Malayan Teachers' Training College, Kirkby, Liverpool: Reliving memories Part 4 Dining and food services By Wan Chwee Seng On a cold, winter morning, the residents of Block nine at Kirkby College, Liverpool were startled from their deep slumber by an unusual crow that emanated from within the confines of the long, narrow corridor .
"Freshie, that doesn't sound like a cock's crow!" a voice bellowed from a room.
" Stop that noise, freshie! I am trying to get some sleep," an irritated voice bawled from another room.
On successive days, occasional crows still broke the quietude of the mornings. Then one morning the 'roosters' suddenly ceased their crowing. The freshies gave a sigh of relief as the Orientation had finally ended.
The clink of milk bottles outside the room woke me from my much-needed slumber. Without the 'crow of the roosters', an alarm clock or even a watch, I had to rely on the timely arrival of the milkman.
From a nearby shower room the throaty sound of water and the voice of an early riser exercising his vocal cord floated to my room. Not wanting to miss my breakfast, I crawled out reluctantly from the warmth and comfort of the thick blankets.
As I made my way gingerly along the slippery, frosted walkway towards the dining hall, the night mist was just beginning to lift. Overhead, silhouetted against a sullen grey sky, serpentine-like hot water pipes snaked past low, drab buildings.
Hot water pipes snaked past low buildings
Inside the dining hall, I joined the few students who were queuing up quietly at the long kitchen counter where a selection of English breakfast was already laid out: oats or cornflakes with milk and sugar, hard-boiled eggs or omelette, tomato soup, baked beans, sausage, toast with jam or butter,and tea with milk.
A few juniors were already engrossed in their meals:taking small delicate bites of the toast; gently stirring the cups of tea with the least noise and chewing with their mouths closed. Evidently, the advice and the litany of criticisms that had been dished out by the seniors during the orientation had not fallen on deaf ears.
Dinner time. Johnny Khoo and fellow students eating together, irrespective of sex, race, colour or creed
Photo courtesy of Johnny Khoo
Dinner function in the Dining Hall.
L to R: Oen Wan Foo, Khoo Jin Eng, Chung Kok Hiong, Jimmy Lee Chong Lay, Mimi Foo, Mr. W. L. Jones, Mrs. Jones
Block Niners at a dinner function
Block Niners with guests at a Chinese New Year dinner
Although, we began the day with an English breakfast, it was an Asian fare for lunch and dinner. I cannot remember much about the food, but Cheah Lean Aing and Diana Tan recalled :
" For lunch and dinner we had rice served with two tureens of the following: Beef or mutton stew, meatballs with cabbage, large fish balls with vegetables, corned beef with salad (in summer), spaghetti in tomato sauce, hard-boiled eggs curry, vegetable curry and fried rice. For desserts we had fruits like apples, oranges and occasionally bananas, pudding with custard. For tea break and supper we had digestive biscuits, sometimes chocolate-coated ones, sandwiches and tea with milk."
Over the years, fanciful culinary terms were coined to add a touch of flavour to the otherwise bland dishes. When Russia launched their first satellite, Sputnik 1, a 23 inch metal sphere in 1957, the hard-boiled eggs curry came to be known as sputnik curry.
Russian Sputnik 1 launched in 1957
Photo credit: Ezine Mark. com
Sputnik curry
Although, we were provided with nutritious food prepared by cooks from Hong Kong, there were always a few disgruntled students who would find fault with the food. On Friday when we were served either fish-and-chips or vegetarian diet, the sound of bleating would sometimes break the silence, as a few students tried to show their displeasure.
" Aaaaah! Flied lice, again!"
The long sigh and sign of discontentment could be heard on another day.
Barring those few incidents, most students were contented with the food and meal time proceeded smoothly, and we were fortunate to have rice everyday, except for Friday.
At a Kirkby Reunion, we were told by our super senior who was the mess chairman that the College kitchen often ran out of rice and so he had to make frequent trips to the principal's office to complain about the shortage of rice.
All the eateries in the proximity of the College would be closed by 5.00 pm. Only a makeshift fish and chips store that stood a few metres from the college gate sometimes stayed open until 8.00 pm and it was well patronised by the College students.
The signboard at the entrance to Kirkby College,
Liverpool.
A walk down memory lane with Ooi-Tee
"I remember walking down the path to the main gate.
The railway tracks are to my left, down an embankment.
The path behind me leads to the main road to a T junction.
Kirkby Store and Chisnall's are across the road to the left.
To my right, obscured by shrubs, is the fish and chips store."
Although, the fish and chips and the occasional vegetables spring rolls could be considered plain, they helped to assuage our hunger..
Ooi - Tee and Ramakrishnan at the fish and chips store after their trip to Chisnall'sl
Each block had a pantry where we could fix a fast and simple meal, usually dried vermicelli flavoured with the indispensable chicken stock. The few students with culinary skills would whip up divine dishes whose aroma would send us scurrying to the pantry.
We would usually purchase our groceries from the nearby Kirkby Store and Chisnall's.
Ooi Tee and Ramakrishnan in front of Kirkby Store and Chisnall's
Ooi-Tee in front of Chisnall's where he used
to buy his cigarettes, milk and biscuits.
Behind him is the familiar 'Andy Capp'
lookalike who would often flash a toothless
smile at the customers.
I remember following my friend, Seripala, to the small town of Blackbull where he would buy fish for his signature dish_ fish curry. Sometimes we would take a leisurely walk to a nearby cottage to buy fresh eggs and fruits..
One of my most memorable dining experiences in college was attending a formal dinner hosted by the Blue Funnel Line, a well known shipping company, on board one of their liners. Prior to the dinner our seniors had given us valuable advice and tips on the proper table manner. On the appointed day we arrived early, attired in our best suits. We were ushered into a grand room and the moment we stepped into the room my attention was drawn to the array of gleaming cutlery set that was laid out to measured precision on a long table with spotless napery. All advice and the well-rehearsed procedure were soon forgotten as I took in the intimidating sight. I cannot remember much about the food or its taste, as throughout the dinner I was busy keeping an eye on the host, trying my best to follow his lead.
Thirty years on, I find myself sitting alone at a table in the dining hall of Maktab Perguruan Perempuan Melayu Melaka. Assigned to our occasional dining duty, I slowly sampled the all Malaysian fare that is laid before me. As I watched the young trainee teachers having their meals, I paused from my eating, to reflect and savour the delectable moments of my own college days. Related article. Click below link
Memories of movies and movie theatres of yesteryear
By Wan Chwee Seng
Dusk was just beginning to slip into night when a white van rolled onto the playing field. Workers emerged from the van and began to assemble and erect poles to support a white canvas screen.
The playing field in front of our house. Photo: taken in 2012
It was the early 1950s and we were staying in one of the government quarters in the Residential Area, Kuala Pilah. From the front veranda of the house which overlooked the field, young, curious eyes followed their every move.
The house at 246 B, Residential Area Kuala Pilah. in the 1950s.
The house at 246B, Residential Area in 2012
Then as the darkness deepened, murky figures began to converge on the field and head towards the white screen, like moths being drawn to the fragrance of a white blossom.
A generator sputtered to life and a projector mounted at the back of the van beamed its bright light on the cinema screen, revealing a picture of a leaping tiger and the words 'Malayan film Unit'.
Realising,the movie was about to start, we scurried across the narrow road to join the fairly large crowd who stood or sat on the grass. A few had come prepared for the show and had brought along mats or small stools with them.
A crowd watching an open air movie
Photo credit: Finasgovt.com
The movie started with a documentary on the communist insurgency in Malaya and this was followed with a feature film showcasing the development that had taken place in post war Malaya after the Japanese Occupation.
Oblivious to the throbbing sound of the generator and the blurry and grainy film , the crowd watched, enthralled at the scene unfolding before their eyes. There was no TV then and a movie theatre had still to make its appearance in the small town of Kuala Pilah, so the free movie provided the residents with a welcome break from their mundane existence.
For me and my siblings, it was also our first experience of watching a movie.
A few years later, our school, Tuanku Muhammad School would screen movies like 'Tarzan' and 'The three musketeers' for the pupils during some weekends. I remember after watching 'The three musketeers' my friends and I would venture into the thickets that flanked the dirt track that meandered towards our houses The morning air would soon be filled with shouts and the clash of wooden swords as we assumed the roles of Athos, Porthos and Aramis.
Tuanku Muhammad School in 1946.
One evening father came back from work and gave us a few complimentary tickets for the reserved seats which the owner of the newly- built Majestic Theater had given him.
The Majestic Theatre in Kuala Pilah
Father had helped the owner when he was a young and struggling businessman. He was grateful for father's assistance. Whenever there was a good movie he would give father some complimentary tickets. I can remember that first visit to the movie theatre. We could feel the sense of excitement as we made our way up the carpeted aisle leading to the balcony and let ourselves sink into the comfort of the soft seat.
One of the earliest and memorable movies I remember watching at the theatre was the 1949 production of 'The Blue Lagoon' starring Jean Simmons and Donald Houston
The 1949 movie: The Blue Lagoon starring
Jean Simmons and Donald Houston
Photo Credit: Doctormacro.com
Then in the mid fifties, after father passed away, we moved back to Batu Berendam, a small village, about four miles from Melaka Town. Unlike Kuala Pilah, there were already a few movie theatres such as Rex, Federal, Cathay, Capitol, Lido and Savoy in Melaka Town. However without the complimentary tickets which we used to get in Kuala Pilah, all we could afford was the Saturday's cheap matinee. Occasionally, we would take a bus for the night show, but we had to make sure it ended early as the last bus to Batu Berendam was at midnight.Once, my friend and I, was so engrossed in a movie that we didn't realise that the movie ended well past midnight. The thought of having to walk four miles back to our homes, made me approach two girls who were standing near their car. I explained to them our predicament and we were pleasantly surprised when they offered to give us a lift home. Although, I have forgotten their names I will always be grateful for their help and kindness. While most of the youngsters in our kampung preferred the Hollywood movies, the older kampung folks preferred watching Malay or Indian movies ( now known as Bollywood) which were usually screened at the Lido Theatre.
The charred building of Lido Theatre
I recall, at the end of the month whenever there was an Indian movie, the Lido Theatre would be patronized by the estate workers from the nearby rubber plantations. They came in their best attire, squeezed tightly at the rear of open back lorries.
The abandoned building of Capitol Theatre
Federal Theatre converted into a furniture showroom
With the advent of televisions, home movie theatres, and cineplex theatres, the movie theatres have disappeared. Most have been demolished and replaced with high-rise buildings while others are left in a state of disrepair. The movie theatres of my childhood days with their bright neon signs; the huge hand-painted billboards with pictures of stars and the prominently displayed words, 'Now Showing', 'Next Change', 'Coming Soon', are now just a memory.
Malayan Teachers' Training College, Kirkby, Liverpool: Flashback
,
FLASHBACK........
a poem that will take you on a nostalgic journey to the halcyon days of our youth in Kirkby
The below poem was specially written by Lean Aing for The Dreamgirls (the evergreen Kirkby College nightingales) to perform as a rap at the Kirkby Reunion in Penang ( 6-8 June 2014 ).
'The Dreamgirls' From L to R: Esther Soh, Lim Wee Hee, Wong Siew Hoon, Vimala K Cheah Lean Aing, Diana Tan, Yoong Chew Hing Photo credit: Lean Aing
Malayan Teachers' Training College, Kirkby, Liverpool: Reliving memories
Part 3. Academic
Work and teaching practice
“The
following please see me in the office.”
The
notice that greeted my eyes just a week after our orientation, left me with a
tinge of anxiety, as I wondered what my two non-Malay friends and I had
committed to be hastily summoned to the office.
The
next morning, stepping expectantly into the office, I walked out minutes later with a sigh of
relief, as I was told the notice was just to inform us we had to join the Malay
students for our Malay studies as we had already sat for our Bahasa Melayu
paper for our School Certificate Examination.
One
morning when I stepped into the classroom for my first Bahasa lesson, I was
pleasantly surprised to find out that my Bahasa Melayu lecturer was Cikgu Nasir,
a Kirkbyite, who was also my lower secondary school teacher in Tuanku Muhammad
School, Kuala Pilah.
TMS Staff 1955: Cigku Nasir, is seen standing in miiddle row, extreme left
Except
for Bahasa Melayu, all the other lessons were conducted in English, as English
was the medium of instruction in the College. As the College was set up with
the primary purpose of producing English teachers for Primary and Lower
Secondary Schools, the bulk of the time table was allotted to the teaching of
English Language.
We
were divided into various academic groups and with the exception of Malay studies, physical education and the occasional mass lecture we had to attend lectures
according to our academic group.
Group A
Seated L to R: Monica Phang, Rosalyn Chew, Sarabjit Kaur, Mr. Barnes, Louise Kesler, Lim Cheng Bee, Toh Gek Leng
Standing Lto R: Manjit Singh, Cheah Phee Chye,Chow Siew Hah, Johnny Ong, Tan Ooi Tee, Lau Siew Suan, Lee Kam Hon, Bella Ho, Sukhdev Singh, Oswald Schokman
Kneeling: L. Adeline Louis, Yoong Chiew Hing
Photo courtesy of Ooi-tee
Academic Group B
Sitting Lto R: Ivy Tan, Gracy George, Lim Siew Leng, Choo Ewe Keat,Charles Gabriel,Tan Ling Suan,Wong Ho Ying,Mimi Foo Standing L to R: Low Mui Chuan, Vimala Kandiah, Lim Swee Ee, Wong Shue Keng, Ang Seng Chye, Balwant Singh, Chen Tien Pow, Nancy Varughese, Tan Kam Moon, Liong Ah Lin, Douglas Gomez
Photo credit: Mimi Foo
The guys in my Academic Group D
Seating L to R : Rahim Isa, Jaikishan, Harbajan Singh, Zainal Abidin
Standing L to R : Leslie Foo, Lawrence L. John, Tay Soo Hock, Rahim Dalip. Joseph John, Wan Chwee Seng
The ladies in my Acadmic Group D
Sittong Lto R : Sharifah Mastura Maimunah Hashim Rita Rodrigues Azian bte. Yusof
Standing from L to R: Ruby Isaac, Magdalene Chong Mee Loon, Pooranajothy Kasinathar,
Helena Liew Shue Fei, Normah
For
our English lessons we had to study English literature and among the prescribed
texts were ‘Lord of the flies’, ‘A passage to India’, 'Sons and lovers' and selected plays from
the ‘Complete Works of Shakespeare’. Every week we had to do a book review and I remember Harbajan Singh, who always did an honest appraisal of a book, would volunteer to read his review. Some of us who believed this job was best left to the professionals were content to read their reviews. We also had lessons on poetry appreciation
and English phonetics. When it came to phonetic transcription I had a hard time
trying to figure out the meaning of those funny symbols, and luckily had some friends to assist me with the transcription. I remember during our
first winter, we attended lectures garbed in layers of warm clothing and the cold made it difficult for us to concentrate on our lectures.
'Frozen in time'
L to R: Adeline Louis,Amy Grace Tekkah,Monica Phang, Sarabjit Kaur,
Angelo Wong Ho Wing,Tan Ooi Tee, Oswald Schokman, Manjit Singh
Having fun in the snow
From L to R: Oswald, Ooi-Tee
The snow has melted
From L to R: Toh Cheng Kee, Monica Phang Low Kim See,Mimi Foo, Amy Tekkah,
Senior lady?
The guys have discarded their overcoats
From L to R: Tan Ooi Tee, Amy Tekkah, Maimunah Hashim, Louise Kessler,
Charles Gabriel
When
the last snow of winter had melted and the grey sky had grudgingly given way to
a clear blue spring sky, our English lecturer would sometimes conduct class on
the college grounds.
Students sitting on the lush green grass and enjoying spring weather
Back row: Tan Guan Hock, Adeline Louis, Oswald Shokman, Theresa Leow
Front row: Tan Vin Quen, Agnes Loo, Lim Wee Hee
Photo credit: Vin Quen
Spring is in the air
Photo credit: Vin Quen
The
crisp morning air would be filled with her voice as she recited William
Wordsworth’s ‘The daffodils’.
While Wordsworth stood gazing at ‘ the host of
golden daffodils’, I was busy surveying
the fresh beauty of dandelions, buttercups and daisies that dotted the lush green grass.
Years on, in moment of solitude, I would sometimes reflect on that blissful
moment and the words of Wordsworth would come to mind.
“For
oft, on my couch I lie
In
vacant or in pensive mood,
They
flash upon that inward eye
Which
is the bliss of solitude; “
As
trainee teachers, we all had to study pedagogy, educational psychology and
health education. About thirty lecturers
were assigned to teach us the various subjects and some of these lecturers
would leave a lasting impression on us.
I
remember, Mr. Broughton, our educational psychology lecturer who would often come
out with some creative ideas when he lectured to us on the topic of set induction. Long after I left college his teaching methods would remain vivid in my mind, and later I borrowed some of his ideas for my pedagogy and educational psychology lessons.
Most
students in the College will remember the affable Mr. Woolley, our health
education lecturer. On drowsy afternoon, when we were about to be lulled into slumber,
a smart Alec would suddenly pop out a question on photography and our health education
lesson would come to an abrupt end. Mr.
Woolley, an avid photographer, would readily oblige us by sharing his knowledge
and expertise on photography. It was a welcome break, but we would soon be gripped with mounting panic when we realised the final examination was just weeks away and we were better prepared for photography than health education.
Option
subjects
Other
than the core subjects all the students had to choose an option such as Art and
Craft, History, Geography, Mathematics, Music , Physical Education, and
Woodwork. We were given about a week to make our choice and I remember
attending the History class where I had the opportunity of meeting the
ever-smiling, Mr. J. Kennedy who was the
author of the book, ‘History of Malaya’ which was one of our History textbooks
for Form V. Although I was deeply impressed with the lecture, I decided to opt for
Art and Craft which offered more practical work and less reading.
Art
and Craft option
I especially enjoyed our Art and Craft lessons
as we could move about freely and besides we had some colourful characters in
our class which made the lessons even more interesting. Our Art and Craft room
was connected to a ladies’ block and its pantry was just next to the Art and
Craft’s room. The clatter of pots and pans was clearly audible from our work
place. I remember sometimes in the midst of our Art lesson, one of our friends
would suddenly disappear from the room. As his disappearing act seemed to
coincide with the strident sound that emanated from the pantry, it soon aroused our
suspicion. Later, we discovered there was a young and sweet maid working in the
pantry and I wonder if the sound from the pantry was a pre-arranged signal for
a secret rendezvous.
Our
craft lecturer was Miss Lloyd Williams, a matronly figure with a no-nonsense
attitude who would keep a watchful eye on the guys to make sure we were not up
to any mischief.
My friend,
TC, recalled the time she reprimanded him. When he responded with an unsavoury
remark, he found himself restricted to the college and his passport was also
confiscated. That summer while other students were enjoying their summer
holidays in Europe, T.C. had to content
himself with attending a ‘fitness’ club in Liverpool.
Our
Art lecturer was, Miss Ockenden, a young
and friendly lecturer. I remember sometimes she would take us out in her car
for outdoor sketching. I also remember once she had two complimentary tickets
to an art exhibition at the Liverpool Art Gallery and I was selected to
accompany her to the exhibition, much to the envy of the other guys in the group.
Outdoor sketching session
L to R : Tien Chong, Teong Kooi, Chwee Seng
At the end of our two years Art and Craft course all our 'masterpieces' had to be displayed for viewing and assessment.
Admiring the masterpieces
Photo credit: Vin Quen
My art work on display
Members from the other option groups too had their own share of memorable experiences.
Physical
Education option
The
physical education class for men was under the charge of Mr. Wilde and later
Mr. Tate. Besides, the usual physical
exercise lessons in college the members of the P.E. option also had the opportunity to make a trip
down the Hay River from Hay-on-Wye to Chepstow by kayak (canoe). For Ooi-tee , this is a trip which will always be
etched in his memory. Here is an account of the trip as recounted by him:
"I remember on the 27th May 1959, Ho Chee Eng, Paramanathan, Zainal Abidin and I made up the first batch from our PE group that accompanied our kayak from Liverpool Station to Hay-on-Wye. Before embarking on the trip we had to learn the basics of paddling a kayak, so a morning found me in a kayak, trying hard to master the technique, while Chee Eng, my partner, stood on the bank, shouting instructions and giving me unsolicited advice.
Learning how to handle a kayak
Photo credit: Ooi-Tee
From Hay we stopped at Hereford, Ross-on-Wye, Monmouth, Tintern, and ended our journey at Chepstow, not being able to proceed further, as the currents leading into the River Severn from Chepstow were too strong.
Map of the trip from Hay-on Wye to Chepstow
We completed the 151 miles river route in seven days ( by car it would be half the distance or even less).
Our camp at Tintern Abbey( immortalized in William Wordsworth's poem of the same name)
Photo credit: Ooi-Tee
It was backbreaking on days when we encountered calm waters and were really thankful for the rapids that were few in between. While shooting the rapids, Chee Eng who sat behind me, took every jolt as an opportunity to clobber me until I found a way to stop it.
Shooting the rapid with Chee Eng
Photo credit: 'Ooi-Tee
Although the trip was exhausting and backbreaking, I enjoyed it immensely and is one of the highlights of my life's adventure in Kirkby College." Music Option "Our music option group had some colourful characters who brought fun and laughter to the class. Some joined the group without prior musical experience and among them was Charles Gabriel who opted for music with the expectation of learning the guitar. Besides the mandatory piano and recorder lessons, we also had to learn one stringed instruments: the violin, viola, cello or double bass. As the guitar was not on the list of stringed instruments, Charles felt a sense of disappointment and didn't have much interest in the lesson. One afternoon our music lecturer, Miss Gray, was teaching us key signatures ie 3/4 or 4/4 time. The somnolent afternoon air was lulling Charles into slumber when Miss Gray suddenly asked him, "What is the time?" Charles woke up with a start, gazed at his watch and calmly replied, " It's 12 o'clock, lunch time." " Louise Kessler, Ruby Isaac, Rosalyn Chew were in the Music Option with me and up to this day, we still laugh when we think about the incident. Although Charles has left us a long time ago, bless his soul, the fun and laughter he brought into the class live on in our memory." Mimi Foo ( 1959-60 ) Teaching practice Besides learning education theory all the students had to do practical teaching under the supervision of the class teacher and college supervisors. We were posted to schools in and around Liverpool and had to get up very early in order to catch the first train from Kirkby station or board the waiting coach.
Posing for a photo after our teaching practice
Vin Quen with some of the pupils at the entrance to Kirkby College
I remember for my teaching practice I was posted to primary schools in St. Helens and Wigan. I enjoyed the teaching stint as the headmaster and teachers were very friendly and co-operative while the pupils were well disciplined. Teaching hours were from 8.30 to 3.30 with a break-time at 10.30 and lunch was at 12.30. I noticed during break-time the headmaster would usually leave his office to talk to the pupils or join in their games. During the lunch break I was told most of the pupils would have their lunch in the school canteen and I too would join them with a free lunch and looking underweight then, I was also provided with a bottle of fresh milk. Unlike our Malaysian primary school pupils who are often seen bent double under the weight of their engorged school bags, the pupils in the schools where I taught carried only a book or two to school, as all their other books were kept in the school's lockers. My Block mate, Johnny Khoo, too did his teaching practice in one of the primary schools on the outskirt of Liverpool. Johnny Khoo ( 1959-1960) " After more than fifty years, I cannot recall the name of the school where I did my teaching practice. I remember the pupils in my class were generally well- behaved and I had no disciplinary problem. However, there was a boy who kept constantly looking out of the window when the lesson was in progress and appeared to be more interested in watching the football game outside the classroom. It was brought to the attention of the headmaster who told me to ignore him as the boy probably wants to be a professional footballer when he grew up. "
Johnny Khoo with his pupils
Photo courtesy of Johnny Khoo
Some 'lucky' students were posted to the lower secondary schools and I learned they had a more challenging time as they had to handle some difficult students, as portrayed in the 1967 British drama film ,'To Sir' with Love' starring Sidney Poitier.
A scene from 'To Sir, with Love' starring Sidney Poiter
Photo credit: www.freeinfosociety.com
Ooi-Tee and Mimi Foo who were among the 'lucky' few who taught in the lower secondary school are gracious enough to share their experiences. Ooi-Tee (1959-60): " My final teaching practice was at Maghull Secondary School which is quite close to the college. My supervising tutor was Mr. Wilson and we had to write a lesson plan for each day and then had to meet him at his flat to discuss what we had achieved that day or the week. He occasionally showed up to observe me. It was a stressful time. My supervising teacher at Maghull Secondary School was Mr. John Ord. He was a wonderful gentleman and he invited me home for dinner several times. He made me feel at ease and offered me encouragement. Bless him."
" My cheerful, delightful class with Mr. Ord. Notice the visual aid at the back
of the class. I was teaching Malayan culture to the kids." _ Ooi-Tee
" Mr. John Ord in front of a black- board with three lines of the song 'Bengawan Solo'
written on it. When I sang the song, the students thought it was hilarious.....ie my singing." _
Ooi-Tee
"An extraordinary staff that made my time there unforgettable." _ Ooi-Tee
"Conducting gymnastics lessons for the boys. It was a large class and required team teaching.
Three teachers were involved in teaching the class." _ Ooi-Tee
The girls' gymnastics class
Mimi Foo (1959-60): "I remember my first teaching practice (Feb26 1959) was at the Kingsway County Secondary School in the Widnes District. Lawrence John and Abdul Rahim Dalib were with me and we travelled there by coach. Lawrence and Abdul Rahim are no longer with us, bless their souls." "My final teaching practice at Deyes Lane Secondary Modern School was an experience for me, an 18 year old. The boys were 15+ and not interested in school, just waiting to leave and join a trade. They used to wait for me at the school gate and helped to carry my bag and visual aids to the class. Then after class they will invite me, 'wanna go dancing tonight'. I will always find an excuse and tell them our college does not allow us to attend night functions. Azian Yusof was with me at the school."
Mimi Foo with Lawrence John
Mimi Foo with Rahim Dalib
For Ooi-Tee, Mimi and the other students who taught in the secondary schools, I am sure, their experiences stood them in good stead in later years, as they would be able to cope with any classroom situations and would be well prepared to face the harsh reality of the outside world. Listen to Lulu sings 'To Sir With Love' on Youtube
Notes: My sincere thanks to Ooi Tee, Mimi, Robert and Johnny Khoo for the photos and contributions; Vin Quen for the lovely photos; Tien Chong for sharing your experience; Lean Aing and others for your kind help and support. Fellow Kirkbyites who have photos relating to college life or have memorable experiences which they like to share, I hope will forward them to me via email. Your contributions will be greatly appreciated. Related articles: Click below links MTTC, Kirkby: Part 1 _The Journey MTTC, Kirkby, Part 2: Orientation Other articles on MTTC, Kirkby Click below links. Lessons for life
MTTC, Kirkby closed down after its last intake ( 1960-1961). Readers who are interested to find out what became of the College can view the very interesting and informative video ( Kirkby Revisited 2011), courtesy of Datuk Zainal Arshad.
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