User:Ted1712/St. Mary's Secondary School (Sandakan)

History
It all started with the acquisition of 5 acres of land in a hill by Monsignor T. Jackson, the prefect Apostolic of the Mill Hill Order of Missionary Priest on May 1883. On 24th of July 1883 Rev.Father Prenger and Fr.Pundleider in a small hut, with five students began operating in which it was historic feat of setting up the first school in Borneo. All of the five students were housed in a unique kajang hut which was native to the inhabitants of the town. In February 1884, Fr.Pundleider left the shores of Sandakan to open up Bundu Mission which was during that period most of the inhabitants in North Borneo was mostly pagans or muslim. The school aparently have to temporarily close after Msgr.Jackson asked Fr.Prenger to leave Sandakan in November 1885 because the town was unhealthy when many of the towns folk were sick and clean water was not availble so do Fr. Prenger who is often ill.

In July 1886, Rev. Fr.J.Byron, upon visiting Sandakan found there was 26 Catholics but only a year later that Fr.Byron was able to re-establish the Mission and School in Sandakan. He re-opened St. Mary's School in August 15, 1887, but only one male student turned up to register. It was an uphill battle by Fr.Byron and he continued his efforts until he managed to enroll twelve more students. A new building was built in in 1888 after more students enrolled.

The appointment of Rev.Fr.A.Stotter to the Rector of Sandakan in 1920 made a major milestone in the history of the school. In 1923, he invited two De La Salle Brothers from Hong Hong to take over the running of St.Mary's School. Fr.A.Stotter returned to Europe to attend the Chapter of his Congregation. Upon his return in 1926, Fr.A.Stotter saw the need for a bigger school and a site was later build. A new 3 story wooden building was completed in 1929 where the ground floor up to the 2nd floor comprised of classrooms and rooms for the priests; The dormitory was on the third floor. In 1927, Rev. Fr.B.J Davis came to Sandakan and the following year, he was put in charge of St. Mary's School. In 1931, he personally arranged for some candidates for the Hong Kong Local Exams and it was successful. The following year he switched to the Cambridge Locals, also it was a success. St. Mary's School became officially recognized as the center for Cambridge Local Examinations in Northern Borneo.

However, war broke out in 1939 and North Borneo was under Japanese occupation from 1942 - 1945. It was at this period in 1943 that the Japanese razed St. Mary's School to the ground. Nothing was left behind, neither Church nor School. After the war in 1952, Rev. Fr. Anthony Moulders successfully claimed the property. As a visionary, architect, planner, contractor, he managed to re-plan and often in the difficult process of reconstruction after the devastation of the war, St. Mary's was back on its feet. Through admiringly tireless efforts, Rev.Fr. Moulders managed to do two schools. In 1953, he built a two storey 11 classroom school beside the newly completed church nevertheless the space became inadequate for the numerous students where some were orphans and other were deprived of education during the war.

In 1954, Rev.Fr.J.Van Haaren successfully obtained a large piece of land at Mile 2 1/2, Labuk Road (Currently in front of the International Building apartment) where he constructed a school to house the secondary school students while the original school remained as St.Mary's Primary School Bandar. St. Mary's Secondary School was officially declared open in December 1954. There were rooms for 5 classes and rooms for the priests and a chapel (currently the integrated Science Lab.) The school didn't stop its expansion and in 1959, a modern two storey eight classroom block was built and completed by Fr.Crowther (the current Form 3 block) and for the first time, science was introduced as a subject which by than had 292 pupils and 11 teachers. To cater for the smaller children a primary feeder school was started with 4 classes from kindergarten to primary 3. It was named - Our Lady of Fatimah School, and classes were held in the afternoons. In 1962, Our Lady of Fatimah School was handed over to the Franciscan Sisters who shifted to a new building and renamed the school as St. Cecilia's Convent Secondary. It saw a new milestone in the annals of St. Mary's School history in 1963 when the Mill Hill Fathers invited the De La Salle Brothers to take over St. Mary's Secondary School. The school population have increased to 320 boys in eight classrooms. Rev.Bro.Fridolin became the 1st principal of the School, while Rev. Bro. Xavier was in charge of the primary school.

In 1966, a three storey modern building madfe of concrete was built with a new school office, a three well-equipped science laboratories and a staff room and additional five classrooms which currently housed the Form-6 block). The project cost MYR300,000.00 and for the people of Sandakan, well-wishers, benefactors and old pupils came to donate generously for the school where everyone loved. Finally in 1967, the first Form 6 class on the east coast of Sabah began. The population in school grew to 480 boys in 12 classes while Rev.Fr.Raphael Egan was the administrator until 1971, with Rev. Bro.Frederick assumed the Directorship of the school.

The handling of the schools administration changed hands again in 1973 when Rev.Bro.Finian was appointed Director of the school. By now the school population has expanded to about 800 with a staff strength of 31. Various project extensions were made, a basketball cum volleyball court was built with the help of the old boys. In 1974, Bro.Finian embarked on a 2-storey building construction comprised of a School hall and a Library. During the period of construction, Bro.Finian was replaced by a tall and strict disciplinarian, Director Rev.Bro.Peter Ng who also was the 1st Asian to handle the administration of the school. Launched by the Resident of Sandakan, Datuk Ben Stephens, the new hall was officially declared open and by 1976, a new basketball court and a tennis court were added to the facilities of the school, and St. Mary's was considered as the best equipped school in Sandakan.

In the 70's, St.mary's school became a choice of every families entering school in Sandakan. Most of the young students were nurtured in a way how mission schools operated at that period. There was no discrimination on religion, race or culture where the population grew to 1,000 pupils in 25 classes with 38 staff. Performances both academic and on the sports was in its period of excellence. St. Mary's was on its peak in all the schools for the H.S.C. examinations for the year 1976-1977. St. Mary's. One of its faithful pupil Simon Fung became the first Bishop East Malaysian Bishop. A grand Centenary Celebration was held in 1983 to commemorate the 100 years of St. Mary's and tribute to the selfless Pioneers, Mill Hill Fathers, De La Salle Brothers and Teachers who have been associated with it since its inception in 1883.

Over the years, the school has expanded its facilities for the students population of 1,144 have been brought up to date, academic standards continue to be good. As Rev.Fr.Hurley had said back in 1920, "St. Mary's is the oldest school in the country, with a wonderful tradition behind it, and its Old Boys in the top place in Government and commerce as a glorious witness to its greatness."

In year 1987, De La Salle Brothers officially discharge the school administration to comply to the new ruling of Jabatan Pendidikan Sabah which had appointed En.Chin Tet Foh as head head of Sekolah Menengah St.Mary. Since he took over the administration, he successfully added basic facilities the school and improving more lesson and learning facilities. Among them is 'Walk Way' which connects one building block with another block; Computer room with 8 computer units; Two workshops for Kemahiran Hidup; Pendidikan Seni (Art Room); Sport equipment storage; Surau (Muslim prayer room); Volleyball court; Parking and new entrance gate. In year 1987, PIBAGU and Majlis Kebajikan Kakitangan Sekolah (MKKS) was created under his leadership.

In 1991, Mr.Francis Tan took over as Headmaster. As a catholic, he has done a lot in the beautification of the school and gave the school a facelift. Likewise in the field of academy, the school also excels in their annual  UPSR examinations. In year 1995, Ms.Yap Pak Shun has took over the helm of Mr.Chin Tet Foh. As principal of the school with her 65 teaching staff and 12 non teaching staff pledge to continue this great tradition which has always been the desire of its founding fathers. The old 486 computer was replaced for newer 386 models that was sponsored by YB Tham Nyip Shen. Apart from that, the school had purchased two multimedia computer with Intel pentium processor in year 1996 to give an opportunity for students experience the latest IT.

In year 1st JAN 1998, a unofficial Web site of St.Mary was constructed by a former St.Mary's student. This website was a spot to offer the latest information on St.Mary and its development worldwide.

S.M.K Website. St.Mary(Official) web addresse is http:// www.sabah.edu.my/stmary/English/ launched officially by YB Datuk Tham Nyip Shen on 5th of February 1999 in conjunction with acceptance ceremony of the computers. YB Datuk Tham Nyip Shen contributed 25 computers for multimedia to SMK St.Mary.