George Newn Ah Foott was adamant that education might give the many populations in Brunei Town, a brighter future. Newn took the initiative to open Saint George's School after seeing the lack of educational options and schools in the area. Fr. Piet de Wit, a local priest, first established the school in a house on Jalan Padang that Mr. Kay leased. In addition, this home housed the priest's residence and a chapel. Thanks to Newn's donation of land, the school was able to construct its first dedicated structure in Kumbang Pasang in 1941. Following World War II's interruptions, the school was reopened under Newn's leadership, with his daughters acting as instructors. Later, the school was named after him as a sign of respect.[4]
In contrast to the contemporary concrete structures it now enjoys, Saint George's School was a modest thatch building with an attap roof in its early years. It became one of Brunei's most prominent schools as it grew over time to provide instruction up to the GCE "O" Level. In 1972, Newn received the Papal Decoration "Pro Ecclesia et Pontifice" in honour of his contributions to Saint George's School and his services to the Catholic Church.[4]
^ abSuryadinata, Leo, ed. (2012). Southeast Asian Personalities of Chinese Descent. A Biographical Dictionary. Singapore: ISEAS Publishing. p. 763. ISBN978-981-4345-21-7.
^Suryadinata, Leo, ed. (2012). Southeast Asian Personalities of Chinese Descent. A Biographical Dictionary. Singapore: ISEAS Publishing. pp. 1367–1370. ISBN978-981-4345-21-7.