A tribute to Malacca High School's old faithful


He received his formal education in St. Francis Institution. During his school days, he was very active in extra curricular activities especially in Red Cross and Scouting. He first started teaching in 1954 and was posted to Bandar Hilir Primary School. After serving there for just one day, he was transferred to Malacca High School mainly because of his association with the Red Cross Society. For the next 15 years, he taught various subjects namely English, Geography and History. In 1969, he applied for a transfer to Kuala Trengganu where he taught in Sekolah Menengah Sultan Sulaiman. He settled there for 5 years before being posted back to Malacca High School in 1974.

Altogether, Mr. Das has served 9 headmasters, the first being Mr. E.H. Bromley and finally, our present headmaster, Tuan Haji Abdul Rafie bin Haji Mahat. During the period of about 30 years in Malacca High School, he saw various changes in the school as well as in the students. When he first came here, there were only 600 to 700 students with two blocks building. The hostel which was introduced to accomodate students from rural areas, had about 100 to 150 hostelites. Facilities were very limited then. Year after year, more land was acquired and new buildings were added.

When he first served here, he found the students to be well disciplined, hard-working, polite and trancy was almost non existent. They faced a lot of hardships and brought glory to the school. Many of those students now have become prominent figures not only in the government service but also in the private sector. Nowadays, students are caught up with the 'paper chase phobia'.

When Mr. Das retires, he hopes to probe into the history of the Malacca High School, updating it to the present time and also activate the High School Old-Boys Association in Kuala Lumpur which has become dormant. After serving in Malacca High School for more than 30 years, he has the following message for the students and the teachers.

'I am proud to have been associated with the Malacca High School. I hope that the students will spontaneously understand the high standard, esteem and expextations that the outside world is expecting of this premier school. Live up to the standards established by our predecessors. Give the fullest cooperation to the Principal, teachers, prefects and peers. Work in love and harmony with disregard of origin, race, colour or status. Maintain the glory of the school and keep the flag flying high not forgetting that your children will one day walk into the gates of Malacca High School.

Although Mr. Das, a married man with 4 children; his eldest son being a journalist in Bangkok while the other 3 are still studying, he is a very active teacher - founder of the Red Cross Society in Malacca High School, Advisor of the Prefects' Board, a Scout Master and a true sports person, actively involved in the school's sport activities.

Before we bid farewell to a teacher well remembered, we, the Editorial Board, on behalf of the Principal, staff and students of the Malacca High School, would
Ike to wish Mr. Das many happy years of retirement with hopes that he will not hesitate to step into the Malacca High School again.

Bon voyage to an 'old faithful'

The Editorial Board 1988

Page 22 the Optimist 1988, Issue 67


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