Joy, Laughters & Cries: 6 Faith 2008

2010-08-31T19:50:00.000-07:00

Thank you for coming back, some of you!

I only briefly spoke to Weiren, Melvin and Nicholas and Jamie, and I saw Zong Ren, Sean and Yiqing.

I am still very sad because you guys left without speaking to me!!!!! Sigh.

I apologise that you came back and I did not get to speak much, because this year, Mrs Lim took a long time to speak to the teachers after 12.50pm. By the time we were done, it was already 2+pm.

Nevertheless, I was glad to SEE you all. Thank you for remembering us! :) I certainly hope that we will get to catch up properly in time to come!

2010-03-12T22:05:00.000-08:00

Hello people!

Ah... don't complain that I blog more at mbs6humility09 okay... sometimes (just sometimes) I don't blog here because I thought most of you have moved on with life and no longer visit this blog much. It's like, even as I post, I don't see people tagging anymore (not much anyway)?

Can't blame me for thinking that way, yeah?

Anyway, I hope all of you are still doing well in Sec school! The last time I saw some of you (a few of you came back during CNY this year to visit), you have indeed grown more mature! Can tell from your mannerism and your perspective towards life!

I'm teaching yet another graduating class this year, and a good class at that. Lots of marking to do, and lots of smart-alecs to attend to :P So because of that, I shall try to post every couple of months? Hee!

HELLO!

2010-01-26T01:59:00.001-08:00

Dear all,

How have you been?

Since the last I posted here, I've returned the SG and started a new year in a new class!

ANOTHER P6 class... And I'm seeing a couple of your younger siblings in my class! It's such a surreal feeling because back then, you guys said things like, "Oh, I'm waiting for my younger sister/ brother..." Just 2-3 years down the road, I'm teaching your younger siblings already!

I hope Sec 2 is okay for you all so far, since you must have gotten into the momentum of Sec school life already.

Till the next time I post! :)

2009-11-06T12:13:00.000-08:00

Hello people!

Just to clarify, nope, I have not resigned from teaching.

I took leave to come to the UK to join my husband for a break from school.

Will be back in school in Jan 2010!

Yup, UK's cool (and getting cold) and I am having a good break now!

Your break will come soon, yeah? :D

Hello!

2009-10-27T10:38:00.001-07:00

Hello ppl!

It has certainly been a LONG time since I last posted! How's everyone? Finally, the school term is ending soon, and you guys are going on to Sec 2 already! Oh my gosh, time really flies!

I have finally ended my busy 2009 in MBS. Kind of a premature ending though, because most of the other teachers are still working hard, marking exam papers now haha. My work's done mainly because my class has finished with the PSLE. I guess that is our main responsibility as a P6 teacher.

This year is different, because I am not involved in preparing my class for those post exam activities (remember the old folks' home visit, jumble sale, manga drawing class, hip hop class, etc?). I have decided to take a break right after the PSLE to join my husband in the UK.

THAT'S RIGHT. I am now writing this entry from a comfy sofa on a cool Monday evening (it's about 18-degree celcius here!) in the United Kingdom. My husband's here for work and I have decided to call an end to my teaching responsibility by coming here to do pretty much nothing.
All I have done so far, is to read, surf the net, go for walkabouts myself in the afternoon immersing myself in the afternoon British crowds, cook and watch dramas online. Haha.

Will pop by again once in a while! Off to cook dinner already!

Busy times...

2009-06-10T06:18:00.000-07:00

since the start of the school holidays!

We had P6 holiday supp classes in the first week.

In addition to that, we spent the remaining of our free time packing things for the school, as well as packing our very own stuff...

After a tiresome stretch, I'm so happy that we're almost done with unpacking and basic clearing up. The school will still be continuing with construction works though, till last week of the school holidays... so you guys can't visit just yet! Oooh, but it's really big and clean!

Teachers still have to go back for meetings and stuff, so we aren't really spared yet.

I hope holidays' okay for you guys so far! :)

Hello!

2009-05-02T21:22:00.000-07:00

We're moving back to Ubi this June holiday!

Which means, not much of a holiday for the teachers :(

On top of that, situation's kind of tense with the Mexican Flu. Though we're much more prepared than the SARS outbreak, we really don't know what will happen, do we?

Meetup in June... a tad difficult? How about you guys drop by the new Ubi campus when we've all settled in? :D

It's been a while...

2009-03-11T07:09:00.000-07:00

How's everyone?

Life's been busy for me. I go home at 6pm almost every day!

I notice a lot of squabbling over at the tagboard. This includes some words that do not really sound very pleasant to the ears. Spare me please! I'm sure this will remain a pleasant little place without all the unnecessary quarrels... :)

BTW... is there supposed to be a class chalet? Am I missing out something? It's been a while since I last popped by (you guys are fortunate okay, I don't even have time to update my current class blog :P) so I may have missed out a lot.

Also, we're moving back to Ubi this June!!!! There goes the June holidays... *flies out of the window*

2009-02-09T05:36:00.000-08:00

How's everyone?

Hmmm, okay with regard to the class gathering:

March sounds... too soon for me to prepare anything!
June ... most possible, but subject to MBS's plan on moving/ not moving back to Ubi. There might be a delay in the timeline, and we might/ might not move back to Ubi this June. IF by any chance we're NOT moving back, then June is a much better chance for us to meet up!

As for where... I am contemplating a really risky option... maybe... maybe not... the BBQ pits at my place?

Greetings & Catching Up...

2009-01-23T21:02:00.000-08:00

Dearest 6 Faith,

Finally, the Spring Festival (春节) is here! Whilst the flowers bloom (hehe, I cheated a bit. The picture was taken in TW last December, not in SG), here's hoping all will go smooth for you!

I've updated the schools' list to the best that I know, so if i've left you out, please let me know so i can update again!

To those who have visited:

Zongren, Sean, Jeremy, Shiquan, Cassandra, Kher Liang >> You were the only ones whom I had the opportunity to relly talk to. It was nice catching up! Im glad you are all managing well! :)

Yiqing>> Sorry that it was a hi-and-bye! I saw that Mrs Lim was talking to all of you and I had to go off so I couldn't wait for her to finish before catching up with you! I'm sure there'll be more opportunity in time to come!

Nicholas, Bryan, Melvin>> Don't exactly know why you were back but it was nice saying hi and bye!

Natalie>> I didn't see you!!!

Of course, Xinying & Shuxuan >> It is always nice to see you back! (Xinying came back 3 times already! Shuxuan twice!) I enjoy talking to you and listening to all your rants about secondary school :)

To the rest whom I haven't had the chance to meet, hope you're doing well too! Well, I told Shuxuan and Xinying it'll be good to have a class gathering... Not sure when's a good time. March holidays? June holidays? Sept holidays? Dec holidays?

2009-01-05T04:33:00.000-08:00

P6
P6
P6
P6
P6
P6
P6
P6
P6
P6
P6
P6
P6
P6
P6
P6
P6 .... (I already said it's another roller coaster ride)

Yup, I'm teaching P6 again! Another tiring year... I hope this batch does not make feel age as fast as your batch did... -.-'''

How's everyone doing? It' such fun to see all your orientation-related comments. Makes me think about mine and the fun I had when I was in Junior College (They didn't used to have Orientation Camps for us back when I was in Secondary School... )!

Goodbye 2008! Hello 2009! :D

2008-12-31T02:12:00.000-08:00

Dear all,

I've updated the schools' list in the previous blog entry! :)

I hope all of you have had enough rest/ are going to rest well enough to kickstart a new school year, in a new school, with newfound friends! :)

In just a few hours, we'll all be bidding farewell to 2008 and welcoming a new, exciting 2009! I hope you are looking forward to the new year ahead, just like I do! (p.s. It is so going to be another roller coaster ride for me AGAIN! Can you guess which level I'm going to teach? :P)

Here's one (I took this picture myself in Taiwan!) before I sign off:

It's been a while...

2008-12-22T07:22:00.001-08:00

So how has everyone been?

Pardon me for the lack of update since the last one in November, but I have been away for most part of the holiday! I was in Hong Kong for a learning journey (bet many of you didn't know teachers can go overseas for learning journeys too huh!) and I barely got time to rest after touching down in Singapore and I was off to Taiwan again for my own holiday!

So, I can see from the tagboard that you guys met up! Hope you all had fun!

And of course, man of you sound excited about your new schools! Do let everyone know which schools you have been posted to, so far:

ACSI: Eugene
Bedok Green: Samuel
Bedok South: Natalie
Bedok View: Jamie
Cedar Girls: Fabriana
Chung Cheng High (Main): Cassandra, Xinying, Shuxuan, Kherliang
Dunman: Bryan, Gibson, Wycliff
Dunman High: Koko, Ding Heng
East Spring: Weili
Geylang Methodist Secondary: Lee Gin
Hai Sing Catholic: Alton
Manjusri: Jiesheng, Rebecca, Shihui
Pasir Ris Cres: Pan Ying, Samantha
St Gabriel: Nicholas, Melvin
Tanjong Katong Sec: Sean, Shiquan, Zongren, Jeremy, Huiqi
Temasek Secondary: Yiqing

Do update us here so everyone's in the loop yeah? I will add on to the list when people update!

Enjoy the last bit of the school holidays! It's gonna be a super-duper exciting start for ALL of you in less than 2 weeks' time! (Minus the fact that you have to carry super-duper heavy bags to school then coz of the sheer mass of all your new textbooks!)

Moving on...

2008-11-20T04:31:00.000-08:00

I just wish to say to all of you:

Thank you :)

Thank you for teaching me loads these past 2 years.

Thank you for teaching me what patience is- when you don't bring your books/do your work after I had scolded you 23126532 times.
Thank you for teaching me what care is- when you cheer your friends up when they are down or bring your friends to the sick bay when they are feeling unwell.
Thank you for teaching me what perseverance is - when you don't give up on your work when you put in so much effort yet do not get the results you want.
Thank you for teaching me what diligence is- when you make every effort to write down all the Mathematical statements I want you to write, despite there being 2345157312 statements to ONE maths problem sum.
Thank you for teaching me what hardworking is- when you forego recess and lunch to do your school work and do more practices.
Thank you for teaching me what curiosity is- when you see an unfamiliar word in the storybooks you read and you make the effort to ask me what the word means.
Thank you for teaching me what humility is- when you ask me P6 Science questions and I genuinely do not know how to answer them because of my limited knowledge.
Thank you for teaching me what humour is- when you try to imitate how I look when I get angry (eyes glaring, pushing my spectacles up, rolling my eyes).
Thank you for teaching me what integrity is- when you are honest and you own up to your mistakes when you played pranks on your friend by emptying the content of his schoolbag onto his table.
Thank you for teaching me what tolerance is- when you know you have to sit next to people whom you do not like but you put up with them anyway.
Thank you for teaching me respect- when you greet me every morning, and when you do bow properly, and when you say thank you at the end of the lessons.
Thank you for teaching me what responsibility is- when I let you run the jumble sale despite me being absent and you did a fantastic job clearing most of the items and did not mess up the classroom with the remnants of the jumble sale.
Thank you for teaching me what excellence is- when you do well in all aspects of your life, be it Math, English, Chinese or Science, or even in Robotics, Concert Band, or Indian Dance.

Finally, thank you for trusting me and giving me the opportunity to teach a fantastic class like you!

p.s. I hope you all liked the little gift I made (Just to clarify okay, I made them myself, Miss Kwa had no share in them). I spent a few days working on the project, and though it may not look the best, it represents my heartfelt thanks to you for being such a nice bunch of pupils!

p.p.s. I remember the mobile number part, but I am really reluctant to post my mobile no. on the WWW! How???

Passport Size Photo

2008-11-17T16:39:00.000-08:00

Dear all,

Remember the MBS Alumni Forms I got you to fill in (the one you filled in your personal particulars and acknowledged at the back by signing)?

Please bring along a passport size photo to be attached to the forms on Thursday! :)

Release of PSLE Results

2008-11-16T21:33:00.000-08:00

Dear all,

Thursday, 1130am, School Hall.

Yes, you may leave once you receive your results slip.

Yes, OPAC for outstanding achievers in 2009.

See you guys this Thursday!

Graduation Day

2008-11-11T16:54:00.000-08:00

YES. You may bring your cameras for Graduation Day tomorrow.

Please pass the word around, people! :D

It's official.

2008-11-07T01:27:00.000-08:00

$405.05.

That's the amount collected from the Jumble Sale from the class! Pardon me, because I told you $500+ this morning. My bad!

In anycase, well done people!

I'm glad you survived the Jumble Sale without much accident. It's just sad I was not around on that day to share the fun (or weariness???) with you guys.

Oh, and I'm glad you survived today without much accident as well. I heard that there was no relief teacher during my absence??? Pardon me again, for I had to host a group of Thai visitors this morning.

I'm trying to think of how to pen my thoughts down before I last see you next Thursday. (It's gonna be a short week! Monday, Tuesday and Thursday!) Many thoughts flying around my mind. But as usual, there's so many things to do, so little time (that's why the blog has been abandoned shortly :P)

Till then, when I can pen my thoughts down properly!

(p.s. in case you still haven't yet known me well, I don't talk emo. I WRITE emo.)

Another down!

2008-09-12T05:20:00.000-07:00

Dear all,

How was the Listening Comprehension today?I hope things went on well for all of you!

As Koko and Eugene pointed out, it is just 3 weeks left to PSLE. No time!!! Please make sure you spend your time wisely over the weekends and if anyone of you needs some supervision for work next week, let me know so I can make some time out in the afternoons for you.

I know some of you are already feeling the stress. Don't worry, it is normal at this time (It is NOT NORMAL if you are NOT feeling stressed actually). So do take time to take a few deep breaths every now and then (like what Mrs Han does in school every morning), or take a few mintues off work when you really need a break! If you need to talk, you may approach me in school as well okay?

You have come a long way since 2007 (The hectic P5 year!) and so, do tell yourself it is not going to be difficult to hang in there for just 3 more!

Housekeeping matters

2008-09-08T16:50:00.000-07:00

Dear all,

In view of the recent childish acts of some "unknown" impersonator who like to do nothing other than to insult his/ her own maturity and intelligence; and some repeated spamming of a few others, I've done some spring cleaning to the chatbox and cleared all messages.

Please note that:

1) This is a common place for 6 Faith. It is not a personal blog of the sort whereby you broadcast your admiration (or the lack of it) for the entire class to see.

2) There is no need to SHOUT. We are all civilised people who have absolutely no problem with reading from the screen if you use small letters.

3) There is also no need to scold/ curse people/ threaten to murder them/ father/ mother/ entire family clan. Again, we are a civilised group.

As I type this, I am reminded of the very short 24 days left to your written paper. Please throw all distractions out of the windows/ doors for the moment and do your best to make sure you are well prepared for the upcoming exams!

Happy Teachers' Day!

2008-08-26T00:15:00.001-07:00

It's 3.30pm and I'm still stuck in school (where's the Teachers' Day treatment man...) and I'm still in the midst of "settling" your presents hahaha...

Actually, I was talking to Mrs Pua just 5 minutes ago. We both agreed that the gift we always like to receive, is a handmade card or a short letter or a short email wishing us a Happy Teachers' Day. I love to read cards and messages pupils write, especially, especially, especially if you really meant for it to come from your heart.

I am not a perfect teacher. I am as human as any of you (except, just add a couple of years to your age) and like I always say, I make mistakes as well. I may not have taught you in the best way you could have learnt, or taught you in a manner which you fancy; but I think I do enough to let you know what is right and what is wrong (I hope so - *fingers and toes crossed*).

Academic results are but sets of numbers to me (of course, it is to YOUR advantage if you get 4A*s), but I really wish that all of you will leave the school this year end being a better person in character.

I just want to say, THANK YOU FOR HAVING ME IN YOUR THOUGHTS this teachers' day. Your simple gesture of giving those little gifts and writing kind words in your cards/ notes to me truly means a lot to me. And it certainly encourages me as I push along everyday with you.

Thank you, thank you, thank you kids (I suddenly sound so old)!

Oh yeah, regarding Oral Exams...

2008-08-16T02:40:00.001-07:00

I have NO COMMENTS.

Refuse to make any comment in response to those of you who have posted in the tagboard. Simply because if I answer one, I have to asnwer many more questions that you may have.

We'll talk about it on Monday, if we have time!

People, do study hard! Remember you have composition first, followed by Paper 2 on Monday morning!! :D

Synthesis and Transformation (23)

2008-08-16T02:22:00.001-07:00

Remember:
If question is given in past tense, then the reported speech will be in past perfect tense.

Here are the answers to Worksheet 23:

1) My father asked me where I had gone the day before/ the previous day.

2) Robert asked Susan if he had told her the day before/ the previous day that he would be late for dinner.

3) Ali asked me if the book he had seen as he left the library the previous night/ the night before was mine.

4) Peter's mother asked Peter if he had broken the crystal purposely.

5) Ray asked Alan if he had watched the movie.

6) Miss Lee asked Junwei why he had not finished his homework by then.

Synthesis and Transformation (22)

2008-08-16T02:19:00.000-07:00

Answers to Worksheet 22:

1) Miss Tan told her pupils not to run along the corridor.

2) The old man told the boys not to be frightened.

3) Limin ordered Alex to stop disturbing those animals.

4) My boss told me to ask Siti to see him/ her at 3.00pm that day.

5) Mr Das instructed Das to put those papers in his bag.

6) Mother told Brother not to touch that bag.

Synthesis and Transformation (21)

2008-08-16T02:08:00.000-07:00

Remember I told you in class:
He asked, "What is she doing?"
Step 1: Invert the "is she" --> He asked what she is doing
Step 2: Change the tense because it is reported speech from present to past tense --> He asked what she was doing. (Final answer)

Below are the answers to Worksheet 21:

1. Harry asked Susan if/ whether she would lend him her pen.

2. The old lady asked me where her spectacles were.

3. Jane asked Shiming when his/ her birthday was.

4. My best friend Amy asked me how I would feel if she went away.

5. The lady asked me if/ whether I was sure that (that) was the correct bus.

6. I asked Meiling if/ whether I should go over.

7. Helen asked Mary what she thought of her new dress.

8. Her mother asked (her) if she had taken her bath.

9. Kirin asked why the baby was bawling away every evening.

10. My teacher asked me where I lived.

11. Eric asked Esther who Napolean was.

12. The little boy asked when his mother was going to fetch him.

13. My brother asked me if I could make some instant noodles then.

14. Mike asked John if/ whether he knew where Peter was.

15. My mother asked me when I was going to visit the dentist.

加油！

2008-08-13T03:33:00.000-07:00

Dear all,

Finally, we've reached the first of your PSLE papers! I really really hope you can all do your best in your oral exams! I feel very sad I can't be there with you guys tomorrow and day after to say 加油！ :(

Frankly speaking, as I sent the whole lot of you off this afternoon, I suddenly felt a part of me *gone*. I think as the PSLE goes by, with the passing months, more parts of me will be *gone* just like that too. Before we know it, it's time to say bye. Beginning to get a little nostalgic already. :(

Anyway, please remember the pointers I gave to you:

Reading:

1) Not too fast/ slow
2) Expression
3) End consonants + past tense markers

Picture Discussion (Present tense):

1) Introduce the setting (This picture shows a scene of...)
2) Talk about the main idea (it's usually some unpleasant thing happening in the scene).
Start from the character's actions/ unpleasant situation --> Character's feelings --> Reason why the character feels that way
3) Talk about the "Should nots" using personal opinion (In my opinion, he should not...)
4) Talk about the "Shoulds" (Instead he should....)
5) Conclude the picture (I think the government/ parents should... )

Conversation:

1) Use your personal experience as much as possible
2) Quote at least 2 examples of those experiences
3) Include personal opinion of those experiences

To summarise, ELABORATE (until we cannot ask WHY) and include PERSONAL OPINION.
On top of that, be loud and confident when you speak (treat the examiners like your friends)! Remember, the marks are yours to get!!

Have faith, people! All the best!

Happy Long Weekend People!

2008-08-08T04:46:00.000-07:00

Dear all,

I hope you had some relaxing time in school today! Arghh, I feel so sad that I can't be there with you guys AT ALL the whole of today. I miss standing on the 2nd/ 3rd floor looking down at the quandrangle while the Observance Ceremony goes on (trust me, it is a totally different feeling standing there addressing the whole school). And more importantly, I certainly missed out the BYD parade where Melvin won the 3rd prize (I heard he dribbled very well???)! Anywayz....

Happy National Day and have a good (and fulfilling, i.e. do more revision practices, finish all homework) weekend ahead! :)

Phrasal Verbs Quiz 2

2008-07-24T21:47:00.000-07:00

Dear all,

I have uploaded a new quiz onto Moodles, under 6 Faith. You may log in starting this afternoon to try the questions out.

In addition, I have released Quiz 1's closing time such that there is no closing time. This is so that those of you who are keen may continue to play around with the quiz questions nearer to the exams.

And I just want to say...

Hang in there! It'll be over before you know it!

New Resource Link + Quiz (1)

2008-07-14T23:41:00.000-07:00

Are you looking like this already???

Dear all,

As one way to help you to prepare for your exams, I will be making use of Moodles to help you in some form of revision. I will be uploading quizzes and resources that are helpful to your revision. It is compulsory to attempt the quizzes.

For a start, I have added a new resource link at the side bar, called English Phrasal Verbs. The link will link you to a site with a whole word bank on phrasal verbs. Your task is broken up into 2 parts:

1) Go to this link. You will reach a page that says "Phrasal Verbs Dictionary". On the top left hand side of the page, you will see a column with the alphabets A - Z. This time round, you are required to click on the letters A, B and C and learn the phrasal verbs starting with these alphabets.

2) Do the quiz after you have finished revising through the pages stated in (1). The quiz tests you on the phrasal verbs from the A- C pages and is opened for 1 week, starting from tomorrow, 16 July. You may make unlimited attempts, until you have finally memorised the correct phrasal verbs to use.

I learn better through repetitive trials on games and softwares. I hope some of you here will be able to benefit from the same way as I did by doing multiple practices and reading up on phrasal verbs so you can improve on that component in your English paper! :)

THe Heritagefest Heroes Patchwork Online Voting Competition

2008-07-13T21:09:00.000-07:00

Dear all,

Some of 6 Faith's patchwork (the one we did after SA1) got through to the online voting competition!

http://www.heritagefest.org.sg/2008/official/index.php?mod=patch

Do support one another by going to the website to vote! I think the votes are not limited, so do go in to click, click, click and click as much as you can! We're quite far behind, but if you spread the words, post the links up in your own blogsites (I heard some of you have your own sites) and encourage your friends to log in to vote, I'm sure we can get a lot more votes! I have been going in to vote, vote and vote! :)

Simply go to the website, mouse over the entries and you will see which are the ones submitted by Maha Bodhi School!

p.s. you might all want to combine power to give your votes to the higest ranking one so far so that there is a chance that we might at least have one winner!

Gentle Reminder

2008-07-10T07:40:00.000-07:00

Dear all,

Spelling's on Thursday, 17 July!

Do remember to learn spelling from your Mock Test Cloze Passage! I will choose 10 words from the passage to give as spelling, but these word need not be the words in the answer boxes. They can be from ANYWHERE in the cloze passage :)

Work hard okay!

And... and... and...

Since our dear Koko says he's being underrated in 6F (for I don't know what reason), here's a huge notice to make sure he's seen and noticed:

KOKO KOKO KOKO KOKO KOKO!!!

Some Things to Bring on Tuesday

2008-07-06T00:26:00.000-07:00

Dear all,

Please bring the following on Tuesday 8/7:

1) English My Pals File (I know I asked you to bring it last week, but I forgot totally about it!!)

2) English Vocabulary Book

3) PSLE form I gave to you on Friday with your parents' signatures

Please pass the word around to your buddies/ friends yeah?

Enjoy the extra one-day break!

A Job Well Done!

2008-06-29T21:22:00.001-07:00

Dear all,

You did it (most of you)! Though some of you are really scared of injections, you still went through it without much drama (i.e. incessant wailing.... screaming.... fainting....)!

Well done, I'm so proud of you! :D

Till the next injection!! :)

A Gentle Reminder

2008-06-26T21:39:00.000-07:00

Dear all,

It's that time of the year again! Do remember to come to school in your PE attire on Monday!

Let me leave you with this:

Pertaining to Spam Messages

2008-06-18T03:47:00.001-07:00

Hmmm, it seems that some of you either:

1) Have not grown up; or
2) Have got nothing better to do; or
3) Have not grown up; or
4) Have got nothing better to do;

so you love to irritate people/ imitate people/ pass off as people/ criticise people.

I took a look at the comments logs and checked all the i.p. addresses for ALL the comments and I have found some common i.p. addresses pointing to a few specific people.

I will not take any actions this time round, but this is a final warning:

Should I find these people spamming/ passing themselves off as some other people/ posting unkind comments, I will ban future comments from you.

I don't think the class needs to be subjected to such unkind/ childish/ remarks or acts and as such, I have deleted the messages. Do not repeat such acts again.

I'm back!

2008-06-16T13:50:00.000-07:00

And am adjusting still, to being back.

I'm suffering from jet lag (when you travel to countries with different time zones and your biological clock gets thrown off balanced) and I'm blogging here at 4.50am, with my eyes wide open.

I had an enjoyable time, as I had said. However, this time round, I'm taking a longer time than usual to adjust back to Singapore time (and weather). Imagine this- It is 4.50am on Tuesday 17 June in Singapore, which means 10.20pm on Monday 16 June in Spain (Barcelona and Madrid, my 2 last stops). By this time during my holiday, I'd still be awake and fresh from watching the EuroCup matches!

I ate heavy lunches between 2-3pm Spanish Time, which means 8-9pm Singapore time. This has resulted in me feeling very hungry by the time it's 9pm here!!!

For 2 nights in a row, I've been waking up at 3am in the morning, unable to sleep. This is so frustrating! I guess, this is the disadvantage of travelling to Europe (apart from the expensive lifestyle people have to lead there).

Natalie: I stayed in a hostel (not hotel!) with free internet access. During my 4 days' stay there, I used the free internet to log in twice! Prior to that, the hostels I put up in did not have free internet!

Shiquan: Wow! Is he still working there? I love Barcelona the most, out of my 3 destinations this time round. It's a really lovely place!

Anonymous: Of course I am talking about photos with you or your family members having a holiday abroad, and not some random picture you download from the internet! By the way, if you have any intention of using pictures from the Internet in that way, I think you're not aware that that could be infringing copyright rules yeah?

Greetings from Madrid!!!

2008-06-09T05:10:00.000-07:00

Dear 6 Faith,

It´s been a week since I left SG! How´s everyone?

I read the comments regarding the Moodles questions. I´m sorry I´m unable to log in to check whether there really is a problem with the questions! (Left my password at home :P) Anyhow, Iwill check when I get back yeah?

Internet's rather expensive here, so I'm really thankful for the free internet access at the hostel I'm putting up at!!! I left London on Wednesday, arrived in Barcelona on the same day, and travelled via the train and I just arrived in Madrid this morning. It´s been a very pleasant trip so far :)

Maybe we should do a holiday post after school reopens, with photos to share with the rest who have yet a chance to travel to many places! Do take more pictures should you be travelling and share them later on!

Greetings from the Changi Airport!

2008-06-01T07:16:00.000-07:00

Dear all,

This is all so exciting! I'm now at the Changi Airport using the free internet kiosk to blog!

My flight to London will leave in approximately 40 mins!

I hope my holiday will be a good one, and I'll share pics with you all when I'm back!

In the meantime, I'm praying very hard that I can bear with the agony of a 13.5 hours flight. Arghhh!

Take care!

Notice for those who wanted a testimonial for DSA

2008-05-31T09:12:00.000-07:00

Dear all,

How're your holidays so far? I hope all of you can log in to Moodles (user name = Your full Birth Cert number. including the alphabets in front and at the back) and have done up the work!

The teachers have just finished our meetings on Friday, thus this officially starts our school holidays! Hurray!

Do have a short break before you get started on revision! We're going into revision almost full steam sometime Week 3 of Term 3, so you guys gotta buck up! :)

For now, I've got a message for the pupils who asked me for a testimonial for DSA:

Jeremy, Nicholas, Shu Xuan, Xinying: Your testimonials should be ready by Wednesday (Mrs Song says so!). Do pop by to pick up from the General Office on Wednesday, 4th June, around 12pm.

Kher Liang, Zong Ren, Melvin, Kaijie: Can't get your testimonials out on time (I'm flying tomorrow and Mrs Song needs to check, then followed by Mrs Lim), so you can only get them when school reopens!

Pan Ying: You didn't approach me but Mr Goh told me he will pass me his part for the testimonial. I think I have to add on to what he wrote. However, as of now, I have not gotten the copy from him. I think you have to wait till school reopens too.

That's all I have to say for now! Have a good holiday everyone!

Are you looking like this?

2008-04-28T20:50:00.000-07:00

Hello my dears,

It's been a long while since I last posted. I believe you should be busy preparing for the coming exams this period of time.

Do remember to drink lots of water, have enough sleep (this means prioritising your time to finish your homework in the day instead of starting only at 9pm at night) and have faith in yourselves!

It'll be over in a while!!! GO! GO! GO!

Dailies: 09 April

2008-04-09T00:10:00.000-07:00

Dear all,

I forgot to inform you regarding NSW Mathematics earlier in school!!!!!

Please note that you have to bring $8.60 tomorrow for NSW Mathematics. It is compulsory for all of you to take the paper.

Please bring the money along tomorrow!!!

Please spread the words around to your classmates if you see this, because not all of you have internet access at home/ check this class page everyday!

Also, if you are interested to take the NSW English Paper (this one's not compulsory), please also bring along $8.60 for the main paper. If you wish to take a additional writing paper (like composition paper), you have to bring an extra $11.65.

Dailies: Please check with your parents

2008-04-07T20:29:00.000-07:00

Dear all,

Please remember to ask your parents on whether they'd like to attend a briefing by:

1) Victoria School
2) Dunman High
3) Hwa Chong Institution
4) Nanyang Girls' High
5) Chung Cheng High (Main)
6) Tanjong Katong Secondary

Also, check with them the preferred timing, either they'd like the briefings to be 7.30-8.30am on weekdays, or 5pm on weekdays.

I will ask you for their responses this Wednesday (9/4).

This is probably a good opportunity for them and for you to find out more about the school you might be keen to go to next year. Do respond! :)

Dailies

2008-03-26T03:25:00.000-07:00

Dear 6 Faith,

Remember to check with your parents if they wish to come for the Teacher-Parent-Conference next week, and submit the forms with their signatures to me by this Friday, 28/3.

Also, remember to bring $$$ to purchase the PSLE booklets, which we will be doing starting either end Term 2, or beginning Term 3.

Some reminders

2008-03-24T06:54:00.000-07:00

Dear 6 Faith,

Do remember to let your parents sign the:

1) Vesak Day Carnival Circular (Even if they are not going, I'd still like to see their signature to ensure that they have indeed seen the circular)

2) Topics to be tested!

Also, please check with your parents if they'd like you to take part in NSW Science. Bring along the amount of $8.60 and pay to the teacher-aide during your recess if you are participating!

See you all in school!

A Happy Easter

2008-03-20T18:33:00.000-07:00

Do Your Part, Keep Singapore Safe!

2008-03-03T03:06:00.000-08:00

DO YOUR PART, KEEP A LOOKOUT!

Picture Credit: Straits Times Online Mar 2, 2008

Remember one aspect of Total Defence is Civil Defence? You can now play your part by being vigilant Singaporeans, and helping to keep a lookout for escaped JI terrorist Mas Selamat Kastari. The above are possible disguise that Mas Selamat may take on to hide his identity.

Mas Selamat escaped from Whitley Detention Centre last Wednesday 26 Mar, 2008. He has been on the run since then and Singapore has started a nationwide hunt for him.

Kastari was accused of plotting to hijack a plane in order to crash it into Singapore's busy Changi Airport in 2001, but never charged in court. He was being held under an internal security law which allows for detention without trial.

You may refer to more articles on Straits Times Online for more information (click on link found on the right side of this page).

*Edit*

OKAY, people like Samuel Poh obviously has no sense to leave his comment on Mas Selamat under the comments HERE. So here goes (I can't believe I have to do this still!!!):

Your Task: What are your thoughts on this piece of news? I am sure many of us have many questions. Do post your thoughts, questions and beliefs about the implication of this issue on Singapore. Leave your reflection as a comment below and I will look through them! :)

Moodles Log In

2008-02-27T05:17:00.000-08:00

Dear 6 Faith,

In the next few days, please go to our school moodle website http://www.mahabodhi.edu.sg/
and try to log in. I need to know how many of you CANNOT log into your own account.

Those who have problems logging in will have to let me know by 3rd March (Monday) so I can help you to find out what is wrong. If I do not hear from you by then, I will take it that you have no problem with your account and I expect that you are able to produce the online holiday assignments by Term 2.

2 more days to end of exams! Do hang in there! :)))

2010, Here We Come!

2008-02-22T06:56:00.000-08:00

I know this is a little delayed- but woohooo!!! Singapore has won the bid for the 2010 Youth Olympic Games (YOG)! It is exciting because this is the FIRST YOG to be held ever, as initiated by the International Olympic Committee (IOC, the one which oversees the once-every-4-years-Olympic Games).

For the first ever YOG to be held in a small country like Singapore, we have shown that Singapore is able to stand up against the bigger countries as a developing regional media hub. Our country is way younger than other countries, but in many ways, we have prevailed through difficult times and survived as a successful story.

The coming years will definitely be exciting, with the inaugural F1 Night Race to be held this year, the first Integrated Resort (IR) to be completed by 2009, the YOG in 2010, and the completion of the Sports Hub (the place where the National Stadium used to be) by 2011.

For the time being, I hope you will all spend some time thinking about the success Singapore has achieved in all the above areas so far, and if you're keen, I highly encourage you to visit the following website for more information on the YOG:

http://www.singapore2010.sg/day/index.htm

There's a section where you can view all messages that Singaporeans have posted up to show their support for our country in this event! Or, you may click on "Get Involved" at the bottom of the page and you'll be led to a page where you can show your support to Singapore by posting your very own wishes and blessings for the nation! :)

Commemoration of Total Defence Day (TDD) 2008

2008-02-20T03:30:00.000-08:00

I'm sure all of you have known by now (if you don't yet, something is SERIOUSLY wrong with you), TDD is commemorated by schools on 15 February of every year. I'm also sure that all of you know the 5 areas of Total Defence (again, if you don't yet know, something is SERIOUSLY SERIOUSLY wrong with you), being:

1) Economic

2) Military

3) Civil

4) Psychological

5) Social Defence

A little bit of history: 15 February marks the day Singapore fell into the hands of the Japanese in 1942. The idea of Total Defence was only introduced to us in 1984, and we had adopted this idea from the experience in Sweden and Switzerland.

There are 2 reasons why the idea of a "TOTAL" Defence:

1) As a young nation with a small population, we cannot afford to maintain a regular armed force. As such, we need to involved every Singaporean in the effort of defence.

2) The nature of warfare is no longer simply about guns and tankers in a battlefield. Potential danger can strike in many other non-battlefield ways, e.g. suicide bombing in the city or residential area.

***********************************************************************************

The theme for this year's TDD is "Total Defence. It's Personal. Play Your Part." As such, the teachers deemed it appropriate that everyone in Maha Bodhi School plays our part particularly on this day to commemorate TDD in true, blue Maha Bodhi fashion. It doesn't matter whether you're a new P1 student or a graduating P6 student; whether you're a new teacher or an experienced teacher - we all have a part to play!!

Thus we began the week with a Total Defence Skit performed by the Discovery Centre. This was followed a 2-hour long water abstinence exercise for the morning session (1 hour for the afternoon session juniors) on 15 February, as well as the porridge-taking exercise on the very same day:

Your task is to answer the following questions:

1) Why did we practice water abstinence and porridge-taking exercise on TDD? (The answer has already ben hinted in earlier paragraphs. You may also find the answer in the circular given to your parents before TDD.)

2) How did you feel about the water abstinence exercise (DO NOT just tell me things like "I felt thirsty") and the porridge-taking exercise? How do you relate these two activities to your role in Total Defence?

Again, leave your answers in the comments column and I will look through them before i publish them :)

p.s. If you're interested to find out more about TDD, you may surf the following website: www.totaldefence.org.sg/

All The Best!

2008-02-17T06:32:00.000-08:00

Dearest 6 Faith,

All the best for your CA1 Composition Papers tomorrow and day after!

加油！加油！加油！

:)))

Happy Lunar New Year!

2008-02-06T08:03:00.000-08:00

Week 5: Respect Week Jan 28 - Feb 1

2008-01-29T18:54:00.000-08:00

Respect is one of our school values. (IF you do not remember, it's stated very clearly in your school journal page 4 & 6) This week is Respect Week. As part of our HDP lesson this week (YES... I didn't manage to cover HDP again!!!), you are to write a short paragraph of between 50 to 100 words on:
WHAT RESPECT MEANS TO ME (meaning you yourself duh.)

*Wow, some of you have very good points on what respect means to you! I hope that through this activity, you are reminded again of the value of RESPECT. Respect others like how you want to be respected- this is what I wish for all of you in 6 Faith!

To end this, I leave you with 3 of my favourite reflections done by you guys:

Chelsea: Respect is.........- Greeting teachers and bowing to them as a show of respect .- Paying attention to person talking(teacher) and not talking away .- Respect the decision of others .Respect is all about to listen what the other person has to say , and listening to it real heartily . People might sometimes think respect is just about bowing to teachers and all , but what's the point . If I bowed to you and said "I think your idea is a total no-no and it should be corrected by someone more capable than you", it would be disrespect . Disclaimer : Respect is NOT about bowing to others . Other ways of respecting others are : Correct them if they made a mistake , but not shouting at them and calling them dumb . Hand in assignments on time , do not let your teachers scream and shout all over the school . This would only end up embarassing you . Following the rules of any , if available . Remember , if your do not respect others first , how are the others going to be able to respect you ...

Koko: Respect means a lot of different things. On a practical level it seems to include taking someone's feelings, needs, thoughts, ideas, wishes and preferences into consideration. We might also say it means taking all of these seriously and giving them worth and value. In fact, giving someone respect seems similar to valuing them and their thoughts, feelings, etc. It also seems to include acknowledging them, listening to them, being truthful with them, and accepting their individuality and idiosyncrasies.Respect can be shown through behavior and it can also be felt. We can act in ways which are considered respectful, yet we can also feel respect for someone and feel respected by someone. Because it is possible to act in ways that do not reflect how we really feel, the feeling of respect is more important than the behavior without the feeling. When the feeling is there, the behavior will naturally follow.

Gerald: Respect is the root of conversaion,both in talk and our mind.Always bear respect,and the opposition will be fine.Respect is something ,hard to understand.But although that, it is something we can mend.If we have trouble,with other people;always remember respect,it will bring convenience back.Invisible as always,neither white nor black;respect is always in my eyes,and that is a fact.

As for the rest of you, I have published your comments (except some irrelevant ones and I will talk to these people when we get back to school on Monday). Take a look! :)

A little about this blog...

2008-01-02T02:44:00.000-08:00

I have almost zero creativity, thus the very straightforward name given to this blog: Joy, Laughters & Cries: 6 Faith 2008. In this little space here, I hope we are able to share some thoughts and ideas on what I may be posting up in time to come. I hope this space can be an extension of our classroom learning (and maybe an extension of my incessant nagging about your homework, holiday work, assignments etc) and at the same time, be a place where you can learn more about your classmates. Afterall, this is your final year in Maha Bodhi School, your final year as one class. If you don't get to know one another now, then when?

We want to make this a pleasant shared space for all in the class, so some rules apply (yes, rules are everywhere!) :

1) No vulgarities or unacceptable languages. Duh.

2) No name-calling or personal attacks are to be made on anyone in the class or in MBS for that matter. This is a class blog, not your personal blog. Do not do things like, "XXYYZZ is so idiotic/fat/ugly/act smart/blah blah blah!"

3) No spamming. Not in the tagboard. Not in the comments. I know how youngsters these days LOVE to do so. It is very irritating and it does not value-add to the discussion.

With this, I hope the year ahead be a good one for each and every one of you in 6 Faith. I have faith that you will all be able to survive and do well, if you put in every single bit of effort you can! :)