Back to School

On 16th July 2011, I stepped back into my school, St. George's Institution (SGI) after 9 years. The last time I remember going to school was in 2002 when I attended my schools 'Canteen Day'. I started schooling in SGI in 1997 and was there until I finished form 5 in 2001. As my batch mates were still around in form 6, I revisited the school a few times in the year 2002. Those visits being the last until two weeks back.

My mother broke the news to me that the school she works in, Sekolah Semangat Maju (SSM) will be putting up a stall in my schools 'Canteen Day' on the 16th July. I was so happy. What an opportunity to visit my school again. A lot of people say that I should not have any problem visiting SGI from time to time as I live in Taiping and I work in Hospital Taiping which is just beside my school. Well, easier said than done. It’s not easy just to walk into your school unless you're a 'somebody' which I am definitely not. I needed an excuse, I needed an event and it finally came.

Saturday morning I woke up and stepped back into my school and it ended up being one of the happiest days of my life. A feeling of overwhelming happiness engulfed me as I rode my motorcycle into the school compound. The school has changed a bit, not its spirit but physically. The old and worn out basketball court has been totally renovated into a new court, thanks to Georgian Class of '78 and also Law Tzuo Hann's Long Way Home. The school hall and canteen which had only cement floors have been changed to tiles.

Even though there were some physical changes, the Georgian Spirit remains strong as ever. All around students and teachers were working hard at their stalls. It was so crowded and in every corner you can see Georgians and Georgianas in their different class, club or sports t-shirts all carrying the St. George emblem proudly. It made me proud to see the Georgian spirit still burning high. Students were having loads of fun, working in their stalls, trying to get sales going, dancing to the songs from the DJ, listening to live band performances in the hall, it was just too good.

I walked around the school, going to every corner that I use to hang out. I had my breakfast at the same bench in front of the teacher's room that I and my friends use to chill during recess time when we were schooling. I checked out club notice boards, and was surprised to see my picture was still there in the St. John Ambulance Malaysia notice board even after 10 years leaving the school. There were flashes of memories all around. I chilled in the school hall, remembering the countless assembly, loads of performances, the chorus speaking practices and the 'Hari Anugerah' which my father will attend every year to see his son receive certificates of excellent achievement in education. Now it’s nothing more than memories. Also took some time to chill on the science lab staircase, remembering the amount of fun we use to have in the labs. The labs were our playground.

In the midst of all these happiness, a tinge of sadness that none of my batch mates were around to share it with. But after a few phone calls, I learned that a good friend of mine, Tenes was on his way to Taiping from KL and will be coming straight to the school. As the 'Canteen Day' went on, I could not stop to talk to most of the teachers as they were very busy. But, I did talk to Pn.Rima, my class teacher in form 5Sc1, currently class teacher of 3A4 and bought a few things from her class stall.

It was nearing noon and some of the stalls were already closing. I watched the 'Street Soccer' tournament in the volleyball court. The boys are really good. Well what would you expect from Georgians. This is the very same volleyball court that I use to have my marching training and was use to be tortured in the sun every week. Back then it was torture and painful, now its happy memories that you want to re-live just one more time.

As it neared 1.00pm, most of the stalls have closed, cleaning was underway and only a handful of people were still around, teachers and students of course. I went back and sat on the bench I had breakfast in the morning. This was the very same place that I use to chill with my friends everyday during recess time, the same place. My thoughts pondered bringing me back 10-11 years, the amazing time we had, the unforgettable incidences, I was in a world of my own, and time was at a stand still as I relived my happy moments.

Then I was startled by a voice, back to reality and I saw my friend was already here. He was accompanied by his mother, his elder brother (ex Georgian) and his cousin brother (current Georgian). Together we once again roamed the school. This time we went to the classrooms in the new block. These are the classrooms which I studied in when I was in from 1, form 3 and form 4. To be standing in the same classroom that I have studied in 14 years ago was nostalgic. Currently they have around 24 - 26 students per class. Very different form our days when we had 40 - 43 students per class, which was way much fun.

After a grand tour around the school, we were back in the school canteen to see our former teachers cleaning up the school. They still had so much of dedication after all these years. I thought long years would have faltered their will and dedication, but it had only made their spirit stronger. We went and spoke to them. Not many teachers were around; most of them had already retired. We manage to meet and speak to Pn.Nazian (Chemistry teacher), Pn.Kunavathi (Moral teacher), Mr. Sri Rengan (History teacher) and Mr. Rama (PE teacher). It was wonderful to speak with them again. It was more touching to know that after all these years they still remember our names.

Talking with the teachers we learned that currently the school is collecting fund for our new 4 storey building which will replace the current Bengkel Kemahiran Hidup. This 4 storey building will be home to the form 6 classes. RM400 000.00 has been collected and the plans has been submitted to the local town council. Looks like SGI is still going strong after all these years without the help and assistance of our district education department. Felt sad a bit after hearing this new plan. Though I was happy there will be a new building, I felt sad that I am not able to contribute anything for it. What a disappointment I have become towards my school.

Then and there I fixed in my mind, I have to do something for my beloved alma mater. When I do not know, whether big or small I do not know but I will do something. It’s a promise I made to myself, a promise that I will definitely fulfil. It was almost 2.15pm, and the school was almost deserted besides less than 10 teachers and students clearing up last few things. It was time to go back home.

It was a great day indeed. A day filled with 5 years of amazing memories all re-lived in one single moment. Will I get another chance to do this again I do not know and if I do, I do not know whether I will feel the same. But this moment I will cherish forever, one of the happiest day of my life. All my friends who were with me during my school days remember that we are Georgians and we will forever be Georgians.

"ONCE A GEORGIAN, ALWAYS A GEORGIAN"