Former PFS students reunite for 200th anniversary of school

GEORGE TOWN: About 5,000 former Penang Free School (PFS) students got together for the 200th anniversary gala dinner at the school field here last night.
Alumni from the past and present gathered to rekindle their ties back during their heydays.
Crowds were seen flocking into the school's field to gather with their friends while the school anthem was played as well during the night.
Raja of Perlis Tuanku Syed Sirajuddin Putra Jamalullail, an alumni, was proud of the school's feat of achieving 200 years of legacy.
He said the legacy and tradition of the school need to be continued for more years to come, adding that it was a memorable night as many old students came from near and far to spend time together.
"Once a Frees', always a Frees'," he said when giving his speech.
Free School bicentenary committee chairman Datuk Abdul Rafique Karim went on the stage and praised the efforts of founder Rev Robert Sparke Hutchings in establishing the school.
He urged the alumni, better known as Old Frees', to strengthen relation in line with the school's spirit.
He said many Old Frees', local and abroad, should keep their relation intact with social media, adding that it is important to build the networking among themselves to ensure their spirit remain intact.
"Let us spread word of brotherhood to each other," he said during his speech.
Also present were Tengku Fauziah Tengku Abdul Rashid as well as Yang di-Pertua Negeri Tun Abdul Rahman Abbas and his consort Toh Puan Majimor Shariff and Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng.
Hutchings founded the school on Oct 21, 1816, the first English medium school in South East Asia at that time.
The school was initially located at Lebuh Farquhar before moving to the present location at Jalan Masjid Negeri.