Last Post of the Year

Dear all (parents and wonderful students),

It is the end of the school term for 2012. How time really flies. I would just like to take this chance to end off with one last post for this blog for the year.

I still remembered the first time I met the 34 of you before Alan joined the class to make it 35 of you! We set rules, went through our top 5 rules of which you would repeat everyday and remember very well. Through all the laughter and scoldings, I saw the change and progress in each of you. Some of you matured faster while some of you  took a longer time to mature. The truth is that I saw a change in all of you, no matter how small it might be.

You may feel that I am very strict, especially when I shout at you when you misbehave but there needs to be a figure of authority that you guys must have in class. Being your form teacher, I believe that I am not here to win your popularity vote but to make sure that you guys are disciplined and do well in your studies and character education. It is also important that you not fear me but respect me. That is the key thing at the end of the day, to earn your respect so that you do want to learn from me.

Our class has really wonderful teachers - teachers who gave their all to give you extra lessons and revision notes. We believe in you no matter how long it might take for you to open up, to realise your potential and to make the push to excel. It is a long process. We are not going to expect instant rewards such as you improving by 50 marks over night. We accept that it will take time and as such, our patience towards you never ends.

Despite some of your continual misbehaviour, I believe that with time and guidance, your discipline can be corrected. As rule #1 says, we are a family and a family does not abandon its members. Very importantly, class spirit has to be cultivated and we need to work as a class in order to facilitate learning and help one another. Some of you studied together throughout the year and helped one another out which is very important. Tap on one another's strength and motivate one another.

You all are a very lovable and teachable batch. We have good praises for you but of course, I cannot be praising you all the time if not, it will make you feel complacent. We need to be down to earth and learn the value of humility. I am very glad that you all do accept feedback and criticism very readily and do try to work on what you need to improve.

The notes for you are to encourage, guide and motivate all of you. It's these little things that will count and when you look at them, you know that your  teachers care about you and hope to see you excel and correct your mistakes.

One issue is your ability to really focus and retain your knowledge/content/concepts learned. You guys have the tendency to forget very easily, as such you need to constantly practise and make sure that you never lose track of what you have learned. Apply your knowledge and spend time revising through your P3, P4, P5 work this holidays!

To all of the parents, I am very happy to have such supportive parents through this journey with the kids. Without all your feedback, suggestions and conversations, I would not be able to truly guide your kids to higher grounds. It is always a two way communication channel and forgive all the teachers of the class if we do take a longer time to get back to you and have forgotten about some of your requests. It is indeed long days for us most of the time and things may have slipped off our minds. But do know that we do our best to understand your child and to develop him holistically.

In ending off, I would like to say a big THANK YOU to all of you for it is you who shaped me to be a better teacher and to care for you in the best possible way to benefit all of you. I do sincerely hope that you (at this point) have started to realise the importance of next year's big major exam and start to work hard and really tell yourself that "when I am at my best, I am a 'A to B' student at least!' I believe in all of you. Happy holidays and good health to all of you.

PS: If you need help in any questions in your daily life or revision/assessment questions, feel free to email, sms or call me. I am still your teacher for 2012 :)

Yours Sincerely,
Mr Nelson Ong