MGS KL marks a milestone

What it is today: MSG KL is spacious and modern, yet still retains its old-world charm.

THIS year is significant for the Methodist Girls’ School, Kuala Lumpur (MGS KL).

The iconic institution is celebrating its 120th anniversary, and plans to do so in style.

It was one of the first girls’ schools to be set up in Kuala Lumpur; it opened even before the Methodist Boys School. Education for girls was not common over a century ago and it is said that that the teachers had to go from house to house to coax parents to send their daughters to school.

MGS KL began as an attap-roofed bungalow in 1896 with three rooms that could fit 50 students.

The school has survived a fire, which completely destroyed its building, and the Second World War. During the latter, the school was closed for four years as it was used as the Japanese military headquarters. It reopened when the war ended in 1945.

After 120 years, there would be many exciting stories to tell, especially by MGS’ ex-students, who are welcome to share what school was like during their time.

A group of MGS KL alumni have come together for a gala dinner on Aug 7. It will be a gathering of former and present students, teachers, principals and friends of the school, for a chance to meet, mingle and reconnect with each other.

During the night, entertainment will come in the form of a performance by Donne Ray Radford from The Platters, a contemporary dance performance by current MGS KL students, and singing by the old girls. And to spice things up, there will be a photo booth, and sale of school souvenirs.

“The programme has been kept simple as I realised from previous gatherings that the girls just want to talk and catch up, and prefer a quieter ambience,” said Rosalind Wong, MGS KL alumni and event organiser.

Dancer, choreographer and former MGS KL student Farah Sulaiman has been roped in to help with the choreography for the dance item.

A member of the troupe, Wong Ai Ling, 16, who is also school vice-captain said: “There are 28 of us in the [dance] group. We have been training very hard once a week for the past three months so I am looking forward to the event.”

School captain Nur Farrah Jahubar Ali, 17, is not part of the dancers (as she would like to concentrate on the upcoming SPM examinations), but said she won’t miss the chance to attend the dinner.

“It is a meaningful event as we get to meet old students, exchange stories and learn from them,” she said.

And although the dinner is organised by the Old Girls of MGS KL, Rosalind said students from other MGS schools are welcome to join in the merriment.

She added that as this is a non-profit event, proceeds from the gala would be used to improve the school.

“The extra funds can be used to renovate the school, but I hope it would be channelled into an Eng-lish language programme,” she said.

Rosalind explained that there have been a lot of articles in the newspapers lately about the need to improve English among graduates in the country.

To address this pressing problem, she believes language has to begin in school, as it is difficult for students to to pick it up once they are in university.

“As a Methodist school, we were taught everything in English in the past.

“Our Old Girls’ command of English is very good because we were taught it in school. But fluency in the language has deteriorated in the past 20 years. Hopefully, we can revive this,” she said.

On how the English programme would be carried out, Rosalind said she hopes to get external resources to teach the language to students and teachers for at least five years, to see a change in the situation.

The dinner will be held on Aug 7, from 6pm to 11pm at Connexion@Nexus in Bangsar South.

Guests should come dressed in fashion from their favourite era – Roman, hippie, disco... you name it, then dress the part!

Tickets are priced at RM300 (VIP table) and RM180. The organisers are expecting a turnout of about 600 to 700 people.

For more information on the gala dinner, contact Rosalind at 019-2258597, e-mail [e-mail] or visit the school alumni’s Facebook page at MgsAlumniKL.