Catholic High School PJ - History

History

Established by Tobias Wong, the Marist High School was then moved to Maxwell Secondary School. A School-Building Planning Committee was formed to consider a building of its own for the school. The government approved and allocated a piece of land in Cheras but the committee decided not to build a school on the piece of land allocated.

Later in 1956, the committee purchased a piece of land in Petaling Jaya that spanned 10 acres (40,000 m2) with the money collected from a fund-raising project. A new two story building with 20 classrooms was constructed. In the same year, Rev. Bro. Tobias Wong was promoted to Brother Provincial and the leadership of the school was passed to Rev. Bro. Dominic Liu.

In 1959, the first batch of students sat for the LCE Examination. Rev. Bro. Dominic Liu expanded the school by building a block of science laboratory and library. In 1961, the first batch of Form 5 students sat for S.C/F.M.C Examination and thus the graduation of CHS pioneer batch of students.

In 1962, the school's leadership passed to Rev. Bro. Lawrence Tung. During his tenure as principal, the school purchased two buses for co-curricular use and improvements were made to the school field. In accordance with the Education Act of 1961, Catholic High School became a conforming school and changed its name to SMJK Katholik. However, the name Catholic High School still remains in use.

From 1963 to 2005, the school saw an expansion in facilities and student population. Several blocks of class rooms were erected, and a hall, canteen, sports facilities and laboratories were built.

In 1984, the school became a co-educational school. The following year, the Form Six Classes opened its doors to female students.

In 1989, the appointment of Mr. Cheok Cheo Foh marked the end of the Marist Brothers as the principals of school.

In 2001, Madam Tan Lin became the first female principal of Catholic High School, succeeding Mr. Lee Kim Tian. During her tenure as principal, the security of the school was tightened by installing closed-circuit television, an automatic pole gate at the entrance and introducing new rules and measures to ensure the safety of the 3350 students. The school hall was upgraded and an air conditioning system was installed. Madam Tan Lin retired on the 5th of September 2007. Her successor is Madam Lee Kim Lai who took office on 22 October 2007.

In September 2011, Madam Lee Kim Lai retired as the principal of Catholic High School and Mr Ong was installed as the new and current principal of Catholic High School.