Being inconspicuous, yet leaving a ‘mark’

A Tribute to Bro Mark Blake (1931-2015)

KUCHING: It was Wednesday, 29th June 1983. It seemed like any ordinary day at St Joseph’s School.

Unknown to the staff and students, a man slipped away for the airport.

Days earlier he had conspired with two long-time colleagues – Bro Columba and Bro Adrian – that he wished for his departure to be a ‘non-event.’

He had taught in the school where he lived in for the past 24 years.

Of the 29 La Salle Brothers who taught and managed St Joseph’s from 1950 to 1987, he had served the longest.

Bro Mark Blake, who passed away in Castletown, Ireland at the age of 84 last Wednesday, was a towering figure – all 6’4” (1.93m) of him.

Yet his inconspicuous and final exit from the school was entirely characteristic of the man.

He taught English and Bible Studies.

Like all the Irish La Salle Brothers, he immersed himself in nurturing, sustaining and celebrating sporting passion in the school.

In all his endeavours, Bro Mark stepped up when the occasion required it but he was happiest when he could be allowed to retreat to work behind the scenes, preparing, making certain that things were in order, that the welfare of others were taken care of, applauding in the background when success was finally achieved.

The La Salle years in St Joseph’s was an era of academic, extra-curricular and sporting excellence in the school’s history.

In sports, the school was the powerhouse in rugby, football, hockey, swimming, badminton and other events in the inter-school calendar.

Bro Mark’s signature contribution was in athletics, the biggest sport in the school, that which involved the most students, hogged the limelight and scored the greatest success.

By 1973, the school could boast the best sporting grounds for football, rugby and hockey.

Even more unique, despite the limited space and funds, there were also the 4-lane 130m bitumen running track and state-of-the-art facilities for the high, long and triple jump, pole vault, shot put and discus.

One wonders if the location of the throwing area for the discus (Bro Mark’s favourite event and which posed some danger to students) had something to do with him.

He could just see it from the Brothers’ living room on the second level and his own room on the third level of Mill Hill Block.

The achievements of the school athletics team were legendary.

The Kuching District Inter-School Championship started in 1962 with less than ten schools.

From 1965, the meet was open to all schools in the First Division.

St Joseph’s won the overall title right from the inaugural edition.

By the time Bro Mark left in 1983, the school had won the coveted championship shield for 22 consecutive years! Most years, it also swept the champion team’s trophies for Boys A, B and C divisions.

A new trophy was added in 1974 – Overall Champion School for Boys and Girls Combined.

St Joseph’s carried it home as well despite entering no girl athlete!

Old Josephians scouring old photographs would know that Bro Mark was seldom captured in them. He did appear in annual group photos of the staff and a few sports teams.

A photo of him even near the prize table or in the midst of another jubilant victory probably does not exist.

Only many years later, the realisation dawned on those who knew him that Bro Mark would somehow fade into the background during those moments.

Bro Columba, who was the school’s principal from 1970, said that the enduring success of the athletics team was “largely” due to Bro Mark.

Although the staff and students always knew that Bro Mark was overall in charge, not many could comprehend how he actually played out his role.

Year in year out, his contributions extended far longer than the competitive season, far beyond the scope of managing the school team.

Cross country training from Nov of the previous year.

Sports Day – formation of competing houses, trials, selection, training, talent spotting.

Inter-School championships – preliminary selection, training, trials, athlete injuries, selection, matching the spread of talent with the schedule of events, crisis management to ensure so many anxious young athletes from three divisions did every small little thing right and avoid disqualification and costly mistakes.

There were other inter-school competitions and invitation relays.

Then off-season inter-class competition and talent spotting among the lower forms.

And not forgetting that athletics involved many events from 100m to 5000m, hurdles, relays, high jump, long jump, triple jump, pole vault, shot put, discus and javelin.

The irony is that Bro Mark actually did not possess technical expertise in the sport.

He could routinely spend his afternoons giving basic tips to novices and aspiring athletes in the various events.

But he would step aside to play a supporting role or move to another station whenever a technically more competent coach appeared such as Bro Hyacinth, teacher-coach Anthony Goh, a senior athlete, an ex-school champion or invited state athlete.

He kept a sharp pair of eyes at all times…well almost.

Some athletes could recall a few moments of slackness during training only to turn round in horror to face a tall frame with the sternest eyes or, worse still, receive a “whack” from behind when they thought he was occupied in another part of the school grounds.

Training starts at 4.30 in the afternoon.

While most athletes could finish just after 6pm, it was not uncommon for a few zealous jumpers, throwers or hurdlers to stay on until darkness descended.

They could count on Bro Mark to be there.

And finally, when the day’s training is done, he would personally stack up or carry much of the equipment (starting blocks, hurdles, throwing implements, measuring tapes, high jump bars, sand racks, etc.) back to the storeroom.

His dedication obviously rubbed off on many athletes.

Some turned up on weekends for extra practice or weight training on their own.

If they looked for him to draw keys to the storeroom, they would be greeted with a cheerful face.

Many students also appeared on weekends and holiday time to play or train in other sports.

It was common to see Bro Mark in his trademark khaki pants “playing around” in various locations of the school grounds.

For example, he would try a few shots at the basketball court.

When he noticed that the ball was worn out, he would ask for the price of a new ball and gave you enough to buy one.

After all, despite receiving only a nominal salary, he would often give money to needy school athletes to purchase new spike shoes.

After leaving Sarawak, Bro Mark continued his teaching vocation in La Salle College, Hong Kong from 1983 to 1994.

School reports from Hong Kong highlighted his strict discipline in the classroom and love for sports outside it.

His cheerful disposition, wit and humour were also remarked upon.

When students told him about the persistent rumour in the school that he was an Olympic discus thrower, he said, “That’s not true.

I can’t even represent Kowloon.” When asked, “How long can you throw?” The English teacher replied: “For two or three hours.”

Bro Mark stayed on in Hong Kong until 2008 when declining health forced him to return to Ireland to retire in Miguel House Nursing Home, Castletown.

Leaving home at 14 for schooling and training to be a Brother and teacher, leaving Ireland at 21 to teach in St Michael’s, Ipoh from 1952 to 1960 followed by his 24 years in St Joseph’s, then more than two decades in Hong Kong, he had spent an astonishing 56 years of his lifetime away from his motherland.

For the thousands of his students in Ipoh, Kuching and Hong Kong, he “gave his life so generously for their future” (eulogy by Bro Columba).

Bro Mark will best be remembered for exemplifying the best qualities of the La Salle Brothers and their passionate belief in the many character-building virtues of playing sports such as integrity, discipline, hard work, courage, perseverance, resilience, team spirit, excellence …and humility.