Bukit Bintang Boys' Secondary School

Infobox Secondary school
name = Bukit Bintang Boys Secondary School / Sekolah Menengah Laki-Laki Bukit Bintang
native_name =

motto = "Nisi Dominus Frustra" - 'Without God All Is Vanity'.
established = 1958
type = Public
category = Secondary
gender = Male
principal = Madam Quah Mooi Eng
founder = Mary Glasgow
city = Petaling Jaya
state = Selangor
country = Malaysia
district = Petaling
colours = Olive green, Yellow
yearbook = The Bintang
website = [http://bbbsforum.sytes.net Official BBBS School Forum]

Bukit Bintang Boys Secondary School (BBBSS) or BB was established in 1958, one year after Malaysia achieved independence in 1957, making it one of the oldest secondary boys school in the city of Petaling Jaya, Selangor, (Malaysia). The school motto is the Latin phrase: "Nisi Dominus Frustra" - 'Without God All is Vanity'.

It is a missionary school under the umbrella of Christian Brethren of Malaysia Property Trust but is administered by the government under the grant-in-aid system.

The school holds 2 schooling sessions. The morning session is for Form 3, Form 4, Form 5 and Form 6 students (ages 15 to 18) while the afternoon session is for Form 1 and Form 2 students (ages 13 to 14). This is so to accommodate the large number of students attending the school.The school vision is to be the best school in the Petaling district by the year 2010.

History

The school was founded by Miss Mary Glasgow [ [http://www.3people.org/bbbssoba/brief-history-bb.htm Mary Glasgow - school founder] ] , who later became the principal of Bukit Bintang Girls' School (BBGS) in the time when missionaries were largely involved in establishing educational institutions in the young country.

The local town council, Majlis Perbandaran Petaling Jaya (MPPJ) allocated a piece of land to Glasgow for building a school for the community. Although the land was available, no money was provided to actually build it. Glasgow and the Bukit Bintang Girls' School students swung into action; raising money by holding fun fairs, food fairs and plays. Within a short time, the girls had raised enough to build the boys' school. Mrs. Yeoh Kim Eng (retired teacher of BBGS) recounted the time when BBGS teachers and students, armed with buckets and bins, come to the newly built boys' school to wash and clean the building.

At its establishment, The Malay Mail local daily called it the brother school of Bukit Bintang Girls' School. After deliberation with teachers and advisors to name the new school, Glasgow named it Bukit Bintang Boys' Secondary School in connection to the girls' school Glasgow founded.

As a young nation in 1957-58, the Malaysian government welcomed help from all quarters to build schools and to give its citizens an education. Christian missionaries such as Glasgow opened "Christian" school in the early 60's, usually in the rural areas where the poor lived and worked. They either bought land or were granted land in outskirts areas (often rural, undeveloped areas) and were left to their own ingenuity to develop and build their schools. Although the schools were started by missionaries, the curriculum were based on government guidelines and are usually non-religious although Bible studies were encouraged. Initially, classes were taught in English but has since changed to Bahasa Melayu in line with the government directives. Today, the "Science", "Mathematics" and of course; "English" lessons are taught in English.The school's first Principal (known as the Headmaster) was Mr. Alistair L. McGreggor (now Doctor) from Scotland. He served the school from 1958 to 1966. He was only a young man of 28 when he accepted the challenge to run a school halfway round the world from his home in the Scotland, United Kingdom. In a speech given in 2005, he reminisced about the journey over land and sea to reach a country called "Malaya". Dr. McGreggor now resides in Australia with his wife and regularly visits the school from time to time, attending special school functions and the like.

In an interview in 2007, old students met with McGregor. McGregor is fondly remembered for his liberal use of the cane and the dreaded phrase, "Fetch the cane and touch your toes." Although a strict disciplinarian, many former students are thankful for the use of caning to discipline students.

It was only in the beginning of 1961 that the secondary school was moved to its current permanent presence in Jalan Utara, Petaling Jaya; and at that time each form (Form 1 to 5) consisted of only one class. A year later in 1962 - the very same year when the first group of students sat for the Cambridge Examination, the school's opening ceremony took place and McGregor was appointed the first headmaster.

In 1976, a new science block was built at the cost of RM200,000.00. This block consists of three science laboratories and a lecture theatre. This block was named the 'The Boler Block' in honour of Mr. David Boler the headmaster at the time. Funds to build new wings were usually raised by the students and teachers. Help is also given by certain Christian associations.

Today, the teachers enjoy new a staff room built recently and an extended car park; whereas the students now have a new Computer Labbuilt in 2008 with 30 computers, half of which were donated by the public.

(In 2006 when the new Pavilion shopping centre was built over the old Bukit Bintang Girls' School, the school was moved to a new location in Cheras and sadly, did not retain their original name; it is now known as SMK Seri Bintang Utara.)

Largest squash court complex in Petaling Jaya

In 1985 a project to construction a new canteen and a gymnasium cum squash courts was completed at a cost close to half a million Ringgit. Students, teachers and parents raised fund over a period of 5 years from 1981 to 1985. Fun raising projects such as "Jog-a-thon", Canteen Day and School Fun Fair were conducted during the period.

Upon its completion, it was the largest squash court facilities in Petaling Jaya. The new building also included a new school hall which doubled as badminton courts. Many people praised the project as part of the government's plans to encourage sports as a healthy lifestyle. The hall was semi air-conditioned and the batch of students sitting for their 1985 SPM examinations were treated to taking their exam papers in the new hall.

The old canteen was used as a temporary classroom to accommodate the increasing number of students but was eventually demolished for future building projects. The new double storey canteen housed a badminton hall upstairs. The badminton hall also doubles as an assembly point for the school's students. Members of the public are welcomed to rent the squash courts and badminton hall for their private usage.

The school badge and tie

The second headmaster, Mr. David Boler (1966-1978) designed a new school badge when he replaced Mr. McGregor. The top left hand corner of the badge depicts hills which stands for "Bukit" followed by the top right hand corner which shows a star which stands for 'Bintang', a Malay word meaning star.

The bottom left hand corner indicates the national flower "Bunga Raya" (Hibiscus) and thus represents 'Malaysia.' Finally the last portion of the badge with the design of a roof above the letters 'P.J.' means that the school is situated in Petaling Jaya. The shape that resembles a gear below the letters 'P.J.' symbolizes that Petaling Jaya is an industrialised area. Mr. Boler also redesigned the school tie by adding the design of the school badge on to the plain olive green tie.

The school song and School Magazine

The [http://www.3people.org/bbbssoba/BB-school-song.htm school song] was written by Dr. McGreggor. Dr. McGreggor wrote the song in English originally but in subsequent years, it has been translated to Bahasa. Students today sing both versions once a week during the "school assembly".

The school magazine is called "The Bintang". Articles are contributed by the student and teachers. The magazine reports the school's activities for the year, club activities, official school functions, news about teachers and students etc. Also included in the magazine are class photos. Only final year classes (Form 5 and Form 6) are allowed 2 pages and a longer write up.

Notable achievements

In 1985, the school built the largest squash court complex in Petaling Jaya to support the government's call to promote sports and a healthy society. This project was largely supported by the school itself together with the Parents Teachers Association (PTA), its students, NGOs and others. Donation drives started as early as 1981. This is due to the inadequate funding provided for the school. Work on the project started in 1983 and was completed at the end of 1985.

The first school in the district to hold a mock "Paliamentary" debate. In an interview with the school's first headmaster, he said it was an effort to get students involved in the country's new democratic self governance.

Features

Although the school was established by Christian missionaries, it welcomes students from all races and religions. As of 2006, the school is in touch with students who graduated as early as 1963, mostly via the Old Boys Association.

In the 1980s a tennis court and a basketball cum volleyball court was built on a part of the school field.

The old school hall doubled as a badminton hall but since then a low ceiling has been installed and the hall is used for general events and functions.

50th Anniversary

in 2008, the school will celebrate its 50th anniversary (Golden Jubilee).

Trivia

* The school is affectionately known as "BB," short for "Bukit Bintang"
* The students of the school are affectionately known as "BBians."
* The school's field is seldom used during Physical Education (PE). Rather, the students prefer to use the nearby "Astaka" field as the field's condition is much better.
* The school's annual Sports Day used to be held at "Padang Timur" (The Timur Field) as the school field is unable to accommodate the number of students and sporting events. Now it is usually held at the MBPJ Stadium, Kelana Jaya.
* The school authority keeps a close eye on students as they enjoy visiting the nearby supermakets: "Jaya" and "Asia Jaya" (now known as Lien Hoe Plaza)
* The school is neighbour to Filem Negara Malaysia (the national film board) and boys often pick up charred censored movie strips sent to be destroyed by burning.
* Although a boys' school, girls are permitted to attend the school at the Form 6 level (age 18 to 19).
* The old canteen was moved to the current canteen in 1985.
* Some famous BBians include Tan Sri Musa Hassan (current Inspector General of Police), Reshmonu (award winning recording artist) and Irfan Khairi (Malaysian Internet Millionaire).
* The fountain which was built a few years back at the front of the school has been removed to give way to flag poles.
* For the local inter-school sports, BBians generally will support the Sri Aman girls' school, while the La Sallean boys will have an alliance with the Assunta girls school.

References

* [http://www.3people.org/bbbssoba/brief-history-bb.htm] - Background of Mary Glasglow
* [http://www.corpun.com/mys00705.htm] - 2007 interview with Dr. McGregor

External links

* [http://www.3people.org/bbbssoba Official BBBS Old Boys Association] - Alumni association
* [http://groups.yahoo.com/bukitbintang BBBS Yahoo! Groups] - Alumni association