SJI COMMUNITY
Ms Balkis Bee Abdul Karim
Ms Balkis Bee Abdul Karim joined SJI on 28 Sep 1971 as a Clerical Assistant . Over the years she proved to be an industrious and devoted staff who rose through the ranks to her current position as Executive Secretary to the Principal .
In her career spanning 48 years at SJI , she has served 7 Principals including 4 LaSalle Brothers - Patrick Loh , Joseph Kiely , Kevin Byrne , Paul Rogers , Mr Lui Seng Cheong , Dr Koh Thiam Seng and Fr ( Dr ) Adrian Danker , SJ .
Miss Bee has been awarded the following accolades and awards : 1 . National Day Award : Efficiency Award ( 1997 ) 2 . National Day Award : Long Service Medal ( 1999 ) 3 . Diploma of Benefaction – awarded by the De La Salle
Brothers ( 2002 ) 4 . Outstanding Contribution Award ( Team Award ) ( 2012 )
Throughout her service , the Senior Administration had only very positive things to say about Miss Bee .
Bro Joseph Guan wrote in Dec 1987 : “ She makes an excellent exemplar as a Clerical Officer and elicits a great deal of respect from the administration , other members of the office staff and the teachers . Her commitment and dedication to the school are very much appreciated for she spends many extra hours in volunteering her time and services to duties that are above and beyond her purview . I find this officer to be a great asset to the establishment . Personally I found great satisfaction in working with her . Her many talents and disposition have made my job as an administrator a positive experience .”
Bro Kevin Byrne wrote the following about Miss Bee when she was nominated for the National Day Award Efficiency Medal in Jan 1990 :
“ Her efficiency and dedicated service often go beyond the call of duty in the school administration as remarked upon by Principals , Vice-Principals and Teaching Staff . She has been utterly reliable and extremely discreet and courteous in dealing with parents , visitors and staff . She has played a very important part in the re-siting of the school to Malcolm Road and in the transition to Independent status with its added responsibilities and duties . She has updated her skills and is very efficient in the use of the latest technology in office administration .”
Bro Kevin Byrne , in Aug 1992 : “ In my thirteen years in St Joseph ’ s , I was in a position to observe her work and general demeanour in the day to day life of this large Secondary School . Miss Bee has proved to be a very efficient and reliable officer who has always discharged her duties with alacrity and thoroughness . She could always be relied upon to meet deadlines and to produce work of very high quality . Miss Bee maintained the utmost confidentiality with all matters concerning staff and school affairs …. She relates well to the clerical and teaching staff and is much appreciated by the latter for her obliging and pleasant manner . In fact , her efficiency and good nature have endeared her to all who have come into contact with her over the years in St Joseph ’ s .”
“ They don ’ t make them like her ( Miss Bee ) anymore ,” remarked Mr Gerard Ee , Chairman of SJI BOG ( Aug 2011 – Aug 2017 ).
Fr Adrian Danker , SJ , “ In my Y6 and Y4 Graduation Speeches this year , I reflected on the worth of an SJI education . It is not to be found in grades or achievements , nor in heritage or tradition , and never in successes or strengths . Rather , it is to be found in the face of a Josephian who is the saint that stands before us , reflecting God ’ s love and making us better persons . This is how Ms Bee will always be for me , and I know for so many of us . She has every right to be counted among the saints -- those who have made a difference to so many in SJI since 1852 .”
JOSEPHIAN ANNUAL 2019 25