Kota Kinabalu: Two Sabah schools once again did the State proud by romping home with at least three awards at the recent Education Ministry's 2013 National Co-curricular Excellence Awards presentation ceremony held at Dewan 2020 in Kangar, Perlis.The glittering occasion was graced by Raja Muda Perlis, Tuanku Syed Faizuddin Putra Ibni Tuanku Syed Sirajuddin.
For the second time since 2010, SM St Michael, Penampang won the National Co-curricular Excellence Award in the Rural Secondary Schools category while teacher-advisor Mariatul Hanis Merani Abdullah for the school's Young Entrepreneurs Club was named one of the Top Four in the Teacher Co-curricular Excellence Award category.
"I dedicate the national award to my teachers in appreciation of their commitment and contribution.
Being responsible for co-curricular activities, they are the ones who make things happen. I am proud to be with the team," said the school's Excellent Principal, Marie Yong Pik Hua.
Also present were the State Education Department's representative, Cyril Lijawa, school's Senior Assistant (Co-Curriculum), Claris Hee, Co-Curriculum Coordinator (School Clubs), Fong Ling Ling and Co-Curriculum Coordinator (Uniformed Bodies), Thecla Nelly David.
Yong herself bagged the National Excellence Award for Co-curricular Management and Leadership (Individual Category) last year, which also saw the school clinching the National Co-curricular Excellence Award (Club Category) and its Senior Assistant (Administration) Jennifer Asing winning the Teacher Co-curricular Excellence Award, among others.
This year, SM La Salle Excellent Principal, Julia Willie Jock emerged the winner of the National Excellence Award for Co-curricular Management and Leadership (Individual Category).
Julia, who has served as principal for 19 years, has been at the helm of La Salle Secondary School since 2006.
Prior to that, she headed Sabah College for eight years since 1998.
When contacted, she said La Salle's mission is to nurture each Lasallian to achieve his fullest potential by giving due focus to both academic and co-curricular achievements.
"Hence students are groomed to be a 'a Scholar, a Gentleman and a Sportsman' In this regard, La Salle Secondary is very fortunate to have smart partners in education, among them, Shangri-La's Tanjung Aru Resort and Spa which collaborates with the school in environmental education and projects.
"The school is also supported by Kota Kinabalu City Hall (DBKK) and LIkas Wetlands. In sports, La Salle's niche areas are rugby, golf, ten-pin bowling and tennis with Lasallians representing the state and the country.
We are indebted to IJM Plantations Sdn Bhd and KK Sharks for rugby development," she said, adding it is also the home of the Chelsea FC Soccer School Sabah.
According to Julia, student leadership is also La Salle's forte with its La Salle Student Parliament offering students hands-on training in leadership and democracy. This Parliament was started way back in 1963.
"Lasallians are also encouraged to give back to society and help those in need. To this end, the school has various Outreach programmes undertaken by Lasallians.
"To lend a hand to blind students, the La Salle Librarians have undertaken the Tactile Programme in which they produce tactile books.
The de La Salle Reading Outreach Programme has benefited two rural schools, SK Pitas and SK Sipitang," she shared.
Both schools received 1600 books each, donated by Lasallians, their friends and families.
For students to gain international exposure, La Salle has embarked on an international student exchange programme with La Salle Zobel Santiago Manila since 2009 as well as engaging in a joint sustainable education programme with Grubbe High School Umea Sweden since 2010.
The school is also well known for her prowess in English Language Drama, emerging State and National Champions.
Talented too in the field of modern dance, Lasallians were crowned National Champions for the "My School Rocks" competition in 2012. Recently, Lasallian Noah Mosios won a Microscholarship awarded by the US Embassy for a two-week Young Leaders' Programme to be held in Trinity College Melbourne from 1st to 15th December 2013.
His English Language essay on Nelson Mandela was adjudged Highly Commended.
The National Co-curricular Excellence award winners were greeted with a congratulatory banner on arrival at the Kota Kinabalu International Airport (KKIA). Present were officers from the State Education Department, Penampang District Education Officer, Denis Gompion, and teachers of SM St Michael.
