Friday, April 13, 2007
Finally had the time to write....
Excuses, and more excuses.
Last Friday and Saturday were the days for OM.
I brought 6 pupils to ACS(I) on Friday.
The bus was late and reached ACS at about 1.20 p.m.
Pupils were very nervous and so was I.
They had to do Spontaneous question.
You may be wondering what it is.
Actually, pupils are given a set of instructions to a situation.
Their role is to give as many answers within the given time.
There will be 3 judges for this segment of OM.
And guess what?
About 25 minutes before we were called, the pupils realised
that their friend,Mr A was not doing as well as Mr B.
They decided to bring Mr B in. But.... Mr A was not happy,
it was shown on his face.
I had to step in. I told the team to decide and asked every team
member why they wanted Mr B instead of Mr A.
Mr A had every right to be unhappy. I have come this far and someone
is telling me that I should sit out in the Spontaneous!
Mr A wanted to have a 'sparring session' with Mr B to decide
who is better. Since I have only 20 minutes left, I agreed.
Phew!!! After ten minutes, Mr B emerged as the winner and thus
will join his friends for the Spontaneous. Mr A was glad that he had
put up a good fight.
After 15 minutes, the school name was called. We were brought to a room.
I was not allowed to enter, only the pupils were allowed to enter and
out of the 6 only five can participate.
I know.. it is not easy. Pupils have to not only give accurate
answers but it also has to be creative. Pupils did quite well for
the Spontaneous.
After they came out of the room, I was not allowed to ask them the question
until we were on the bus! It was killing but I relented for the sake of the children.
Went back to school and had a practice of the Long Term problem with the pupils.
It was so tiring for them and me. (I think it is the age!!!:)
Went home only at 6.30 p.m. and could not do anything except laze around and
went to bed. I have to wake up early tomorrow. Meeting the pupils at 7 a.m. yes
that early. Sob... sob
*
any comment?
Friday, April 06, 2007
Went for Odessey Of The Mind(OM) yesterday with Stephanie at ACS(I).
They had a briefing for the coaches.
Wang and Azri did not go as they had Heritage Tour.
Cannot believe it that it is next week.
The pupils have come a long way.
It is all thanks to the teachers who guided these pupil and
not forgetting Nazurah.
Nazurah has been playing a very important role in getting the
group together and 'moving it'. In the true spirit of OM, the kids
have not asked any help from us. They did everything themselves.
When I was first sent for the workshop, it didn't dawn upon me the
importance and impact of OM on the pupils and myself. I took it as
one of those things that I had to do because I was sent. I didn't see
the need until I reflect on how I have looked at things, be it problem or
solutions and even life. It has changed me somewhat. It is like my
creativity switch was turned on. As I attend the twice a week meetings and
reminding the pupils that they have to think out of the box, I cannot help
but to also look at things in a different perspective. It is truly amazing.
I am not trying to brag. It is the truth.
Before I go.... Whatever, the outcome next Saturday, I know that the
kids involved in OM have learnt alot from this experience.
Competition is not all about winning, it the things or experiences that
you gain along the way. If we win, it would be a bonus.
To all the pupils in OM, you are all winners.
*
any comment?