Trivia: What is the Size of our School Compound?
Anybody know (or remember) the land area of our Sultan Sulaiman Secondary School? Either in acres or in the metric measurement of hectares. Yes, the entire area from the fence bordering the Istana Badariah (or the golf course) to the kampung toward Kuala Ibai and the road frontage to the sea front. But no prizes for a correct answer though.
Well, it is one of the figure that I still remember after such a long time, yes until today! I remember it because of the uniqueness of the number, 44.4 acres.
44.4 acres (or 17.97 ha) – of course it was the acres I remember – as it was in acres that was shown in the 1970 Sulamanian magazine. It was the very first experience reading about own school (1970 – I was in Form One – 1B1). That interest later takes me to read the older issues of Sulaimanian kept by my elder siblings (mentioned in Met Mr. Nava in Bali) all had their secondary education at SS (including my younger brother too).
Back to the school land area, it was from the layout plan (click on the image above) of the school on page 19 drawn by our Mr. Dennis Boudville, industrial arts teacher.
The 1970 issue was the only one that I can recall having the layout of the school (besides a sketchy one in the cross-country route in the 1960 Sulaimanian). The same issue also has a lot of school buildings photos such as administrative block, school hall, specialist block (next to the boys’ hostel), both hostels, vocational block, a newly completed Form Three Block (the first building on the left as we entered the school gate), staff quarters and a view of Block A, school canteen and science garden (remember Saloma the monkey?).
The drawing also show the Scout’s Den. A small old building next to the girls’ hostel. It is a place where I would be at very regularly during weekends throughout my schooling days not for “skodeng” but for my scout activities. The building was originally part of the Istana (part of the school was actually within the istana compound – donated by the Sultan). The school moved from “atap and kajang” building at present SS Primary 1 to newly built Block A and Block B plus the Administrative block in 1956.
The Sulaimanians 
how did you get this info..its quite interesting..glad there is someone who really concern about our school.
Dear Muhammad Faiz,
Thanks for visiting and your interest. As mentioned, I compiled a lot of old school magazines. Previously known as “The Sulaimanian” and later changed to “Perdana” in mid-70s.
But I wonder what they call the magazine now.
[…] the need to build such a water reservoir but is that the only location they can build it? With such a large 44.4 acres of land area the school have – why must it be […]
[…] the need to build such a water reservoir but is that the only location they can build it? With such a large 44.4 acres of land area the school have – why must it be […]
Gone and Can Never Be Rebuilt « Karim’s Blog said this on February 3, 2010 at 1:01 am |
[…] the need to build such a water reservoir but is that the only location they can build it? With such a large 44.4 acres of land area the school have – why must it be […]