SMK Convent Ipoh (1907)

Introduction

“There is no doubt that this much wanted Institution will do as good, useful and charitable work as that done by its fellow in Penang for the past half century”.

Confident words spoken by its founder at the opening ceremony on 7th January, 1907 and, as it turned out, such optimism was not misplaced as SMK Covent, Ipoh, would go on to eclipse Convent Light Street, becoming one of the most prestigious girls’ schools in Malaysia, an honour which continues today.

Mission schools

SMK Main Covent Ipoh (Sekolah Menengah Kebangsaan Convent Ipoh) was a mission school, and when it was established in 1907, was first called “Convent of the Holy Infant Jesus” Ipoh, named after it founders who were Roman Catholic nuns from France and members of the institution “Sisters of the Holy Infant Jesus” established in the seventeenth century to provide education to poor children.

Such mission schools form an important part of Malaysia’s history of which there are around 450 such schools in the country today, of which approximately half are located in Sarawak. Various religious orders were behind their establishment including Catholic, such as SMK Convent Ipoh, Methodist, Protestant and Anglican. Their boards of governors are subject to the authority of its respective mission, and are responsible for appointing the principal, but other staff, the syllabus and welfare of the pupils are the responsibility of the Ministry of Education.

Of the Catholic mission schools in Malaysia there are around thirty convent schools, the first being the long established, Convent Light Street, Penang (1852), as well as SMK Convent Bukit Nanas in Kuala Lumpur (1899). Many of these are housed in impressive colonial era buildings and have a rich tradition of providing excellent education services, with many of its past pupils saying on its social media that, “I am proud to be a convent girl.”

Establishment of the school

Described by one correspondent as a “very impressive though simple ceremony” with a large company present, the opening ceremony took place on 7th January, 1907 conducted by the Lady Superior of the Convent Light Street in Penang accompanied by several other sisters of the Holy Infant Jesus.

The site on Brewster Road, Ipoh (now Jalan Sultan Idris Shah) which was donated by the British authority in Perak, who also provided a grant reputed to be $7,500 (Straits), was first occupied by a wooden building which served as classroom, office, living quarters, and chapel.

Five nuns were responsible for the establishment of the school, including sister Josephine, Sister Egbert from France, and Sister Louise who had come from working in Singapore and would live to age 95, passing in 1967, beginning with an enrolment of forty pupils, both boys and girls.

Development of the school

The simple attap building was only a temporary structure and building work was soon underway for the construction of impressive, brick built premises, which were completed in 1909 and opened by Bishop Barrillon.

By 1912 the school had attracted more pupils than it could accommodate and the boys were moved out and were enrolled in the nearby St. Michaels’ Institution, also a Catholic mission school, making it an all-girls school which continues today.

During the 1920s and 30s the school underwent further expansion, and as a sign of the changing times for women in the country, the curriculum became more scholarly, where previously the emphasis was teaching the girls social skills, handicrafts, such as sewing, piano playing, and the conduct of charitable work.

During the Japanese occupation in World War Two the school was occupied by the Japanese army but after their surrender it soon reopened, undergoing further expansion, including, in 1947, the opening by Sister Deering of one of the first science labs in an all girls’ school.

Description of the school

Like many of Malaysia’s early missionary schools, its premises has heritage status which means it is protected by the authorities. Built in the neo-Gothic style as was common in the early twentieth century, it has an impressive facade made up of characteristic Gothic shaped arches and windows. Over the main entrance is a statue of Jesus.

Inside, there is a quadrangle surrounded on each side by colonnades supporting the two storey structure with arches forming attractive walkways for students. The chapel is also well preserved although the original stained glass windows have been removed.

The end of the missionary heads

After changing its name to “Main Convent, Ipoh” from “Convent of the Holy Infant Jesus, Ipoh” in the 1950s to differentiate it from other such convent schools, it continued to be run by missionary principals up until 1991 when lay principals took over, the last missionary principal being Sister Chew, completing eighty-four years of enlightening and dedicated stewardship by the nuns.