St Michael’s Institution, Ipoh (SMI) celebrated Dato’ Brother Vincent Corkery’s diamond jubilee as a La Salle Brother on Monday, August 3 at the school’s assembly ground.
Running on the theme “Our teacher, our friend, our brother”, the historic morning witnessed an array of performances such as season drums, lion dance, solo classical flute and the Michaelian military band.
Present at the commemoration ceremony were Principal Madam Chan Nyook Ying, Joseph Michael Lee, Chairman of the Parent-Teacher Association, former teachers and former students.
“The La Salle brothers are ordinary men yet living extraordinary lives. They venture wherever the need is greatest to provide education, guidance and inspiration to youths worldwide. They’re committed to helping young people, especially the poor and the marginalised,” said Madam Chan in her speech.
The celebration then moved to the school hall for an experience-sharing session by students with the celebrated 87-year-old gentleman in white.
In 1957, Brother Vincent was posted to the school, which he would call home for the next 58 years. The affable gentleman-teacher had served as supervisor for Oral English for Perak, Secretary for the Conference of Heads of Secondary Schools and a founding member of the Perak Historical Society.
While as head of SMI he did away with the streaming of classes according to students’ academic ability and introduced mixed-ability classes, which is still being practised by the school to this very day. This is one of his enduring legacies.
Mei Kuan