Janestanstein says it is an honour to be entrusted with the responsibility and privilege to lead St Xavier’s Insitution and hopes to serve until her retirement. — CHAN BOON KAI/The Star
HISTORY was made on Aug 18 when Janestanstein Stephen walked through the gates of St Xavier’s Institution (SXI) on Farquhar Street, not as a student but as the first female principal in the school’s 172-year history.
For Janestanstein, 55, the appointment to the renowned school in Penang is nothing short of a homecoming.
An alumna of SXI, she had studied at the school for two years and left in 1989 after completing her Upper Six.
“I never imagined I would one day return to lead the school that shaped me as a teenager.
“Meeting the teachers and students brings back so many memories.
“My priority now is to improve the school’s facilities, especially the computer lab and classroom ventilation, so that students can learn in a more conducive environment,” she said.
After leaving school, she worked briefly at a bank before enrolling at the Maktab Perguruan Ilmu Khas in Cheras, Kuala Lumpur.
She graduated in 1994 and was posted to Terengganu, where she served from 1995 to 1997.
Back in Penang, she taught at Convent Pulau Tikus and later at Sekolah Kebangsaan Tanjung Bungah. At the same time, she furthered her studies at Universiti Sains Malaysia from 1999 to 2001.
She taught at Penang’s Convent Light Street (2001-2002), moved to SMJK Ave Maria Convent in Ipoh, Perak, before returning to Penang to serve at Convent Datuk Keramat (2003-2005).
In 2006, she was posted to SMK Teluk Bahang, where Janestanstein said she gained valuable experience in managing a large school community.
“I never realised how much more active and louder boys could be compared to girls, until I taught at Teluk Bahang.”
Janestanstein, fondly known as Cikgu Jane, took on more prominent leadership roles at Methodist Boys’ School (2022), although she felt slightly intimidated at first.
“The schoolboys were all so much taller and bigger than me,” she recalled with a laugh.
Her last posting before SXI was at Methodist Girls’ School from 2023.
The new principal said she believed in accessibility and inclusiveness, adding that she maintained an open-door policy and encouraged the 1,209 SXI students, including the 250 schoolgirls, to approach and talk to her at any time.
“SXI today is a co-educational school from Form One to Form Four while Form Five only has boys but from next year, all the forms will be co-educational.”
SXI board of governors chairman Victor Tan welcomed her appointment with optimism.
“The board looks forward to working closely with Janestanstein and the Parent-Teacher Association.
“Together, we will look into what can be improved and how best to uphold the school’s tradition of excellence.”
Janestanstein said her new role was both a responsibility and a privilege, as being entrusted to lead SXI was an honour.
“It is about giving back to the school that once gave me so much,” she said, adding that she hoped to serve at SXI until her retirement.
