A Big Thank You to Our Auditors

NOTE: The PDF version of the BBGS OGA July eNewsetter can be downloaded from the blogsite (see right column)

ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING 2010

NOTE: The PDF version of the NOTICE OF AGM 2010 can be downloaded from the blogsite (see right column)

Still a Teacher at Heart...

Miss Yeo Kim Eng—50 years in BBGS as a student and teacher.

Pang Hin Yue (Class of 1982) catches up with retired BBGS teacher, Miss Yeo Kim Eng,who has a gift of boosting the self-worth of her students. Her house is always filled with former and present students who gather there for class reunions, choir practices or English classes.

With 50 years in BBGS, first as a student and then a teacher, Miss Yeo Kim Eng is iconic to her students. Besides imparting knowledge, Miss Yeo gave her students a sense of self-worth and helped them overcome their fear of speaking in front of the class

She might not have studied psychology but she certainly knew how to suss out her students, paying attention to those who needed the extra nudge to step out.

“I could tell if a student had issues about self confidence. I would assign her tasks that made her feel important,” she disclosed when we met for lunch at her house that still retains the old charm of Petaling Jaya.

It was certainly true in my case. My weekly assignment was to deliver her record book to the principal’s office. With Ms Yeo’s encouragement, I felt honoured to perform such a duty.

“Ambidextrous and Kleptomania”

As her reputation as a strict teacher preceded her, any student worth her salt knew not to commit the cardinal sins of mucking around and being slothful. To ensure her message was clear, she taught us the word, “alert” on our very first day in her class.

It is to her credit that my vocabulary increased. I learnt such words as “ambidextrous” and “kleptomania” during her English class (1980, 3S) and subsequently, discovered the thesaurus because of her devotion to improving her students’ command of the language.

We each had a “Vocabulary” exercise book and we took turns to share new words we learnt with our class. We had to note down the meaning of the words and construct sentences with them. The weekly exercise of speaking in class and the annual choral speaking competition certainly helped me when I worked as a journalist years later.

Commanding voice

Miss Yeo embraced diligence and excellence as a way of life and she expected her students to do likewise. There was little room for idle chats as we had to pay rapt attention to her every word. We never knew who would be called to answer questions!

To Miss Yeo, every student is worthy of her attention. By the end of the first week in her class, she would have memorised her students’ names and called them a few times in her commanding voice.

The respect she gained from students over the years remains strong. It is not unusual for her former students to stream into her house for class reunions. Miss Yeo can still remember their names and recall their antics in school!

Inspiring students

“One of my ex-students found it both strange and privileged that she was sharing a room with me when she stayed overnight!” recalls Miss Yeo with glee.

If Miss Yeo has inspired many students, it is because she had exemplary teachers in BBGS who made a deep impression on her. She inherited a legacy that is grounded in love: to serve others, be disciplined and do the best in big and small matters.

She was specially touched by Miss Mary Glasgow who became BBGS headmistress in 1947. “I saw how she reached out to students and how she carried herself with such humility and grace,” says Miss Yeo.

Two Red Eggs

Whether she was teaching the top class or not, Miss Yeo gave her best and relished the times when she taught students with learning issues.

She recounts a heart warming incident in which a student gave her two red eggs as a token of her appreciation. “I received it with much joy, touched by her sincerity,” says Miss Yeo.

Although Miss Yeo retired in the 1980s, there is no stopping when it comes to sharing her wealth of knowledge. These days, not all her students are from BBGS. “My door is always open to welcome students who wish to gain knowledge,” she says.

A true BBGSian, Miss Yeo was instrumental in translating our school song fromEnglish to Bahasa Malaysia. In everything she does, she is guided by ourmotto: Nisi Dominus Frustra.

Sharing the Good Food Life

Karl and BBGSian Yuw Ming who is from the class of 1979

After five years of working life, Ho Yuw Ming, a company secretary, became restless and started dabbling in the food business. Together with a few friends, she set up a restaurant in Bangsar while they were all holding fulltime jobs.

 

In 1996, food played Cupid when she and her business partners went on a cruise where Karl Rathswohl was the general manager. He invited them to join him for dinner and discovered that Yuw Ming shares his interests in antiques and food. 

 

They married in 2000 and started their first restaurant in Penang after Yuw Ming and her partners closed their Bangsar outlet. The Austrian-Malaysian couple brought an East-West fusion to the food at their Old China Café. After two years, they returned to Kuala Lumpur where Karl became a consultant to several food businesses.

 

Yuw Ming, who works with Westin Hotel, is privileged to enjoy hubby’s home-cooked meals. However, since her husband started Karl’s Beisl, she dines there with him after work. This suits the gregarious foodie fine as she often meets BBGSians who patronise Karl’s Beisl which has a dedicated pork-free kitchen for Muslim customers.

 

Yuw Ming attributes her management and social skills to BBGS where she was a prefect, choir member and President of the Christian Union. Her love for food was partly nurtured by the school’s Food and Fun Fairs and Domestic Science lessons.

 

Thus, she is more than happy to sell our souvenirs to keep BBGS memories alive. If  you  are  in  Solaris  Mont’ Kiara, do get your BBGS mementoes from Karl’s Beisl. Check out www.karlsbeisl

Come and reconnect with BBGSians @ Karl's Beisl!

We will accept walk-in registration provided there are still places on that day You are welcome to invite your non-BBGS friends for this event.

 

NOTE: At 3.30pm, there will be a special demonstration on how to prepare Apple Strudel—the authentic Austrian style.

 

APRIL EVENT: OGA Tea

TIME/DATE
3pm-5pm, 24 April 2010 (Sat)

VENUE
Karl’s Beisl, Lot K-OG 13 & 14, SoHo KL
Solaris Mont’ Kiara, 50480 Kuala Lumpur

COST
RM 20 nett per pax

There will be a special demonstration on making Apple Strudel
--the authentic Austrian style. BBGS souvenirs will be on sale.

RSVP: Email bbgsoga@gmail.com OR

Call Sow Yoong: 012-292 1460, Kim Lin: 012-2183 799 or her assistant, Tammy: 012-296 4148

To confirm your place, kindly pay before19 April.

Cheque to be made payable to:

Bukit Bintang Girls’ School Old Girls’ Association

Post to c/o 33-B-2, Block C2 Dataran Prima,

Jalan PJU 1/39, 47301 Petaling Jaya

OR

Bank into EON Bank Account Number 2044 1000 55514
Email your scanned deposit slip to bbgsoga@gmail.com

or fax to 03-7722 2773

Please state your name and purpose of payment as we are unable to identify you otherwise.

NEW DATE FOR BBGS OGA LUNCH

6 MARCH 2010 (SATURDAY)

Dear fellow BBGSians,

GOOD NEWS! We have a new date for the OGA Lunch that was postponed from 9 January. Please mark your calendar and join us on 6 March 2010—same venue, at Royal Selangor Club, Dataran Merdeka.

Another GOOD NEWS – our teachers are joining us! In fact, they have booked three tables.

However, Selangor Club allows us to book a maximum of 12 tables only. So it’s first come, first served. Strictly no walk-ins.

Come and have fun with old friends and hear about the roll-out of activities for the year (our Annual Dinner is tentatively set for August 2010).

More importantly, find out how you can be a part of all this – IT’S YOUR OGA!


DATE:
6 March 2010, Saturday

TIME:
12.30 pm - 3.30 pm (registration starts at 12.00pm )

VENUE:
Bamboo Grove Chinese Restaurant (halal),
Royal Selangor Club, Dataran Merdeka

COST:
RM25 nett (no inflation here!)

SEATING:
Unless you have booked a table, it is free seating for individuals

PARKING:
Basement at Dataran or metered parking bays along the road



TO BOOK AND PAY FOR YOUR LUNCH TICKETS

RSVP: By email to bbgsoga@gmail.com or to pohlan@tmimalaysia.com.my Or call Poh Lan at 012 631 2343 to book your place.

Payment: By cheque made payable to Bukit Bintang Girls’ School Old Girls’ Association by 25 February 2010 to confirm your place.

Mail to c/o 33-B-2, Block C2 Dataran Prima,
Jalan PJU 1/39, 47301 Petaling Jaya or

Bank into EON Bank Account No. 2044 1000 55514
Please email your scanned deposit slip to bbgsoga@gmail.com
or fax to 6203 4458.

Kindly state your name and purpose of payment as
we are unable to identify you otherwise.

NOTE: REFUND FOR THOSE WHO HAVE PAID EARLIER BUT ARE UNABLE TO ATTEND

If you have paid previously but are unable to attend the lunch on the new date, please inform us before 20 Feb 2010 and we will refund your money in full two weeks after the lunch event. Your place will be given to those on the waiting list after 20 Feb if we do not hear from you by then.


On Behalf of BBGS OGA
Kwan Poh Lan (Committee Member)