Dear friends, After the
naming a Lecture Theatre at the Maktab Perguruan Tuanku Bainun by Her
Highness Tuanku Bainun herself on 28th April 2005, and with all the other
excitements we recently had about Kirkby in our national newspapers and TV,
at last the name of Kirkby is again spoken by many people, some of whom,
were not aware of the existence of Kirkby I manage to
get some information about how the naming of Kirkby Hall at Maktab
Perguruan Tuanku Bainun had taken
place. Please read the extract below. I was also informed that
other newspapers such as Nan Yang Siang Pow and The Straits Time were also
doing an article about Kirkby. My!! we suddenly are getting publicity everywhere
aren’t we? Perhaps some
of you had missed the article in The Sunday Star, dated 28th
& 31st August. I have reproduced the article sending to me
by Mr Julian Mathews himself. May I take this opportunity in thanking Julian Mathew
for remembering us. Happy reading Zainal Abidin Manaf
.
Third Batch Kirkby – 1953-55
October
2005, 22nd Series
c/o 1018 Lorong Gunung Rapat 2
31350
Tel: 05-3127411
E-mail: haji02@pd.jaring.my
The
idea of remembering Kirkby in the form of naming one of the education
institutions started during a meeting of the Organising Committee celebrating
the 50th Anniversary at Concode Hotel Kuala Lumpur on 15thSeptember
2001. It was only in May 2003 an appeal letter was sent to Y Bhg Datuk Abdul
Rafie bin Haji Mahat, Ketua Pengarah Kementerian Pendidikan Malaysia by Tan Sri
Dr Yahya Ibrahim (1952-54). The following is the extract of his letter:-
“ In the
pre-independent Malaysia, the shortage of school teachers in the early 1950s
led the Malayan Government then to establish Kirkby Teachers’ Training College
in Liverpool where each year 150 young Malayan school lavers with excellent
academic results were selected and sent to be trained as teachers to serve in
Malayan schools
Over ten years
duration of this programme nearly 1,500 teachers were trained and they did
Malaysia proudby being the backbone of the teaching service for over ten years until the local teacher
training colleges were able to supply the required teachers.
Many of these
“Kirkbyites” have gone on to obtain undergraduate and postgraduate education
and served the country admirably during their working years. Others have joined
the Malaysian Foreign Service and served ably as Malaysian Ambassadors overseas
and some became great politicians, captains of industry, judges and leading
lawyers....
We make this appeal to
Kementerian Pendidikan
It
was only in March 22nd, 2004 that a letter addressed to Tan Sri
Yahaya by Pengarah Maktab Perguruan Tuanku Bainun that the Ministry has
approved to name “Dewan Kuliah A” of the college as “Dewan Kirkby”
On
behalf of all Kirkbyites I would like to express our heartfelt thanks to Tan
Sri Yahaya Ibrahim for bringing up the good name of Kirkby again. I suppose due
this event that our local newspapers and TV are also doing their parts in
re-remembering Kirkby.
Kirkbyites
who attended the official naming ceremony of Dewan Kirkby at Maktab Perguruan
Tuanku Bainun at Mengkuang, Bukit Mertajam, Pulau Pinang on 28th April, 2005 were:
|
1.
D.Y.M.M. Raja Permaisuri Perak Tuanku Bainun |
||||
|
2. |
Y.Bhg. Dato’ Dr Hj Yahaya
Ibrahim ( now Tan Sri) |
6. |
Encik Lee Keng Yew |
|
3. |
Y.Bhg. Dato’ Haji Mohd
Sidek Elamdin |
7. |
Puan Mary Lim & |
|
4. |
Y.Bhg. Dato’ |
8. |
Puan Paravarthy Kumarasamy |
|
5. |
Encik Tan Beng Theam |
9. |
Encik Khoo Yeoh Gan Hong |
From Chiam Tah Wen (1954-56 )
Dear Tuan Haji Zainal,
Many thanks for your latest newsletter. I
read with great interest some of the articles written by the children of our
former lecturers. These articles would invariably trigger in our minds our
nostalgic memory of Kirkby and the good old days in far- away
Over breakfast table, lunch,
dinner, Teachers' Day etc, the children in their inquisitive mind must have
tried to know what the Kirkby experiment was about: the innovative concept, the
great inter-racial harmony, the " one-for-all and all- for-one "
attitude, the lecturing and administrative staff who went out of their way to
be helpful, the kitchen staff who were always ready to help out the tired and
hungry students with a loaf of bread and some hot milk at 10.00 pm in a winter
night after a long day out in town , and the Matron who would always order a student with a
slight fever or running nose to be kept in the Sick Bay for a day or two for
fear of outbreak of flu! The children must also have heard about the ragging,
the celebrations and festivals at Kirkby and the continental trips of their
parents. Some of these incidents and episodes must have affected their
upbringing and the growing-up process. We would be happy to hear what they have
to say.
With Best wishes to you and
all other Kirkbyites.
Chiam Tah Wen
My Dear friends,
With a heavy heart I have to inform you that our good friend Tuan
Haji Abdul Jamil b Hj Abd Halim passed
away on 25th September 2005 just after he had sent me the following article dated 19th
September, 2005. May his soul rest in peace.-- Alfatihah.......
SEMOGA ALLAH MENCUCURI RAHMAT
KE ATAS BELIAU
From: Abdul Jamil b Hj Abd
Halim
19 Sept 2005.
Dear Zainal,
In 14th series, I
have promised to send you extract from a travel book written by one Encik Harun Aminul Rashid, an ex-teacher turned journalist, regarding his
visit to
It has been quite a time since June 2003.
Anyway I believe it is better late than never. I am now sending you the said
extracts. They are written in Malay using the old spelling.
This writer wrote that he saw and then gave
his personal opinions, more like the style of old Munshi Abdullah. We may agree
with his opinions or we may not, as his visit to Kirkby was made for just for
an overnight stay, which mans that he never saw the real Kirkby.
I
take this article of some sort of a record for us to read and keep. You may
print all or pick the Kirkby story.
I
have in my possession the writer’s book, entitled TERBANG KE BARAT printed in
1961. It actually belongs to my late father who was then a Head Teacher of a
Well,
Zainal, that’s about all for now. I may write again soon.
Best
wishes to you and family. Please don’t strain and don’t sprain. You are a
valuable asset to all our Kirkby mates. May Allah continue giving you all the
strength and good health.
Sallam
Your buddy,
Abdul Jamil Hj Abd Halim
College No:305, Block 8.
Since the article was written in old Bahasa
Malayu, I would prefer to keep it to its original style.
The following is the extract
:
“Saya sampai
kawasan Kirkby ini betul pada pukul 1.20 tengah-hari, iaitu kira-kira sembilan
batu jauhnya dari bandar
Mula-mula saya sangka
Yang dikatakan
Saya sampai disini disambut oleh guru besarnya Mr
Bert William. Beliau inilah yang menjadi Principal yang pertama kali college
ini. Ia pertengahan umor, orangnya lembut, dalam bercakap-cakap memang ia
seorang guru yang baik dipilih untuk mendidik anak-anak
Dalam bercakap-cakap dengan Guru Besarnya itu
dapatlah saya keterangan serba sedikit berkenaan college itu. Katanya sebab pun
tempat ini dipilih menjadi Malayan Teachers’ Training College, kerana di sini
tempatnya lapang dan terjauh dari kawasan ramai dan sibok. Penuntut-penuntut
yang dihantar belajar ke sini semuanya dengan pilihan Pejabat Pelajaran Tanah
Melayu.Pengajaran-pengajaran yang terutama dilatih dan diajar kepada penuntut-penuntut
itu ialah mempelajari kaedah mengajar dan mendidik cara
Oleh sebab hari Sabtu, tiadalah peluang saya
melihat penuntut-penuntut itu belajar. Kebanyakan murid-murid keluar berjalan,
ada juga yang tiada keluar. Mereka bermutalaah sendiri, dan bermain badminton.
Penuntut-penuntut di sini menerima pelajarannya dengan jalan mendengar sharahan
dari guru-gurunya dari pukul 9.30 pagi hingga pukul 1.00 petang. Hari Sabtu dan
Minggu cuti. Diantara pelajaran-pelajarannya termasuk pelajaran Bahasa Melayu
yang diajar oleh Che’gu Sulaiman bin Hamzah. Semua guru-guru seramai 31 orang
kebanyakannya guru-gurunya dipilih dari guru-guru yang pernah mengajar di
College.
Ramai penuntutnya pada masa itu ialah 399 orang,
diantaranya 157 lelaki 142 orang perempuan. Dalam seramai itu 100 orang
penuntut Melayu, iaitu 80 lelaki dan 20 orang perempuan. Lama belajar 2 tahun
yang dibelanjakan oleh Kerajaan Persekutuan Tanah Melayu. Pada tiap-tiap
seorang £2000. Penuntut-penuntut menerima belanja saku pada tiap bulan £2 dan
masa bercuti £4. College ini mula dibuka pada sehari bulan Januari 1952,
dengan pnuntutnya mula-mula seramai 100
orang. Oleh sebab penuntut-pwnuntut ini dari berbagai-bagai bangsa iaitu
Walau pun udara sejuk tetapi penuntut-penuntut
perempuan Melayu di college ini terus memakai chara Melayu, hanya bila
berjalan-jalan keluar baharu memakai baju sejuk. Pada tiap-tiap malam minggu
diadakan majlis dancing diantara penuntut-penuntut itu.
Esoknya pagi kira-kira pukul 11.30 saya berlepas
dari Kirkby dengan dihantar oleh penuntut-penuntut Melayu laki-laki dan
perempuan dengan secara bergurau mereka berkata : Sampaikan rindu kasihnya
kepada keluarga dan Tanah Ayernya yang dikasihi.......”
Written
by:
Harun Aminul Rashid
The following letter is from Louis Cheong (1954-1956)
Dear Zainal,
This photo ( taken 50 years
ago) is produced to rekindle the nostalgia of cold, snowless, awesome morning
of 25th January 1955, i.e. Chinese New Year Day (Year of the Goat)
in
In heralding simultaneously the traditional
Festive Celebration in Malaya, the Kiriby Dragon Dance Troupe comprising
Kirkbyites of classes 1953-1954, clad smartly in Mr Woolley’s black, woolen,
track tops and white pants, went around the college premises with great
excitement and enthusiasm. The beating of the small drum, handed down by our
super seniors awaken the understanding residents peeking curiously at us out of
the windows and cheering and shouting “Happy New Year”
Every
member had once in a life time opportunity to outshine their skills in beating
to near perfection the correct rhythm of the typical tune and maneuvering dexterously
the tiny dragon head along the cemented paths between the black gloomy blocks.
That
memorable and eventful Dragon Dance procession was a thing of the past but
after five decades it can still be remembered by the sexagenarians and
septuagenarians.
Well,
Kirkbyites, in keeping with the Kirkby spirit of fellowship do drop a line or
two to the editor of the Kirkby Newsletter, Zainal Abidin Manaf , whose thirst
of information is overcoming his urge to keep shouting for you far and near.
Others in the photo are also curious to where you are and how you are faring.
I
would like to inform you that a group of Kirkbyites of ‘53 and ’54 have asked
me to start an aerobic dance class. This unique dance exercise incorporates all
the three components, i.e. Mr Wooley’s agile physical movements, our Dragon
Dance stances and my aerobic dance steps. We meet once a month.
If
you are residing in the vicinity of Petaling Jaya, come and join us for the
sake of our health and physical fitness.
Regards
Louis Cheong
Front Row (L to R):
1. The late Khaw Mong Hwa, 2. Ooi Phee Teck, 3. Soh Kai Yin, 4. Chan Swee Seng, 5. Wong
Choon Seng, 6. Loo San Hong, 7. Ed Keong Siew Liang, 8. Ooi Yeow Kim
Back Row (L to R):
1. Choy Yoon Choon, 2. The late Michael Yen, 3. Louis Cheong Koon Hoe, 4. Teoh Chye Teik,
5. Jimmy Toh, 6. Tong Wai
Kin, 7. Phung Tuck Yoon,8. Woo Kok Keong
Dear Louis,
You are right. I have been shouting far and near every time I
wanted to start a Newsletter. My shouting is not successful enough but thank
God, people like you and some others do answer to my call. Terima Kasih. I
don’t know how long more I have to shout. No more voice already la!
Subject: Reminiscing
Kirkby Days
From: Paul
Chong <pchong@upnaway.com>
REMINISCING
KIRKBY DAYS
Many Kirkbyites would recall
the days of "Peaceful Slumber" in place of "Private Study",
the rendezvous in Kirkby Woods or along the canal, week-end coach tours to
nearby places of interests, endless summer holidays in the continent. For the
romantics, what sweet remembrances of whispering sweet nothing in the quiet
room or the lingering at the doors of the girls' blocks reluctantly saying
good-night.
There
were "bookworms" among us who buried themselves in the library trying
to excel in their academic pursuit or winning trips on the "Blue
Funnel". For most in general getting a "pass" or "straight
As" made no difference at all. Sadly enough, it looks like many of those
"bookworms" are no longer with us. During such times as "Private
Study", our Papa Gurney used to be on the prowl and the Recreation Room
was on the danger list, lest one should be caught playing billiards or snooker
( a favourite pastime with many) or table-tennis.
To
the world at large, and
Recently,
I heard again an old favourite song of mine "One day When We Were
Young", and it brings home the fact that we could never return to our
youth . . . to the days gone by . . . when life seemed so easy and free. On
this extended holidays of ours, we have managed to return to our old home-town,
the old schools, the old place of work, visited old friends and colleagues who
are still around. Who would have thought that some people have passed on . . .
the old place had progressed beyond your own recognition . . . and misfortune
had befallen among some, while some unexpected ones have gone on successfully.
Back
to the scene at the Concorde Hotel, a comment was made that night . . . who
would have thought a Kirkbyite, Bainun Mohd Ali, would one day be the Queen of
Pity
that such reunion had never been organised in the past. It would be good to
keep the tradition going. A big thank you is in order to John Pillai and his
committee for such a task well done. Kirkyites have spread themselves to all
corners of the world, though many have remained and retired in the Golden
Chersonese. Keeping in touch these days electronically is so easy, instant and
cheap. There is absolutely no excuse for not trying.
Some
of us are would-be grand-parents, while some are. Some unfortunately have
passed on. For us who are still around, let's not neglect meeting together
regularly for the days ahead are not many. Today, we find ourselves scattered
all over the world - US, UK, Canada, Singapore, New Zealand, Australia with the
majority in the Golden Chersonese, the land of perpetual summer. Yesteryears
are gone and may tomorrow brings more glorious and exciting days!
Paul & Lilian Chong
(1959/60 and 1960/61)
From: Mr Chiam Tah Wen
August 9,
2005 was a day to remember.
Dear Friends,
A
good cross-section of Kirkbyites from the second batch (1952-1953) to the 4th
batch (1954-1956) as well as a sole representative from the Teacher Trainers
group (1962) met at a film studio in Shah Alam for a photo-shoot session to
commemorate the visit of Bapa
At the August 9 gathering,
the Kirkbyites though in their late sixties appeared to be pretty excited: they
hugged and embraced one another freely, with tears of joy rolling down their
cheeks. Many had not met for more than 50 years and were busy catching up on
old times -- swapping tales and anecdotes, both the probable and the
improbable. Present at the photo-shoot session was a Kirkbyite "Ho Chee
Min" shaking hands with a 12-year Principal of a big secondary school in
Kuala Lumpur, the articulate teacher of the animated Lats, the Kirkbyite mother
of the director of the award-winning Sepet which beat the much-publised Puteri
Gunung Ledang, the indefatigable Editor and producer of the 21-series Kirkby
Newsletters, and the Kirkbyite actor/actress and the popular "beauty queen"
who took part in "A Town Like Alice" which was then filmed at
Pinewood Studios in London, Australia and Malaya
Also
participating in the photo-shoot session was the Principal Assistant Director,
Ministry of Education who is now a consultant to private education, Tan Sri CEO
of Tafe Group of Colleges and former President of the Senate and Tan Sri
Pro-Chancellor of a University. Helping
out in the photo-shoot session which lasted for more than three hours was the
participating Kirkbyite mother of the Creative director and a bubbly assistant
of a world-renowned advertising organisation. This assistant just came back
from
Well,
to see the result of the photo-shoot and the film? Please switch on your TV
from August 25 onwards. You may catch it on Astro, TV1, TV2, TV3, ntv7 etc.
All
the best to Kirkbyites and anyone interested in education. As someone has
remarked "the seed of professional training of teachers in Malaya/Malaysia
was planted in this first-class
Chiam Tah Wen
|
May I take
this opportunity to wish all my Muslim friends SELAMAT BERPUASA & SELAMAT HARI RAYA AIDILFITHRI
Maaf Zahir Batin
|