The cohorts of 1981 and 1983 together with their former teachers posing for a group photo at the Heah Joo Seang Hall during the reunion.
NOSTALGIA and festivity were in the air as former students and teachers of St Xavier’s Institution (SXI), George Town, Penang, gathered to celebrate the 60th birthday celebration of two cohorts.
The event, held at the school’s Heah Joo Seang Hall, saw an impressive turnout of more than 130 students from the classes of 1981 and 1983.
They were joined by 20 former teachers and guests.
The Old Xaverians in attendance were from St Xavier’s Primary, St Xavier’s Branch, La Salle Primary schools as well as St Xavier’s Institution.
Teachers (front table) and Old Xaverians being treated to a sumptuous dinner of Malaysian favourites.
The festivities kicked off with the school’s marching band leading the charge in full regalia, their pipes and drums echoing through the hall.
Emcee David Chew then took centre stage, guiding the crowd through a rousing rendition of the school song which was met with enthusiastic applause.
Guests were treated to a feast of local culinary delights that included asam laksa, mee goreng and char kuey teow.
The dinner spread was complemented by spicy fried fish, sambal prawns and rendang chicken while roast lamb was the highlight.
The meal was topped off with cold cendol and hot teh tarik.
The night’s entertainment continued with a lively scavenger hunt.
Guests teamed up for a contest to find items with the letters forming the word “Saints”, with the winning table receiving a prize.
The competition was followed by a spirited dance-off where Edward Yeap emerged as the “SXI Dancing King” after dazzling the audience with a five-minute solo performance blindfolded.
In a more reflective segment, Old Xaverians paid heartfelt tributes to friends and ex-schoolmates who had passed on.
The evening concluded with a speech by organising chairman Mark Stephen who expressed gratitude to all who made the event memorable.
Pointing to sponsored air conditioners, he recalled that these came about due to the cohorts’ suggestion during the 50th reunion for the units to be installed in the school’s hall.
He praised the numerous informal gatherings organised by the alumni over the past few weeks and urged everyone to keep in contact as often as possible.
“We are losing old friends.
“So, it is important to stay in touch more often,” he said, welcoming a suggestion that the gathering be held every two years instead of five.
Class photographs capped off the night as many guests lingered afterwards to reconnect.
Reminiscing their schooldays in what is the oldest Lasallian school in South East Asia, they symbolised the SXI legacy and aim for the future.
