1961 – Brother Ultan Paul Rosario takes SMI to new
vistas of pre- eminence
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The choice
of Brother Ultan Paul Rosario as successor to Brother Pius was welcomed by all
Michaelians.
Brother Paul had long association with the school and
had attained a position of great ascendancy and popularity by reason of his
exceptional charisma
CLASS PHOTOGRAPH FROM
ST.PAUL’s HIGH SCHOOL,RANGOON,BURMA ,
with Brother Basil Voon – Former
Michaelian – as teacher with the future Brother U. Paul seated on his left.
Brother
Paul had been part of SMI’ s story since 1939 and , had seen its tragic eclipse
when the Japanese forces came.He had helped to rescue vital equipment , as well as as the bronze
statue of La Salle that had dominated the facade of the school – all because he
knew that one day SMI would rise again . He was part of the post-war miracle of
recovery, his name would forever be linked to the success of the SMI soccer teams throughout the 1950s.The
future Datuk Professor Khoo Kay Kim was a notably effective soccer captain at
this time
A New 4-Storey Block rises...
In
January 1961 as Brother Paul returned to take charge, his quiet style and sound
basic values were soon in evidence, particularly his emphasis on academic
excellence. It was a period of phenomenal growth in numbers and he was forced
to extend the schools facilities. His dream was for no half measures: the 4-storey
new block was to represent a doubling of floor area to provide a
magnificent new library, several spacious labs, a large staff room, a new
canteen and administration offices. It made for convenience that the new block
was integrated into the main building
The new block was officially opened on 27 July 1968 by the Honourable Minister
for Education, Encik Mohamad Khir Johari .
The
cost came to $700,000.00. The Government gave 10% while class collections over
a period of three years reached a record $100,000. Much of the balance came
from small donations from a great many people. Brother Paul personally joined
Dr Lip Seng Chiew, Dr.M.E.Tiruchelvam and Mr Yap Yin Fah in approaching the
school’s traditional well-wishers to solicit financial assistance
Societies flourish......
“Bliss it was in that dawn to
be alive but to be young was very
heaven.......”(William Wordsworth)
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The Interact Club
under the auspices of the Ipoh Rotary Club was inaugurated in 1964 with Lee
Lam Thye ,then in Form 4, as its first secretary. It provided successive groups of members with training in
leadership,organisation and community service. The Club’s annual event
Beatnite became a major event on the school’s calendar for many years.
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The St.John Ambulance Brigade won top state
and national awards year after year.
Pic above shows Brother Paul receiving a special award for his services to the St John Ambulance Brigade from Prime Minister Tun Haji Abdul Razak bin Hussein.
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| Brother Paul with senior members of the Staff 1962 |
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| Bro Paul with Thomas Cup heroes 1962 among them Ng Boon Bee and Tan Yee Khan. Also in pic is Mr Lim Kean Hooi (far Right) |
