Senior students doing their part to plant a tree during Arbour Day Celebration at Epsom College in Malaysia
Epsom College in Malaysia, the prestigious co-educational boarding school for 3 to 18 year olds, observed Arbour Day with a special tree planting ceremony at its campus ground on 11 February 2015. The event marked the culmination of the school’s Eco Week, which saw both the Prep and Senior school students participate in a variety of eco-friendly activities such as an introduction to recycling, field trips to the mangroves, and a competition to reduce the school’s carbon footprint. It has been over 135 years since J. Sterling Morton founded Arbour Day in Nebraska in 1872. His simple idea of setting aside a special day for tree planting has left an enduring legacy for the environment. Today, Arbor Day is celebrated in 40 countries around the world. A special assembly to commemorate Arbour Day was held at the school’s auditorium where the audience were entertained with a performance by the Prep School choir, and an insightful presentation by Dato’ Kenneth Kolb, the Chairman of the Friends of Epsom College in Malaysia (FoECiM). 
Dato Kenneth Kolb, Chairman, Friends of Epsom College in Malaysia Committee and Mr Martin George, Headmaster, Epsom College in Malaysia, hard at work planting the 40ft Enterolobium Cyclocarpum tree
The tree planting ceremony took place outside the cricket pavilion, where two mature Enterolobium Cyclocarpum trees measuring 40 feet in height, were planted together along with a time capsule containing a selection of memorabilia collected from the Prep and Senior Schools and the boarding houses.
“Friends of Epsom College in Malaysia believes Arbour Day is a great way to bring our parent and student community ever closer. We wanted to make it a fun and memorable day for all, and leave a lasting legacy for our children, and our children’s children,” remarked Dato’ Kenneth Kolb, Chairman, Friends of Epsom College in Malaysia Committee.
Friends of Epsom College in Malaysia, a volunteer committee comprising of parents and friends connected to the College, had earlier championed a fundraiser to purchase the Arbour Day trees. The funds were raised by way of the sale and purchase of Perspex leaves to parents and staff, which was later engraved and fixed onto a Perspex tree located outside the school Coffee Shop.
Mr. Martin George, Headmaster of Epsom College in Malaysia commented, “Arbour Day presents a wonderful opportunity for our students to learn about the importance of trees and the impact that trees has on our daily lives. Given the increase in Carbon Dioxide (CO2) emissions and global warming, the significance of Arbour Day is as relevant today as it was when it was first celebrated in 1872.”
He continued, “On behalf of Epsom College in Malaysia, I would like to thank our teachers and parents for their generous contribution, allowing us to purchase the Arbour Day trees and make this day possible. The mature trees will thrive to create a full canopy under which students can gather, read a book or just lie on their back and look at the sun’s rays trickle down through the leaves.”
A group of students from Epsom College in Malaysia posing for a photograph in front of the time capsule that carried all the hopes, dreams and memorabilia collected from the Prep and Senior School and the Boarding Houses.
Epsom College in Malaysia was officially opened by Boris Johnson, the Mayor of London, and Tunku Ali Redhauddin Ibni Tuanku Muhriz, and Tunku Zain Al'Abidin Ibni Tuanku Muhriz from the Royal Sultanate of the State of Negeri Sembilan.
Epsom College in Malaysia will be hosting a Prep and Senior School Open Day on Saturday, 21 March 2015, from 11 am to 4 pm. Parents may contact Mrs. Nicola Harris at 06 2404188 for further information.
About Epsom College Malaysia (ECiM)
Strategically located in Bandar Enstek, an hour south of Kuala Lumpur, Epsom College in Malaysia is 15 minutes from Kuala Lumpur International airport and the Low Cost Carrier Terminal (LCCT). This 50-acre development is Epsom’s first overseas campus.
Steeped in over 150 years of rich UK heritage, Epsom College in Malaysia (ECiM) will offer students a first-class British educational experience. Following the new English National Curriculum, including the Cambridge International Examination Board’s IGCSEs and A Levels (CIE), Epsom College in Malaysia aims to mirror the academic excellence of Epsom College in the UK which consistently achieves an 84% of A-level grades at A*, A or B grade.
The Epsom College vision embraces the personal development of each student through innovation and creativity to achieve academic excellence, a love of learning and help boys and girls secure places at the world’s top universities.
Please visit www.epsomcollege.edu.my for more information.
