Students who warmed my heart

It is always heartening to hear from students that they have done well in life or when they appreciated what they had learned from us.

Just got this message from Nadine who graduated from Serangoon Sec in 2010 and is now studying in California:

I'm just writing a message because I found myself explaining to my bro meanders and oxbow lakes. I'm pretty sure I have forgotten almost everything I've learned because I haven't been in school for a while and I'm surprised I was able to teach him that and other things too about the natural vegetation. Anyway it's been a year and I just wanna say that you've been one of the kindest teachers I've met and thanks for the patience you showed me. I know I wasn't the easiest student before because I was so distracted. So thanks for always cheering me on.

Got another similar message via SMS from Junming earlier this year during teachers'day but it was in Chinese.

I am glad that they have appreciated what they have learned in Geography - just like what I have told them - Geography is all around you and that Geography is everything!

It was the school's graduation ceremony yesterday and I must say I was pretty touched by the appreciation shown by the students - will definitely miss them!

Xinyi from 4ED drew this for me

Saw a blog posting from another former student, Alvin(Hougang Sec), and I must say I was pretty touched by what he had posted and heartening to know that I had made the difference in his life:

Met 2 great teachers , Mdm Ng Ai Khim and Mrs Lily Lee.
They were really great teachers, and also the only teachers that I've respected that year.
I'm in debt to Mrs Lily Lee. She's the one that pushed my failed score to a pass.
A result of 50.1/100 , Thank you.

http://xiaoxiaoalvin.blogspot.com/2011/01/past-5-years.html

Another former student of mine, Lee Kiang (Hougang Sec), came to my present school to give me this today:



She had just came back from her interview in Shanghai for the future global talent graduate program and I am so happy for her that she was selected. I had written the character reference letter for her and I must say she had been one of my most committed and diligent Geography student.

To every one of my students - we will continue to be your teacher in life and take pride in your success. All the best to my students who have just graduated again! Your attitude will determine your altittude - continue to learn and you will find Geography all around you!

Outstanding Contribution Award

Went through 3 days of staff seminar and today the school presented the outstanding contribution award to the staff. I was part of the team which won the team award -60 of us who shared during Passion Day. The other teams are the PE dept and the Exam/Post Exam committee. Mr Sharin and Sofian won the individual award.

National Stamp Collecting Competition 2011

One of the achievements of the year - our school won 6 Silver and 4 Bronze.

Silver awards: - http://www.spm.org.sg/programmes/school_programmes/silver_award_2011.html

Bronze Awards:

http://www.spm.org.sg/programmes/school_programmes/bronze_award_2011.html

My own team - Zijing, Xiaoli, Constance and Leroy won the Silver Award. The other team which I helped - Jaslyn, Siti Aishah, Siva and Ming Yang also won the Silver Award.

Haw Par Villa

It's much more convenient to visit Haw Par Villa now that the MRT station next to it is opened. I used to go there quite often during my Uni days. A lot more sculptures have been added and it was quite a crowd being a public holiday. Didn't manage to go into the Hua Song Museum but saw some information here: http://alvinology.com/2009/12/21/hua-song-museum/

Art & Science Museum, Helix Bridge

Went for an Educator's Preview of the Titanic exhibition at the Art and Science Museum today - too bad photography is not allowed in it. Not a very big exhibit but we get to see how luxurious the first-class cabin and the main staircase was like. I was also surprised that it cost almost the equivalent of USS$62,000 to travel first class then. Would have been better if there were more insights on how the survivors feel on the maiden voyage and maybe accounts from victim's family on the victims - more human touch to the exhibit.

A panoramic view from the Helix bridge using photosynth.