SIBU: National Sijil Tinggi Pelajaran Malaysia (STPM) powerhouse SMK Sacred Heart has solidified its position as a beacon of academic excellence, sweeping top honours at the national level and securing a windfall of RM20,900 in academic incentives for its top performers.
The school was officially crowned the Best STPM Form Six Centre 2025 in both the Mod 2 and Mod 3 categories nationwide. The landmark achievement was celebrated during the presentation of the STPM 2025 Excellence Incentive Awards at SMK Sacred Heart’s Centennial Hall here on Friday (July 17), where Bukit Assek assemblyman Joseph Chieng Jin Ek honoured 56 high-achieving students who recorded a Cumulative Grade Point Average (CGPA) of 3.00 and above.
Delivering his address, Chieng emphasised that the incentive scheme — now running for its fifth consecutive year — is designed to be a catalyst for long-term human capital development rather than a mere financial reward.
“Investing in education is one of the most meaningful investments we can make. The students we support today will become the professionals, entrepreneurs, innovators and leaders who will shape the future of Sibu, Sarawak and our nation,” Chieng said.
Since its inception in 2022, Chieng’s constituency-wide educational initiative has disbursed a total of RM659,000, benefiting 1,916 students across four major secondary institutions in Bukit Assek: SMK Sacred Heart, SMK Methodist, SMK Bukit Assek and Catholic High School.
The school’s academic stellar run for the 2025 cohort featured one student capturing a flawless 5A tier, while 16 others secured straight 4As.
With the state-level Sarawak Day celebrations slated to be hosted in Sibu on July 22, Chieng made a passionate call to the youth to anchor their global aspirations in their local identity.
He urged the next generation of Sarawakians to embrace the spirit of “Segulai Sejalai” (Together in Unity) and leverage their education to elevate their home state.
“Wherever your journey takes you — whether you pursue your career locally or overseas — always remember your roots. Sibu has nurtured you, Sarawak has given you opportunities, and it is my hope that you will return to contribute your talents, ideas and expertise to our beloved hometown,” Chieng said.
SMK Sacred Heart Principal David Teo praised the collective effort of the school community while highlighting that the school’s definition of excellence extends far beyond standard examination transcripts.
Teo revealed that a specialised cohort of lower-form students (Forms 2 and 3) is currently preparing to represent the state in West Malaysia for the prestigious Toyota Eco Youth competition, showcasing a highly anticipated prototype for an automated “Smart Bin”.
Addressing the changing landscape of national education, Teo also shed light on the incoming 2027 School Curriculum (KPM 2027), emphasising its foundational shift towards holistic character evaluation over rigid rote learning.
“The upcoming curriculum focuses heavily on character and attitude,” Teo said during his address.
“An individual’s attitude determines their ultimate aptitude and success. It is these small, daily discipline-driven efforts that yield the greatest structural impacts on a student’s life.”
