Immersion Programme for New Headmasters

New headmasters need to assistance from senior headmasters to improve their skills and knowledge in leading and managing their schools. These hands-on skills and knowledge are very important as they can see and experience for themselves how the senior headteachers had successfully lead and manage their respective schools. I had the privilege to lead two new headteachers in this programme. They were attached to my school seeing, learning and experiencing the successful aspects of my school for 5 days in September 2009. I was humbled and honoured to have them with me under this immersion programme and as an experienced head teacher it was also my duty to share with them the best practices in this school. It is not to say that I am superior in all aspects of school management; they were also able to give some suggestions or inputs on the weaknesses they see in my school.

The headmasters in the Immersion Program

Visit by Participants from Southeast Asian Ministers of Education Organization (SEAMEO), Regional Centre for Quality Improvement of Teachers and Education Personnel (QITEP) in Language – 5 November 2009

The school was honoured to have two trainees from Indonesia who came to learn how my school implemented the best pedagogical practices in the three languages – Bahasa Malaysia, English and Mandarin.

The writer exchanging sovenirs with the two trainees from Indonesia

Sharing of Best Practices with Teachers of St John’s Institution: 24 October 2009

I was honoured to share some the best practices in British schools and how these practices have been incorporated in my school with teachers of St John’s Institution on 24 October 2009. This sharing is part of the continuous professional development of the teachers.

The writer with some of the SJI teachers

The writer receiving a token from the vice principal of SJI, Dr Puves

Hello teacher, the school assembly is not for the students alone but for all

Our school assembly starts at 7.20 am. We follow the three bell system and after the second bell, all students will have to move to the assembly area. By the third bell, all students would have assembled and ready to sing the national anthem, the usual routine for the daily assembly. In most schools you will find teachers still trickling down to the assembly area when the prefect or duty teacher is making the daily announcement. This practice is definitely not desirable. Teachers need to know and realise that the assembly is not for the students alone but for all. Besides, they are role model for the students. Being with the students at the assembly, they are actually united as one big family of the school. Teachers, especially new ones, need to be constantly reminded of this practice so that it will be a culture for all.

Good Morning Dear Janitor

Most students will greet official visitors when they (the visitors) enter their classes. Also, most students will either give a bow of respect or greet their teachers in school. But will they greet the cleaners or janitors or lab attendants who do not wear as smartly as the visitors or teachers? Once after my speech during the assembly on giving due respect to everyone in the school and not discriminate according to their code of dressing, I conducted an experiment. I asked the janitor to enter a classroom during a lesson on the pretence of attending to a faulty fitting. No one stood up to greet him and neither did the teacher gesture to the students to give him the due respect. It is apparent that the culture of giving respect to everyone regardless of their looks and class has not been internalised and practised by the students. This culture needs more dissemination and practice. On my part, I have to personally bring workers to classes and tell them they also need the due respect as those that come in well dressed suits.

Sharing of Best Practices with SMK Kepong Baru Teachers

The writer receiving a token of appreciation from Mr Ong BP, the Principal of SMK Kepong Baru

The writer and some of the SMK Kepong Baru teachers

This session was held at the invitation of the school which wanted to know some of the best practices in the British schools and also my school. Schools have always been encouraged to share their best practices with other schools but it is always wise to adopt and adapt as some practices may not not be suitable in every school as each has its own historical, cultural and social background.

Making Open or Academic Day Meaningful

Most schools have an open day where parents are invited to come to school to discuss the progress of the students with the class and subject teachers. Many students fear the day as all their “bad secrets” will be exposed. But the students do not realise that the real aim of this day to spur them further with the full support of the parents. Teachers are there to provide the necessary guidance to the parents on the strength and weaknesses of the students on each individual subjects. We also have gone one step further on this – we have asked students at the end of the session to reflect on their academic results and write on the report slip their next course of action to overcome shortcomings or to achieve their public exam targets.

Sharing of skills with Covent Bukit Nanas Teachers

30 September 2009 – a day of sharing of some of my skills in simple web development with all the teachers of CBN. As both of our schools share the same web development platform, I was able to share the experience that we have had with our website. Though they did not have as much exposure as my school teachers, they should be able to catch up soon, as Convent Bukit Nanas has grand IT plans for the school.

CBN teachers observing the demonstration

The writer and some of the CBN teachers at the end of the session

True stories that touch the heart

As I drive to work, on some mornings I happen to hear a radio advertisement by UMW on their staff who have done things out of the ordinary to meet the needs of customers. This brings to mind what some have been doing so far on “true stories”. We have students who have done good things without being told to do so by teachers. These deeds at times touch the hearts of others. There was a group of students who initiated their project to raise funds for the new building. Another student removed some old bars from open area as they were endangering others. There was a student who just picked up a broom and went outside the window ledge to clear rubbish outside when the class was told that the rubbish was an eyesore. These acts of volunteerism, kindness and charity may not seem to be “great”, they are nevertheless deserve to be mentioned. So what do we do with these true stories? We set up a notice board for these stories so that they may spur more of these good deeds.

What did you talk about over lunch today?

Teachers enjoying pizza at learning lunch

Most teachers have lunch in school because by the time they get back home, it would be rather late. But what do most teachers discuss over lunch? Is it about professional matters? To get teachers to have a meaningful lunch, a programme called learning lunch was launched last year. Every teacher is required to attend a learning lunch at least once a year. Each lunch, provided free for all attendees are held in a group of about 10 teachers who will be given an article of interest to discuss. At the end of the discussion, which normally lasts for 2 hours, they will have to come up with a summary or an idea for the school to implement. The lunch, in the form of pizzas is sponsored by the PTA.