Convent Bukit Mertajam: The old and new

Following the previous post about going back to school....
I have come up with the compilation of "The old, and new"

#1 Porch / Front Field


~Once Upon a Time~

If I'm not mistaken, I was told this photo taken in late 70's. Wait, is that a cactus tree in front of the palm tree?

Look at them... wow.... Another Pic to show the stunt: :D

~ 1999.... ~
during my time. Can't see whole view of the porch though. Can u see the cactus popping out from the back row? I think its the same cactus from above pic.

~ Feb 2008  ~

Taken after Alumni's AGM. No more cactus... sudah uzur ditelan zaman.

~Back to the Future~ (present)

More upgrades followed... repainted and now we have a podium.

#2 Primary Block

~Once upon a time~
In 1988:

~Back to the Future~
more cars.....

#3 BackField

~Once upon a time~
Late 1950's / Early 60's:
From the class blocks heading to canteen. Have to ask super seniors whether it was a canteen back then. A stretch of mangosteen trees behind the girls, now ladies :-)

~Year 1965~
Back field, taken from another angle.
left: the primary block. far left: glimpse of mangosteen tree in front of the field.

~1999~
Same angle as the first foto.. not only the trees functioned as shady area, but was also as favourite backdrop for most sport-related events :P

~Back to the Future~
about the same angle as the second foto. as u can see, the primary block building. The border separating the field and the road, is where the mangosteen trees used to be. Haha "Why am I making such a big deal of the mangosteen trees?"... We always thought the trees were a part of the school's heritage. But then again, same case like the cactus.

#4 New Hall
This hall is called new hall as it is newer than the other hall :D

~Once upon a time~

1970's / early 80's
Haha... When I was in my early years of primary, I used to fancy over these costumes... dreaming that I would one day have the chance to wear one. Never did! :P (they used to keep em in the music room, then suddenly there were gone)

~1999:~
ok.. forget the costumes... i did perform on stage.. hehe
the hall still look kinda same...

~Back to the Future~
Some new curtains, new paint...

#5 Front

~Once upon a time
~1965:

~1992 ~
Opposite angle from the photo above.
The Pokok Pinang :-) Notice the overhead bridge? The Rumah Rehat?
The District Officer's House? and the trees on the opposite side of the road? Pokok Rhu
The road before reconstruction.

~1999~
Same angle as the first photo (1965).
The road after reconstruct into higher flyover

~Back to the Future~

same angle with 1992.
no more pinang on field... but there's one outside :P
Overhead bridge- new look (now with CCTV)
the area opposite school (D.O house etc) was cleared for roads and development (few years back)
oh ye.. now the school has guard room ;)

the opposite angle...
:-) the bukit

By,
Azleena'99

Going back to school...

The Alumni was invited to officiate Convent BM’s PIBG annual general meeting. Our YDP, Irene Ewe (batch 1976) was represented by NYDP, Belinda Gan to officiate the event and myself as another representative from the alumni. When I arrived at the school compound, the same nostalgic feeling hit me, just like how I felt during the 2008 alumni AGM. I was welcomed by a group of teachers. Then, we were ushered to the new hall, together with Dr.Lim (the PIBG’s YDP), and the new headmistress, Pn.Che Azizah.

Walking through the corridors, in between two lines of students from uniform bodies giving the salute routine… makes me feel a lil awkward. It was as though it was just yesterday; I was there as a prefect helping around some events in school; making sure our guests feel welcomed. Gosh… how fast time flies!

The officiating session went on well. Belinda’s speech covered information about our alumni, the vision, the purposes and activities we are/were working on. After that, both of us were ushered to refreshment, while the AGM carried on.

Before going back, Belinda and I toured around the school compound… cruising down memory lane. She was in CBM from late 60’s to late 70’s, whereas I was there from 1989 to exactly one year before the new millennia. Though we were from different era, we can relate our experiences, but we also compared the environment from her era to mine to now! Haha…

After a week, I went to school again, this time on school day. Looking at the girls in uniforms, I realize, it has been some time. I have sure progressed a lot, mentally and physically, but still the same girl somehow.

Wow, I grew up from a kiddo to a teenager here. I can never stop recalling, talking about it, although it means repeating the same stories over and over again especially with some old buddies. Our past has been somewhat significant and responsible for the bonds we have today. Eventhough we were in the same school for a decade, we went through different experiences, coz even though we were close, we might have different circle of friends and exposures; some of us were not close back in school; and some with whom we might not share common interests.

After going out from school, things change… some remained close, some separated by destiny, some got closer unexpectedly. Whatever differences we had or have, we still have one common ground, our alma mater. Alongside the memories from past, the bonds (friendship and sisterhood) are always revived with new memories and exciting happenings along the way.

A friend recently mentioned that she misses the people back in school, I couldn’t agree more. I do cherish the school for what it had given me ~ friendship, experience, knowledge, self-respect, cultural understanding, and hehe... education :P and many more I guess. The school itself is a nostalgic figure standing still; quietly witnessing generations come and go… Through alumni, I wish my tiny efforts will somehow help present CBM girls as well as reuniting the former ones :D

I have compiled some pictures of the school from different generations ;-)
In this next post


Azleena '99