How about a little insight into a school that’s more than just bricks and mortar? Sekolah Menengah Kebangsaan Damansara Jaya, or SMKDJ as it is lovingly called, stands here in Petaling Jaya. It has been shaping young minds since 1983.
SMK Damansara Jaya opened its doors on January 3rd 1983. In its first year, the school had just three blocks. There were only six classrooms and 24 teachers. A total of 189 students were enrolled.
Imagine the early days. The pioneer students mainly came from SRK Damansara Utama and SRK Sultan Alam Shah 1 and 2. Some also came from Sri Petaling and Kg Tengku primaries.
The first headmaster was Hj Abu Sujak. Kevin De Souza is remembered fondly by many. Pn Hjh Naimah was an assistant head in those early days. She later became headmistress of nearby SK Damansara Jaya.
Early teachers included Hjh Zuraidah and B.H. Lim. Raoul Huet and Imam Musaniff were also among them. Pn Salina and Cikgu Rosli were dedicated teachers. Cikgu Syahrim, Pn Loke, Pn Leela and Pn Ooi also helped shape the school.
Syed Nasurudin Syed Abu Bakar was the first head prefect. Megat Fairuz Khairudin followed him. Chuah Beng Sim and Irene Siow Ai Ling were consistently straight-A students. In 1987 a student’s victory in a yachting competition at the Olympics was celebrated.
As student numbers grew, SMK Damansara Jaya expanded. Two temporary blocks called Blocks D and E were built in 1985. Block F was added in 1992.
Early students designed the school badge. They composed the school song and lyrics. K. Thanalechumy won an art competition to design the school badge. Nicholas Ong composed the school anthem “Berilmu Untuk Berjasa”. This translates to “To Gain Knowledge for Success”.
The school’s population is diverse. It consists of 50% Chinese, 30% Malays and 20% Indians. Numerous other races also attend.
SMK Damansara Jaya was awarded Cluster School of Excellence status in 2013. In 2015, it became a single-session school.
The school emphasizes bilingual education. This means subjects are taught in both Malay and English. This approach helps students grasp the syllabus better. It also equips them with proficiency in both languages.
Several notable people are alumni of SMKDJ. Heidy Quah received the Queen’s Young Leader Award in 2017. She is the founder of Refuge for the Refugees. Hasnol Hassan Ariff is a singer who won third place at the Sony Music Voice of Asia in 1991. Sofia Jane Hisham is an actress and former model. Melissa Saila is also a singer and actress. Eric Yeo is a saloon car driver and racer. Chow Yan Kit is a motorcycle rider and racer.
SMK Damansara Jaya’s motto is “Berilmu Untuk Berjasa”. It reflects the school’s commitment to knowledge and service. From its humble beginnings to its current status, SMKDJ continues to inspire. It encourages students to achieve and contribute to society.