Reflections on 2014

December has already descended on us. 2014 has flown by so swiftly. 2014 has been an extremely busy year for the school so much so I did not have time to post many events . But I must make time before the year ends and post the many meaningful events that happen even if they are not posted  in chronological order.

One pioneering program the school started this year was the home visitation program. I have this habit of visiting students' home from my times as a form teacher in SMK Padang Tembak. I found home visits to be helpful in building links with my students and in assuring their families we ( the school and the home ) can  work together for the good of the students.

In my stint as principal of  SMK Convent Sentul, I have visited over 20 homes.  This year  I visited more than 7 students, some by myself  and one memorable visit was together with Pn Rose Saadiah - the chairman of the PIBG. When I asked the statistics of my teachers visiting students, I found their statistics dismal. It took some  time and energy to challenge my teachers to make time to visit students who needed attention. When they started visiting the homes, they became enthusiastic about the positive results gained from the visits.

All in all, the afternoon session teachers have visited 21 homes whilst the morning teachers have visited 17 homes.in 2014.  I am extremely proud of my teachers for rising up to the challenge and for caring enough to visit the homes.

Cik Anis and Pn Norazlina visits and met 

with the father and the student Darshanashree

 from 2 Mawar

Cik Hamidah and Pn Haizan visits and 

encourage the mother of student 

Nurul Ain Fatihah from 2 Mawar

Ustazah Zulita, En Mazwan and En Azmizi visit and 

met the father of a student Anushka Natasha 

from 1 Cempaka

Pn Azemah visit the student and met with her mother

Pn Zuraima visit Lajwanti from 2 K 

and finds out more about the family.

En Jamal and Pn Zainon, PIBG Committee members
and husband and wife team visited student

We were very encouraged when PIBG committee members En Jamal and Pn Zainon joined forces with the teachers and helped visited the homes. Datin Cheam and Pn Wang took time to visit a student on a public holiday due to a crisis call we received there were many  positive outcomes  from the home visits.  The parents realized the teachers really cared about their children. The teachers understood the home situation and the problems faced by the students. Parents and students became more cooperative.

In one particular home, the teacher realized there was no furniture in the whole house. This teacher quickly alerted us of the needy situation. When we reported this during a board meeting, Mr Lee Geok Ai, chairman of the Board of Governors immediately sponsored RM1,4000/- of his own personal funds  to buy a set of sofa and coffee table for the family in time for the festive season. Pn Rose Saadiah  followed up with another visit to the home to ensure the furniture set was sent to the family concerned.

The teachers and the parents selected this furniture set 

which was thens ponsored by by Mr Lee Geok Ai,

 chairman of the Board . The whole process was

 speedily done so that the family would have

 the furniture set in time for their festive occasion.

.

I want to take this opportunity to say thank you to my wonderful teachers and administrators who took time out from their busy schedules to visit the students home. I also want to thank PIBG members and YDP Pn Rose for sharing the load with us and for Mr Lee's immediate and generous sponsorship. May God richly reward you for your labours. Thank you