Kuching High School

Background

SMK Kuching High was formerly known as Min Teck Junior Middle School (民德初級中學）when it was established by Kuching Teochew Association（古晉潮州公會) in 1916 as a self-funded Chinese school, at Jalan Batu, Kuching.

In 1941, the school was closed during the Japanese Occupation in Sarawak until liberation, and in 1946, the school was reopened and named Chung Hua Middle School（中華中學）under the management of a Joint School Board formed by representatives of thirteen leading associations in Kuching, thus becoming the first and the sole Chinese Middle School re-opened at that time. In 1958 when another new Chinese Middle School under the same Board of Management was built in Pending Road, Kuching and named Chung Hua Middle School No.1 (古晋中华第一中学), this school was renamed Chung Hua Middle School No.2（古晉中華第二中學）. At the same year, Chung Hua Middle School no.3 and Chung Hua Middle School No. 4 were established under the Board of Management.

After Sarawak, Sabah and Singapore joined Malaysia in 16 September 1963, the Sarawak Education Department introduced a Ten-year Conversion Plan to bring all Chinese Middle Schools into the National Education System by gradually switching the medium of instruction from Chinese to English, while retaining Chinese language as a compulsory subject. Nevertheless, the Board of Management was under no obligation to comply, but was stipulated that schools that would not accept it would have to withdraw from the Grant-aided system. The Kuching Joint Board, however, declined the Plan, and hence all the four Middle Schools under its control, including Chung Hua Middle School No.1, Chung Hua Middle School No.2, Middle School No.3 and Middle School No.4 became non-aided Chinese Independent High School.

At this juncture, a number of the parents of the students studying in Chung Hua Middle School No.2 requested the Teochew Association, which is the legal owner of the premises of the school, to get back the school premises and run it as an aided school. Furthermore, the Teochew Association considered it necessary to have at least one Government aided secondary school to be established in Kuching so the Teochew Association took over the management of the school in 1963 under the auspice of the parents and with the approval of the Education Department (11 October 1962). Consequently, the Kuching High School became one of the 78 schools nationwide which had converted into national schools and participated in the national education system. The name Kuching High School was chosen and to assimilate into Malaysia schools, it was called Sekolah Menengah Bantuan (SMB) Kuching High. "Sekolah Menengah Bantuan" means "Aided Secondary School" in Malay language. When bearing the name Kuching High school, its first intake of students on 15 January 1963 had 830 students and 25 classes in both the Chinese and English streams. In 2002 together with all government aided school in Malaysia, the school became to be known as Sekolah Menengah Kebangsaan (National Secondary School) and hence the name SMK Kuching High.

Physical Development

In early 1963, the school consisted of a 7 wooden school blocks, such as the administration block built in 1932 which included the general office, staff room, science laboratory and library, as well as six two-storey classroom blocks, two basketball courts, one badminton court and a store-room. In 1974, a two-storey partially wooden science laboratory block was constructed. Due to growing student enrolment, in 1977, the one-storey Block 2 was reconstructed into a two-storey classroom block and the store-room into a three-storey concrete block, which housed science laboratories and uniformed societies, to alleviate overcrowding. In 1988, a four-storey concrete block was built on the basketball court and named Block 6, with the top three floors utilised as classrooms and the ground floor as the canteen, while in 1990, another four-storey concrete block was built to replace Block 6 and named Block 7, with the top-most floor as the science laboratories, ground floor for co-curricular activities and the rest as classrooms.

Block 4 and 5 were demolished to make way for a new three-storey concrete block with a hall, theatre, library and living skills education rooms in 1996. However, it was a failed project as the plan was not approved by the local authorities since the site was made government’s reserved land.

In 2000, several parts of the school was renovated, including a new great hall on the badminton/tennis court, a steel canopy joining adjacent Block 6 and 7,a garden between Block 1 and 3 and a concrete wall aligning the school compound along Mathie Road. The following year, the school’s jogathon provided MYR 250,000 for building a computer room. In the end of 2002, a cooperatives room and an auditorium was built, while counselor’s room was revamped from an old classroom.

In 2004, the roof of the great hall was repaired in response to one that was blown away in a storm and in 2007, the great hall was renovated.

In early 2008, the two-storey Junior Science Block which was an extension of the administration block, consisting the junior science laboratories, red crescent office and staff’s toilets together with Block 2 was declared unsafe by the Public Works Department (PWD) due to termite problem and had since become unoccupied.

However, before the school's Board of management received a grant from the Education Ministry to renovate the unsafe blocks, the administration block and Junior Science Block was razed in a fire on 2 December 2008, causing the school in need of MYR 500,000 for temporarily housing its staff. Construction of the razed blocks would be divided into two phases, viz. phase one for the construction of junior science block and classroom blocks, whereas phase two for administrative block that includes an office, a library, classrooms and a conference room, costing MYR 3.4 million and MYR 2.2 million respectively. On 23 December 2008, an EGM was held by the Teochew Association to approve amount of MYR 3.2 million to rebuild the block, of which MYR 200,000 for a temporary administration office, and the remaining MYR 3 million to rebuild Block 1 and admin block.

2 December Fire

A fire razed Kuching High School on 2 December 2008 afternoon. The incident started at 1:05pm (GMT+8.00 HRS) when the staff noticed smoke billowing from the Red Crescent Society room at the ground floor of the Junior Science Laboratory and contacted the Civil Defence Department and the Fire and Rescue Services Department. At the same time, the office clerk, teachers and security guards at the site salvage important documents, some files and various equipments including heavy duty printers and computers from the administration block which houses historical documents, students' belongings and computers. The fire then spread to junior science laboratories above the building and administrative block adjacent to the Junior science laboratory block.

In about 40 minutes, the inferno was brought under control by forty-one firefighters with four fire engines and three Rapid Intervention Motorcycles (R.I.M) units from four Fire Departments in Batu Lintang, Tabuan Jaya, Petra Jaya and Padungan. Initial investigations revealed short circuit as the cause of the fire. Despite no casualty recorded, the school was faced with heavy material losses and ensuing financial problem to reconstruct the facilities. In addition to the two-storey Junior science laboratory block that includes junior science laboratories, equipment store room and staff wash room, as well as the adjacent two-storey administration block that includes principal room, staff room, administration room, library, meeting room for staff and students activities, which were burnt down in the blaze, textbooks kept in the Junior science laboratory block for the student’s Textbook Loaning Scheme (Skim Pinjaman Buku Text or SPBT) the following school year were also destroyed. Also, the destroyed corporation's property within one of the burnt blocks summed up to a MYR 20,000 lost.

Aftermath

With the reason that classrooms used for the annual SPM examination, which was scheduled until 4 December 2008, were quite a distant from the burning blocks, the students sat for their exam as planned with no hindrance.

An immediate effort was called for to restore the burnt buildings along with those which had been declared unsafe by PWD preceding the calamity. The fire left the School Board of Management with an estimated MYR 6.4 million reconstruction cost. This included MYR 3 million for rebuilding the administration block and MYR 1.4 million for the Junior Science block, which were both razed by the fire, in addition to MYR 2 million for rebuilding Block 2 that consisted of living skills, religious teaching, and equipment storage rooms, which were falling down. To meet ends with its heavy cost, an appeal was made to the Ministry of Education for a grant.

On 23 December 2008, an emergency general meeting (EGM) held by the Teochew Association ordered the construction of a temporary administration office with MYR 200,000. Another MYR 3 million was funded by the meeting to rebuild Block 1 and the admin block for the long run. Also, the Kuching High Rebuilding Committee, chaired by Mr Kuek Eng Mong, was formed on 6 January 2009 with the support of ex-Highians (alumni), Parent-teacher association, Kuching High School Board of Management, Kuching Teochew Association and other concerned individuals. The school was also blessed with concerns from the state’s Deputy Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Dr George Chan Hong Nam, Malaysian Minister of Plantation Industries and Commodities Datuk Seri Peter Chin Fah Kui, Director of JKR Sarawak Datu Hubert Thian Chong Hui and other local politicians, who became advisors for the reconstruction of the school.

The school is slowly recovering from the calamity with fiscal support from various bodies and communities. Besides MYR 900,000 allocate by the School Board of Management and approximately half million ringgit from insurance claim, the reconstruction projects also received fundings from various bodies, including MYR 1.7 million from the Ministry of Education, MYR 200,000 from Sarawak’s government MYR 600,000 from Kuching Teochew Association, MYR 100,000 from SUPP and MYR 120,000 from the school’s Parent Teacher Association. Various fund-raising activities were also organised by the school and alumni. A jogathon organised by the school’s parent-teacher association (PTA) on 25 July 2009 saw 400 participants and collected MYR 170,000 from the public.

Academics

Kuching High curriculum, similar to other government high school, is divided into a three-year lower secondary stage and two-year upper secondary stage. Lower secondary stage consists of Form 1 to Form 3, while Upper Secondary stage consists of Form 4 and Form 5. A one-year Removal class prepares students who have failed their UPSR exam for Form 1.

Compulsory subjects of the lower secondary includes Malay Language, English Language, Mathematics, Science, History, Geography, Living Skills (Option 4: Business and Commerce), Physical Education, Art and Civics. Non-Muslim students would have to study Moral Education, while the Muslims students take Islamic studies. The Chinese Language is an elective subject which most students take. Students in Removal classes would have to take Malay Language in Practice (Amali Bahasa Melayu). At the end of Form 3, students would sit for the PMR examination, and later, they could enter the school’s upper secondary stage, where they can choose to enter the art, science or technology ‘streams’.Compulsory subjects, which have to be partaken by students from all three streams include Malay Language, English Language, Mathematics, History, Moral Education/Islamic Studies, Civics and Physical Education. Students would sit for the SPM examination administered by the Ministry of education at the end of their Form 5 before graduation.

In addition to the core subjects, Kuching High also offers a broad range of elective subjects for senior students. Generally, Science streams would have Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Additional Mathematics and English for Science and Technology. Both technology and art streams offer Commerce, Science and Art. Computer science enthusiasts could take up Information, Communication and Technology which is only offered in the technology stream; whereas the art students can take up Geography.

A popular elective subject in both upper and lower secondary stage of Kuching High is Chinese Language which is taken up by most students, viz. the S1, S3, S4, S5, A1 and A3 classes.

“Due to its historical past - being a Chinese-converted secondary school since 1963 - Chinese language is essentially an important and popular subject among the students, in line with its justification of conversion and establishment. Till today, this is still looked upon as the soul and spirit of Kuching High, without which the school will be looked upon as "rootless".”

Besides elective subjects taught in classes, some students opt to take additional subjects independently to sit for their SPM examination. The common ones includes Bible knowledge and Chinese literature.

The school has been widely recognised by the public. The Sarawak Foundation awarded the Chief Minister Excellent School Awards to the school in 2003. It has been deemed the state’s Most Promising School by the Education Department of Sarawak in 2002. In SPM 2008, there are 2 students scoring 13A1s, 9 students scoring 12A1s and 33 students scoring at 12As.16 students achieved 11As in the SPM examination apart from 13 students scoring 10As. SMK Kuching High is one of the top 10 schools in Sarawak.

Extracurricular activities

SMK Kuching High has uniform groups, clubs and societies.

05th Kuching City Scout Group

SMK Kuching High Scout Group, which was founded in 1963, is the 05th scout group in Kuching City. 05th Kuching Scout has around 150 members, which are divided into the junior, senior and rover crew sections. On 22 February 2003, in conjunction with BP Day, a group of former 5th Kuching Scouts decided to form the B-P GUILD – KHS, an association of former 5th Kuching Scouts, who wish to remain, or become, full members of the Scout movement. The GUILD is open to all 5th Kuching Scouts, both present or former, over 18, male or female, who accepts the aims of the Guild and who are prepared to make, or re-affirm, the Scout Promise. The Scout Band was formed by the Scout group, as a supplement to the Scout activities. It is the first Scout band in the state. Since its formation, 05th Kuching City Scout Group has produced 33 King Scouts, which is also the highest total in its state, Sarawak. SMK Kuching High Scout Group is the defending champion of the Lucas Chin Camping Standard Challenge Throphy for 7 consecutive streak and Kuching City Scout Jobweek since it was introduced. 05th Kuching City Scout Group also boasts a standard Brass Band. The band is frequently invited by the city council to perform on various events such as the "Shang Ti" Procession and Kuching Day Parade's. It has been a living legacy for almost 3 decades and soon to be for decades to come.

Chinese Language Society

The Chinese Language Society (古晉中學華文學會) was established under the auspices of students and Chinese language teachers. A room inside an isolated concrete hut in front of the Administrative had been allocated for the society's activities and storage. However, it was demolished to give way to development after the Millennium.

The society aims to conserve Chinese cultural heritage and its language usage among students which is exemplified through several efforts viz the publication of societal magazines (like 'Rushing Waves'- "奔浪", 'Staying like green mountains and water' - "留往若青山綠水" and 'Unending chase' - "沒有終點的追逐" ) besides the organisation of various activities that promulgate Chinese literature, such as the annual "KHS Chinese Literature Camp", Chinese Drama Competition, debates, forum, and the annual ethnic-spirit themed performance. Weekly activities, which consist of a choir, arts and crafts, Chinese calligraphy and other recreational activities, are held on Saturdays at the ground floor of Block 3.

To promote the production and admiration of creative pieces among the students, a Notice Board nicknamed the sunflower "向日葵版" displayed students' writings and art works at the left entrance of the Administrative block. This was lost in the fire in 2009.

Cooperatives Ltd

With the registration number E-1-0497, the school's cooperatives is named Koperasi SMK Kuching High Berhad and was established in 1999. Functioning a consumer based cooperative inside the school, it aims to help its members obtain quality and reasonably priced goods. Another aim of its founding was to inculcate thrift and entrepreneur nature among the students. The main activity is to sell square book, graph pad, NILAM record, long book, file, PJK Tee shirt and PJK track bottom to the students.

In 2009, the cooperative celebrated its 10th anniversary and it was the second runner up in the Quality Secondary School Cooperatives (Category A Award). Also, on 23 June 2009, the cooperative organised a school-level celebration of the National Day Cooperative Day.

Girl Guide Movement

The Girl Guide Movement started in Kuching High School in October 1971. It is led by captains, lieutenants, and teachers-in-charge. The company is registered and known as 19th Kuching Girl Guide Company. There are 6 patrols in the company, which are Bougainvillea, Hibiscus, Daisy, Lily, Orchid and Rose. Each patrol is led by a patrol leader.

Prefectorial Board

The prefectorial board assembles all the school prefects under Madam Wong Kean Ngiap, Madam Yong Mei Chin, Madam Huan Chan Ping, Ms. Si Hui Ling. The current head prefect for the session 2015/2016 is Chloe Wong Sze Yuen.

Activities organised by the board include spot checks, Sports Day duties, Teacher's Day celebration and Year End Prize Giving Ceremony. The board also performs everyday duties in the morning and during recess.

It is noticeable that there are two kinds of prefect uniform for both morning session and afternoon session. Morning session prefects are easily identified as they wear black pants/skirts, black socks, black shoes along with a necktie and prefect tag whereas afternoon session prefects only has a necktie and a prefect tag onto their default uniform.

Senior prefects of the morning session also puts on blazers during special events.(Excluding Sports Day)

Red Crescent Youth Unit No.4

Kuching High School Red Crescent Youth Unit (KHSRCYU) is a uniform body for students.

Vision: BEST UNIT, EXCELLENT SERVICE

Mission:

1. To make Kuching High School Red Crescent Youth Unit the best Red Crescent Youth Unit in Malaysia.

2. To equip every member with attitude, knowledge and skills in rendering excellent service at all times.

3. To help train a first aider in every home.

4. To help make Red Crescent Movement a household name and pride of Malaysia.

KHSRCYU has organised various activities to our members, such as Fun Day Camp, Inter-Section First Aid Competition, Anniversary, Annual Inspection & New Member Enrolment, Marching Course, Command Exam, Fire Prevention Course and Year End Camp. The objective of these activities are to foster a better relationship among the members and to form a stronger bond between the youth of Sarawak, to instil teamwork & leadership among members, to nurture discipline & punctually among members, to improve first aid skill & marching skill of members and to train the members to be more determined & confident in overcoming challenges to achieve success.

At School level, our Unit had once again won Champion in Kuching School Sports March Pass Competition of Uniform Bodies Category since 2005. Not only that, our Unit also won Overall Champion, Champion in Category A, B and C and First Runner Up in Category D, Best Male Commander, Lee Chun Yee and Best Female Commander, Yap Ke Li in Green Road Secondary School Foot Drill Competition 2014.

It has been awarded Best Annual Report and Best Flag Day Collector several times during Malaysian Red Crescent, Kuching Chapter Annual General Meeting. It has also been awarded the Best Youth Unit in Kuching 20 years in a row since 1994.

At State level, KHSRCYU had once again awarded Best Youth Unit In Sarawak for Category A and Best Video Clip / Annual Report, our Unit Head Section Leader also awarded Best Youth Leader In Sarawak for Category A in Malaysian Red Crescent Volunteer's Recognition Night that organized by Malaysian Red Crescent, Sarawak Branch. Besides that, our Youth Ofiicer / Main Teacher-In-Charge, Ms. Connie Jong Liew Sze had awarded Gold Award while Assistant Youth Officer / Assistant Main Teacher-In-Charge, Mdm. Ho Yung Hua had awarded Bronze Award in Officer Category. Last but not least, our Unit Ex-Leaders, Chaw Jia Cheng, Caroline Lau Chen Yee, Brian Lim Ban Sheng also awarded Bronze Award in Youth Category.

KHSRC launched its official website [1] in 2004. The current 2015 Head Section Leader is Darren Tan Chan Wei from 5A.

St. John Ambulance

Established in 1971, SMK Kuching High St. John Ambulance carries the motto ‘Pro Utilitate Hominum’, which means ‘For the service of mankind’ in Latin. It has been producing members with skills in First Aid and Nursing, who volunteers to provide first aid services in various occasions. Their skills are often recognised in various competitions, such as winning the inter-division first aid and nursing competition in the Cadet Ambulance (2008), Cadet Nursing (2006 & 2007), Adult Ambulance (2007) and Adult Nursing Category (2006). Its members had also been chosen to represent Sarawak to the National First Aid and Nursing Competition.

Former principals

1. Quentin Hsu Kwang Thai
2. Wang Zhong Li
3. D. G. H. Dilts
4. Quentin Hsu Kwang Thai
5. Michael Chang Yit Yong
6. Cheong Poh Kok
7. William Ng Kim Sen
8. Wong Mee King
9. Fong Chee Hung
10. Chong Tong Liap (Acting)
11. Samuel Tan Yan Pheng
12. Michael Chang Yit Yong
13. Wang Chang Chung
14. Bong Muk Shin

15. Thomas Lau Ing Ngan

16. Ivor Emmanuel Lim Ho Huat

17.Phang Chun Yow