Awang Semaun Secondary School
Awang Semaun Secondary School (Malay: Sekolah Menengah Awang Semaun, abbrev: SMAS), is a co-educational government secondary school located in Kampong Sungai Kebun, Brunei.
| Awang Semaun Secondary School Sekolah Menengah Awang Semaun | |
|---|---|
| Address | |
Jalan Lumapas , BK2386 | |
| Coordinates | 4°52′37″N 114°56′20″E / 4.877056°N 114.939°E |
| Information | |
| Former name | Sungai Kebun English Secondary School |
| School type | Government |
| Motto | Kecemerlangan Melalui Pendidikan (Excellence Through Education) |
| Established | March 1982 |
| School district | Cluster 1 |
| Authority | Ministry of Education |
| Principal | Mohammad Fadhillah bin Ismail[1] |
| Teaching staff | 100 |
| Grades | Years 7-11 |
| Gender | Coeducational |
| Enrolment | 1000 |
| Area | 22.5 acres (9.1 ha) |
| Colour(s) | Black, blue and green |
| Affiliation | CIE, BTEC |
| Website | Official Facebook |
The campus in 2021 | |
Name edit
Awang Alak Betatar, who went on to become Sultan Muhammad Shah, the first Sultan of Brunei, is reported to have had a younger brother named Awang Semaun. After his brother was bestowed the traditional Malay title Damong, he went on to become one of the four wazirs as Pengiran Temenggong, who helped the Sultan rule the nation.[2] He is strongly linked to Brunei's population's conversion to Islam.[3]
A legend from Temburong claims that Awang Semaun left behind a gigantic water jar that occasionally materialises momentarily for select individuals. This is in the river, partially submerged, when it appears. But the saying goes that you can only notice it if you are not seeking for it.[3] It is also noted that Awang Semaun abducted a princess from Johor and offers her to his brother, Awang Alak Betatar as a bride.[4] He is also noted to be a resident of Kampong Sungai Kebun.[5]
History edit
The school was established as Sungai Kebun English Secondary School in March 1982. It was first located at the present Paduka Seri Begawan Sultan Science College before it moved to Kampong Sungai Kebun on 3 February 1983. The relocation of the school was to relieve the overcrowding in a few capital schools, where a portion of the student body was drawn from Kampong Ayer residents. The school was built in phases on a 22.5 acres (9.1 ha) plot of open ground at a cost of B$35 million. On 13 December 1984 marked its official opening by the then Minister of Education, Pehin Dato Abdul Aziz. The occasion was marked by the renaming of the school to its current name.[5]
Academic edit
The school follows the national Secondary Schools' curriculum of the SPN-21 (Sistem Pendidikan Abad ke-21) starting 2007. Under this system, students study a two-year common curriculum in Year 7 and Year 8 and are then channelled to five streams namely Express (two years programme), General Science (three years), General Programme (3 years), General Applied (3 years) and Special Applied (Edexcel) Programme. Channelling is determined by the results of the Students' Progress Examination at the end of Year 8.
At the end of Year 11 (Year 10 for the Express stream), students sit for GCE 'O' Level and/or IGCSE examination.[6] Passing the examination may allow students to proceed to sixth form, in which students could also enroll in BTEC courses.[7] Alternatively, students may also opt for public vocational education at IBTE schools.
Staff edit
The teaching staff consists is locals and a small group of expatriates (CfBT and contract teachers). Supporting them are the auxiliary staff working on the maintenance and the technical side of the school.
See also edit
References edit
- ^ "Majlis Khatam Al-Quran raikan murid Darjah VI Sekolah Ugama Awang Semaun". www.pelitabrunei.gov.bn. Retrieved 2024-04-23.
- ^ Rozan Yunos (2008-05-25). "Awang Semaun: Tale of a Brunei Warrior". The Brunei Times. Bandar Seri Begawan. Retrieved 2024-04-23.
- ^ a b "Upai Semaring and Awang Semaun: The Lundayeh and the Brunei Royal House". dayakdaily.com. 2024-03-18. Retrieved 2024-04-23.
- ^ Gin, Ooi Keat; King, Victor T. (2022-07-29). Routledge Handbook of Contemporary Brunei. Taylor & Francis. ISBN 978-1-000-56864-6.
- ^ a b "Sekolah Menengah Awang Semaun" (PDF). www.information.gov.bn. Prime Minister's Office. 2019. p. 14. ISBN 978-99917-84-20-5. Retrieved 2024-04-23.
- ^ Mohamad, Lyna (2018-10-02). "Former students share examination tips". borneo363.rssing.com. Retrieved 2024-04-23.
- ^ "Teachers gain insight on graffiti art". borneobulletin.com.bn. 2023-07-18. Retrieved 2024-04-23.