SMK Convent Bukit Nanas

Infobox Secondary school
name = Convent Bukit Nanas

motto = Simple in Virtue, Steadfast in Duty
established = 1899
type = Government Non-Boarding all-girls secondary School
status = Cluster school of excellence
affiliations = Malaysia Ministry Of Education
headmistress = Mrs Ann Khoo
founder = Sisters of the Holy Infant Jesus
chaplain =
chairman =
enrolment = 1200
grades = Form 1 - Form 6
free_label_1 = Abbreviation
free_1 = CBN
colours =
campus = Large School campus, at the city centre
city = Kuala Lumpur
state =
country = Malaysia
website =

SMK Convent Bukit Nanas (CBN) is an all-girls secondary school located at Bukit Nanas in the heart of Kuala Lumpur. It is one of the oldest schools in Kuala Lumpur and is widely known as CBN. CBN has achievements in academics, sports and other activities at the secondary school level in Malaysia. As one of the best non-residential schools in Malaysia, it was recently selected as a cluster school.

CBN has classes from Form 1 through Form Six. This is associated with girls aged 12 through 18. Girls enter CBN after they have completed their primary education in SK Convent Bukit Nanas School I and School II. This feeder school has classes from Year 1 through Year 6 that correspond to girls from 6 to 12 years old.

Once in the secondary school, girls from the two feeder schools are integrated into one large student population. This homogenization builds a strong sense of school identity among the student population.

CBN's long history being one of the longest established schools in Kuala Lumpur leaves a rich heritage in academic excellence. A timeline of the school is outlined below.

Timeline

1899
* A group of nuns, 'The Sisters of the Holy Infant Jesus', Mother St. Andre, St. Sabine and Sr. Madeline arrived from Singapore with the intention of starting a school at a location on Jalan Ampang (which is now situated at the front of the current school). The school started with the total number of 7 male students and 5 female students.

1901
* When the total number of students increased to 80, the school was moved to Brickfields. Esq. Goh Ah Gee bought Victoria Hotel in Brickfields for use as the new school.

1902
* The student population grew to 114. Subjects taught were essay writing, sewing, physical education, music and art.

1903
* Textbooks used at the school were provided by the British colonial government of Malaya. The first music test was conducted at the school and health education was taught as a new subject.

1907
* Rev. Mother St Augustine became headmistress.

1909
* The first class sat the Junior Cambridge examinations.
* Miss Dottie and Miss Chew Lian were the first two students of the school to pass the exams.

1911
* Due to frequent flooding in Brickfields, the school moved to it’s current location at Bukit Nanas.
* As the enrollment continued to grow, a new school building was necessary. Government architects Mr. Huxley and Mr. Kesteven, designed the school in the English Gothic style. Mr. E.L. Brockman, who was the Chief Secretary of the Federated Malay States officiated the new building.
*.Rev Mother Tarcisius became headmistress when Rev. Mother Augustine passed away.

1914
* The hall and chapel was built.

1923
* Rev. Mother Adele became headmistress.

1924
* The Form 3 block addition was completed.

1925
* The first Malaysian teacher, Miss Sobreen was hired. She was the daughter of philanthropist Loke Chow Kit.

1931
* English language, literature, geometry, algebra, bible knowledge and French was added to the school curriculum.

1941
* During WWII, Malaya fell to the hands of the Japanese Occupation. Although school was often interrupted, the buildings were left intact and unharmed.

1945
* After the Japanese Occupation, Rev. Mother Adele returned CBN to its original state with the help of the British Military Administration(BMA).

1947
* The Nazareth Building, formerly the house of the Chief Justice, became part of the school. This addition was granted by the Government.

1951
* Rev Mother Pauline became headmistress and introduced physical education (PE) to the school. During PE, students wore bloomers.

1953
* Science was introduced as part of the curriculum.

1957
* Rev Mother Xavier became headmistress.
* The art hall and laboratories were built.
* Economics was added to the curriculum.

1958
* The primary school and secondary school were separated.

1961
* Form 6 classes began.

1963
* The Form 4 block of classes was built.

1965
* Rev Mother Aidan became headmistress and the four Houses were formed. The Houses took the names of the current and previous headmistress Aidan(Red), Pauline(Blue), Adele(Yellow) and Xavier(Green).

1966
* Rev Mother St. Brede became headmistress.

1968
* Students were required to join and be active in extra-curricular activities.

1973
* The school PTA was established.

1976
* Mrs. Chee Phui Lay became the school's first lay person Principal. Sr. Anne started the Counseling Program.

1979
* Mrs. Indrani Manuel became Principal. The school office moved to a new location close to the Upper Secondary School.

1982
* Bahasa Malaysia became the medium for study and instruction for all subjects.

1984
*'The Facade' was painted to commemorate the school's 85th anniversary.

1993
* Mrs. Vimala Matthews replaced Mrs. Indrani Manuel upon her retirement.

1999
* Both primary and secondary schools celebrated CBN’s 100th anniversary.
* The school band was founded.
* Mrs. Alice George became Principal when Mrs. Vimala Matthews retired.

2004
* Mrs. Ann Khoo became principal upon Mrs. Alice George’s retirement.

Site and architecture

Located in the heart of Kuala Lumpur’s Golden Triangle, CBN has the coveted location of bordering the edge of the Bukit Nanas forest reserve. Because of the proximity to the forest reserve, development in the area is limited. Because of this, CBN has been able to avoid being relocated as Bukit Bintang Girls School (on Jalan Bukit Bintang) was. The shade and cooler temperature of the forest as well as regular visits from the monkeys that reside in the forest, are some of the pleasures enjoyed by CBNers while at school.

St John's Institution is down the road from CBN and is considered the brother school to CBN. Both schools share many traditional and historical links.

The Roman Catholic St John's Cathedral is situated on the road leading up to both schools.

Both CBN and St. John’s Institution are famous for its main buildings which were built in the style of English Gothic architecture.

School Song

The school song was written in the late 1980's. It is believed that the original author was a student of the school itself.

English Version

CBN,the shining star of my life,You will always glow within me,And through me you will shineforth,A new light others will follow.CBN,With us your memory will stay,You will always light the way,Show us our strengths and our hopes,CBN, our star forever more.So hear our song sung with spirits strong,We, the girls of CBN toda 'yWill lift up our motto and strive to be,Simple in virtue, steadfast in duty,So hear our song sung with spirits strong,We the girls of CBN today,The youth of tomorrow, we promise to be trueFor CBN we love you.

Malay Version

CBN,Sinar bintang hidupku,Bercahaya di sanubari,Sering bergemerlapanPancar sinar untuk semuaCBN,Ingatan'kan kau bersemiKerana kau penyuluh hidupTunjukkan harapan teguhCBN,bintang abadikuDengarlah suara semangat wajaKami insan CBN kiniTeruskan cita dan usahaTulus dengan fadilah, azam dengan baktiDengarlah suara semangat waj'aKami insan CBN kiniBakal pemudi harapan negaraKerana CBN kau tercinta.

Student life

CBN has a variety of clubs, uniformed bodies and societies. CBN’s traditional rival, Bukit Bintang Girls School (BBGS) has now been reformed as a co-ed school, Sri Bintang Utara, SBU. Before becoming SBU, CBN and BBGS were considered the top girl schools in Kuala Lumpur.

CBN and SBU are still rivals on the academic front as well as at cheer leading as both have among the best cheer leading squads in Malaysia. CBN also has a long netball and hockey team rivalry with Tunku Kurshiah Collage, TKC .

References

* Quoted from the Convent Bukit Nanas 100 Years at the Top
* History of CBN as taken and translated into English from the school magazine 'Marguerite'(106th edition)
* School song as taken from the primary school magazine - 'Puteri'(3rd edition)