Kolej DPAH Abdillah, Kuching

Kolej Datu Patinggi Abang Haji Abdillah"'

Principal	Johara Zen
School type	Public semi-boarding school
Founded	1979
Location	Kuching, Sarawak, Malaysia
School Motto	"Arif dan Maju" : Wisdom and Progress
Corporate Colour	Green
Abbreviation	KDPAHA

Kolej Datu Patinggi Abang Haji Abdillah is a coeducational public day and boarding secondary school located in Kuching, Sarawak, Malaysia.

History

Kolej Datu Patinggi Abang Haji Abdillah was officially opened on 29 September 1978 by the third Prime Minister of Malaysia, Tun Hussein Onn. Dubbed the 'Eton of Borneo, the college was formerly known as Datu Patinggi Abang Haji Abdillah Junior Science College. Its original purpose was to serve as a Junior College for Form 6 students who obtained good results in their Form 5 examination. In later years, the college started admitting Form 1 to Form 5 students while still keeping the "Kolej" (College) prefix. Admission for Form 6 students was halted in 2005.

The plan to open up the school was granted by the Federal Government in 1972 under the Second Malaysian Plan. The college was completed in 1978, with the size of 7.9317 hectare.

The college was named after Datu Patinggi Abang Haji Abdillah, a local politician who served under Vyner Brooke. He is well know as an anti-cessionist, who opposed the cession of Sarawak to the British Crown in 1946.

Admission

Admission to the school is monitored and conducted by the State Education Board. The requirement to join the school for Form 1 is 5A's or 4A's + 1B in the UPSR examination while Form 4 requires straight A's or 7 A's + 1B in the PMR examination. Prior to 2005, Form Six students were admitted based on their SPM results.

Principals

1. Datuk Putit Matzen (1978-1982)
2. Sukinam Domo (1983-1984)
3. Tuan Haji Morshidi Ali (1985-1989)
4. Tuan Haji Mohd Zain Abang Ismail (1989-1992)
5. Michael Manyin (1993-1995)
6. Putit bin Haji Ped (1995-2004)
7. Datin Hajah Halimah bt Haji Mohd Sahari (2004-2007)
8. Johara Zen (2007-now)

Symbols and traditions

The college's motto is "Arif dan Maju" (Wisdom and Progress), which is also the name of one of its two anthems. "Pelajar Bestari", the second anthem, was introduced during Putit bin Haji Ped's tenure as Principal when the college was declared a smart school. However, this tradition was replaced by Mdm. Joahara Zen in 2007, in which, the "Hearts and Minds" song replaced "Pelajar Bestari". In 2005, during Datin Halimah's administration, "We Must, We Can and We will" is adopted as the slogan of the college.

Sport houses

Like many other schools in Commonwealth countries, Kolej DPAH Abdillah has four houses; Waja (red), Satria (yellow), Perdana (blue) and Wira (green). The houses are named after four Proton cars, as Proton is considered as the pride of Malaysia.

Prior to 2001, the houses were of different names; Rentap (red), Sharif Masahor (yellow), Rosli Dhobi (blue) and Patinggi Ali (green). The names used then were of local heroes who fought for Sarawak's independence.

Students are put in a randomly selected house. Houses compete against each other in sports such as the Annual Sports Event and academic contests like debating.Kolej Datu Patinggi Abang Haji Abdillah was officially opened on 29 September 1978 by the third Prime Minister of Malaysia, Tun Hussein Onn. Dubbed the 'Eton of Borneo, the college was formerly known as Datu Patinggi Abang Haji Abdillah Junior Science College. Its original purpose was to serve as a Junior College for Form 6 students who obtained good results in their Form 5 examination. In later years, the college started admitting Form 1 to Form 5 students while still keeping the Kolej (College) prefix. Admission for Form 6 students was halted in 2005.

Tun Hussein Onn at the school opening ceremony.The plan to open up the school was granted by the Federal Government in 1972 under the Second Malaysian Plan. The college was completed in 1978, with the size of 7.9317 hectare.

The college was named after Datu Patinggi Abang Haji Abdillah, a local politician who served under Vyner Brooke. He is well know as an anti-cessionist, who opposed the cession of Sarawak to the British Crown in 1946.

[edit] AdmissionAdmission to the school is monitored and conducted by the State Education Board. The requirement to join the school for Form 1 is 5A's or 4A's + 1B in the UPSR examination while Form 4 requires straight A's or 7 A's + 1B in the PMR examination. Prior to 2005, Form Six students were admitted based on their SPM results.

chool publications

The SPEKTRA is the school's official yearbook or annual magazine and is also the longest running school publication. The editorial board consists both the students and teachers. However, the main body of the editorial board consists of students.

Buletin Bestari is the school's official newsletter, published by the "Briged Bestari" of Kolej Abdillah. It is unsure when Buletin Bestari started its publication, however it was said that it was published since the school's first year. Nonetheless, due to unknown reason the school stopped publishing Buletin Bestari somewhere in the 90's. The Media and Computer Club published their own newsletter; Owl's in 2004, in an attempt for it to be recognized as the official newsletter. At the dawn of 2005, the extra curricular advisor took a drastic move in changing the name and structure of the Media and Computer Club into "Briged Bestari", forcing the Owl's to be replaced by the reborn Buletin Bestari. The Buletin Bestari was republished again in year 2005.

Other publications include newsletters published by the Young Entrepreneurs Programme companies, for an example; From the Eyes of Collegians.

Academic achievements

Ever since the school was opened, the student's achievements in public examinations is considered as among the best in Sarawak, although some times the results did not meet the Education Ministry expactations. However still, as a whole the students' achievements in public examinations are considered as better than average.

Extracurricular achievements

Kolej DPAH Abdillah has been known to produce debaters and other champions in various fields. The school has also been known to be quite competitive in the Young Entrepreneurs Programme, and won several national awards in year 2002 and 2005, defeating various schools in Malaysia that are known to be competitive in extra curricular activities for examples, MCKK and Victoria Institution.

Debate and Public Speaking

Kolej DPAH Abdillah was a well known producer of great orators in the 80's, and it is a fact that Kolej Abdillah managed to wrestle the Chief Minister's Cup Malay Debate Championship back then. The trainer for the Bahasa Malaysia debate back then; Cikgu Bhaludin Salleh has resigned and opened up a tuition centre (Pusat Bimbingan Karya).

However, the achievement was not maintained that its achievements differ from one year to another throughout the 90's to the early 2000's. In 2005, Kolej DPAH Abdillah won Pidato Piala Diraja Peringkat Negeri Sarawak and its representative, Junnyaruin Barat represented Sarawak in national level competition. Most of the debaters and speakers for Kolej Abdillah continued to be orators in universities upon graduating high school.

In year 2008, the English Debate under the guidance of Madam Maria Tan has collaborated with the Debate Society of UiTM Sarawak in training their debaters. UiTM Sarawak was the Borneo Cup Debating Tournament champion for year 2006 and 2008, as well as finalist for the Vice-Chancellor Cup Debating Championship in year 2007 held in Shah Alam. The Kolej Abdillah-UiTM collaboration is funded by the Parents-Teachers Association. The representatives for the year's English Debate was Nalisha Laila [first speaker] , NorShafiqah [second speaker] , Aliff Farhan [third speaker] and Ajibah [reserve] .

Young Entrepreneurs Programme

The Young Entrepreneurs Programme(YEP) of Kolej DPAH Abdillah is probably the most acclaimed club in Kolej Abdillah. Representing the state of Sarawak for several times, its achievements are well-known throughout the state.

List of YEP companies

1998:
1999:
2000:
2001:
2002: Colege Hillz Sdn Bhd
2003: Abdillahz Empire Sdn Bhd
2004: Enigma 42 Sdn Bhd
2005:
2006:F.L.A.M.E. Sdn. Bhd.

List of YEP achievements

* 1998:


* 1999:


* 2000:


* 2001:


* 2002:


* 2003 - "Abdillahz Empire Sdn. Bhd.":
State Level
Third place in Report Presentation


* 2004 - "Enigma 42 Sdn. Bhd.":
State Level
Best Company Award
Best Report Presentation
Best General Manager Award - "Syed Nizamuddin bin Sayed Khassim"
Best Administrative Manager Award - "Noor Afreeda binti Nawawi"
Best Operational Manage Award - "Nor Azwani Adenan"
Best Marketing Manager Award - "Normalyana Samsudin"
Best Finance Manager Award - "Abdul Hafeedzil Iqbal bin Wajidi"

National Level
Runner-up in Report Presentation Category


* 2005:


* 2006:

Taekwondo

Taekwondo is among the students' favourite clubs. A hero of Kolej DPAH Abdillah; Chong Zhia Howe represented Malaysia in various international Taekwondo tournaments while he was still a student of Kolej DPAH Abdillah and after joining university. As of 2005, there were two different groups of Taekwondo Clubs which is from the ITF (International Taekwondo Federation) and WTF (World Taekwondo Federation). The Taekwondo Club(s) of Kolej DPAH Abdillah would usually collaborate a performance each year with other martial arts clubs of Kolej DPAH Abdillah for big events such as Sports Day.

Rugby

1st team ever created was back in year 1997. The team coach was Cikgu Zulkarnain and Coach Pat whom lead the team to win 1st place for Kuching Division. Some of the old skool monsters was Nirwin Siffita, Micheal, Andy Jose and Mohd Firdaus. Some of them are still playing with KRFC today. In 1998, most of the players have devoted most of their time with education that slowed the team down and vanished the next year. The other factor that lead the team to silence was the coach furthering his study and no other candidates to head the team.

The present Kolej DPAH Abdillah's rugby team is known as the 'College Titans'.Re-establish in 2003 and proves itself still to be quite competitive.Many of the players have been selected to play for Kuching division and even for the state.One of them is Macxwell Kenneth ak Sidin.College Titans has been listed as favourite team in Kuching, along with the well known SHOAW Rugby Team.

Student life

Since the school is not a fully boarding school, daily scholars and boarders have their own distinctive lifestyles.

Traditions

* Students addressed their principal as 'Ayahanda' (Malay for father) or 'Bonda' (Malay for mother). A slight variation was made for Madam Johara Zen, who is referred to as 'Ummi', which translates to mother in Arabic.

* General assembly used to be once a fortnight on every Tuesday, but was changed to Wednesday and frequented to once every week by Datin Hajah Halimah binti Haji Mohd Sahari.

* Upon the end of each year, there would be a convocation ceremony for Form Five scholars. This tradition dates back to 2005, where convocation was held for the first time in Kolej DPAH Abdillah. The tradition stopped in 2007.

* Prior to 2004, the school anthem's music is played by a student on a piano in every assembly. However, the tradition stopped in 2004. An attempt to revive the tradition by Datin hajah Halimah met with failure.

*Madam Johara Zen changed the names for the classes to the names of precious minerals; Amethyst, Ruby, Sapphire etc. in 2007.

*The "Pelajar Bestari" song was replaced with the government-created song; "Hearts and Minds" by Madam Johara Zen.

Brethren of Datu Abdillah

A secret society was linked to this school; the Brethren of Datu Abdillah. It was purportedly to be established in 1980, but yet to be confirmed by many of its alumni.

"For full article on Brethren of Datu Abdillah, click here."

Famous alumni

* Datu Misnu bin Hj Taha; Director of Jabatan Agama Islam Sarawak (JAIS)

* Chong Zhia Howe; represents Malaysia in international Taekwondo tournaments.

* Noor Aishah binti Haji Salleh; a respected English teacher of Kolej DPAH Abdillah. Resigned in 2008.

* Noor Adzlina binti Bolhan; a respected English teacher of Kolej DPAH Abdillah

* Jemre Haji Sinkim; a respected History teacher of Kolej DPAH Abdillah A.K.A. General Jem...

* En. Nyibos; cool History teacher of Kolej DPAH Abdillah

* Mr. Nikk Adam Abdillah Kipalli; Public and International Relations EXCO of UNIMAS Student Representative Council.

* Mr. Badri Sahmat, Parti Pesaka Bumiputera Bersatu (PBB), N7 Constituency Youth Chief.

* Aini Yusof, Sacofa Sdn Bhd

* Dr Kamarul Hisham Kamarudin, Specialist, Putrajaya Dental Clinic

* Dr Muadzam Mohamad, Hospital Sibu

Famous educators

* Datuk Putit Matzen; who was the first Principal is currently the Chairman of Sarawak Islamic Council.

* YB Michael Manyin; the fifth Principal of Kolej Abdillah joined politics after leaving Kolej DPAH Abdillah, and currently an assemblyman for Tebedu constituency.

* Mr. Isai Raja; currently an Arts and Visual teacher, was once a player of Sarawak FA.

* Mr Bhaludin Haji Salleh; a former Malay Language teacher of Kolej Abdillah, established a private tuition centre franchise upon resigning. The private tuition centre; Pusat Bimbingan Karya, specializes in Malay Language studies for primary and secondary school students.

In the media

Kolej DPAH Abdillah's extra-large Jalur Gemilang was featured in Malaysia's media in year 2002 and 2003. [http://www.accessmylibrary.com/coms2/summary_0286-26494161_ITM]

References

1. "Reminiscing the Glorious Past; Kolej Abdillah since 1979" - OWLs, 10 May 2007
2. Spektra Editorial (2005) "Spektra 2005"
3. Spektra Editorial (2004) "Spektra 2004"
4. Spektra Editorial (2003) "Spektra 2003"
5. Spektra Editorial (2002) "Spektra 2002"
6. Spektra Editorial (2001) "Spektra 2001"
7. Spektra Editorial (2000) "Spektra 2000"
8. Spektra Editorial (1999) "Spektra 1999"
9. Spektra Editorial (1998) "Spektra 1998"
10. Spektra Editorial (1997) "Spektra 1997"
11. Spektra Editorial (1996) "Spektra 1996"
12. Spektra Editorial (1995) "Spektra 1995"
13. Spektra Editorial (1994) "Spektra 1994"
14. Spektra Editorial (1980) "Spektra 1980"

External links

* [http://www.kolejabdillah.net Current website for Kolej Abdillah]
* [http://www.schools.sains.com.my/kdp/depan.html An older version of the official website for the college]
* [http://www.geocities.com/syed_niz89/kolej_myths.html Myths and facts surrounding Kolej DPAH Abdillah]
* [http://www.koperasi.coop/pelancar/Arkib/dec05/december024.htm An article on Kolej DPAH Abdillah's achievement in entrepreneurship programme]
* [http://www.pumsarawak.com.my/main.html Sarawak's Young Entrepreneurs Programme website and articles on Kolej Abdillah's achievements in entrepreneurship]