bobjots : redux

I was just reminded that my Alma Mater, St. Anthony’s School of Teluk Anson / Teluk Intan, is commemorating her 77th year this year. Not very old as far as La Sallian schools go but one that has seen 3 generations of my family pass through her portals. But not many people can claim that they went to the same school their grandfathers and their fathers did.

It was always a source of quiet amusement for me that at least one of the teachers who taught me was actually old enough to remember my father when he was a student in the school. He was, unfortunately, extremely disappointed in me as I never displayed the same acumen for mathematics the same way my father did. Ah well .. if he taught English Literature, maybe he would’ve been less disappointed. At least that was one subject that both my father and I did equally well. It was also a poignant feeling when in my 3rd form, I found out that I could actually see my great-grandfather’s grave marker from my classroom window (yep .. the school was right next to the old Teluk Intan Christian Cemetery).

We also had our little shenanigans in the old school, especially in the Chapel (see picture above). The old Chapel was barely visited as there’d been no resident Christian brothers in the school since 1977 (does it even still exist?) so it was the responsibility of the members of the Young Christian Students movement (also known at various times as the Young Catholic Students and finally as the Young Concerned Students) to occasionally go in and clean up the dust kittens and stuff. You can imagine the fun we had with no adult supervision!

Anyway .. to dear old St. Anthony’s School and all Anthonians out there .. many happy returns and may the old Alma Mater’s flame continue to burn bright. Old Boys and Girls of St. Anthony’s School might want to consider joining the Alumni Association, eh?