1959 Principal's Annual Report
"No school report can be complete without a mention of the Old Boys. Two years ago, at a similar gathering I expressed a hope that an Old Boys' Association would be formed, and that hope was realised shortly afterwards.
The initial proceedings were most encouraging, and for a while the new born baby kicked and crowed quite lustily. As all babies are prone to minor ailments, our little child appears now to be suffering from a common cold. I am sure, that with more vitamins given to it by the latest group of Old Boys, it will regain its former vitality and stand forth amongst all other O.B.A.'s sharing with them all the joys and responsibilities of full manhood."
1962 Principal Mr Tharam Singh's Annual Report
"O.B.A. On Prize Day last year, I expressed the desire to see the early formation of the Old Boys Association. I am indeed sad to report that efforts of the temporary committee of the Old Boys have not yet born fruit. I expect all they need are a couple of energetic organisers who will do all the paper work and formalities for them. Once started I am sure the O.B.A. will grow really strong and influential. I end expressing the hope once again that this long felt need be fulfilled at early date."
1963 Principal's Annual Report
"I have always ended my Report by exhorting the Old Boys to get together to form an O.B.A. It appears that this School is still very young (only 8 years to date) and that our old Boys feel too young still to classify themselves as old. I expect that such matters must be left to take their normal course and that when they come of age our ex-pupils will band themselves together without any persuasion from outside."
Foreword in 1965 School Magazine by former student Anwarul Haque
"Most schoolboys lose touch with their alma mater once they have left the school which moulded them in their formative years."
"I think, Beatty now needs a body of old boys to provide a historical link with the past and a continual association with the future of the school. It is our hope that a Beatty Old Students' Association will be formed soon to give expression to this aim."
The above extracts sum up the sentiments and aspirations of both former principals and students. In the course of these past 40 years, there were many failed attempts by different groups of former students to start the "Old Beattrite Association". It was during the May 2, 1992 tea-party held in honour of our former principal Mr Tharam Singh at the present Beatty Secondary School that the subject of forming the OBA was brought up by several old boys. Many meetings were subsequently held to spearhead the necessary tasks, viz.:
1. Drafting and amending the finer points of the proposed constitution to satisfaction.
2. Design and selection of a suitable logo
3. Defining the objectives and planning of the membership drives, the Inaugural General Meeting, etc.
It was decided that the name "BEATTY ALUMNI" is more desirable than "Old Beattrite Association". And finally, Beatty Alumni was officially registered on January 5, 1993 and gazetted.
From the initial membership drive on March 3, 1993, many past Beattrites responded as Life and Ordinary Members. The "networking" effect subsequently added more names to the mailing list.
May 8, 1993 is a historic and sentimental day for both Beatty Alumni and Beatty Secondary School. The Inaugural General Meeting held at the School Hall was a success when over 100 former students (including former principals and teachers) witnessed the birth of BEATTY ALUMNI. Except for Mr David Lim Choon Keng and Mr Liow Keng Teck who asked to be excused, the rest of the Protem Team were elected to a two-year term of office. |
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