FT Member Vincent Ooi, an alumni of St. Xavier's Institution, gives his first hand account of Bro Paul's retirement ceremony which was held on 19 June 2009. Thanks Vince.
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It always feels good to be walking along the hallowed corridors of my alma mater, St. Xavier's Institution. Although, this trip I made last Friday morning, with my bunch of good old friends, I felt a slight tinge of melancholy and sadness. It was no ordinary occasion that was unravelling in school that day, in fact a momentous event I'd say, and a new beginning for St. Xavier's Institution.
Yep you guessed it right, I was in school for Bro. Paul's retirement ceremony. For those of you who don't know, Bro Paul Ho is the last Bro. Principal of a Lasallian school in Malaysia. His retirement marks, quite rightly the end of the La Salle Brothers principalship in all Lasallian schools across Malaysia.
Besides having the distinction of being the first locally-trained Lasallian Brother to head a school, he is also the longest-serving Brother Principal in any Lasallian schools in all of Malaysia. So naturally, the occasion was a huge one to savour, and it took me a while to realize that after Bro. Paul leaves, the school is bound to have changes.
SXI will have a first lay-person principal for the first time in its 157 years of existence, and I'm sure, his arrival will be a much-anticipated one, not only for the current Xaverians and teachers, but for us old boys as well.
The ceremony was simple, and the presence of many other old boys marked an even more fitting tribute and a testament to Bro. Paul's leadership and influence in the school ever since 1993. Also present was Bro. Karl Wolff, former Bro. Principal of SXI who is currently residing in the school grounds, Bro. Thomas Lavin, Bro. Director for Malaysia, Singapore and Hong Kong, Bro. Anthony Rogers, Bro Director for Malaysia and a few other distinguished guests and representatives from the Ministry of Education.
A few teachers and administrators took turns to give their congratulatory speeches to Bro Paul for his contributions all these years, and when it was finally Bro. Paul's turn to speak, all heads turned towards his direction. After all, never again will the current Xaverians, and us old boys, and the old boys before us see another white-robed figure strutting down the school corridors, shouting out instructions or giving advice while still maintaining their presence.
His last message was filled with encouragement, for staff and students alike, and that hoping at the same time the Lasallian legacy will live on, even though the Brothers will no longer be there to head the schools.
Rightafter, Bro. Paul was asked to complete a symbolic act - cutting of balloons and releasing 'em up into the sky, which also at the same time marks the end of the special assembly.
As a personal reflection, I'm deeply grateful for Bro Paul's services to the school, and indeed feel very privileged to have attended school while a Bro. Principal was still presiding over the school. My 7 years in school (including Sixth Form) was definitely the best times of my life thus far, and I'm glad to be a part of the Xaverian heritage.
However, my worry is: Will the first and the next lay-man principal of SXI understands the heritage and the legacy? Will there be drastic changes in school, in terms of its policies and direction? Will he/she be an Old Boy, or an Old Lasallian at least? One can only hope for the best, and I am surely doing so, for the sake of my alma mater.
Happy retirement Bro. Paul! Thank you for your 16 years of invaluable service to the school. May you be blessed always..
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