Happiness is to be in school!

July is a month packed with many courses and meetings for most principals. I have already attended 3 long courses and I still have one and a half more course to go! Today I returned to school after my ICT course to attend the PIBG Committe meeting at 5pm. In the short time I was in school today from 4.30 pm to 8 pm, so many things make me happy just to be in school .

First, as I was getting out of my car and struggling with my many bags, a tall young student approached me. Initially, I thought she wanted to ask me a question but her question was " Can I help you?" She then proceeded to help me carry my bags, laptop and all. This was such a lovely greeting for me since I had been away from school for a week! If I am not mistaken, her name is Tan Yen Hui from Form 1 but if I get her name wrong, please leave a comment on my post. I got to know she was there near the car porch because she was on her probation prefect duty. I really like the way she was helpful and how she allowed her helpfulness to give her courage and overcome her shyness. Girls, you must emulate Tan Yen Hui. Often we want to help others but we are too shy. Let your helpfulness give you courage.

Secondly, when I had settled in the office and had finished signing some documents, Datin Cheam my PK Koko excitedly showed me the plaque our afternoon girls had just won for being champions in the Inter-School Choral Speaking Competition (Klang Valley)  in KDU today. Bravo! Congratulations to the teachers Pn Siti Syaheedah and Pn Siti Hasrina and the wonderful girls who make the school proud ! Keep up the good work! Teachers, thank you for your hard work in training and grooming our students to be champs! We also won RM 700 together with the plaque.Champions --Yes!!!



Datin Cheam posing with the plaque
 on behalf of the teachers and students.



Then I popped out into the office after signing the documents. Imagaine my surprise when another young Malay student approached me and hugged me saying -" Rindu, cikgu, lama tak jumpa cikgu " I enjoyed being missed. Who wouldn't?

I decided to just go walk around the classes and the hall for a quick round before the meeting started, more because I missed the students and teachers rather than because of duty. I always enjoyed seeing students learn in and ou of class. Teachers were all teaching in the classes I observed. Happiness!

Then something melodious caught my ear. I heard the sound of sweet piano playing. My first thought was "Oh maybe the girls are having choir practice and someone brought the keyboard to school." So I walked to the hall and saw a group of girls gathered around our very very old piano. When the girls saw me approaching them, the pianist stopped playing and the other girls were a little apprehensive. The reason was they were they were also probation prefects on duty. I invited the pianist - a young Indian girl to resume playing. She played " My heart will go on"( from the show Titanic) beautifully. I loved the way she coaxed the beautiful melody out of our very very old piano with so many missing keys. One of the items on my wish list for Convent Sentul  is to repair and restore this old piano. Even when I continued on my rounds away from the hall, I heard the beautiful music. May beautiful music always fill our school and our hearts!

More pleasant surprises. Datin showed me the boxes of books Ms Navam  had personally donated towards the needy students of the school.

Beneath the many books in the boxes, I saw beautiful hard cover books. Ms Navam's  instructions were very clear. "These books are to be given to the needy students.These books are not from the alumni, they are from my personal collection." For your information, Ms Navam is an ex-teacher of SMK Convent Sentul and also a very important and crucial person in the Alumni and the Board of Governors. She is still very active despite having retired for so many years and her love for Convent Sentul is very strong evident and inspiring.

Thank you Ms Navam for your gift to the students. For those of you who do not know Ms Navam, she is a legend!.  I first heard about Ms Navam from Marina Chin, an  ex-student of SMK Convent Sentul.       The story went something like this. Marina had only about RM 25/- on her but the running shoes cost       RM 49/-. Ms Navam and another teacher topped up the balance needed and bought Marina her first pair of running shoes. Marina's running shoes have set her on the running track to success! She represented Malaysia on many occasions and bought glory to Malaysia ( and to Convent Sentul and to Martha's house) Today Marina Chin  is the principal of the National Sports School in Bukit Jalil . I know her career started with Ms Navam's gift. So students and teachers, emulate Ms Navam and leave a rich legacy!

I was shown two newspaper cuttings - one from the Star Metro and the other from Sin Chew Jit Poh of our students posing with the awning Suntrack had installed for us.

We had a very fruitful and pleasant PIBG meeting where PIBG pledged help for the many requests of the school. Thank you PIBG.

 So many pleasant things happened for such a short time spent in school. So worthwhile!

The ICT Mountain is to be climbed.

I am currently at a three-day ICT course for school principals in KL. Here at the course as I listen to the lecturers, I realize there is a huge ICT mountain and  great potential for growth in schools systems using ICT. Listening to Mr Wong of MBS KL share, I realize he is somewhere near the peak of the ICT mountain while suddenly I realize I am probrably at the base of the ICT mountian. Sigh...! and I thought I knew something about ICT.

However I also realize there are many HMs who haven't even touched base yet and still many HMs who have yet to see the mountain peak. Haha!

So, I want to encourage all associated with Convent Sentul to continue on their magic carpet ride and rise up in their journey to the mountain peak and not to think they have arrived.

We all still have a long way to go and the ICT mountain peak actually keeps growing higher ( unlike other static mountain peaks )  when new innovations are developed . So keep on going and don't ever give up halfway.


Now some motivational videos. The message from my heart. If this guy can succeed, all of us  can succeed. Don't ever give up.You become stronger in the face of adversity.


<iframe width="425" height="349" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/wOlTdkYXuzE" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

Another video - this one about Michael Jordan

<iframe width="560" height="349" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/woOu_4l3lio" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

A whole new world!

For some strange unfathomable reason, the strains of the song “A whole new world” from Aladdin on a magic carpet comes to my mind. Why? As I ponder, I know the answer. Our 11 brand new computers have opened a whole new world to our students. Some parts of the song goes like this…

I can open your eyes
Take you wonder by wonder
Over, sideways and under
On a magic carpet ride

A whole new world
A new fantastic point of view …..

Unbelievable sights
Indescribable feeling
Soaring, tumbling, freewheeling
Through an endless diamond sky

 

That’s what the new computers have done for the students. It has opened their eyes to see something, over, sideways and under. And as they see the screen, the whole new world open up to them. The unbelievable sights they see and hear set them on a journey where they soar, tumble and freewheeling through endless diamond skies and unlimited possibilities in their future!



Smiling faces and bright eyes savor everything on the screen.



You should listen to the girls’ comments when they first set their eyes on the brand new computers.  “For us??? You mean this is for us ? Flat screens! Awesome!  Ooh! Just look at that … brand new computers. This is really, really beyond our wildest imaginations and expectations! Cool!”  The expression on their faces is priceless! Their thumbs automatically point up! Thumbs up!

The students pay RM 10/- per head each year. There is no way from that RM 10/- that we can ever get these units of new computers. The new computers were made available by the generous donations of the friends of the Board of Governors. The drive to solicit funds for the Computer Lab was spearheaded by Mr. Lee Geok Ai, the Chairman of our Board of Governors. Mr Lee rallied much support for the bulk of the funds. Thank you, Mr Lee for your pioneering leadership which has opened a whole new world for us.

On behalf of SMK Convent Sentul, I want to officially thank the many generous individuals and companies that have been moved to help us open a whole new world for our students through the computers. Thank you for believing in us even though you do not know us personally. Your generosity has inspired the students! I know your investment in the school will bear much fruit. Thank you!!!

Apart from those in the list above, Omni Resources gave us a huge discount off the wiring charges. In fact, their discount was bigger than their actual charges. Thank you, Jeremy and Omni Resources for the discount and for making the wiring to be so neat and discreet.

We also want to thank Mr. Lee’s secretary, Ms Lee Foong Lian, who cheerfully and willingly helped us coordinate the letters, receipts, cheques and financial records via uncountable phone calls, emails and faxes.  As of 9 July 2011, sponsors for  23 units have pledged their support. The Board of  Governors is working towards getting sponsors for a target of 30 units, The best is yet to come!!

Do you know why the students are so thrilled? Do you know how old our old computers actually are? A little short of being archaic, literally. See our old CPU with the inventory number inscribed ever so faithfully denoting the year they were bought. The new computers are so fast compared to our archaic computers from the year 2002.



Our old computers were purchased in 2002.






Smiling as we learn together. Thank you Mr Tiew of
Edu Networks Sdn Bhd for your expert advice in setting up the
lab really neatly.

 


The small circle shows the student in open mouthed wonder.
The big circle shows 1Malaysia hands teaching and learning together.

   


The happy expression on this Malay girl's face is priceless!

 




The donors are placed on each computer. We will put on
more permanent fixtures to honour the donors.


Thank you for helping the princesses in SMK Convent Sentul on their magic carpet ride and seeing a whole new world open up to them.

I can show you the world
Shining, shimmering, splendid
Tell me, princess, now when did
You last let your heart decide?

I can open your eyes
Take you wonder by wonder
Over, sideways and under
On a magic carpet ride

A whole new world
A new fantastic point of view





Sports Day Celebration.

We just celebrated Sports Day! Such a canival of colours. Such an very energizing fiesta. We were graced with the presence of our VVIP guest of honor Dato' Ku Chin Wah, Ketua Siasatan Jenayah, Ibu Pejabat Polis Kontijen, Kuala Lumpur. Dato' Ku was very gracious. He gave us insightful remarks in the students' march past performance. He was so very interested in the track events that he didn't mind delaying his breakfast break. When he left the event, he greatly encouraged our students by addressing several  of them personally by name. We trust that Dato'Ku enjoyed the event as much as we enjoyed his gracious presence.



The girls practicing early in the morning.
I like their colourful caps.

Pius girls shows off their banner.



Anne House had a butterfly and very interesting banners



But Vincent decoration was the best (according to the judges)
Of course I know all other house members will disagree.



Anne girls were so happy!



Martha house girls showing off their awesome banner .

I like Pius yellow and black balloons!

You have to be there to feel the energy.
Maybe the video will give you an idea of how  enthusiasticthe girls were.

Vincent cheer.

And the weather was just beautiful. Early in the morning, it threatened to rain and a few drops of rain did fall on us. I heard Datin Cheam praying hard. Her prayer went like this. "Lord, this is my first Sports Day as PK Koko in Convent Sentul - please don't let it rain." Than Ms Anne prayed. ( Ms Anne is due to retire next April) " Lord, this is going to be my last Sports Day in Convent Sentul. Please don't let it rain." I am very sure that many others also prayed. But just between Datin Cheam and Ms Anne, God must have been very hard pressed to grant us their requests and we had just beautiful weather - sunny and at many moments cloudy with plenty of wind to cool all of us.


I am sure you have seen a particular  parent videoing the Sports Day. Mr Tony Ng Keng is a professional and he has very kindly has uploaded his video of our sports Day on Youtube. Please go to the following link to watch the whole  video. Enjoy. Thank you so much Mr. Tony Ng. Enjoy his workmanship and contribution of love.

http://youtu.be/Coi1HlPiYDs





You are the reason

Sometimes it can be a very long tiring day in school but whenever I get out from my room and go on my rounds, I am reminded of the main reason why I am in school. It's all too easy to forget in the midst of signing cheques,teachers' record books and other adminstrative work that is neccasary for school, the real  reason why I have chosen to be in school.

You are the reason why I have chosen to serve in school and not anywhere else. The happy faces and voices of students, be they studying or doing experiments, having fun learning something in and out of class make me happy and energize me.



The happy faces of students in 4 Bakawali showing off
their newly decorated notice board to match the
newly painted classroom' pink walls.



Happy faces cheer the teachers on.

Students under the care of Pn Vasantha.





Michelle smiles as she masters her
Physics Peka experiment



Michelle reads the ammeter with ease. Can you?



Nice salute- not just  with your hands but also with your eyes.

 


Sometimes its not just their hand movements.
Observe how much effort the girls put to make sure
 their legs are stretched out straight.

Now I have come to realize it's the simple things in life - like your smiles, seeing how you students learn in and out of the class under the loving supervision of the teachers - that makes all the hard work worthwhile.
Keep smiling!!!



The joy of a Principal - excellent teachers in the school!

Excellent teachers who love the school and the students are a source of joy to any principal including this one. I am just so blessed to have the service of many excellent teachers amongst my staff. Today I want to highlight two excellent teachers.

Despite personal challenges, this ex-student who has returned as a teacher to Convent Sentul, Fitri Yanti Bt Abdul Jalil works with joy and cheerfulness. She is always full of initiative! Whenever she is assigned with any task, she will persevere and tries her best to find the best and right way to do this task. She will search for information from the internet and make phone calls etcetera until she finds the proper way to carry out the task.

Fitri Yanti Bt Abdul Jalil excitedly holding up a
model made by her student

Fitri  has taken student centered learning  up one notch.  There is a difficult but important topic in Form 1 Mathematics called Solid Geometry. This topic is somewhat abstract as students have to draw the net or layout of a given geometry shape. Most of the students are not able to draw the net because they cannot  visualize the net from the geometrical shapes given. To help them master the topic, she tried the hands-on approach.

The treasure box of many more models made by Fitri's mathematics students.

Pyramids and cubes and ... even ribbons to decorate.

Fitri has motivated her Maths students to draw the designs on the straw board or coloured papers then cut and fold along specific lines to create a particular solid and to progress step by step from paper design to the real geometrical shapes. Students had fun time making the geometrical shapes and opening the shapes in different methods to form various shapes of the net of a given geometrical shape. She excitedly brought a whole big box of the students’ productions

Fitri Yanti  is not only passionate about Mathematics but as head of the Science Department, she motivated her Biology students HoYoon Yin, Pang Jing Xian and Pavitra in 5 Bakawali  to produce a large size colorful model of the DNA helical structure.
 

Colourful Double Helix DNA Model



Close up

The students who made this fantastic DNA model! 

Learn the names of the different bonds

Another outstanding teacher is Cik Ainil Shahnaz Binti Muhamad Sham. She is much loved by students and teachers. This pretty lady often lead us in senamrobics with the ease and style of a professional. She is a favourite teacher of many students.

Ainil leading the school in Senam Robics during
our Cross Country event in Tasik Titiwangsa.

Her father’s success as a King ‘s Scout has inspired Ainil to join the Girl’s Guides. Holding on to her personal principle  "Never give up easily" and "It is not the end of the world " helped Ainil soldier on when she lost hope of becoming a Queen’s Guide. Nevertheless she continues to share her expertise to help aspiring Queen’s Guides.

Ainil with her happy girl guides buddies in Penang

 

Ainil has represented the Girl Guides of Malayisa to  countless events. Just in the year of 2008, she attended   the 2^nd Asian Youth Forum in Gwang Ju, Korea for 5 days as well as participated in the help mission to Cambodia  and also represented Malaysia Girl’s Guides to the Juliet Low’s Seminar in the World Guide’s Guides event  in Switzerland for 10 days. She helped out in Padang, Indonesia on 2010 during their crisis. She has received many awards in 2007, 2008 and 2009.

Ainil recieving the Pingat Jasa from Datin Paduka Seri Rosmah Mansor

 This year she has done the school proud  by being nominated to receive the Pingat Jasa, an award given only  by the Queen or the First Lady, Datin Paduka Seri Rosmah Mansor herself during the Girls’ Guides AGM in Penang. This award is reserved for  those who have contributed greatly to the Girls’ Guide movement. Coincidentally, Ainil also recieved the APC Anugerah Perkhidmatan Cemerlang this year in school. Congratulations Ainil for the double honor conferred both by the school and the nation.

So.....  it is indeed an honour for me to serve Convent Sentul together with so many excellent teachers in our midst.



Everyday the school looks different.

The awnings from both sides of the Form 3 classrooms to the hall are up. This provides more shade and shelter from the rain when the students move to the hall.

This new awning is much longer compared to the previous awning so the students will not get drenched while walking to the hall during rain.

The view from the hall shows the transparent but strong plastic mounted all along the top sides of the stairs leading to the canteen.

The students and teachers will be sheltered from the wind and the rain when they walk to the canteen.

The two sinks near the KH bengkel have been repaired.

Of course I love most to see the colour changes taking place as the painters begin to touch up the vertical pillars with the terraccota colours.

The front porch is almost ready.

The painters are working on the vertical pillars today and doing the final touches.

New Colours, new school term and a new season!

Pretty in pink!. These are the terms I would use to describe the new colours of SMK Convent Sentul. And it is really great timing that these new colours have come in, just in time for our new school term. Convent Sentul, we have been adorned with new colours for a new school term and a new season in life! Praise God for a new season and new colours!

We actually tried very hard to secure sponsors for the painting of the main front façade earlier but somehow despite this project being one of our primary priorities, our efforts just didn’t gel. But we didn’t give up on our dream and persevere on. We held on to our dream of wanting the school to be beautiful and to create a conducive environment for you all to study in. Through the concerted efforts of Mr. Jason who also had earlier sponsored the painters’ salaries of the school hall, we finally managed to contact three companies who responded to our appeals for change.

These three companies rose to the occasion and rescued SMK Convent Sentul from the drudgery and the drabness of the old and if I may add, the peeling paint of the old façade. By their kind sponsorship, they gave us a fresh new beginning by giving us a fresh new look. Thank you so very much!











Our kind sponsors are Pembenaan Leow Tuck Chui & Sons Sdn Bhd. from Jalan Pahang, Sin Seong Hin Sdn Bhd and First City Construction & Trading Sdn Bhd, both from nearby Bandar Menjalara. Once again to all three companies involved, on behalf of the whole school, I wish to express our grateful thanks to you for helping us make the transition from the old to the new by your timely sponsorship.


We also want to thank Mr Robert Lim for giving us a big discount off the price for the painting and for painting more areas than we actually paid for. He coordinated his painters to work overtime on many days, often till 10 pm.




It is only because these companies and their staff were willing to respond quickly and immediately that the bulk of the painting project could be completed before the new school term begins. Painting of the exterior is definitely more complicated. The walls had to be jet sprayed to remove the peeling layers of paint and clean them. A white base coat of paint had to be applied. We had some challenging weather this week and we had to ensure the base coat was dry before applying the colourworks. The painters used long ladders, scaffolding and all sorts of technology and gadgets.



Girls and staff, we must also learn from the example of these fine people to work quickly, promptly, innovatively so that we can meet deadlines. Respond immediately and work overtime if necessary to meet set deadlines. Procrastination is not good. Get rid of the esok, lusa mentality!!! Just in case we forget what the walls used to look like; you need to compare the old and the new so that you appreciate the new.

To fully embrace the new season for the school and for yourself, you need to work HARD just like all the examples named above. Some of you need to jet spray off some long accumulated debris and bad habits in your heart and mind. Others may need to apply a fresh base coat.

Let the change of colours in the school usher you too, through a change of season in your heart and your mind. It is pretty awesome to me that the upgrading works especially the timing has been orchestrated by God so that you will have new colours in school for a new season in life and for a new school term.


So..... respond and change and walk into a brand new season of your life!