Last official Day in School - with 4E3

Well well...here I am trying very hard to update the blog. Know many of you have been waiting for this - the pictures taken the last day of school! Special thanks to Datin, who was our official photographer for many of the photos. I must say that she did a great job! In the meantime, enjoy! Will be back with MORE!

Disappointed

I was supposed to post about my super mega birthday celebration last week but before I could complete the post, something very disappointing happened today.

I know you are one of the few who will be reading this and you know who you are. I am terribly sad that you actually joined the rest in doing something so silly and dumb. What on earth were you guys thinking when you decided to just skip the assembly and play with some stupid paper planes in class? It's very ironic. I was just sharing with someone important in the school on what kind of values I have been teaching my students. I proudly told her that I keep telling my pupils to 'always fo the right things'. For the 5 others, I guess I won't be as upset but Mr P, you have been under my charge for 3 years and 4 months now while the other 5 have not been with me since sec 1. I only taught them on and off for 1 year plus. You know very well that my expectations are high but not unachievable.

Suddenly, I feel that I have failed once again. All the while, I have not been able to reach out to the 6 of you. Maybe I should stop being upset about you guys. I only have 2 months left here. I would rather remember the happy times and treasure my time with the rest who really care.

Disillusioned...

2008...Happy New Year?

Don't know why am I having this sudden urge to write something. It seemed that I was all prepared to let this blog 'die a natual death' but a sense of nostalgia just hit me out of nowhere recent weeks.

This is week 4 of 2008. Honestly, have been pretty unused to not being the 1st form teacher of the class. No more morning attendance taking, lesser opportunities to see everyone and asking everyone how are things. I could only get little updates from a few pupils and some teachers. I really do not want to meddle too much...afterall...I should not overstep the boundary yet I really miss the class. Certainly, a few of the boys have given me 'heartbreaks' but I know they are good kids at heart. All they need is a nice proper hair cut and something call motivation to get their lives going. The girls...oh well....certainly one of the sweetest group I have ever taught.

I do feel a little concerned about a small group of boys and who they are hanging out with. All I am asking is for this group to remember last year...how you all had to fight real hard to survive in the stream...this year would be different...you are no longer facing promotion but the REAL examinations! the battle is now one-off...

Hey everyone, not too sure if anyone of you are reading this....you are very fortunate this year to have a very experienced group of teachers taking your class. All I ask is a little patience. Soon, what you dread will be over...do not even think of giving up before trying...I always think that all of you have what it takes to stay on course to achieve what you want...Just remember good luck comes with hard work and always do the right thing....

Really miss you guys...

Life goes on....

Haven't been updating this blog and honestly, it might be because I am reluctant to touch on the topic. I have not quite explained fully for the decision that I have made. Not that the reason really matters to all of you, just that maybe some of you might want to know.

But before I touch on that, I just want to congratulate my form class. I am really proud that all of you have managed to promote successfuly without any help from the school. My only fear now is for the weaker ones. You guys really have to work very hard to ensure that you catch up next year which is a highly crucial year. NEVER get complacent as it will only lead you to regret. C'mon guys and girls, it is going to be the last year, make a beautiful final dash. I have 100% faith that all of you will be able to go to your preferred choice! Remember! For those who wants to go poly, aim for 14 points and below (L1R4) while those who wants to go to JC, aim to score 18 and below (L1B5). Start finding information about the courses available and repeatedly ask yourself what do you want to do and decide on that quickly! Ms C won't be there for the 2nd part of the year to constantly nag at you. So, really, remember that you walk your own path!

As for the reason why Ms C has to go, to be very honest, I can't really find a concrete reason for that. One thing is for sure, it has absolutely nothing to do with all of you, students. I really like teaching the Sec 3s and the graduating students and I really wish that I could see all of you all the way to the Os! I guess having stayed at the same environment for 5 years, I really need to take a look outside. It is a case of having your sight shortened after staying put in the same place for too long. Also, not getting the appreciation that you think you deserved. (Nothing to do with the students, definitely) And of course, the feeling of exhaustion and tiredness is starting to set in. Not forgetting, at the end of next year, most of you would have moved on to another stage of your life and Ms C is also moving on to another stage of her life and with that, a fresh start in a new environment allows her to view things from a fresh perspective. Of course, I could choose to inform all of you later just before I leave, but changes will set in beginning of next year (e.g. form teacher and subject teacher change) and I do not want all of you to cope with such unexpected changes as next year is too important to the Sec 3s especially. Hene, by telling you now, you would be mentally prepared to cope with new changes come Jan 2008 and will be ready for the final dash next year and not be bothered by such changes because you are already mentally prepared.

I am not sure if what I have spoken here makes sense to you. I am sure the more sensible ones will understand and many of you respect my decision. I will really miss all of you. Being able to teach all of you has been one of the best journeys of my life, to date. Please remember, I may not be physically there after June 2008, but whenever you guys need help, I will be there. I am just a call away.

The final dash to 2007 finish line

I haven't been updating this blog for a while simply because time is really scarce on my side. I have been busy preparing the graduating classes work and lessons as well as marking as much work as I can. Not forgetting, tutorials and one to one remedials. Finally, I am having a short breather and SA2 is starting which means that I will only need to prepare lessons for the grad classes albeit I have 5 of them.

The past week has been emotinally draining for me. I had good times playing games with my form class, in hope that they can relieve some stress from preparation for the examinations only to be upset by a number of them the next day because they refused to learn to face consequences. One particular Sec 5 classes' lessons was constantly disrupted by this 'super attention seeker' whom I chased out the class after my patience wore off. But he really upset me when he started to be defiant and rude. The Sec 4 class is another big headache. Most of them never realise that I really hope to see them do well but at the moment, I feel that they are not that motivated despite the fact that O'levels are arriving in 2 weeks' time.

In conclusion, I am glad that the week is over. For the Sec 3s, do take the exams seriously. You know more than enough that aceing this exam is not a choice but a must. I just want to wish you all all the best! Do give in your best and DO NOT give up! For the graduating classes, you have only 2 weeks left. We, teachers, are trying our best to help you as far as possible but ask yourself, have you tried your best? Nonethless, hang in there!

The last dash to the final hurdle

It is finally the last term of the year! In another 3 weeks or so, the final examinations will start. It is quite heartening to hear that many of my students have started their revisions. I know that it will be a highly stressful period, but remember, it is the first part of the journey to realise the goals. So, the key now is to learn to manage the stress levels. Do remember to take a break when the pressure is getting to you BUT do not get complacent, as a result. HANG IN THERE, PEOPLE!

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Actually during the history class yesterday, I really wanted to flare up at the group of you again. Then again, I realised that the class was not just about the group of you. Just because you are selfish does not mean that I should forget the presence of the rest of the people. I know history is boring to some of you but please be understanding that planning a history lesson takes huge effort. I spent the whole afternoon on Sunday preparing this week's history lesson. The objective is simply: Teach the class the right methods to answer the questions. Honestly, how interesting do you expect this to get? If you have chosen to not follow the lesson or use 'don't know/don't understand as an excuse', then I am sorry...you are being left behind. It just means that you have to cover a longer distance.
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As requested by some of the history students, I am posting some links to good websites to help in your understanding of Hitler. A very good revision website is also included.

http://www.historyplace.com/worldwar2/riseofhitler/index.htm (This has many pop-ups which are irritaitng but it has a good overview about the life of Hitler.)

http://home.snu.edu/~dwilliam/s98/nazism/index.htm (A website summarising Nazism)

http://www.aushchwitz.dz (Note that this website is on holocaust and it has a number of disturbing pictures of the Jews in the concentration camps)

www.johndclare.net (an excellent revision website to help you to remember your work)

Hope that these are useful! Study hard!

It is MY day!

WHOA HO!! It's Teachers' Day! Counting the years, this is my fifth Teachers' Day already! To be very honest, the number of presents received is decreasing as years passed by but I really don't mind it at all as the quality of presents is increasing. This year, for the first time, I received many 'Thanks yous". Most of them came in the form of cards and SMSes. For the first time, too, I received a really delicious chocolate cake from a few girls from my form class. I really appreciate the effort put in and I really LOVE it! The card is really sweet too! Not too mention the jellies, handicrafts, mugs, frames, chocolates, sweets, flower, cookies and many others. I really hope that you guys did not spend too much on the presents. Nonetheless, thank you for all the effort and sweet gestures.

Hmm...just a food for thought..what would make the best Teachers' Day present? My wishlist and it will sound really cliche:

1. Sensible students who always do the right things





2. Appreciation from students in the form of respect and attention





3. Eagerness to learn new things and question when in doubt
   

Fortunately, most of my students do have the above but a significant group still have quite a long way to go. Maybe this will be a group who probably will never say 'thank you' and it would probably upset me the most as I probably have not made much of an impact on them. Nonetheless, it is MY day! I will not feel upset over such things.

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To my form class: I am really happy that most of you turned up at the Road Race in your class T-shirts! I am so glad that we bought orange T-shirts instead! Hee!

The Cake!

Our Nice Tee!

My wonderful girls!