FORMER SMK Maxwell headmaster P. Nadarajah left such an impression on his former students that some of them have set up a trust fund in his honour for the school\u2019s needy students.<\/p>\n
According to former head boy Ngiam Foon, the group who started the fund wanted to show their gratitude to the school and headmaster.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhat we are doing is a reflection of the compassion that Nadarajah showed us during our school days,\u201d said Ngiam.<\/p>\n
About RM15,000 was collected and used to buy back-to-school gifts for 100 needy students from Remove classes to Form 3 at their alma mater. They distributed the gifts at a ceremony on Monday.<\/p>\n
The students received one set of school uniform each, shoes, a school bag and stationery.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe will try to raise more funds during a dinner on Jan 23,\u201d said Ngiam, who added that this was the first trust fund set up for the school.<\/p>\n
Twelve old boys and four former teachers joined Nadarajah at the small ceremony held at the school hall.<\/p>\n
\u201cHe used to cane us when we did something wrong, but it was because he loved us,\u201d said Ngiam.<\/p>\n
Ngiam\u2019s former classmate, K.L. Tan said: \u201cHe is a humble and disciplined man.\u201d<\/p>\n
Tan said that Nadarajah would also pay for meals and school fees for students who could not afford them.<\/p>\n
\u201cI used to think that I would need bodyguards once I left the school because I used to whack them all the time. But I am proud that many of them have made it,\u201d quipped Nadarajah.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe most important thing for teachers is to show they care for the students,\u201d he added.<\/p>\n
Those interested in contacting the group can e-mail maxwellian@live.com.<\/p>\n