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You are invited BACK2BBGS on 4 Aug 2009

The school building no longer stands but the spirit lives on. It will be a historic day for former students of the Bukit Bintang Girls’ School (BBGS) when they gather at the Bintang Circle (Centre Court), Pavilion Kuala Lumpur, to launch the Elena Cooke Education Fund on Tuesday, 4 August 2009.

The Fund has been established under the auspices of the BBGS Old Girls’ Association in honour of Miss Elena Maud Cooke who was their headmistress from 1958-1977.

Before becoming an educationist par excellence, Miss Cooke had nurtured the desire to be a doctor and to open an orphanage. Miss Cooke has therefore chosen Shelter Home as the first recipient of the Fund.

More than 1,000 former BBGS and SBU students will attend the launch of the Elena Cooke Education Fund. Since the closure of the school in 2001 and its subsequent relocation to SMK Seri Bintang Utara (SBU) in Cheras, the event will be the first time that the alumnae will be gathering at the very premises where their alma mater was once located.

The highlight of the event will be the launch of the fund at 11am with Miss Cooke as the guest of honour. Souvenirs and cupcakes will be sold to raise funds and there will be an exhibition featuring the early pioneers of BBGS, who were all women!

The OGA is delighted that Pavilion Kuala Lumpur has agreed to be the venue sponsor for this unique event.

HIGHLIGHTS OF PROGRAMME FOR BACK2BBGS – 4 August 2009

Launch of the Elena M. Cooke Fund

Time: 11am-12pm, 4 August

Guest of Honour: Miss Elena M Cooke (BBGS Headmistress, 1958-1977)

Programme: Singing of the BBGS school song, performances of the legendary BBGS choral speaking, choir singing and other old school favourites.

Black-Tie Cocktail Gala

Time: 7.30pm-10pm, 4 August

Guest of Honour: Miss Yeap Gaik Khoon (BBGS Headmistress, 1980-1993)

Programme: Choral speaking, choir singing and a lucky draw.

For Luncheon or Cocktail Gala invitations, please contact Khim Goh (back2bbgs@gmail.com or 017-871 9357). Net proceeds from the sale of tickets and souvenirs will go towards charity. Kindly check http://www.back2bbgs.blogspot.com for updates.

Elena Cooke Education Fund

A press conference was held at Pavilion on 14 July 2009. This information was shared with the press and we are making it available to BBGSians.

As the BBGS alumni is being revived, it is time for the alumni to play a more significant role in society. BBGS, a pioneer of women’s education in Malaysia, was founded over a hundred years ago for the education of the women in the country and especially those who could not afford it. Today we follow that same ethos to provide education for those who cannot afford to do so.

The fund is being established in honour of Ms Elena Cooke, who today is the last of the pioneering headmistresses, who embodies all the values and spirit of BBGS and of all the headmistresses before. She made a lasting impact as a teacher, headmistress, mentor, advisor and role model to the teachers and all BBGS girls, from 1958 – 1977, and even after she retired. She has given her life to the school and its children. Today, the Alumni want to continue her legacy.

The Elena Cooke Education Fund will be established as a Trust under the auspices of the BBGS OGA to meet educational needs for Malaysian children facing economic adversity. Assistance will be given to those most in need, with priority to children and kin of ex-BBGS and Sri Bintang Utara, with no preference for race or religion.

The entire alumni will be brought together to help build this fund. In addition, various events and activities will be organized to raise a target or RM500,000 in the next two to three years.

How was the BBGS Revive idea mooted?
Former BBGS School Captain Phang Sow Yoong and current President of the Old Girls’ Association initiated the meeting with the Pavilion CEO who agreed to sponsor the venue for our “BACK2BBGS — Launch of The Elena Cooke Education Fund” Event on Tuesday 4 August 2009.

Scope of the Fund
The Fund will be used to provide for the education needs for children facing economic adversity, which may include but is not limited to:
• Tuition fees at the place of learning.
• Travel needs to go to the places of learning.
• Boarding and lodging needs at the place of learning.
• Any hardware needs like books, computers, tools, etc.
• Dire health and nutritional needs for children communities affecting their education
• Any other student needs affecting their education that is determined by the Sub-committee.

How was the Elena Cooke Fund initiated?
BBGS started as a pioneer of women’s education in Malaysia. As the BBGS alumni is being revived, we felt that it is time for the alumni to play a more significant role in society. BBGS was first founded over a hundred years ago for the education of the women in the country and especially those who could not afford it. Today we follow that same ethos to provide education for those who cannot afford to do so.

Why in tribute of Elena Cooke, and not other headmistresses of BBGS?
Ms Cooke is present today as the last of the pioneering headmistresses, and she is embodies all the values and spirit of BBGS and of all the headmistresses before. She made a lasting impact as teacher, headmistress, mentor, advisor and role model to the teachers and all BBGS girls, from 1958 – 1977 and even after she retired. She has given her life to the school and its children. Today, we want to continue her legacy.

Why only establish it now?
Better now than never, at this BACK2BBGS event.

How is it different from the other funds in Malaysia?
What is important is that there is now an opportunity for children who needs help to have an avenue to turn to. There is never enough to go around.
What’s different perhaps is the intention, this fund is established in honour and memory of our school and the headmistresses who have, in love and care, provided education to children for generations; we want to continue their legacy.
There is a priority to the children and kin of the alumni.

Will there be any post-event efforts/activities that will be carried through to raise funds?
Most certainly. And we hope the public will generously support our efforts to help provide educational resources to needy Malaysian children.

How can the public be involved in such efforts?
When there is an event organized for this purpose we hope that the public will give, and generously, Whether or not it is different is not relevant. What is important is that there is now an opportunity for children who needs help to have an avenue to turn to. There is never enough to go around.

Management of the fund
The fund at this time will be set up and managed by a Sub-committee elected by the OGA members, with the view to set it up as a Trust by 1 January 2010 (01/0/110) in accordance with the Trustees Incorporation Act.

When the funds are residing under the general umbrella of the OGA, it will be audited by the OGA Honorary Auditors, and filed as such with the ROS as required.

Trustees will be nominated by the OGA members, and would comprise OGA members, OGA committee members and such individuals or corporations deemed suitable and trustworthy to manage the fund. Thereafter the moneys and management will be audited as required by the laws regarding Trusts in Malaysia.

When at least 20% of the fund is achieved, this principal amount shall not be withdrawn from the fund but only the interest/dividend generated by the fund shall be available to meet the expenses of the educational need.


Disbursement of the funds
The disbursement will be given annually, with exceptions where there is an immediate urgent need. Annually, the BBGS OGA will give notice to the general public and the alumni of the availability of assistance via the alumni database (since there is a priority for kin, and they should be in the alumni database, if not, to get in there, possibly on the BBGS OGA website.) Families of children, community institutions and learning institutions with a need for education related assistance may then write to BBGS OGA to request funds. The amounts and number of beneficiaries will be subject to availability of funds at the time.

BBGSians in KL - please attend AGM

Hi BBGSians,

If you agree that BBGS should not be forgotten, then please join us to revive the BBGS Old Girls' Association so that we can continue to promote our values and traditions even though we don't have a building anymore. Whatever BBGS has taught us lives on within our minds and hearts—not in the bricks and mortar!

Please forward to all BBGSians on your mailing list. Right now, there are only 10 people who say they are coming. Now is the time to act! Please sacrifice a few hours of your Saturday for BBGS.

Date & Time: Saturday 11th July at 11am

Venue: Meeting Room, 25th floor, Menara Multi Purpose, Capital Square, 8 Jalan Munshi Abdullah 50100 Kuala Lumpur

Agenda:
1. President's Address & Report
2. Election of Office Bearers: President, Vice President, Secretary, Treasurer, Committee Members
3. Approve ammendments to the Consitution
4. To elect 2 honorary Auditors for 2009/2010
5. To approve setting up of Elena M Cooke Education Fund
6. Any other business


Nisi Dominus Frustra

Sow Yoong

Calling for tributes to Miss Cooke

Message from Phang Sow Yoong (School Captain 1972), Chairperson of Project Revive

Dear BBGSians,

We are preparing to hold a press conference in July to promote Project Revive and the scholarship fund. So I am in a rush to compile the press kit. We would like to compile a tribute to Miss Cooke. We would like to invite BBGSians to contribute their tributes to Miss Cooke to remember how she inspired excellence in thousands of girls over the years. We will select the most significant ones to compile into the press kit.

Here are some suggestions on what you can share.

TRIBUTES TO MISS COOKE

• In your opinion, in what ways has Miss Cooke contributed to BBGS?
• How has Miss Cooke impacted your life? (give specific instances or incidents)
• Message to Miss Cooke
• Contributors are requested to provide names, year in form 5, email address and mobile numbers.

Please send your tributes directly to Sow Yoong at syphang@gmail.com by June 30, 2009.

Joanna says: If you know of BBGSians who are technologically-challenged like my mother :-), please go the extra mile and let them know about this tribute. Offer to type their tribute and email it to Sow Yoong if you have to. You'd be surprised how many of them have stories about Miss Cooke that will amuse, inspire and move you.

Candle 20: Nora Ibrahim

What years were you at BBGS?

I was in BBGS from January 1978 to Dec. 1982 – for secondary school education. Who were my classmates (Form S4) back then? Let’s see if I can remember at least a few of them: MENSA gal Lim Poh Lian, prefects Karen Kaur, Sharifah Shaheera, Lim Pek Si, Wendy Kydd, and then there were Lily Ong, Siti Baizura, Lin Hsiu-Yi, Shirene Shan, Lim Yuet Suan, Shanti, Yvonne, Selina Richards, Winnie, Aliza Nayan, etc.

Of course I also remember my ‘bus sekolah’ mates – Phua Chiu Soon, Mable, Wai Kwan, etc.

And all the adventures we had gone through together!! Where are you now, gals, oops, ladies.....? Do contact me. My email is: noraibrahim@yahoo.com

It’s time for a reunion!

What are your fondest memories?

Weekly School Assembly: Singing the school song and the class cleanliness shields!

The libraries: Ooohh, such a wonderful place! Lots of books & peace & quiet. I must be the only student in my class, if not the whole school, who had not attended any tuition class. Neither could I afford to buy those revision books for SRP or SPM. Being able to study in the quiet library was crucial.... .

Cheerleading: Was in the Gymnastics Club, the Swimming Club, etc. Was also involved in the School Magazine. In my final year, I actually took the courage to be one of the cheerleaders for Shirtliff House!

‘Give me an M, I, G, H, T. Give me an F, I, G, H, T.

We’ve got the Might, we’ve got the Fight, we’re gonna win, all right! Yeaaaahhh, Shirtliff!!!’

Food Sales: Once, our S4 class won a mountain of kitchen towels as the prize for the most amount of money collected from a Food Sale donated towards the Gymnasium construction. It’s not the prize that matters, it’s the sharing and the team spirit that are definitely part of BBGS values!

The dedicated teachers: The highly dedicated teachers, and the Head Mistress. For example, Mrs. Aziz who encouraged a fellow classmate to pronounce words properly (using methods very much like in ‘My Fair Lady’!). Ms. Yeo, the tulip and adventurous Geography classes! Mrs. Betty Wong and the unforgettable dissection sessions and ecology experiments (she’ll be proud to know I am a biologist ;-) ). And many other excellent teachers during my secondary school years – for chemistry, physics, history, BM, Maths and Add Maths, Home Science (yummm!), PE, etc.

I greatly appreciate all their dedication, help and support as these have enabled me to further my studies and to contribute back to society. The Headmistress, Ms Yeap, in particular, generously extended extra support and encouragement. Thank you for everything!

What did you do when you left school?

Attended the University of Waterloo, Canada and graduated with BSc. (Honours Biology), where I was active in nature and environmental conservation work, and was a volunteer Students’ Vocational Advisor (SVA). Upon returning to Malaysia, I worked for an NGO – the Malayan Nature Society (MNS) at a mangrove park. The park is well-known for its silver leaf monkeys (Presbytis cristata), otters, fireflies, as well as the numerous migratory and local avian fauna, many of which are protected species under various conventions such as CITES. We tried to rehabilitate the degraded mangroves by making a brackish lake system with islands which served as secure roosts for the Milky Storks re-introduction project and the purple and grey herons and as a stop-over site for ‘international’ migratory waterfowls. Later, I worked in an organization concerned with sustainable development issues of developing countries. It was a most enlightening and humbling experience – we worked internationally and nationally with scientists as well as policy makers, legal experts, indigenous peoples, anthropologists, human rights experts, socio-economists, etc. By then, I had been to more than 23 countries, including to Switzerland for one of the pre-1992 preparatory meetings of the Climate Change convention at the United Nations HQ in Geneva.

When Academia beckoned again in 1991/2, I applied for and was offered a Chevening Scholarship to do my Master. However, back then they only offered partial scholarship to cover tuition fees. I had no money to come up with the living expenses in the UK! So, there was no way I could accept that scholarship offer. Later, I responded to an EU-Asean scholarship advertisement by the British Council. Full support was awarded, hurrah! In England, I did a course on Coastal Management, and read for my Master (LLM) in International Environmental Law, specializing in the major international and regional environmental conventions (including the UNCLOS, Climate Change, Biodiversity, OSPAR, CCAMLR, London, Basel, OSPAR, CITES, Ramsar, UNEP regional conventions, etc.). I was also awarded a Rhodes Academy scholarship to attend the Rhodes Academy of Ocean Policy and Law.

In the mean time, I co-authored a book on ‘Pulau Redang Marine Park’, which is meant for the public but it also included fauna lists for mammals, birds and marine fish.

A few years later, I went on to do my climate-related PhD research on the effects of elevated temperature and ultraviolet (UV) irradiation on the marine chemical ecology of a tropical coral reef component. It was a challenge! It has never been done before in Malaysia, and many obstacles were in the way. One of the obstacles, as usual, was research funding. The BBGS value of perseverance is deeply instilled within me – I wrote a research proposal to a private Japanese foundation and argued hard to the selection committee during an interview session on why my project should be funded. It was successful and the much-needed financial support was greatly appreciated (at that time, the highest amount ever given by the Japanese foundation to a student project!) as I had to pay for the expensive equipment and field work for my research. Nisi Dominus Frustra!!

After that, the Max Planck Society awarded me with a Postdoctoral Fellowship to work on my postdoctoral research at a Max Planck Institute in Germany. Later, I became a Research Associate for an EU project on the deep-sea. For a while, the focus was on bridging the policy-science divide in marine issues. The most exciting was to be part of the International Polar Year scientific expedition on board the ice-breaker and research vessel ‘Polarstern’, in conjunction with the EU deep-sea project and the Alfred Wegener Institute for Polar and Marine Research. We went to the Arctic Circle, off the northern Norwegian coast where the deep-sea, coldwater corals are located. A submersible was deployed to explore the seabed at ca. 300-400 m depth. Although only half of us scientists on board could use the submersible, we all benefitted from the samples and video footages brought up by the ‘yellow submarine’. Using the samples and data from this expedition, work on deep-sea biodiversity and conservation efforts continue.

Where are you and what are you doing now?

Currently, I am based in Europe and, inter alia, co-supervising a PhD student in a project of mapping the deep-sea biodiversity, and correlating to the deep-sea sediment and bathymetry.

(At the same time, I am helping two German editors to edit a new book on ‘Polar Biology’).

What BBGS values are you passing on to the next generation?

Integrity and all its associated tributes - respect, fairness, honesty, truth, hard work, responsibility! Even in the face of adversity, do not give up one’s principles - ‘With steadfastness and careful truth!’

Team spirit! Cooperation. Give a helping hand, especially to the disadvantaged. Contribute to society.

Would like to enthuse the younger ones to study hard and work hard, perseverance, strive to do good or for a good cause (money is not everything in this life).

Nisi Dominus Frustra

Candle 19: Jasmine Chong

Hi Joanna,

I'm Jasmine Chong or better known as Kwai Fun during my BB days. I'm a BBGSian from 1985-1995 (Graduated from class of 5Sc.4). Coming to know this blog and reading all those stories published simply brings back the memories which I cherished during those days in the school. I feel so honoured to be part of the heritage but each time when I look at Pavilion, it brings me great sorrow. I've only been there once to meet up with a friend for lunch. The first time I stepped into Pavilion, this is what I told myself: "OMG...is this what used to be BBGS? We are that huge!!!" Then I started looking around and wondering about the location of the shops. Was I having my lunch at the primary school hall?

I'm finally growing out of the negative feelings and slowly beginning to accept the fact that it's no longer a suitable place for school. It's actually a good move to relocate the school though it's sad that most of the BBGS culture is no longer there in the new relocated school.

There's never a dull moment being part of this big family, and here are some of the memories from my school days:

EMBARASSING MOMENT: I still remember the 1st time ever when I was spot-checked in Form 1. That was D-day I'd never forget. Not because I brought something illegal to school. But being the naive 1st timer, when the prefect asked: "Did you wear your shorts today?". I frankly answered "Yes". And the next thing that happened, my *BERMUDA* was consficated. The reason was, we are only allowed to wear school shorts (in light blue), no Bermuda or what have you.

PROUD MOMENT: When we did our Choral Speaking in front of our ex-PM, Tun Dr Mahathir in 1994.

NEVER FORGOTTEN MOMENT: washing the toilet, floral arrangement, duty @ Co-op (if you can't find me in class, I'm at the Co-op!!), singing after the school assembly, Permission slips to go to McD, Mrs. Choe & her colour matching outfit!!

I'm now working with a multinational company as a Service Delivery Manager managing outsource vendors for a couple of countries in ASEAN. I've come along way to become who I am today, thanks to all the great values injected into me during my school days. I'm also a part time photographer, photographing children, families & babies. Hoping that I can quit someday and become a full time photographer :).

The ironic thing about my life is, I got married to a BB-boy 6 years ago. And my business partner in photography is also an ex-BB, whom we found each other via the WWW. Long live the BB spirit, in me, my hubby & my children...

Story aside, I got to know about the project that you ladies out there are working on for 4th August. Would love to be part of the event. Since I'm a photographer, myself and my dearest partner would love to take some photos for the event itself. So let me know if we can offer our service for this great event. Maybe setup a nice photobooth with some school props for some photosession hahha..*crazy ideas*

And you know what, even though you are so many years my senior, when I heard about your name, it sure rings a bell. You are that famous mind you :P

Candle 18: Lim Wei Meng

I'm currently on holiday in New York City and had the privilege of meeting an outstanding BBGSian who is working in the Big Apple. In fact, her office is in the same art-deco building as Clark Kent a.k.a Superman. Cool!

Lim Wei Meng is the Deputy Director for the UNHCR in New York. She left BBGS after Form 6 in 1972 to read Law at University of Malaya, and joined United Nations after practicing law for a few years. It was an exciting career switch as Wei Meng soon found herself helping refugees on the Thai border with bombs exploding around her and being chased by Sri Lankan navy patrol boats!

Fun and games aside, I was struck by Wei Meng's passion about refugee protection and "making a difference" in the lives of those who have endured much suffering. Her work has taken her from the frontlines of Thailand, Somalia and India to the halls of power in Geneva and New York.

Having just moved to New York a year ago, Wei Meng and her family are adjusting to life in the Big Apple although she prefers the quiet comfort of Geneva. Still, she's obviously doing something right to be in a high-powered international role, working from a corner office in Manhattan with a view of the Chrysler building and rubbing shoulders with Bill & Hillary Clinton who are her neighbours in West Chester. Well done!

Despite all the accolades, Wei Meng is still a true BBGSian at heart. Over a delicious Japanese bento lunch, we were united in enthusiasm for Project Revive and Wei Meng's excitement is clearly demonstrated in the fact that she'll be flying back to KL to help Sow Yoong with the project. Her parting words to me were, "I'm surprised and very glad to know that the younger BBGSians are just as passionate about the school as those of us from the 70's".