Source/Author: By Goh-Tan Phing Choo

News from our schools

Treacher Girls’ School hail to thee
Thou art to our hearts most dear
In all our work and play
Thoughts of thee are ever near.
We will honour thee this hour
We would ever sing thy praise
For we know thy worth
Here good thoughts have birth
Thou has guided in right ways.

This is our school song imprinted in our minds and hearts, and we sang it with heartfelt pride and sweet remembrance of our school – Treacher Methodist Girls’ School, Taiping. I thank the TMGS Old Girls’ Association, the Wesley Methodist Church Taiping, and Mrs. Polly Tan for organizing this memorable thanksgiving service on 1st September 2014, celebrating 125 years of our school. I missed the anniversary dinner the previous night, but it was lovely to meet schoolmates (seniors as well as juniors) like Liew Siew Choo (Juliana) and her sister. They came all the way back from Australia. I had the pleasure of meeting my classmate, Tan Kooi Lean whom I have not seen after Form Six. She was also back from Australia. She was our head prefect in 1964, and we both celebrated our 50th anniversary of being “girls” of TMGS! It was also a happy occasion to meet some of our former teachers.

I have happy memories of my school life (1953-1964), beginning from kindergarten to Form 5. To our primary and secondary school teachers, I give thanks and much appreciation. They helped to shape not only my life, but also my love for subjects like English, literature, poetry, history, geography, art, reading and writing. I am most happy at the singing lessons, the P.E. and folk dancing sessions. And of course the picnics at the Lake Gardens which our teachers took us. I still have my Std. 3 picnic photos with Miss Ooi Guat Thoe. Although the teachers were firm and strict, they made learning interesting and fun too. They were caring and fair, though some do show favouritism to those who are top of the class. I am sure that is much so even till today.

I have vague and yet fond memories of my kindergarten teachers – the two Saw sisters, Miss Ooi, Mrs. Yeo Yeow Teck (our singing Mrs. Yeo), Mrs. Yeoh Keng Cheong (motherly and caring and whose husband is the author of our school song), Miss Phuah Saw Saik and dear Miss Fong Mee Keow whom I met at the service after so many years.

Going on to secondary school was no problem as both primary and secondary were in the same school grounds. We girls shared the same hall, the same tuckshop (with different recess time but having the same Mrs. Tan to cook the food), the same school field across the school, and even the same toilet block. We parked our bicycles behind the lower primary block nearest the church, and also behind the Std. 4-6 block which is nearer the library and science block.

When some of us get together, we still share fond memories of our secondary school teachers. Among them are Miss Kanesayeeswari (my favourite Mathematics teacher), Miss Choo Suat Loo (my beloved science teacher and aunt), Mr. Titus Jeyaskera, Miss Khoo Liew Jong, Mrs. Radcliffe, Miss Louise Killingsworth, Miss Yeap Gaik Khoon, Miss Lily Pandian, Miss Lim Swee Keok, Che Mariah, Che Hamidah, Mrs. Choong Peng Seong (our art teacher), Miss Khoo Cheng Hiong, Mrs Lim Chin Hun, Miss Betty Yap (librarian), Mr. Avtar Singh (Mathematics and Physics teacher), Miss Liew Moh Kit and Mrs. Monerasinghe (English and Geography teacher). I must not forget to mention Mrs. U Teck Huat (Headmistress of Primary TMGS) and Miss Flora Knight – our Principal and also our Form 4-5 history teacher. (She became a friend to my husband, Keat Seng, and I after she retired to Kuala Lumpur. Keat Seng was then the Secretary of the Methodist Council of Education.) There was a former principal whom I heard of – a Mrs. Glory Jeyamoney. There was a missionary principal – Miss Della Olsen (whose niece Keat Seng and I met in the 1990s in Kuala Lumpur). We used to see and meet an elderly missionary worker – Miss M.E. Poulier helping in the school, and living with Miss Knight and Miss Killingsworth in the Principal’s quarters.

What else do I remember of my school life? FRIENDSHIPS – Being in different classes–A, B, or C, did not deter our friendships. Colour, race, religion, rich or poor did not matter to us. We were all friends; we helped each other, we ate together, we played together, we laughed together, we cried together, we bicycled to each other’s homes, we cheered each other on, we “pulled each other’s legs” and did many other things together. Our friendships were strong and close. We were really “GIRLS OF 1 MALAYSIA”, as one would describe us.

MONDAY MORNING ASSEMBLY – This assembly was a MUST for everyone. We would gather in our classes facing the school, under the watchful eyes of the prefects. As the flags were raised we stood at attention and sang the ‘Negara Ku’ followed by our School Song. And at the end of it, the prefects marched us back to our classes.

COMMISSIONING OF THE PREFECTS – Apart from the appointments of the Head Prefect and the Assistant Head, the other school prefects were elected by a democratic system. Those girls whom the teachers deemed worthy were nominated and were presented in the school hall for all to see. Elections were soon held and the popular girls usually have more advantage. Voting began as ballot papers were given to the classes. Results were later announced and on a special day the new prefects were commissioned on stage in the hall. There was a swearing-in, candles of the new prefects were lit by the seniors (kind of passing on the baton), a prayer was given and there were rejoicing and congratulations. It was an honour and responsibility for the new prefects. I still remember this beautiful and memorable experience when I was elected a prefect in my last year of school!

PARENTS AND PRIZE-GIVING DAY – On this important day, the school would have an exhibition of the girls’ arts and crafts. Parents were invited to attend to browse over their children’s work. Parents whose children achieved top positions were invited to attend the Prize-Giving. VIPs were invited. There were speeches. Prizes were given. There would be a choir presentation. Dances were performed and these would include a Malay candle dance or a joget, a Chinese fan dance, an Indian classical dance or a Scottish dance. Many of my classmates performed in all throughout our years in TMGS. I remember being chosen to dance the candle dance. There was a year when my friends and I in the Violin and Recorder Group together with Miss Liew had the honour of giving a performance. That was the first time we performed for parents and guests.

SPORTS DAY – This was an unforgettable day each year. Taking part in the marchpast, the class events, the 100 yards race, the 4 times 40 yards relay and even in the Scottish folk dances, were exciting and most enjoyable for us. I once ran in the 4 times 40 relay for our Red House and we won! One cannot forget the last event – the Inter-school Relay. How we cheered and jumped for our school team until we were hoarse in the throat. More so when our school won. It was a proud day for the “House” which won the Championship Cup for the year.

FUN-FAIRS – I remember that the school had fun-fairs selling food, had game stalls, a song request station, etc. They were held to raise funds, not understanding that mission schools really needed money to help run them. My classmates and I enjoyed helping even though it was not easy work. I remember that I was helping as a waitress once!

CHAPEL SERVICE – During my time, the hall was always almost full at chapel service. Most of the girls were there. Hymns were sung (many of which stayed in my mind even after I left school), the Lord’s Prayer was prayed (It remains in me), and other prayers were given. Someone (could be Miss Knight, Miss Poulier, Miss Killingsworth, Mrs. Polly Tan, Rev. Knutsen – then pastor of Wesley Methodist Church, or others) would share a message. Christmas at chapel service was popular and memorable. All these, and friends (very few were Christians) influenced me to join the church’s MYF (Methodist Youth Fellowship) and Sunday School in my teenage years. (Those years stayed with me and I came back to Jesus Christ after many wandering years. Together with Keat Seng and our son, Chee Su, we got baptized in 1989. It was followed by our daughter, Choon Ean in 1990.)

LIVE WORTHILY – OUR SCHOOL MOTTO
The school with her many loyal, faithful and dedicated hardworking teachers, principals and missionaries, is a story of God’s love for His people, His will and His work. It is a story of how He raised education among thousands of girls (no colour, racial or religious barriers) that they be nurtured to live worthily – to be women of integrity, independence, knowledge and strength. He wants the women to be able to touch lives, make a difference, give better opportunities for women and build up the country. I thank God for “all our girls” among whom are Datuk Asiah Abu Samah, Miss Yeap Gaik Khoon, Puan Sri Rosemary Chong Hon Nyan, Mrs. Ruth Navaratnam, Che Faridah bte Ariffin, Dr. Tan Kooi Lean and many others who have made a difference in one way or another.

Let us all of TMGS “LIVE WORTHILY” for HIM! Thank You JESUS CHRIST!