# Catholic High School, Melaka

Catholic High School, Melaka (CHS Melaka) or Sekolah Menengah Jenis Kebangsaan Katholik, Melaka (Chinese: 马六甲公教国民型华文中学) is a state secondary boys' school in Malacca City, Malacca, Malaysia. The school is located at Gajah Berang Road with Notre Dame Convent and Gajah Berang Secondary School.

## Governance

The school is semi state-funded, the government is only responsible for the salaries of teaching staff and administrative expenses. The school grounds are owned and managed by the school board, which is independent of the government, and the cost of school development and maintenance is dependent on community donations.

## Foundation

In late 1957, the St. Francis Chinese School decided to establish a Form 1 class in January 1958. On 4 January 1958, the school was established and known as St. Francis Catholic Chinese High School (Sekolah Tinggi Cina St. Francis). The school started with 2 transition classes consisting of 71 students who were former students of the Catholic Elementary School. This group consists of male and female students. In November 1958, the foundation stone of this school was officially laid by the Governor of Malacca, Leong Yew Koh. In 1959, the building Block A consists of 8 classrooms were completed. The construction cost was funded by the Catholic Church. On 30 January 1960, the school held a charity bazaar to raise funds for the construction of science laboratories, the event was opened by Tan Cheng Lock with ribbon-cutting ceremony. Lottery tickets were sold. The laboratories was completed at the end of December 1959. In 1961, Block B consisting of 3 classrooms and 3 science laboratories was completed and inaugurated by the Director of Education, R.A. Wilson. On 1 April, the school changed its name to Sekolah Tinggi Katholik, Melaka. The students of this school have occupied the LCE for the first time. In March 1962, Block C consisting of 9 classrooms and a library was also completed. In 1985, a four-story block consisting of the principal's office, teacher's room, library room, screening room, and 8 classrooms was started to be built. This new block has been shared for use by both secondary and primary school.

## Development

In 1999, the number of students increased to more than 1,000 people. In 2001, computer classes are held. The SMK Alumni Association donated MYR10,000 to buy 10 computers. On 20 April 2008, in conjunction with the celebration of the 50th anniversary a dinner was held to collect donations for the development of basic school facilities. The collection revenue is approximately MYR100,000. On 21 October 2010, the school governing board, parent–teacher association, alumni association and the school in collaboration with Nanyang Press group and Carlsberg company held a charity dinner concert to collect donations for the multi-purpose school hall construction fund. Almost 1 million ringgit was collected. On 30 July 2011, the multi-purpose hall was completed. In December 2013, the upgrade of the science laboratories and the guidance and counseling unit room was carried out. In December 2015, the 21st Century Classroom was established with the help and support of the school governing board, parent–teacher association and the alumni association. In 2017, the school was approved by the Malaysian Ministry of Education to implement the Dual Language Programme. On 15 March 2018, few of the alumni were stopped from entering the school to retrieve Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia result for violating school rule with having their hair dyed. On 25 May 2018, in collaboration with Tiger Company, the school has held a charity dinner concert to collect donations for the 'Smart Classroom' installation fund. The banquet managed to collect MYR571,660. In November 2018, the school library has been upgraded. In 2019, the school was appropriated MYR400,000. On 12 April 2019, the 'Smart Classroom' was launched throughout the school. On 23 January 2023, the school hosted a dinner to celebrate its 65th anniversary. The dinner was attended by many alumni, this includes the first and second batch alumnae. In September 2023, the school hosts a Mid-Autumn Festival night show in conjunction with the 65th anniversary of the founding of the school. It was the 37th since last held in 1986. In September 2023, the school provided tutoring classes to 8 schools with sponsorship of the Kota Melaka Parliament People's Service Center and cooperation of the parent–teacher association, more than 50 students joined. On 26 January 2024, the school was given a grant of MYR20,000.

## Curriculum

The school taught mathematics and science subjects fully in English language. The use of English as the medium of teaching was agreed by parents.

## Extracurricular activities
### Music

The school wind band was founded in November 1971. On 1 August 2014, the school partnered with Taiwan Zhongxin High School to present a concert at Pay Teck School hall. In 2018, a music concert played by the band at Pay Fong High School reached 2,000 audience. On 2 June 2023, the school wind band collaborated with the orchestras of four schools to perform a concert. On 9 December 2023, a concert was organized at Chung Kuo Primary School with the intent to collect funds on the music instruments. On 24 August 2024, a music concert played at Chung Kuo Primary School reached 1,000 audience. The band performed on the 2024 Malaysian Independence Day parade in the state.

### Athletics

A basketball championship for Chinese-conforming national secondary school, joined by 28 schools from 12 states, was held at the school from 29 to 31 May 2023. The school boys team won the championship.

### Literature

On 22 June 2024, a Chinese performance poetry competition for students from high schools in the state was hosted by the school.

## School staff

Principal :
| Marie Valentin | 1 January 1958 – 31 December 1958 |
| Francis Kerk | 1 January 1959 – 31 August 1960 |
| Albert Tien | 1 January 1960 – 31 December 1965 |
| Paul Auguste | 1 January 1966 – 31 December 1966 |
| Anthony Cheng T. C. | 1 January 1967 – 17 July 1969 |
| Paul Clet | 18 July 1969 – 31 December 1970 |
| Paul Lim Han Chi | 1 January 1971 – 30 June 1973 |
| Joachim Heng | 1 July 1973 – 31 December 1973 |
| Paul Lim | 1 January 1974 – 28 February 1974 |
| Michael Lim | 1 March 1974 – 31 December 1981 |
| Anthony Cheng C. Y. | 1 January 1982 – 31 December 1983 |
| Thomas Chin Hon Man | 1 January 1984 – 31 December 1995 |
| Song Kuan Kong | 1 January 1996 – 15 January 1998 |
| Tan See Boon | 16 January 1998 – 4 June 2001 |
| Ng Siew Hong | 5 June 2001 – 4 May 2008 |
| Lim Hiang Lam | 16 October 2008 – 31 December 2020 |
| Lai Swee Ho | 1 March 2021 – present |

## Notable alumni

* Sim Tong Him, local Member of Parliament
* Chua Tian Chang, former Minister of Works
* Chua Kaw Bing, discoverer of Nipah virus

## Gallery

* Emblem.
* Front entrance.
* Hall.
* Library.
* School librarian.
* Students.
* Signboard.
* South block.
* Memorial.