SANDAKAN: Fifty years after leaving school, 36 former students of St. Cecilia’s Convent School Class of 1976 returned to Sandakan for a Golden Reunion, bringing together classmates from across Sabah and as far afield as Hong Kong, Australia, the United States and Singapore.
The reunion marked five decades of friendship and shared memories, with the former classmates retracing places associated with their school years and childhood in the town.
As part of the gathering, the group took part in a Sandakan Heritage Trail, visiting several landmarks including the William Pryer Monument, One Hundred Steps, Rotary Pavilion, Agnes Keith House, St. Mary’s Cathedral, St. Michael’s & All Angels Church, Harbour Mall, Creative Lane and the Sandakan Little Hong Kong Archway.
One of the most emotional stops was the former site of St. Mary’s Convent Primary School, where many of the classmates spent their early school years.
The original school building has since been demolished and the Diocese of Sandakan now occupies the site. The visit nevertheless prompted memories of their childhood, teachers and friendships formed decades ago.
The reunion culminated in a dinner, where classmates shared stories, reminisced about their school days and reflected on the friendships that had endured despite living in different parts of the world.
The gathering also paid tribute to teachers who had influenced the students during their formative years and remembered classmates who have since died.
“Fifty years may have passed and life may have taken us to different corners of the world, but when we came together again, the warmth and laughter felt wonderfully familiar,” the former students said.
“We returned to Sandakan not only to revisit the places of our youth, but to celebrate friendships that have stood the test of time.”For the Class of 1976, the reunion served as an opportunity to reconnect with old friends, remember those who had shaped their lives and celebrate a bond that has lasted for half a century.
