To sir with love

Yesterday, the 27th of October 2005, was a day when we had to bid farewell to our beloved principal, Mr. Louis Rozario Anthony Doss. He is retiring from government service on the 2nd of November but as we are going to have a week off, therefore we had to put up a retirement ceremony on the 27th of October (I wouldn't even call it a celebration).

He, himself a Michaelian, served St. Michael's Institution as Principal for 7 years already from 1998 to 2005, and the school fluorished tremendously under his care. Disciplinary problems were dealt with promptly (crime rate is very low in SMI), examination results were certainly better year after year and much development of the school could be seen every year. For example:

1. The road leading to the car park and the whole tar path was paved with inter-locking bricks (no more pot-holes!)
2. A covered pathway was built for students and visitors who are walking into the school compound (no fear of walking in the rain anymore!)
3. A pavilion was built especially for the students of the afternoon session while they are waiting to enter the classrooms. Clubs and societies are also allowed to carry out their activities in the pavilion.
4. A verandah was built connecting the pavilion and the main school building so that students need not fear of walking in the rain while travelling to and fro the pavilion and the main school building.
5. The school Lecture Theatre was renovated. The walls were carpeted, doors were changed, air-conditioners were installed and the lighting system was altered. A multimedia set was even purchased and installed in the Lecture Theatre
6. The pathway at the foyer leading to the office has been paved with beautiful tiles and the floor at the bookshop has been given a face-lift (to prevent floods during heavy rain).
7. The basketball court has been resurfaced twice.
8. Water pipes were changed.
9. More classrooms were opened at the Brothers' Quarters to accomodate more Form 6 classrooms. An air-conditioned conference room and a Heads of Faculties Room are also located there.
10. A new "5-star" toilet was built early this year and was completed just recently.
11. The school canteen (now known as cafeteria) is installed with fans and had new tables and chairs brought in.

There you have it. The above-mentioned projects were all proposed by none other than our Principal himself, Mr. Louis Rozario Doss. He took the trouble to ask for sponsors and financial aids to develop our school. A special thanks to Kuala Lumpur Kepong Bhd., the Old Michaelians' Association and the Parent-Teachers Association of SMI for their support in the development of the school by channeling financial aids. Also, a special tribute to those who were involved with the annual school drama. Most of the funds came from the school drama itself.

Mr. Louis Rozario Doss portrayed himself as a very dedicated Michaelian and he has certainly lived up the entire Michaelian Spirit. Every student and every teacher reveres him as a great, polite, outstanding, diligent and committed man. His 7 years in our school have brought us a lot of changes, changes that we will cherish for many more years to come.

Nevertheless, it was rather difficult for us as we had to bid our goodbyes to him on the 27th of October 2005. I know that he was very heavy-hearted to leave SMI, probably not because he wants to continue working but perhaps feeling sorry that he couldn't finish some of his other projects that he had already carried out.

No matter what, the Michaelian community was miss him sorely. We could not help but wish him all the best in whatever he pursues now. We hope to see him again, if not always, occasionally. Here, I'm attaching some of the pictures of the changes that he had made to the school and also pictures of the principal himself enjoying our class farewell party held at Hillcity Hotel:

A group picture with the principal

The principal (in black), with the other teachers

We specially ordered a cake for our principal in conjunction with his retirement soon.

We certainly behaved as "Michaelians". Just look at them!

Our newly renovated Lecture Theatre, complete with LCD Projector, a personal computer (with broadband networking), air-conditioners and newly installed lighting system

Our beautifully renovated cafeteria, with new tables and fans

There are in fact many more which I can post here, but I think that is enough.

N.B. This post is delayed a few days. Although the date of posting shows 28th October, actually the real posting date is 3rd of November. I saved it as a draft on the 28th of October 2005 before attaching the pictures.