Sandakan: The Board of Governors (BOG) of St. Mary Town Primary School and St. Mary Secondary School hosted a Luncheon in appreciation and welcoming of the outgoing BOG and the new members of BOG for 2023-2025 term. The simple yet meaningful event was hosted in Kenalanmu Restaurant on 11th January 2023, with the attendances of St. Mary Cathedral Rector Fr. David Garaman, and assistant Fr. Raymond Lee, Parish Pastoral Chairman Freddy Graman, as well as the headmaster, Principal and teachers of both schools.
In his opening remark, the organising person, former BOG Chairperson of these two Mission Schools, Jerry Lo expresses his gratitude for the confidence given by the Church for him to serve for 9 years as Board Chairman in these two Mission Schools. He reminisced how challenging it was as a caretaker of the mission school properties with such a limited grants from the government. In the course of his term, he shared the Ups and Downs, misunderstanding and the debilitating effects of a pandemic. Nevertheless, with the support, understanding and cooperation with everyone, the BOG had weathered the storm with positive mind. In his closing remark, Jerry hoped that the Head of schools will continue to extend their support and cooperation to the new BOG and humbly apologised for his shortcomings.
In his short word of thanks, Dalius L. Lobinjang the new chairperson of St. Mary Secondary School seek the understanding of the school Head that with a very limited funding they may not be able to fulfill the never ending needs of infrastructure repairment of the school but promised to do their very best of whatever resources they have in-hand.
Maureen Lai, the new Chairperson of St. Mary Town Primary School, coincidentally a retired principal of the same school said she would focus on the image improvement of the school that portray the ethos, characteristic and tradition of the church, and strive to increase the Christian student enrollment to the school. At the same note, she proposed that the church involvement in the school activities be highlighted and more frequent dialogue between the BOG and school management.
In his word of encouragement, the Rector Fr. David Garaman expressed his sincere thanks to Jerry and his team for their dedication as School Board Governors of these two schools and acknowledged their invaluable service to the Church. He understood that there will always be hurdles and challenges in governing the mission schools, but this can be smoothened out by an open discussion with one’s humility. He stressed on the importance of co-operation between the BOG and the school management in achieving their goals and always maintain a positive attitude. In a lighter mood, he said that he is also one of the “outgoing” individual from this Parish (will be transferred to Tawau Parish on February), but he assured them that the Priest replacing him is an experience, well knowing priest in the affair of the Mission Schools. His prayer will always remain with them.
The luncheon concluded with a documents handover ceremony from Jerry Lo to the two new appointed Chairperson and witnessed by the Rector Fr. David Garaman and assistant Rector Fr. Raymond Lee. The luncheon not only about meeting over lunch table but an avenue for the BOG and the School Heads in establishing rapport and maintaining the relationship and sense of belonging to each other and the church.