School spirit flies high at reunion

Convent Bukit Mertajam alumnae in a jubilant mood during the homecoming carnival at the school in Jalan Kulim, Bukit Mertajam, held in conjunction with their alma mater’s 85th anniversary.

ABOUT 300 old girls visited SMK Convent Bukit Mertajam to mark its 85th anniversary, and they were aglow with fond memories.

It was formerly known as St Marguerite’s School when established in 1934.

The old girls spent the morning recalling the good old days with some revisiting their former classrooms.

A carnival also recreated the school atmosphere of the past with food and beverage stalls, traditional games and folk dance performances.

Convent Bukit Mertajam old girls cutting the 85th anniversary cake which is shaped like their school building. 

There was also a classroom decorated in a vintage theme featuring a blackboard, the original Convent school navy blue pleated pinafore and other nostalgic memorabilia.

The day culminated with a grand dinner and dance party the same day at The Light Hotel in Seberang Jaya.

The reunion dinner highlighted the previously little known early history of the school.

Songs were played as the old girls danced the night away.

Convent Bukit Mertajam old girls parading for a costume contest of school uniforms from all over the world.  

Convent Bukit Mertajam Alumni president Ewe Lay Khim said she was grateful for the unwavering support of its over 240 life members, especially those who came back from as far as Singapore, China, Australia and the United Kingdom to celebrate this milestone event.

“We look forward to many more successful turnouts of our old girls to cherish and enjoy the convent spirit at future events,” she said.

Alumni founder-president Puan Sri Zainab Abdul Kader said she revelled in the nostalgia.

“We treasure our teachers for giving us knowledge and making us into what we are today.

“We will now give back to the school and make Convent strong and well-known.

“We want to produce more leaders that the school and our nation can be proud of,” she said.

SMK Convent Bukit Mertajam alumnae gathered in a group photo during the celebration at the school Penang.