KUCHING: SMK Kuching High is actively working towards establishing a strong school identity and nurturing exceptional qualities in its students.
To achieve these goals, the school is collaborating with the Kuching Teochew Association, the school’s management board, the Parents-Teachers Association (PIBG), and the alumni association.
Through various projects, SMK Kuching High aims to reinforce language and culture, enhance academic performance, improve teacher competence, foster a healthy campus environment, and provide advanced educational facilities.
During SMK Kuching High’s annual Chinese New Year celebration on February 2, Leong Sy Jiann, the Acting Principal, emphasized the focus areas of these initiatives.
He stated, “Through these special projects, we strive to allow students to discover their interests and strengths in school so that they can achieve excellent results and outstanding performance in academics, extracurricular activities, and moral character.”
Recognising the crucial role schools play in shaping students’ futures, Leong expressed hope that the school and its special projects would establish a solid foundation for future development.
He stressed, “I hope that we can lay a solid foundation for future development.”
One notable effort to uncover the students’ strengths involved participating in a nationwide YouTube music video competition.
The music video was produced, directed, acted, and edited by approximately 75 students across different age groups.
Ong Siang King, the teacher and video director, expressed pride in the students’ talents, particularly highlighting their impressive performance using cups as percussion instruments.
She stated, “They are truly talented children. There’s a scene in the video where a group of Form Three students performed the song using cups as percussion instruments. I only showed them the video the night before the shoot, but when they came the next day, they could do it just like that.”
Additionally, Ong expressed her gratitude for the cooperation of the teachers throughout the entire shoot.
She stated, “I’m so thankful for the teachers, letting us use school hours to shoot. It’s because of them that this video could be successful.”
She shared these thoughts during an interview at the Chinese New Year celebration at SMK Kuching High.
Two Form Five students, Loh Boon Chong and Gavin Goh, played pivotal roles in the film as a videographer and video editor, respectively.
Loh described the video as a special New Year’s gift to national secondary schools (SMK) and hoped it would serve as a reminder of the creative and unique abilities of SMK students.
He emphasised, “This video is a special New Year’s gift to national secondary schools (SMK), and we hope that when they see it, or even the alumni, they’ll be reminded of the creative and unique side of the students from SMK.”
Goh added that the music video showcased the rich and unique Chinese culture through elements such as traditional lion and dragon dances, Cheongsam outfits, and the 24 Season Drums.
He explained, “In our music video, there are a lot of elements of Chinese culture like the 24 Season Drums, lion and dragon dances, and some wearing our Chinese traditional costumes.”
They expressed their wish for the public to support the music video by liking and sharing it on SMK Kuching High’s official YouTube channel to win the competition.
Additionally, present at the celebration were the President of the Teochew Association, Chiew Boon Seng, the President of the School Management Board, Ling Swee Chiaw, the President of the Parents-Teachers Association (PIBG), Dr Chua Hong Siang, and the ex-highian of SMK Kuching High, Steven Lau Ken Min.
