Reunion of Sabah College Class 69

In actual fact, I was not a student of Class 69 of Sabah College. Nevertheless, I got to know many of them through my enrollment to Form 6 of Sabah College in 1970-1971. As a result, some of them in Class 69 have considered me as one of them and invited me to join their class reunion dinner on 12 July 2019.

The reunion attracted former students from Sabah as well as from overseas - Canada, Australia and Singapore. Most I have not met since 1971 except one whom I met in Perth recently (Read here).

As usual, the happy time prompted some to suggest a more regular meet up. A committee was quickly formed to plan for the next reunion scheduled in 2021.

I was invited to join the "class photo" of
Class 69 Science Class.

Sim Lo Tan, a doctor residing now in Brisbane and Chin Hin Pok, an electrical engineer in Singapore.

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In those days in the early 70's, doing Form 6 "A" level was not a popular option. Most preferred to continue the tertiary education overseas immediately after the Form 5 "O" Level. Those who stayed on were students who could not afford an overseas course or could not obtain any scholarship.

The class of Lower Six started with quite a "big" class. But by mid year, five had left for overseas. As a result, the small number of students became a close-knit group especially among the Mandarin speaking classmates.

The reunion triggered an interest among all attendees to look for old photos for sharing. It was with a mixed feeling of nostalgia and a bit of sadness to go through some of them. We laughed and sighed with nostalgia of those years of innocence and adventurism. In those years, we dared to try out all options just to make a head start in life.

We were sad because a number of the classmates had moved on to a "higher" home. At least one that we know of is at the end stage of a terminal illness.

A proud moment for an outsider of Sabah College to be appointed as a school prefect of the school. Wearing a striped necktie then was almost like wearing a yellow jersey in Tour de France.

Though just a mere two years spent in Sabah College, we had had many memorable moments.

A visit to the Istana during TYT's open house in 1971
and chatting with the then TYT, 
Pengiran Ahmad Raffae Pengiran Omar

A break during a basketball match.

An outing to the beach.

Many of the sixth formers rose to become top civil
servants. Noni Said in the photo was one of those
who rose to become the deputy state secretary
of Sabah 

Some of us at the old KK Airport to send off
Chan Kum Chun in Lower Six who gained
entry to a university in Canada.