REPORT FROM THE PRESIDENT
Dear members,
It was a year of significance for the SLOBA members demonstrating the will of unity when we faced a threat or doubt to the School. The School encountered a major challenge 12 months ago whereupon initiatives from the old boys assisted in an appropriate solution in restoring the name of St. Louis.
I would like to report the major activities of SLOBA during 1997-1998 as follows :
Incorporation of St. Louis Old Boys' Association (Assets) Limited
The SLOBA (Assets) Limited has been incorporated and is now in operation. Funds and assets of SLOBA Limited have been formally transferred to this company. Members and directors of the Assets Limited are formed by the previous and current Presidents and Vice Presidents of SLOBA Limited. Directors meetings have been held and the current Chairman is Dr. Laurence H.Y. Wan.
Appeal against the Vetting Committee's decision on declining EMI in St. Louis School
Members from SLOBA actively participated in support of the Appeal made by the School against an adverse decision that excluded St. Louis from the 100 schools in Hong Kong continuing to use English as Media of Instruction (EMI). A series of activities in different phases were formulated strategically for submitting the Appeal. On one hand SLOBA took part in different stages of the Appeal, while members were enthusiastically concerned about the solutions and supported tremendously.
Establishment of St. Louis Education Enhancement Committee
The continuous drive lead to a formation of this Committee-organized by the Principal, Rev. Fr. Simon Lam, with members from representatives of the School administrator, teachers and parents from both Secondary and Primary sections, SLOBA and individual old boys. The mission of this committee is to identify those positive elements of the School, foster and develop them to enhance the effectiveness of education system suitable for the School.
Establishment of SLOBA Language Laboratory in the School
A commitment in the Appeal against EMI made by the School and support by SLOBA was to build a Language Laboratory. SLOBA has initiated with a donation of HK$500,000 to start the HK$1.3 million budgeted laboratory. Now the facilities and software have been installed and are being used. SLOBA will make a general request to members and other concerned parties to raise sufficient fund for the balance of the budget prior to the grand opening of the Laboratory.
Fr. P. Deane's Concern Group
A group of old boys showed great concern about the livelihood and health situation of our beloved Fr. Deane. Since Fr. Deane left Hong Kong in 1996, he has been staying in the House of Manor in Dulin, Ireland.
Several groups of individual old boys, including myself, visited him during the year. General comments were that he is staying in a fine environment with excellent care and necessary service from the organization. I would suggest that if members are travelling in Europe, it would be nice to spend one day or two in Dublin paying Fr. Deane a visit in the tranquil waterfront of House of Manor.
Spring Dinner
The gathering was coordinated and held together with the celebration of the 70 th Anniversary Thanksgiving Dinner in March 1998 at City Hall.
Home Coming
Due to conflicts in schedule with the School activities, the home coming function will be organized in a later time when the new facilities are ready.
Annual Ball
In response to the sentiment throughout the city, the Council has discussed and decided that cancelling the Annual Ball originally scheduled for today would be more desirable.
I would like to thank everyone in the Council, with their delegation of efforts in all these activities throughout the year. I would also like to express my sincere thanks to those who devoted themselves to long hours work preparing the Appeal documents, as well as all who supported us during the critical period.
Thank you.
John K.H. Po/ President