SMK Tinggi Melaka

Infobox Malaysia School
name = Malacca High School
native_name = (MHS, High School)


motto = Meliora Hic Sequamur (Latin: "Here we strive for better things")
medium of language = English, Malay
established = 1826
city = Malacca Town
state = [Malacca]
province =
country = Malaysia
campus = Urban
type = Public day school
affiliation = Xin Min Secondary School, Singapore (Sister school)
affiliations =
president =
principal = Tn Hj Abdul Razak B Che Ngah
founder = Mr. Thomas H. Moor
chaplain =
chairman =
head_label =
head =
faculty =
students =
enrollment = 2000 approx.
enrolment =
grades =
classrooms = 60 approx
address = Jalan Chan Koon Cheng, 75000
district = Melaka Tengah (Central Melaka)
oversight =
accreditation =
mascot =
colors =
colours = Mauve and green
newspaper =
yearbook = The Optimist
free_label_1 =
free_1 =
free_label_2 =
free_2 =
free_label_3 =
free_3 =
website = [http://sekolah.mmu.edu.my/smktinggimelaka/websitemhs.html Official site]
footnotes =
picture =

Malacca High School (zh-c|c=马六甲高等中学; Malay: Sekolah Menengah Kebangsaan (SMK) Tinggi Melaka), was founded on December 7, 1826.

The school emblem is a stylized version of the gateway to A Famosa, the old Portuguese fortress which surrounded a hill near the harbor.

Malacca High School is the second oldest school in Malaysia. It is also one of the few premier schools in Malaysia.

History

Date and background of establishment

On December 7, 1826, Malacca High School (MHS) was officially established; just after Malacca was made an English colony on March 17, 1824, when the Dutch ceded Malacca to the English after the Bencoolen Treaty in 1824.

Malacca High School is the oldest government English school in Malaysia.

The establishment of the school was initiated by Mr. Thomas H. Moor who came to Malacca in 1825 on orders by Milne who was one of the educators at the Anglo Chinese College. In his letter dated 4th. January 1825, he stated his wishes to Arundel in London for establishing a school. The establishment of the school was also supported by some influential people including James Humphrey, a Superintendent in the London Society’s Mission. With their assistance, Malacca High School was officially established. The background of the establishment of Malacca High School was directly related to the closing of the Dutch-Malay school which was established in January 1819 by Christian missionary during the Dutch reign. The school was closed when Malacca was handed over to the English by the Dutch.

History of establishing the name of Malacca High School

Malacca High School began with the name ‘Malacca Free School’. On 1st. August 1878, the name of ‘Malacca Free School’ was changed to ‘Malacca High School’ when the government took over the school from the Christian Mission. The Christian Mission had to hand over ‘Malacca Free School’ to the government because of financial and administrative problems.

Malacca High School was open to all races and religious groups and education was free to all students – the reason why it was named ‘Free’. However, Malacca High School was different from Penang Free School (1816) and Singapore Free School (1823) because these two schools only allow free selection of students but collected fees from the students. On the other hand, Malacca High School’s main objectives was to provide free education to students irrespective of their race, religious backgrounds, colour or creed.

Locations of Malacca High School

After the establishment of Malacca High School on 7th. December 1826, the school was located at Personage House – The current Youth Museum of Malacca. In the history of the school, it moved twice i.e. in 1884 and 1931. The move was caused by the achievement of the school in increasing the students’ population in a relatively short period of time.

In 1884, the school shifted to a new building at the former High Court building as the old building was unsuitable for the growing student population. This building was built under the leadership of F.C. Shepberd since 1882 and but can only accommodate 200 students.

The idea of building Malacca High School at the Kubu field was cancelled when the late Tuan Haji Bachee bin Ahmad offered to sell a plot of land to the authorities on recognition of the importance of building the school for education.

In 1928, the new school premises at Jalan Chan Koon Cheng (the current location) was built at a cost of $170,000.00 which included the cost of land. The new building was equipped with teachers’ house, toilets and sewage system.

The 2-storey school was constructed by an engineer in the form of alphabet ‘E’ which symbolises an English School. In 1934, a few addition was added to the new building. The government spent about $5,000 in constructing the Quarters of the Boarding Master, car parks and an armoury for weapons storage and a cadet room.

Early students at Malacca High School

Malacca High School began her history with 18 male students. By following the objectives of the school, it was opened to all races in Malacca. It was also opened to all students to all states in Malaya then.

In 1826, Malacca High School admitted girls’ students for the first time. Some 65 girls’ students were registered. However, in 1834, the admission of girls’ students had to be halted when Miss Wallaca who replaced Maria Newell left the school for Canton, China. Since that date, the school did not admit girls because of lack of teaching facilities and the cold reception by girls’ students.

Most of the students originated from Malacca Town and her surrounding areas such as Klebang, Limbongan, Bukit Rambai, Ujong Pasir, Masjid Tanah, Alor Gajah and other districts. Since 1826 until the World War II, students’ intake seldom reach 500 students except in 1907 when the students’ population reached 505 students. After the war, the school expanded. Today, Malacca High School has a student enrolment of 2000 students.

Hostels

The hostels of Malacca High School was built in 1924 and the principal was Mr. C.G. Coleman. The hostels could only accommodate 60 students only. In 1972, the Ministry of Education had introduced the Student's Special Programme (Pelajar Rancangan Khas). Students in Malacca that achieved good results in the Standard Five Evaluation Test (Penilaian Darjah Lima) were placed in Malacca High School. There were 80 students who were placed in this programme.

In 1975, the school's old hostels were demolished to make way for the building of the school's hall. The new hostels were built at the back of the school compound and it was named Special Programme Hostels (Asrama Rancangan Khas). The hostel's population was 118 students at that time. Another new additional hostel building was built in 1983. The students who enrolled in the hostels at that time numbered 300 students. The facilities of the hostels include the mosque, rest room, clinic, air - conditioned library, AV room, cyber cafe, dining hall, VIP hall and were decortated with a man - made waterfall and a fish pool.

The hostels were named Malacca High School Boys' Hostels (Asrama Putera Sekolah Tinggi Melaka) in 1985 and was named Tan Sri Datuk Wira Abdul Rahman Arshad Hostels, after the former Director - General of Education, who was the school's former student from 1948 until 1956.

School field

For the sake of development of sports, especially athletics, and tremendous supports from both students and teachers, the school had decided to expand the school field to be used during Physical Education lessons. From 1975 until 1979, the school field expansion project was undertaken by the Public Works Department (Jabatan Kerja Raya) to an area covering about convert|5|acre|m2. This expansion has made this school field the largest school field in Malacca until today. Currently, it has 2 football and rugby fields, running track, an indoor hockey turf, a basketball court and a tennis court.

School hall

In 1974, the school hall project was approved by the Ministry of Education, but with a budget of RM 150 000 only. It was cancelled then the school authorities appealed for extra budget because the school needed a larger hall to accommodate the increasing amount of students.

With the initiative taken by the school's Board of Governors, teachers and the Parents - Teachers Association (PTA), the school had organized a "Walkathon" on the 25th September 1977 to get donations from the public. From the donations incurred from the event, the PTA, Board of Governors as well as Malacca High School Old Boys' Association (MAHSOBA), had launched the Malacca High School Hall Building Fund. From the efforts from various walks of life, the school hall was built and it was completed and launched by the former Governor of Malacca, Tun Syed Zahiruddin bin Syed Hassan al - Haj on 7th March 1981. The hall currently has 4 badminton courts.

Mosque

The school mosque project was initiated in 1982, after the completion of the school hall. The former PTA chairman, Datuk Idris Abdul Ghani, with the help of other committee members, Muslim parents, teachers and students, as well as the public had contributed towards the mosque project, totalling RM 74 000. With the addition of RM 10 000 from the School Development Fund, the mosque was completed in October 1984 and used by Muslim students for worship as well as religious activities.

Later development

Other projects that were done to develop the school were done from time to time. These projects include the renovation of the Drawing Room into Professional Room (1988), the building of the Wawasan and Budi block, the school gateway arch (1995), the renovation of a part of the library into Staff Room B (1998), the building of the Pintar block (2000), the additional building on the canteen, the podium (Astaka) at the school field, the repair works on the west wing on the Warisan block that was damaged in a fire in June 2000, as well as the new, two - storey computer lab on the former volleyball and basketball court.

School mottos

Meliora hic sequamur

This motto stands for "Here we strive for better things". The motto was introduced by the Principal of Malacca High School Mr. L.W. Arnold. He was stationed in the school from 1931 to 1934. The use of the motto coincided with the shifting of the school from the High Court Building to the current location. The official opening of the school was on 22nd. October 1931.

The use of the motto encouraged pupils and teachers to excel in the academic and leadership qualities. In the academic field for example, Malacca High School has produced of excellent students and leaders in the country. In the field of curriculum, Malacca High School has produced a number of national and states sportsmen/sportswomen.

Sini terdidiknya manusia

(Literal translation: this is where humans are educated)This motto was introduced in line with the government's efforts to promote the usage of Bahasa Malaysia among the people by the former principal, Tuan Haji Abdul Rafie bin Mahat in 1989.

We are the best

This motto was introduced by a former principal, Tuan Haji Mohammad bin Ismail in 1991.

Mesra, hormat, sayang

(Literal translation: congeniality, respect and love)This motto was introduced by a former principal, Tuan Haji Noh bin Haji Ahmad in 2001.

High School cemerlang, pelajar terbilang

This motto was introduced by the current principal, Tuan Haji Abdul Razak bin Che Ngah in 2008.

chool emblem

According to school records, the school emblem was introduced in 1931. During this time the School Board of Governors was established and the motto “Meliora Hic Sequamur” was established. Originally, the school emblem reflected ‘History,’Resilence’ and ‘Strength’.

The ‘A Famosa’ logo was used and the colour of green and maroon were used. At the bottom of the logo, ‘ Meliora Hic Sequamur‘ was etched. At the beginning, this logo was used by the school prefects only but in 1970, all students must wear the logo and has become a rule of the school.

School Anthem

The school anthem shares the same tune as the American patriotic song America The Beautiful.

Lyrics:
Sekolah Tinggi Melaka keseluruh negara
Beramai-ramai kita dukung rukun negara
Satu padu bertenaga majukan negara
Prinsip hidup progresif amalan sekolah kita

Sejak lapan belas dua enam namamu terbina
Sepanjang masa kemuka mulia dan bahagia
Sekolah Tinggi, Sekolah Tinggi, Tempatmu berbakti
Perpaduan, bercahaya, kekalan abadi.

A contextual translation would be:

Malacca High School to the whole nation
Massively, we uphold the country's ideology
United and energetic, we develop the country
Progressive principles of life are our school's custom

Your name was established since 1826
Throughout this time you've been noble and joyful
High School, High School, you're a place of contribution
Radiant unity endures for eternity.

List of school principals

*1826 - Mr. T.H. Moor
*1843 - Mr. John Overee
*1862 - Mr. T. Smith
*1878 - Mr. A. Armstrong
*1893 - Mr. J. Howell
*1916 - Mr. C.F.C. Ayre
*1921 - Mr. C. Beamish
*1924 - Mr. C.G. Coleman
*1930 - Mr. T.A.O. Sullivan
*1931 - Mr. L.W. Arnold
*1934 - Mr. L.A.S. Jermyn
*1941 - Mr. C.A. Scott, Mr. Lee Chin Lin
*1945 - Mr. Goh Tiow Chong
*1946 - Mr. C. Foster, Mr. C.J. Gurney
*1950 - Mr. G.P. Dartford
*1952 - Mr. F.T. Laidlaw, Mr. E.H. Bromley
*1956 - Mr. A. Atkinson
*1957 - Mr. W. Gibson
*1958 - Mr. K. Kandiah, Mr. Ee Tiang Hong
*1960 - Mr. C.T. Wade, Mr. Goh Keat Seng
*1965 - Mr. Tan Teik Hock
*1969 - Mr. Lim Leng Lee
*1970 - Mr. K. Anandarajan
*1972 - Mr. Chan Ying Tat
*1985 - Tn. Haji Abdul Rafie bin Haji Mahat
*1991 - Tn. Haji Mohammad bin Ismail
*1994 - Tn. Haji Hussin bin Abdul Hamid
*1996 - En. Mohd Zin bin Abdul Hamid
*1998 - Tn. Haji Othman bin Ibrahim
*2000 - Tn. Haji Noh bin Haji Ahmad
*2001 - Tn. Haji Ya'amah bin Mohd Dris
*2003 - En. Mohd Ali bin Saed
*2006 - En. Yusof bin Haji Ahmad
*1 November 2006 - Tn. Haji Abd. Razak bin Che Ngah

Sports Houses

The sports houses in the school are:

#Famosa
#Raffles
#Minto
#St Francis
#Van Dieman
#Albuquerque

Further reading

*Malacca High School The Optimist School Magazines
* [http://www.earthexplode.org/news_ourstory.aspx Our Story' Malacca High School (1826-2006)]

External links

* [http://EarthExplode.Org/mhs.aspx EarthExplode.Org - A Site Specially Dedicated to Malacca High School - estd 1826]
* [http://sekolah.mmu.edu.my/smktinggimelaka/websitemhs.html Official website]
* [http://www.malaccahigh.net Malacca High School Alumni Portal site]
* [http://www.mahsopa.net MHS Old Pupils in Kuala Lumpur & Selangor (MAHSOPA)]
* [http://www.tourism-melaka.com/melaka/MalaccaHighSchool.html Page on the Tourism Melaka site]

References

* [http://sekolah.mmu.edu.my/smktinggimelaka MHS Official Site]
*MHS The Optimist School Magazines
* [http://www.earthexplode.org/mhs.aspx EarthExplode.Org] Retrieved on 2007-5-31
* [http://www.earthexplode.org/mhshistory.aspx EEOrg - History of MHS] Retrieved on 2007-5-31
* [http://www.earthexplode.org/mhshbs.aspx EEOrg - MHS Buddhist Society] Retrieved on 2007-5-31