We are ONE

Dear Friends,

The Back to BBGS blog is celebrating its 1-year anniversary and what an amazing year it's been..

One year ago, I was sitting in a hotel in Singapore when I decided (on a whim) to resurrect BBGS online and see how much support we could drum up. Looks like I wasn't the only one missing our schooldays. So many of you have come forward to share your stories, photos and memories. THANK YOU SO MUCH!

Although it's been hard work, this blog has proven to be such a blessing, allowing me to enjoy:

• re-connecting with classmates I haven't seen or heard from in 20 years!
• meeting and speaking to some of my beloved teachers and knowing that they're happy and healthy in retirement
• letters and emails from BBGSians of all ages who are living all over the globe
• triggering reunion ideas for different generations of girls
• 8186 online visits
• 3843 visitors
• readership from Malaysia, Singapore, UK, USA, Australia, Thailand, Canada, Japan, New Zealand and Hong Kong (that's just the top 10 countries)
• emerging as No.1 on Google for "BBGS" related search

Being based in Shanghai for most of 2008 has proven to be a challenge in maintaining this blog. But dear friends, I am determined to persevere and will continue to tell your stories. Do feel free to write and share your stories and photos with me at joannayeoh@gmail.com. I look forward to hearing from you.

May God continue to bless all of you as you strive to give nothing less than your best in every area of your lives.

Love,
Joanna

These things I give to BBGS

This poem was published in the 1993 Centenary Magazine. It was written by Lalitha Wong (Mrs Gray) who studied in BBGS from 1947 - 1956. She and her sister, Soosila Wong, were my mother's contemporaries. Lalitha lived with her family in England until her passing in 2006.

Aunty Soosila taught music in Primary School 2 until the 1980s. She now lives with her husband, John, in Queensland, Australia. My family had the privilege of staying with them during my 4 year stint Down Under.

For the finding of God's love

For the love of beautiful hymns

For the teaching and deepening knowledge of the Word of God

These things I owe to BBGS

For the love of poetry and drama

For the thrill and skill of debates

For the aesthetic pleasures of embroidery

These things I owe to BBGS

For the teachers who taught and the knowledge gained

For the development of character and mind

For the encouragement given and mistakes corrected

For the vision given and the aims to aspire

To serve and not be served

For the pride of doing everthing to the Lord and not to man

For the opportunities of responsibility and example expected of leadership

These things I owe to BBGS

Thirty-seven years as a pupil and twenty-four years as a teacher

Have passed since I left BBGS

And what are my thoughts still?

The experience of Nisi Dominus Frustra -

'Without God All Is in Vain'

This motto I've proved and owe to BBGS