Infant Jesus Convent — A century of legacy

May 02, 2025

By Vincent D’Silva
In a dazzling celebration of history, tradition, and pride, SMK Infant Jesus Convent (IJC) will commemorate a significant milestone on the evening of August 30 this year, as the school celebrates its 100th anniversary.

The milestone will be honoured in a grand reunion dinner, bringing together alumni, staff, former teachers and students from across the decades. The event, to be held at Restaurant Pekin Daiman 18 Golf Club in Taman Johor Jaya, will be a heartfelt tribute to the state's first girls' school. It honours the school's pivotal role in shaping generations of women and its significant contribution to the local community's educational and cultural landscape.

Founded in 1925 by the Sisters of the Infant Jesus, IJC was the first school of its kind in Johor, created to provide girls with formal education at a time when opportunities for women were limited.

Over the years, the institution has earned a reputation not only for academic excellence but also for nurturing strong values and empowering young women to become leaders in various sectors.

Speaking to HERALD, the school’s alumni president, Antonette Oliveiro, 83, recalled the school’s humble beginnings, when it started as a small mission with just a handful of students.

“One hundred years ago our founders had a vision – to offer girls the same opportunities as their male counterparts. This vision has evolved into a legacy of strength, resilience, and success, not just in academics but in every facet of life,” she said, her voice brimming with emotion.



She went on to say that they celebrate this milestone with pride and gratitude, acknowledging the tireless efforts of those who have come before us and those who continue to support its mission.

She said the centenary celebration has meaning for former students as they have seen how the institution metamorphosed from a school set amid a lalang-marred landscape to well-manicured grounds on which three freshly painted beige and yellow buildings now stand.

“The convent has groomed many leaders who went on to do well in government, politics, judiciary and the corporate sector, and who have lived up to the school’s motto ‘Simple in Virtue, Steadfast in Duty’,” enthused Antonette.

She said that IJC was the first girls’ school in Johor which went on to establish a tradition in excellence by grooming students whose integrity and dedication arose from having a good, all-round education.

According to Antonette, the 100th anniversary will also commemorate the school’s long history and tradition that has produced many individuals who have served and are still serving the community.

“Many past and present students will remember a beloved school that held so many memories treasuring the dedication and hard work of the IJ Sisters, lay principals and teachers,” she added.

The school was led by the Infant Jesus sisters until 1977, when Ramakrishnan Pillai became its first lay principal for the secondary section, followed by Ramlah Mohamad, who became the head of the primary school in 1983.

The school transcends racial, religious, and class distinctions among students and teachers. What truly matters is the commitment to universal humanitarian values, which are embraced and upheld by all.

Meanwhile, alumni committee member Rosemarie Lee Swee Hong,79, said, like many missionary schools, the convent school achieved prominence not only in sports, but also in academic and co-curricular activities.

Rosemarie, who also taught in the school, mentioned that the Convent has undergone numerous transformations, adapting to the changing educational landscape while maintaining its core values.

“The school has expanded its curriculum, modernized its facilities, and embraced new teaching methodologies, but its focus on empowering young women through education remains unchanged,” she said.

Rosemarie expressed that the glow of the upcoming anniversary celebrations reflects the enduring spirit of Infant Jesus Convent — a school that has empowered generations of women to dream big, act with integrity, and make a meaningful impact on the world.

Without hesitation, she emphasised that for the school’s alumni, the 100th anniversary is not only a celebration of its history but also a reaffirmation of the values that continue to guide them as they confront new challenges in the century ahead.

“The 100th anniversary of Infant Jesus Convent is more than just a reflection of the past; it is a promise of an even brighter future, where women will continue to rise, lead, and make an impact, just as they have for the past century,” she affirmed.

Rosemarie highlighted that this historic moment provides a perfect opportunity to reconnect with old friends and reminisce about school memories. Additionally, the event aims to raise funds for upgrading the school’s infrastructure.

The school’s journey began in 1925, when three nuns and two teachers opened the Convent of the Holy Infant Jesus in two rented shophouses on Jalan Ibrahim. With a starting enrolment of just 83 students, the school quickly grew. By 1947, the student population had risen to 590.

Impressed by the school’s impact, the late Sultan Sir Ibrahim and Sultanah Rogayah generously donated a piece of land for the construction of a proper school building. The new school opened in 1927, and the late Sultan also donated a white Carrara marble statue of the Immaculate Conception, which became the centrepiece of the school's frontage.

Originally admitting both boys and girls, the school made a pivotal shift in 1938 when it became an all-girls institution. In 1936, special Malay classes were introduced to meet the requirements of the Education Department.

By 1939, the school registered students for the Senior Cambridge examination for the first time, achieving a remarkable 100 percent pass rate.

In 1959, the school was divided into primary and secondary sections, and the school’s building was redesigned to reflect gothic motifs, adding to its distinct architectural charm.

The school's luminaries include former International Trade and Industry Minister Tan Sri Rafidah Aziz, Toh Puan Rahah Razak, the mother of former prime minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak and former New Straits Times columnist Adibah Amin.

The school also counts among its notable figures the late former Prime Minister Tun Hussein Onn, the late Tunku Tun Maimunah Sultan Ismail, and Fauziah Ismail, the former head of the New Straits Times Press art gallery.

As Johor’s first girls’ school celebrates its centenary, the legacy of the Infant Jesus Convent continues to shine brightly, an enduring testament to the power of education and the transformative potential of young women. Here’s to the next 100 years of shaping lives, breaking barriers, and inspiring generations to come.