SECONDARY SCHOOLS IN TAWAU  >  SMK KONVEN ST. URSULA TAWAU

SMK KONVEN ST. URSULA TAWAU

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TAMAN CENDAWAN
PROJECT PSV
2009 & 2010

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 :
1- Mother John Bosco
2- Sr. Moira
3- Sr.Bernardine
4- Lucy Yapp
5- A. Francis
6- J. Sundaram
7- 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

The Christian Missionary Schools are the contributions of the early missionaries, the early local leaders and those who faithfully carry on the mission of the church . Their sacrifices and their courage in surmounting all odds so that today we can see the fruits of their labor for education in Tawau.

It has always been the mission of the church to serve the local community. One of the most important services the early Christian missionary contributed was in education. In the days before mission schools were nationalized, they were the prime educational institutions in the formation of Malaysia. Many of the professional, political and community leaders today, had their early education in mission schools.

Christian Missionary Schools in Tawau:

1 SMK KONVEN ST. URSULA TAWAU
2 S. M. HOLY TRINITY
3 S M K ST. PATRICK

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