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Seven Wondrous Years

2008-2014

“Hey, what are you doing here in KGV?”

“Eh, what is so special about this school anyway?”

   These are the questions I have received countlessly which stunts me every time, not knowing how to reply them. The terrifying moments when I try to come up with satisfying cliché answers to put a full stop to the topic.

   The thought of being a part of the school was already a dream come true when the offer letter was handed to me after a long wait of three months. Being aware that SMK King George V is one of the exemplary schools in the state had me on the hook. I still remember the first time I set foot in this prestigious school, 29^th March 2008. My entire body was soaked with the feeling of being a part of the royalty, red carpet laid in front of you with little puffs of clouds lifting me up to cloud nine - such shameful imaginations I have. I was greeted by the Senior Assistant of Student Affairs then, En. Abd. Hadi bin Mohd Yusof with a warm smile, a man well-known for his leniency. 1 Abu Bakar was the class of my choice as it was the only class that offers French language lessons. I skipped merrily just like any other 13-year-old to my class. On the way up to the third floor of Block G, friendly faces which welcomed me took me a couple of minutes to reply them before being rushed to my class.

“1 Abu Bakar, this is it,” fixed my hair and drew a wide awkward smile on my face-let’s go!

“Hi, I am En. Saat,” greeted a Chinese-looking Malay man as he turned away from the black board with chalk dust on his fingers.

    I only managed to introduce myself during the fire drill not long after I settled my school bag on my new seat in class. As soon as we returned to our classroom, a petit boy from the same room, Ahmad Haziq surprised me when he asked me, “Nama you Khairi eh?

    It was indeed relieving to know that I have friendly classmates and it is hilarious to know that a couple of Malay boys mistook me as a Malay girl over the years with the white baju kurung I wear every day. Things are constantly interesting here in KGV, from the last minute homework completing to those horrifying moments when the result slips are passed around, not forgetting the tons of ground-breaking noise manufactured by us. Three years of being an Abu Bakarian (that is what we call ourselves) was my prime time. I saw my friends grew from petit, young lads to well-built young adults who grew so fast over a period of three years. Terms flew by, the file containing result slips got thicker and thicker and finally, PMR has arrived. The long awaited countdown has ended, leaving me with trembling hands and imaginary butterflies attacking the inner walls of my stomach.

   One of the unique features of being a citizen here in SMK KGV is the Majlis Redha Ilmu organized by the counselling panel and the administration held in Dewan Seri Setia every time before our major examinations. Many of us have always think of the programme as a waste of time. But we were wrong, I was wrong. Such a significant programme it was that has kept me going from 2008 till today. It may seem small but sometimes a little bit of these goes a long way- a time to seek for forgiveness and blessings from the people you have acquainted, respected and cared for.

   2011 was the year, the year I discovered a part of myself which I had been too timid to reveal. As soon as my prefect application form was accepted, it was time to get serious. It was a huge responsibility as Assistant Head of the D-Kad Exco especially with the supervision of the one and only Mr. Shangar. No one can ever escape from his influential grasp. One of the most thrilling times of being a part of Bumi Bertuah SMK KGV (BBSMKKGV) are the opportunities to meet and escort representatives and directors of the Ministry of Education and foreign students. The most remarkable thing that has ever happened to KGV was being selected as a filming scene for a famous local drama series “Lagenda Budak Setan” starring Farid Kamil! (I even got his autograph!)

   Throughout my seven years of education in KGV, another thing I have never failed to devour is the deep fried ikan keli (a.k.a. catfish) served with warm white rice. The addiction I have for this simple plate of goodness is just bizarre. Let’s not forget the mak cik and pak cik who provide us with a variety types of cuisine in the menu, the cleaner aunties and uncles whom greets us every day despite their exhausting job scope. This is a place lighted up with beautiful people you can never find anywhere else. A new level of priorities and responsibilities has arisen. As the President of the French Language Society then, there was much to do especially with the running of the International Costume competition or ICC as abbreviated and conducted by my dear friends, Nur Athirah Nordin, Bhaeravii a/p Pasupathy and myself. Alongside with my responsibilities as a student, the struggles were excruciating yet sweet because those were the efforts made to achieve a string of As in SPM. Another highlight of KGV are the multiple annual programmes carried out like the Independence Day celebration. The celebration here in our school is beyond your wildest imaginations where various shades of colours from the traditional clothes flood the surface of the Dataran Anugerah with the flag of our respected country soaring high in the sky.

   You can never see a day where we are apart nor can you see prejudice among races. KGV has really broaden my perspective towards integration among races and people of different beliefs. We can all unite as one, without minding the divergence between us. As soon as I thought that I will be leaving this place in 2012, I was already stepping in the Pre-University life in the same institution. A gush of emotions got hold of my heart as I walked through the main gate in mid-2013. My strong bonds with the school flow slyly to the bottom of my black canvas shoes extending thin cables and rooted on the grounds of SMK KGV - I knew I was destined to stay.

   I have to admit that Pre-University life in KGV was a roller coaster ride with its never ending hours of studying and constant amount of stress loaded in me. As President of the Pre-U Student Council of 2013/2014, I have not only learned to be a good leader to the community of Pre-U but also a leader to myself. The uphill battle was indeed tough but it was worthwhile as I have enjoyed myself throughout. SMK KGV has indirectly invested a great amount to maintain and to uplift the performance of their students. Not only giving focus on the academics, but also the development of each and every one of us physically, mentally and emotionally. From Soft Skill lessons personally conducted by our dear principal, Tuan Haji Mohd bin Md Isa, to minute programmes like singing competitions and of course, feasts! Never did I know that I have spent most of my teenage life in such a phenomenal place, a school of my own - SMK KGV. This is the place where I learnt, gained, lost and most of all, grew. There were tiny bumps and hurdles, but I have not forgotten the fireworks and confetti along the way. It has been an incredible journey.

Now, have I answered your question?

2008 - 1 Abu Bakar

2009 - 2 Abu Bakar

2010 - 3 Abu Bakar

2011- 4 Abu Bakar

2012 - 5 Iskandar

2013/14 - 6 Izzuddin

2013/14 - Majlis Perwakilan Pelajar (Pre-U Student Council)

Thank you for seven wondrous years.