The new track at our school field

Earlier this year I posted some photos of our school today. One of the photos taken was the construction of a new track for the school field. Well, here is the new track and school field photos taken in July 2009.

The view is from the finishing line facing the Istana Badariah’s field (gold course).

Facing the hostel (boys)

Same view facing the hostel but away from the track

Facing the South China Sea – remember how we rushed to at the start of the cross-country? [Read here: The Cross Country]

The astaka – still the same except for some paint work.

SS Brass Band Practice

Here are some of the photos taken while the school band were practicing in July 2009.

Do we have the school brass band members who would like to write about his or her experience during those days? Some history of how it started (was it in mid-70s?).

Calling Sulaimanians of 1960-1963

Sulaimanians who studied in 1960-1963, please note that their teachers Lim Chooi Hoon and V.A. Raja Naidu wish to meet all those who know them. They are planning for a trip to Kuala Terengganu soon.

Here is a little note from their son in this blog’s comment:

My name is Terence Naidu. Both my parents were teachers in SSSS sometime from 1960 to  1963. They are Lim Chooi Hoon and V.A Raja Naidu. They have fond memories of SSSS and have for many years wished to visit Terengannu.

We curently live in Teluk Intan. Due to my father’s health condition we have not been able to travel much. I am hoping to make a trip to Tgg in the next month or so with my parents and im sure they would be delighted to meet with old friends and old students.

If anyone does remember do contact me and mabe we can all meet up soon. 019 5124609

[will be scanning the school staff photo of 1962 - and upload soon]

Standard VI 1935

This is the oldest photo I could find of our school. It is the class photo of Standard VI Boys for the then Government English School Trengganu (click on the photo to zoom).

It was then located at the the Istana Maziah before moving to Jalan Batas Baru the following year before moving again in 1938 to a more permanent site nearby (Jalan Gong Wan Abas – current SS Primary 1 – Jalan Sultan Omar now).

I am not able to recognize anybody (or course!) in the photo except for my wife’s grandfather, Mohd Yaacob Abdullah (standing 4th from right). Yaacob is the sole surviving child of Abdullah al-Yunani (of Keda Pok Loh Yunang), now 93 years old. If any of you think you can identify anybody in the photo, please write in or drop a comment. Let us share.

Below is Yaacob’s more recent photo. Taken during the launching of Growing Up in Trengganu with the author Awang Goneng – Kecek-kecek (also a Sulaimanian) 25 December 2007 at Alam Akademik (the old Keda Pok Loh Yunang – Kedai Buku Abdullah Al-Yunani).

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More names from the above group photo:

• Standing 2nd from Right: Mohd Nordin Abdullah Al-Yunani (younger brother of Mohd Yaacob)
• Standing 5th from Left (in black baju Melayu): Wan Long Wan Ngah (my mother’s eldest brother)
• Seated in the middle wearing neck tie: Mr. Nair (Headmaster)

Alumni Gathering Banner

Some friends personally commented to me “mung pandai buat komeng je” (referring to Alumni Raya Gathering) - and quoted about the banner. Well, I told some of them that I will go back to the school and snap some photos with additional comments.

And here it is:

Yes, I did not find other banner besides the one at the school. BUT I may be wrong. Can someone else verify? In my earlier suggestion (a month ago) was to have at several strategic locations. For example:

1. Jalan Bukit Kecil – near Persimpangan JPJ/Sabasun – one of the popular spots.
2. Jalan Sultan Mahmud (Jalan Batu Buruk) – junction near MB’s official residence
3. Jalan Sultan Mohamad/Jalan Kuala Berang/Simpang Tok Ku intersection.
4. Bulatan Ladang (Batu Bersurat)
5. Somewhere from the airport to town – greeting those coming back by air.
6. The Terengganu-Pahang border – have a big sign greeting Sulaimanians home for Raya and gathering.
7. and many more. Banner these days are cheap. RM1 – RM3 per square ft.

Yes, the location of the banner at the school was not that visible.

Honestly, every time I come back to KT, passing by the school, I would always slow down and look at the buildings trying to find if there has been any changes. The signage is hardly seen from the other side of the road – with the fence road divider. With MPV, your view maybe better – what would someone driving a car see – maybe more difficult?

And when you passed by from the town, as you reach the banner, the road curves to the right. You have to really turn your head to see what is written. With the speed (even 50 kph) – you just cannot figure out what was said on the banner.

Maybe this (right) could be a better option. At the same location, but bigger and higher. But it will only address those coming to town.

Another suggestion would be the Industrial Art block. The most prominent block when you pass by from Kuala Ibai.

But probably a much better option for future (if there is another) would be the overhead pedestrian crossing. Use both sides. Visible from far away. But remember that the size and design still important consideration.

Yes, of course the color scheme. Though the image below is not clear due to resolution but yellow on pink …? hmmm … reminds me of the school’s Jubli Emas Raya card in 1975. Make it simple. Get the message across. Sufficient. Don’t crowd. Visible and appropriate fonts.

But it is not the purpose of this posting to criticise the hard work of the committee members and those involved. Just some suggestion for improvement in the future.

Alumni Raya Gathering

It was quite a let down … at least for me. Maybe my expectation was a bit high. But then the expectation should be high being the premier school in the state.

I do not know the final numbers that came but for the one hour I was there maybe there were about a little over 60 people. As most people come and go (like me), but the number is a far cry from when it was organised at the same venue 7-8 years ago (2002?). I was told it was then “organised” by Allahyarham Datuk Razali Ismail (Pengarah Pelajaran Negeri) together with the headmaster then, Tuan Haji Daud bin Jusoh.

The hall was almost full then – but with a more senior crowds (60s and 70s era) than it was yesterday (mainly late 70s and 80s era).  Not only did they have many former students then but many former teachers also attended versus yesterday – if I count it correctly only 2! I was with a former HM (my cousin) the day before and mentioned to him about the gathering – but unfortunately he was not aware (he is staying just next door to one of the pro-tem committee’s parents’ house)

Anyhow, I would like to share some of the photos …

The pro-tem committee chairman Manja Man (baju Melayu) giving his speech with Manan Ngah (in white) as the MC.

This is the best angle I could do to have the most crowd captured in one shot. (Shot taken at about 12.54pm) Though there were another less than 10 in a group on the right (not captured) and also slightly more then 10 gathered outside the hall. Some puffing away – which I then jokingly (as if still a prefect!) told them that they cannot be smoking in the school compound. But seriously, we should have a little respect – the school is a not smoking area (still – even though you are an alumni).

Who would not remember Cikgu Che Ma Sulaiman … I came in while she was giving her speech but I noticed not even half were listening. She is now still teching at the Pusat Bahasa Terengganu (located at PPAT).

Ong Huat Beng, Yeo Sin Soon and Ibni Amin.

That is me with Alias Onn (now with Kementerian Pelajaran) [photo courtesy of Yeo Sin Soon - from his Tirok's facebook] talking (photo below) to Soh Wee Hock, Suhaimee (Atan) Yassin (Bank Rakyat) – we were all of MCE74.

As I had made my comments before [Majlis Perjumpaan Aidilfitri], we could have more numbers:

1. If we do it at night. Third Raya is full with invitations. Weddings, engagements lah … and of course the Raya open houses itself. And for me, besides those I still have many many relatives yet to visit. We seldom do Raya visits at night. Thus, we can have more time together.
2. If the publicity is more. I maybe wrong. I did not see banners all over the town – at strategic locations. I saw one (considered small!) near the school main entrance (poorly design to be visible [colour scheme] considering you have to manoeuvre the steering as you drive by the slight bend there. Kan we have the pro-tem committee President “tauke besar media”. Should have optimised it. Even the “Official Alumni SS” website does not say anything about the gathering. At least this blog mentioned numerous times …
3. Maybe the registration fee for the gathering also hinders the participation?
4. Maybe we should ensure more participation from the earlier eras, former teachers and HMs
5. Maybe the committee should be people of various age group. Remember, we now have two generations (some even already 3rd generation) as Sulaimanians. Consider a Reunion – Celebrating Two Generations of Sulaimanians!

Whatever it is, I would like to congratulate the committee members and those who took the initiatives and their hard work to bring together the former students of Sultan Sulaiman Secondary School. Maybe another grandeur event to be identified and start organising now.

One last comment – the music and singing was really unnecessary. We were not there for that. It just does not blend well when the committee President asked all of us to begin the event with Al-Fatihah only to be continued by singing and music right after his speech.

**** my further comments here – Alumni Gathering Banner

Selamat Hari Raya

To all Sulaimanians,

Minal Aidin wal Faizin

Maaf Zahir & Batin

Jangan lupa gathering on the 3rd Raya

Contact Ibni Amin: 013-981-7000

This is the Kad Ucapan Selamat Hari Raya in 1975 – Sempena Sambutan Jubli Emas SMSSKT – what a poor choice of colour scheme …

I am a Prefect

When I was called up to be a prefect, I was at first reluctant. I thought I could not cope with the responsibility. Maybe I was just plain scared. You never know what may happen in such a big school. Well, anyway, I have managed it all right, and you know something, it has been fun so far!

I begin the day by going up to the prefects’ room to find out what my duty is for the day. This is quite routine and often unexciting. Anyway, you have to do it or else … The various duties are to do with traffic, canteen, classroom cleanliness and discipline. You get one of these the whole week and another the next. I personally like to be on duty in the canteen. You can do two things at the same time – do your duty and have your breakfast. The canteen is an ideal place to observe people. The pupils are fine examples of hungry humans rushing madly to satisfy their appetites. The ‘rush hour’ begins as soon as the bell rings for recess. Except for the rush and the noise made by more than hundred over-worked mouths, nothing exciting happens at the canteen.

Prefects on traffic duty in the morning represent the welcoming committee for the late-comers. Here is when you see the fun as the pupils try to bluff their way out by giving fictitious names and convincing excuses. For example, everything happens to the student’s bicycle in the morning – mechanical breakdown, puncture and what have you! It might seem that the bicycle is more reluctant to come to school than the pupils. Some of course give genuine excuses. Some sure make good story-tellers. Some do not give any reason at all. It is detention class for them. The same treatment goes to those who are late more than three times.

The next on the list is classroom cleanliness. This requires an observant pair of eyes and an ability to grade. The latter is done according to the state of the blackboard, corridor, desks, floor and window shutters. A constant standard is of course important, but individual prefects vary. My standard is usually low; therefore most of the classes get high marks. But there are classes in shameful conditions. I really get disgusted when I visit such classes.

Prefects have to maintain discipline which also means going round the school and hunting down the ‘bad guys’. The usual cases are boys with shirts not tucked in, shirts unbuttoned, no badges, no socks, long hairs and so on. Persistent offenders are sent to DC or to the Disciplinary Board for interrogation. Those sporting long hair are given free haircuts – unprofessional ones of course! Unwilling ‘customers’. I have never faced direct aggressiveness from any student. While doing duty of this nature, you have to write a report for that day. This when you write all the problems for the Senior Assistant to read.

The exciting part of a prefect’s job is not the daily routines duties but the many extra things that we do, such as the raids on the smokers, and the ‘ambushes’ on the students who leave the school during school hours. Our ‘commander’ is the Headboy. He plans the raid to the minutest detail with the help of his well-chosen lieutenants and then he places us around the area to be raided. When he gives the word we rush in to grab the offenders. Sometimes the offenders are pre-warned by their friends and so they make a dash for it. That is when the chase begins. Usually they are caught red-handed.

There was also the time when we had Peeping Toms in the girls’ toilet. We surrounded it while the Headboy led the welcoming committee up the ceiling. He came down with the terrified boys who were later suspended.

I have learned a lot being a prefect – learned about myself and other people. I learned to discipline myself, especially in my studies. It is not always pleasant to be a prefect but duties have got to be done. I do not demand the pupils’ respect but I hope they will learn to respect the authority of the prefect.

George Dewa – USS

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The above article appeared in our school magazine “Perdana” 1976. I just found this missing treasure while helping to clear up piles of books, old stuffs and etc at my late parents house today.

George is now Zainuddin Abdullah. He happened to called me yesterday and is currently working is Bahrain while the family live in Kelana Jaya, Selangor.

I mentioned about him in this earlier posting: Sesetengahnya Ada Yang Sudah Tukar Nama

ALUMNI SS FAQ

Ini yang saya terima melalui emel dari Mariana Jupining (Mariana.Jupining@sabah.gov.my)

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Persatuan Bekas Pelajar Sekolah Menengah Sultan Sulaiman Kuala Terengganu 2008 (ALUMNI SS)

FAQ’s no.1

1)        Pernahkah ALUMNI SMKSS ujud sebelum ini?  Tidakkah dengan adanya ALUMNI SS ini boleh menjurus kepada kekeliruan dan kegusaran kalangan bekas pelajar dan persatuan sekolah ini yang lain ?

Sejak sekolah SMKSS ditubuhkan pada tahun 1921 tiada siapa yang pasti berapa banyak persatuan bekas pelajar @ persatuan murid tua @ sulaimanian @alumni yang ada. Begitu juga tiada siapa boleh mendakwa pihaknya sahaja yang berhak mewakili kesemua bekas pelajar SMKSS kerana ;

i)          kebanyakan persatuan yang ada lebih terhad dan tertumpu kepada batch persekolahan atau diketahui oleh kelompok tertentu sahaja. Kita yakin ada ramai bekas pelajar SMKSS yang bertaburan diserata tempat dalam dan luar negara malah diserata dunia.

ii)          ada keraguan mengenai status persatuan-persatuan yang dikatakan telah ‘ada’ itu beroperasi secara sah  atau berdaftar dengan Pendaftar Pertubuhan Malaysia kerana;

Semasa proses pendaftaran ALUMNI SS ini dimulakan, didapati hanya ada sebuah persatuan lain berkaitan SMKSS yang berdaftar (sila rujuk Pendaftar pertubuhan caw. Terengganu). Kami dapati persatuan berkenaan di dalam proses pembatalan oleh Pendaftar pertubuhan. Ia ekoran samada kerana tidak aktif ataupun tidak mematuhi peraturan pertubuhan yang ditetapkan.

Berkat kesabaran menunggu disamping usaha keras mengadakan persatuan ini secara sah selama lebih kurang 2 tahun akhirnya Pendaftar pertubuhan telah meluluskan undang-undang yang didaftarkan menurut Sijil Bilangan 1042-08-TRG atas nama Persatuan Bekas Pelajar Sekolah Menengah Sultan Sulaiman Kuala Terengganu 2008 (singkatannya ALUMNI SS) bertarikh 12.06.2008.

Terdapatnya angka/nombor ‘2008’ pada akhir nama persatuan ini ialah atas nasihat pihak Pendaftar pertubuhan sendiri iaitu merujuk kepada pembatalan persatuan sebelumnya disamping pendaftaran ALUMNI SS ini yang diluluskan pada tahun yang sama sebagaimana tarikh yang dinyatakan di atas.

“ Penubuhan ALUMNI SS bertujuan memberi laluan  alternatif kepada semua bekas pelajar SMKSS menyertai persatuan secara berdaftar yang terbuka dan mudah diketahui umum mengikut lunas undang-undang yang ditetapkan oleh Pendaftar Pertubuhan Malaysia. “

2)         Apakah kehadiran ALUMNI SS boleh memecahbelahkan masyarakat terutama dikalangan orang Melayu sebagaimana tergambar dalam kancah politik Negara?

InsyaAllah tidak malah sebaliknya kerana;

i)              Keahlian ALUMNI SS terbuka kesemua bekas pelajar SMKSS yang berminat tanpa mengira tahun tamat persekolahan mereka.

ii)             Menurut apa yang telah dipersetujui oleh barisan ahli jawatankuasa penaja yang ada, tiada ahli dari kalangan politik yang aktif dibenarkan menjadi peneraju atau ahli jawatankuasa persatuan ini.  Berhasrat menjadi sebuah NGO yang berwibawa tanpa bermaksud prejudis terhadap mana-mana fahaman politik, ALUMNI SS amat menghormati kepelbagaian latarbelakang, idea dan pemikiran ahli-ahli yang ada.

Sekaligus langkah ini diyakini akan dapat menarik masuk ramai bekas pelajar SMKSS ke dalam persatuan ini secara optimum.

3)       APAKAH TUJUAN DAN OBJEKTIF PENUBUHAN ALUMNI SS ?

(sebagaimana yang terdapat di dalam undang-undang persatuan ini yang telah diluluskan)

1.           Untuk mempertemukan kembali seramai mungkin bekas pelajar SMKSS Kuala Terengganu dengan mengadakan sekurang-kurangnya 3 aktiviti tahunan aitu Jamuan Tahunan, Mesyuarat Agung Tahunan dan Hari Keluarga.

2.          Memperkukuh dan memperluas hubungan silatulrahim, pertukaran maklumat, jaringan komunikasi dan perkongsian kepakaran sesama ahli.

3.          Mengadakan program keilmuan, sosial, bimbingan kerjaya, kebudayaan dan ekonomi sesama ahli, pelajar lepasan dan semasa, pihak sekolah/PIBG SMKSS dan pihak lain.

4.         Menggalak ahli menyumbang kepelbagaian kebolehan, pengalaman dan kepakaran untuk manfaat dan kebajikan persatuan, masyarakat dan negara.

5.          Mengiktiraf dan menganugerahi ahli persatuan yang cemerlang dalam kehidupan dan pekerjaan termasuklah sumbangan kemasyarakatan yang diberikan.

4)       KEAHLIAN ?

Terbuka kepada 3 jenis keahlian :-

i)   Ahli Biasa :     Terbuka kepada bekas pelajar SMSS K.Trg yang pernah bersekolah disitu selama sekurang-kurangnya 2 tahun persekolahan.

ii)   Ahli  Bersekutu :

i.  Bekas pelajar yang pernah bersekolah di SMSS K.Trg kurang dari 2 tahun.

ii.  Suami atau isteri kepada Ahli Biasa.

iii. Bekas tenaga pengajar SMSS K.Trg.

iii)  Ahli Seumur Hidup :    Terbuka  kepada Ahli Biasa yang membayar yuran seumur hidup.

Yuran Pendaftaran (sekali bayar)  : RM 30.00

Yuran Tahunan                                   : RM 20.00  (ahli biasa dan ahli bersekutu)

Yuran Seumur Hidup                            : RM 120.00 (hanya layak kpd ahli biasa shj)

Selain, seseorang pelajar Universiti atau Kolej Universiti (yakni bekas pelajar SMKSS) boleh menyertai persatuan ini iaitu setelah mendapat kebenaran bertulis terlebih dahulu oleh Naib Canselor atau yang setaraf dengannya dari universiti/kolej berkenaan.

Untuk borang keahlian dan maklumat lanjut sila hubungi Bendahari Alumni SS di alamat;

Puan Noriah Ashari (Alumni SS)

Atikah Songket, 93 Jln Aminuddin Baki, Taman Tun Dr Ismail,

60000 Kuala Lumpur. Tel: 03-77261445   Fax: 03-77271445

Laman Web Rasmi SMK Sultan Sulaiman

Akhirnya SMK Sultan Sulaiman mempunyai laman web rasminya tersendiri. Tahniah.

http://www.smksultansulaiman.edunet.my

Welcome to our Official School website!

News last updated:  Saturday June 20 2009 12:22

Selamat datang ke laman web rasmi sekolah . Beritahu rakan-rakan pelajar lain tentang kewujudan laman web ini. dapatkan informasi lengkap berkenaan sekolah seperti berita & pengumuman terkini, foto galeri aktiviti, maklumat guru & staff, pencapaian akademik, ko-kurikulum, ruangan berbincang, alumni dan banyak lagi infomasi disediakan berkenaan sekolah. Jadikan laman web ini sebagai hari permulaan berinternet anda!