CLS Girls Class 1980 Celebrate Friendship Forged Over the Years
THE CLS Girls of Convent Light Street, Class of 1980, recently celebrated its annual reunion dinner in Penang.
The lively gathering marks the grand reunion of classmates who left their alma mater 38 years ago.
Some of the girls left for further studies after Form 1.
A few joined CLS from other convent schools in Standard 6, Form 1, and Form 3.
Organizing Committee Chairperson Lili, in her welcoming speech, reminded the CLS Girls of the lifelong friendship built together.
Lili thanked the girls for taking time off; some even flew in to join the celebrations.
The celebration of lifelong sisterhood started for some of the girls in Standard 1.
My fondest memory is of clambering out of a monsoon drain pushed from behind by Kelly. Until today, neither of us could understand why we played in a monsoon drain!
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Great Second Day Traditions
The gathering of CLS Girls started when the girls were in Form 1.
There were two venues where the Science girls would congregate on the second day of Chinese New Year.
The two hostesses were Lee Jim Leng and Jeannie Tan. Jim lived on Jalan Rambutan and Jeannie, just a stone’s throw from Rex Cinema.
These are now classic references to the Science girls when referring to the good old days.
The girls will try to meet up during Chinese New Year every year without fail in Penang. CLS Girls 2016 CNY Gathering
In 2017, our numbers increased, with more girls able to join in. Years ago, the children would join us when they were little.
Party Central 101 for CLS Girls
The impressionable school girls studied hard (yes!)
They loved singing, dancing, and home parties where they could dance all night.
Lim Mei Huey and Kelly Gee’s home was also a great venue for cookouts, parties, and not forgetting study sessions.
When we were all in Form 4, the science girls celebrated with over ten gatherings and parties.
It was a blur of Coca-Cola floats, BBQ featuring the most delicious burnt chicken wings, and sardine sandwiches.
Back then, there was no canned tuna in mayo or rotisserie chickens!
Thinking back, the parties were so simple.
There was a portable cassette player or two.
Several tapes played the 70s hits with Saturday Night Fever as top favorites.
And yes, we danced the cha-cha with the boy scouts from Penang Free School and St. Xavier’s Institution.
CLS Girl Guides
Some girls joined the Girl Guides 5th and 11th Coy and soon started an adventure of hiking, campfires, and learning about the performing arts.
The boy scouts taught the girls how to play the guitar and great campfire songs.
Later the girls would perform in public by singing and dancing.
Even when they were barely twelve, some girls gathered after school to practice dance.
I had the honorary role of being in charge of the music.
With two left feet, pushing the pause, rewind, and play button was not a problem! So now you know why I’m a little fish!
“You can look at a picture for a week and never think of it again. You can also look at a picture briefly and think of it all your life.” ~ Joan Miró
CLS Girls Singing Sensation
The girls were all trained musically. We started with music classes and singing with Miss Elizabeth Boey.
She had her hair tied in a ponytail with a multi-purpose handkerchief that she would use to blow her nose and wipe the sweat from her brows. Eeeowwww…
Later some of the girl guides joined Penang Free Schoolboy Scouts in the choir under Chee Sek Thim, who is part of the Malaysian performing arts.
Lim Mei Huey and Lee Jim Leng were the sweet nightingales who, until today, could be counted to step up and sing a song or two.
It was very heart-warming to see them perform again for the reunion.
Bravo girls! Even the uncles in the band were so impressed. Seriously true!
The rabbits with their bunnies. We used to call a teacher “Bunny” in high school. Remember who, girls? Photo: Doris Lim
CLS Red Crescent Society
While many girls led a relatively carefree life, some girls of the Red Crescent Society forged ahead to learn duty, responsibility, and service to society.
Imagine, I was surprised to find out why some girls were so tanned in school from marching under the hot sun!
Thum Suet Fong shares these precious few photos of the girls of the Red Crescent Society at a Firefighting Drill at Bomba and taken with National Chairman of Red Crescent Tunku Tan Sri Mohamed Bin Tunku Besar Burhanuddin.
CLS Girls in Red Crescent Society uniforms. Photos: Thum Suet Fong
CLS Girls Through the Years
A precious photo of Form 4 Sc Com girls with beloved Sr Francis de Salles dated 1979. Photo: Celia Lim
The CLS girls from Arts and Science Commerce. Photo: Doris Lim
We had so few precious photos when we were in school. Now with our smartphones, we got lots of lovely pics. And even videos! Photo: Doris Lim
Birthday Bunnies
The girls celebrated their 45th, 50th, and 55th birthday together.
That night we celebrate the February birthday of babies.
With the theme “Colorful and Floral,” the buffet dinner featured light entertainment provided by the girls and was held at JT Restaurant, Heritage Club Penang.
A few words from the girls for a lifetime friendship
I think our teachers and classmates help built our characters well. I remember Miss Anne-Marie Teh, whom I spoke to at length about my decision to transfer to a Technical Institute.
As I left after Form 3, I have not remained close to the group.
What stands out is the excellent teamwork and collaboration on projects in school.
I remember my badminton partner and partner in crime, Lili Goh, as we used to break the rules together with fondness. – Annette Kay, UK
Annette Kay and Fern Fern
Snow White Speaks
My most cherished memory plays the leading role in the mini-musical of Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs.
To this day, my friends still call me Snow White.
The childhood friendships I formed with Lay Eng, Meng Wui, and Leela from my Kindergarten days remain firm until today.
The best part of growing up was sharing and caring for each other. – Vera Loke, Petaling Jaya
Shy Student Finds Friendship
I struggled to adapt to school culture as a shy and timid girl. I remember being overwhelmed by the fierce and scary teachers in Primary 1 and 2.
The art of making friends was also alien to me as a child. I remember being intimidated by a classmate who threatened me with ‘’I won’t friend you anymore if you talk to that girl’’.
The school was not enjoyable until I met the kind and gentle class teacher Mrs. G.A. Toh reached out to me in Primary 3.
She often encouraged me to try to make good friends and to give other timid girls (like me) a chance.
With her encouragement, I befriended a shy girl like me.
She was my constant companion during our school years until I left to study overseas.
She is my dear friend, and we remain good friends today.
Mrs. Toh entrusted me with small tasks and responsibilities.
She affirmed that I was as good as all the other girls, and I gained confidence.
Her pairing an academically more robust student with a weaker one helped both girls love learning.
Mrs. Toh was the only teacher who made me dare to pursue my childhood dream. Instead of settling for an office worker job, I began to see that I could achieve more.
Mrs. Toh started the ball rolling.
I would not be where I am today without my dear parents’ constant love and encouragement. – S. L. Tan, Singapore
CLS Friendship Rekindled
The fabulous Class of 1980 celebrated our auspicious year with a joyous evening of fun, friendship, song, and dance.
A great evening was had by all, with friendships rekindled and strengthened.
Thank you to everyone who helped make it a most memorable event. – Lili Goh, United Kingdom
Tina, Dory, Lili, and Mabel
Cherished CLS Memories
I remember the school teachers as my most influential role models. I started my school life in CLS when I attended kindergarten.
My first teacher was kind, Teacher Annie.
Later, I learned to pronounce it correctly from Sr. Frances de Sales, a strict disciplinarian.
Artist Mr. Tan Lye Hoe was my first male class teacher in Form One.
I remember he struggled to be patient with many incorrigible teenagers.
The beautiful and elegant Mrs. Teoh, who taught geography, succeeded in sharing her knowledge with us. – Mabel Chan, Kuala Lumpur
Time Management
Being active in school meant juggling my time between studies and the never-ending duties at the Red Crescent Society (RSC).
I was so tanned from practicing daily after school for interschool marching and first aid competitions.
In the mornings, the RCS girls would prepare Milk/Milo for the poor students to have breakfast before classes started.
We also tended to a vegetable plot for the needy students’ consumption.
Even though we had a duty roster, I had first-aid duty every day through the whirlwind of events!
I’m amazed when I recall how I managed to squeeze in enough time to fulfill my multiple roles as a student, school prefect, and RSC leader.
Initially, I invited the strict SXI Cadets to train the RCS girls.
We did so well that we won numerous prizes. Later I was invited to judge first aid competitions and march at other schools like SXI, St George’s, etc.
To this day, my hubby would tease me for my commanding voice.
My proudest and most memorable moment was receiving the Service to the School Award next to our head prefect, Theresa Symons.
My most precious high school mementos were my trophies, which were lost when my mum moved house, but the memories remain. – Casey Har, Petaling Jaya
Celebrating with KL CLS Girls
The party continued with the Penang girls visiting KL girls in 2014.
CLS Girls celebrated Datin Karthiyani R. Pillai’s 55th Bollywood Birthday Bash in Kuala Lumpur in January 2018
Update 17 November 2020
On 1 April 2020, Stephanie Chee Yim Mei left us after a brief illness.
