Remember the School

Most of us, old boys out there when met they say they really missed their school. For those who are from millenium batch(graduated in 00's) "rindu" sama sekolah is not really deep in their heart compare those graduated from the last century.

Why they missed their school? After they finished their studies and now become a working man, they feel that the more years they gone through, bertambah dekat dengan sekolah di hati mereka.

The problem with us the working old boys is that we do not have time to visit the school. Busy with our tight schedules and even when we are in Ipoh, we got to spend our time with families. Therefore, when is our time to visit the school and to meet up with the teachers?

To overcome this problem, the school and the OMA should plan something. Let the old boys from all over the places and batches return to school. A kind of mass gathering and not in small or individually visit. I believe many of them would love to do so. But how?

The Anderson school will celebrate its centennial celebration on February 2009. Preparation has been made. The celebration is the event much awaited by the Andersonians all over nations. Banners, sign boards and buntings are everywhere even besides the highway.

SMI also will celebrate its 100 years in 2012. Do we have to wait for 3 more years to be invited to celebrate it?

The school and the OMA should organize an OLD BOYS WEEKEND(OBW). OBW is a common or annual event held by certain schools particularly the full residential schools.

MCKK and STAR used to held this event through the collaboration between the schools and the old boys. What is so unique about it is that the event is organized by a students from a particular batch. For example, Batch 1996 will organize and become the committee for the OBW in 2016.

The STAR students were being told that 20 years after their graduation year, they must be the organizer for the OBW. For budak koleq(MCKK) after 30 years they become the organizer. This is the tradition.

Every year the old boys from these two schools will come back to school. This will be an opportunity for them to meet up with the boys and inspired them. The boys can see their "abang2", who they are now and what are they doing. Of course being an SBP school and producing lot of professionals, the boys will like to follow the footsteps and learn from their seniors.

During their OBW, a lot of activities were held to strengthen the bond of fraternity among them. Among others were a Rugby and a Football game between the old boys and the boys. Dinner and a performance from the school wind orchestra were also held.The old boys and the boys work together to make the OBW a successful one. Normally the OBW took place for 3 days, from Friday to Sunday. Apart from the celebration, an annual meeting for the STAROBA and MCOBA were held to select those who can work and contribute to the association.

Can SMI do the same thing? Some might say it is so hard to do as SMI graduates every year are not the same number as the SBP students. Lot of preparations need to be done to welcome home the old boys. Of course the budget issue is one thing.

Somewhere in 2007 there was a similar event held. The SMI ALUMNI KLANG VALLEY members were given the opportunity to visit SMI and several events were held such as tarik tali and other fun activities. Lunch was also provided by the old boys. It was a good effort.

Can we imitate and follow the way the MCOBA and STAROBA did? If we could organize an OBW, not exactly as they did but certain characteristics or events which would benefitted, plus the involvement of multiracial old boys which they never had, it would be the most memorable and terrific event for all Michaelians.

At the end RINDU OLD BOYS TERUBAT APABILA PULANG SEMULA KE SEKOLAH.