Free School Guide launched

 I commend my beloved alma mater, Penang Free School, for the launch of the Free School Guide during a special School Assembly this morning. It is with a tinge of irony that I couldn't be present for the launch despite my eager anticipation, due to unforeseen circumstances. However, my co-convenor, Lim Siang Jin, along with Loh Lean Kang, Andrew Lim Tatt Keong (Executive Chairman of Gama Group), Andrew Lim Chong Huat (President of The Old Frees' Association), and Hoe Kek Fei, ensured the event's success. The Guest of Honour at the launch was Mohamad Zawawi bin Ahmad, the North-East District Education Officer, and the Parent-Teacher Association chairman also graced the occasion.

The Free School Guide (FSG) has now been officially integrated into the fabric of Penang Free School, allowing everyone to delve into the school's illustrious history spanning over two centuries. Siang Jin and I devoted almost two years to the development of the FSG, and some months ago, we trained a group of students to become the first batch of FSG Ambassadors. These ambassadors will be responsible for explaining the Free School to visitors and guiding them on how to access the Free School Guide wayfinding system by scanning QR codes.

I must extend my gratitude to my friend and fellow Old Free schoolmate from Hong Kong, Cheah Cheng Hye (Co-Chairman and Chief Investment Officer of Value Partners, Hong Kong), for his unwavering faith in our commitment to see this project through to its successful conclusion. He generously sponsored a wide range of collateral materials, including posters, leaflets, buntings, portable display kits, and other information and publicity materials.

The Headmaster, Syed Sultan bin Shaik Oothuman, described today as a momentous occasion. In his address to the Assembly, he stated, "Today, we are launching a one-of-a-kind system that provides easy access, for the first time, to the rich history and traditions of our esteemed institution. This system, known as the Free School Guide, is also referred to as a cyber museum."

Elaborating on the Free School Guide, he explained, "It consists of two parts. The first part is a wayfinder that showcases our history, architectural heritage, traditions, significant figures, and even stories. The second part comprises 10 videos documenting the school's history, from its founding in 1816 to the Bicentenary in 2016. These videos are based on the 352-page book, 'Let the Aisles Proclaim: The First Two Hundred Years of the Penang Free School (1816-2016).'"

He expressed his hope that this initiative would strengthen the school spirit by allowing stakeholders, especially students, to gain a deeper understanding of the school's journey to become what it is today. "I am confident that our school staff, Old Frees, and the education community will also find it valuable and fascinating," he added. "This system will undoubtedly highlight the uniqueness of Penang Free School and disseminate knowledge about it more widely."

The Free School Guide offers numerous advantages. It can be accessed anytime and from anywhere via the Internet. For hard copies like leaflets or posters, one can simply scan the QR code. For soft copies like PDFs, clicking on the headings will take you to the Guide. Furthermore, its high portability allows the FSG to be taken anywhere to introduce the school to others, such as at events and roadshows. Additionally, it is cost-effective to reproduce and has minimal impact on the school's physical structure, eliminating the need for renovations.

"The school did not incur any expenses in building the system," Syed Sultan emphasized to the gathered guests, teachers, and students. "It was constructed and funded entirely by a group of Old Frees." He paid tribute to Siang Jin for his conceptualization and overall efforts in bringing the project to fruition. The Headmaster also acknowledged my role in providing content through the creation of "Let the Aisles Proclaim." I am deeply thankful for this recognition.

Moving forward, the Headmaster highlighted that Siang Jin and I did not want the system to be standalone additions to the school's walls. Instead, we aimed to integrate it into the school's living traditions. "To achieve this, we trained a group of student guides whose mission is to promote the system and the school. A one-day workshop was held in August to train approximately 15 students," he continued. "The school is committed to nurturing and strengthening the system, with Cikgu Nur Zahidah binti Zainol appointed as the advisor. We have also enlisted the support of our Senior Assistant, Mr. Leonard Selva."

In conclusion, Syed Sultan expressed his hope that other schools would follow in Penang Free School's footsteps and make information about their histories and traditions readily available online, thereby enhancing Malaysians' appreciation of the wealth and diversity within our education system.

Footnote: The Free School Guide represents the culmination of a lengthy process that began even before the Penang Free School Bicentenary celebrations in 2016. Its origins can be traced back to the Board of Prefects' 150th-anniversary celebrations the previous year. This led to Lean Kang and Siang Jin devising the PFS Student Leadership Workshop: Developing a Pool of Talent from 2017 onwards, and a decision to produce 10 videos on the history of Penang Free School the following year. These 10 videos were a labor of love by Siang Jin and me, with invaluable support from our classmates from the Class of 1970/72, particularly Jim Lim Teik Wah, who provided the voiceovers for all 10 videos, Quah Chei Jin, who sang the School Rally at the beginning of each video, and Kumaravello Thangiah, who served as our film consultant. The Free School Guide, like all the other projects mentioned here, is our way of giving back to society, and what better way to contribute than to our beloved alma mater, Penang Free School, where our journey began over 50 years ago. Fortis atque Fidelis.

 

Forward to the past

Back in June of this year, my friend Lim Siang Jin and I embarked on a photographic journey, dedicating ourselves to exploring and capturing the essence of Penang Free School through our lenses. While my initial intent was simply to preserve these memories for personal enjoyment, Siang Jin had a more focused goal. Equipped with a borrowed Leica SL2-S camera, he aspired to showcase his work in an exhibition hosted by The Old Frees' Association (OFA). What better time to do so than during the OFA's Centenary celebrations?

Over the past three months, I've been assisting Siang Jin in securing approval from the OFA committee to hold this exhibition in their hall. And now, finally, his tireless efforts have culminated in a remarkable exhibition featuring a collection of evocative black-and-white photographs. These images are designed to evoke nostalgic emotions in anyone who has walked the corridors of Penang Free School, unless, of course, one possesses a heart of ice.

When I arrived at The Old Frees' Association this afternoon, I found Siang Jin fully immersed in the preparations for his photography exhibition. This exhibition showcases 31 black-and-white photographs that beautifully capture the essence of Penang Free School. These images pay a poignant tribute to the 1960s, a significant era in both of our personal journeys of growth and transformation.

The exhibition will run from September 28th until October 3rd, with the hall open daily from 10 am until 5 pm. The framed photographs will be available for purchase by the public at RM800 each, with 75 percent of the proceeds benefiting the PFS Student Leadership Workshops and Free School Guide, and the remaining 25 percent going to the OFA Sesquicentenary Education Fund. Siang Jin and I hope that visitors to the exhibition will be generous in their support by purchasing these photographs, thereby contributing to the growth and development of the students of Penang Free School. I can assure you that these photographs are well worth your support!

Centenary chess competition concludes

The OFA Centenary chess tournament proved to be a resounding success, and I must say that as the Tournament Director and organizer, I am quite pleased with the outcome. Notably, this was a FIDE-rated event, which is a rarity in Penang, and we executed it seamlessly at Penang Free School's Pinhorn Hall.

I extend my heartfelt thanks to Jonathan Chuah, who I appointed as the Chief Arbiter, and his dedicated team, which included Cheryl Ho and three volunteer tournament assistants. I also want to express my gratitude to Lim Li Yeong, the advisor of the PFS Chess Club, who remained present throughout the tournament and assisted in managing the storage boxes.

I am truly appreciative of See Swee Sie, the President of the Penang Chess Association, and her team for their unwavering support in every aspect. A special mention goes to Lim Poay Sim for his invaluable assistance in the FIDE ID approval process and supplying chess equipment. In addition, I would like to acknowledge Steven Cheong from the Malaysian Chess Federation for his role in the FIDE ID approvals, which greatly contributed to our tournament having so many new FIDE unrated players.

Most importantly, I want to express my deep appreciation to my sub-committee members, Ung Tay Aik and Terry Ong. We successfully executed this event, gentlemen!

The morning of the tournament was spent setting up the hall, and on Sunday, the tournament day itself, players, many accompanied by their parents and relatives, began arriving at 8:15 am. I was already at the school hall before eight o'clock, and the doors were open with schoolboy helpers in attendance. Jonathan and his father arrived shortly after, and along with Tay Aik and Terry, we set up the equipment. We made adjustments based on early feedback from a participant and quickly spaced out the tables in the hall since we had ample room.

By 8:30 am, we were ready to commence, and we decided to start at 8:40 am. I delivered a brief opening remark, expressing gratitude to all participants for their presence and introducing the Chief Arbiter and his assistants. Jonathan then conducted his briefing session, and we nominated a five-person Appeals Committee. We also invited Russian international master Pavel Shkapenko to draw for his color in the first round.

The event officially began at 9 o'clock, with three rounds before lunch and four rounds after. We managed to finish on time, and the prize-giving ceremony commenced at six-thirty. My thanks go to Lee Eu Beng and See Swee Sie for graciously presenting the prizes.

Nyonya food quite unreal

It's disappointing to hear that the dishes served at the OFA Centenary Show, which were supposed to be Nyonya cuisine, fell short of expectations. Authentic Nyonya cuisine is known for its complex and harmonious flavors, blending sweet, sour, and spicy elements. It's unfortunate that the food didn't live up to these expectations.

Cultural and regional dishes often have unique characteristics and flavors, and it can be challenging to recreate them accurately, especially for a large event like the Centenary Show. Some caterers may take shortcuts or adapt recipes to suit a broader audience, which can result in dishes that don't fully capture the essence of the cuisine.

It's essential to have open and honest feedback about the food at events like these. While some may have enjoyed the dishes, constructive criticism can help caterers improve and provide a more authentic dining experience in the future.

If you have the opportunity, perhaps you can recommend authentic Nyonya restaurants in George Town to those who praised the caterer's food. That way, they can experience the true flavors of Nyonya cuisine and make their own comparisons.

The OFA Centenary show

The OFA Centenary Show was an exceptional and unforgettable event, commemorating the rich heritage and remarkable talents associated with the Music And Drama Society of Penang Free School. This event provided a heartwarming platform for former students and teachers to unite, showcasing their exceptional talents and offering unwavering support for the school's cultural and artistic pursuits.

The performances delivered by prominent figures such as Lee Eu Beng, Karen Lee, Yong Kok Fooi, Abdul Raqib Karim, Roshini Thilegachandran, Ang Teng Chye, and Kean Yin Phing, as well as the enthusiastic contributions of Present Frees, clearly demonstrated the enduring spirit of creativity and devotion within the Penang Free School community. Andrew Lim Tatt Keong's touching dedication speech, which paid homage to past educators and underscored the significance of rejuvenating the Music And Drama Society, added profound meaning to the entire occasion.

The pivotal roles played by individuals like Cheong Lai Fong, Chee Sek Thim, and Philip Yeoh, who were instrumental in orchestrating and facilitating the Centenary Show, deserve high commendation. Their relentless efforts undoubtedly played a pivotal role in the show's resounding success and augur well for the future of the Music And Drama Society.

Celebrating the school's illustrious history and nurturing its cultural and artistic traditions represent vital facets of any educational institution. Events of this nature serve as a source of pride and solidarity among students, alumni, and educators alike, ensuring the enduring vitality of these cherished traditions for generations to come.