KUCHING: The Old Josephians’ Association (OJA) Kuching successfully organised its 7th edition of Ora Et Labora Run on Saturday with the theme “Once a Josephian, Always a Josephian!” to encourage old Josephians to come back to school.

The run attracted more than 1,400 runners comprise of students from St Joseph’s Family of Schools (which comprises SMK St Joseph, St Joseph Private School, St Joseph International School), alumni of the school and public.

The main objective of the OJA in organising the Ora Et Labora Run is to raise funds for student’s extra- curricular activities.  

Apart from that, the run serves as a reunion for ex-students and as an opportunity to render service to their alma mater.

The event is divided into the 1.4km Walk, 5km Fun Run and 10km competitive run where there are two Open Categories for the men and women.

The Run was flagged off by OJA President, Datuk Amar Prof Dr. Sim Kui Hian, who is also the Deputy Premier of Sarawak, former students of SMK St Joseph; Dato Wee Hong Seng, Mayor of Kuching South City Council and OJA’s Honorary Secretary, Louis Ng.

Datuk Amar Dr. Sim, who is also the Minister of Public Health, Housing and Local Government said in his welcoming address applauded the three schools and alumni for coming together in the Back to School Games held on Friday, and participate together in the Run the following day demonstrates a strong integration of Josephian family among the schools.

“St Joseph’s Family of Schools, we have three schools in it together namely SMK St Joseph, St Joseph Private School and St Joseph International School.

"This is unique and only in Sarawak, we have this kind of set up where we have SMK St Joseph being a government aided school while St Joseph Private School and St Joseph International School are both private schools.

"The three schools come together and participate in many activities together.”

Datuk Amar Dr Sim also highlighted that St Joseph School has a proud history of producing outstanding students who are many prominent professionals as engineers, lawyers, accountants, entrepreneurs and even politicians, contributing to Sarawak’s nation building.

Notably, four out of six Chief Ministers/Premier (Sarawak leaders) are proud alumni of St Joseph's School.

However, the school’s legacy of talent development and leadership extends far beyond Malaysia's 61-year history — it dates back to when the school first established to just 20 boys in 1882.

In the men open category, Tan Xian Wen took the first prize and walked away with RM350 cash, while both Mohammad Amirul and Muhamad Airell Danish came in at second place and third place and walked away with RM250 and RM200 cash respectively.

In the women open category, Cherynna Corey Chin took the first prize and walked away with RM350 cash, while both Chopard Gwendolyn Su-Jean and Amber Tiong came in at second place and third place and walked away with RM250 and RM200 cash respectively.-UKASnews