Eww... Miss Lee and Miss Tay updating the blog in the middle of the night... Erm, where is Miss Mok? Oh... she is busy taking photos (can you see her in the background?)
Wow... Miss Lee Ting Ruh in her full gear joining in the Wushu team in their training... Don't play play okie... Our teachers are very on!
Miss Lee Ting Ruh: Hmm.. Let me try this bun...Jesslin: Let's see her reaction. If it's nice, I'll try. If not, then I will give it a miss... Haha... Miss Lee Ting Ruh is my guinea pig...
Our two teachers, Miss Tay Hui Yih and Miss Lee Ting Ruh discussing matters while students are having their lessons...
Let's go to school, my students! Such a nice feeling to have teachers fetch you to the school right?
Our two teachers, Miss Tay Hui Yih and Miss Lee Ting Ruh discussing matters while students are having their lessons...Miss Tay Hui Yih: Haha... I have finished my six rounds the track already... your turn!
Miss Lee Ting Ruh: Huh... Are you sure? You don't even look tired ok? Don't try to kid me...
Let's go to school, my students! Such a nice feeling to have teachers fetch you to the school right?
Here are my precious thoughts about Day 6. This was the day that we started the day’s programme the earliest. The students began their physical training with the Wushu students from Wuhan Institute of Physical Education (WIPE). They are about seven to twelve years old, even younger than our students! I believe the physical training, to many of our students, must have been one of the toughest they have ever encountered. Realising that these Chinese kids have to endure such strict training every day, whether it is summer or winter, must have spurred our own students on. Edwina Tan of 2E3, fell down and scrapped her leg but she still persevered on and continued with the training session. Even the Wushu coach was impressed by her spirit. Well-done, Edwina :) We are so proud of you.
Then it was off to Zhuo Dao Quan Middle School for the students after a quick bath and breakfast. The Chinese students were all punctual and once the bell rang to signal the start of the first lesson, everyone went back to the classrooms at the fastest speed. The lessons last 45 minutes each, with a short 10 minutes break in between each lesson. During the short break, many Chinese students make use of it to play basketball. Again, when the bell rang for lessons, with great discipline, everyone returned to class promptly. The classrooms, though small and old, had IT facilities such as the LCD projectors and computer-aided lessons are conducted. One of the teachers at the school shared with us that one change the Chinese educationists are working on is making lessons less regimental, more alive and interactive. This is EXACTLY the same direction Singapore education system is moving towards.
In the afternoon, the students proceeded on to WIPE to continue with their sports training – Wushu and Basketball for the boys and Sports Dance for the girls. After spending several days in WIPE, I observed that it is a place teeming with athletic people who are working hard to be the BEST in their respective sports. In WIPE, they have built a new garden named “Champions Garden”. This signifies one of the objectives of the institute, which is to produce as many sporting talents for the glory of the country. In the most recent Olympics in Beijing, the school helped to clinch 6 golds, 1 silver and 3 bronzes. The Wushu coach shared with us that about 100 years ago, China was known as the “Sick Man of the East” and was not even given a chance to participate in the Olympics. Now 100 years later, China broke the Olympic records and rose to become the country with the most number of Gold medals in the history of Olympics with their recent haul in Beijing 2008. It reminded me that in life, we all must have goals and purpose and live our lives with passion. Haha, with this reminder, it makes me ready to face Term 4 again :)
In the Gymnasium, we see the blown up photographs of the recent Olympics champion in Gymnastics, Cheng Fei. This is to inspire the little children whom we see training hard day in day out, so as to realize their Olympic dream. We were all amazed by the tender age of these children. Many of them were only about four to six years old but had such well-sculptured bodies. Their muscles were very well-toned and unimaginable for children as young as them. To many of our pupils, they were dumbfounded and found it disturbing. It was really an eye-opener for all of us. Alas, the sacrifices one has to make to achieve his or her dreams and fight for the glory of one’s country. How many Singaporean children are able to withstand such hardship?
Lastly, we are grateful to the care and patience shown to our students by the basketball, Wushu and sports dance instructors. Our students are indeed very privileged to receive guidance from these instructors who once, were former champions in their sports and now striving towards grooming the next few generations of world record holders in the sports arena. I am sure our students not only were imparted tips about the sports but also the values in life from these coaches.
Then it was off to Zhuo Dao Quan Middle School for the students after a quick bath and breakfast. The Chinese students were all punctual and once the bell rang to signal the start of the first lesson, everyone went back to the classrooms at the fastest speed. The lessons last 45 minutes each, with a short 10 minutes break in between each lesson. During the short break, many Chinese students make use of it to play basketball. Again, when the bell rang for lessons, with great discipline, everyone returned to class promptly. The classrooms, though small and old, had IT facilities such as the LCD projectors and computer-aided lessons are conducted. One of the teachers at the school shared with us that one change the Chinese educationists are working on is making lessons less regimental, more alive and interactive. This is EXACTLY the same direction Singapore education system is moving towards.
In the afternoon, the students proceeded on to WIPE to continue with their sports training – Wushu and Basketball for the boys and Sports Dance for the girls. After spending several days in WIPE, I observed that it is a place teeming with athletic people who are working hard to be the BEST in their respective sports. In WIPE, they have built a new garden named “Champions Garden”. This signifies one of the objectives of the institute, which is to produce as many sporting talents for the glory of the country. In the most recent Olympics in Beijing, the school helped to clinch 6 golds, 1 silver and 3 bronzes. The Wushu coach shared with us that about 100 years ago, China was known as the “Sick Man of the East” and was not even given a chance to participate in the Olympics. Now 100 years later, China broke the Olympic records and rose to become the country with the most number of Gold medals in the history of Olympics with their recent haul in Beijing 2008. It reminded me that in life, we all must have goals and purpose and live our lives with passion. Haha, with this reminder, it makes me ready to face Term 4 again :)
In the Gymnasium, we see the blown up photographs of the recent Olympics champion in Gymnastics, Cheng Fei. This is to inspire the little children whom we see training hard day in day out, so as to realize their Olympic dream. We were all amazed by the tender age of these children. Many of them were only about four to six years old but had such well-sculptured bodies. Their muscles were very well-toned and unimaginable for children as young as them. To many of our pupils, they were dumbfounded and found it disturbing. It was really an eye-opener for all of us. Alas, the sacrifices one has to make to achieve his or her dreams and fight for the glory of one’s country. How many Singaporean children are able to withstand such hardship?
Lastly, we are grateful to the care and patience shown to our students by the basketball, Wushu and sports dance instructors. Our students are indeed very privileged to receive guidance from these instructors who once, were former champions in their sports and now striving towards grooming the next few generations of world record holders in the sports arena. I am sure our students not only were imparted tips about the sports but also the values in life from these coaches.
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