Combathon and Food Fair to raise funds

KUCHING — Students, alumni, teachers and parents of St Joseph’s Private School (SJPS) came together to raise funds for the new building at this interesting event called Combathon and Food Fair 2019. The name Combathon comes from the Body Combat exercise which was carried out in the early morning of 14 September, in Stadium Polycarp Sim of SMK St Joseph.

In the months of May and June of this year, Combathon cards were issued to students to boost the new school building fund. Students who managed to raise RM400 and above received a limited edition T-shirt designed by a student of Form Four, Maxwell Sim. At the same time, another T-shirt designed by Moses Yek was sold to the public. An amount of RM184,211 + SGD100 was raised during this Combathon.

Combathon and Food Fair morning started with the SJPS Lion Dance Troupe dancing at the futsal court of SMK St Joseph, to attract the students and guests who gathered at St Joseph’s Private School building to come over for the start of the Body Combat exercise. The lions did some simple stunts to the beat of the gongs and drums.

This was followed by a K-Pop dance by seven Form Five students. This was a crowd puller. Everyone seemed mesmerised by the upbeat dance.

Then the call came to go over to Stadium Polycarp Sim to begin the Body Combat exercise. The Body Combat was moved indoor due to the worsening haze. The exercise was led by professionals from The Gym Box.

With the end of the Body Combat, the food fair began at the ground floor of St Joseph’s Private School building. There were a total of 36 stalls, operated by various clubs, classes and alumni.

At the same time, the guests were entertained by karaoke singing, a student live band and the SJPS Concert Band.

In conjunction with this event, a Philatelic and Numismatic Exhibition was held in the library to attract the interest of students to collect stamps and coins. There were also talks given by members of The Philatelic Society of Kuching Sarawak (PSKS). Dr Ong Liap Teck who is the president of PSKS and a lecturer at Swinburne University enlightened the crowd on the history of stamps. Wong Hiong Foo, retired Principal of SMK St Thomas talked about stamp collecting as a meaningful hobby. Nedumaran Lingappan, current Principal of SMK Serian explained on how to start a philatelic club in the school and its benefits to students.

There were also many pieces of artwork beautifully made by Form One students on display in the RBT Room in conjunction with Malaysia Day.

Archbishop Simon Poh graced the occasion with his presence. He gave out some of the lucky draw prizes. Archbishop Simon, as well as Chris Chua, the CEO of St Joseph’s Family of Schools, and Fr Francis Lim, SJ, the Principal of the Secondary School also gave speeches.

The morning ended with a Mass in the school chapel presided over by the Archbishop and preached by Fr Francis Lim, SJ. Fr Joseph Ng, SJ concelebrated.

Francis Lim Chin Choy, SJ