Jointly reported by:
Lee Zi-Ching JR2Z(2)
Heidi Tan Zhi-Qi JR2Z(3)
Photography by:
Team Photography Newsletter Club
118 years, countless stories, and generations of “Kuen Chengers”—each of us has a place in the story of Kuen Cheng.
On the 12th of September 2026, Kuen Cheng High School celebrated its 118th Anniversary with the theme —118 Years of Stories, Grateful That My name is Written on this Page. The celebration brought together our school board members, teachers and students. A day to commemorate significant moments created by generations of Kuen Cheng students that set foot on this school.
Students from Junior 2 and Senior 2 came into the Lee Shin Cheng Hall to watch the 118th Anniversary celebration while Junior 1 students watched the celebration via live video. At around 8 o’clock, the hall erupted with cheers and applause from students moment when the Director of Kuen Cheng High School, Madam Chow Sow Fong, Kuen Cheng Alumni Association Chairman Madam Ong Soo Lee and Secretary Madam Lee See Ngan entered, followed by Principal Madam Chua Lee Lee and teachers from the Administration Department.
To start the celebration, Kuen Cheng Dragon and Lion Dance Club presented a vibrant performance, entertaining the audience with their energetic movements. The ceremony continued with speeches both from the Honorary Assistant General Secretary of the Board, Madam Chow Sow Fong and our Principal. Madam Chua also delivered two shocking announcements that sent the crowd crazy—one of them being that the total sum for the fundraising of Kuen Cheng High School 2 has reached an amount of RM500,000! Next, she announced that the once in a blue moon school carnival will be held once again next year, making everybody whoop with joy and excitement.
(Photo 1: Principal Chua giving a speech)
Next, came the Opening Ceremony. Madam Chow, Madam Ong, Madam Lee, Principal Chua and the Vice Principals went onto the stage to lift the curtain of the Opening Panel, which symbolizes a century of culture and values of Kuen Cheng High School will embark on a new chapter. The Opening Ceremony continued with a special video by the School Anniversary Organising Committee. It showcased the Organising Committee signing their names, while students cheered for some of the committee members.
(Photo 2: Photo-taking session with the unveiling of the Opening Panel beautifully designed by the committee members)
Three students from the School Anniversary Student Organising Committee gave a speech using Chinese, English and Malay. From planning to execution, every committee member worked tirelessly, both on stage and behind the scenes, to make the celebration a success. Their dedication and perseverance showed the effort and responsibility they had put into making this memorable event possible.
(Photo 3:The three students from the School Anniversary Student Organising Committee demonstrating their multilingual skills giving a speech)
One of the most memorable parts of the celebration was the historical drama presented by the Drama Club. The drama seamlessly blended historical elements with comedic moments and was divided into four main acts. The first act being, “Is It True That Women Without Talent Are Virtuous?” This part explored the role of women and education in the past. It transported back the audience to an earlier period of Kuen Cheng High School and revealed the many struggles and challenges women back in those days faced to secure a chance at education.
(Photo 4: Snippet of the historical drama presented by the Drama Club)
This was soon followed by the Modern Dance Club performing a dance named “Chasing Light”, where the dancers expressed memories and the passing of time with their perfectly synchronized movements. The drama then continued with its second act, “Offering Help in Times of Need”, which highlighted the support and kindness that helped Kuen Cheng overcome difficult times. Ethereal’s kpop performance then brought along youthful energy to the stage during the next interval.
(Photo 5: Modern Dance Club’s beautiful rendition of the dance“Chasing LIght”)
The drama continued with its third act, “The Sunset Has Not Yet Set”. It talks about how Kuen Cheng High School received financial support from the Rice Merchant’s Association (米商公会), which donated RM150 to the school every month. Students from the School Choir performed “The Brightest Star in the Night Sky ” and “Sing” a cappella, receiving loud cheers from the students.
(Photo 6: Choir Club’s a capella of “The Brightest Star in the Night Sky ”)
The fourth part,”Two Flowers In Bloom”, continued the school’s historical journey before the last performance of the day featuring the Chinese Ethnic Dance—”Tranquility” presented by the Chinese Folk Dance Club. With elegant movements inspired by the nature, the dancers delivered flawless dance moves. Their graceful choreography gave the audience a moment to appreciate the beauty of Chinese Culture before the final segment of the drama.
(Photo 7: Stunningly graceful dance performed by the Chinese Folk Dance Club)
Finally, the drama returned for the last chapter titled “118……”. The ending brought together the different historical fragments presented throughout the four parts. It showed how Kuen Cheng had developed from its humble beginnings back in 1908, when there were only a handful of 18 students, to the widely known school it is today. The final scene reminded the audience that Kuen Cheng’s 118 year journey was built through the effort, sacrifices and contributions of many generations.
The celebration continued with the Birthday Celebration Ceremony. Madam Chow, the Honorary Assistant General Secretary of the Board of Governors; Alumni representatives; the Principal; Vice Principals; Head of Admin; and Heads of Subjects were invited on stage for the birthday celebration. After singing “Happy Birthday”, the honoured guests blew out the candles and cut the cake together on the count of three.
(Photo 8: Cake-cutting ceremony which symbolises the start of our school’s 118th year anniversary celebration)
Last but not least, was the performance by the Lingering Warmth Band. They performed “Rice Field”, “Red Sun” and “Kuen Cheng Ode to the Centenary” as a live band. The students sang the “Kuen Cheng Ode to the Centenary” together to the slow tempo of the song.
(Photo 9 and 10: Lingering Warmth Band giving it their all to perform a spectacular performance)
Although the celebration came to a full stop, the meaningful message of “118 Years of Stories, Grateful That My Name Is Written on This Page” became deeply etched in all of our hearts. The students, teachers, alumni and every single one of the benefactors that helped Kuen Cheng get through the hardships are all an undeniable part of Kuen Cheng High School’s journey to get to where it is today. The 118th anniversary was therefore not an ending, rather another page in the school’s continuing journey on what’s yet to come.
