A beautiful night at Dorsett Grand Subang celebrating milestones, memories and new beginnings.

From inspiring speeches to heartfelt moments shared with teachers and friends, the ceremony was a tribute to everything our graduates have achieved – and everything they’re becoming.

Congratulations, Class of 2025! Your future starts now.

For more photos, please visit The Official SriKl Photo Gallery on Facebook.

Happy together: Sri Kuala Lumpur students posing together after performing at Sri Kuala Lumpur.

PETALING JAYA: Learning to dance, especially traditional ones, is a gateway to promoting unity and cross-cultural understanding among Malaysians, says Imran Syafiq Mohd Affandi.

The ASK Dance Company managing director started learning Malay dances when he was 13 but embraced the traditional dances of other cultures, from the Chinese fan dance to the Kadazandusun folk dance, when he studied at Aswara (National Academy of Arts, Culture and Heritage).

For his degree, Imran decided to major in the Bharatanatyam, the classical Indian dance.

“Learning all these traditional dances made me a better Malay­sian,” said Imran, 27, during the #DanceSomethingNice programme at Sri Kuala Lumpur.

#DanceSomethingNice is part of #SaySomethingNice, an annual campaign that seeks to use the 17 days between National Day and Malaysia Day as a time for positivity.

Imran said as dance was a translation of a culture’s story, beliefs, gestures and even food, he gained insight into the different traditions and lifestyles.

“In the Bharatanatyam, we tell folklore and stories of their gods. From there, we understand their beliefs, how they live, why they go to temple every fortnight or eat certain spices,” Imran said.

Learning dances originating from a different culture was not a problem for Imran.

He said there was separation between his faith and appreciating the dance purely as an art form.

“In fact, a lot of the sacred rituals that is part of the Bharatanatyam has been altered, making it not a religious performance but a cultural experience,” he said.

Imran said traditional dancers and performers were an important part of nation-building as they were the keeper and ambassador of a nation’s culture heritage.

Sri Kuala Lumpur student dancer Jayden Roy Joseph said dancing pushed his limits and allowed him to know and be his true self.

“When I dance, I can be myself and not who people want me to be,” the 12-year-old said.

Today, Chew Teck Ann is the principal of Sri KL International School. He describes it as a 24/7 job.

Terengganu native Chew Teck Aun has worn two hats during his 46 years in the teaching profession.

He was a teacher of Maths and Chemistry before his promotion to senior assistant, a post he held for 12 years. Later he rose to the rank of principal, while continuing to teach Add Maths, at SMK Kepong Baru in Kuala Lumpur for nine years before his retirement from public service.

He was awarded the title of Super Principal by the Education Ministry in 1996, for significantly improving student achievement at SMK Kepong Baru. And in 2003, he was awarded Tokoh Guru Wilayah.

Whilst being a teacher is “a respectable job”, he said, being a principal can be “extremely rewarding”.

“I enjoyed every moment of being a teacher. Besides Maths and Chemistry, I also taught my students compassion, morals and (how to make) wise choices,” said the sixty-something.

Presently, he is the principal of Sri KL International School, in Subang Jaya, Selangor, where he has worked for about 17 years.

Chew attended primary school in Kemaman, Terengganu. He completed his secondary schooling in Victoria Institution in Kuala Lumpur. While pursuing further education in Universiti Malaya, he majored in Chemistry and Mathematics. He later obtained a Diploma of Education at the same university.

Although Chew’s career has been in education, he had wanted to be an engineer because of his love for Science and Maths. But destiny took him on a different path. “I was offered a scholarship to pursue teaching,” he reminisced.

“In the old days, teaching was often viewed as the most important profession. I took the scholarship, became a teacher, and never looked back,” he said. On reflection, he said that if he had not become a teacher, he might have ventured into business.

Sri KL’s principal Chew briefing his senior assistants R. Thanasekaran Ramaiya (left) and S. Kamala Devi.

The work is never done

His workday begins at 5.15am when he starts getting ready for school. His day officially ends at 4.45pm. On weekends, he enjoys playing golf with his friends.

Chew feels he can use his authoritative role to inspire and make a difference in students’ lives. He believes in building positive relationships with students and their parents.

Teaching is hard work but also most satisfying, for him. He likes to see his students reach their full potential. There is nothing more rewarding than seeing his students become successful, he said.

He is also contented when seeing problematic students start to improve their behaviour and get better grades. A principal’s job, he said, is “unpredictable, intellectually challenging, physically demanding and never done”.

“It’s a 24/7 job. Just when you think you’ve hired the last teacher, conducted the last meeting, disciplined a few naughty kids, dealt with that last phone call from a parent, someone or something else will always demand your attention,” he said.

No two days are alike. Even in school, he’s in a busy and fast-paced environment. “I must be sensitive to a variety of immediate and long-term demands and assist others in decision-making. I do what is best for my students and the school community,” he said.

Chew Teck Aun had wanted to be an engineer because of his love for Maths and Science. But life took him on a different path when he accepted a scholarship to pursue teaching. He has not looked back since.

Beyond teaching

Education, he said, is more than just grades. Character-building has become an increasingly important issue. Children are under pressure to achieve, to be competitive, said Chew.

“When a child doesn’t perform, we have to look at issues such as discipline, values, and the support and availability of the parents. There are many factors that affect a student’s performance. We need to find out the reasons a student isn’t performing well.

“Parents putting pressure on children will never solve the problem. A child will feel less inspired and more threatened if they feel pressured.” Chew said it is normal for parents to have high expectations of their children but these should not be unrealistic.

Having worked in both government and private schools, he explained the difference: “In a government school, a principal has more responsibilities – from running the school to taking care of finances and dealing with urgent repairs. In a private school, the principal’s only focus is to run the school.”

Chew said his father was “most inspirational” to him.

He said: “He taught me many valuable life lessons. He believed in being firm, and encouraged me to stand up for what I believed in. My father also taught me logical reasoning, kindness, compassion, honesty and discipline applied with understanding.”

Chew is passionate about his work, giving his best shot regardless of age. He reckoned that he should “do the right thing, not the popular thing”.

Retirement, he opined, should not be the goal when one can still contribute positively. He said: “I will know in my heart when it is time to call it quits. Until that day comes, I will focus on what I’m capable of and do my best for the school.”

As Alice falls down the rabbit hole, she encounters the many denizens of Wonderland in the musical number, ‘Very Good Advice’

BACK for another weekend of quirky songs and lively dances, 49 primary school pupils took audiences on a journey when they retold the classic whimsical tale of Alice in Wonderland.

The talented Sri Kuala Lumpur International Primary School pupils performed the Disney musical adaptation of the popular Lewis Carroll tale before a sold-out audience for charity.

They brought each of the colourful characters to life brilliantly in the energetic performance that was injected with lively expressions, witty dialogue, fun lyrics and excellent singing.

The deck of cards marching onto the stage as all the characters are briefly introduced at the beginning of the musical

It was the school’s 11th year hosting the charity musical, which has become an annual project for the school’s upper primary pupils.

Like the 1951 Disney film, the musical follows the adventures of the ever-curious Alice as she explores the peculiar world of Wonderland and its equally peculiar denizens, but is unusual in the fact that the role is played by not one, but three actresses simultaneously.

Year Five pupil Jovene Wen, who led the cast in the leading role as Alice, read the book in addition to watching the movie and stage musical to familiarise herself with the story.

Rehearsals began in February, and Wen said it was a challenge to learn the fast-paced songs and dance steps at first.

“For the past week, we have been having rehearsals for the whole day, every day,” she said.

Year Six pupil Keisya Rae Dasiuk co-stars as Tall Alice – the version of Alice that grows to an enormous size every time she ate a magic cookie.

She described their character as a girl who allows her curiosity to get the best of her, often leading her into sticky predicaments with the other denizens of Wonderland.

“The teachers usually tell us to practise our lines in the mirror at home and watch our expressions,” she said, when asked regarding their personal preparations for the musical.

Most of the young actors and actresses admitted during the intermission that they were not as nervous as they thought they would be, and acted out their characters with confidence.

The rock lobsters scuttling onto the stage

Along the way, Alice meets many quirky characters such as the energetic but panicky White Rabbit, the enigmatic but helpful Cheshire Cat, the confused but lovable Tweedledum and Tweedledee, the sassy mean-girl flowers of the Golden Afternoon, the friendly diva Caterpillar, the crazy Mad Hatter and March Hare, as well as the domineering Queen of Hearts.

By the end of this nonsensical story, audiences were left wondering whether Alice actually went to Wonderland or merely dreamt it.

School principal Dr Tan Khun said producing musicals for more than 10 years had given the school teachers the necessary experience to raise the quality of the performances every year.

He added that the productions were usually funded with the school’s own budget and the proceeds raised would go to charity.

This year, about RM45,000 was raised for various charitable organisations and individuals: Pak Mie’s Animal Shelter in Alor Setar, Kedah; orang asli settlements in Temerloh, Pahang; Malaysian Lotus Charity Care Centre in Semenyih, Selangor; Gabriyel Wong who suffers from infantile hemangioma; and double amputee Subramaniam Nathan, a general worker at the school.

 Peter Pan fighting off Captain Hook and the pirates

TAKE the first star on the right, and straight on till morning!

And there you will find Neverland, where 49 Sri Kuala Lumpur Primary School children aged 10 to 12 put on their best show of Peter Pan.

Enthusiastically singing, dancing and acting their way through the magical tale, the stage adaptation involved months of planning and practice for the cast and crew.

Taking the role of Captain Hook very seriously, Mustaqim Mubashir, 10, rehearsed frequently on his own to perfect his character.

“I watched the movie six times to learn how to play this role.

“I have to be cruel and wicked and funny all at the same time,” he said.

Cast as the mischievous boy that never grows up, Faris Imtiyaaz Cross, 10, said he was honoured to play Peter Pan.

“He never grows up! I really like that, I don’t want to grow up either.

“I can relate to his character too.

“Peter Pan is boastful and sometimes conceited, I’m like that too,” he said cheekily.

For Keisya Rae Dasiuk, 11, playing the role of Wendy was a fair challenge.

“Wendy is a very joyful character and I am a lot like her.

“At first, I found it quite difficult to perform on stage because I was afraid others would make fun of me, but then I decided not to pay attention and did my best,” she said.

As jingling bells followed her quiet fairy strides, bubbly Caitlyn Tan Wan Ching, 11, was a perfect match for the role of Tinkerbell.

“I only have 10 lines in total.

“I love being the silent character because I don’t have to memorise a lot of lines.

“Usually, I just use bells, jingles and my facial expressions just like Tinkerbell.

“I also can improvise based on other character’s acting, so it’s quite easy,” she said confidently.

Following auditions in January this year, play director and drama teacher Jasinta Selvam, 32, said practices were were held thrice a week since February.

“The greatest challenge is getting them to be focused and disciplined to work together as a team.

“Some of the children have the interest but lack the skill and others suffer from stage fright.

“But drama remains the best platform in helping children build their self confidence,” she said.

The annual event was also charity-oriented.

All proceeds from its ticket sales went to three charitable organisations namely JUST Children Sdn Bhd, Beacon Life Training Centre and Siddharthan Care Centre.

Three individual donations also went to Rayyan Seif Rizqin Mohd Shukor, who suffers from a life-threatening condition known as HLH, Norlela Hakim, wife of a former Sri KL school guard who is now widowed and a single mother help with essay to two children, and Thoong Jun Wai, from Kulai, Johor, paralysed from the waist down following an accident.

The charity musical proved beneficial not just to those receiving aid, but also to the students who put on their best act.

Sri Kuala Lumpur Primary School principal Dr Tan Khun said he hoped the RM50,000 production would set a benchmark of quality school drama productions.

“This year marks our 10th school play and we are setting a new standard.

“For the first time, we are using LED screens as a backdrop.

“Initially, our teachers would spend many weeks building sets, painting backdrops and creating props.

“This is also the third year we have children under 12 to sing and I am very impressed by their performance.

“It is with the training by our dedicated team choir, music and drama teachers that we are able to make this happen,” he said, beaming with pride.

TAKE the first star on the right, and straight on till morning! And there you will find Neverland, where 49 Sri Kuala Lumpur Primary School children aged 10 to 12 put on their best show of Peter Pan.

Enthusiastically singing, dancing and acting their way through the magical tale, the stage adaptation involved months of planning and practice for the cast and crew.

 Tinkerbell is captured by Captain Hook and mr Smee

Taking the role of Captain Hook very seriously, Mustaqim Mubashir, 10, practiced frequently on his own to perfect his character.

“I watched the movie six times to learn how to play this role. I have to be cruel and wicked and funny all at the same time,” he said.

Cast as the mischievous Boy That Never Grows Up, Fariz Imtiyaaz Cross, 10, said he was honoured to play Peter Pan.

“He never grows up! I really like that, I don’t want to grow up either. I can relate to his character too. Peter Pan is boastful and sometimes conceited, I’m like that too,” he said cheekily.

For Keisya Rae Dasiuk, 11, playing the role of Wendy was a fair challenge.

“Wendy is a very joyful character and I am a lot like her. At first, I found it quite difficult to perform on stage because I was afraid others would make fun of me, but then I decided not to pay attention and did my best,” she said.

As jingling bells followed her quiet fairy strides, petite and vivacious Caitlyn Tan Wan Ching, 11, was a perfect match for the role of Tinkerbell.

“I only have 10 lines in total. I love being the silent character because I don’t have to memorise a lot of lines. Usually, I just use bells, jingles and my facial expressions just like Tinkerbell, ” she said.

Wendy telling stories about what a mother is to the Lost Boys while pirates lurk in the background

Following auditions in January this year, play director and drama teacher Jasinta Selvam, 32, said February onwards, practices were three times a week.

“The greatest challenge is disciplining them and getting them to focused to work together as a team. The children come from all walks of life and interests, some have the interest but lack the skills and other have stage fright.”

“But drama remains the best platform in helping children build self confidence,” she said.

Peter Pan engages in a climactic final duel with Captain Hook

The annual event was also a charity geared one. All proceeds of its ticket sales was channeled to three charitable organisations namely JUST Children Sdn Bhd, Beacon Life Training Centre and Siddharthan Care Centre.

Three individual donations also went to Rayyan Seif Rizqin Mohd Shukor, who suffers from a life threatening condition known as HLH, Norlela Hakim, wife of a former Sri KL school guard who is widowed and a single mother of two children and Thoong Jun Wai, from Kulai, Johor, paralysed waist down following an accident.

 The leading roles, Peter Pan, Captain Hook, Wendy and Tinkerbell

Sri Kuala Lumpur Primary School principal Dr Tan Khun said he hoped the RM50,000 worth production would set a benchmark of quality school drama productions.

“This year marks our 10th school play and we are setting a new standard. For the first time this year, we are using LED screens as a backdrop. Initially, our teachers would spend many weeks building sets, painting backdrops and creating props.”

“This is also the third year we have got the kids under 12 to sing and I am very impressed but their performance. It is with the training of our dedicated team choir, music and drama teachers that we are able to make this happen,” he said, beaming with pride.

THE audience of Peter Pan – The Musical, staged by the Sri Kuala Lumpur Primary School were brought to Never Never Land for the night; and stopped growing up throughout the performance.

The evening gala performance mesmerised the crowd with the amazing talent from the cast and also the beautiful stage props which transported the audience (made up of mostly parents and siblings of the students) to the mystical world of Peter Pan, Captain Hook and the Lost Boys.

Forty nine budding stars took to the stage in their debut performance singing, dancing and acting to raise funds for various charitable organizations and individuals with special need : JUST Children Sdn. Bhd.; Beacon Life Training Centre (BLTC); Siddharthan Care Centre; three individual donations to Rayyan Seif Rizqin Mohd Shukor who suffers from a life-threatening condition known as HLH; Norlela Hakim, the wife of an ex-SRI KL school guard who is widowed with two children; and Thoong Jun Wai from Kulai, Johor who is paralysed waist down after an accident.

The leading cast Peter Pan (Faris Imtiyaaz Cross); Tinker Bell (Caitlyn Tan Wan Ching); Wendy Darling (Keisya Rae Dasiuk) and Captain Hook (Mustaqim) were awesome!!

It was a delightful musical featuring singing pirates, daring swordfights and fantastical make believe.