How time flies. It's like coming the end of Term 2!!!
It seems like just yesterday that I'd sent 6F 2007 off. And do I miss them - v. nice & fun bunch.
And now my son has been in the school for 16 weeks!
Oh well, I shall have to spend more time with Khai for SA1, from this weekend
I have been doing the game DOMO for 2 months now. Man it rox.
I love the 3D effects, and the fact that we can just change job classes in the instant. I suppose I will be there for a while.
Don't think I will return to Maple, unless Khai wants me to play with him, or maybe there's a 6F guild meeting. lol
Maybe they should organise another 6F 2007 class BBQ in June hols 2008?
I mean I coordinated the last one, but they organised it. *grinn*
Thursday, 24 April 2008
Thursday, 6 March 2008
Easter Invite
Dear all,
Easter is round the corner.
And I would like to invite all who comes to my blog to attend Easter service with me in City Harvest Church. (In Expo Hall 1). Why am I issuing the invitation? I am for this year, it is a good big production.
All includes, my dearly missed ex-pupils and friends and visitors to this site.
Service Details
22 Mar - 3 pm AND 5.30pm
23 Mar - 10 am AND 12.30 pm
Please let me know if you can or cannot come, when you visit the site, TIA.
(See the poster for details)
you may tag, or email me
mrchongjh@yahoo.com
Cya.
Cheers
Easter is round the corner.
And I would like to invite all who comes to my blog to attend Easter service with me in City Harvest Church. (In Expo Hall 1). Why am I issuing the invitation? I am for this year, it is a good big production.
All includes, my dearly missed ex-pupils and friends and visitors to this site.
Service Details
22 Mar - 3 pm AND 5.30pm
23 Mar - 10 am AND 12.30 pm
Please let me know if you can or cannot come, when you visit the site, TIA.
(See the poster for details)
you may tag, or email me
mrchongjh@yahoo.com
Cya.
Cheers
A New Year
It's been a while since I'd posted. Many had happened and will continue to happen.
School
P2 is actually quite busy. The amount of work that's needed to be done is quite comparable to P4 and P5.
I glad that am doing alright, but only because I somehow had the cow sense to push things forward and re-prioritize the work schedule and SOW.
But the dual post thinggy really sucks. That really added to the stuff to do.
Home
Well Khai is coping with school quite well. He finally got the 4 tones of HYPY, at 75% accuracy. Will have to work harder. His handwriting has improved greatly. And he is enjoying school. That I think is a great comfort, and I am v thankful. Amen.
The past 6-7 weeks had been interesting. Just 2 weeks before CNY, I developed a cough, just because a student coughed in my face, by accident. But this bug was so strong that it lasted 6 weeks. 1 week before CNY, I lost my voice. And for 4 weeks I sounded like sandpaper. Quite sexy, I was told.
Just then my whole family was down with various degrees of seriousness of cough. My wife was hit the worst of the 4 of them. I felt so bad.
Church
Well, I am really enjoying church (CHC). as when I did 11 years ago when I first joined but left. But returned just under 2 years back. There's a lot of people who are on fire for God there. Talk about going the extra mile to serve. I am humbled and want to learn how to serve with the same passion as they did and still do.
Me.
I am thankful and happy, still happy after the daily grinds of life. I have my God, my dear wife, my good kids, my hobby job, my good church and many family and friends who are on my side. What more can a guy ask for?
School
P2 is actually quite busy. The amount of work that's needed to be done is quite comparable to P4 and P5.
I glad that am doing alright, but only because I somehow had the cow sense to push things forward and re-prioritize the work schedule and SOW.
But the dual post thinggy really sucks. That really added to the stuff to do.
Home
Well Khai is coping with school quite well. He finally got the 4 tones of HYPY, at 75% accuracy. Will have to work harder. His handwriting has improved greatly. And he is enjoying school. That I think is a great comfort, and I am v thankful. Amen.
The past 6-7 weeks had been interesting. Just 2 weeks before CNY, I developed a cough, just because a student coughed in my face, by accident. But this bug was so strong that it lasted 6 weeks. 1 week before CNY, I lost my voice. And for 4 weeks I sounded like sandpaper. Quite sexy, I was told.
Just then my whole family was down with various degrees of seriousness of cough. My wife was hit the worst of the 4 of them. I felt so bad.
Church
Well, I am really enjoying church (CHC). as when I did 11 years ago when I first joined but left. But returned just under 2 years back. There's a lot of people who are on fire for God there. Talk about going the extra mile to serve. I am humbled and want to learn how to serve with the same passion as they did and still do.
Me.
I am thankful and happy, still happy after the daily grinds of life. I have my God, my dear wife, my good kids, my hobby job, my good church and many family and friends who are on my side. What more can a guy ask for?
Sunday, 30 December 2007
Recap 2007 & Thanksgivings
2007 started when with a backdrop of heartache, inconvenience, anguish, fear, hope and adrenaline rushes. In November 2006, my daughter, Shiyr, had just had the worst escalator accident in the country where she lost her right big toe. We had spent the whole November and December holidays trying to piece her, my wife's, Khai's and my lives back together. Sessions with the doctors and counselors were frequent affairs. Questions from all walks of life, especially from my school kids, parents and colleagues were sounded non-stop from all kinds of communication channels. I was made to re-live the scenes again and again until I was kind of numbed and calloused, actually it was quite therapeutic. And I did Primary 6, which is the one of the busiest level to teach.
In March we sold our unit in Sembawang and moved to Toa Payoh in late April. That too added to our stress level, as we had quite a tight schedule to fit into. I have to salute my wife who did much of the work of packing and unpacking and on top of that jugging with 3 young kids.
In the loom, God was there holding our hands, as we place our feet, one at a time, on the stepping stones He'd provided, usually 1 or a few steps ahead. There're so many thanksgiving items: 1. He'd had amazingly provided, one of the best orthopedic pediatric doctor in the country to oversee Shiyr; 2. He had provided one great housing agent for our unit, who is experienced, decisive, sharp and was asking my mom to go to church with her; 3. He'd helped us find good and cheap childcare programmes for Khen and Shiyr, which they both love to go to; 4. He helped us find good and cheap movers for our move to Toa Payoh, man were they good and fast and only at $500 for 90 over boxes!
At Sembawang we'd been finding a CG that our kids can come to and not disturb the CG meeting too much, but to no avail. And in Toa Payoh we found N268, Am so glad to find and CG that we can come as a family, and not feel bad that I have disturbed the meeting due my children, for they are occupied elsewhere just about 10 metres away from me. I want to thank God for his providence and for the CG in welcoming us, and for Kelvin who has endured much of our presence.
Just before the pledge of Arise and Build '07, my mom had a mild stroke. I and thankful for her speedy recovery, though she will never be as fast as she was prior to the stroke, but she is recovering very well. Then just before I decided to give my first 10% of the amount for A&B, Khen fell and split his lower left lip. Man, was I more than a bit upset. Last year, after we pledge the amount, and given the seed amount, Shiyr had her accident. This year's Khen. Then right after I gave some more, Khai had an accident that split 3 cm of his lower jaw. Well, I am either doing something very right or very wrong, and we are choosing to believe that the devil is really upset with our giving!
Just the Sunday before Christmas, Khen, Shiyr and Khai all developed fever one after another, with Khen and Shiyr having ulcers on their tongues. It's so painful to watch them say 'ow' and pointing inside their months. Only Khai is spared the ulcers. I am thankful that the ulcers are gone just this morning, and that they are starting to slowly eat.
The hugest thanksgiving that I have this year will be that my wife is slowly having her flame for God rekindled. 6 months in the Church and CG and I can see a difference – Passion which I have not seen for a while of being with her. Spiritually, she is growing stronger as she is well fed, within her I am seeing the flame grow, slowly, but I am seeing it growing. Ah, don't we all need that 1 touch from the Holy Ghost.
2008, The backdrop
I returned to school on the 28th of December 2007 for our AGM. All was normal, still I approached it with much apprehension and uncertainty.
I knew I was going to fell shaky but didn't know it affected me that much. Me eldest son is coming in as a Primary 1 student this 2008. I requested to go down to the Primary 2 level to somehow hold his hand for at least a year. I am a lot more comfortable teaching the upper primary levels, at least from P3 onwards, but now I am stuck with only P1s and P2s. It's another learning curve for me. Which reminds me of a song from honk - "What's the joy of motherhood (fatherhood)?"
Well they announced that I will be the level coordinator for P2 in 2008, which is well and fine. But the 2 arrow came my way when it was announced that I am going to be the English Representative for the P2 level as well. That is bad. Usually only 1 person will hold 1 post not two. And in 2008 we have 3 individuals who are doing this dual post, without extra pay! Sigh. I asked whenever I had the chanced that day if it was a mistake but apparently not. They are short of man-power. Sigh. Ya right. Shortage of man-power in a school staff strength of 120? You gotta be kidding me. Talking about whipping the willing horse. What to do, "all man are equal but some are more equal than the others. Four legs good, two legs bad."
I knew I was going to fell shaky but didn't know it affected me that much. Me eldest son is coming in as a Primary 1 student this 2008. I requested to go down to the Primary 2 level to somehow hold his hand for at least a year. I am a lot more comfortable teaching the upper primary levels, at least from P3 onwards, but now I am stuck with only P1s and P2s. It's another learning curve for me. Which reminds me of a song from honk - "What's the joy of motherhood (fatherhood)?"
Well they announced that I will be the level coordinator for P2 in 2008, which is well and fine. But the 2 arrow came my way when it was announced that I am going to be the English Representative for the P2 level as well. That is bad. Usually only 1 person will hold 1 post not two. And in 2008 we have 3 individuals who are doing this dual post, without extra pay! Sigh. I asked whenever I had the chanced that day if it was a mistake but apparently not. They are short of man-power. Sigh. Ya right. Shortage of man-power in a school staff strength of 120? You gotta be kidding me. Talking about whipping the willing horse. What to do, "all man are equal but some are more equal than the others. Four legs good, two legs bad."
Friday, 23 November 2007
PSLE Results
Finally oh finally the day for PSLE Release of Results.
Well my class didn't do too well. About 10-15 T score lesser than my expectation. Still it's the best that they got. So will be thankful.
Some were happy, some expected the results and some were upset. Well brave on people, this is only the first exams. Try to find out ways to get into the school of your choice. be it through CCA or some sport or something. Don't give up. And do fill up al the 6 options in the form. For then they should give you from one of your list.
Well my class didn't do too well. About 10-15 T score lesser than my expectation. Still it's the best that they got. So will be thankful.
Some were happy, some expected the results and some were upset. Well brave on people, this is only the first exams. Try to find out ways to get into the school of your choice. be it through CCA or some sport or something. Don't give up. And do fill up al the 6 options in the form. For then they should give you from one of your list.
OPA
The day finally arrived for OPA. Most turned up for it. We had the usual. The IT music was fine, of course must see who's in-charge of the sound. Said the goodbyes. and did the goodbyes. with photos and stuff
Sigh. Sending off another batch, and gotta let them go. Will miss them. Ah ... the bitter-sweet part of teaching Primary 6.
Sigh. Sending off another batch, and gotta let them go. Will miss them. Ah ... the bitter-sweet part of teaching Primary 6.
Waterworks. Chapter 2
My class requested that I bring them back to waterworks. The girls especially wanted 'revenge', and the boys don't mind being wet. So after the BBQ Trip, I asked M if we can go. And she replied certainly. So I jumped onto the bandwagon with 7 other P6 classes and got the approval to go out during school hours to waterworks science centre. The rest of the classes went to watch a movie. 1 class went to Sentosa I think
But I sortta regretted the moment I sent out the consent forms.
Few issues.
1. I was the PA ic for the OPA and the PGD.
On top of that I am to set up the IT music hardware.
We tried to set up but to my horror, 5 of the 6 cables were missing. I panicked. Searched high and low for them but couldn't find them. The cables are needed to connect the 4 PCs to the console, console to the output channel and the stage speakers for the IT music performers. Talk about MIA. The 'saviour' for the day was Mr Chay. He is the slow and steady cool guy. He said that he could custom-make the 5 cables by the day after. And managed to fixed up 2 on the spot. Talk about the handy man at hand.
The other help I had was Mr Salleh and Mr Stanley Soh. They were in charge of the Logistics. On Tuesday, he, on my instructions, plugged out the cables from the 4 PCs in the IT Music Lab and transported them down to the school hall. He then set the PCs up on the designated venue with the wires and stuff. I only had to bring the console and the stage speakers. Talk about help. Tuesday is, or rather now was, my busiest day, So I had to go to my classes while they setup for me. I discussed with Salleh and he agreed to tell Mr Foo the OM to lock up the School Hall due to the presence of the PCs and the other 'mobile but expensive gadgets'.
Wednesday came and Mdm Yap came in the morning to tell me the news. That they couldn't find the set-up PCs, and Mrs Lee, the IT music instructor was there with the pupils to help do a rehearsal on stage with the sound, that was at 0720 hrs. I hunted for Salleh and found him at last at about 0740. He told me that he wanted to err on the side of caution and kept the PCs under lock and key. So I requested that he set them up asap for the instructor was there, and he left to do the job. When I returned at about 1220 hrs, I was told that all was set up and went on fine. I sure hope that Mdm Yap is not too upset with the dragging and the ding dongs of procedues and instructions. Talk about much ado about OPA and PGD.
2. Forgot to ask for parent helpers.
I forgot to request for parent helpers, only managed to get help at the last minute - Mrs Tay. But that's not enough for a class of 44. MOE's regulations is 1 adults to 20 pupils. If not the insurance can don't cover the payment, if anything goes wrong. On that day, only 38 turned up. so I was very relieved to have 38 pupils on the bus with 1 parent helper. Phew
3. I need to redo the labelling to the cupboards on the Science Lab Prep Room
M then wanted to redo the labelling on the outside of the cupboards of the Science Lab Prep Room, she wants the labels to be outside the cupboards. So I need to re-account for the things in there and print out labels for it and paste the labels outside of the cupboards. Sigh.
4. Need to do a presentation on our Batam trip.
I needed to do a presentation during Contact Time 2 about the Batam Trip that 10 teachers with their families went during the National Day holiday(s) period. So I actually spent much of the morning selecting, sorting, and sequencing the photos for the event. Oh well.
But seeing the smiles on their faces and the fun that they had that day, I think it was worth it. :)
But I sortta regretted the moment I sent out the consent forms.
Few issues.
1. I was the PA ic for the OPA and the PGD.
On top of that I am to set up the IT music hardware.
We tried to set up but to my horror, 5 of the 6 cables were missing. I panicked. Searched high and low for them but couldn't find them. The cables are needed to connect the 4 PCs to the console, console to the output channel and the stage speakers for the IT music performers. Talk about MIA. The 'saviour' for the day was Mr Chay. He is the slow and steady cool guy. He said that he could custom-make the 5 cables by the day after. And managed to fixed up 2 on the spot. Talk about the handy man at hand.
The other help I had was Mr Salleh and Mr Stanley Soh. They were in charge of the Logistics. On Tuesday, he, on my instructions, plugged out the cables from the 4 PCs in the IT Music Lab and transported them down to the school hall. He then set the PCs up on the designated venue with the wires and stuff. I only had to bring the console and the stage speakers. Talk about help. Tuesday is, or rather now was, my busiest day, So I had to go to my classes while they setup for me. I discussed with Salleh and he agreed to tell Mr Foo the OM to lock up the School Hall due to the presence of the PCs and the other 'mobile but expensive gadgets'.
Wednesday came and Mdm Yap came in the morning to tell me the news. That they couldn't find the set-up PCs, and Mrs Lee, the IT music instructor was there with the pupils to help do a rehearsal on stage with the sound, that was at 0720 hrs. I hunted for Salleh and found him at last at about 0740. He told me that he wanted to err on the side of caution and kept the PCs under lock and key. So I requested that he set them up asap for the instructor was there, and he left to do the job. When I returned at about 1220 hrs, I was told that all was set up and went on fine. I sure hope that Mdm Yap is not too upset with the dragging and the ding dongs of procedues and instructions. Talk about much ado about OPA and PGD.
2. Forgot to ask for parent helpers.
I forgot to request for parent helpers, only managed to get help at the last minute - Mrs Tay. But that's not enough for a class of 44. MOE's regulations is 1 adults to 20 pupils. If not the insurance can don't cover the payment, if anything goes wrong. On that day, only 38 turned up. so I was very relieved to have 38 pupils on the bus with 1 parent helper. Phew
3. I need to redo the labelling to the cupboards on the Science Lab Prep Room
M then wanted to redo the labelling on the outside of the cupboards of the Science Lab Prep Room, she wants the labels to be outside the cupboards. So I need to re-account for the things in there and print out labels for it and paste the labels outside of the cupboards. Sigh.
4. Need to do a presentation on our Batam trip.
I needed to do a presentation during Contact Time 2 about the Batam Trip that 10 teachers with their families went during the National Day holiday(s) period. So I actually spent much of the morning selecting, sorting, and sequencing the photos for the event. Oh well.
But seeing the smiles on their faces and the fun that they had that day, I think it was worth it. :)
Posting Exercise
I am now trapped in the office waiting for students with parents to come to submit the option form. What a boring job. Whole morning only 1 customer. Now until now since I started at 12 only 3 customers. Sigh. Wait wait wait.
Well it's better than being busy busy busy two years ago...
Well it's better than being busy busy busy two years ago...
BBQ continue?
Talk about a long dinner break.
We took loads of photos. At least Michael's mom did.
My Wife and kiddos joined us at about 1830 hrs. I know my kids had fun with my class.
6F took care of them very well. up and down the slides, feeding them junk food (which is fine by me), talking to them, getting them a drink. Talk about a caring class.
After dinner, we packed up (to the annoyance to many of them, lol) and returned to school. Michael's family was going to stay for the night.
Talk about pleasant memories. I will really miss this class.
We took loads of photos. At least Michael's mom did.
My Wife and kiddos joined us at about 1830 hrs. I know my kids had fun with my class.
6F took care of them very well. up and down the slides, feeding them junk food (which is fine by me), talking to them, getting them a drink. Talk about a caring class.
After dinner, we packed up (to the annoyance to many of them, lol) and returned to school. Michael's family was going to stay for the night.
Talk about pleasant memories. I will really miss this class.
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