On 3rd December 2024, Feast of St. Francis Xavier the Missionary of Faith, H. Em. Cardinal
Dato’ Seri Sebastian Francis, Bishop of Penang, celebrated Mass with Rev. Fr. Alvin Ho, SJ,
and Deacon Paul Kang at the Chapel of St. Ignatius of Loyola, Stonyhurst International School, Penang. This occasion also marked the launch of the Stonyhurst Penang – Catholic Diocese of Penang scholarship program. The event was attended by guests, staff, students, and Friends of Stonyhurst.
In his homily, Cardinal Sebastian highlighted that St. Ignatius of Loyola had St. Francis Xavier
as one of his companions. St. Francis Xavier travelled to the east to proclaim the Gospel as
far as China. Similarly, Stonyhurst has come to Penang to provide an inclusive, creative, and
bridge-building education. The school's motto, "Enter to Learn, Leave to Serve," encapsulates its mission. Stonyhurst is an international school with a Catholic and Jesuit ethos, which are universal values. Cardinal Sebastian also called upon everyone to pray for Fr. Alvin Ho, who celebrated his 16th Sacerdotal Ordination and is serving in the Malaysian Catholic Education Council.
Stonyhurst Penang, which opened in 2022, has the vision statement ‘To develop men and
women for others who lead a life of purpose driven by conscience, competence, compassion, and commitment’. The school is guided by the principles of St. Ignatius and the Jesuit Pupil Profile, which emphasise the development of well-rounded individuals who are intellectually competent, open to growth, loving, religious, and committed to doing justice. While drawing inspiration from these Ignatian values, pupils and families of all faiths and backgrounds, are warmly welcome, fostering an inclusive community where diversity is celebrated. This commitment is a testament to the holistic international education with over 430 years of Ignatian traditions, drawing from the legacy of its British mother school.
The Higher Line (Sixth Form) A-Levels Scholarship 2025/2026 was launched. This significant
step aims to foster holistic development and character formation among students. In his
foreword, Mr. Richard Moore, the Principal, described the Higher Line Sixth Form as a
transformative journey filled with growth, discovery, and joy. Deputy Principal Mrs. Emma
Horridge provided a shared historical background of Stonyhurst’s 430-year history and
emphasized the "Cura Personalis," which denotes care of the whole person. Emma also
highlighted that the school's approach to academic achievement, personal growth, and
compassionate leadership, is guided by the principle of “Quant Je Puis” (as much as I can)
striving for the best version of oneself. While academic performance is important, there must also be a focus on perspectives, horizons, and faith that does justice, with an emphasis on forming the whole character.
Mr. Anton Bush, Head of Higher Line, presented an impressive curriculum for personal and
academic enrichment in enhancing the learning experience. This includes a Launchpad where students hone their skills to launch their future plans and nurture their aspirations, Cambridge IPQ (International Project Qualifications) for students to carry out research into topics of choice, the Stonyhurst Diploma involving academics, creativity, service learning, and sport, and Leadership Opportunities for students to build confidence, resilience, and initiative and enhances essential skills such as communications, teamwork and problem-solving.
Mr. Michael Sng, Chair of the Board of Governors, stated that the scholarship program aims
to assist talented students who lack the financial means to pursue educational excellence. It
is essential to provide opportunities for the young, and as a Jesuit ethos institution, it is crucial to support the less endowed. All interested students are encouraged to seize this golden opportunity and apply for the scholarship via the Stonyhurst website.
By Christopher Kushi
