Grand send-off for principal By SERI NOR NADIAH KORIS LIVES TOUCHED: Students and teachers show their appreciation in a stylish farewell ceremony 

KUALA LUMPUR: AFTER 34 years of service, SMK Taman Tun Dr Ismail's principal, Datin Hasmah Abu, ended her final day at the school by leaving in a race car, cheered on by schoolchildren, teachers and parents.

Hasmah, who served the school for close to six years, was visibly moved by her grand send-off.

Earlier that day, the teachers and pupils organised a celebration in her honour, with a host of performances and speeches.

As she packed her belongings, a long line of well-wishers approached her to convey their appreciation and wish her a happy retirement.

The teary-eyed Hasmah was then surprised to see the sleek race car sporting a sign that read "Just Retired".

The car, a prototype known as the KTM X BOW, was loaned by Edsyn (M) Sdn Bhd, a company that is currently working with the school for its automotive subject which was initiated by Hasmah.

Hasmah, clearly surprised by her ride home, got into the car as the students formed a guard of honour to escort their principal to the gates.

"I loved all my pupils like they were my own children," said Hasmah.

During her service in SMK TTDI, Hasmah introduced several new courses, including music, graphics and automotive studies.

She hoped that all the changes she had brought to the school would continue after her retirement.

She said the school should also maintain the collaboration with the company which sponsored three pupils for further studies in Japan.

Automotive teacher Nor Histaza Hazni Abu Samah said Hasmah was a highly dedicated principal.

"Her motherly and caring attitude touched the lives of not only the pupils but her fellow teachers as well," she said.

Hasmah's idea to initiate the new courses was to help those pupils who were less academic.

"We now have one class of 23 for these newly-introduced courses," she said.

Edsyn assistant director Mohd Hafiz Md Azuz said the company was thankful for the principal's open-minded attitude.

"We are now working closely with the automotive students," he said.

Hafiz said this year, the company offered scholarships for three to study in Japan.

"We saw a great interest among these schoolchildren, so we wanted to help them develop their skills," he said.

Datin Hasmah Abu had her send-off in a racing car, cheered on by her schoolchildren. Pic by Asyraf Hamzah

New Straits Times

Thursday 6 February,2014.