Exhibition Section II
The Manifold Development of
the Pay Fong Spirit
Self-Exploration through
Co-Curricular Activities
In the early days, ‘extracurricular activities’ were initially referred to as ‘activities outside of class’. Several student organisations were established before the war, they included the Military Band, Scout Troop, Student Council, orchestra, and prefect team. In 1965, considerable effort was directed by the School towards the development of extracurricular activities. In 1969, it incorporated extracurricular activities into the student performance evaluation criteria which employed a group learning merit system, making participating in club and society activities mandatory.
Affairs relating to extracurricular activities were initially under the jurisdiction of the Disciplinary Office until 2003. This changed when the Extracurricular Activities Department was established to better manage and develop our students’ extracurricular activities. In 2007, in line with an educational reform framework implemented by the school board, ‘extracurricular activities’ became to be referred to as ‘co-curricular activities’ instead. Highlighting its role as an extension of classroom learning, catering to student interests, aspirations, and abilities.
Co-curricular activities also contribute to maintaining a balanced physical and mental development of students, providing them with opportunities to develop organisational skills. At the same, a spirit of service is fostered while building a fulfilling and meaningful campus life.
Since the 1960s, our school has actively promoted extracurricular activities, leading to the emergence of various student organisations. Some remain active to this day, while others have faced challenges but rebounded. As societal needs and norms shifted, some organisations ceased to exist. Nonetheless, each has made significant contributions to our school's legacy, leaving a vibrant imprint on its history.
Images on Display
On July 7, 1913, Pay Fong School took its first steps into education by setting up lower-primary classes. Initially named ‘Pay Fong Liangdeng Xiaoxuexiao’ which can be loosely translated as ‘bi-level primary school’, it differed from the idea of primary schools in present-day Malaysia. The term ‘bi-level’ reflected the educational system in China of that time, with the lower-primary level being a four-year programme. This system implemented a composite class format, where students from Standards One and Two (newly enrolled students who had not yet entered school) were grouped into one class, and students from Standards Three and Four (students who had entered school in a sishu or 'old-style private school') were combined into another class. Later, a two-year upper-primary level was introduced. With that, a well-rounded education programme that emphasised on ‘virtue, wisdom, physical fitness, civics, and aesthetics’ was born.
Images on Display
On July 7, 1913, Pay Fong School took its first steps into education by setting up lower-primary classes. Initially named ‘Pay Fong Liangdeng Xiaoxuexiao’ which can be loosely translated as ‘bi-level primary school’, it differed from the idea of primary schools in present-day Malaysia. The term ‘bi-level’ reflected the educational system in China of that time, with the lower-primary level being a four-year programme. This system implemented a composite class format, where students from Standards One and Two (newly enrolled students who had not yet entered school) were grouped into one class, and students from Standards Three and Four (students who had entered school in a sishu or 'old-style private school') were combined into another class. Later, a two-year upper-primary level was introduced. With that, a well-rounded education programme that emphasised on ‘virtue, wisdom, physical fitness, civics, and aesthetics’ was born.
Images on Display
On July 7, 1913, Pay Fong School took its first steps into education by setting up lower-primary classes. Initially named ‘Pay Fong Liangdeng Xiaoxuexiao’ which can be loosely translated as ‘bi-level primary school’, it differed from the idea of primary schools in present-day Malaysia. The term ‘bi-level’ reflected the educational system in China of that time, with the lower-primary level being a four-year programme. This system implemented a composite class format, where students from Standards One and Two (newly enrolled students who had not yet entered school) were grouped into one class, and students from Standards Three and Four (students who had entered school in a sishu or 'old-style private school') were combined into another class. Later, a two-year upper-primary level was introduced. With that, a well-rounded education programme that emphasised on ‘virtue, wisdom, physical fitness, civics, and aesthetics’ was born.
Images on Display
On July 7, 1913, Pay Fong School took its first steps into education by setting up lower-primary classes. Initially named ‘Pay Fong Liangdeng Xiaoxuexiao’ which can be loosely translated as ‘bi-level primary school’, it differed from the idea of primary schools in present-day Malaysia. The term ‘bi-level’ reflected the educational system in China of that time, with the lower-primary level being a four-year programme. This system implemented a composite class format, where students from Standards One and Two (newly enrolled students who had not yet entered school) were grouped into one class, and students from Standards Three and Four (students who had entered school in a sishu or 'old-style private school') were combined into another class. Later, a two-year upper-primary level was introduced. With that, a well-rounded education programme that emphasised on ‘virtue, wisdom, physical fitness, civics, and aesthetics’ was born.
Student Organisations Established
Pre-War
Wind Band
The Wind Band, formerly known as the Military Brass Band, was formed from the merger of the Military Band and the Brass Band. The Military Band was established in September 1916 and had records of participating in external large-scale celebrations before the war. After an organisational restructuring process in 1965, its activities expanded and became more frequent. It was often invited to attend external events and fundraisers, and performed at school events such as the School’s anniversary celebrations and sports day. In 1968, the Brass Band was established. Three years later, it merged with the Military Band to form a 100-member orchestra.
In 1999, the Military Brass Band was renamed the Wind Band and began to focus on indoor performances. It frequently participated in domestic and international music exchange and master classes to cultivate students' musical literacy and improve their performance level. Since the establishment of the School, the band has played an active role in fundraising for the School, tirelessly participating in various activities. In acknowledgment of its exceptional dedication to serving the school community, the organisation received the Teo Gah San Dedication Service Award for Outstanding Student Organisation in both 2002 and 2012.
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Pay Fong Scout Movement
Established in 1917, the Pay Fong Scout Movement was formerly known as the Boy Scouts. In Malacca, a troop in Pay Fong School was established under the guidance of Siek Yii Tsang. The Boy Scouts demonstrated active participation. At the Boy Scouts Inspection Ceremonies in 1918 and 1919, they received high praise from Major General Ridout, Commander-in-Chief of the Malaya Command, and Frank C. Sands, Director-General of the Malayan Boy Scouts. In 1925, the development of the Pay Fong School Boy Scouts stagnated due to various environmental factors and was dissolved.
The Pay Fong School Boy Scouts resumed activities in mid-1946 after the war. At that time, they were supervised and guided by Au Loon, who trained the first batch of King’s Scouts in post-war Malacca in 1950. In 1953, with Au Loon’s resignation, the School’s Boy Scouts activities came to a halt due to a lack of guiding talent.
In 1965, the School vigorously promoted extracurricular activities, resulting in the reorganisation of the School’s Boy Scouts which came to be known as Tranquerah’s 10th Troop. In 1967, the Pay Fong Girl Scouts were officially established as Malacca’s 7th troop. It was during this time that the Pay Fong Boy Scouts entered their golden period. They were particularly active in the 1970s and 1980s. In addition to their everyday training on campus, they often conducted outdoor training to enhance outdoor living skills and held campfire gatherings, inviting the participation of Boy Scouts from both inside and outside Malacca.
In 2004, the School's Boy and Girl Scouts merged to form the Scout Troop, and with the assistance of the Friends of Pay Fong Scouts, they actively participated in various levels of scout examinations, and frequently exchanged with scouts from various locations, actively serving the School and community.
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Students Society
Students Society is composed of two organisations—the Academic Research Society, and the Sports and Recreation Club. Its predecessor dates to the establishment of the Student Council in 1923. At that time, students exhibited strong academic enthusiasm, self-governance, and a proactive attitude towards service. This led to the formation of the Student Council to assist the School in various tasks, such as managing the student store, school library, etc., under the purview of the Disciplinary Office.
After the war, the Student Council resumed its role in 1946. In addition to fulfilling its regular responsibilities, it also played a crucial role in helping the School recover from war damage. This included organising book donation drives every semester to enrich the school library's collection, and hosting special competitions as part of the School's anniversary celebrations to raise funds.
In 1948, with the country entering a state of emergency, all student councils nationwide were mandated by the Ministry of Education to cease their activities. Inspired by the ethos of the Student Council, teachers and students of our school decided to divide into the Academic Research Society, and the Sports and Recreation Club. They then applied for approval from the Registry of Societies, which was granted in August of the same year.
The Academic Research Society is responsible for promoting academic activities, while the Sports and Recreation Club is responsible for promoting sports and recreational activities. Since then, the two organisations have grown and served as organisers for various events within the School, including class sports tournaments, essay contests, public speaking competitions, and singing competitions.
In 2003, with the establishment of the Extracurricular Activities Department, the Lianghui came under its purview, gradually transforming into a support unit for large-scale school-wide activities.
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Prefectorial Board
The Prefectorial Board, formerly known as the Student Patrol Team, was established in 1931 under the authority of the Disciplinary Office. Its primary responsibility was to uphold campus order and supervise younger students, specifically those in Standard 1 and 2 at the time. Following the war, the Student Patrol Team underwent restructuring by the Disciplinary Office in 1962 and was renamed the Student Services Team. However, it was temporarily suspended until its reinstatement in 1968.
The Student Services Team operated under the ethos of ‘leading by example, service to the School,’ and its duties included patrolling, standing guard, and assisting in surprise inspections conducted by the Disciplinary Office. Additionally, it was responsible for organising the weekly flag-raising ceremony. In 1983, the Student Services Team underwent another transformation and was renamed the Prefectorial Board.
In 2003, with the formation of the Extracurricular Activities Department, the Prefectorial Board was officially acknowledged as one of several student organisations. However, in 2024, the Prefectorial Board underwent restructuring, returning to its former status. It is now directly overseen by the Disciplinary Office, independent of the student organisations.
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Red Crescent First Aid Team
Established in 1962, disbanded in 2009. Formerly known as the Red Cross First Aid Team, it was renamed the Malaysian Red Crescent Society in 1975. The Red Crescent First Aid Team is readily on duty at various events and occasions held in our school throughout the year, such as school anniversary celebrations, sports days, cross-country races, ball games competitions, gatherings, etc. where they are responsible for providing on-site first aid services. In addition, team members take turns to be on duty in the first aid room during recess periods to assist injured students as and when needed.
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Stage Lighting Team
Established in 1963 after the Pay Fong Assembly Hall was constructed, the lighting team was added as an extracurricular activity to meet the needs of school and external events. Members of the lighting team not only operated stage lighting but were also required to grasp the details and processes of various stage performances to achieve the best visual effects. This included familiarity with drama scripts, performers' movements, costume colours, and even makeup.
In 1984, due to the replacement of the lighting system in the assembly hall, the operation methods changed. Consequently, in June 1985, the team transitioned and was renamed the Stage Lighting Team. Over the years, members of the lighting team or stage lighting team played their roles behind-the-scenes until a new assembly hall was built in 1994. Following that, an embedded lighting system was adopted, resulting in the disbandment of the team.
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Flag Unit
The predecessor of the flag unit was the drill team established in 1966, originally organised by the School to train lower-secondary school students and uniformed groups in marching. During the School’s anniversary celebration in 1967, the female student was first appointed by the School to hold the school flag, while two male students held the national and state flags, leading other teams in a solemn inspection ceremony, which led to the establishment of the flag unit. Subsequently, the flag unit participated in numerous events such as National Day, school anniversary celebrations, sports days, and opening ceremonies. Around 2000, due to changes in the times and a gradual decrease in the number of members, the flag unit was disbanded.
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Harmonica Team
Harmonica performances can be traced back to the 1930s. Initially, the harmonica Team was a temporary organisation, it was however officially established as a student club in 1968. The team was active in various occasions such as school anniversary ceremonies, opening ceremonies, and gala evenings, not only presenting musical performances but often accompanying the performance of national anthem and school song before the marching band was reinstated.
Having been established in 1968 for only three months, the harmonica team was invited by the Malacca branch of Radio Television Malaysia to record a half-hour radio programme. In the late 1990s, due to a gradual decrease in the number of members, the harmonica team eventually disbanded.
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