Victoria Institution (VI) ~ a brief history. (continued from earlier post.)

Victoria Institution (VI) ~ a brief history. (continued from earlier post.)

With the school enrolment ballooning to 800, the Annual Athletic sports were finally revived in 1947, with the Sultan of Selangor and his consort gracing the occasion. The Laxamana Cup was presented in 1949 by the Tengku Laxamana of Selangor for an annual football match between the Victoria Institution and his old school, the Malay College, Kuala Kangsar.

on 17th March 1949, Mr Anthony Eden (who was the wartime Foreign Secretary and who would become British Prime Minister in 1955) visited the school and officially opened the new VI library at its new premises in the science wing. The library, which had lost all its books during the war, had been restocked through many generous contributions from Old Boys. It had seating accommodation for 80 boys and room for 10,000 books.

Mr. E.M.F. Payne succeeded Mr. Daniel as Headmaster in May 1949. During his tenure, the Detention Class (more popularly known as D C) was introduced for the punishment of errant boys. A veritable social revolution occurred in 1950 with the admission to the School of its first girl, Miss Yoong Yan Yoong, from the Methodist Girls' School. Miss Yoong, who had two brothers in the VI, later read medicine at the university and is now retired as a doctor in Johor Baru.The VIMADS of the nineteen twenties was revived as the VI Drama Society that same year. Its first play, Shakespeare’s The Merchant of Venice, was publicly performed the following year to critical acclaim. This set another tradition in motion with the school thereafter producing a major play annually for a good twenty years. ( INCLUDING THE PLAYBOY OF THE WESTERN WORLD I ACTED IN 1964)

In November 1951, the School was presented with a gilt-framed oil portrait of Queen Victoria painted by Mohammed Hoessein Enas, an artist from Java noted for his portraiture of Malay royalty. The Queen Victoria portrait hung at the back of the stage until the early sixties when it was removed to the school library where it still hangs over the
entrance.

Mr Payne left the VI in May 1952. Between 1953 and 1955, there were three Headmasters - Mr G.P. Dartford, Mr A. Atkinson and Mr P. Roberts - in rapid succession.

The VI Cadet Corps, which had lain dormant since the Pacific War, was finally revived. The school celebrated the coronation of Queen Elizabeth II in June with concerts and ice cream treats for the boys. The VI building was one of many in Kuala Lumpur to be floodlit for the coronation revelry.Twelve years after its sudden demise, the VI Cadet Corps - minus its band - was revived with 80 recruits, more than double the expected number. Two years later, a separate band platoon of eighteen boys was formed equipped with instruments donated by the Education Department.

In 1954, under the Headmastership of Mr A. Atkinson, the VI celebrated the Diamond Jubilee of its opening.The School had 38 staff teaching 28 classes totalling just over a thousand pupils, including 17 girls, in 1954.

9. When Dr. G.E.D. Lewis (THE ENGLISHMAN SEATED IN MY CLASS OF '64 PHOTOGRAPH! ) took over as Headmaster of the VI from late 1955 he initiated a golden age for the V.I. in terms of innovation, and in superlative results in sports and academic endeavour. He air-conditioned the library and restocked it with more reading materials. He also uncovered evidence of secret society members in the School and dealt with them forcefully, rooting out gangsterism in the VI. As a counter to such nefarious activities, Dr Lewis established Club 21, an exclusive group - limited to 21 students at any one time - of those who were meritorious achievers either in extra-mural activities or studies or both.

In 1956, Dr Lewis initiated the first of many far reaching changes for the VI – he introduced a new Speech Day format which combined exhibitions of school and society work with a prize-giving ceremony and a school concert, a format which lasted well into the 1970s.

Under the terms of the Education Ordinance of 1957 all Malayan schools were to be administered by Boards of Governors. Two thirds of the VI's first Board of Governors in 1958 were Old Boys and the Chairman was prominent Old Boy Yaacob bin Abdul Latiff. That year the School had 1,030 pupils of which 162 were in Form Five and 140 boys and 31 girls were in the Sixth Form.

In academic prowess, Victorians were second to none. In 1956, Ooi Boon Seng aced his Senior Cambridge examinations with eight A1 distinctions and was the toast of the school. Unafraid to commit the VI boys to any challenge, Dr Lewis initiated many annual bilateral meets with other schools in various sports, the most famous being the annual VI-Federation Military College athletics meet which pitted VI’s best athletes against those of the country’s military school. Dr Lewis will also be remembered as the Headmaster who promoted rugby tirelessly and made the VI a school rugby power.

In the early sixties, the crown prince of Brunei joined the VI, a testimony to the high standing of the School. He, of course, is Brunei’s Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah today.(HERE'S WHEN I CAME INTO THE PICTURE and THAT'S ANOTHER STORY!)

Mr. A.D. Baker became Headmaster in September 1962. Although he would be the last expatriate headmaster of the School as the process of Malayanisation ground on after Merdeka, the VI’s stirring record of achievements in sporting and academic fields was maintained during his short tenure.

Succeeding Mr Baker, Mr. V. Murugasu,(HE USED TO TAKE TURNS TEACHING US ENGLISH FOR KICKS!) who had been a postwar pupil at the VI until 1950, took over the reins on 1st June, 1964.Mr Murugasu was a rigid disciplinarian, in the mold of his old Headmaster, Mr F. Daniel. He did not spare the rod and he emphasized the equal importance of studies and extra-mural activities. He implemented a system that awarded certain points for each extra-mural activity that a pupil participated in. The School’s superlative academic and sporting achievements continued to elicit regular headlines and flattering coverage in the local papers.is VI dress code required pupils to wear canvas shoes instead, and only Sixth Formers were allowed to wear long pants and leather shoes. Hair styles and hair lengths were strictly enforced.

Expatriate teachers began returning to the VI in the early sixties, this time as volunteers from Australia, New Zealand, Britain and the United States. The first American Peace Corpsman, Samuel D. Edwards, joined the V.I. staff in 1965.(THIS IS THE MR. EDWARD DORALL WHO DIRECTED THE PLAYBOY OF THE WESTERN WORLD! )

10. The VICC Band acquired their first bagpipes ( I STILL PLAY THE PICCOLO! ) and were commended by US President Lyndon Johnson (a Texan) who heard them playing The Yellow Rose of Texas when he was driven past the Band during his visit to Malaysia in 1966. ( I WASN,T WITH THE VICC BAND ANYMORE...(SOB!). DATIN SRI DR. JAMILAH ARIFFIN, WIFE OF OTHMAN GHANI, MENTERI BESAR OF JOHOR WAS MY CLASSMATE THEN. I WAS INSTRUCTED TO LEAVE LOWER SIX AFTER THREE MONTHS TO GIVE WAY TO A BETTER GRADER, SO SAID THE HM, MR MURUGESU. I LOST MY PLACE BY JUST ONE POINT EXTRA! THIS CHANGED MY WHOLE LIFE AND FUTURE TOO! AND I NEVER STEP FOOT IN THE PRESTIGIOUS SCHOOL SINCE! ) He got down from his limousine and shook hands with the Drum Major. A bust of the President was later sent in appreciation to the school! 1968 marked the 75th anniversary of the founding of the VI which was celebrated with great pomp and pageantry, with the Prime Minister, Tunku Abdul Rahman, in attendance. Mr R Thampipillay, one of the early pupils of the VI and a VI teacher for over 34 years was a special guest of honour. The school had 1392 pupils and 56 teachers in that historic year.

1969 was a watershed year as the May 13 incident resulted in the unprecedented cancellation of the school annual athletics meet. The annual school play was also abandoned just as rehearsals were in full swing. Red Cross Society members on the other hand offered their services to the National Red Cross during the crisis. This was also Mr Murugasu's final year at the VI as he was transferred to Malacca. Mr. Tan Cheng Or was appointed headmaster in 1970 and, after just over a year, was succeeded by Mr. V Somasundram in 1971.

Mr Victor Gopal became Headmaster in 1973 and will be remembered as the Headmaster who commissioned teacher, Puan Zainab bte Yusop, to write the Bahasa Malaysia version of the School Song

On April 1st of the year1975, a roller skating rink, was built from donations by the PTA and other well-wishers.But badminton, not skating, was the VI's watchword, for by the late 1970s, the VI had become a badminton power. Because of its hostel and excellent facilities many of the country's best badminton talents were being transferred to school. In April 1977, The VI under-18 and under-15 badminton teams were earning fame and glory and distinction of being the first school in the country to win the coveted King's Cup Trophy three times in succession. Mohd. Misbun bin Haji Sidek was declared VI Sportsman of the Year for 1978. He and his brothers and other ex-Victorian shuttlers would eventually constitute the bulk of the 1992 national team that would bring the Thomas Cup back to Malaysia.

In 1976, VI came under the headmastership of Encik Abdul Rahim bin Che Teh, followed by Encik Baharum bin Othman in 1979. Because of large numbers of pupils from the rural areas who comprised 40 percent of the school population, afternoon sessions had to be conducted which had a detrimental effect on extra-mural activities. d Encik Abdul Shukor bin Haji Abdullah, a Harvard Master of Education graduate took over the helm iin 1981.With the completion of the Form 1 and 2 Block in the same year, the VI could now revert to being a single session school, with extra-curricular activities held in the afternoon

From 1982 Encik Abdul Rahim bin Abdul Majid was the next Headmaster, serving six years.Two new martial arts associations were formed in Encik Abdul Rahim's first year. They catered for students interested in judo, wrestling, self-defense and the traditional Malay martial art of silat. Inspired by the emergence of information technology, the VI Computer Society was inaugurated in February 1983, and was presented with a computer by distinguished Old Boy Tun Ismail bin Mohd Ali, the Governor of Bank Negara. In April 1983, the VI Red Crescent Society,celebrated its silver anniversary. The School's ninetieth birthday was also celebrated that year. The anniversary cake was cut by Old Victorian Tan Sri Dr Tan Chee Khoon who also donated $20,000 to a scholarship fund. The VI Cadet Corps celebrated the anniversary of its founding with a tattoo that became a biennial event thereon.

A new school canteen was built in 1985. The School's swimming supremacy was maintained that year when its swimmers bagged a total of 27 golds, 18 silvers and 3 bronzes at the MSSMWP Meet. Five VI water polo players represented Kuala Lumpur in an inter-city tournament at Perth, Australia. At year's end, the VI cricket team which was Federal Territory school champion for five consecutive years went on a tour of Peninsular Malaya, winning five matches out of six.( BRAVO! PROUD TO BE THE INSTITUTION'S OLD BOY! SO LET'S FINISHED THE HISTORY).

In early 1987, there was a proposal by the educational authorities to replace 'Victoria' in the School's name. A petition initiated by the prefects and vigorous protests by the V.I. pupils as well as prominent Old Boys like Tan Sri Hashim Mohd Ali, Tan Sri Zain Azraai and Justice M. Shankar resulted in the withdrawal of that proposal. The School was renamed Sekolah Menengah Victoria instead.

Under Headmaster Encik Shuib bin Dahaban, who assumed his duties in 1988, there were 79 staff. By now there was recognition of the need to preserve the School’s past for future generations of Victorians. A large room was acquired that year for a museum to display all manner of interesting Victoriana accumulated over almost 100 years.

11. 6th July 1992 was the day the VI welcomed its first lady principal, Puan Robeahtun binte Haji Ahmad Damanhuri, who had been a member of the staff in 1973 to 1974. A centenary athletics event she organised as Committee Chairwoman was held on Saturday, 20th February 1993. The guest-of-honour was Dr. Mani Jegathesan, an Old Boy of the VI and semi-finalist in the 200 metre sprint event in the 1964 and 1968 Olympics.

The centenary tattoo was held on the night of 10th April.On 8th May, the VI held its centenary concert in the Kuala Lumpur City Hall auditorium as a tribute to the School’s founders and to the people of Kuala Lumpur. On August 7, a Speech Day was held with the Minister of Education as Guest of Honour who declared open the newly-built four-storey twelve-classroom Sixth Form block and launched a two-day Exhibition as well. The exhibits, of science, arts and extra-curricular interest, harked back to two decades or more ago when such events were annual affairs at the VI. The in-house celebrations climaxed at the VI Open House on 13th August at the quadrangle with a countdown to twelve midnight to mark the hundredth birthday of the VI the next day.

A grand banquet was held at the Shangrila Hotel on 14th August 1993 where Old Boys and Girls, their spouses and well-wishers dined with the likes of the Prime Minister, the Sultan of Brunei, two cabinet ministers, five ex-Headmasters including 81-year-old Dr G E D Lewis who had travelled from London, several Tan Sris and two of the oldest Old Boys, aged 82 and 83, who could be traced. The last event was on 19th August when a permanent VI Museum was officially opened by Mr. Gnanalingam, a parent, who had very generously financed the construction of the Museum which occupies two adjoining classrooms on the ground floor of the main building.

Puan Robeahtun was succeeded in December 1995 by Encik Othman b. Husin, who held the post for less than a year. Puan Salha bt. Othman became the second lady principal in 1996. On 27th July 1996, the VI Mosque (Surau Abdul Kadir Mat) was officially opened. It had been designed by Hajeedar Majid, an Old Boy, and financed by the Sultan of Brunei.

The 1998 Commonwealth Games had rich VI connections. The chairman of the organising committee was none other than Old Victorian General Tan Sri Hashim Mohamed Ali. The VI field was designated as one of the venues for the international cricket matches and a second sports pavilion, a permanent addition to the School's frontage, was built for that purpose. THE VI CADET BAND performed in the opening and closing ceremonies of the Games. Indeed, throughout the 1990s the VI Cadet Band had been the most visible standard bearer for the school. It had won the gold many times in National Day parades and in National School Band Competitions. It had also participated in marching band festivals in Sydney, Australia, in 1996, and in Yokohama, Japan, in 1998. In 2000, in Calgary, Canada, the band boys brought back a gold medal from the World Championship for Marching Show Bands. (GEE! AM I GLAD I WAS ONE OF THE BEST BEFORE!)

A new Headmaster, Tuan Haji Baharom b. Haji Kamari, assumed charge in January 1999. The first VI Heritage Night was held on 17th July, 1999, to pay homage to the School’s founders, and to celebrate the School’s successes and achievements.In April of that year came the sad news that former Headmaster Dr G E D LEWIS (MY FORMER HEADMASTER) had passed away in London.

On 22nd April 2001, the VI held a carnival in conjunction with the Daniel Shield games. At the Wilayah Persekutuan Kuala Lumpur Schools Marching Band competition at the Titiwangsa Lake Gardens, the VI CADET BAND took top spot and also won the Best Drum Major title.

In mid-2002, Tuan Baharom was transferred from the VI and Tuan Haji Taslim Sarbini took over the helm of the School.

The VI story is definitely far from over. Pada 14 Feb 2009 yang lalu. Sempena pemilihannya sebagai salah sebuah Warisan Kebangsaan 2009, mula hari ini nama Sekolah Menengah Victoria yang diasaskan pada tahun 1893 akan kembali kepada nama asalnya Victoria Institution (VI).

Menteri Perpaduan, Kebudayaan, Kesenian dan Warisan, Datuk Seri Mohd. Shafie Apdal yang juga bekas pelajar sekolah itu mengumumkan demikian semasa majlis pengisytiharan 172 butiran Warisan Kebangsaan 2009 di sini hari ini.

Menurut beliau, VI diangkat sebagai Warisan Kebangsaan kerana memenuhi kriteria berdasarkan Akta Warisan 2005 yang mana sekolah berkenaan terlibat secara langsung dalam sejarah kemerdekaan negara apabila ia pernah digunakan oleh askar Jepun semasa Perang Dunia Kedua.

Jelasnya, VI juga merupakan sekolah menengah Inggeris pertama di Tanah Melayu, berprestij dan telah melahirkan ramai tokoh terbilang negara termasuk raja, menteri, ahli korporat, tokoh politik dan tokoh sukan negara.

''VI juga sekolah pertama di Asia Tenggara yang menubuhkan pasukan kadet dan pancaragam yang amat sukar ditandingi.

''Saya menyeru kepada semua hadirin agar kita bersama-sama berganding bahu memelihara warisan sekolah ini kerana setiap ciri sama ada dinding, jendela, beranda, bumbung, menara atau padang VI mempunyai cerita dan sejarahnya yang tersendiri,'' katanya dalam ucapan sempena majlis itu.

Dalam pada itu, Pengetua VI, Azizah Othman berazam untuk meneruskan kecemerlangan sekolah itu selaras dengan pengiktirafannya sebagai salah sebuah Warisan Kebangsaan.Beliau berkata, pengiktirafan itu adalah satu pencapaian gemilang serta antara tertinggi bagi warga pendidik, pelajar-pelajar serta tenaga kerja VI dulu dan sekarang.
''Sebagai pengetua wanita ketiga di sekolah yang didominasi pelajar lelaki ini, pengisytiharan ini membuatkan saya dan warga pendidik VI berazam untuk bekerja dengan lebih tekun,'' katanya

WELL DONE VI! YOU DESERVED IT. The school’s philosophy of a balanced education of mind and body as envisioned by its first Headmaster was embraced by generations of Shaw’s successors. That it worked can be seen from the products that walked through the portals of the school that is better known as the Victoria Institution - educationists, lawyers, doctors, engineers, civil servants, captains of business, scientists of all disciplines, judges, cabinet ministers, politicians, chief ministers, sultans, generals, think tankers, writers, poets, dramatists, artists. Many studied in the best universities in the world and have reached the commanding heights of Malaysian society and owe their very success to the unique all-round education they had received at the V.I., an education that gave them countless opportunities to organize and lead and to develop mind and body in tandem.

YES! THE VI STORY IS DEFINATELY FAR FROM OVER.