Mr Chua Cheng Chye,
Headmaster
of SRK Methodist (ACS),
Retired on
November
1977
(Reprinted from The Macsian 1977)
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Mr Chua Cheng Chye
1951 Photo
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Autographed back
of photo
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A:
No. First I went to the old Victorian Institution, the Batu Road
School, Kuala Lumpur, Klang High
School and finally the Methodist Boys' School, Kuala Lumpur.
Q:
Did you enjoy your school life?
A:
Yes, certainly especially my life in the Methodist Boys' School, Kuala Lumpur (MBSKL).
Q:
Why of all the schools, you enjoy best at MBSKL?
A:
There were quite a number of things I found lacking in the other schools. But I
would stress only the important one - that was, the Christian teachings in the
school where I learned so much that these influence my life up to this day.
Q:
How came that you were a teacher in Anglo-Chinese School Melaka?
A: I
passed my Senior Cambridge in 1941. When the Japanese War broke out in the Far East in
late 1941, my parents and the family evacuated to Melaka. We stayed in Melaka
during the war years. After the war, my parents returned to Kuala Lumpur. I had
to stay back for a while because of some family business. During
this
short while, Dr Ho Seng Ong
(founder of the present Anglo-Chinese School, Tranquerah) who knew me, invited me to join the staff
of his school in 1946.
Q:
Was that the primary or secondary school?
A: At
that time the school was known as a Comprehensive School, meaning it had both
Primary a
well as Secondary.
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Mr Chua Cheng Chye in
Nashville, Tennessee, USA
on a Crusade Scholarship, 1951
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Q:
Could you elaborate your presence in Anglo-Chinese School,
Melaka up to this time?
A: After
being
invited to join the staff of the school, Dr Ho Seng Ong encourage me to stay on to complete my Normal Class
training as a teacher. As I had no opportunity to go for further studies, I had
no choice but to remain in this school. 2 years after completion of my Normal
Class training, the Methodist
Church,
Malaya sent me to United States of America for further studies in one of the
Colleges for teachers, in Nashville, Tennessee. I graduated with a Bachelor
of
Science in Education.
When I returned, I continued to serve the school.
Q: To
our knowledge, we discovered that you were involved in a good number of
activities in the school. What activity or activities kept you on your feet
most of the time?
A:
First, scouting, followed by what have you in the school.
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At
the Ayer Keroh
Jamboree
Campsite. 1970
L-R: Tan Nyap Sye, Leong Chew
Poon, Mr Chua Cheng Chye,
Loh Pak Chun and Lee Chow Lin
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A:
After my return from United States of America with the training that I had
benefitted in music, I felt that I
could do something
in this field
for the school. Actually, it is my love for the school that inspired me to
compose it You can find in the words of my song, love, loyalty and the
wonderful virtues theschool has. I pray that you boys would be proud to sing
it.
Q: In
view of the trying times the youth of today are facing, what "philosophy" would you recommend for the present youth?
A:
The word "philosophy" has depth, height and width - depending on each
individual. But, I would like to recommend this: Always believe there is an
Almighty God - Creator and Giver of all good things. Accept this. Then, take
the best in life which will benefit you and your fellow men. Always do and give
your best, and be of service to the needy. Keep busy doing good.
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The
First Malacca Boys Brigade with
Captain Mr Chua Cheng Chye,
1986
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A:
One of the significant ones I would like to share with you is this: I praise
God and thank Him for the many blessings He has bestowed upon me - one of these
is:- To be given the talent and the knowledge to get along with people of all
ages and to remain their good friend.
The Macsian: Thank you very much, Mr Chua Cheng Chye.
"One
good schoolmaster is worth a thousand priests"
- Robert G Ingersoll
"An
intelligent man cannot accept the theory that personalities create history. In
my opinion, many make history and play a considerable part in it only if they
understand the peoples' needs and wishes, and insofar as they become part of
the people themselves"
- Josip Broz Tito: Quoted by Elanor Rossevelt
"A
life without a struggle would be as meat without salt'
- B C Forbes
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Mr Chua
Cheng Chye celebrating
his 85th Birthday with old boys in 2007.
He passed away on November 7, 2008
ten days short of his 86th birthday
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Mr Chua
Cheng Chye with
Cherokee
Chief and friend from Penang,
in Tennessee, USA, 1951
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Snap-shots of the Chua Cheng Chye Pages in the Coffee Table Book below:
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