Thursday, November 19, 2009

A Letter to My Children

Dear Children,

It's the last day of the school year. It's been a truly amazing year for me!

I've enjoyed myself tremendously in being the form teacher of this class. You have made me laugh so much throughout the year. The way you interact with one another, the way you argue with one another, the way you smile and laugh, the way you work with one another. Despite being nine, you are still oh-so-very cute!

Today, there was a mini prize-giving ceremony in the hall.

After that, we went back to class and played some games: 'Squirrel and Tree', 'Making Money' and 'Rojak'.

I could see that you enjoyed the games thoroughly, especially 'Rojak'. We had a ball of our time, laughing, laughing and laughing, totally enjoying one another's company!

Thank you so much for adding so much laughter and fond memories to my life, children. I'll always remember you. Don't ever feel hurt if I can't recall your names next time you call out to me, for I have so many names to remember every year. I'll remember your faces instead and the moments we share.

Having the opportunity to be your form teacher is one of the best things that's happened to me in my years of teaching. You've taught me many things yourselves and enlightened me in so many ways you'd never imagined. One of the more significant enlightenments is that you've made me see boys in a completely different light! I never knew boys can be adorable, endearing, diligent, committed to excellence, attentive, focused, active and yet sensible at the same time, and so many of you at that! Your parents must be really proud of you!

Thank you for the eye-opening experiences. I sincerely appreciate all that you've done to make this year such a memorable and valuable one for me. It's a shame that I didn't have the time to get you to write journals so as to know more about each and every one of you. I must admit that I've been very focused in gearing you more towards the academics. Even up till the second last day of school, we were still doing English worksheets. In fact, I was tempted to get you to write a letter to me to tell me how you've felt about me as your teacher today, even if you think I had been a witch, but I decided not to as I wanted you to play and have fun instead.

I still remember the time when you went to the computer laboratory to do an online survey on your teachers. Some of you told me you clicked 'Strongly Disagree' for every statement that was about me, your English teacher. I felt a little hurt but I told you I wasn't here to make you like me. I remembered that you were just children and tried to laugh it off.

I usually ask children not to give me Teachers' Day presents when nearing the Day because I don't want children to spend their parents' hard-earned money when they themselves have not started earning it, and I don't want any child to feel left out just because he or she doesn't give a present. But this year, I didn't tell you about it because I didn't think you liked me anyway, and I wouldn't give presents to someone I don't like. I was surprised that you heaped the teacher's table with presents on that Day. I felt touched that despite what you told me about what you did for the survey, you did seem to like me, judging from the evidence on the table. Thank you for your presents, children. Self-made cards would have done the job nicely, really.

Thank you for being a big part of my life. You'll make very fond memories for my teaching life for many years to come.

Do continue to work hard next year and strive for the best. To share one of my favourite quotes:
Reach for the moon. For even if you miss it, you'll be among the stars.

Love always,
Mrs Sam

Wednesday, November 18, 2009

SA2 papers

Dear children,

Please bring your English and Science SA2 papers back to school tomorrow. Yes, all of them, including the Listening Comprehension paper.

Do let your friends know if you happen to talk to them later.

I'll also inform the class about it tomorrow.

Tuesday, November 17, 2009

Class Photo

All children, except for those who were absent today, should have received this photograph for their keepsake.
I just want to say that I'm really happy to have all of you in the picture.

Report book, Parent Survey Form and Music Camp Form

Dear parents,

The children have received their report book and a parent survey form.

Please ensure that your child submit his or her report book tomorrow after you've endorsed it. The survey form also needs to be handed in tomorrow.

On top of those two items, there is also a Music Camp Form. If you allow your child to participate in the event, please ask your child to submit the form together with $3 by tomorrow as well.

Use Your Hand Campaign

Today, we had the Use Your Hand Campaign.

I'm very surprised and impressed that the children were just so eager to clean up the classroom.
Look at them go!
Yong Kang cleaning the windows

The back of the shelves was atrocious!
'Okay, let's push the shelves back!'

Battle with the blue-tack:
Warriors Jia Le and Amir

Female warriors Yuen Qing and Keng Yee

Warrior Jacqy

Warrior Kai Sheng
Jeeva and David sure know their stuff at sweeping

Jennifer exploring the books discovered during the spring cleaning

Leon reaching for a higher level

Zun Hong and Zafranshah cleaning the library

Betty smiling despite her 'dirty job'

Regina and Wilmer wiping the dusty shelves

Xiang Qi cleaning the windows

'Look at the amount of blue-tack we got from the wall!'
Well done, children!

Thursday, November 12, 2009

Children's Blogs

I've set up a separate section for blogs of children in our class. Do check them out.

If any of you would like your blog to be added and enjoyed by your friends, leave me a comment with your blog address and I'll link it up with this blog.

Jin En,
I can't seem to access your blog. The message is as below:
"Blog not found
Sorry, the blog you were looking for does not exist."

Can you email me your blog address instead? Thanks!

Monday, November 9, 2009

Admin Day

For those who might be unaware,

There is NO SCHOOL tomorrow as it is Admin Day for teachers.