CBM Reunion Dinner & Dance 

1st October 2016

The Star press coverage

JUST as the second course of the dinner arrived, it became evident that it was no ordinary alumni reunion dinner.

Dance instructors Peter Ang and Emmeline Yong went on stage and all the Convent Bukit Mertajam old girls were asked to step forward to learn the cha-cha as soon as the sweet corn crab meat soup was served.

After a three-minute lesson, Finzi Contini’s 1985 chart-topper ‘I Wanna Dance’ (do you like cha-cha-cha) boomed out of the speakers and the soup went cold on every table as the old girls swayed their hips on every available open floor space in the E&O Hotel grand ballroom.

The evening went on with dance competition interspersed throughout the eight-course dinner, and the old girls whooped and sang along to numerous yesteryear hits.

To make it even more memorable, the organising committee from Convent Bukit Mertajam Alumni set the dress code as cultural attire from around the world, and the 300-odd old ‘convent girls’, their spouses and children did not disappoint.

They dressed up as Egyptian queens, cowgirls, geisha girls, Arab sheikhs, Korean princesses, Dutch milkmaids and myriad more, and before dinner, everyone decorated their tables after the countries they were named after.

Alumni president Sharon Ewe Lay Khim left her pals swirling in nostalgia as she presented a collage of old school photos.

But nothing took them down memory lane better than the appearance of their old teacher Charlotte Szto, 90, who had taught in the school from 1965 to 1976.

“We gather every two years and try to create something unique each time. The theme this year was ‘East Meets West’ and we tried to bring an international ambience into our reunion since our old schoolmates are spread out worldwide,” said Ewe.

https://www.thestar.com.my/metro/community/2016/10/25/its-yesterday-once-more-convent-bm-old-girls-chachacha-the-night-away-in-grand-fashion/

The countdown has begun! We'll be going around the world soon! The CBM Alumni Reunion Dinner and Dance 2016 is on 1st October at E&O Hotel, Penang. The theme is East Meets West. 

East Meets West is about celebrating diversity and drawing inspiration from cultures around the world. Play dress up in the traditional costume or a modern take on the national dress of any country in the world. There are no hard and fast rules, as long as your outfit has a recognisable international flavour, you're good to go. Don't miss it for the world!

Tip: Think iconic characters or items of clothing or accessories or even colours of the flag.

Stay tuned for updates and ideas.

 

 

Let’s Zumba! 

Convent Bukit Mertajam Country Run 2016

Ponytails up, laces tied, faces fresh—the morning sun beamed across the verdant ground where dozens of colourful sport shoes stood awaiting. Exciting chatter took place on the field of Convent Bukit Mertajam as the students, the staff, and the Alumni Committee gathered for the annual Cross Country Run. The students wore their respective house-colour T-shirts along with trackpants; the staff and alumni dressed accordingly in their own sports attire. Just past the crack of dawn, the humidity and grogginess of an early Saturday morning did not stop their enthusiasm as they put on a face of determination, prepared to take on the day.

The students cheered as Zumba instructor, Lisa Lim took to the platform. She briefly explained that Zumba is a fitness programme that involves dance and aerobic elements. Lisa eased the crowd into the routines with some stretching exercises and the momentum gathered as the blend of Latin, Bollywood and international infused rhythms of Zumba kept the participants dancing enthusiastically and singing along to the beat of popular tunes.

“I enjoyed dancing to Sorry by Justin Bieber the most,” said Shameera Nasreen (5 Sains Perdana) who had a pleasant time with her friends during the run. She especially took joy in the moment when she and her friends closed in on the finish line and were about to collect points for their team, Rumah Mutiara.

Other than the cheers and laughter shared during the run, the students also learned the importance of staying healthy. As big of a part books play in gaining knowledge about the world, it does not include the small details that will guide the students through life. A few things they learnt include having fun with people of all ages, getting to know those outside their normal social groups and learning new ways to stay fit.

“Cross country is a compulsory event for all schools to carry out. It certainly is beneficial for the students as it builds their physical abilities and maintains their fitness levels,” said the Principal. She continued, “Besides that, it enhances unity and positive competition among students.”

The music boomed aloud as everyone followed along to the dance moves Lim performed on stage. Though not everyone knew each other personally, they danced together in unison to the beat and delighted in each other’s company. The hot bearing sun hung over their heads and beads of sweat resided on the side of their faces. Through the different coloured T-shirts in the crowd, the uplifted atmosphere marked the start of a united student body.

—By Megan Chang

Special thanks to the sub-committee of Haryaty Abu Bakar and Baby Goh for organising this event.

Lisa in action.

Shameera and her classmates in Bollywood mode. 

Alumni Vice Treasurer Chung Choy Choo showing us how it's done!

The Principal presents Lisa a souvenir while organising committee member Haryaty Bakar looks on.

From left: Ng Hai Yeen, the Principal, PIBG President, Lisa, Baby Goh, Anne Chung, Ewe Lay Khim and Helen Khor.

President Ewe Lay Khim and Vice President Baby Goh with their future Alumni members.

Committee 2016-2017

6th Annual General Meeting

6th Annual General Meeting for Persatuan Alumni Sekolah Convent Bukit Mertajam was held on 26th January 2013 (3.00 pm – 5.00 pm) at Pauline’s Residence in Bukit Mertajam.

 

 

 

The agenda:

 

• Speech by Alumni's President

• Discussion and and approval ofthe minutes of 5th Annual General Meeting
• Presentation of 2012 Activities report
• Presentation of 2012 Financial report
• Discussing Agenda and Activities for year 2013
   
• Meeting adjourned
   
• Informal Chit-Chat and TeaTime

 

 The meeting was insightful, as the members were very engaging in the discussions and contribute a lot of great ideas and suggestions for future activities and development. Even during the informal chit-chat session, we talked about the alumni besides some catching up among the members, as well as getting to know each other more for those who have just met.  

 

 

 

 

 

Gopeng White Water Rafting - Outdoor Fun

To strengthen bonds among members , alumni organized  a 2D/1N Adeline's villa stay  among the lush greenery and fresh air in Gopeng, on Oct 20 & 21 2012. Below is the team who joined the trip. the only torn among the roses was Hooi Kean's energetic and fun-to-be-with young son.

Day 1

Rain was pounding heavily and pouring continuously  days before. Some were worried that we have to call off the trip, however  on that  Saturday  morning, the weather  was exceptionally kind. The sun shone and smiled brightly upon us, even allowing some  to take advantage of the extra time we saved (due to good and safe road conditions) to stop along the journey to enjoy  a slow mid-morning tea/kopi and nasi lemak/dim sum!

Our first program upon  arriving was... no prize for guessing correctly....... to MAKAN  ( Malaysian's favourite past-time)

Except for some snacks, one need not bring any other food as breakfast, lunch  & dinner are provided ala local buffet style. all home-cook recipes...freshly caught sea food from wet market,  daily picked vegetables for orang asli's  farms, live poultry from a nearby kampung and more, much more. best of all , the food was prepared , cooked and served hot directly from the woks.

The woman in the picture is Adeline.....yes, the villa is named after her. Read further and discover the touching story behind the founding of the villa.

After  over-filling our stomachs with large spread of deliciously cooked  meal , we changed and were literally TRUCKED  to a waterfall about 20mins away to burn up the added calories....

Memang berat.....kereta tak boleh tolak - hanya lori boleh !!!

When the sun slept, the ladies put on  their dancing shoes (real or imaginary) and began to 'boogie' along with the music which was blasting into the night......... mind you, another group of guests, mainly start-up lawyers in their early/mid twenties just can't stop themselves from 'admiring'......... ahem!.....a group of 'grown-up' ladies, who are 'wise' enough to be their mothers having such a great and fun time.

As the saying goes...if you can't beat them, join them......which the other group did!!!!! Before saying Good Night, we took a group photo to remember  a wonderful night....

For supper, we had red-bean soup , DURIANs and  tons of jokes!!!   Believe us, this supper cocktail was good, real good....

Day 2

After breakfast the next morning, some adventurous ones went for  white water rafting , while the rest extended their breakfast time with 'women yaking'

During practice : rowing the air.........sooooo easy!!

the real stuff..........jaw dropping, heart stopping.....totally different from our practice!!!!!

Wow ! Look at that ! flooded by the rushing water after dropping from a rapid.

Thought all our nerves were paralysed  but luckily still found some  good ones left in our limbs that  enabled  us to 'gangnum' away.....

Alumni CBM memang BOLEH !

While checking out, it started  to rain....those from KL and Sabah proceeded to leave while the rest from BM & Penang stayed behind  listening  to Adeline's touching story.

Once upon a time......ok, to cut a long short, Adeline is a single mother. Her husband left her behind with 2 young children  in Malaysia for another woman when he went to work in United States.

Heart broken and devastated, she almost gave up. Her children gave her hope to live on.... Her perseverance , survival skills, maternal instinct , hard work and support from her mother  molded her into a successful, humble and very jovial entrepreneur.  She shared with us her back-breaking struggle when she began picking up her life and business.

It was an up-lifting and highly motivational story.....a story that tells us not to quit and  that says we woman can succeed on our own.......option is ours.

 

Lets  begin to enjoy our lives  by looking out for  ex-CBM friends ......!!!

Sinar Ceria Home

We have collected some amount of money during our 6th Reunion Dinner for the Sinar Ceria Home.

Here, we visited the Sinar Ceria Home and presented the collected sum together with some dry groceries.

6th Reunion Gathering... Hawaiian Theme Nite

The alumni reunion gathering was held successfully on 12th May 2012, in Ixora Hotel, Prai.

An astonishing number of 130 of people joined us that night, who are mostly the ex students of CBM, some are ex-teachers, ex-staff, and family members/invited guests of them (friends), as well as invited guests, namely the Sisters from Convent Board of Governors, and Madam Pakiam from the Sinar Ceria Home.

Celebrating our octogenarian alumni.

Choir - Sing along... to these songs (FuniciliFunicula and A Happy Wanderer)
Everyone sang along... and the choir was conducted by none other than our dearly Mrs.Szeto (ex teacher of CBM)

Hawaiian Best Theme Dress... Queen of Hawaiian Nite....
Won by contestant number 2 :D

We also have a Game
and not forgetting the Hawaiian Dance Competition, and it's won by the batch 1977.

Announcement: 6th Reunion Dinner

ALUMNI Convent Bukit Mertajam is organising the 6^th Reunion Dinner.  Details are as follow:

Venue            :  Ixora Hotel Prai, Fuction Room 5, Level 1
Date              :  12 May 2012, Saturday
Theme           :  Hawaiian Nite
Ticket price :    RM 78 for non-member, RM 78 for invited guest,
                       RM 39 for Children  above 12 years old.

                       For Alumni Member, Special Price of RM 68 Only!

In conjunction with the 2012 Reunion Dinner, Alumni Committee will be organising a “Giving back to Society” Charity Programme . We have visited and decided to contribute to a shelter-home for under privilege children . Kindly refer to the attached flyer for further information.

For those who wish to contribute, in cash or in donations of canned or dried food stuff, we will be arranging for collection during the Reunion nite. 

All of us are not only encouraged to contribute to this noble cause but to also support in seeking contributions from friends/relatives/neighbours who are willing to donate. Any amount of donation is most welcome! .

Feel free to contact any of the committee members if you need further details regarding the Reunion event and/or Charity programme.

The Organising Committee is putting in special effort to ensure that 12th of May will be a memorable Hawaiian Saturday nite......

So, To All CBM ladies, come and enjoy ourselves! We deserve to have a great nite!

Looking forward to see All of You very soon !!!

A Love Gift back to the society together campaign…..

In conjunction with our 6^th reunion dinner, the ALUMNI CONVENT BM plans to play a part in giving back to the society. We invite you to join us for this noble cause. As such, we will be helping out a shelter home for under privileged kids named Pusat Jagaan Sinar Ceria; located at Lorong Sejahtera 2, Taman Sejahtera, Alma, Bukit Mertajam. This home was established in January 2004 by Madam Pakiam, along with 4 staff. The home houses 17 kids with the age range from as young as 3 years to 14 years with the breakdown of 5 girls and 12 boys.

Madam Pakiam felt the need to start the home as she saw young children with serious moral problems and dropping out from school during her bus trips down to BM town. She sees the importance of education for their future. Thus, birth this idea of steering the home for this cause to help the kids. In order to sustain the home, Madam Pakiam receives support mainly in terms of goods and items like clothes, stationeries, food supply, bus school fees etc, from individuals or families who come independently. A church organisation is funding their house rents of RM800 monthly.

We can be part of this noble cause by supporting:

1. Monetary (the Alumni Committee will then purchase the items)
2. Dry Items (Canned Foods, Milk powder,  Milo, Toiletries, etc)