A Treat

A past, present and future connection

When you become a feeder school to a local tertiary institution of higher learning, you are highly esteemed by them.

Taylor's has long been associated with the students of Seafield and historical achievements have been achieved through this partnership. Many Seafieldians have walked past the gates of Taylor's and have today emerged as professional and successful individuals. Strange that my spouse should have his pre-u education at Taylor's and later to find his 3 daughters going through the same gate before embarking on university degrees. Grace went through SAM and IMU, Esther through their architectural diploma and University of Melbourne and Sara through A levels and the University of Reading; all semi products of Taylor's. In a way, I am grateful to the opportunities created through the programmes.

Taylor's has long been contributing to education through affiliation with local schools. So today the staff of Seafield were given to another treat as were given a session on "creative teaching" by the head of Design Department, Mr. Kenneth Tan.


Mr. Tan is an eloquent, patient and knowledgeable speaker.




Taylor's was gracious for she provided meals too at their beautiful, local campus. The teachers were delighted for they had a choice of meals and drinks after been given a free ride there. What great hospitality; no wonder their school of tourism and hospitality today has a student population of 3000.





The teachers were eager to learn. You see it on their smiley and eager faces. But what was going to be taught?

After listening to Sir Ken Robinson, we were further made to understand that students who can't sit still in class may not necessarily suffer from anything except out of boredom and insufficient stimulation. That introduced us to the notion of creativity.
In summary, 4 facets of creativity were touched.

• Fluency
• Flexibility
• Originality
• Elaboration

Fluency allows varied solutions to a challenge. Problems are solved not only in one manner. Try as many and use the most appropriate for the occasion. Teachers teaching maths and art must allow more than a method to achieve the goal?





Everyone was asked to form patterns out of the circles. Any form as long as a theme is made. Fluency is for the best of varied approaches.

Flexibility is applied with a condition : no breaking of rules.
So the teachers were asked to fold a piece of paper into quarters, then to divide it into 3 strips.






Tear the strips into 3 equal parts and there is a limit to its tear about 2 inches above the end of the paper. The rule is to hold 2 ends of the paper with your fingers and be creative !

She did it ! No rules broken and yet the task is achieved. It is typical of this teacher. She doesn't break rules and still manages to achieve her task in her work.


So delightfully she received this gift for her creativity. So we teach children to achieve task without breaking rules .

So how do you be original in your creations?



Cloud shape. Design 4 patterns to denote 4 different types of vocation.




That's an ice cream cone; so ice cream vendor !




If it is star shaped; it is the sheriff ! What else?


Flags in different banner shapes !


Hearts. A matchmaker agency, heart surgeon, emotional consultant...



This is the winning work. A triangle shape forming vocations for a mountaineer, archaeologist, billiard player and a camp director...


Doris, Doris, Doris ... creative ! Maybe we play the game with the students in school and they might just outshine all of us.

So now you talk about originality and elaboration ! Talk about combinations of ideas and elaborate on them.




Combine list A and B and come out with the most outrageous ideas of the best creation. The scale of difficulty has climbed up... bloom's taxonomy.




Use Mas to carry durians to international markets. China, Korea and Japan now import durians from Malaysia. If MAS cannot beat AA, carry durians instead? The teachers are bold!



How about the banana shape combined with Mas and footwear expert Fung Keong ?


The mangosteen with Maxis; i phone ... winning streak !




Devi, though quiet is surely imaginative and became the winner. Now I know the potential in her.





Some ideas her can be patented...thanks to the creativity of teachers ! When I casually asked Kenneth about the level of creativity of the staff on the Likert Scale of 1 - 5 he quickly said at least 4! Seafield is creative !

In between the sessions as I walked around the campus, I couldn't help but notice creativity displayed !






It looked so familiar. Yes, back in mid 2005 I remember Esther doing stunts like that in her course.


I went to them and asked : Are you architectural students ? Yes ! Yes ! ... I knew it. Nothing but sense, creativity and ideas; loads of it for the course.




I was told by the excited Esther last night that Bakita, co- designed with colleagues while working in ArchiCenter was highlighted in the local Architecture Magazine. She was elated. Now more for the days to come...



She leaves for Melbourne to day again for her final lap... gruesome 6 years. But may all that she has learnt bring her joy and contentment. The course has taught her creativity, endurance, patience, determination, and caused buckets of tears and sleepless nights. Architecture is surely not for the faint-hearted.

May the good Lord's presence go before you and bless your work.
Go Esther go... mama is with you !

Taylor's...so connected with my past, present and future.
Thank you for a day of knowledge, food and hospitality.

All Done Well

The days before it were bad reminders.
They were rainy ones and at the recesses of our minds; unspoken and feared was a rainy one on our grand day.
But it is good when we pray for good weather.
Somehow, somewhere even His heart is touched and he would choose to honour the hard work of parents, teachers and students for a good cause.



So the sun was up and bright ... to compliment the mood of entrepreneurship, generosity, opportunities and hope. We could not want anything, anymore.


The mood was contagious.
The ethos was unprecedented.
It was the Carnival.


Praba, the star of the show displayed great organizational skills, energy, sacrifice, time and drew the admiration of many ; a leader by example.



The PTA team and the Principal worked hand in hand with little fuss and talk but with plenty of hard work ; mental and physical. It worked...no arm chair critics; that's the secret of the success.


Every year they will spur up the mood with their music... it gave an up beat and the parents were uplifted to see their gifted children in action. Marcus is enthusiastic and a die-hard for the band. His passion will bring him far.


Behind the desk are many quiet workers. They slogged in quiet demeanor and took instructions dutifully and responsibly. My heartfelt thanks to Puan Zuniadah and her many detailed contributions to the opening of Akas Seri and Joyce too.



The counsellor at a call took initiative to come at the oddest hours to put up with the request of installing the mini fridge for the ice cream and sat there to sell...

The many unseen efforts of the PTA with Suhaily as the chieftain made it happen ! How to function without the spark ?


Wow, no compromise for advertisement ! They must get their stall told and known. Who sponsored it ? How and why ? I know the answer. No need to reveal though but it allowed latent persuasive skills to emerge. Good for the children.


There. If you ask me how the weirdest ideas could emerge I recommend you to meet Jonathon. He has many up his sleeves. Putting soapy water for gliding fun; where did he learn about it?


The children are great. They create their own fun. They know what is fun ; I don't know. That's why we need them to draw the crowd.




Look for that little coin with the designated mark... it attracted children of primary age. Parents of children of such age listen to them ; give them anything they want. If you can't find it once, try again, again and again.

Oh but it's only fishes. Catch as many as you want; got it ?

But I can hardly catch any ! Do you want to catch for me? Please...time is running out !

They told me they only pose when I eat at their cafeteria; sushi sushi but for 'your sake' chin chai la. So I got scott free.

The best ever laksa in town prepared with not only fresh catch, vegetables but added with a lot of love ! Right from the Principal's pots and pans ! Out of the universe. if you have not tasted it, you have surely missed a world chance.

One more scoop for you; hope you'll enjoy it ! "Mama please tell Puan Zaleha I have never tasted better laksa" ; Esther told me to relate to her.

Yes Tiru. Today you can draw anything you like... nothing in your account for the sake of the pocket ! Draw the crowd, draw the crowd.

Soo Yin and her favourite pose. Each time you take her photo, she stands like this. From a neighbouring school she often tells me she enjoys being a Seafieldian; so much fun wan ah !

Sensational ghost ! So many ghosts and their houses gave one another a tough fight ! Thoroughly enjoyable .

Yes the Alumni is back to give their support.

Aloha...giving the alohan atmosphere to draw the customers...

Coconuts picked from farms as early as 3 am but it was all worth the effort; feel good to contribute.

The President is enjoying himself every moment...chopping off coconut heads !

Yes; when else do you get the old boys and girls to register? Many came and registered. All thanks to the initiative taken by the committee.



Esther and Sara came to meet friends and teachers. They gave much joy to the teachers as they see them bloom into pretty ladies !

Guan Aik and Chloe also came into say hello... the young man did his alma mater a favour; secured free ice cream for sale !

Simon, a quiet and humble pilot asked ' How can I contribute to the school?" How many come in to ask like that? He is a true son of the school. He gave in great generosity; figure unrevealed.

Shang Shi is sure to drop by...

How else to end but with Arumugam...Andai he said and he had the crowd singing half the rendition. It was crowd drawing.

The boys caught the girls' hearts with their 'beat it ' and other challenges. Fun watching them but Chee Kin, remember to read your books too !

All done well.

That which was hoped for came true; weather, money, fun, participation, food, games, cooperation. What more can one ask for ?
Congratulations to you and me.

Till we meet again.