Guys, we certainly have a lot to thank our old friend Kuan Chee Kok for ! Here's an even older photograph of ..... (drumroll) .... St Joe Primary 6A class of 1971 ... that he has kept in near perfect condition all these years! [ CK, I think this qualifies you to claim a drink from every chap in this picture who happens to be in or visit KL ;-) ]
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Not all of us from the Form 5 (1976) classes were there in this Primary 6 class, but quite a large number were. See if you can recognise the familiar faces. And hey, weren't some of us SOOOOO CUUUTTTEEE .... ??? !!!
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The Principal is Mr Chai Chin Tu, the lady on the left is Mrs M. Leong, and the other lady is (I think) Miss Chong.
Huh, what was that you say? Too small? Can't see? Tsk tsk tsk - ok, ok, just for you half-blind old foggies, here are the blown up sections again ...
Left section
Middle section
Right section
Enjoy the reminiscing ...
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Posts
GASP !!!!!! I can't believe this picture still exists. Thanks CK!
ReplyDeletePC with even more hair ... HA HA HA
ReplyDeleteBut very handsome kid, that PC ...
ReplyDeleteNow the task of identifying is getting more difficult.
ReplyDeleteBut I can confidently point out Christopher Kuek Sze Tong at extreme right back row.
And whose the little guy kneeling down next to Miss Chong? I am sure he is no longer 'little'. haha.
The tall boy behind Mrs. M Leong must be Kevin Chin. And that is purely guess work based on his height.
ReplyDeleteThis pic is another gem!
ReplyDeleteThat's not Christopher Kuek. He's beside Kok Beng........you got to find Kok Beng to find Kuek.
ReplyDeleteAnon 1.05pm, another double edged sword. Meet u at museum 1.05pm for ..... ang tau peng!
ReplyDeleteAmazing pic, KCK. I couldn't believe my eyes when I saw it. What other treasures do you have?
ReplyDeleteBloody hell, I'm having a go:
ReplyDeleteBack: (Gerard?) Read (?), Yeo Kheng Choon, Paul Tong, Lim Cho Chua, Ling Sheng Hee (?), Christopher Chew, George Lo, Tiong Khun Tzan, Tan Chin Chai, Kuan Chee Kok, Sim Khee How, Leong Kueh Fook, James Yong, Ngiam Tie Fen, Wong Kah Kung, William Lim (?), Richard Lee
Middle: Liew Yu Neng, Abdul Rahman (?), Kong Keh Kee, Chen Liang Fang, Ho Boon Chiang, Tham Peng Yeow, Andrew Kang, Kevin Chin, Lau Suan Chye, Wee Aik Hock, Ong Poi Jin, Ngu Chin Sun, Chong Chi Nai, Valentine Khoo, Philip Chin, Abang Adzhar, (???), Liew Kuet Man
Front: Roney Zaidel, Bertram Chew, (???), (???), Christopher Kuek, Law Kok Beng, Mrs Leong, Mr Chai (Who lost 5 cents?), Miss Chong, (???), Ting Thong Kong, (???), Ajit Nair, Curtis Teo, (???)
Anyone disagree or can fill in the blanks?
Kevin, you have an amazing memory.
ReplyDeleteBackrow, leftmost: Gerard Harry
ReplyDeleteand i think the chap in middle row, 2nd from right is Joseph Read ... between Abang Azhar and Liew Kueh Man.
ReplyDeleteAnd likely my last contribution tonight is Ang Swee Cheng (or something close to that) ... front row, 4th from right.
ReplyDeleteChap next to Chris Kuek is Ariffin something or Abang Ariffin.
ReplyDeleteKevin's near photographic memory has always been impressive. That's why he was always one of the top boys in class.
ReplyDeleteWho can remember the other Primary 6 teachers?
ReplyDeleteWhat about the most vivid memory of primary school? Mine is Miss Tai in Primary 2 who used to smack our backsides with her big wooden ruler. Whenever the class made too much noise she would shout "Bend over" and proceed to smack each of our backsides.
Primary school teachers i remember: Mr Andrew Ee (told good stories), Mr Chew (a pushover), Miss Eng (fierce, with painful rubberband technique), Mrs Leong (strict) ...
ReplyDeleteYes, Kevin, I remember being asked to bend over with the whole class when we were noisy. It was not so scary cos there was this feeling of solidarity - everyone was getting it! Cannot remember her name was Miss Tai.
ReplyDeleteI do remember Mr Chew vividly. A friendly and jovial chap. I even met him after I came back from Melbourne but have not seen him for many years. Wonder how he is.
Everyone will of course remember Mr Chai Chin Tu. I had to see him quite a few times on account of the lousy marks I always got in chinese spelling tests - zero! LOL.
I am visitor number 9961. 39 to go before the 10K mark. Keep an eye on the counter, boys and girls. If you are the 10,000th visitor, maybe you get to have dinner with the website jaga in Singapore!
ReplyDeleteI believe Mr. Chai is CLK's uncle. How are you LK? BTW; is Stephanie Chai related to you? CM and I have an interest here.
ReplyDeleteMmmmmm ... the model Stephanie Chai ?????????
ReplyDeleteKCK and CM
ReplyDeleteI am well. Thank you.
I am not sure which Stephanie Chai you are referring to. But if she is the Model Annon 11:28 said, then she is related, and listens to me. Literally what ever instructions given will be carried out. So, you two "Che Ko Bak" better send me some good red wine and the famous Laksa too.
CKL, Please allow us to explain the motivation behind this truly innocent question. CM, don't mind if I speak on our behalf. You will still deserve the wine and laksa but we advise you to consume the laksa freshly cooked and good red wine is for sharing with friends, agree?
ReplyDeleteWe were looking for a long lost friend and at the same time solving a mystery. Mr. Chai jr. was indeed my flatmate in Christchurch for many years. Among us like CM, LYN and I were always together in NZ every summer. Mr. Chai jr was very talented in badminton and mahjong but sizzling tempered. We lost touch since then. When the newspapers published an article about the model and her parental background originating from NZ, I was very curious to know esp. it's a Chai. Now the mystery is solved. You can take back the CKB title you bestowed upon CM and me as it's her dad we are interested to know.
Just want to say hello to Mr. Chai Junior from all the former NZ Railway ticket conductors.
Hey, we used to ferry him to and fro the model's mother house in Christchurch but never saw her mum. Cheers.
KC, what's the inside story about Mr Chai and 5 cents?
ReplyDeleteI was just remembering the assemblies after recess when Master Chin Tu would hold up his hand (sometimes both hands) and ask "Who lost 5 cents?" or "Who lost 10 cents?" and some brave young soul would venture forward to reclaim his lost treasure.
ReplyDeleteAnd Mr Chew Fai Min! I remember him telling us stories about his fights with people and his strategy of using steel dust to throw into the opponent's eyes - he was a bit of a ruffian. And Mrs Chew in Primary 3 was one of the kindest teachers I ever had.
remember a scuffle Aik Hock had with Mr Chew in class one day ?
ReplyDeleteI remember that scuffle.
ReplyDeleteAik Hock was famous for fighting with the teachers - he was a rebel right up to Form 5. Hey man, if you're out there reading this, I hope you're doing well. You gave us some really memorable moments.
ReplyDeleteAik Hock was my Nemesis in school. It started in Wan Chu Kindergarden when he tried to take away the car I was peddling. We ended up with black eyes. In Pri 4, he was the one responsible for my nickname of "female" in Chai Chin Tu's Nature Study class. Total strangers called out to me in that unfortunate moniker for years to come. In Form 2, he challenged me to a fight at the museum grounds after class one day. He was in a different class by then and he tried to solicit backup by throwing notes into some classrooms that fateful day. One of the notes was intercepted by a teacher who promptly handed it to Bro. Columba. It transpired that he had also challenged Christopher Chew to a rematch that same afternoon. Christopher and I had a couple of rottans that day but Aik Hock had a basket's worth. He came out of Bro. Columba's office in tears. In Form 5, he came to my house with a few gangsters to teach me a lesson for "standing up" to him. Luckily, a neighbour saw the commotion and calmed things down. Some other Josephian lads from Sa Li Hung( next to the police station near JL's corner shop) were there for Aik Hock too. I understand that he is now somewhere in Australia and I wish him and his family well.
ReplyDeleteI can sympathise with you, PC. He gave us prefects plenty of trouble too.
ReplyDeleteDidn't know you went to Wan Chu. I was there too but don't remember you or Aik Hock. Must be a different class. Thank goodness I did not have the pleasure of knowing him then. Hope you've mellowed out by now, Mr Wee.
PC and I were just chatting about AH some weeks ago. After hearing PC's story, I can only conclude that people can be so multi-faceted. The side of an individual one sees depends on context & situation.
ReplyDeleteAH lived near my old home on Tabuan Rd, and for several years, he hitched a ride home in our car. Over time we became pretty good friends. He introduced me to my first "lastik" (slingshot). He was always a polite chap in my home, and my folks liked him. Sure I knew about some of the trouble he got into at school and also that he had interesting friends outside. I've often wondered whether it was pure coincidence that while almost all of the houses along our road got broken in or vandalised at one time or another, ours never experienced any such intrusion. Not even our rambutan trees close to the fence were ever touched.
AH was impulsive and rebellious but he also had guts and spirit, and I'm sure these latter qualities served him well in his life. I wish him & his family the very best in Australia, or wherever he happens to be.
Hey, let's talk about something less sombre. Almost a thousand hits in a day! (I hope I've got my sums right - after all, I'm a lousy accountant who needs to pull down his pants to count to 21). If this keeps up, we'll reach GL's milestone of 100,000 hits in a matter of months.
ReplyDeleteNot quite, KC. We achieved 10,000 hits after 116 days, which works out to be about 86 hits a day. I only started this site in Jan, and visitor arrivals started slowly in the beginning - averaging 20 hits/day in Jan, then 40 in Feb, 60 in Mar, and now we have exceeded 100 hits/day over the past two weeks (coincidentally ever since a lady signed in :-)
ReplyDeleteSo it might take a little longer to reach 100,000. Let's take it a step at a time, and just have fun. The numbers are not so important ... oops, is that heresy to an accountant ? ha ha.
Hey accountant, I'd like to see how you play "Ban Lat" or "Blackjack". LOL.
ReplyDeleteHey accountant KC. You got your numbers wrong again. Pulling your pant down will only get you to 20.5. Ha ha ha
ReplyDeleteBtw, AH happens to be the uncle of a client of mine! He used to push me around in school (I was easily pushed around LOL). Hock, if you are reading this, I'd like to buy you a cup of coffee when you are back in Kuching. Trust that you have mellowed over the years and like the others, I wish you well.
ReplyDeleteHa ha ha. JK, you are mean! It'd be 21 if he pulls down his pants early in the morning. LOL.
ReplyDeleteBtw, doc, I have always wondered - medically, why does it ... em, do that early in the morning?
JK, are you sure? There might be some basis to his nickname "panjang" ... and it might not refer to his long memory.
ReplyDeleteI can only thank my lucky stars that it's not 20 cos sometimes it feels that way!
ReplyDeleteAny alumni of Nanyang Kindergarten (class of 65) here?
ReplyDeleteI was in Pei-Te Kindergarten at Jalan Tabuan.
ReplyDeleteAnybody know where is Peter Tiong Khun Tzan? Last in touch with him in London. Must have been in late 70s or early 80s.
ReplyDeleteHello Anonymous 9.11. I will answer for JK. Problem is that you have too many dreams. I pray that many of your dreams will come true. Bless you, poor soul.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Agony Aunt. If they all came true, I'd need a lot of Viagra!
ReplyDeleteMoving away from this super-phallic topic and back to the Primary 6 class of 1971 :-)
ReplyDeleteI recall in Primary 6, a few of our classmates, in particular Gerard Harry and Valentine Khoo (I can't rem the others) took up a MARA scholarship and went to Johor to study. Anyone in contact with them since then ?
Hi....JY
ReplyDeleteI was in Nanyang Kindergarten (Green Rd) class for a couple of years. Cannot remember you there, JY. I remembered the school minibus would come round and take us to school. I recalled we had to recite the English and Mandarin words: A for Apple, B for Ball or Tien, Ti, Niew, Yang, Sui, Huo, something like that and writing joined up lines: up, down, zig zag, etc. On our break, we had milk and biscuits, riding bikes and played on swings in the school compound. LOL
Yes, I was at Nanyang Kindergarden (Green Road) too in 1965. I remember that I was involved in a fight (the other bugger started it, me - victim of bullying, of course). I definately lost the fight (my shaolin techniques not so good then) and end up with bruises everywhere. Luckily I wasn't hit below the belt, phew. I don't remember who he was but could it be you, John? I don't remember JY being there, though.
ReplyDeleteJohn wouldn't have remembered me - he was too busy chasing the lasses ... or beating up Ah Kuo. But John, your description of our day at Nanyang sure is accurate.
ReplyDeleteHi...JK/JY
ReplyDeleteNo, I do not do bullying but I can stand up for myself, especially being a "town boy". It might be Aik Hock!!!! Hahaha. JK, you were either an easy target or were you eyeing up some girls that got you beaten up?
At my kindy, it was milo and biscuits. Maybe Pei-Te was a bit more up market - heh heh. We had those tricycles to ride too. I remember one day, my cousin accidentally swallowed a chewing gum. I told her [the old wife's tale] that her intestines would all jam up from the chewing gum. She bawled her eyes out and the teacher were all stressed out LOL.
ReplyDeleteOh yeah Georgie boy? Nanyang Kindy (Green Rd) served ICED milo sometimes .. you got or not? Ha ha ha!
ReplyDeleteAha, Nanyang Kindy, operated by a Foochow lady (Mdm or Mrs Ting P.T.)... was there 2 years after you guys. Our paths meet again here.
ReplyDeleteDo you remember the food and snacks we could buy from the Primary School canteen?
ReplyDeleteSnacks from canteen that I remember: sweets (5 cents each, 10 cents for 3), jiu hu, seng boi, some sweetened meat on a stick, the tube of round, red snacks (dun rem name)... Also rem the ice cream man on the bicycle.
ReplyDeleteJames, i think you mean 'sancha' re: tube of round, red snacks'.
ReplyDeletestill readily available around here.
Yup Leo, sancha ... that was it! There were also those kanas and other dried fruits in little plastic packets.
ReplyDeleteHi! James
ReplyDeleteValentine Khoo is in KL. He was working in Bank Utama KL.I didnt know he is a '59 babe.
We are in contact via our regular Bank Utama reunions.
He was named Valentine cos his parents married on Valentine's day and he was born 9 months later on 14 Nov 1959. Isnt it sentimental?
I will pass your contact numbers
James and KC, does Alhadi rings a bell? The guy beside Christopher Kuek.
ReplyDeleteThe little fler beside Miss Chong is Ng Kok Phian aka as scorpian. He and Abg Ariffin were the shortest in class.
I just can not remember the name of the fellow in between Abg. Adzhar and Kuek Man. He is definitely not Joseph Read. Joseph was in 6B.
Cheers
Is he Alexander ...? The fler sandwiched between Kuek Man and Abg Adzhar. I always thought Alan Jerah was in our class. Was he?
ReplyDeleteKevin (Panjang), nice to see you again after close to 40 years!! Hope to meet for cuppa brother.
Cheers
Miss Molly Chong was our music teacher. That was where we learned Waltzing Matilda from. I am sure you guys remember her too.
ReplyDeleteRemembering the good old days.
Cheers
BTW, Abg Ariffin is beside Curtis Teo.
ReplyDeleteHowdy PC (Philip Chin)!!
ReplyDeleteCan you still remember the times when I stayed with my aunt (She's a nurse at the "chit-kee-thieu"). We always used the same bus to SJS and back. You taught me to buy seasons bus ticket cause I always paid cash and once or twice I do not have money and you have to cover for me. haha... Those were the days.
Where did you stay at that time? Was your mum a nurse too?
Ajit Nair was a Sinhalese from Ceylon. I did argue with him on his race those days. I was referring to Malaysia=Malaysian, China=Chinese, Singapore=Singaporean, Indonesia=Indonesian and why Ceylon not = to Ceylonese. He said I was wrong. Ceylon people is Sinhalese. Well, can not argue with a guy who is from that country can you? Any contact with him? Was he in SJSF1?
ReplyDeleteAnother guy I remember was Fahap Fozdar. He was quite close to me in Primary 4A. But I guess he left after one year at SJS. His father could be one of the famous Fozdar doctors from Iran.
Cheers
The sports teacher was Master Goh Ban Ho aka as Goh Ban Koh (50K)
ReplyDeleteRemember master Tan Meng Kee also had a nicked. Not so nice to put here. haha
ReplyDeleteMaster Tan Meng Kee was related to the late Tan Chin Chai I presume.
Master Andrew Yii was our class teacher for 2 years. That was Primary 4A And 5A.
ReplyDeleteGerard, Was Mr Tan Meng Kee nickname " Monkey "
ReplyDeleteDid I win a prize ? WJ
Then , What was it ? Spill it out loud.
You are correct, Anon. haha...
ReplyDeleteDoes not sound nice isn't it. haha...
Gerard, were you referring to Alexander Kho? I think he left after primary 6, correct me if I'm wrong.
ReplyDeleteNorbert, I remember the name but forgot the surname. Yes, he's Alexander Kho!
ReplyDeleteCorrection: The music teacher was Martina Chong and not Molly. I got mixed-up with my wife's godmother (Mrs. Molly Chong)
Hello Gerard. So nice to see you on this blog. I have been following your recent postings here with great interest. WJ and I have often wondered about you ever since this blog started. I remember you as this very nice and friendly lad! It's a great pity that you can't make this grand reunion. Hopefully some of us will get to meet you in a mini reunion very soon. Meanwhile, take care and warmest regards to you and your family.
ReplyDeletePhilip @ PC
ReplyDeleteIt is great to meet you again Philip! The face NO change but the hair almost gone. Haha...
You're one of my buddy too in class. I guess you read my earlier message about the bus trip. We always sit at the back of the bus. There's another guy always with us. I think he was from another class.
I hope to catch up with you one of these days for a cuppa on me. I told James the same coz he had belanja me very often in SJS. Life was difficult those days. Dad had to look after a huge family. 8 in our family and there were other extended family. He was only a junior govt officer earning R400. But somehow I was happy. I had a wonderful childhood life. No worries and NO internet to kachiau. haha.....
Hope you have a GREAT time tonight brother.
Cheers!!! Yam Seng!!! Hoooooooo Haaaaaaaaqa!!!!
Hello Gerard
ReplyDeleteGood to see you on the blog. I must say you have an amazing memory. Now that you've mentioned Alhadi and Kok Phian, I can even visualise them in my mind. I remember you as the lively boy who leaves us all breathless with your constant movement - maybe that comes from your being a sprinter.
Kevin, its great to catch up with you again old pal. I have read a lot about you in this blog and you are doing great. I am happy for you and for all the other classmates and schoolmates where ever they may be. I am sure they are scattered all over the world sowing the seeds of Ora et Labora.
ReplyDeleteThank you to Sdr Jimmy @James @WJ @JY, the guy with many names. haha... I believe the grand reunuion and mini reunions were mooted from this blog. I hope we will have the 'big 55 ' reunion ie 5 years from now. I am sure there will also be many mini reunions in between.
Christmas blessings to you all!
Kevin and ex classmates, I am sure Alan Jerah was in our class SJS1971P6. I can't seem to find him in the class photo. Perhaps he went somewhere with his family (with permission) when the photo was taken. Alan Jerah sat somewhere near George Lo by the window.
ReplyDeleteI remember George as the reserve type during those days. I think I rarely talk to him but he is never selfish with his smile. :-)
I must remember to reserve some days leave for this importnat occasion (grand reunion) in the future.
Gerard, a Joyous double Xmas Greetings to you and your family. Have a wonderful year ahead and God willing, may we meet up again(incl all our new found friends) before the new year is out.
ReplyDeleteanonymous April 28 2009, I wonder who u are. I also went to Nanyang Kindy 2 years after them.I can only remember 1 guy who went to SJS Pri 1 after that.
ReplyDelete