with prominent ex-Josephians, Archbishop Simon Poh, Datuk Abdul Karim and Dr Kelvin Yii
History was made on 13 March 2020 with the first-ever Josephian Day. It was a joint event between St Joseph’s Private School (both Primary and Secondary), St Joseph’s International School, SMK St Joseph and SK St Joseph. The Old Josephians’ Association (OJA) also took part.
The morning began with a Mass at St Joseph’s Cathedral presided by an ex-Josephian, Fr Alvin Ng, SJ. In his homily, he spoke about remembering the past so that we can apply in the present the lessons we have learnt from the past in looking forward to the future. The readings of the day were apt because they talked about Joseph, the forefather of the Israelites (also the ancestor of St Joseph, the patron of our schools) who faced his uncertain future by relying on what God has shown him in the past.
The other activities of the day were held within the large compound of SMK St Joseph, SK St Joseph and St Joseph’s Private School. Many activities were carried out in different sections of the vast school area.
The fun games were more popular with the younger kids, namely Upper Primary students from SK St Joseph and St Joseph’s Private Primary School.
Other than that, the younger ones of the Lower Primary had great energy at the senamrobik in the SK St Joseph compound.
The older Secondary students were mostly engrossed in the variety of performances put up at the open air amphitheatre of SMK St Joseph.
Others were seen busy buying food from food trucks located at different open-air locations in the school area.
A book exhibition and sale were put up at Level 1 of St Joseph’s Private School.
On top of that, the SJPS Concert Band entertained the crowd on Level 1 from their vantage position on Level 2.
In the various sports courts, the more athletic ones were in competition with the old boys of St Joseph’s School who returned to the school to take part in badminton, basketball, futsal and ping pong which are part of the “Back to School Games.”
The Roman Catholic Archbishop of Kuching, the Most Reverend Simon Poh who is an ex-Josephian led the opening prayer with a call on God to bless the different schools under the name of St Joseph with harmony and yearning for wholistic excellence.
Sarawak Youth and Sports Minister Datuk Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah who was also present felt happy to be back in his alma mater and see the familiar buildings and spaces of his school days.
Another ex-Josephian, Dr Kelvin Yii Lee Wuen who is serving as Member of Parliament for Bandar Kuching was delighted to meet his old principal, Mr Gerald Lee at this event. He thanked Mr Lee and the school for educating him to attain what he has achieved so far.
The School Rally, “Sons/Children of St Joseph” was sung with pride by ex-Josephians and current Josephians alike at least two times that morning. Once at the end of the school Mass and the other at the opening ceremony. This made the participants proud to be a part of these schools of St Joseph.
