Hats off to those who ran the 2.4km during this week's round of NAPFA re-tests.
You gave your best and it was such a bonus when you posted good timings, even though it must have been incredibly difficult. Well done. I'm immensely proud of you all.
To the rest of you in my PE classes, I have to say that nothing brings me as much pleasure and satisfaction than to be able to teach you in this subject.
To those who are fasting - happy fasting and look forward to Hari Raya. Take care.
Friday, September 21, 2007
Friday, September 14, 2007
About an incident that disturbed me profoundly
After a week of crafting testimonials for my class, I was nigh fatigued. Over the past few days, I used my leisure time in the evenings and the early mornings, poised at the laptop, to painstakingly type out testimonial after testimonial.
These testimonials are going to be very important to my 4e5 boys and girls, so I better make sure I do a good job!
Yesterday, after a productive morning (where I completed my 39th testimonial), I decided to get out of the Staff Room for a breather. One more second of staring at the computer screen, and I would have lost my marbles.
So I walked to the parade square, and observed some classes having their NAPFA re-tests.
Then, right in front of me was a girl getting ready to do the shuttle run.
And off she went. She ran at a very good speed.
Unfortunately, at the last stretch, she lost her balance just after she picked up the second bean bag and turned.
She stumbled. One, two steps to the side - she was out of control.
She crashed to the ground in a heap, unable to even break the fall.
Then in the next few moments, I saw the worst and best of people immediately after this incident.
Behind me were 3 students from the same class who did not participate in the PE lesson, as they were not in PE attire.
When the girl fell, their shrieking laughter filled the air.
It was obvious that they were laughing at the girl who fell.
My eyes burned with anger. But I did not turn back to reprimand them.
Though their actions were utterly detestable, they were of absolutely no import at that moment.
That injured girl was my priority.
Many pupils who were waiting for their turn to take the shuttle run sat by the side, when the girl stumbled and crashed.
When it happened, they did nothing.
They did not lift a finger to help, nor ask her, "Hey are you all right?"
All they did was to look and pass comments, as the PE teacher of that class tended to the injured girl.
Redemption came in the form of a few pupils from the class who rushed to the aid of the girl. They helped her up, cleaned her nasty wounds, and got her treated at the general office.
Alas.
Too few.
Today, during my English lesson with 4T1, I made it very clear to them:
Help those who need help. Do something. Check with them.
Do not think that 'somebody else will take care of that problem or that person.' Do not think that 'it's not my business.'
If we want the world around us to become a kinder place, we have to realise that it starts with us.
Every day, there are moments that reveal to us someone who will need help - such as help with a broken heart, sadness, homework, relationships. Sometimes all they need is a listening ear. Sometimes all they need to someone to offer them an encouraging word.
Let's keep our eyes open and be sensitive to the feelings of others. And when it is time, let us make a difference in other people's lives, by speaking kindly, and giving support and encouragement, whenever we can.
If we don't do this, then who will?
It's got to start with me, myself and I, isn't it?
Let us own our world. Let us take charge. Let us make the first move and make our world a better place.
4t1 - don't forget what I've taught you!
As for 4e5, the end of the Preliminary Exams is at hand.
I hope you appreciate the value of these exams. It will be the last full dress rehearsal for your O Levels.
Whether you do well or stumble badly, I hope you will reap some learning points from your strengths and weaknesses in your performances.
At this point in time, it is already meaningless to cajole and persuade you to study, study and study.
This is simply because you must already be doing it, at full steam, even right now.
I have to give you this sobering but stark warning: at this critical period of time, there is no such thing as taking a break.
The grim reality is, you are competing with thousands of O Level students across the island to clinch a spot in those ultra-limited courses you fancy in the polytechnic/ junior college.
Just don't get left out. Compete!
These testimonials are going to be very important to my 4e5 boys and girls, so I better make sure I do a good job!
Yesterday, after a productive morning (where I completed my 39th testimonial), I decided to get out of the Staff Room for a breather. One more second of staring at the computer screen, and I would have lost my marbles.
So I walked to the parade square, and observed some classes having their NAPFA re-tests.
Then, right in front of me was a girl getting ready to do the shuttle run.
And off she went. She ran at a very good speed.
Unfortunately, at the last stretch, she lost her balance just after she picked up the second bean bag and turned.
She stumbled. One, two steps to the side - she was out of control.
She crashed to the ground in a heap, unable to even break the fall.
Then in the next few moments, I saw the worst and best of people immediately after this incident.
Behind me were 3 students from the same class who did not participate in the PE lesson, as they were not in PE attire.
When the girl fell, their shrieking laughter filled the air.
It was obvious that they were laughing at the girl who fell.
My eyes burned with anger. But I did not turn back to reprimand them.
Though their actions were utterly detestable, they were of absolutely no import at that moment.
That injured girl was my priority.
Many pupils who were waiting for their turn to take the shuttle run sat by the side, when the girl stumbled and crashed.
When it happened, they did nothing.
They did not lift a finger to help, nor ask her, "Hey are you all right?"
All they did was to look and pass comments, as the PE teacher of that class tended to the injured girl.
Redemption came in the form of a few pupils from the class who rushed to the aid of the girl. They helped her up, cleaned her nasty wounds, and got her treated at the general office.
Alas.
Too few.
Today, during my English lesson with 4T1, I made it very clear to them:
Help those who need help. Do something. Check with them.
Do not think that 'somebody else will take care of that problem or that person.' Do not think that 'it's not my business.'
If we want the world around us to become a kinder place, we have to realise that it starts with us.
Every day, there are moments that reveal to us someone who will need help - such as help with a broken heart, sadness, homework, relationships. Sometimes all they need is a listening ear. Sometimes all they need to someone to offer them an encouraging word.
Let's keep our eyes open and be sensitive to the feelings of others. And when it is time, let us make a difference in other people's lives, by speaking kindly, and giving support and encouragement, whenever we can.
If we don't do this, then who will?
It's got to start with me, myself and I, isn't it?
Let us own our world. Let us take charge. Let us make the first move and make our world a better place.
4t1 - don't forget what I've taught you!
As for 4e5, the end of the Preliminary Exams is at hand.
I hope you appreciate the value of these exams. It will be the last full dress rehearsal for your O Levels.
Whether you do well or stumble badly, I hope you will reap some learning points from your strengths and weaknesses in your performances.
At this point in time, it is already meaningless to cajole and persuade you to study, study and study.
This is simply because you must already be doing it, at full steam, even right now.
I have to give you this sobering but stark warning: at this critical period of time, there is no such thing as taking a break.
The grim reality is, you are competing with thousands of O Level students across the island to clinch a spot in those ultra-limited courses you fancy in the polytechnic/ junior college.
Just don't get left out. Compete!
Thursday, September 06, 2007
About an aural assault
The moment I stepped into the mall, I really wanted to make an exit.
Yesterday, waiting for my wife in Millenia Walk became a nauseating affair.
Of course, it has completely nothing to do with her.
It's noise, that assails you from every angle.
Some are thinly disguised as music, blared out loudly from the ubiqitous boutiques and electronic stores. The lunchtime crowd's incessant chatter raised the decibels up several notches.
It's hard to think and it's hard to talk.
No wonder we can get edgy at the slightest thing - our souls can never be at rest if we are constantly provocated by noise. Even our buses now no longer provide a haven of peace and serenity. The tv shows on the dull screens are irksome, to be honest.
Maybe it's the crowds. Maybe it was something that someone said earlier that disturbed me.
But I know clearly that when my mood's not right, I ain't going anywhere near somebody or some place that stays noisy. It won't help.
Yesterday, waiting for my wife in Millenia Walk became a nauseating affair.
Of course, it has completely nothing to do with her.
It's noise, that assails you from every angle.
Some are thinly disguised as music, blared out loudly from the ubiqitous boutiques and electronic stores. The lunchtime crowd's incessant chatter raised the decibels up several notches.
It's hard to think and it's hard to talk.
No wonder we can get edgy at the slightest thing - our souls can never be at rest if we are constantly provocated by noise. Even our buses now no longer provide a haven of peace and serenity. The tv shows on the dull screens are irksome, to be honest.
Maybe it's the crowds. Maybe it was something that someone said earlier that disturbed me.
But I know clearly that when my mood's not right, I ain't going anywhere near somebody or some place that stays noisy. It won't help.
Sunday, September 02, 2007
About being thankful and satisfied
3 days of rest have done a world of good to my body.
I could feel the healing. I could slowly go further in my range of movement. Pain subsided slowly and surely.
I did not touch the painkillers at all. I felt that I didn't even have to take them. Yes, there was pain, but it was bearable. By the second day, the pains were reduced to nagging aches, dull and throbbing.
In the hours spent at home, I continued to work, refining the plans for the massive Teachers' Day Games, reading up on my book and comics, and getting plenty of rest in-between.
I've been obedient, doctor.
Just so you know, I'm gonna make sure I recover from this. I still want to complete that marathon in December.
I thank God for my parents who have travelled the inhibitive distances between our homes to bring me dinner. I cannot express enough how thankful I am of them and their kindess and generosity.
I must thank my wife, who also laboured to ensure I was well-rested and met my needs, while I was confined at home. She has been absolutely great.
So complete was my recuperation that, 3 days after the injury happened, I was back to school on Friday, to oversee the Teachers' Day Games. It is no exaggeration to say that this was one of the biggest projects the school has embarked.
Planning for the orderly and coordinated movement of 37 classes in one morning is no mean feat.
It could have been a potential nightmare, had planning been any less meticulous.
Countless meetings with the planning committee, numerous revisions to the movement plan, plan B (for wet weather), deployment of teachers, deployment of student leaders, safety considerations, venues, logistics, a workable scoring system etc - there were so many variable factors we had to consider.
Funnily enough, I relished taking on this massive task.
I think we did well. There was favourable feedback from various quarters.
The best feedback that gave me the deepest satisfaction came from teachers who came up to me and said that they had fun.
This is bacause, at the end of the day, what we've worked so hard for, is not so much for the students.
It's Teachers' Day, after all.
Instead of staging a concert, we broke out of our comfort zone and decided to have a day where teachers could play with the kids.
Teachers are a cool lot of people, don cha think.
With all due respect, lawyers, doctors, engineers, CEOs - these kind of jobs pay well and are well-respected.
But I think no other job commands more respect than that of a teacher.
Think about it. My life has been changed because I have been blessed by the words of inspiring teachers in my schooling life. No doctor or lawyer could have ever done that.
By being a teacher today, I am stepping into gigantic shoes. Teaching and imparting knowledge are crucial, but I see imparting values and a love for learning as even more essential aspects of my job. It's my responsibility to groom the youths under me to be imbued with the right character traits and values.
The teachers in my life had shown me the way. Now it is my turn to do the same in Fajar.
I could feel the healing. I could slowly go further in my range of movement. Pain subsided slowly and surely.
I did not touch the painkillers at all. I felt that I didn't even have to take them. Yes, there was pain, but it was bearable. By the second day, the pains were reduced to nagging aches, dull and throbbing.
In the hours spent at home, I continued to work, refining the plans for the massive Teachers' Day Games, reading up on my book and comics, and getting plenty of rest in-between.
I've been obedient, doctor.
Just so you know, I'm gonna make sure I recover from this. I still want to complete that marathon in December.
I thank God for my parents who have travelled the inhibitive distances between our homes to bring me dinner. I cannot express enough how thankful I am of them and their kindess and generosity.
I must thank my wife, who also laboured to ensure I was well-rested and met my needs, while I was confined at home. She has been absolutely great.
So complete was my recuperation that, 3 days after the injury happened, I was back to school on Friday, to oversee the Teachers' Day Games. It is no exaggeration to say that this was one of the biggest projects the school has embarked.
Planning for the orderly and coordinated movement of 37 classes in one morning is no mean feat.
It could have been a potential nightmare, had planning been any less meticulous.
Countless meetings with the planning committee, numerous revisions to the movement plan, plan B (for wet weather), deployment of teachers, deployment of student leaders, safety considerations, venues, logistics, a workable scoring system etc - there were so many variable factors we had to consider.
Funnily enough, I relished taking on this massive task.
I think we did well. There was favourable feedback from various quarters.
The best feedback that gave me the deepest satisfaction came from teachers who came up to me and said that they had fun.
This is bacause, at the end of the day, what we've worked so hard for, is not so much for the students.
It's Teachers' Day, after all.
Instead of staging a concert, we broke out of our comfort zone and decided to have a day where teachers could play with the kids.
Teachers are a cool lot of people, don cha think.
With all due respect, lawyers, doctors, engineers, CEOs - these kind of jobs pay well and are well-respected.
But I think no other job commands more respect than that of a teacher.
Think about it. My life has been changed because I have been blessed by the words of inspiring teachers in my schooling life. No doctor or lawyer could have ever done that.
By being a teacher today, I am stepping into gigantic shoes. Teaching and imparting knowledge are crucial, but I see imparting values and a love for learning as even more essential aspects of my job. It's my responsibility to groom the youths under me to be imbued with the right character traits and values.
The teachers in my life had shown me the way. Now it is my turn to do the same in Fajar.
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