Here's one of my old favorites that never ceases to make me think back in time and recall wonderful moments and people ...
... Memorable occasions with our many past highly respected and dedicated competent Christian principals(Some of them were Reverend Father Brian Taylor of Oxford, London whom my immediate family members would never forget for many reasons, Mr. Nigel Heyward of Tasmania, Australia whom many Columbans loved and Miss Leonie Kathreen Armour of Melbourne, Australia who was my principal for six years and was much loved as well). Our assemblies in our Mission school, Saint Columba's School --one of the top schools in academic (Senior Cambridge School Exams) and extra-curricular activities!) always began with the respectful rendition of the national anthem, 'Negara Ku", followed by the lusty singing of our school song-Between the hillside and the sea/We work and play here in harmony/May steadfast service and loyalty/Bring wider vision of unity ...
Throughout the years in our assemblies, we had announcements and Christian sermons, ending with the unforgettable "Lord Dismiss Us". The first two stanzas were sung when school reopened and the last two stanzas were solemnly sung by us before we went back to our classrooms. Here is the song. Yes, I can shed a tear listening to the meaningful hymn ... and remembering many old Columban classmates and buddies I have lost along the way ...
Jamail Ali, Musa Talip, Lai Hii Man, Lai Teck Soon, Liew Joon Chiang, Austin Lim, Anne Yapp, Nancy Yapp, Jackson Brooke, Pui Chin Chiat, Jamilah Piee, Zaiton Davidson, Stanley Liew, Charles Fam, Alan Ku, Albert Yapp, Chong Yuk Min and others including a warm Malay girl whose name I can't recall right now-will add in later ... (Update: Hasnah Hisham) ... I know all of you are up there smiling down on us ...
Showing posts with label education. Show all posts
Showing posts with label education. Show all posts
Sunday, January 30, 2011
Wednesday, June 10, 2009
Mr. DPM, I'm Impressed
Mr. DPM, I'm impressed with what you said about the importance of English.
That is the gospel truth.
He sees the light at the end of a long dark tunnel.
It was a tunnel of hopelessness when the day some political smart alec got Malaysians into a hellhole. English was removed as an important subject. Books were used which were hastily written for students and the propaganda machinery went into overdrive with the emphasis on just one language, Malay.
There were lost Malaysian souls . Graduates who lived and could survive in a coconut shell. They were the future workers who could hardly read, write or speak basic English leaving educational institutions to seek work. These were engineers, IT specialists and others who would not be employable till they had undergone more studies-at tuition schools!
They were marching into hell as it was and still is a rapidly growing globalized world. The demand for those who could communicate in English, the international language was and still is high. Most materials and bosses were and are speaking English. Unlike their smart all-rounded language experts, these condemned lot could not seek greener pastures elseway.
Having said all that, it is now hoped that a new policy be implemented making a pass in English be compulsory in SPM. Obviously a compulsory subject will definitely mean a keener study of the subject. Perhaps proper professional and objective research also needs to be carried out as quickly as possible to ensure its smooth implementation throughout the nation and a solution to ensure the policy considers the plight of rural regions in Malaysia which are less developed in infrastructure and lack qualified English specialist educators.
Yessir! I will raise my hat to you if you do the right thing!
In fact as an English specialist myself, if there is a call for paid voluntary educators, I will sign up, not for a chestful of patriotic awards but to seek the betterment of my fellow persons, even in the wild rural countryside for such a sensible worthwhile cause.
On a lighter note here are samples of bad English in public. One can only guess what iron straighten is and although clean ears may be clear in the hair dressing saloon advert, ear cleaning would sound better and in the other one, the legal money lending company is advertising on the smaller white piece of paper for a female employee with the words Vacancy on Female instead of for female !!!
That is the gospel truth.
He sees the light at the end of a long dark tunnel.
It was a tunnel of hopelessness when the day some political smart alec got Malaysians into a hellhole. English was removed as an important subject. Books were used which were hastily written for students and the propaganda machinery went into overdrive with the emphasis on just one language, Malay.
There were lost Malaysian souls . Graduates who lived and could survive in a coconut shell. They were the future workers who could hardly read, write or speak basic English leaving educational institutions to seek work. These were engineers, IT specialists and others who would not be employable till they had undergone more studies-at tuition schools!
They were marching into hell as it was and still is a rapidly growing globalized world. The demand for those who could communicate in English, the international language was and still is high. Most materials and bosses were and are speaking English. Unlike their smart all-rounded language experts, these condemned lot could not seek greener pastures elseway.
Having said all that, it is now hoped that a new policy be implemented making a pass in English be compulsory in SPM. Obviously a compulsory subject will definitely mean a keener study of the subject. Perhaps proper professional and objective research also needs to be carried out as quickly as possible to ensure its smooth implementation throughout the nation and a solution to ensure the policy considers the plight of rural regions in Malaysia which are less developed in infrastructure and lack qualified English specialist educators.
Yessir! I will raise my hat to you if you do the right thing!
In fact as an English specialist myself, if there is a call for paid voluntary educators, I will sign up, not for a chestful of patriotic awards but to seek the betterment of my fellow persons, even in the wild rural countryside for such a sensible worthwhile cause.
On a lighter note here are samples of bad English in public. One can only guess what iron straighten is and although clean ears may be clear in the hair dressing saloon advert, ear cleaning would sound better and in the other one, the legal money lending company is advertising on the smaller white piece of paper for a female employee with the words Vacancy on Female instead of for female !!!
Saturday, December 22, 2007
Discussing Support Diplomatically
Every middle-class parent who has a kid overseas would know the hardship in supporting him or her when the studious student is doing his or her studies there. Here are letters that convey in a diplomatic manner how the sensitive topic of financial assistance can be handled in a gentlemanly manner.
Dear Dad,
$chool i$ really great. I am making lot$ of friend$ and $tudying very hard. With all my $tuff, I $imply can`t think of anything I need. $o if you would like, you can ju$t $end me a card, a$ I would love to hear from you.
Love,
Your $on
The Reply:
Dear Son,
I kNOw that astroNOmy, ecoNOmics, and oceaNOgraphy are eNOugh to keep even an hoNOr student busy. Do NOt forget that the pursuit of kNOwledge is a NOble task, and you can never study eNOugh.
Love,
Dad
Dear Dad,
$chool i$ really great. I am making lot$ of friend$ and $tudying very hard. With all my $tuff, I $imply can`t think of anything I need. $o if you would like, you can ju$t $end me a card, a$ I would love to hear from you.
Love,
Your $on
The Reply:
Dear Son,
I kNOw that astroNOmy, ecoNOmics, and oceaNOgraphy are eNOugh to keep even an hoNOr student busy. Do NOt forget that the pursuit of kNOwledge is a NOble task, and you can never study eNOugh.
Love,
Dad
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)