She did not expect to be hosting a senior sleepover.
Delaware high school students are being praised for pulling the best senior prank ever after they decided to sneak into their principal’s house in the middle of the night and surprise her as a pre-graduation goof.
“It’s senior prank season and boy did the Class of 2023 get Ms. McGrath good,” reads the caption to the clip of the stunt, which was carried out by the graduating class of St. Andrew’s, an Episcopal school in Middletown, Delaware.
According to the post, the teen tricksters stole into Joy McGrath’s house at 1 a.m. and bedded down for a good night’s sleep all over the first floor of her residence.
The Post reached out to McGrath for comment.
McGrath is flabbergasted to find her students sleeping in her house.Instagram/sasdelaware
Meanwhile, the accompanying clip depicts the headmaster’s reaction to coming down the stairs at 6 a.m. and seeing that her students had infiltrated her domicile.
In the footage, McGrath, who’s clad in a bathrobe and Crocs shoes, can be seen opening the door and witnessing the unauthorized sleepover.
She is so shocked at the sight that she shuts the door and prepares to retreat back up the stairs as the class attempts to stifle their chuckles.
However, she then gathers herself and re-enters the room before announcing: “Good morning, little bunnies.” This causes the scheming seniors to collapse into laughter.
McGrath compared the students to “commandos.”Instagram/sasdelaware
Ms. McGrath then jokingly marvels at how much “trouble” the students are, before pointing at an off-camera party and remarking, “You are in the most trouble.”
The identity of the person to whom the principal is referring is yet unclear. However, several commenters surmised it was her husband, who they believe was the inside man on the high schooler’s home invasion prank.
“How long have you been here?” the flabbergasted Ms. McGrath inquires, before flashing a look of amazement upon finding out they’d been there for five hours.
The clip concludes with the impressed school boss analogizing the students to “commandos” and calling the prank “the most beautiful sight she’d ever seen.”
The social media commentariat seemed to concur with this assessment. “This has to be the best senior prank lmao,” marveled one viewer on TikTok, while another wrote, “Sleepover at the principals house is EPIC!!!!”
“I’m really glad she has a robe on,” quipped one Instagram jokester. “I definitely don’t fix my morning coffee in a robe and Crocs.”
Others claimed that the prank demonstrated the level of respect the pupils had for the principal. “And this is how you know that the teacher had a positive impact on her students. I love this,” gushed one Instagram fan.
St. Andrew’s School in Middletown, Delaware.Instagram/sasdelaware
Another fawned, “This is the teacher they will be still talking about in 40 years. Cheers to her!”
However, others weren’t so hunky dory with the gag, with one critic exclaiming, “Bruh they literally breaking and entering for a senior prank.”
Meanwhile, other detractors claimed that the stunt violated the principal rule for a senior prank, which dictates that it has to be carried out on campus.
However, as many defenders observed, McGrath’s house is located on school grounds, and the students weren’t guilty of trespassing, as the principal’s husband allegedly helped orchestrate the prank.
Dr KA Aysha Swapna has created history by becoming the first woman to be appointed the principal of Farook College in Kozhikode.
The college, now an autonomous institution, was founded in 1948, a year after India attained Independence.
While social media is excited about the development, calling it a progressive change, Dr Swapna prefers to be modest and has given little weight to her historic feat.
"Over the years change has happened to the social structure. We see that the number of girl students has increased. So, this is just a reflection of what is happening in the community," said Dr Swapna.
To the Associate Professor with the Department of English, 'Farook College having a lady principal is a very natural event'. "That's all there is to it," she told Onmanorama.
Dr Swapna has been teaching at Farook since 2008. She is looking forward to the new responsibilities but does realise that there is a downside.
"Of course, as the principal, you get to formulate things and all, but a negative side is I won't be able to teach. So, I'll miss my classes," said Dr Swapna.
Principal Judge Flavian Zeija has directed the head of the High Court, Civil Division, Justice Musa Ssekaana, to cause the hearing of 21 out of the 23 cases that lawyer Hassan Male Mabirizi has filed before the court.
Justice Zeija also rejected an earlier proposal by the same court to have all of Mr Mabirizi’s cases heard in a special session and not by the judges assigned to the same court.
“Upon perusal of all the case files, I established that it is in only two cases where current judges at the Division recused themselves. In the rest of the case files, the trial judges have not recused themselves,” a letter by Justice Zeija, which was released last Thursday, read in part.
He added: “Therefore, my decision is that those cases will be heard and completed from [the] High Court Civil Division where a judge recuses himself/herself from hearing a certain case, that does not by implication exclude him or her from hearing other cases involving the same party, where the reasons for recusal in one case do not apply in the other(s).”
The 23 files had been sent to the Principal Judge for reallocation after Mr Mabirizi had disagreements with some of the judges at the court, including Justice Ssekaana who at one time sent him to Luzira prison for 18 months for contempt of court.
The Principal Judge also asserts that if one judge cannot hear a case, another one within the same division can hear it as opposed to reallocating the case to a different division
“The request to reallocate cases filed by Male H. Mabirizi Kiwanuka to be heard in a session by a judge outside the Civil Division, is not tenable because the Judiciary does not have funds to conduct such a session,” the letter read.
In a phone interview yesterday, Mr Mabirizi said there is need for “speedy justice” as some of his cases are more than three years old in the system.
“When you look at the list of cases, some of them are from as far back as 2019. Of course, Covid-19 came in and as we were trying to recover from it, Justice Musa Ssekaana became the head of the division and my wrangles with him began. He then directed that no case of mine be heard there and sent them for reallocation,” Mr Mabirizi said.
Background
The disagreements between the head of the High Court, Civil Division, Justice Musa Ssekaana and Lawyer Hassan Male Mabirizi began in 2019 during the hearing of an application challenging a decision by Justice Simon Byabakama to continue working as the Electoral Commission chairperson yet he had not relinquished his powers as a Justice of Court of Appeal.
In many of the cases, Mr Mabirizi is suing the Attorney General, the principal legal advisor of government.
Other respondents are MTN Uganda, Uganda Communications Commission, Makerere University, and Electoral Commission.
Deep Saini acknowledges the audience during his installation as McGill Principal and Vice-ChancellorOwen Egan / Joni Dufour
With his hand on his heart, Deep Saini humbly acknowledged the standing ovation he received at the end of yesterday’s ceremony officially installing him as McGill’s 18th Principal and Vice-Chancellor.
Saini wore his heart on his sleeve throughout the morning event. He paused during his speech to fight back tears any number of times – when thanking his family for their support; when listing the accomplishments of McGill alumni; when renewing McGill’s commitment to bettering the world; and when expressing his joy at returning to Montreal.
“McGill is a preeminent Canadian university that ranks among the very best in the world and yet it is also deeply and proudly rooted right here in Quebec,” said the Principal. “For over two centuries, our University, through our high-quality teaching and scholarly pursuits, has left an indelible mark both at home and around the world.
“When we think about McGill’s accomplishments over time, one thing is strikingly clear – the relentless pursuit of excellence is embedded in our DNA.”
Traditions and ceremony
Held in the same tent that will host 13 Convocation ceremonies over nine days, the Installation was high on pomp and circumstance. Led by two bagpipers from the Black Watch, the large platform party included representatives from partner institutions in Canada, the U.S. and abroad; Honorary Degree recipients; and representatives from the McGill community, including Principals Emeriti Heather Munroe-Blum and Suzanne Fortier.
Following the traditional Iroquoian Opening delivered by Elder Kevin Ka’nahsohon Deer; and the singing of the University Song by Matthew Trevin; John McCall MacBain, McGill Chancellor and emcee for the day, delivered his opening remarks.
“Professor Saini’s appointment as the Principal of McGill University is a testament to his outstanding achievements, unwavering dedication, and visionary leadership,” said Chancellor McCall MacBain. “With a distinguished academic career spanning decades, he has made significant contributions to the fields of agriculture, life sciences, and academia at large. Professor Saini’s wealth of experience, expertise, and passion for education make him the perfect candidate to guide McGill into a new era of growth and achievement.”
The Chancellor then invested Professor Saini with the office and title of Principal and Vice-Chancellor.
One of the more touching moments in the ceremony came when Principal Emerita Suzanne Fortier joined Professor Saini at centre stage to assist with the removal of his PhD robes and the donning of his Principal’s regalia. Bursting into cheers, the crowd rose from their seats in a standing ovation.
Clearly moved, Principal Saini mouthed the words “thank you” to the audience and blew kisses to his family members.
Leading with grace, energy, and wisdom
To mark his return to Montreal, Principal Saini was serenaded with a rendition of Robert Charlebois’ Je reviendrai à Montréal performed by singer Charlotte Désilets and guitarist Ricardo Picanco, both students at the Schulich School of Music.
Following the musical interlude, various representatives delivered greetings to Principal Saini.
Daniel Jutras, Rector of l’Université de Montréal, and former Dean of McGill’s Faculty of Law, spoke first.
“McGill University is one of the great universities of the world. Its exceptional scholars take part in the global conversations that can make the world safer and healthier for our children and their children,” said Jutras. “McGill trains the next generation of scientists, as well as future global and community leaders. Its contributions to our future lives are, and will be, immeasurable.”
“For years to come, Principal Deep Saini will carry the unique voice of this world-class university in all circles, to all people and places,” he said. “He will do so, with grace, energy, and wisdom, just like his predecessors in a long line of men and women beginning with George Mountain all the way to up Heather Munroe-Blum, and Suzanne Fortier who have put McGill University in this place of honour.”
“We will stand behind you in your pursuit of excellence”
Anja Geitmann, Dean of the Faculty of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences, spoke on behalf of the University’s faculty members. “You arrive at a time that sees McGill thriving. Through our research and teaching activities we address many challenges – and opportunities – that the 21st century brings for society and humankind,” said Dean Geitmann. “This dynamic period coincides with the beginning of the University’s third century – an opportune moment for the institution to position itself with regards to its local and global rules. We look forward to your participation in ongoing developments and in the exploration of new opportunities. We are confident under your leadership McGill will rise to new heights.”
“Principal Saini, I speak on behalf of all McGill academics in welcoming you to our community, and in ensuring you that we will stand behind you in your pursuit of excellence for our University, and for wishing you – and us – the very best in the years to come. Thank you for choosing to join McGill University.”
The newly installed Principal was pressed into service almost immediately. As part of the ceremony, Principal Saini helped confer three honorary degrees to Drew Feustel, Alexina Louie, and Drew Hayden Taylor.
Celebrating the past, present, and future of McGill
Not surprisingly, Principal Saini closed the event with an impassioned speech.
He celebrated McGill’s past by highlighting some of the University’s great successes – the 12 Nobel laureates, the 147 Rhodes scholars, the more than 120 Olympians, the three Prime Ministers, two Governor Generals, and 15 Supreme Court justices. He joked that, with the Honorary Doctorate being conferred to astronaut Andrew Feustel, McGill now had six astronauts in its fold – seven if you count William Shatner or Star Trek fame.
Principal Saini spoke of present-day McGill with obvious pride, his voice sometimes cracking with emotion. “Today, McGill comprises three campuses, 13 faculties, 14 schools, and 11 major affiliated teaching hospitals. We are home to a diverse community some 50,000 strong of students, faculty members, and administrative and support staff,” he said. “Our researchers are advancing the frontiers of knowledge in a wide variety of fields. Their work was supported just this past year by nearly $700 million in external research funding. We have over 300,000 alumni in nearly every country of the world. Eight of them have gone on to lead their own countries.”
Serving humanity
Principal Saini closed his address looking toward McGill’s future and its ongoing commitment to “the service of humanity.”
Listing some of the most complex challenges facing the world today – including climate change, public health, energy, food security, environmental sustainability, and global order and security – the Principal said solutions will be equally complex. “These solutions will be found only through collaborative, partnered, and concerted efforts,” he said.
“When it comes to the role of universities in this regard, McGill not only offers the breadth and depth of its expertise, but even more important, this bench strength that McGill has confers upon it the convening ability to bring key partners to the table to solve problems. This is critical both for seeking solutions, and for educating the talented individuals who will lead us to these solutions in the next generations.”
“I have never, ever been more excited about a cause, the company [of people], and a place,” said Principal Saini in closing, voice choking with emotion. “I look forward to all of us – all of us – travelling together on this exciting journey that lies ahead. Here’s to McGill!”
Principal Judge Flavian Zeija has directed the head of the High Court, Civil Division, Justice Musa Ssekaana, to cause the hearing of 21 out of the 23 cases that lawyer Hassan Male Mabirizi has filed before the court.
Justice Zeija also rejected an earlier proposal by the same court to have all of Mr Mabirizi’s cases heard in a special session and not by the judges assigned to the same court.
“Upon perusal of all the case files, I established that it is in only two cases where current judges at the Division recused themselves. In the rest of the case files, the trial judges have not recused themselves,” a letter by Justice Zeija, which was released last Thursday, read in part.
He added: “Therefore, my decision is that those cases will be heard and completed from [the] High Court Civil Division where a judge recuses himself/herself from hearing a certain case, that does not by implication exclude him or her from hearing other cases involving the same party, where the reasons for recusal in one case do not apply in the other(s).”
The 23 files had been sent to the Principal Judge for reallocation after Mr Mabirizi had disagreements with some of the judges at the court, including Justice Ssekaana who at one time sent him to Luzira prison for 18 months for contempt of court.
The Principal Judge also asserts that if one judge cannot hear a case, another one within the same division can hear it as opposed to reallocating the case to a different division
“The request to reallocate cases filed by Male H. Mabirizi Kiwanuka to be heard in a session by a judge outside the Civil Division, is not tenable because the Judiciary does not have funds to conduct such a session,” the letter read.
In a phone interview yesterday, Mr Mabirizi said there is need for “speedy justice” as some of his cases are more than three years old in the system.
“When you look at the list of cases, some of them are from as far back as 2019. Of course, Covid-19 came in and as we were trying to recover from it, Justice Musa Ssekaana became the head of the division and my wrangles with him began. He then directed that no case of mine be heard there and sent them for reallocation,” Mr Mabirizi said.
Background
The disagreements between the head of the High Court, Civil Division, Justice Musa Ssekaana and Lawyer Hassan Male Mabirizi began in 2019 during the hearing of an application challenging a decision by Justice Simon Byabakama to continue working as the Electoral Commission chairperson yet he had not relinquished his powers as a Justice of Court of Appeal.
In many of the cases, Mr Mabirizi is suing the Attorney General, the principal legal advisor of government.
Other respondents are MTN Uganda, Uganda Communications Commission, Makerere University, and Electoral Commission.
Ruairi Farrell, principal of Greystones Community College, Co. Wicklow, received the prestigious Teachers Inspire Ireland Desmond Award. At a special ceremony in Dublin City University, hosted by RTÉ Broadcaster Miriam O’Callaghan, Mr. Farrell was recognised for the inspirational role he played in the lives of his students, alongside three other teachers from across Ireland.
Mr. Farrell was nominated by past pupil Ciara Nolan who was struggling with an eating disorder during her time in school. Mr. Farrell took action and made an appointment for her then 17-year-old Ciara to see a counsellor, which helped her get the help she needed. Ciara says: “Mr. Farrell would always pull you aside if he thought you were having a bad day, and really took the time to sit and listen to anything you had to say.” With his help and support Ciara said that Mr. Farrell saved her both mentally and physically.
Organised and run by Dublin City University, Teachers Inspire is an Ireland-wide initiative that seeks to celebrate teachers and recognise the transformative role they play in our lives and in our communities. Acclaimed Author, Louise O’Neill, returned as this year’s curator and host of the Teachers Inspire podcast where she spoke to some of the nominees about the challenges they faced at school and how their teachers helped them overcome them. On her involvement with the Teachers Inspire initiative, Louise said: “It is an honour to curate and host the Teachers Inspire podcast once again. I have loved and felt immensely privileged to listen to and to share the stories of the nominators and nominees from across Ireland. Coming from a family of teachers, I have seen first hand how much love, passion and effort goes into the job, and every single teacher deserves to be recognised for the work that they do when it comes to shaping the lives of future generations.”
The Teachers Inspire initiative is generously supported by a philanthropic donation from Mr. Dermot Desmond. Commenting on the initiative, Mr. Desmond said: “In all that they do, teachers have a profoundly positive influence on the lives of our children and young people. They are true heroes of Irish society. For that reason, I have been genuinely delighted to support the Teachers Inspire initiative since it launched in 2019. I want to congratulate this year’s worthy recipients and indeed, every teacher who was nominated.”
Professor Anne Looney, Executive Dean of Dublin City University’s Institute of Education, said:
“Teachers Inspire celebrates the incredible contribution teachers make to young people and their communities across Ireland. The podcast has received a huge response, and to listen to the remarkable stories of teachers influencing lives in such positive and profound ways, is truly inspiring.
These stories are part of Ireland’s great teaching heritage and our reputation for producing some of the best teachers in the world. These are the stories that inspire the next generation of teachers – especially the thousands studying with us in DCU Institute of Education, and the many more who apply each year to join our teacher education programmes. And these stories are also a reflection of the calibre and status of teachers and teaching in Irish society. We need to keep telling these stories: our children and young people deserve great and inspiring teachers.”
According to the victim’s father, the class 10 student was asked by the principal to come to the school early on Friday on the pretext of a counselling session.
The principal and two staff members of a private school in Uttar Pradesh’s Ayodhya district were booked on Saturday for allegedly gang-raping and murdering a 15-year-old girl on the institute’s premises, police said.
A 15-year-old girl died on Saturday after she allegedly fell on the premises of a private school in Uttar Pradesh’s Ayodhya district.(Source: CCTV camera footage)
According to the victim’s father, the class 10 student was asked by the principal to come to the school early on Friday on the pretext of a counselling session, despite the ongoing summer vacation. Around 9.50 am, the school authorities called the victim’s father to the hospital, saying that she sustained injuries after falling from a swing, but the CCTV footage has revealed that she fell from the building, a police officer said, quoting from the complaint.
HT has seen a copy of the FIR and the CCTV footage.
“When he reached the hospital, the victim’s father was informed that she had died during treatment,” the officer added.
“Around 8.30 am on May 26, the school principal called my daughter to school as part of a conspiracy despite the school being shut for summer vacation. Two teachers who were present there raped my daughter and then threw her from the terrace of the school building to hide their crime. She was badly injured and died during treatment,” the complaint said.
“On the basis of the father’s complaint, the police have registered an FIR under Indian Penal Code sections 376-D for gang rape, 302 for murder, 201 for concealment of crime and 120-B for criminal conspiracy, as well as Sections 3 and 4 of the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (Pocso) Act against the manager, the principal and the sports teacher at the Cantt police station on Friday itself,” inspector general of police (Ayodhya), Praveen Kumar, said.
The victim’s post-mortem examination by a panel of three doctors has been completed, and further action will be taken based on the report, the IG added.
“We will take strictest action as per the findings of the investigation,” he said.
“The sports teacher has already (been) taken into custody on the basis of suspicion and further investigation is underway,” he added.
The mother of a Senior Secondary School student, Mrs Becky Folorunso, has cried out for justice after the Principal of Pholex Private School, Ebute-Meta in Lagos, allegedly brutalised her son for not writing class notes.
In an interview with PUNCH Metro on Friday, Folorunso said that was not the first time her son, Adam, would be flogged in such manner by the principal, Adewale Adetona.
Bruises suspected to be from whips could be seen on the boy’s back from pictures made available to our correspondent.
The troubled mother said while she had scolded her son and warned him to be writing his class notes, beating her child to that extent was uncalled for.
She called on relevant authorities of the Lagos State Government, particularly the State Universal Basic Education Board to intervene in the matter.
Folorunso said, “He is a playful son, but he is not a bad boy. He came home a few days ago and told me ‘Mummy, this beating is too much.’ He showed me his back and I saw bruises. But not like this very one. He said it was because he did not write one note. I scolded him and warned him to always write his notes.
“But when he came home on Thursday, May 25, he cried, ‘Mummy, I can’t take this any longer.’ When he removed his uniform and showed me his back, I was shocked and asked what happened to him. He said it was because he did not complete his Social Studies notes.”
She said her son told the principal to check well, but he wouldn’t listen to him. She said the principal began flogging the boy. “I heard he (the principal) said he knew me, but knowing me doesn’t mean he should kill my child,” the mother said.
Continuing, Folorunso recalled that she had been planning to withdraw the boy from the school following tales of alleged inhuman treatment being meted out to students before the incident.
“I didn’t know about all these stories before we registered him. How can they be running a private learning environment as if it is a public school where things like this go unpunished?” she queried.
When contacted, the school principal, Adetona, said he did not beat the child unjustly.
Related News
Speaking with our correspondent via a phone call on Friday, he said he was checking all the students’ notes to know some of them who were not writing up to date.
Adetona said, “I am a parent, I don’t beat unjustly. I know the mother very well. I noticed the boy doesn’t have a note at all. I just resumed the office (in the school) not quite long (ago). I’m searching their entire notes one after the other to know those that are not doing well. Several complaints (have) come from teachers and several warnings asking the boy to change.
“I had to beat him yesterday (Thursday). I have been warning them for over two weeks to go and update their notes.”
He said the last time the boy brought his school fees, he was the one that gave him N500 to go and pay through the Point of Sale machine so that he would not lose the money while trying to go to the bank. “I would not beat him unjustly,” he reiterated.
On his part, the school’s proprietor, Mr Foluso Akomolafe, condemned the beating of the student and apologised to the mother.
He said although the boy was not writing notes, there were other means to discipline a student.
“He (the principal) warned him (the student) that he shouldn’t do that again, that he must make sure he copies notes,” Akomolafe added, saying the school fee paid by the parents was like a waste if the student was not writing notes.
“I blamed the principal. As much as you are trying to correct the boy, you should always take it easy with them, they are children. Whatever corrective measures you want to put in place, you shouldn’t be flogging,” the proprietor told PUNCH Metro.
Suggesting other ways to discipline a student, he said the student could be punished or suspended instead of flogging such a child.
“What the boy did was bad but then he could be asked to kneel or invite the parent. He was sorry about it and apologised to the mother.
“The school does not permit flogging because the Lagos State Government does not want us to flog any child, no matter the offence. We don’t support flogging. He (the principal) is a new person and had barely spent a month or two with us,” he added.
Well-respected by all students who went to King Edward VII Secondary School, the late Mr Long Heng Hua was responsible for lifting the school to greater heights in both academics and sports, and remains a legend.
We remember our teachers, especially those who had an impact on our school life or who left a deep impression on us but not everyone remembers the school head. One reason is that school heads do not teach classes or interact with students as teachers do.
But, sometimes, there are headmasters or principals who are so outstanding, so dedicated, so impactful that you can never forget them.
Mr Long Heng Hua of King Edward VII Secondary School (KEVII) is one such person.
Mr Long, who served as principal from 1963 to 1985, remains a legend. He was the only principal I knew because I entered Form One in 1966 and finished Form Six in 1972.
He declined promotions, including that of chief state education officer (today they are known as directors) so that he could steer KEVII to greater heights. He had earlier taught English to Abdullah Ahmad Badawi (who later became prime minister and spoke excellent English) at the Bukit Mertajam High School, and was an author of several books.
He was the main reason King Edward VII Secondary School shone in the sixties, seventies and even the early eighties. He believed that discipline, broad-mindedness, critical thinking, sports activities, neatness, courteousness, punctuality and a yearning for learning were important characteristics for success in life.
The disciplinarian was feared yet respected and liked by all who passed through the classrooms of KEVII. Almost every student has a tale to tell about Mr Long, and most of them will include in this tale his famous words: “See me in the office”.
That, of course, meant his cane had a date with your buttocks. And students whose buttocks had tasted his cane will recall how democratic he was, for he would ask you to choose the cane. He had a few canes of varying thickness in his office.
Quite a number of students who went on to make a name for themselves have tasted his cane. He was also not averse to giving a public caning to a recalcitrant student.
He was quite innovative. I remember him getting students to write something – a quotation or some inspiring words – on a manila card and coming up onto the stage at the school assembly to show and talk about it. It made students search for appropriate material, which meant they had to read a lot, and it helped rid them of shyness. It helped many overcome or at least lower the fear of speaking before an assembly or crowd.
He pushed us to read and ensured that we had a well-stocked library. He also ensured we had decent laboratories for our science classes, and sports equipment too.
He would encourage us to take up challenges. For instance, in 1971, the New Straits Times organised a Rukun Negara essay writing competition and he urged students to participate. My essay won an honourable mention and he proudly announced this at the school assembly. The organisers presented me with a huge dictionary and a certificate and Mr Long topped this up with another two books bought with school funds.
I later joined the New Straits Times as a journalist, serving for 33 years.
While he was firm and drove the students to excel in both academic studies and sports, Pak Long, as he was known by everyone, was understanding and compassionate too.
For instance, he would talk to students individually and impress upon them the importance of education. I believe these were students who did not realise their own potentiality or who needed motivation or were unaware of the many challenges in the adult world. He would also advise students on the choice of university majors and career prospects.
For instance, he encouraged and helped a poor Malay office boy to continue his studies while remaining employed in the school. The youth eventually went to university and retired as a bank manager.
For instance, he allowed an Indian student from a very poor family living in a remote area to stay in the school hostel which was reserved for Malay students. This student later became a top official at a government teaching hospital in Kuala Lumpur.
Mr Long would roam the corridors of the school and the moment someone spotted him, the message would be passed from class to class – often by someone who would ask the teacher to be allowed to go to the washroom – and everyone would be at his best behaviour, including, I must add, teachers. I suspect the teachers knew what these boys were doing as it helped them too.
He would also frequently stand at the gate to tell late comers to “see me in my office”, usually adding “during recess”.
If the office boy came to the class with a note, you knew that someone was in for it. Those who did badly in term exams would have to see Mr Long and have a chat with his cane.
But if you found the courage to talk to him, Pak Long would listen to you. Once, the Sixth Form Society committee decided that a name change to Sixth Form Union was in order. As society president I was tasked with convincing Mr Long to allow the change.
He listened to my arguments impassively but without interruption, and then posed a few questions. To cut to the chase, he disagreed with the proposal. The important fact is that he gave me his time and considered the suggestion, rather than dismissing it outright.
I did something naughty in school which I can never forget: I splashed water on Mr Long.
The school’s current parent-teacher association chairman Lim Ka Huat never fails to mention this whenever he introduces me to anyone.
This is what happened. One Teachers Day, some of us in Form Six began throwing water on each other using plastic packets and pails as part of the fun.
One of my classmates challenged me to pour water on Mr Long and I took it up without thinking it through. I waited with a pail of water and as Mr Long was walking by, I said “Happy Teachers Day, Sir” – or something to that effect for I can’t recall the exact words – and emptied half the pail on him.
He tried to ward it off but his shirt and part of his pants were drenched.
Only after I had poured the cold water on him did I realise that I was in hot water.
However, he did not say “see me in my office”. Neither did he show anger or irritation. He laughed and walked back into his office; and he did not bring up the incident at all at any time. Later, I realised that he could have taken disciplinary action against me but did not do so.
I learned important lessons in leadership that day: You should not be firm or serious always; when appropriate, you have to go with the flow. I also learned that you must know when to use your power, and that laughter is better than anger.
I met Mr Long a few times after I started working as a journalist, even visiting him at his house once, and he was always pleasant although his words were measured. Once, in the early nineties, he sent me a postcard from Laos where he was then teaching.
He helped shape me and countless other students not just by his words (and cane) but also by his example, and we will be eternally grateful to him for it. He has since passed on but students still remember him and talk about him whenever they meet.
I’m sure he will be among the topics of conversation again when old boys meet for the annual reunion dinner on June 17 at the SSL Traders Hotel in Taiping organised by the Old Edwardians Association of Malaysia.
Do we still have school heads like him who went beyond the call of duty to educate their students, and who knew how to balance firmness and discipline with understanding and care? Do we still have educators like Mr Long heading schools?
