By SJPSS
KUCHING — The saying ‘it takes a village to raise a child’ applies very much to schools as it is true that a great many people are involved in the education of our students. Organising this great number of people can be a challenge and it is thus important for our school leaders to recognise that this endeavour is no mere human effort and it is Christ himself who gives a model for how to lead. The need to pray for our school leaders was brought to the fore at the school Mass at St Joseph’s Private Secondary School on 15 July 2025 as all present witnessed the simple Rite of Commissioning for the school’s Rector and Principal.
The Mass was presided by His Grace, Archbishop Simon Poh, and brought the entire school community together to pray for Fr Stanley Goh, SJ and Mr Yong Ing Thung, who were officially appointed as Rector and Principal of the school on 1 June 2025. In the prayer of blessing for both the school leaders, Archbishop Simon prayed that they follow in the Lord’s example and for inspiration and vision to shape the school in God’s own image of love. The commissioning ended with each of them receiving a symbol of their office from Archbishop Simon – Fr Stanley receiving a statue of St Joseph symbolising his role in nurturing the Catholic identity and mission of the school and Mr Yong receiving a framed school badge as a reminder of his role to foster a conducive teaching and learning environment.
This simple prayer and blessing marked a new chapter in the history of St Joseph’s Private Secondary School with the appointment of both a Rector and Principal of the school. Fr Stanley, who has been the Acting Principal of the school since 2021, now moves into the role of Rector and will take the lead in spiritual matters and the mission of the school. Mr Yong, who brings with him a wealth of experience in school administration as a former school principal, will step into the role as Principal to look after the academic and administrative aspects of the school. Both will work closely with each other to ensure that the school will continue its tradition of excellence in intellectual pursuits as well as the holistic and spiritual development of the individual. The loud claps of acclamation at the end of the commissioning was a moving show of support for the school leaders, as the community prepared to walk the exciting road ahead together.
