Our History

1899

A group of nuns,’The Sisters of the Holy Infant Jesus’, who were Mother St. Andre, St. Sabine and Sr. Madeline arrived from Singapore with the intention of starting a school for children at a certain location at 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

The school was shifted to Brickfields as the total number of students increased to 80. Esq. Goh Ah Gee bought over Victoria Hotel in Brickfields to be used as the new school block.

1902

Student population grew to 114. Subjects taught were Essay Writing, Sewing, Physical Education, Music, and Art.

1903

A Music test was conducted and Health Education was taught as a new subject. The textbooks used were provided by the British colonial government in then Malaya.

1907

Rev. Mother St Augustine became Headmistress.

1909

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

1911

Due to the occurrence of frequent floods in the area, the school was moved to the current location ie Bukit Nanas. A new building was built in the English Gothic style by government architects Mr. Huxley and Mr. Kesteven to support the school’s ever-growing amount of enrollment. Rev. Mother Augustine died and the role of Headmistress was assumed by Rev Mother Tarcisius. The new building and location were officially opened by Mr. E.L. Brockman, who was the Chief Secretary of the Federated Malay States.

1914

The hall and chapel were built.

1923

Rev. Mother Adele became Headmistress.

1924

The Form 3 block was completed.

1925

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

1931

The school curriculum increased with the addition of subjects such as English language, Literature, Geometry, Algebra, Bible Knowledge and French.

1941

During WWII, Malaya fell to the hands of the Japanese Occupation. Even though the school was often interrupted, all the buildings were left intact and unharmed.

1945

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

1947

The Nazareth Building, formerly the house of the Chief Justice was obtained from the Government.

1951

Rev Mother Pauline became Headmistress. She introduced Physical Education to the school. Students were then allowed to wear bloomers during PE classes.

1953

Science classes were introduced.

1957

Rev Mother Xavier became Headmistress. The Art Hall and the laboratories were built. Economics classes were introduced.

1958

The Primary school and Secondary school were separated.

1961

Form 6 classes began.

1963

The Form 4 block was built.

1965

Rev Mother Aidan became Headmistress. The Four Houses were founded. They took the names of the current and previous Headmistress. They are 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-curriculum activities.

1973

The school PTA was established.

1976

Mrs. Chee Phui Lay became the school’s first Principal. The Counselling Program was started by Sr. Anne.

1979

Mrs. Indrani Manuel became Principal. The school office was shifted to the Upper Secondary Region.

1982

All studies were conducted in the Malay Language henceforth.

1984

The Facade’ was painted to commemorate the school’s 85th anniversary.

1993

Mrs. Indrani Manuel retired. Mrs. Vimala Matthews replaced her as Principal.

1999

The School Band was founded. Mrs. Vimala Matthews retired. Mrs. Alice George became Principal. The school, both primary and secondary celebrated the 100th anniversary of CBN.

2004

Mrs. Alice George retired. Mrs. Ann Khoo became the principal.

2004

Mrs. Alice George retired. Mrs. Ann Khoo became the principal.

2010

Mrs. Ann Khoo retired. Mrs. Mysterical Ros Fernandez became the principal.

2014

Mrs. Mysterical Ros Fernandez retired. Mrs. Nirmala SS Nathan became the principal.

2017

In 2017, it could be seen both of the staff room and canteen had been renovated and upgraded by the school as an initiative to provide comfortable facilities. The main office was moved to a new place while the senior staff room had it being placed in the old office building. The highlight of the year was the event of Mrs. Nirmala SS Nathan's retirement, and Mrs. Rosemand A. Lawrence became the principal.

2018

In 2018, we had the construction of a multi-purpose hall on the site of the tennis court. I-SMART room had been upgraded. The Nazareth building had been turned into a classroom and also a health room. We also had a 'Speaker Corner' space created for the students. In the same year, Founder's Day was being celebrated for the first time. Adele's block had upgraded. The establishment of SMK CBN Students' Alumni was being formed to gather former students of the school.