Guests perusing old photographs at SXI Heritage Centre. — Photo by CHAN BOON KAI/The Star
XAVERIANS can now walk down memory lane at the newly opened SXI Heritage Centre at St Xavier’s Institution, Penang.
The centre showcases many panels from different eras, including a time capsule that was buried under the school’s foundation stone in 1952, an 1888 SXI donors’ plaque, a pair of century-old stone lions and three travel chests believed to have been brought by the first three Lasallian Brothers in 1852.
There was also a mock-up of a 1960s-style classroom while artefacts like the menacing cane and duster used to discipline students were also on display.
The school’s board of governors chairman Victor Tan said the RM600,000 heritage centre was set up to mark the school’s 170th anniversary this year.
“The centre was originally supposed to be housed in just two classrooms at the Karpal Singh block.
Ahmad Fuzi (centre) looking at artefacts on display. With him are (from right) Brother Blaikie, Abdul Rashid and Gim Ewe.
“However, we wanted a bigger space. We raised funds from alumnus Datuk Robert Wong JP, Old Xaverians Association, Xaverian Club Kuala Lumpur and the Penang Chief Minister.”
Tan thanked SXI Heritage Centre sub-committee chairman Ooi Gim Ewe for making the centre possible.
Penang Yang di-Pertua Negri Tun Ahmad Fuzi Abdul Razak opened the centre and also Iaunched a coffee table book called St Xavier’s Institution: A Documented History at the event.
Tan said during the movement control order, SXI Penang brother director Brother Jason Blaikie found among the archives the annual school magazines dating back to 1947, 35,000 school leaving certificates dating back to 1879 and personal diaries of the brother directors dating back to 1852, the year the school was founded.
A large part of the book references “The Annals of St Xavier’s Institution”, a handwritten manuscript copy dated 1851-1925, extracts from the Brother James souvenir book and various reflections written by the appointed Brother Scribe/Community Correspondent of SXI (1947-1985).
“Publishing this book also helps us raise funds for the maintenance of the school,” he said.
The SXI marching band performing at the launch.
SXI’s board of governors, historian Datuk Dr Ooi Kee Beng and Penang Institute collaborated to produce the book.
It is available at RM60 and buyers can call 016-414 4555.
Present at the event were state Education Department director Abdul Rashid Abdul Samad, northeast district education officer Yusof Shaari, Brother Blaikie, school principal Goh Hong Peng, Pahlawan Negara Datuk Paul Kiong and the alumni.
Guests watched a video presentation and were entertained by the SXI marching band.
Tan said any Xaverians who wished to contribute to the heritage centre could call him at 019-480 6556.
For now, visits to the centre are by appointment only. To make an appointment, call Tan or Gim Ewe at 016-482 3595.
