Lyna Mohamad
Raja Isteri Girls High School (STPRI) not only welcomed the return of its students after the month-long school break, but also greeted a new principal, who will lead the teachers in maintaining the level of excellence that the school has enjoyed for a long time.
Speaking to the Bulletin, Haji Ismail bin Haji Brahim shared that the preparations for the new academic session started last November, with logistics such as cleaning and setting up the classrooms conducted during the school break.
The school started the first day with a recitation of Surah Yaasiin, and Doa to seek blessings from Allah the Almighty for the year.
Students were briefed by each department on class preparations before regular schooling begins on Saturday. Year 7 students will join later, undergoing orientation to familiarise themselves with secondary school education.
As the new principal, Haji Ismail aims for all students to receive quality education with no one left behind to ensure their academic performances are maintained and the motivation is there to encourage them to work harder.
“We will carry out initiatives set by previous principals while being open to new ideas,” he said. “A new year introduces new challenges with a new set of students. We must be ready to identify and respond to the changing needs by constantly striving to improve.”
Meanwhile, Year 11 student Mas Asresa binti Abdullah, who will be taking the public examinations this year, pledged to study harder than in previous years as this will be her final year in secondary school.
“I will be sitting for my GCE ‘O’ Level this year, so I need to do my best. I have to do a lot of revision to excel,” she said.
“I want to make my parents, teachers and the school proud while being an exemplary student and prefect, as there are some flaws in my leadership that I have vowed to improve this year.”
Fellow student Dayangku Alya Shajee’ah binti Pengiran Sufry Shah said that after the month-long break, returning to school felt like a new beginning. Before coming to school she told herself to stay focussed and work hard while also taking care of her own health.
She said she is ready to improve her mindset to achieve at least seven ‘O’ Levels while aiming for a straight nine.
Although her years at the school have been challenging, Siti Zahra binti Ainol Bahry said she has been able to overcome the obstacles.
She said she will miss the school, her teachers and her friends once she graduates.
“My target is between seven and nine ’O’ Levels because it is my dream to pursue my ‘A’ Levels at Duli Pengiran Muda Al-Muhtadee Billah College, and that is where my family also hopes for me to go,” she said.
A total of 468 students will be pursuing their studies at STPRI this year with another 149 Year 7 students joining in later.
