Brother Ultan Paul at the Helm

1961 – Brother Ultan Paul Rosario takes SMI to new vistas of pre-                  eminence   

·       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)

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. Brother Casimir Hannon Mr Eric Gomez

 The Rotary Debating Shield was won by the school year after year for several years, thanks largely to the expert coaching of  Mr Eric Gomez and Brother Casimir Hannon.

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. 

Brother Paul with senior members of the Staff 1962

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)