1957
The
emergence of an Independent Malaya brought about a new School in
the State Capital, The Cochrane Road School. Established
in 1957, Cochrane was pioneered by the then Headmaster Mr Chew Ah
Kong who was from Victoria Institution Kuala Lumpur. All there was,
a Sikh Temple, Hindu Temple, numerous barren coconut trees, thick
bushes and squatter houses stubbornly refusing to move doted the
land and amidst these surroundings where cows still grazed, was
a 5 roomed single storey school building with a "cowshed" as a canteen.
This was the Landscape of the site of CRS at its humble birth in
the historic year of MERDEKA in 1957.
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First
Single storey Building in 1957
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Image
1 - Cochrane Road School Plan 1957.
Image
2 - Sikh Temple inside Cochrane's grounds.
The
Victoria Institution also donated Furniture to Cochrane. Besides
VI, the High School and Education Department provided the rest of
the necessary furniture. There was no proper sanitation system.
Therefore only nominal sports activities could be held. There was
also no school field. The pioneer group of Cochraneans, consisted
of 83 students with 4 teaching staff and one headmaster.
Image
3 - Pioneer teacher's and Headmaster of Cochrane 1957.
1958
This
year, both morning and afternoon session school began. Student intake
shot up to 489 students with 12 teachers ( two of whom were temporaries).
The lack of space forced 6 classes to share spaces with other schools
such as the Sekolah Kebangsaan Bangsar, SRJK(Tamil) Kg. Pandan and
the St. Gabriels School. The School Board of Governors comprising
of nine members including its chairman Mr. Leong Hoe Yeng, JMN was
formed. The late Mr Jangir Singh suceeded Mr Chew Ah Kong as the
second Headmaster while the later was transfered to the Pasar Road
English school as Headmaster.
The
Late Mr Jangir Singh introduced the School Badge. The symbol and
colours depicted on the School Badge were chosen by him and crafted
by a student, Lee Saik Wah who later tought in Cochrane in the early
80's. This year for the first time 74 students sat for the L.C.E
or Sijil Rendah Pelajaran.The lack of space forced the successful
candidates of the SRP to be posted to various schools around Kuala
Lumpur. The first School Scouts was formed this year under the leadership
of Mr.Arul. This group was then known as the "Kumpulan ke-36
Kuala Lumpur"
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First
School Scouts - 1958
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School
Staff - 1958
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1960
This
year saw a new building now commonly known as the "Red Block".
This Block Consist of 12 classrooms,an art room, 2 store rooms,
a library(resource centre), and an APD room. Six former classes
that were sharing space from other schools later joined the parent
school this year. The staff population leapt to 21, including a
graduate. There were guest too. The SM Kg. Pandan had to "tumpang"
in Cochrane during the afternoons until their own building was completed.
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Red
Block - 1960
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Image
4 - School Staff of 1960.
1961
At
the age of 4, Cochrane Road School went a step further with the
opening of 3 upper secondary classes at the level of form 4.Total
teaching staff increased to 27. For the first time, Cochrane held
it's anual Cross Country Run. The School Librarian Board was formed.
Image
5 - First School Librarian Board
1962
This
year showed steady growth and Glory for Cochrane. The Late Mr Jangir
Singh was succeeded by Mr Lim Eng Thye. Cochrane became a full fledge
Secondary school with a Remove Class, six Form one's, six Form 2's,
four form three's, four Form 4's and three form 5's. Student population
doubled to 854 and the first batch of students were sitting for
the Overseas School Certificate (now SPM) for the first time. The
staff included 3 Graduates, 24 normal and Collegge Trained teachers
and 3 Temporaries.
Image
6 - First batch of SPM students
Despite
the need for a hall, and the lack of a proper field and sports facilities
to cater for our extra-curicular activities, CRS shone in sports.
The Soccer and Hockey players made full use of the hour alloted
them daily in the Postal Union field in Imbi Road, to carry out
thier vigorous training. But the handicap hardly matered especially
to the U-14 rugger squad who captured the state championship title
while the Soccer team managed to get a respectable second spot in
The Khir Johari Cup.
Glory
came in badminton when CRS shuttlers became the state Champion for
the King's Cup beating Victoria Institution 3-2. The victory was
all the more commendable when we consider that this was the first
time CRS participated in this competition.Four Scouts were awarded
the Royal scouts title this year. Three new clubs were formed, namely
the Maths and Science society, the geographical club and the Art
Club. This year also saw the evolution of a new school sysmbol,
"The Cochranean" anual school magazine.
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The
Badminton Team that Emerged Champions - 1962
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School
First Editorial Board 1962
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Image
7 - The first 4 Royal Scouts.
1963
Student
intake incresed steadily to 1060 people with 25 classrooms. There
were 36 teachers including a Volunteer from the "Peace corps"
of America. New Building started mushrooming. A new Administration
Building, School Hall, bicycle stand, 2 science labs and an Industrial
art building was constructed. There was still a need for twelve
more classes. Our very own school field was still elusive as squatters
stubbornly camped on the proposed grounds and objected to eviction
attempts.As usual, we continued training on the other School or
club fields for sports and games as well as the VI school Swimming
pool for swimming training.
The
Spirit of friendship was fostered with the launching of the "Friendship
through knowledge" project aimed at moving Cochrane towards
the Global front. Cochrane adopted a Brother School
from the United States, Dekalb High School from the
state of Illonois. This windows to world of International relations
was made possible through the efforts of the then Peace corps teacher,
Mrs. Mary Weinhold. "Shields", newsletters, magazines
and pamphelets were exchanged between students.Another cross country
run was held this year.
Image
8 - The 1963 Cross Country run.
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School
Staff of 1963
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1964
More
achivements were attained with the first Anual Athelethic Meet held
at the St. Gabriels School because Cochrane still did not have a
school field. Despite this disadvantages we, nevertheless took the
rugger U-15 state title and notched third place in soccer. Two ruggers
players made the state team while the top soccer player, Hung Hooi
Jin donned State and national colours playing in the Malaysia's
Youth Team at Saigon.
1965
This
year sets another mark into the Historic calender of Cochrane as
on the 1st September 1965, Cochrane Road School was officially openend
by the then Menteri Besar of Selangor, Datuk Harun Hj. Idris.The
School celebrated that day by having it's "Speech Day"
which was followed by a 3 day School Exhibition opened to the Public.
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Menteri Besar and His Wife Signing the
Guest Book.
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Menteri Besar giving his speech
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Headmaster,
Mr. Lim Eng Thye brief's guest on the School History
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Togather
with this occasion, Cochrane marked another history, the official
opening of the Sixth Form although with a solitary class. Staff
count read 52.Then came 1966......
.......Continued
at next chapter..........
*For
Further images on the Official Opening of Cochrane Road School,
please visit the Images of the past.
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