We interrupt our “regular programming” for this very special post.
It was indeed a sad day yesterday – the 16th of November, 2010 when the Sacred Heart family bade a tearful farewell to someone so dear and close to their hearts – the vibrant and dynamic principal of the school, Mr Vincent Liong Shou Chuan…
A grand assembly was held in his honour during which some important guests sang his praises and he himself gave his farewell speech to all present. Then, there was the presentation of gifts and souvenirs…
…and there were so many that he probably would have to hire a lorry to cart all of them home.
Mr Liong has been transferred back to his hometown, Sarikei, to become the principal of Sarikei High School. If I remember correctly, he came to Sacred Heart Secondary School, Sibu in 2006 and I retired in 2007. We had to work very hard but very willingly as he was always there – ever supportive, ever appreciative, so much so that we did not mind sacrificing a lot more of our energy and time for the school and the students…and in that brief period of time, I would say that we progressed from colleagues, from superior and subordinate and became very close friends.
It is obvious that he is very close also to many, including the students. At the assembly, he joined them in singing this Emil Chau’s song, Friend…
…and during their video tribute to him, he could not hold back his tears anymore but it did not matter as at that point in time, there was not a dry eye in the massive school hall – the biggest in Sibu and probably the state of Sarawak or perhaps even in the whole of Malaysia. Such was the affection that everyone had for the man.
The night before, there was a special farewell dinner for him…
…and I was invited even though I have retired for almost three years now.
In fact, I have been invited to every dinner the school has had all this while – be it for Teachers’ Day or the annual one at the end of the year.
That is Vincent – he will always remember everyone’s contribution and will continue to show how much he appreciates it.
The highlight of the evening was when he sang Teresa Teng’s evergreen favourite, “The moon represents my heart” with his dear wife…
Vincent’s leaving is indeed a great loss to Sacred Heart. With him as principal in these 4 years plus, the school has successfully swept all kinds of state and national-level awards, a feat that is indeed very difficult for anyone to equal.
In the words of William Shakespeare, parting is such sweet sorrow…and here, I would like to wish him the very best in his new station. For someone with his vision and passion, there can be no doubt whatsoever that he will continue to achieve success in every endeavour wherever he may be.
Goodbye, Vincent…and God bless you and your family always.
Comments on: "Parting is such sweet sorrow…" (33)
I hate these sort of event. They always make me go boohooo… you see… I’m somewhat a teacher’s pet. Well, at least to language, biology and chemistry teachers I am. LOL… Math teachers loathe me.
ps: I still can wear my school uniform. LOL! Kah kah kah kah… if there’s ever a school reunion, i’m gonna take out my old uniform, wear it to the reunion and make ppl feel like killing me for still being able to wear my old uniform! LMAO. Evil me!
Yalor…so skinny! Never grown since school days. If I were your schoolmates, I would not be jealous, no…no…but if I were your mum, I would break down in tears the first instant I get to see you…so kesian, so thin…like nothing to eat.
*sigh* My kawans from school says I look skinnier than when I was in school. *pengsan*. Last time chubbier… hahahaha…
My mum ah? She wun la… she oso very small size, like me. Same goes with my dad, small size. LOL. But that doesn’t stop my mum from trying to fatten me up. Ishhh~! I bet she gets really frustrated when I was growing up. No matter how she feed me… I still dun put on weight! LOL!
My daughter was skinny…and thank goodness she’s just nice now. Gosh! Imagine her looking like a Somalian refugee too – people would think that I eat up all the food and do not feed her at all.
wa uncle so popular there ha until they always call u back for events. Yea parting is always sorrowful :’(
Not popular lah! This principal is so very nice – will invite me…and the other retired teachers to join them everytime. Now that he’s gone, I guess there will not be any invitation anymore… Sobs! Sobs!
and y my internet always lag when open ur site -.- did u install anti-chris program or something?
I don’t think you’re using IE as your browser? Most young people don’t. It seems to have a problem with this new theme I’m using. Maybe I should go back to my old theme…
I’m using Firefox. No problem leh… can view, can comment oso.
Yup! And I use Google Chrome – supposedly better for watching youtube videos…and it blocks suspicious malware-infected sites.
im using safari (browser for my mac). maybe not compatible. Its ok, i’ll just view ur blog from my laptop (windows). See, u should appreciate me going extra length plugging in my laptop adapter switching it on, just to view ur blog hahaha
Oooooo…so very nice and sweet of you! I’m pleased. Next time, we get to meet…sure I must belanja you big, big makan.
u know what u gotta do with the new principal, aye? hope she’s a lady haha.
I’ve retired…so I have nothing to do with the new/recycled principal. Doesn’t worry me one bit – just hoping that the school will continue to do well in years and years to come.
if I were there, I would definitely cry
No problem – you would not be the only one!
Now, i have come to term as far as parting or partings concerned…used to cry a lot especially those that we have come to love and care for… sweet sorrow, what a oxymoron……
so you got invited back to that event that proved something, didn’t it?
Like I said, eventually we became more like friends than just colleagues. No harm crying – good to show one’s emotions…no need to hide and pretend it’s so macho or what. That’s so old school liao…
Yeah..there were lots of praises on this principal, Mr Vincent ehhhhh……he is such a young dude though..selamat hari raya haji yo
You’ve heard too? Raymond would know him well – from his time in SHS. Yes, Vincent’s very young…
wow…My wish is that this guy read this posting. We need to blow other’s trumpet in moments like this. People like this are rare and I’m sure he’ll be remembered by SHS students. Appeared to be a school principal that many students and even teachers can only wish for.
Sad day indeed for SHS..but what a blessing for Sarikei High School.
It certainly is…and yes, he reads my blog time and again…except that he doesn’t comment – like you nowadays.
I will make no comment on the many that we have in the midst , even right up to the very top, but everybody knows that good ones like Vincent are few and far between… In a way, he was like me – under-qualified but doing the work of the over-qualified people who would hardly be able to do half as well when given the job! 
Wow, I can see from the pictures that he was much respected and loved. The great ones always are
..
Yes, this is the most important being an educationist – respect and love. The bond will live on and on for a long, long time and without doubt, he will always be fondly remembered by all… unlike those in my time and their “reign of terror”!
Wah…the farewell party of a principal looked so grand!! It even served scrumptious dish, the school must be pretty loaded(rich)! Hehe~!
Wish your former school principal all the best and good luck for his new undertaking!^-^
Unfortunately, no! The school is an aided school (kebangsaan, not kerajaan) and gets peanuts from the government, the crumbs that drop off the table only.
But luckily it gets a lot of support from the Parent-Teacher Association, the ex-students’ associations…and usually, some kind and generous soul would be willing to sponsor the dinners on occasions such as this one. Otherwise, where got the money for such things?
With the I-culture in today’s society, not many ex-students or parents are so supportive of the schools – no sense of gratitude and appreciation whatsoever – only know how to find fault and criticise…
sigh i dnt like this kind of event too.
last time always had this kind of dinner. T.T by the way, foods great worr!! lol
Well, I guess I wouldn’t be attending any anymore – not going to be on the guest list any longer now that he has left the school.
How was the English version of the video? Is it okay? Me and my friends did it.
I will remember him forever as the man who brought glory to a school that was once loathed by many and now has become the top school in Sibu. The whole school will feel empty after this great man left SHS. He treated everyone equally and I will always remember what he said; “I want the school management team to be on the same level with the students”.
Alas, there is a time for goodbyes..may we meet him someday, somewhere..
It was? I bet “The Last Waltz” music background was your idea.
That was nice…but Avril Lavigne? Eyewwww…. LOL!!! My retirement video, it was Phil Collins’ “You’ll be in my heart”. Well, it was good – Vincent commented that he was amazed as to how you people could get all those photos from his “younger” days. I was disappointed though that MY photo wasn’t included. Hehehehehe!!!! The Chinese one, I guess, was emotional – like those Chinese soaps on tele…but the photos were like scanned from the school magazines, not so nice. I’m sure they could get better ones from the school website.
That’s one thing about Vincent – he does not put himself high on a pedestal like many principals (and teachers); he respects his subordinates and his students as well and brings them up to his level and everyone respects him back and loves him for that.
“A poor teacher complains, an average teacher explains, a good teacher teaches, a great teacher inspires…” It is quite obvious which category he belongs to.
Avril Lavigne was NOT my idea! It literally shook the whole video – from an instrumental to a rock song! Your photos? Oops..my friends, it may have slipped their minds..it was supposed to be included also.. The Chinese one was pixelated and cropped and resized. That’s why it was extremely blurry.
It makes me wonder what will happen to the school in the next 4 years. Will it transform into a military academy? Luckily I will be around for 1 year…
Tsk! Tsk! Forgot…eh? Grrrrrr!!!!
Ya…a rock song isn’t quite the thing for this kind of video – even the Phil Collins’ song that I chose for my own video – I only chose it as it was livelier. Would prefer something more tenderly soothing. 4 years…I don’t even know whether I’ll still be around then… 
It’s a good thing you get invited to these events or else, not much modal for you to blog.I notice small town schools got lots of makan events compared to town school.I have 2 sisters who are teachers too…and you might even know one of them!!
Ya…otherwise I have to spend in order to have things to blog about.
I guess life in the cities more impersonal…and having to go so far to get home, they would not want to go back all the way to attend functions like these. Oh? The plot thickens – I may know one of your teacher-sisters? Oh dear… No skeletons in the closet, I hope. Muahahahahaha!!!!
He looks so young.. yes, i also cannot tahan tears one especially if he/she is someone so dear to me…
Well, he IS young – in his 40s, I think…but his capabilities go well beyond his years. I’ve had principals coming and going but none of the farewells was as emotional as this one…
A principal that blends so well with his students and sings together.. almost unheard of. Wished I had one during my days too..
Well, my time, it was the “reign of terror” and the cane did all the talking…Times have changed – I don’t think that will go down too well with the people today.
i ever work with Mr. vincent and he really a good guy and when it come to make the school more IT savvy, he push his students and staffs to the limit. He a type of principal which can drive the school to the correct path.
I heard the new principal is ex SHS principal as well.
Yup…he was there for two years before they moved him to Mukah to be the Education Officer there. You worked with Vincent? You were a teacher? St Anthony? Or Sg Paoh? Ya…he pushes people to work but he does it in such a way that they do not feel it.
Very nice man indeed! Had the chance to meet him during PTK in KL!
Yes, very friendly and down to earth, so easy to get along with.
sob sob…i remember when i was in Standard 6. The form teacher was new. His 1st time teaching Standard 6. On the last day he cried as much as us
Aiyor, so emotional… So far I don’t think I ever cried at farewells with students.
Good to work with hard working colleagues! Hope he had an enjoyable retirement!
Ooi, Cleff! A new member for your club!!! He’s on transfer lah – too young to retire. I was the one who retired…three years ago! Sobs!!! I’m so old!
oh my i remember my high school farewell …. what a tear jerking event that was
I don’t think I ever had such a sad farewell. Even on my retirement, I expected that I would cry buckets…but on the actual day, I was actually very happy. This very principal specially arranged an equally grand farewell assembly – so nice!
OMG that’s a lot of gifts and he does need a lorry to carry all that home and he probably will be eating lots of cookies or chocolates from those hampers!
We were saying that he could open a sundry shop in Sarikei…and there were also so many hampers from Eu Yang Sang – and we were saying that now he has two kids named A… and B… but with all that, he will be having C…soon. LOL!!! Psst…did you notice the huge gold chains?
wah….can see he is a very good principal….good that u got invitation…can see ur ex colleagues and the students …apart from free food.
No more ex-students around…except those who ended up becoming teachers and are teaching in the school…and ex-colleagues also – so many new ones that I do not know. I guess eventually I will be a total stranger there. Time moves on, everything changes…
awwww..
that’s really a lot of gifts.. lol.. so who’s the new principal now?
Mr Stephen Tan is coming back…but he will retire in 4 years’ time.
Have you heard that Mr Ooi is now principal of St E?
yeah.. heard about that.. I care more for SHS..
Of course lah…with your nice teachers there – like me!
Hehehehehehe!!!!
I see…(nodding) you have got your point! I didn’t even go back to check out my school and teacher after I graduated(if only we have more dedicated teacher like you)! Shame on me though, thanks for reminding!:-D
Students these days – no sense of gratitude and appreciation. All stressed out, fighting for excellent grades…so much so that they forget all the fundamental values in life (or parents neglect to instil these values and others in them).
Awwww…yeah it is sad when someone, who is respected and loved, leaves.
Those kind of people are really missed. I pray that he will be safe and be more successful wherever he goes.
I’m sure he will…and I will not be the only one who’s going to miss him.
wow…from the pictures, i can tell he is loved and respect by everyone and throw him a grand farewell.
It’s a loss to Sacred Heart, hope the new one will be as good as him.
The new one has been moved from Tiong Hin – the school directly opposite your mum’s house. I think he’s been there for around two or three years…
Wow, what an emotional farewell. Clearly he is well liked and respected principal. And so young, too. A loss to Sacred Heart, a gain to STS.
That’s what I always tell my daughter – it’s not what paper you have, what grades you manage to get…but who you are that makes THE difference.
[...] daughter and I did not go out for breakfast on her second day home as I had to attend the farewell assembly in honour of my ex-principal but we did go out for lunch. We went to that bak kut teh place at Kampung Datu here and she had the [...]