NYAA Night Adventure

We stayed overnight in school last night and embarked on a long walking journey as part of the NYAA Adventure Journey requirement. The weather was fantastic! We started off with first-aid lessons where we get to how to immobilize a casualty. Tent pitching was next. It was nice setting up two tents in the school field to sleep there later in the early morning.

The night journey was tiring but it was a lot of fun. There were only 16 campers as we intended the size to be small to bond the people closer. The walk was non-eventful but we witness quite a bit of events at our stop/rest points :)

You can see the photos in my facebook...

Post Exams

Hmm, I never thought post exams can be so busy as compared to normal lessons. I have been clocking hours of one-to-one Maths tuition in the library with my Sec 4 students, coupled with running around for various activities such as school marketing, preparing a 2D1N overnight expedition, preparing for a very big event next year, working with some students on an entrepreneur competition, doing house-keeping in both the Basketball team and Student Council, teaching a class how to make lanterns... etc...

I found myself double-booked, at times, triple booked!!! Sounds exciting huh? Haha.... Life is a journey, always filled with surprises and adventure, never a dull moment.. :)

Graduation Night

If you are thinking that there are a lot of photos in this post, you'll be disappointed. I was disappointed too as the camera battery went flat last night as I was about to take the first picture. What a wasted opportunity! Never mind, there is still the GCE N and O level results released in Dec and Jan 2010 respectively.

It was nice to have this ceremony to celebrate the ending of the 4 year journey in the Secondary school. Each student gets to go on-stage to receive their report books and testimonials. They were also treated with song dedications from the teachers. It was a worthwhile and meaningful evening.

Of the 5 classes graduating, I taught 4 of them! The students are unique in their own ways. I am going to miss them. Some of the graduating students are especially close to my heart, as we went through challenges together and emerged victorious. The experiences have strengthen their character and our friendship.

Cameras were clicking. I hope some good souls would post them on-line so that all may enjoy the moments again, in print. :)

Mentorship

I am reading this book - "As Iron sharpens iron" by Howard and William Hendricks. It is written by a dad and son team. The dad is a well respected lecturer at Dallas Theological Seminary (DTS). A number of years back, I had the opportunity to visit DTS when I was on a business trip to Dallas, Texas. I was very impressed with the college. Many well-known theologians passed through the college doors of DTS.

Coming back to the book... it is about mentoring. Mentoring is very important to business organization. It is part of their leadership development and renewal strategy. I have been mentored and also mentored others since I was a teenager. I benefited from many insights and learning from different leaders. At the same time, I have proteges that I am proud of their lives and achievements.

Hence I was interested to hear that the author actually listed 5 profiles of a protege whom a mentor would choose:

(a) is the protege goal-oriented?
(b) Is he actively seeking a challenging assignment and greater responsibilities?
(c) Is he an initiator?
(d) Is he eager to learn?
(e) Is he willing to assume responsibility for his own growth and development?

The author adviced that if the protege-candidate does not show these traits, then it would be a rather fruitless exercise. It is a good thought. It challenges me to exhibit these qualities at all times. I must take responsibility for my personal growth.

Teachers' Day - and a new Singapore Book Record

The month of August went past pretty fast! It was a very busy month for me as we were engaged in a very meaningful cause, in the process, setting a new Singapore Book of Records. Six weeks ago, there was really nothing in sight to what actually happened yesterday. It was an opportunity that came and upon analyzing it, I thought we should seize it. My team has to convince all stakeholders, at all levels of the school organization, that this was a worthwhile project that we should be in. After understanding the project, my Principal and Vice Principal gave full support for the project.

Time was not really on our side. We had to work at break-neck speed and long hours to get the student organization structure up to implement the project. There were many fine details that we have to look into and manage, including the day's weather. I am glad that we have been preparing and restructing the student council since last December. That when such an opportunity came, our organizational "machinery" was ready for the challenge. Kudos go to the boys and girls that have put in some much enthusiasm and commitment to make a dream becoming a reality. Kudos also go to the teachers and school support staff for encouraging the students and supporting their efforts.

Chestnut Drive Secondary school was in the Press and the media because of everyone's effort and passion. We dare to dream and worked hard. We have done ourselves proud!

Read the news and watch the video clip at...
http://www.channelnewsasia.com/stories/singaporelocalnews/view/1001907/1/.html

Update

It's been a month since I last blog. School has started and the pace picked up in Term 3.

In a few months' time, my Mathematics class would be graduating. It has been a two-year journey with them. This is the last lap. 90% of the students in this class are International students. The uniqueness of this cohort is difficult to replicate in many neighbourhood schools. I may not be seeing some of them for the rest of my life but I count it a joy and privilege to have made inroads in their lives.

My graduating CPA classes are also unique too. A handful of them was with me when they were in Sec 2. In a blink of an eye, they too will leave the school gate and venture into life's many paths.

5 more weeks and we'll hit Term 3 short one-week holiday. Something is really buzzing up... akan datang... till then..

Parental Trust - by Dr Bill Maier

I read this article in the Today Paper yesterday.

Parental Trust
All teenagers want to be trusted by their parents. But trust is something you earn, not demand.

A counsellor once asked a group of teenagers: "How many of you consider yourselves to be honest with your parents?" Not one hand went up.

When she asked why, one student answered: "I don't actually lie; I just don't tell them all the facts."

Sadly, a lot of teenagers have the same attitude. And they then complain when their parents do not trust them. But trust is a precious gift, and you have to work to gain it.

You begin by developing a habit of telling the truth, no matter how painful it may be, even if you have to suffer consequences. And when you give your word, always follow through.

When your plans change, call home to let your family know. And take care of things you borrow.

It's the little things each day that thay builds trust between children and their parents. Once developed, trust seldom diminishes.

Holidays Ended, Term 3 begins

Swine flu, H1N1.. whatever you call it, it has made a significant impact in our daily lives in the last 2 months. With the end of the school holidays, schools are putting up with more precautionary measures to contain the spread of the virus. In other words, this means more work and more busyness for many of us.

I have my fair share of work too. Thankfully, the virus was well contained, fingers crossing. So far, this is for week 1. I wonder when the epidemic will go away. The sooner, the better. This is a long weekend coming up. What's your plans? I have not decided mine yet. Have an enjoyable weekend.