Hi All,
this is the FT speaking. What are you up to now? How have you been?
I can only guess that some of you are, like me trying to cope with the start of school, and wishing the holidays wouldn't end. Although i do have more reasons to want to start school again.
There were many times I wanted to write this message during the holidays, but held back again and again. But tonight I still think I have to spell things out:
1. I chose not to follow you guys up- i can't say I won't regret it. But I really felt that maybe a change of teachers would give all of you a chance to learn from different teachers and think in more varied ways.
2. It was a great two years we spent together. I don't think I would get another form class like you at all. Nope, I won't forget.
3. Yes, there are a couple of things I do wish I hadn't done and that I wish I did do when I was FT.
4. I still think that 2F splitting up to go into different Sec 3 classes CAN be a GOOD thing.
But it all starts ANEW. You will have NEW classes and NEW classmates. WHETHER you LIKE it or NOT. Whether I like it or not. So if you really am hoping it all DIDN'T change and you still had your 2F....., DON'T. Your classes will change and reshuffle.
My last words as your FT are:
A) Please please, please, make it a point to make more friends.
B) Make it a point to befriend those that have no friends.
C) You are important. At the very least, I believe so- You are important to the school. I, we, the teachers can't do it alone, the school must have its youth leaders, and these have to come from you guys. I am sure that you are capable of doing it, of becoming inspirational leaders. The problem with you is fear.
Fear that you cannot become a leader,
fear that stepping forward to do the right thing will cause you to lose friends,
fear that listening to the school and following our advice will cause you to lose your freedom,
fear that we will control you,
fear that you won't be happy,
fear that even if you try harder, your results won't improve, .... (and the list continues)
I know all that....'F' .... that's why I was made your form teacher. That's why you feel I understand you, that's why I know it hurts or it sucks sometimes. But come 2010, there are more important things than FEAR itself. Northbrooks desperately needs a good group of leaders who can serve the school, if not the CYCLE repeats itself. CCAs will run out of members, I know of a handful of CCAs that have no Sec 3 leaders to lead the Sec 1s and 2s. These CCAs may close. The school will still not have enough good Sec 3 role models if we just keep relying on the school counsellors and the Express students. And the teachers will forever be stuck with just trying to solve discipline and academic problems of the Sec 3s.
I hope you understand. There is no better match- there are no replacements for you. No one can take your place. You must step forward, you must decide to take control of your life. You must decide to change. You must decide to want to help me and the rest of the teachers make the school an even better place. It is what I have been training you for these two years. It is what I believe in. You will be the 3NA students that will help me pass the 2Fortitude class spirit of empathy and FRIENDSHIP on. I'm counting on ALL of YOU. EVERY 1 COUNTS.
MAKE A CHOICE.
BE DIFFERENT-HAVE COURAGE.
YOU WILL FACE MANY DIFFICULTIES- YOU WON'T BE FACING THEM ALONE
START EARLY.
YOU CAN MAKE A DIFFERENCE TO YOUR FRIENDS AND YOUR SCHOOL.
I will be teaching combined Physics next year. that's the only time I can be with the 3NA cohort.
I will also be overseeing 1T as their FT. But I do hope to have a chance to speak to everyone altogether again. The School and You has big things to accomplish next year: our 10th year anniversary, YOG, etc..... And we face even more obstacles: apartments growing around the school ( more complaints when you run CCA... more complaints and construction work that will interrupt your learning.)
PLEASE HEED MY CALL. The TEACHERS cannot do it alone. WE NEED GREAT ROLE MODELS, WE NEED GREAT SENIORS. It wouldn't just improve the results, IT'LL ROCK YISHUN.
I won't expect you to be like this immediately, after all, you're supposed to take time to become that way. But I am sure you have this potential to make a difference to the school in every way possible, even your academic results. You just have to decide and follow up with an action.
Lift up the school, with me, with the rest of your teachers. WE GET THERE. We will be the Choice School of Yishun so that more youth will get the chance to experience the warmth and love of being in the Brooksian family. ( of course, some of the macho guys in our class are too macho to admit they enjoy it, but oh well...)
I want to see all of you come back to attend your 5th year. I want to be there to celebrate your graduation night with you. Don't give up. We can still turn everything around, if and only if you want to work hard.
(P.S., to those that voted for me for the Outstanding Youth in Education Award, and Caring Teacher Award- Thanks. I see it as a confirmation and appreciation of my efforts to make a difference to the youth of the future- you. )
