Josephians’ 6th Ora Et Labora Run 2023

suppadmin | October 11, 2023

Answer you all for the trumpet is sounding! The Old Josephians’ Association (OJA) Kuching organised its 6th edition of Ora Et Labora Run on the 7th October 2023 with the theme “I Run of St Joseph’s” to encourage old boys to come back to school. The Run attracted a total of 1,300 runners comprise of students from St Joseph’s Family of Schools (which comprise of SMK St. Joseph, St. Joseph Private School, St Joseph International School), old boys of the school and public.

The main objective of the OJA in organizing the Ora Et Labora Run is to raise funds for student’s extra- curricular activities. Apart from that, the Run serves as a reunion for ex-students and as an opportunity to render service to their alma mater.

The event is divided into the 5km Fun Run and 10km competitive run where there are two Categories: Open Category (Men and Women).

The Run was flagged off by OJA President, Dato Sri Prof. Dr. Sim Kui Hian, who is also the Deputy Premier of Sarawak, former students of SMK St Joseph; Datuk Sebastian Ting, Deputy Minister of Tourism, Creative Industry and Performing Arts of Sarawak, Fazzrudin Abdul Rahman, Tupong assemblyman who is also a committee member of OJA, principals of the St. Joseph Family of Schools.

OJA also organized a small fundraising sales in the school where various class of SMK St Joseph took the initiatives to set up food stalls to further fund raising for the three schools.

Dr. Sim, who is also the Minister of Public Health, Housing and Local Government said in his welcoming address applauded the three schools for coming together in the Back to School Games held on Friday, and participate together in the Run the following day demonstrates a strong integration of Josephian family among the schools.

“St Joseph’s Family of Schools, we have three schools in it together namely SMK St Joseph, St Joseph Private School and St Joseph International School. This is unique and only in Sarawak, we have this kind of set up where we have SMK St Joseph being a government aided school while St Joseph Private School and St Joseph International School are both private schools. The three schools come together and participate in many activities together.”

Dr Sim also said that the 6th edition of Ora Et Labora Run event will not stop but it will go on for many editions to come. He called for all Josephians whether current student and their family, current teachers and retirees, alumni and members of the public to continue to support as it is a platform to get together and an opportunity for all to reunite.

On behalf of the Old Josephians’ Association, Dr Sim also thanked all the sponsors and partners of the event. The sponsors and partners were

Platinum Sponsor – Sarawak Energy Berhad
Gold Sponsor – Saradise Sdn Bhd and Lee Onn Development Sdn Bhd
Silver Sponsor – Sarawak Economic Development Corporation, Perunding Iskfit, Resources Surveys Services and Yen Yen Birdnest
Official Isotonic Partner, 100 PLUS
Revolution Run Borneo and Kuching Happy Runner Club for being the main partners for the event.

All runners who finish the run received finisher medals by Medal Depot and for the 10km competitive run, top 10 finishers receive additional cash prizes.

In the men open category, Andy Yeo took the first prize and walked away with RM350 cash, while both Sunny Jong and Xian Lim came in at second place and third place and walked away with RM250 and RM200 cash respectively.

In the women open category, Hii Pik Hie took the first prize and walked away with RM350 cash, while both Julia Yap and Amber Tiong came in at second place and third place and walked away with RM250 and RM200 cash respectively.