SMK KONVEN ST. URSULA TAWAU

History And Physical Development
of St. Ursula School, Tawau

 

History

Sekolah Menengah Kebangsaan Konven St. Ursula had its humble beginnings in 1966, in a borrowed premise of the Holy Trinity Secondary School under the  administration of Rev. Mother John Bosco, a Franciscan Missionary of St. Joseph.  Later the same year, the first block of the school building was completed and Ursulites moved in to occupy it. 

In 1967, the school, which is the only all-girls school in Tawau, bloomed beyond all expectations. This resulted in the construction of the second block of classrooms, complete with a Science Laboratory, a Domestic Science room, a general office and the Principal’s office.   

The school was then officially declared opened on 27th of January 1968 by YB Datuk Kassim Kamidin, the Assemblyman for Merotai then. 

Today, the appearance of the school has drastically changed. The student population has increased by leaps and bounds from a little over a hundred in 1966 to more than one thousand at the present moment. Due to the increasing number of students, the Afternoon Sessions was introduced in 1972. 

Teachers have come and gone too. The school had Mother John Bosco and Sr. Berchmans in 1966. In 1967, Sr. Berchmans moved to Sandakan and 2 more Sisters (Sr. Moira and Sr. Bernardine) joined Mother John. 

In 1966, the school had a host of volunteer teachers from the Holy Trinity Secondary School whose sacrifice gave the Convent the boost it needed in its early stage.  

In 1967, the staff consisted of the following : 

Mother John Bosco

Sr. Moira

Sr.Bernardine

Lucy Yapp

A.     Francis

J. Sundaram

Edward De Cruz 

In 1968, 3 more teachers (Noreen Coelho, Lim Kok Eng and Chiam Kee Wee) joined the staff of the school. The school clerk, Mdm. Kong Yin Chi started working here in 1971 and is still with us today together with 3 other clerks.

In the early days, the “White Sisters” held typing classes for the girls and the school often raised funds especially around Chinese New Year. 

In 1972, Rev. Mother John Bosco and Sr. Bernardine left the school for home (England) and the headship was taken over by Sr. Edwarda 

Past Principals 

1978 – 1979             Sr. Therese

1980 – 1983             Mr. Edward De Cruz

1983 – 1984             Mrs. Elizabeth Au Yong

1984 – 1985             Mr. Lim Tong Seng

1985 – 1993            Mrs. Elizabeth Au Yong

1993 – 1994             Mr. Lim Tong Seng

1994 – Present         Mrs. Elizabeth Au Yong

 

Physical Development And Expansion

Originally, the school had only 3 blocks i.e Block A, Block B and the Principal’s Quarters. In 1982, under Mr. Edward De Cruz, the basketball court was built. In 1985, under the headship of Mrs. Elizabeth Au Yong, a building to house the Guidance and Counseling center and the Book Loan Scheme room was erected. 

In 1986, another building as put up to house the Sewing Room, the Living Skills Workshop and a Store. 

In 1992, Block B was extended to accommodate a Chemistry Laboratory and two classrooms. These classrooms were to replace the classrooms in Block A, which were converted into a staff room. 

In 1995, the State Government, through the initiative of Deputy State Finance Minister, YB. Datuk Michael Lim Yun Sang partially funded the construction of the School Library building. This building also serves as a multi-purpose center in which staff meetings, small seminars, reading and private work by the students are conducted. A part of it has also been partitioned for use as a computer laboratory. 

Other rooms such as the Self-Access Learning Center and a Muslim prayer room were also made available to the students. 

In 1998, two more pure science laboratories were added, one for Biology and the other for Physics. 

In 2001, the PTA built a covered walkway for the students to rest during intervals. The Lions Club Host of Tawau built three other gazebos in the same year.

 

CURRICULUM AND CO-CURRICULUM

Academically, the Ursulites may be proud of heir achievements. Results over the years speak for themselves and there is no necessity for a resume’ of their performance over the years here. Likewise, their achievements in their co-curricular activities are no less astonishing. 

This is only a brief record of the School’s establishment and the progress made since then. Nevertheless, one cannot help to wonder at the achievement owed to a few but enjoyed by many. It was no easy task to level a hill to put up a school; nor was it easy to convert the red surroundings to the lush green as it is now. Yet all this would not have been possible was it not for the dedicated services of some good people. 

CATHOLIC MISSION SCHOOL BOARD 

Year                           Supervisor                         Chairman 

1979 – 1984           Rev. Fr. Thomas Sham        Mr. Alex Pang

1985 – 2001           Rev. Fr. Aloysius Tung        Datuk James Pang

2001 – present        Rev. Fr. Cosmas Lee          Bryan Paul Lai

 

In 1999, the PTA was formed with Mr. Mohd. Yassin B. Mohamad as the first Chairperson.

 

VISION AND MISSION OF THE SCHOOL 

VISION

To educate our students so that they become competent and dedicated in their duties and also to possess high moral standards. We hope to produce healthy and responsible citizens for the country who will serve not only themselves but also others and be models for exemplary behavior. The  motto on their badge is “To Serve And To Enlighten”. 

MISSION 

1.      To inculcate a fear of God;

2.      To carry out the teaching and learning process in a systematic and relevant manner;

3.      To deliver services to staff and students that can enhance their productivity;

4.      To instill universal values that promote a culture of diligence, cooperation, mutual respect, cleanliness, honesty and gratitude.

 

Compiled By : Elizabeth Au Yong

http://www.members.tripod.com/catholicflash/schools/school/historyursula.htm

 

 INDEX - SMK   October 31, 2007 11:33:45 AM