SPI

Saint Paul's Institution is one of the oldest schools in Seremban and Malaysia. Originally established as an all-boys school, it now also admits girls for Form Six. Commonly known as SPI, its students are referred to as Paulians.

The school is named after Saint Paul and was founded in 1899 by Father Catesson of the Paris Foreign Missions Society in Seremban, Negeri Sembilan. Its initial mission was to provide English education to "The boys of Seremban and its outstations."

Originally called St. Paul's School, it was the first English school in Negeri Sembilan. Officially opened on 18 June 1899 by Sir Charles Mitchell (Governor of the Straits Settlements and British High Commissioner for the Federated Malay States) and Sir E.W. Birch (Acting British Resident of Negeri Sembilan), it began with 25 students in a temporary building under interim headmaster P.V. Coelho.

Later, the La Sallian Brothers took over the school, leading to increased enrollment and the construction of new facilities over the years.

The La Sallian Brothers' Takeover

The La Sallian Brothers first established their presence in the region through their schools in Singapore and Penang. Their reputation for excellence in education soon caught the attention of authorities.

As early as 1904, Rev. Bro. Gabriel, Visitor of the Christian Brothers' Schools, was approached about the possibility of the Order taking over St. Paul's Institution. However, with the founding of St. John's Institution (SJI) in Kuala Lumpur that same year, the Brothers were stretched thin, and no immediate action was taken.

In Seremban, challenges persisted. Despite Coelho’s capable leadership as headmaster, securing qualified teachers proved difficult. Both the Mission and R.J. Wilkinson, the Federal Inspector of Schools, believed the La Sallian Brothers could resolve St. Paul's Institution's struggles.

After years of appeals, the persistent efforts of the Bishop of Malacca and the Director of Education finally succeeded. On 1 April 1909, Rev. Bro. Gilbert, Director of SJI, arrived in Seremban to assume control of St. Paul's Institution on behalf of his Order.

The school’s rapid expansion soon made it clear that remote oversight from Kuala Lumpur was impractical. Direct, on-site management became essential, leading to the appointment of Rev. Bro. Isidore-Albert as Director. Unfortunately, his tenure was brief-after just four and a half months, he passed away.

From the First World War to the Outbreak of the Second

Following 1914, when Rev. Bro. Adrian Edmund succeeded Rev. Bro. Basilian, St. Paul's continued to grow under a series of directors. The school expanded by acquiring neighboring buildings, easing congestion in the original blocks, which were then repurposed for residences, offices, and a library.

Rev. Bro. Lewis Edward constructed a temporary wooden hall for concerts, assemblies, and badminton. A passionate sportsman, Bro. Edward led the St. Paul’s Athletic Association (SPAA) to victory, securing the prestigious Hose Cup-the state’s premier football trophy-for three consecutive seasons. Later, under the leadership of Bro. Joseph Brophy, a permanent school hall was built. He also acquired a large bungalow from Towkay Siow Kon Chia and a shophouse on Jalan Tuan Sheikh, converting both into additional classrooms.

Bro. Joseph’s enhancements, building upon earlier architectural contributions by Rev. Bro. Barnitus Kennedy (1930-31) and Rev. Bro. John Lynam (1931-33), transformed the school quadrangle into a fine complex of modern buildings by the late 1930s. Some older structures were demolished to create a small playing field, though the need for a full-sized field remained.

As facilities improved, enrollment surged, reaching 550 in the 1920s. Many students were boarders-boys from outside Seremban who lived on campus. To accommodate the growing population, the number of teaching staff, particularly Lay Masters, increased proportionally. By 1933, student numbers had stabilized at over 550, a figure that remained steady until after the war.

The Japanese Occupation

By 1941, war had engulfed Europe and was rapidly approaching Malaya. St. Paul’s Institution fell under military occupation, forcing Rev. Bro. Henry (1941-46) to improvise classrooms in borrowed spaces. Rev. Mother St. Pauline offered additional support by providing the IJ Convent Hall and several classrooms for his use.

The invasion soon followed. On 13 January 1942, Japanese forces seized Seremban-yet the Brothers chose to stay. Some suffered the humiliation of imprisonment, while young Bro. Christian Lane tragically succumbed to cerebral malaria in the Bahau jungle community. Others, like Bro. Sylvester, became beacons of resilience; his unwavering selflessness earned him a signed testimonial of gratitude from fellow internees at Changi Prison.

For a brief period (May-September 1942), St. Paul’s reopened as a private school with 165 students. However, it soon transitioned into a Japanese Technical School, staffed by teachers from various local institutions. Bro. Henry continued as Headmaster until January 1944, when he was replaced by a Japanese appointee.

Post-War Expansion and the Division of St. Paul's

St. Paul's recovery after the war was swift, and enrollment surged rapidly, overwhelming available resources. Despite the efforts of Rev. Bro. Lawrence Henry (1947-53) to manage the growing numbers, the school reached its limits by 1950 with 1,000 students. The urgent need for a separate secondary school prompted the Brothers to begin planning for a new institution.

Under the leadership of Rev. Bro. Casimir L'Angellier (1954-59), the project took shape. The government donated a site in the Lobak area, later renamed Mont La Salle, where plans were drafted for a secondary school capable of accommodating 700 students.

By the third term of 1958, the original buildings beside the N.S. Padang housed St. Paul's Institution Primary (SPI Primary), with Walter de Silva as its headmaster. Meanwhile, the newly established St. Paul's Institution Secondary (SPI Secondary) was officially opened on 27 June 1959 by Almarhum DYMM Tuanku Munawir ibni Almarhum Tuanku Abdul Rahman.

A joint Board of Governors (BoG) was formed on 3 October 1958 under Dato' T. Mahima Singh, though it was later divided again in 1962. As of 2011, SPI Primary's BoG was chaired by Old Paulian and former Dewan Negara president Tan Sri Dato' Chan Choong Tak, while SPI Secondary's BoG was led by Old Paulian Dr. Bob Devadass Samuel.

Expansion and Key Events in the 1960s and 1970s

The school's sporting excellence was evident when its hockey team produced Malaysia's first four national goalkeepers: Benny Manuel, Peter Van Huizen, Ho Koh Chye, Tan Foong Luen, and Michael Yan Wai Ping.

Under the leadership of Rev. Bro. J. Felix Donahue (1970-75), two major developments took place, with a third in its early stages. In 1970, the school introduced Co-Ed Sixth Form Science Classes and welcomed its first female students, marking the end of its all-male tradition. As a result, the Old Boys Association was renamed to reflect the changing student body.

The school achieved academic distinction in 1973, ranking first in the state for the High School Certificate (HSC) examinations. By 1975, St. Paul's Institution Secondary had outperformed all other schools in Malaysia in the HSC results.

By 1975, the secondary school's enrollment had reached 1,300, leading to overcrowding. Plans were made for a new block featuring three science laboratories, 12 classrooms, and a canteen, estimated to cost $400,000.
The Ministry of Education providedan initial grant of $50,000 with the remaining funds to be raised by the school.

Under Rev. Bro. James Macken (1975-91), fundraising efforts intensified through Walkathons, public shows, and even an SPILAB lottery, successfully securing the needed $350,000. The new extension was officially opened on 23 September 1977 by DYMM Tuanku Jaafar ibni Almarhum Tuanku Abdul Rahman, the Yang di-Pertuan Besar.

However, as student numbers grew, the number of Brothers in the school dwindled. By this time, only Rev. Bro. James and Rev. Bro. Augustine Arokiasamy remained on the secondary school staff. (Rev. Bro. Michael Kum would later serve from 1986 to 1989.)

The primary school, which had no remaining Brothers, relocated in October 1979 to a new site in Labu. The land was developed by Foo Kam Swee Construction and handed over to the Brothers in exchange for the original Paul Street premises. The historic buildings, expanded and maintained by generations of Brother Directors and lay leaders, were demolished to make way for a shopping complex-Wisma Punca Emas, which still stands today.

The Jamesian Decade and the End of an Era

No La Salle Brother served longer as director of SPI Secondary than Rev. Bro. James, and few upheld tradition as steadfastly as he did. The Paulians of the 1980s proved worthy of his legacy-and that of their predecessors. In 1986, SPI Secondary's STPM results once again secured its place among the nation’s Top Three schools. Meanwhile, under the guidance of Lawrence van Huizen, William Fidelis, and Ashwin Patel, the hockey team claimed further State titles and added more players to the National squad.

In 1991, after 16 years as director of St. Paul’s, Rev. Bro. James Macken retired, handing over leadership to the school’s first non-Brother director, Kenneth Kulasingam. With the departure of Rev. Bro. Michael Kum to St. Francis' Institution in Malacca, St. Paul’s no longer had any Christian Brothers on its teaching staff.

An unbroken lineage spanning 82 years-stretching back to Rev. Bro. Isidore-had finally reached its end.

Into the Present

In 1999, SPI Secondary celebrated its centenary, marking the milestone with a time capsule buried in the assembly ground by DYYM Tunku Putra Nadzaruddin Tunku Ja’afar.

A significant change came in 2006 when the school welcomed its first female principal, Mdm. Yap See Moi. The following year, a double-storey school hall was constructed, enhancing facilities for both academic and co-curricular activities. Featuring four new classrooms, four badminton courts, and a gymnasium, the hall was officially opened by YB Dato’ Hon Choon Kim, Deputy Minister of Education, Malaysia. Later that year, a multi-purpose court was added, providing students with a dedicated space for hockey, futsal, tennis, and other sports, serving as a training ground for future competitions.

From 2008 onward, the school initiated a fundraising project to refurbish its computer lab. By 2009, the upgraded computer lab and renovated school toilets were completed. That same year, SPI Secondary commemorated 100 years as a La Sallian institution with a series of events, receiving extensive coverage in local media such as The Star. The celebration also brought together former students and alumni at the Old Paulians' Association (OPA) 83rd Annual Reunion Dinner, held at Hotel Royale Bintang Resort & Spa, Seremban. The historic gathering attracted around 1,200 Paulians, well-wishers, and guests, including SPI Primary’s headmaster, Mr. Chen Ah Keng.