School of Future Leaders

To be there or there already?

Over breafast yesterday, the Principal told me her heart's desire ; to establish the panaroma of the school an inch further. She reiterated that we should profess it as the 'School of Future Leaders' and to make it work.

Yes, the school of future leaders and for future leaders.

Walking round the premises of the school, my memory stretched back to as far as it could hold and I wondered at all the students who have left us over the decade. Where are they? How can I tell of their stories? How many will tell me their stories? Are some of them aspiring to be towering figures in the country?

For the sake of history, I will try to find out ... as much as it permits.

So, each time I talk about some stories related to them it will be entitled ;

School of Future Leaders.

Incidentally, one figure walked in yesterday and said 'hi'.

As related some time ago, I remember this guy as someone different in class. He dreamt to be a cheer leader and a dancer. His essay told me of it. To make it a reality, he became a figure to behold in the co-curriculum field. So it is true to equate some aspiration and success with active participation in school. He gathered his croonies and bull- dozed through the cheer panel of judges because he formed the first all male team for the 'pom-pom' world and emerged the first ever champion team for the nation...boys don't go pom-pom but they did it and caught the nation's attention.

Then he successfully completed his STPM and enrolled himself in a 'dance degree' emerging again as the best student of his cohort from Universiti Malaya. He knew what he wanted. So what if he had been in the pure science stream in his school career ? He never forgo his dream. He shared that his mum allowed him a full say in what he wanted to do and laughed when he related how many friends' parents forbade them to enroll in such a 'dance degree'. So some of them became engineers, accountants and... still wanted to dance. So they join hands with him and dance, dance, dance even after their professional degrees.They don't want to be in their fields they graduated from. They only wanted to dance !

Yes, it's Chee Wei. He dropped by to say hello to his 'ibu' ; that close to her his heart is. So the Principal confirmed again - school of future leaders.

Chee Wei told me he has never worked for any boss before because he aspires to be the boss himself. In his words...I do not wait for opportunity to come my way; I create my own opportunity. I'm not used to being led cause Seafield trained me to lead... Wow, he sure knows how to 'bodek'...compliment; something up his sleeve? Trying to get business?
Today he is the boss of 'Cheer Aspirations' and provides training services to those who need them. He also does retailing in sports equipment and evrything related to cheer business. He employs many Seafieldians and is still the leader wherever he goes. He is bold and the sky is the limit. He told me he is single but not available. What does that mean?

We will be seeing more of him ... official coach of "The Vulcanz"; the very team he formed in his school days.

Contact him at cheeraspirations @ gmail.com.

Proud of Chee Wei.

Congrats !

Success Story

Congratulations

IMU informed the school :

" We are pleased to inform you that Ms Elaine Kan Mei Ying, a former student of SMK Seafield, has done extremely well in her pharmacy degree programme in the IMU. At the graduation in May 2009, she was the winner of Pfizer Award for Pharmacology & Therapeutics, and Wintrop Award for Pharmacy Practice."

Elaine, (SPM 2002/STPM2004) has always been a quiet, unassuming, and helpful person. Having taught her in Form 3 , I found her to be a careful and detailed worker. Reliable and can be counted upon in any assignment, she has indeed accomplished that which is due hers.
She is in the Lily Chong, Nizar, Reuben Low and Angie Khoo cohort - a brilliant batch - always creating history for the school.

Congratulations Elaine on being the top student in your cohort and having achieved a first class honours.

Highest Award

Anugerah Pelajaran Di Raja Of Universiti Malaya

He is one of the recipients of only 2 categrories - the Bumiputra and Non-bumiputra - to receive this honour at the Tunku Chancellor Hall, University Of Malaya, tomorrow. It is the most coveted ever honour , the highest award to any student for the cohort.

Lim Chee Wei (SPM 2003 / STPM 2005)

Humbly he said, "teacher, shy la"...but the feathers in the cap are many...choreographer, dancer, performer, trainer... a first class honours in Performing Arts. His excellent resume and contributions to the community around him has earned him also RM5K, a gold medal, a certificate and an exemption from a Masters Programme from Universiti Malaya. He is given the opportunity to do his PHD right away.
You can't get just anyone to change your leaking pipes, neither can you get anyone to draw ; you may be good at figures, you have a halo over you as a doctor but dance...so you think you can dance?

So dance away, Chee Wei

Congratulations and well done...we are proud of you.

This Is The Day

The Convocation

Yes. It's Esther's turn.

Wilson Hall Of the University of Melbourne is dominated by a striking mural designed by Douglas Annand in collaboration with sculptor Tom Bass . Entitled 'A Search for Truth' the mural depicts a struggle out of primitive ignorance toward knowledge, symbolised by the sun.

The Procession led by the Deputy Chancellor, Ms Rosa Storelli.

This year the Honorary Doctorate Degree was conferred to our very own local boy - Hijjas Bin Kasturi - for his outstanding contribution to architecture in Malaysia . His popular designs include the Securities Commisssion HQ Building, Tabung Haji, KL, Menara Apera-ULG, KL, Menara Maybank, KL and Menara Telekom. Both an entrepreneur and an educationist, being instrumental in establishing MARA's architecture degree programme, he is to be emulated by the aspiring younger generation of architects.

Esther waiting amongst her contemporaries

Soon her turn. In front of her is Zen, whom I think I owe a dinner treat, for his care and tremendous support to Esther in times of need. It's vital to a have a pal who is available for mutual encouragement when away from home.

Esther receiving the certificate - Bachelor of Architectural Studies. It's only the beginning.

There. Congratulations , girl.

The 3 sisters happy for one another.

Michelle came in the nick of time to congratulate her. She was wavering between acknowledging me as 'Aunty' or 'Puan Chong'. Apa pun boleh. Well, tomorrow it's her turn in the University of Monash. Congrats, Michelle.

Esther with her die-hard friends.

The trip was made partly for this. A family photo for the new graduate.

This is indeed the day that the Lord has made.

I passed

5th Dec 2008
7.25:23 am
I passed.

I had dreams...plenty of them throughout the night. But I woke up to an even better reality.
Finally. She made it at the exit exam. Grace passed. Thank you dear Jesus.

Well...I have been waiting for a long while...6 years? But it's worth the waiting. Despite the fears and at times doubts, the resilience saw her through. It's not an easy walk but what is easy in life?

Just yesterday as I was going through some of her things in her room in anticipation of her coming home I saw this cute little card...the 001 card. Every school going child will remember this card. Can you still recall filling this card? What I want to be when I grow up?And do you remember the poor counsellor in school trying to help put your thoughts in place to chart your future path? They are important moments cos they do help you think of your future. It was an indication for Grace, though.

Apa Saya Hendak Jadi Bila Saya Besar (Pilihan Pekerjaan oleh Murid)

Tahun/Darjah Pilihan Pertama Pilihan Kedua Pilihan Ketiga

1991 1 Cempaka Doktor Guru Pegawai

The choice of careers then didn't seem important. It was probably a child's illusion...so I thought.

Now, the year was 2000. Immediately after PMR, when students were to be streamed into the Sciences or Arts , my first reaction was she should be in the Arts. If you know Grace, you will know why I did that. I thought she was a natural in the Arts ... the right brainer.

Ma : Girl, you go into the Arts and do Literature in English

Grace : Ok , ma

The next day, the good old advisor;

Mrs Wang : Hei Chong. Are you crazy? Put her in the Science stream. Don't cut her off like that.

I had a difficult evening. If I were to put her in the Arts she will sail through. Nothing to worry about and she can write until the cows come home. But...what if one day she tells me she wants to be in the Health Sciences? A doctor? Urg...tuition, tuition...it is always more difficult with the first child. So, I took the good advisor's intuition and persuaded her to go into the Science stream. Just in case...I made a mistake.

Another turning point. Foundation year. What now? Arts or Science? My poor Grace is always the guinea pig..mama is just as blur. Ok now. The same principle...if you go to the Arts stream you cut yourself off ...if otherwise in the Science stream you are given a wider scope. So that was the basis of the decision again. The rest is history.

Though I thought she was an innate right brainer, she developed her left brain later in life. There's a precious lesson here. We can help an individual develop both sides of the brain as concurred in the Theory of Multiple Intelligence. My advice to parents and students...nothing is impossible if you have a will to accomplish but your child must be prepared to work.

I have a confession to make here though.

I don't know if she really enjoys the course or she is doing it out of obligation for I know her first love is to write. I will ask her when I see her on Sunday. But she is a good girl. She listens to me.

So parents, think about my decision with Grace. Maybe it can help you in your future dealings with your child. But a word of caution ...love your child enough to hear what they want cos what we want may not be what they want. However, we have to guide with right gut feelings and be firm enough not to give in to whims and fancies. A life time of learning.

Thanks to life long learning.

Grace and Esther in Brisbane

P.S I am putting up this pic to 'compensate' for the other scrawny pic I have shown in the 001 card so she won't be angry with me...hahahaha.

See you girls in a couple of days.

Why Not?

What is the cry of a child?

As I was clearing the annual garbage and preparing for the new term, I came across this small but significant booklet which has numerous expressions of a mum's love for her children. This is especially dear to me cos it was presented to me by my three girls in their primary school years and I have it with me all these years on the shelf in my room. If I don't recognise wrongly, the words scribbled were that of my no.2. Of course all three came out with their pocket money, I am sure.

I had a good time scouring through the encouraging words as they connect my relationship with my girls and precious to me. A mother's sacrifices come to naught when they remember you with fondness and kindness.

However, I was truly struck by the truth of this one expression:

To a child, love is spelled t-i-m-e.

A child's cry is just that. Time with mummy and daddy. So if daddy is the bread winner, the privilege will be the mummy's! Connection is essential for the wholesome growth of a being; an understatement; as the reality is shown in the many classic discipline cases I have seen in school. A father's and mother's roles are crucial for a well-nurtured child. And that needs time. No substitute. However, there is no complete euphoria in this world...how do we find time for the child?

My next reflection. If mummy is also a career lady, what happens? How much time now? Do we ask the extended family to take over? Grandma, grandpa, aunties, uncles, Filipino maids, Indonesioan maids, baby sitters? It's really not easy. But, the consolation is, children still grow up and some still turn out as fine. But what would you do?

Here's my 2 cent opinion.

If you are a male, take a teacher for a wife. If you are a female, and you want a vocation to vent out your talents, be a teacher. Halt it. That's just my opinion. You are entitled to your view. But I will tell you why.

Marry a teacher and

• you have one at home to look after your children's interests in school (no need to worry about exam dates, school calendar, ins and outs of school...)


• your children will be well taken care of during the holidays (save money on babysitting and keeping them out of trouble...)


• you will be informed of the latest education gimmicks in town (you leave it to her to decide on which path to tread; you have a consultant...)


• your children will be granted quality time with her ( afternoon naps, nursery rhymes, tv time, movie time, shopping sprees...)


• you have a ready chauffeur to chaperon your children here and there (tuition chores, activity time, going to school, coming home...argh)


• your bills and assessments will be settled without being fined (she lines up for you, remembers things for you...trained by the school to be meticulous...)


• you inherit all her pension when she leaves this world (she leaves the legacy of forever supporting you in your old age...)


• you have hot meals as she is also a part time housewife ( you can come home like a big boss and ask for food but please do the washing up...or you may find missing meals...)


• your home is well-managed ( sometimes she even sews the curtains, sews pyjamas for your children, beds are made-up, drains are scrubbed...)


• you have absolutely nothing to lose but everything to gain ( can you find a substitute?)

But never ever take her for granted cos if she leaves you...there will be a tsunami.

That's just my opinion...I know, I know you choose to say otherwise. But there's no denial that children of teachers have at least some quality time with the mother/father...with some exceptions! Even when ferrying the children to and from school they can share meaningfully and that is love spelled out. Being available when they need you is the key 'to love-spelled-out'.

And of course this modern society thinks otherwise. To be a teacher? NO WAY.

Come to think of it, my children's paternal grandma was a teacher, maternal great great grandpa was a scholar in China, great grand uncle was a lecturer in China, aunties of both sides are teachers and mummy is also a teacher...a family of teachers...now you know why they don't want to be one! But I am still advocating that they be lecturers in their profession. Possible? Nothing is impossible. Why not? Somehow, somewhere there is some teaching blood in the family... hint,hint...

To be a good teacher, however...hmmm...not everyone is a candidate.