THE opening of Stonyhurst International School in Straits Quay marks one of the most significant milestones in the over 400-year history of Stonyhurst College, United Kingdom, and in Penang.
Built on 4.3 acres of land, Stonyhurst International School boasts state-of-the-art facilities, designed with 21st-century teaching and learning pedagogy in mind.
The grand opening of the school was opened by Penang Governor Tun Ahmad Fuzi Abdul Razak, and attended by Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow, Deputy Education Minister Lim Hui Ying, Titular Roman Catholic Bishop of Penang Right Rev Datuk Sebastian Francis, CMI deputy general manager Datin S. Bharathi, United Kingdom Stonyhurst College headmaster John Browne, Stonyhurst International School Board of Governors chairman Michael Sng, and Stonyhurst International School principal Justin Thomas Durling.
Also present were state Tourism and Creative Economy Committee chairman Yeoh Soon Hin, Bukit Bendera MP Syerleena Abdul Rashid, Air Itam assemblyman Joseph Ng and Pengkalan Kota assemblyman Daniel Gooi.
Chow congratulated the school for achieving an important milestone.
“Constructing a new school is not an overnight feat. It takes much effort in planning and perseverance.
“And the end product is what we finally get to witness this morning, which is another successful public-private partnership between the state government and a historic education establishment.
“As multinational companies continue to place faith in Penang, Penang must find ways to remain attractive to foreign investors.
“One way of achieving that is by building a vibrant mesh of industry players, including education institutions.
“There is a need to prepare the younger generation to meet the needs and demands of the future economy while encouraging young leaders to celebrate diversity in becoming effective and compassionate global citizens.
“Additionally, there is also a need to provide high-quality education to the families of foreign talents in the state.
“I am confident that Stonyhurst International School, offering the best in British education, will lead the way in helping Penang to groom and showcase its world-class talent pool for the future while supporting the Penang2030 vision of ‘A Family-Focused Green and Smart State that Inspires the Nation’,” he said in his speech at the school in Straits Quay today.
Browne spoke about three qualities – courage, virtue and family – in his speech.
“Your education here is designed to give you the courage to be yourself. Use your education to ‘change the world’ for others.
“The virtue tree at the entrance to this beautiful school demonstrates the central place of the Jesuit Pupil Profile to this whole community.
“At Stonyhurst Penang, we are developing young people of competence, conscience and compassion. It is a journey towards human excellence. As the school song says, being ‘men and women for others’,” he said.
Browne also told the students that the Stonyhurst family and Jesuit Pupil Profile are there to guide their boats on their journey to be the best that they could be.
Meanwhile, Sng said gratitude was the first value that the school was cultivating.
“We are encouraging our students to be grateful to their parents for the gift of education.
“Similarly, we are grateful for the privilege of educating the students who have been entrusted to us,” he said.
At the ceremony, the invited guests were treated to amazing music and singing performances by talented pupils.
Story by Christopher Tan
Pix by Ahmad Adil Muhamad
Video by Noor Siti Nabilah Noorazis