KUCHING, Dec 24: Teachers from both SK St Joseph and St Joseph's Private Primary School were on hand Tuesday morning to witness the official handing back of the school building along Jalan Were in Kuching by the outgoing headmaster of SK St Joseph to the Archbishop of Kuching, His Grace Simon Poh.

An official letter addressed to the director of Sarawak education department with the historic date of December 22, 2020 to designate the handing back of the school building was presented by His Grace Simon Poh to Mr Richard Kawi.

In his letter to the director, Poh expresses his gratitude to the Sarawak education department and the ministry of education Malaysia for having provided quality education through SK St Joseph since 1963.

His Grace also thanked Mr Richard Kawi, teachers and staff who have served in the school.

Archbishop Simon Poh said, "I have fond memories of having studied in this school in 1970-1975. Today with gratitude, I still hold this school in my heart for the educational opportunities and formation that I have received. Likewise, I invited all teachers who have taught at SK St Joseph to keep the wonderful memory during their time of service in the school."

SK St Joseph stopped receiving Primary One students in 2015. The last cohort of Primary Six students studying at SK St Joseph completed their primary education on December 18, 2020.

Over the years since 2015, St Joseph's Private Primary School has been using parts of the building for their classes.

Archbishop Simon Poh said, "I am confident that with the handing over of the premises, St Joseph Private Primary School will continue to educate the young to ensure that the Josephian Spirit will continue to live on with the School."

Also present to witness the handing back of the school building were chairperson of the SK St Joseph Parent-Teacher Association Encik Khairuddin bin Abdul Kadir, senior assistant of SK St Joseph Cikgu Roseline Ak Rongi, headmistress of St Joseph's Private Primary School Ms Shirley Chong, and the CEO of St Joseph's Family of School Mr Christopher Chua.