Ideal Environment: The new RM4
million library and students busy
with school work while the Sultan
(right) looks on.

Extract from The New Straits Times (16th February 2004)

RM 4mil library opens at Alice Smith

Students at Alice Smith secondary campus at Equine Park, Seri Kembangan, now have a more comfortable place to revise and study at their own state-of-the-art library building.

The RM4 million two-storey building that boasts a split-floor library, a lecture theatre, the Sixth Form common room, computer suite, university and career centre as well as spacious teaching rooms, was launched by Sultan of Selangor, Sultan Sharafudin Idris Shah recently.

The international students gave the Sultan a rousing welcome complete with kompang beat. The Sultan took a tour of the campus, accompanied by school principal, Nik Bishop, the Council of Governors' chairman Stuart Pack, school headboy Durrie Hassan and headgirl Rana Halabi.

The School's Project Control Group chairman, William Addington said the idea of constructing the library was mooted in early 1997, but was only realised two years ago in December 2002 and completed last August.

"These new facilities allow students the opportunities to focus on their preparation for the GCSE and A-level examinations." he said.

"In particular, the expanding Sixth Form student body has an environment which can fully prepare them for the rigours of advanced level study and university life."

Addington said the Sixth Form at Alice Smith had gained a reputation for quality education and the students had gone on to study at prestigious higher education institutions such as Cambridge, London and other top universities in the United States and Australia.

Extract from The Star (15th February 2004)

New facilities at Alice Smith

Sixth Formers of the Alice Smith School in Kuala Lumpur van now enjoy the luxury of having a place exclusively for them to study and hang out as they prepare themselves for the demands of university life.

Launched by the Sultan of Selangor, Sultan Sharaffudin Idris Shah, the school's new library and sixth form centre, which costs RM4 million, boasts a split floor library, lecture theatre, sixth form common room, computer suite, university and careers centre and several spacious teaching rooms.

"It definitely meets our needs of having a more private space to work in. The place is also well equipped with the necessary resources we require for our studies," said headboy Durrie Hassan, adding that although the library is for the whole school, the sixth form centre is solely for them.

Echoing his sentiments was the school's headgirl Rana Halabi, who together with Durrie, accompanied Sultan Sharaffudin on a quick tour of the school grounds before the ceremony.

"I think it's brilliant because last time we had practically nothing. All we had was a small shack with one couch but now we've got a common room, kitchen and a balcony which makes for a great hang-out during breaks," she said.

In his speech, Sultan Sharaffudin commended the school for a playing a role in marketing Malaysia appealing to expatriates.

"Malaysia's fast growing economy has always attracted its fair share of expatriates. Our ability to offer a safe and enjoyable lifestyle to expatriates has certainly brought extra foreign investment to us. I'm happy to note the school's continuing role in sustaining the Malaysian multiracial character as I see so many nationalities here, including Malaysian students, " said the Sultan, whose three children have all studied in Alice Smith.

School principal Nik Bishop said the new facilities give students a conducive environment to hone their study skills as they work towards their GCSE and A-levels examinations, as well as provide for character-building extra curricular activities.

"The sixth form has rapidly gained popularity and many have really responded to the new study facilities and grown into the accommodation. The wide range of extra curricular activities is what gives the students a rounded perspectives. It is not just about academic excellence it is also about being a whole person," he said.