Memories of SPHS

by Hla Min

Updated : September 2026

U Soe Paing (SPHS56)

From the 7th standard to Matriculation I remember the following:

Saya Ba Myaing (Physics), Saya Tun Shwe and Saya Sein (Burmese), Bro Hubert (Chemistry), Bro Felix, Bro Charles, and Bro Gerald (English).
Mr Machado and Saya Dawson (Math), Mr Barker and Mr Illife (Physics).

Editor’s Notes:

• The Paing siblings — Dr. Myo Paing (SPHS54), U Soe Paing (SPHS56), U Win Paing (Sayadaw U Wara, SPHS64) and U Kyaw Paing (SPHS67) — attended SPHS.
• U Soe Paing taught at RIT Electrical Engineering. He co-founded UCC and transferred to UCC as Manager of Systems Division. He is a UN Retiree.

U Aung Win (Owen)

I read many articles about the old staff of SPHS but I never came across anyone mentioning Bro. Charles. During our KG days in SP, we had one Bro. Charles, if you all remember him. He was a very kind-hearted Bro. and he loved the school kids and treated us well. Whatever happened to him, I wonder, after we left SPHS.

Owen Khoo (Aung Win, M71, SPHS 1953 – 1957)

Editor’s notes :

• Three siblings — U Than Win (Alan Khoo, SPHS54), U Kyi Win (Eddie Khoo, SPHS57) and U Aung Win (Owen Khoo) — attended SPHS. Owen also attended Darjeeling before studying Mechanical Engineering at RIT.
• I joined SPHS in Std. IV. I do not know the sayas and sayamas who taught KG and Stds I – III. Boarders can add the names of the Brothers and sayas that I have missed.
• Brother Benedict (who taught a younger class) was a good soccer player.
• Brother Gerald was the SPHS Band Master. He often rode a horse.
• There was a Brother in charge of the SPHS Book Shop, and several Brothers in charge of the Boarders.
• Some Brothers went on “rotation duty” to St. Peter’s HS (Mandalay), St. Albert’s HS (Maymyo), St. Patrick’s HS (Moulmein), …
• After nationalization, Bro Charles moved to UK. There is a post by U Kyaw Win (Thonegwa) about his visit to see Bro Charles.

Brother Clementian

• He was Brother Director at St. Peter’s High School, Mandalay.
• At St. Paul’s High School, he taught Mathematics. He would not allow Bro Director and Sub-Director to come near his class.
• He gave class work, home work and tests (e.g three questions for an hour). Since the government exam had six questions for three hours, many Paulians finished the exam early and still got Distinction.
• He would hold special session for those who failed his tests.
• When he passed away, many former students paid respect. The funeral cortege spanned from SPHS to Tamwe Christian Cemetery. Some cars had not left SPHS when the service began at the Cemetery.

Brother Austin

• He was our Class Teacher for Std. X(A) and also the School Library.
• He taught us English using the “Carrot” technique.
• He would take us to the SPHS library (with books donated by Ford Foundation, Asia Foundation …). Everyone has to borrow a book and write a critique.
• He also taught the “Morals and Manners” class. Anyone who can recite the selected poems is free to “skip the remainder of the class”. The top reciters were rewarded: a book from the Class Library, and on a rare occasion a ticket to “1960 Rome Olympics” (special show at Thamada Cinema).
• He abhors plagiarism and unprofessional work. “Don’t waste my time and your time”.
• After nationalization, he moved to Malaysia to continue teaching at a De La Salle School.

Brother Xavier

• He was our Class Teacher for Std IX(A), and English teacher for Std VIII and Std IX using “the stick” technique.
• He would penalize students for making grammatical and spelling errors. For grading a test, he would start with 100 marks and then subtract 10 marks for each mistake. A classmate had -230 marks shown in his report card.
• According to Ko Zaw Min, Brother Xavier would not continue his “brash style” at St. Albert’s.
• After nationalization, he moved to UK and presumably left the order.

Brother Felix

• He was Brother Director.
• After nationalization. he moved back to Germany. He had e-mail communications with some Old Paulians (notably Richard G. Boudville, Australia, son of Sayama V. Boudville).
• There is a post by U Kyaw Win (Thonegwa) about his visit to see Bro Felix.

Two Sibling Brothers

• After nationalization, the native Brothers remained in Burma.
• Brother Joseph decided to become Father Joseph.
• His younger brother remained Brother Anthony and was one of the “senior sayas” at SPHS Saya Pu Zaw Pwes along with Saya U San Thein and Saya Beatson.

Authors

• Saya George Chapman published notes for English.
• Saya U Htay Myint (Patheda) published notes for History.

Distinguished Paulians

• U Ba Khin stood first in Burma his Matriculation class. He became the first native Auditor General. He is an outstanding Vissapana teacher. His dhamma lineage starts with Ledi Sayadaw and Saya Thet. His dhamma students include Saya S. N. Goenka.
• ICS U Tin Tut was the first ICS by Invitation. He accompanied Bogyoke as Advisor to UK. He served as Finance Minister.
• Dr. Ba Han was Dean of Law and Lexicographer
• Dr. Ba Maw was Lecturer in English at RU. He was Adipati.
• U Chan Tun was Patron of OPA (Old Paulians’ Association).
• According to Dr. Win Aung (M62), his father Saya C. Ping Lee (EE, GBNF) was a Paulian and a student of Saya U Than Aung (father of Saya Alphonso [Mg Nge, Mg Aung] and Charlie [Ko Cho]). When U Than Aung became Minister of Education in the AFPFL Government, he recruited his former student Saya C. Ping Lee to head the Technical & Vocational Department.
• St. Paul’s Museum has a display of eminent Old Paulians.

Saya Pu Zaw Pwes

• After nationalization, SPHS became No. 6 SHS Botathaung.
• There used to be two SPZPs: one for the “Paulians” and another for SHS(6).
• Some (e.g. Eddie Ba Oo / Tin Aung Moe) who were in the lower classes when SPHS was nationalized would attend both gatherings.