The establishment of the Bogor Expatriate School was from a direct response and needs of expatriate families living in Bogor. Our friend and mentor Mrs. Mahdi consulted Dr. Syarief Thayeb, the Minister of Education for advice and assistance. Accordingly the Yayasan Bogor Expatriate School was established by notarial deed.
The initial members were:
- Mr. W. Suryadimulia
- Mr. S. Tedja
- Mrs. M. Mahdi
- Mr. V. Hawkins
In May 1974 Mr. L. Shepler, the director of industrial relations for the Good Year Company, formed a committee of expatriate parents to examine the various possibility to provide primary education in Bogor for the international community.
The committee consisted of:
- Mr. R. Freed
- Mr. V. Hawkins
- Mr. L. Shepler
- Mr. G. Van Meter
- Mr. D. Walker
At the time, expatriate children living in Bogor, attended embassy schools in Jakarta, a drive of 1 to 2 hours for pre-school to grade 6 students over a road considered to be extremely dangerous.
In order to eliminate this daily travel, Good Year Company spearheaded the effort to establish an expatriate school. The many difficulties faced by this enterprising group were overcome and due to their determination, the Bogor Expatriate School was founded on June 15, 1974 in a converted house on Jalan Pangrango 15.
Prior to this, a meeting of a first Board of Directors was held in May and the following office bearers were chosen:
Chairman : Mr. L. Shepler
Vice Chairman : Mr. D. Walker
Secretary : Mr. V. Hawkins
Treasurer : Mr. J. Elliot
Member : Mr. L. Hines
In the following months, draft editions of the by-laws and constitution prepared by Mr. Hines were submitted to the local authorities for approval. These were duly approved and Bogor had an expatriate school with the modest enrollment of 15 students and a staff of 3 locally hired teachers; Mrs. Van Gils, Mrs. B. Tras (replacing Mrs. Cumine), who resigned shortly after her appointment and Mrs. Ann Watts. Mrs. Van Meter was appointed as a Part-Time teacher, and Mrs. Hawkins became administrator of the school July 15, 1974.
At the final association meeting of 1977, the School Board, under the leadership of the chairman Mr. Roel Oldeman, was authorized to acquire their own school building for BES and move from the rented premises. It was felt these moves would place the school on a sound financial basis for future years.
The Board spent considerable time examining two main alternatives, to erect a building or to remodel an existing building. It was finally decided to purchase a large house in Jalan Papandayan from the Good Year Company at very favorable terms (the present site of our school).
The house was remodeled during June and July in preparation for the commencements of the new academic year in August 1978. During this period Mrs. Suratno assisted the Board in purchasing a part of a vacant lot joining the school and under the direction of Mr. Andre de Graaf, the rolling topography of the land was converted to a level playground for children.
A highlight of the school year was the official opened by the Mayor of Bogor on November 2, 1978.
