Leadership training camp

LTC 09 has just ended.

What an eventful camp!

It has been quite a few years since teachers' organised LTC camp. And it was a first for me to be in it too.

I was approached to help out in the camp, and i thought to myself, " Hmmmm, 7 of my students are in it. It will be good to stick around in camp to see how they grow thru this experience."

Intentional Walk
An activity that requires a person to walk thru two rows of participants uniquely!
This was a fun activity that caused alot of cheering, bonding and laughter. Memorable ones were from Ming Xiang and Victoria doing their cartwheels. Of course not forgetting the ever ready to shine Rachael doing her....I dunno whats the name for what she did, Front cartwheel? =)

This was also a good time for the leaders to think whether they are ready to lead. Being in front of the crowd in the spot light is never an easy task. Especially when you know that people are judging you.

Scenarios Training
Students were given difficult scenarios and asked to think about their reactions. I see most students gave perfect model answers, and when i questioned them if it was truly what they will decide to do, they answered with conviction in their eyes.
This reminded me of an incident which happened in my class earlier this year. A discipline case required me to ask some students to write green forms. However they felt it was necessary to ask "permission" from the offender to whether they can write the "truth".

I was shocked. Loyalty to friends seemed more important than helping bring justice to what the offender has done to a teacher. In that moment, my heart goes out to the offender who realises he has done wrong and just asked his classmates to go ahead and write the truth.
I wonder what my students would have written should he have asked them not to.

Night Walk
With just small light sticks leading the way, students are to walk thru some of the darkest portions of the school!
I was stationed just before one of the darkest part of the route. Halfway thru, i was thinking to myself, is this a Night walk? or a Intentional Walk? Simply because, each student was going pass me with all kinds of styles and actions!

Guys who were afraid adopted the "gangster" walking mannerism, some purposely dragged their feet loudly, some were whistling and singing too. An unforgettable one was Robert from 1-2. He was dodging from pillar to pillar like a detective. Inside i was LOL-ing all the way when i spotted him.

Girls. I salute the girls here for their bravery in facing up to their fears. They were not afraid of showing their weaknesses and taking their time slowly to overcome them. I believe in humility, as leaders, often we will meet with circumstance we do not know how to handle, but we must think on the spot for solutions or be humble enough to ask others for advice. Thru their tears, I believe many girls went thru the Night walk which before this, they would have never thought that it could be something that they are capable of.

Coach Carter
As i watched this DVD to find all the parts that we want to show the leaders, I must have watched the whole movie 6 or 7 times. Yet as I watch Cruz illustate his deepest fear each time, I cant help but be moved by his words. I hope this movie made a small impact on my students, and hopefully when the new year begins, I can find chance to screen the whole movie to those who are interested.

Amazing Race!!!!!
An unforgettable event! Especially with my racing Lloyd up the spider web at West Coast park, leaving me with a bruised chin ( and a bruised ego). Argghh =(
Admiration at my station goes out to those who were afraid of heights but still managed to conquer them. Some names to mention are Garrick and Amanda, the rest I apologise, I didnt get all your names. I was helping Garrick up the web and his hands were freezing cold. Many a times he said " no i cant do it anymore, i want to go down." but with encouragement, he went all the way up, and was able to lie flat down without any help.

Looks like my students are demolishing their fears one at a time! from Darkness, to heights.

Leader's Night!
Hmmm, I cant remember when was the last time I was so dressed up. I felt kind of excited, as if i was going to a prom. (I can remember my JC prom though, it was horrible.) A lot of effort was put in by the Leader's Night committee to setting up the place and creating the ambience.

Just as there were many "firsts" for the students thru out the activities in camp, dancing is a first for me in my life. Though i enjoy the limelight in certain things i do, i know i absolutely suck at singing and dancing. However, still i wanted to learn what steps my students were learning, so i was asking the guys to teach me. Guys being guys, we all suck at it. It must have been an eye sore for Rachael seeing how hard they were trying to teach me but getting no where. She stepped in to give me a "proper" lesson.

Gasps! and there goes my first dance with a lady! Too shy to continue, i made my exit and hide away. Lol.

Finale
An eventful 3 days, leaving us with alot to learn and alot to think about. One parent called me to ask me what the camp was about as they are worried their child will be caught up in too much activities and their academics will suffer.

So this is my message to all leaders that chance upon my blog.

1. You all already know that academics is a requirement for being a leader. Now are you going to see it as a burden? Or are you going to see leadership being a motivation for you to want to excel in your work?

2. With all the values and empowerment that you went thru during the camp, not all of you will be chosen to be leaders at the end of the day. Now will you leave the responsibilities to those who are chosen? Would you still think, act and behave like a leader even though you do not have a badge?

Being a leader is a decision, a choice. It comes with many responsibilities, not all we are comfortable with but we go thru with it to see that they are achieved. With or without a badge, a true leader exhibits his/her qualities at all times.

And that is how I hope that all students in AES will strive to become.


This is Mr Low signing out after a very very very long post.

See you guys soon. =)


PS: I would really like to hear from all leaders that have attended LTC if they have any thoughts and feelings after reading my post. Feel free to post in my comment or tagbox, or if you wish to share more private thoughts, u can email me at low_kiah_yong@moe.edu.sg

My Kitten

As I watch my little Kitten hide out in my woofer box, I think of my students.

When I first spotted this kitten, it was injured badly hiding among the bushes near a very big drain. It was drizzling and when the water level rises, it would definitely drown.

As humans, it was very easy for us to see the predicament, the kitten got to leave the bushes or it will die. But for the kitten, it wasnt able to see the same. It was thinking to itself, im injured, im safe in the bushes, i will attack anyone that tries to touch me.

This is very much similar to parents and teachers guiding our students. We can see 10 steps ahead of you and we always warn you of what is to come. However, you can only see 3 - 5 steps in front of you and decide that you know what is best, and you react against your teachers and parents.

I climbed into the drain to pick up the kitten. It was ferocious. It bit me on my finger and i was bleeding profusely. Still i managed to bring it to a vet and now it resides in my home, together with my other 2 cats.

Heres a video showing how it is still very scared and wary and resorts to hiding in all places.

Gathering!

Hi all, I just picked out all the food for the gathering on tuesday! Hope you people will like the food i ordered.

Anyways, have you all decided which teachers your class wishes to invite? Pls let me know via sms so I can tell the teachers and they will save their stomachs and be hungry on tues.

Gangsters and Bullies

It has been a while since i posted.

It has been a tiring month with exam papers, and other administrative work. On top of that, there have been discipline cases in my class.

So much in my head, so much to say. I cant organise my thoughts.

If only my students could see my past. Like, if there was a projector where I can put my brain in, and my teenage years is replayed onto the white screen.

Thinking back, how did i struggle thru those times?

Gangs, fights, BGRs etc. I think in the centre of it all, God was protecting me and sheltering me. I remember the teachers that I had that guided me along during times when I was just trash.

And now I can only pray that He does the same for my students.



A scar that I have. Serves as a memory that God is looking after us all the time, even when things seem bad and that He has forsaken us, it is just that we are not seeking Him, thus we do not have the wisdom and maturity to handle the problems around us.

Surprise!

One of my Sec 2 students gave me a big surprise today!

It is nice to see how much my students have grown since Sec 1 and that now they are much more mature and able to think and judge for themselves.

I know my Sec 1 class is facing the same problems that all Sec 1s go thru. And I also know that at this moment, not all of them are comfortable talking about it to me.

Well, I pray that God grants you the strength to pull thru and that we can all follow in His footsteps that He came down to be a servant leader to us all.

I will be looking forward to the day all my 1-1s are able to think about what is right and wrong for themselves, be focused on their goals in life and ignore all the immaturity of the insecure individuals residing amongst them. =)

As for now, study hard for the exams! One more week left.

Sept Holidays

The holidays have started.

7 days is a very very fast time. If there is some work that you wish to catch up on, I would suggest you plan to finish it by Wed. That will give you some time allowances for all the distractions we have in our everyday lives.

Stop Procrastinating today, thinking that you still have time. Remember Stephen Covey's Table of Time Management. We should be doing the Important things, but NOT Urgent things as much as possible. =)

In this one week, as there is no reading period, I am going to share two of my favourite teenager stories with you all. Hope you can take time to read them when you are taking a break from work.

They are:

1. Dr Jekyll & Mr Hyde

http://www.online-literature.com/stevenson/jekyllhyde/

2. Portrait of Dorian Gray

http://www.online-literature.com/wilde/dorian_gray/

The Chapter List are on the left side of the page.


Well, thats all for now. The BBQ we will have it after school reopens.

Punishment

It is a sad day that I had to suspend one of my own form class students.

I hope the others will learn something from this lesson and the class can grow from it.

Meanwhile, I hope the morning presentations and Notice Board readings will continue to groom you lot of fine young ladies and gentlemen.

"He who loves Discipline loves Knowledge. He who does not wish to be corrected, can never learn."

A lesson that I learned in Church.

1-2s outing gave me an idea to organise a BBQ for you guys. This way I can spend more time with you all as I only teach half the class D&T. However, as alot of you are going away during the Term Break, I shall organise one after the term break, to help you all relax before the exams.

Hope you peeps had a good rest. A new week begins!

Stray Kittens up for adoption

Hi people,

I have adopted 2 strays last week.

I have provided them temporarily shelter but i am unable to keep them long term.

Hoping to find a good home for them.

Two female Kittens. Toilet Litter trained (will be provided for new owner), along with some boxes and blankets that they are using right now.



Anyone interested and can give them a good home, pls let me know.

Thank you.

Nearing the Term Break

After a long gruelling 8 weeks at school, some students are starting to snap.

I had to face 2 major discipline issues (luckily not 1-1) in this week and as I talk to the students, I can tell that fitting in to the school culture is starting to wear them down.

1-1s, remember what I said about Stephen Covey's Time Management Table. It is very helpful to remind us to do the right things at the right time, effectively.

Play when you should, (your seniors know best how I relax in my own way) and study when its time to study.

The exams are like a brick wall that you are about to crash into. You can either do nothing and pray that last second you can create a miracle, or prepare yourself by finding ways and means to cushion the impact.


Myself I live great dreams outside of my working world. Once or twice I did create same sensations in the scenes that I am involved in. But none of it was by chance. It is by pure hardwork and focus that I manage to prove my worth to others that are much more senior and experienced than me.

A phrase that I read somewhere once that inspired me.

"How would you know the boundaries of the "Possible", if you have not crossed into the "Impossible" ?

Happy National Day!

Although a little late, but this is a Happy National Day to every reader of my school blog!

Sorry 1-1, for not being able to spend the National Day lesson with you all. I am the chair person in charge of the Concert. And while you guys were jeering and booing away at the concert, you have no idea how much hard work the emcees and commitee had put in! >.<

Anyways, I feel that the Concert did pull off well, especially all the Emcees. The video was also quite nicely done right? *wink*

This year's concert felt quite special to me as I was involved in it greatly. So much so that I had to "feel" that spirit again, and I was at the Esplanade today to view the fireworks. No choice, I didnt manage to get tickets to the show.

One thing I felt proud of was that I stood up and said the pledge at 8:22 pm although only about a hand full of the crowd did the same. The rest just giggled and laughed away and took pictures while the entire nation was reciting the pledge.

Feel proud to be a Singaporean. If Gong Li and Jet Li and other international icons are choosing Singapore to be the country that they settle in and to provide the education for their children, Im sure that is something to be proud of!

Being a wet blanket:
Coming week is the 7th week already. Guys, 3 more weeks to Sept holidays, and then after that, another 3 more weeks to End of year exams.

Are you ready? Gentlemen (and ladies) Start your Engines!

Public Speaking

Thank you Catherine for reminding me.

I have just started this Public Speaking exercise for 1-1. This exercise involves getting each student to present something for about 10 minutes in front of the class. Hands up, all those that shiver at the thought of standing in front of a class? Dont worry, you are not alone.

I believe in grooming you all not just in your behavior and academic results, but also useful skills in the working world.

I was once a very shy and quiet student in class. Teachers hardly remember me as I was the"invisible" student. However, when in University, I realised I lacked alot of presentation skills and public speaking skills.

One example I remember was when I had to prepare on a Module while I was in University. I spent long hours researching, and making possibly one of the best powerpoint presentations ever in my life. But when my turn came to present, I was all Jelly legs and Sweaty palms. I did not do a good job at all.

I scored an average for that Module.

However, I was lucky later in life that my hobbies "forced" me to learn to compose myself in front of large crowds and to handle talking to people who were "more powerful" than myself.

This eventually helped me ace most interviews thus I was able to work at some of the largest local banks in Singapore the moment I graduated.

It is my sincere heart felt wish that each of you will go on further in life as a mature and well opinionated individual. =)


PS: If any of you have some issues that you wish for me to address, or talk about. Be it my opinion on some current affair issues or class happenings, feel free to leave a note in my Chatbox and I will look into it.

Cheers!

Expectations

Expectations are often something that people strive to live up to.

Teenagers in their younger years often need expectations from adults to guide their paths.

Today at Night Classes with the graduating classes, Im reminded of why I wanted to become a teacher. These Sec 4 & 5 students were studying very hard, working on question after question to test their own understanding of the concepts. The main focus tonight was clamouring for every single drop of information that teachers have to offer, and perfecting their understanding.

These students are still working to meet expectations. But no longer their teachers' expectations, but their very own.

Class 1-1, although I have not shown it, but my expectations for this class is very high. Both in terms of academic and also character development. Why?

Simply because you guys are the cream of the crop! If 1-1 cannot achieve it, then no other class can!

If 1-1 is handing up shredded worksheets to their teachers? What kind of behaviour should we expect from class 1-8?

You are not here by chance. Uphold this honour of being in the best class of the Sec 1 Level and show the school that you deserve to be in this class.

I will continue to condition you guys. We shall work together to show the teachers of AES that 1-1 is a mature lot and that you guys are capable of giving quality opinions to teachers and have the capability to lead the Sec 1 students in AES.

Should you want to learn more, or seek advice from me on how to improve your own character development, feel free to approach me and we can discuss on it.

Cheers!

Student Leaders

Currently, Mdm Siti and I have picked out some students to be recommended to go for the Student Leader course.

A gentle reminder to these students. This is a great role and responsibility that you are fufilling. Your behaviour and character have to exhibit all the C.H.R.I.S.T values, and you have to be an example to your fellow peers.

There are bound to be hardships along the way with teasing from your classmates, or facing situations whereby you have to choose between what is right and what you desire, and when faced with discipline issues, you leaders will get it harder than the normal student.

However, I hope that you are mature enough at your age to see beyond these hardships, and appreciate the leadership development opportunities that this path presents to you. The value of it is priceless. Myself, I wished I had the opportunity when I was a student, instead of having to pick up these skills only in my working years.

Well, enough said.

To Trishten and Dennis, your behaviour and attitude in class is being monitored by all your subject teachers and they report to me directly. Please be on your utmost best behaviour with regards to your behaviour in class and homework such that your subject teachers will not object my recommendation for you two to go thru this course.

As for the rest of the class, remind one another of the right and wrongs. The class reputation is everyone's responsibility. Lets make Class 1-1 of 2009 a class that teachers will talk about for a long time! ( in a positive way, of course. )

Improvement!

I have seen great improvement in the class's behaviour!

This is good. 1-1 please keep up the good work.

Congrats to the new Chair and Vice Chair. Everyone please remember now that they are the voices for the class now, so do co-operate with them.

In a class of 38, there are bound to be clashing opinions every now and then. That is unavoidable. That is why we have leaders to lead us.

Thank you all for the Food Discussion too. It was very enthusiastic but I felt that the discussion could have proceeded more successfully if you all raised your hands before shouting out your opinions. It really is a chaotic task for teachers to try to capture all the opinions.

Well, as requested by Catherine, I have added a Tagboard. Can anyone tell me what is the difference between a Tagboard and a Chatbox? I have a Chat box in my other blogs and they seem to be much prettier than this Blogger's Tagboard.

Lastly, I have also added Sudoku in. Its a good game that passes time quickly while exercising the brain. The brain is like a muscle. The more you exercise it, the stronger it becomes.

Looking forward to another week with you guys.

Cheers!

End of 1st week.

It had been an eventful first week, with Tristan's high cut shoes, Dennis impeccable soccer skills etc.

Everyone needs a little time to re-adjust. So far the class looks like they want to leave a good impression with the teachers but maybe the methods used are wrong. Let's be a class that teachers will remember for the right reasons. =)

A little reminder for all those that may have gone over seas during this long weekend. Please remember to fill up the Travel Declaration form from the AES website when you return to school on Tuesday.

Enjoy the holidays.

First Day

Hello Class 1-1/2009.

It is my pleasure to be the care tutor for your class.

Do check back this page for updates of important information from school that is needed to be passed on quickly.

It will be good if you set this as your Internet Explorer homepage.