which was set up in 1883.

The committee is now preparing the articles for the book and collecting photographs which show the progress of the school and "Tigers" (as Edwardians are called) who have contributed to the nation's development.

"We need pictures, particularly pre-war pictures. I appeal to old boys who have pictures of their time in school or old pictures of the school and school activities to contact us.

"If you have old certificates or other memorabilia that you think might interest Edwardians, please call us too." Mutalib can be contacted at 016-2052007.

Edwardians can also contact coffee-table book committee secretary V.T. Ratnam at vtratnam@time.net.my or 016-3127949.

THE EDWARDIAN LEGACY

Written by Sonia Ramachandran, NST Saturday, 14 June 2008.

Its motto "Magni Nominis Umbra" means "under the shadow of a great name" and King Edward VII School of Taiping lives up to its name in every sense of the word. As the school gears to celebrate its 125th anniversary this year, everyone traces its history and discovers why it has embedded itself in the hearts of every Edwardian who has walked through its gates

With the century old Rain Trees (scientific name Samanea Saman) on its grounds, graceful arches and Victorian architecture, the King Edward VII School is one of the most scenic schools in the country. But KE7 (as the school is fondly known) has more than a name and architecture to be proud of.

The students who have passed out of its hallowed halls form a veritable who's who. In addition, the school's prowess in sports, particularly rugby, is legendary.

The history of KE7 begins in 1883. The British wanted to start a school that was centrally located and to which children of various races would have access. A small wooden building was put up on land along Station Road (Jalan Stesyen) in July 1883. It was called the Central School, simply because of its location. The first intake consisted only of 13 pupils, the figure rising to 38 at the beginning of 1884.

Among them were two young Malays who were the first recipients of what is today known as a government scholarship: Raja Ngah Abubakar and Abdul Shukor, the son of an ex-menteri besar. The first headmaster of the school was a gentleman by the name of J L Greene.

In 1895, the school's population had increased to 159 (with 28 Malay boys) and by 1899, it was 204. Among the subjects taught were English, physical education and music. Games played included football and cricket. In 1895, the Federal Regulation Policy insisted that an English education become an important criterion for entry into government service.

Later, at the conference of rulers in 1903, Perak Resident J.P Rodger observed that there was a lack of Malay participation in the civil service. To address this, it was suggested that a special English school be established. In the end, however, it was decided that certain existing schools be selected to educate more locals, especially Malays, and the Central School was one of those chosen.

With increasing enrolment, a larger building was needed. It was decided, in 1903, that the school shift to a spot further up along Station Road where the country's first railway station stood. The station was shifted to its present premises, still along Station Road, and work on the construction of the new school began. The headmaster at this time was one Roger Francis Stainer, one of the most famous and loved persons to ever head the school in its chequered history.

When the school shifted to the new building, Stainer was at the helm. The official opening on Jan 19, 1906, was performed by the then Sultan of Perak, Sultan Idris-Mersid-El Azam Shah Iskandar Shah. He also renamed the school King Edward VII School, in honour of the new King of England, Edward, who had ascended the throne in 1901 upon the death of Queen Victoria.

The entrance to King Edward VII primary school

The gate with the name of the School inscribed on it, and which is still in use today, was put up in 1908. The shade trees which make the school ground 'the most picturesque school ground in Malaya' were planted by P. Moss in the early part of 1910.

When the school moved to the site on which it now stands, there was only one building, namely the two-storey structure which is now the main part of the school. Later new buildings were erected in the compound.

Then came the Second World War and the subsequent occupation of the country by Japanese forces. The school did not function during those years. Its buildings and grounds became the headquarters of the Malayan Kempeitai (Japanese secret police) who converted the classrooms into torture chambers and dug up the playgrounds for the growing of food.

On Oct 1, 1945, the school came back to life in the St George's Institution premises nearby with E.A Moissinac as the headmaster and on Jan 14, 1946, the students moved back into their old buildings.

As the enrolment kept increasing, more buildings were erected. But in March 1958, the school was split up into primary and secondary. Two primary schools were created, primary 1 and primary 2, both housed in the same building but run in morning and afternoon sessions.

The secondary school was moved to buildings in Trump Road and Upper Museum Road. Later, more blocks were added. Female pupils were admitted to KE7 when Form Six classes were started in 1954. The secondary school today has 1,500 students while primary 1 has 855 pupils and primary 2 has 255 pupils.

Apart from producing some of the best brains in the country, the school is also known of its prowess in sports. It produced some of the top sportsmen in the country. The tradition continues today with the secondary school rugby team winning the district under-18 championship this year, and eight of its players representing the state. In football, the school is the district champion in the under-15 category and state champion in the swimming 4x100m freestyle. KE7 primary one emerged as state under-12 golf champion this year. Not to be outdone, KE7 primary 2 won the state under-12 rugby championship.

The Old Edwardians Association, founded in 1914 by Stainer, continues to grow strong. There is even a Kuala Lumpur chapter of the old boys association now.
The school holds pleasant memories to many Tigers but they are all agreed on the fact that the school, at least before the 1980s, taught them to think and act as Tigers. Race and religion were never on their minds.

As Datuk Abdul Mutalib Razak, an old boy of the school says, KE7's uniqueness is in the "colour blindness" of its students. "The moment we enter school, we are all colour blind and become just one mixture of true Malaysians. There were absolutely no thoughts of being racial. This school was a real important landmark in my life," he says.

Datuk Abdul Mutalib Razak

Those passing the majestic looking primary school – the same building erected in 1905 – will inevitably be greeted with the sight of pupils of different races from all walks of life playing together under the century old Rain trees, just as their predecessors had done more than a hundred years before.

Sultan to grace dinner

KING Edward VII School will celebrate its 125th anniversary this year with a grand dinner on Oct 11. The Sultan of Perak Raja Azlan Shah and the Raja Muda Raja Dr Nazrin Shah are expected to grace the occasion. According to Old Edwardians Association of Malaysia president Mohaideen Mohd Ishack, the dinner will be held at the Taiping Town Hall. He said the association had planned several events to celebrate the anniversary, including a parade around Taiping town – complete with tiger cubs – on July 31. Games such as rugby matches will also be held. The soft launch of the celebrations was done by former cabinet minister and old Tiger Tun Dr Ling Liong Sik at the school in Taiping last month. Mohaideen said the association hoped to raise money for a trust fund it is setting up.

A coffee-table book on the first 100 years of KE7 will also be published in conjunction with the anniversary. Datuk Abdul Mutalib Razak, chairman of the coffee-table book committee, said the book would include stories on its principals and outstanding Edwardians. He urged Tigers who have pictures of the school to contact him or any of the committee members so that they could be used for the coffee-table book. He said those wanting to know more should contact V T Ratnam at 016-3127949 or Sulaiman Hassan at 012-2123272.

Royalty and president

AMONG the many leaders King Edward VII School produced were two sultans of Perak – Sultan Iskandar Shah and Sultan Abdul Aziz. The first president of Singapore, Yusof Ishak, was an old boy of the school. Among political leaders who studied at KE7 were former cabinet ministers Tun Dr Ling Liong Sik, Tan Sri Dr Lim Swee Aun, Aziz Ishak, and Tan Sri Ghazali Jawi. Ghazali also served as Menteri Besar of Perak. Another ex-student, Abdul Rahim Ishak, served as a cabinet minister in Singapore.

Tan Sri Dr Lim Swee Aun, the former Commerce and Industry Minister (standing) addressing an Old Edwardians dinner in 1962

The current chief justice of Singapore, Chan Sek Keong, is also an old Tiger. Other notable Tigers include former chief secretary to the government Tan Sri Abdullah Ayub and former armed forces chief General (Rtd) Tan Sri Mohamed Ghazali Che Mat. Three of the school's students went on to hold the post of director-general of education : Tan Sri Asiah Abu Samah, Tan Sri Dr Wan Zahid Nordin, and Datuk Seri Dr Abdul Shukor Abdullah. Among prominent corporate figures are Media Prima Bhd chairman Datuk Abdul Mutalib Abdul Razak and former Proton chairman Tan Sri Jamil Jan.

Student A. Kathirasen splashing water on principal Long Heng Hua on Teacher’s Day in 1972

The school also produced some top sportsmen who represented the country in international meets. This includes athletes M. Dataya and Junaidah Aman, footballers M. Karathu and Ahmad Nazri, cricketer Datuk Abdul Aziz Ismail, hockey greats M. Sockalingam and Randhir Singh and shooter Datuk Seri Abdul Rahman Yatim.

HEART OF THE TIGERS

As written in the Focus column, NST, Saturday, 14 June 2008.

Pupils playing together under the century old Flame of the Forest trees.

Although KE7 had many illustrious headmasters and principals, two men have found a place in the hearts of many Tigers.

One is the first headmaster of the school Roger Francis Stainer, and the other Long Heng Hua @ Pak Long. (Insert picture of Pak Long during Teacher's Day in 1972).


Apart from suggesting the name King Edward VII, Stainer, who became the longest serving headmaster when he retired in 1922, was responsible for coming up with the school motto, "Magni Nominis Umbra". It was also Stainer who selected the rampant tiger as the symbol of the school.

"What is clear is that he wanted his boys to emulate the bravery of the tiger, in both body and mind, in the classrooms and on the playing fields. The school boys generally referred to as Edwardians, also came to be known in time as Tigers," according to former student U. Ravinder Singh. Ravinder, who served the school for many years as a teacher, passed away on June 8. (Mr Ravinder Singh a.k.a. Junjung, may you rest in peace, Sir). Stainer was known as a great disciplinarian but well-loved by his pupils.

In his 1958 book "History of English Schools in Perak", E.C. Hicks writes: "Every morning at about a quarter to 10, for school in those days began at 10, there would be an athletic figure dressed in the fashion of the time... white topee on head, a white suit complete with five buttons and two studs... walking very briskly from his quarters on Jalan Abdul Jalil, now demolished, along that section of Barrack Road that is now in the hospital compound, towards the school.

"The moment he entered the school compound he was besieged by dozens of young eager boys of all nationalities and they would follow him right into his office." Stainer was accorded a vociferous welcome when he visited the school again in the 1930s. Stainer died aboard the ship that took him home.

If the early part of the school's history was dominated by the deeds and reputation of Stainer, the latter part was brightened by that of Long or Pak Long as he was called by the students, was the secondary school principal from 1964 to 1982. The strict disciplinarian is credited with the return of the school's glory in the academic and sports arena.

"He came at a rather difficult time in the history of the school. It was a period when the youth nationwide were experimenting with drugs and smoking and gangsterism was rearing its ugly head.

"To prevent this from taking a hold on the pupils of the school, he maintained a firm stance. Rigid discipline was the key to his success and he also developed a good rapport with the local police in dealing with the wayward boys," wrote Ravinder, who served as Long's assistant, in a document on the school's history.

Monthly tests were introduced, he wrote, and punishment meted to pupils who did not improve in their studies. Training for games and society activities were regularised and there was a noticeable all-round improvement.

"Academic performance improved and there was a revival in hockey, football and rugby. He paid particular attention to rugby with the school winning state and national titles several times and above all, winning the bronze medal in the first Asian Schools Rugby Championship in 1978," Ravinder wrote.

Besides rugby, cross-country running, judo and the life-saving society thrived under his leadership.

But perhaps the most telling description of Long's dedication to KE7 was what his wife Lee Num Kim has to say.

"My husband was earlier the principal with the Teacher's Training College in Pantai Valley. When Tan Sri Aziz (former student of KE7 and former Malaysian High Commissioner to Britain Tan Sri Abdul Aziz Yeop) heard about my husband's record in the education ministry, he was determined to get him to come to KE7," she said.

Lee recounted how the school was in bad shape and how Aziz had told Long to bring rugby up. It took Long eight years, but bring the school up he did. Along the way, he declined promotions just so he could do it.

"We became the national champions in rugby, swimming and life-saving. In those says, you would be transferred after three years, on promotion. In the first three years we were here, they were going promote him and transfer him out but he refused. He declined six promotions because he loved the school so much," she said of Long, who passed away in 1998.

LAUNCHING OF EDWARDIAN SQUARE

NST, 14 May 2008.


Tun Dr Ling Liong Sik signing the plaque to launch the Edwardian Square in Taiping yesterday. With him are (second from left) school principal Yahaya Liman, Old Edwardian Association Malaysia president Mohaideen Mohd Ishack, Media Prima Berhad chairman Datuk Abdul Mutalib Razak and anniversary celebration committee chairman Datuk Seri Dr Abdul Shukor Abdullah.

Some of them are corporate figures and politicians, a few are top brass in the armed and police forces while others have proven themselves as sportsmen.

Their backgrounds may be diverse, but they have now come together to honour and glorify their alma mater: King Edward VII School.

In conjunction with the school's 125th anniversary this year, these men plan to raise RM1 million for it.

It is intended for present and future Edwardians, so they may carry on the tradition of winning for their school.

The old Edwardians, with Tun Dr Ling Liong Sik as patron, are organising a charity grand dinner and will publish a coffee-table book to raise the money.

Speaking after the launching of the 125th King Edward VII School Anniversary here yesterday, organising committee chairman Datuk Seri Dr Abdul Shukor Abdullah said it was time that the school had its own trust fund.

"Many distinguished schools in our country such as the Victoria Institution have their own trust funds to sponsor extra-curricular activities to boost their standing, glory and honour.

"Similarly, the old boys' association has decided that the time is right to set up such a fund to sponsor sports activities and for the school band.

"We will get the old Edwardians to contribute to this fund," said the president of Old Edwardian Kuala Lumpur.

The 125th anniversary was launched by Dr Ling, an old Edwardian and the only Edwardian to have been bestowed with the title Tun.

Abdul Shukor said the dinner was expected to be held in August while the coffee-table book, co-ordinated by Media Prima chairman Datuk Abdul Mutalib Razak, would be published beforehand to be sold to the old boys.

Abdul Mutalib said the book was nearing completion and that only 3,000 copies would be printed, adding that the price per copy had not yet been determined.

"The book will contain the school's history, biodata of headmasters and principals, stories of outstanding Edwardians and scholarly articles reprinted from the school's old magazines," he said.

Among the personalities who studied at the school were Sultan Iskandar Shah and Sultan Abdul Aziz Almustasim Billah Shah, the 30th and 31st rulers of Perak; and Yusof Ishak, who was the first president of Singapore.

The Raja Permaisuri of Perak Tuanku Bainun was once on a teaching stint at the school.

Meanwhile, Mohaideen Mohd Ishack, president of the Old Edwardian Association Malaysia, said a museum displaying achievements of the old Edwardians would be set up to motivate present-day students to excel in all fields.

The School's Grand Celebration