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Once upon a time ......

In the first edition of the "Thomians" magazine in 1949, Mr Kong Yu Siung had raised the subject of the formation of an Old Boys' association. After two preliminary meetings, the Association held its first general meeting on 18th May 1949 at the School. The objects of the Association were stated to be:

• to strengthen the bond between the old boys and the school

• to assist present pupils in scholastic, social and sporting activities

• to assist the advance of the school

• to assist Thomians to obtain employment

The following office bearers were elected:

The Old Thomians regularly organized annual reunion dinner. In the early fifties, this was held on Speech Day, and for the whole day the School would be open to old boys and friendly matches would be played between past and present pupils. In 1951, the Old Thomians even put on a short dramatic sketch after the prize giving.

The school buildings themselves would not exist were it not for the generosity of Old Thomians, but contributions of money are generally given individually rather than on behalf of the Association. However in August 1953 Mr Wee Kheng Chiang was made a Patron of the OTA (in addition to the Bishop who was already a Patron) in recognition of his generous and substantial gifts to his old school.

At the Annual General Meeting of the Association in July 1953, it was suggested that outstation branches should be formed, and Thomian ties - on sale since April of that year - provided an incentive for men to join. While traveling about to raise funds for the new Primary School buildings in 1958, Mr Chong En Hyuk made a strong appeal to OTA members, as did Mr Song Thian Eng in 1969 when seeking donations towards the new Assembly Hall block. As a result, the outstation branches have made noteworthy gifts to the School. The Sibu branch (formed in June 1954) donated two Primary classrooms, as did the Seria and Kuala Belait Old Thomians. The OTA of Brunei Town also donated two classrooms (with Mr and Mrs Ang Leng Chuan and brothers in memory of the late Mr Ang Kim Boey). These donations from outside Sarawak are particularly generous, as the children of the donors are no longer eligible for entry to the school.

Old Thomians have always provided strong support for the school in sporting activities, providing help and encouragement with coaching and with the organization of sporting events. In 1955 the School Sports Committee, which organized all sporting activities within the school, was reformed to include Old Thomians in its membership:

This encouraging arrangement continued until 1959, when increase in sporting events made necessary the formation of a separate club for each activity.

At the annual dinner in October 1963, Mr Yeo Cheng Hoe spoke of the concern of the Association in preserving the traditions of the School, particularly in seeing that sons and grandsons of Thomians obtain places in the School. He said, "We have in the last few years been able to see that at the Primary One level none of the children of our Old Boys who apply for admittance are turned away if they are born in the right year and fulfill the necessary requirements."

The Association has also undertaken to provide scholarships for needy pupils, as well as prizes for those who come top in public examinations. This interest in the welfare and achievement of present boys is much appreciated, and is in keeping with the best traditions of the School.