My primary school

Shih Chung Primary School

I spent my first 3 years of school at Shih Chung Primary School.  Shih Chung translates to Time in the Middle, or a timely education for all.  It is situated in Love Lane, in Penang.  Another famous school, the Saint Xavier's Institute is just down the road.  My two older brothers, Siew Loon and Siew Kai, went to Saint Xavier's.  I broke the tradition and started the tradition of our siblings going to Chinese school.

Shih Chung is a one building school. It used to be a rich man's mansion. The front yard you see here is paved with cement. Back in my days, there were only two or three cars parked in the  front yard.

The teachers' room and administration office is in the front part of the building, upstairs. Behind the office toward the back of the building are three classrooms upstairs and three downstairs.  Facing the classrooms is a big sky well.

The classrooms were airy and cool, with tall ceilings. My first year classroom was upstairs, just behind the teahers' room.  I remember my first year teacher was Miss Chong.  She drives a big Ford sedan. I like her and usually volunteer to clean the blackboard for her after school.  One day, after I cleaned the blackboard, she said it was late and she will give me a ride home.  I got to sit up front in her big Ford. I was very thrilled, and admired all the equipment in her car. 

For recess, we usually play in the front yard. We ran around, chase each other or what not. In the parlor of the building, there were two ping pong tables. Some of us learned to play ping pong.

The canteen is right next to the gate, at the position where I took this picture.  It is a very small room, probably the gatehouse of the mansion.  There they sell flavored ice water for 5 cents, or noodle soups for 10 cents. They also sell candies and other small items.  I don;t have allowance, so I don;t use the canteen.

The school is small. I spent the first three years here. For grade 4 to grade 6, I have to go another two miles to the Branch school on Northan Road.  The school is now abandoned, but not demolished, because it is a historical building.