3 days into the workshop. I guess we all discover alot about the students. Not only have we imparted and shared our experiences with them, along the process, we have also learn alot from them.
Although these 3 days have been tiring and exhausting, i'm pretty sure we all had fun. Looking at them makes me reflect about my past too...
I'm glad that as a group, we are able to overcome the obstacles we faced and adapt to situations. For the past 3 days, I've spoke to my few friends, some of my friends are horrified by the way i describe the students, some were touched by our actions.
Personally, I feel that to some extend, we have already impacted some of their lives. Because, for the first time, they are listening to us! We have managed to open up some of their bottled feelings that is kept deep within, build on it and explored issues and possibilities together. I believe all of them have the potential ...its just a matter of time...
I sincerely hope for the best ....
Now we need to think of how we are able to present our success to the class because it is not something that is tangible...
Friday, February 29, 2008
Tis the season to be jolly
Tomorrow is a special day, not only does it mark the end of your LTB project but it marks the end result of the weeks of countless hours in GSRs and tons of emails that have been exchanged. Likewise tomorrow is an equally special day for me, not because I'm in school for lesson(nothing special about that) but rather because I'm glad that the group has emerged unscathed from these few gruelling days as well as the first half of the LTB module. From making the long way down to the school to talking about lee kuan yew in North Vista to celebrating each other's birthday, it just goes to show how much the group has come together since the first day when you were initially pretty apprehensive about each other.
I know this post sounds like a end of module post but it isn't, the progress that the team has made at this moment is certainly worth mentioning and remembering. I just want to highlight to you that behind all these responsibilities and deadlines ever furiously knocking on your doors, there is still something more to LTB which we might miss out on. That is .........................the friendships made. Something which I missed out on previously during my LTB module is to spend more time with my LTB mates. I'm not talking about spending it in the GSR, that's not counted, Im talking about spending time outside the schooling context. I told myself initially that I have a good 3 years ahead to spend time with them if I ever wanted too but truth be told, with the immense workload and super duper unfriendly timetable that clashes with everyone, it is of little surprise that we ended up not even having enough time to talk with each other. The most recent brush with my LTB mate is along the concourse and each of us in our hurried steps could just wave to each other.
So there's no better time to spend time with each other than now, don't save the best for last. All the best for your research presentation and for those who reads this post, all the best for tomorrow when your bring the students to our school. Hopefully our school will stun them into silence.
I know this post sounds like a end of module post but it isn't, the progress that the team has made at this moment is certainly worth mentioning and remembering. I just want to highlight to you that behind all these responsibilities and deadlines ever furiously knocking on your doors, there is still something more to LTB which we might miss out on. That is .........................the friendships made. Something which I missed out on previously during my LTB module is to spend more time with my LTB mates. I'm not talking about spending it in the GSR, that's not counted, Im talking about spending time outside the schooling context. I told myself initially that I have a good 3 years ahead to spend time with them if I ever wanted too but truth be told, with the immense workload and super duper unfriendly timetable that clashes with everyone, it is of little surprise that we ended up not even having enough time to talk with each other. The most recent brush with my LTB mate is along the concourse and each of us in our hurried steps could just wave to each other.
So there's no better time to spend time with each other than now, don't save the best for last. All the best for your research presentation and for those who reads this post, all the best for tomorrow when your bring the students to our school. Hopefully our school will stun them into silence.
Wednesday, February 27, 2008
difficulties
difference between being a friend and a counsellor/mentor
being a friend means understanding their actions, connecting with them and getting them to accept us into their comfort zone
being a counsellor required us to go a step higher. to give them proper advice, guide them while maintaing certain rules and boundries.
i guess we all could more or less get them to open up to us but it seems that we were unable to draw and maintain the boundries. we know that many of their actions needed correction.
the challenge now is to find an appropriate way to maintain their trust while keeping things in check. how...? no text book kind of suggestions please, as it would probably be empty talk. maybe someone will be able to achieve it and share the practical steps. i guess certain skills can only be attained with experience... which hopefully, we will gain at the end of this workshop
being a friend means understanding their actions, connecting with them and getting them to accept us into their comfort zone
being a counsellor required us to go a step higher. to give them proper advice, guide them while maintaing certain rules and boundries.
i guess we all could more or less get them to open up to us but it seems that we were unable to draw and maintain the boundries. we know that many of their actions needed correction.
the challenge now is to find an appropriate way to maintain their trust while keeping things in check. how...? no text book kind of suggestions please, as it would probably be empty talk. maybe someone will be able to achieve it and share the practical steps. i guess certain skills can only be attained with experience... which hopefully, we will gain at the end of this workshop
Day 1
End of day 1 of our 4-day workshop.
The students weren't as bad as I feared. However, getting them controlled enough for the smooth flow of the workshop was tough. Their attention spans were relatively short and their interest in the games wasn't there.
On the positive side, they seem to be a bunch of students who are logical thinkers, beyond their youthful emotions. The main reason why they rebel is because they don't see the reason behind why they have to do certain things or act in a certain way. We need to take note to explain to them why they have to do certain things. The bonding was also quite good. :)
On hindsight, our team could have decided the boundaries before hand and agree on certain standards of conduct. As much as we want to come to them as peers, I feel that we have been abit too lax by letting them poke holes in waterbottles and spraying each other. By not doing anything, we are actually condoning their actions. In the coming days, let's be firm to stop their misdemeanours and explain to them why their behaviour is wrong. It will help them better in the long run and understand why certain things shouldn't be done in class.
The students weren't as bad as I feared. However, getting them controlled enough for the smooth flow of the workshop was tough. Their attention spans were relatively short and their interest in the games wasn't there.
On the positive side, they seem to be a bunch of students who are logical thinkers, beyond their youthful emotions. The main reason why they rebel is because they don't see the reason behind why they have to do certain things or act in a certain way. We need to take note to explain to them why they have to do certain things. The bonding was also quite good. :)
On hindsight, our team could have decided the boundaries before hand and agree on certain standards of conduct. As much as we want to come to them as peers, I feel that we have been abit too lax by letting them poke holes in waterbottles and spraying each other. By not doing anything, we are actually condoning their actions. In the coming days, let's be firm to stop their misdemeanours and explain to them why their behaviour is wrong. It will help them better in the long run and understand why certain things shouldn't be done in class.
Counting Down
Its 3.45am...tired...yet happy and excited because in 6 hours time, i will be in North Vista Sec Sch.
Few hours ago, I receive the news that one of the boys are cannot attend the workshop due to suspension. Wow~ not again I thought.
One thing that I really cannot understand is that why the school wants to suspend the boy when he is already scheduled to go for this workshop?
Is suspension really beneficial to them? I cant seem to see its benefits...
Why cant the school give him the chance to come for the workshop? Maybe he can learn something...
Maybe spending his time with us are better than spending it at home or outside with other friends....
I felt sad that we have loss one sheep ... just give him one more chance... surely a chance is not that hard to give...
Well, but I have no control over the school. Since it has been decided that he will not be attending it, I guess we just have to accept the loss.
*I'm still praying that he will turn up tomorrow morning :)
Few hours ago, I receive the news that one of the boys are cannot attend the workshop due to suspension. Wow~ not again I thought.
One thing that I really cannot understand is that why the school wants to suspend the boy when he is already scheduled to go for this workshop?
Is suspension really beneficial to them? I cant seem to see its benefits...
Why cant the school give him the chance to come for the workshop? Maybe he can learn something...
Maybe spending his time with us are better than spending it at home or outside with other friends....
I felt sad that we have loss one sheep ... just give him one more chance... surely a chance is not that hard to give...
Well, but I have no control over the school. Since it has been decided that he will not be attending it, I guess we just have to accept the loss.
*I'm still praying that he will turn up tomorrow morning :)
Monday, February 25, 2008
First Time
It’s my first time blogging here. It’s a weird thing blogging somewhere else, but it’s also a great experience to share my random thoughts in this blog. I’ve read up the past posts, and it made me think how long we have been waiting for this week to come. Just imagine all the meetings that we’ve had for the past eight weeks, all coming down to the next four days.
After the session with Christine a while ago, I’m confident that our project will be a success. There may be glitches here and there but I know we can make this work.
This whole thing made me kept thinking about how things were for me as well when I was fourteen or fifteen. Especially that we have to share our life experiences to them, I tried digging my memories of few years back and began reminiscing high school again (haha), and surprisingly it was somehow hard to remember things back then.
I do remember somebody telling me that high school is like one of the best times of somebody’s life. What was high school like for me? What is high school like in Philippines? Probably a bit different from how things work here in Singapore, but I guess we all have our common ground one way or another.
For me, high school was an emotional roller coaster. I get to experience a lot of firsts in my life, and that everything that was happening back then seemed magnified 100x--- the high school social scene pressure (i know, a bit cliche, but true), school work, and that feeling of wanting to be all over town (in a happy-go-lucky-i- just-want-to-have-fun kind of way). I remember my first cellphone (haha), my first fight with my best friend, my first struggle in school, my first time being grounded, my first prom, my first calculus, haha!, etc. etc. But more than that, the adolescent stage is probably the most awkward and most vulnerable stage of our lives.
So how was your life when you were fourteen? How was high school for you? How is high school like here in Singapore? How's life for these kids that we are meeting? Is the high school now different from just few years back?
As we take on this four-day workshop, I’m sure we’ll all be brought back in time. The time when I felt like I was an adult already where in fact I knew nothing much about life back then. But the best thing about the whole experience is that we grew up, because that’s how high school was--- a series of trial and error that molded us today. However, that doesn’t stop there, until now, we keep on going, keep on making mistakes, and keep on growing, and I guess that’s the best thing. I know this project will teach us things we never would have expected. I hope we can fulfill our goals in impacting the lives of these youths.
So yeah, good luck to all of us, and let’s all enjoy this!!!
After the session with Christine a while ago, I’m confident that our project will be a success. There may be glitches here and there but I know we can make this work.This whole thing made me kept thinking about how things were for me as well when I was fourteen or fifteen. Especially that we have to share our life experiences to them, I tried digging my memories of few years back and began reminiscing high school again (haha), and surprisingly it was somehow hard to remember things back then.
I do remember somebody telling me that high school is like one of the best times of somebody’s life. What was high school like for me? What is high school like in Philippines? Probably a bit different from how things work here in Singapore, but I guess we all have our common ground one way or another.
For me, high school was an emotional roller coaster. I get to experience a lot of firsts in my life, and that everything that was happening back then seemed magnified 100x--- the high school social scene pressure (i know, a bit cliche, but true), school work, and that feeling of wanting to be all over town (in a happy-go-lucky-i- just-want-to-have-fun kind of way). I remember my first cellphone (haha), my first fight with my best friend, my first struggle in school, my first time being grounded, my first prom, my first calculus, haha!, etc. etc. But more than that, the adolescent stage is probably the most awkward and most vulnerable stage of our lives.
So how was your life when you were fourteen? How was high school for you? How is high school like here in Singapore? How's life for these kids that we are meeting? Is the high school now different from just few years back?
As we take on this four-day workshop, I’m sure we’ll all be brought back in time. The time when I felt like I was an adult already where in fact I knew nothing much about life back then. But the best thing about the whole experience is that we grew up, because that’s how high school was--- a series of trial and error that molded us today. However, that doesn’t stop there, until now, we keep on going, keep on making mistakes, and keep on growing, and I guess that’s the best thing. I know this project will teach us things we never would have expected. I hope we can fulfill our goals in impacting the lives of these youths.
So yeah, good luck to all of us, and let’s all enjoy this!!!btw, i'm watching the Oscars right now. Our dear Ratatouille won!
We'll do Well!
Hey Guys! My First time blogging! =)
Whatever obstacles or situations we may face with, I believe we are good conquerers! This Project Compass is going to be a great event and lets be optimistic, believing the students will open up to us, impact their life's and have fun! 2 more days! Lets keep on keeping on! :)
Because we Care, the ReasoN wHy we Fear
I have been optimistic about the profile of the students under project compass. Angelic faces hidden behind the devilish souls...
But dear mates, fear not....
Fears are signs that we care. And because we do, we can pull through...I'm pretty certain that we can impact their lives in one way or other...
By now, less than 72hours to the start of the programme, i admit that fears are creeping in but I'm not going to let it eat into me!
Take a step back and relook at our programme, is this what they really need? how can we better improve the programme to impact them? Are they going to accept us? Honestly, i dont know because i'm not experience.
HOWEVER...............
base on experience, i think why the behave as such as due to many factors like the lack of concern, failures, pressure, conflicts...
Below are my thoughts:
1. show concern towards their life, do not go out there to tell them that they are wrong, give assurance that there are things that in life they have succeed and some decisions that they've made are right
2. let them know that in life failure in results and relationships does not constitute a failure in life. give some examples of people that they can relate to like celebrities etc.
3. they dont know how to handle pressure they face in school/life (regardless of results, punishments from teachers, fitness etc). Show/explain to them how to face pressure and how to handle it positively...fully utilise our games to optimise that
4. Conflicts. I'm pretty certain that this kids are prone to shouting vulgarities. They are not aware of how to address conflicts. When conflict occurs, vulgarities are probably the first words. I think we should teach them how to handle conflicts. Thinking back, at my time, students use to fight in school.
they are not accepted by their teachers, their peers and possibly their parents. Our job here, is to accept them as who they are, care for them and show them that their is light.
Do not follow the wrong path (some of us has been through) and end up regretting it.
But dear mates, fear not....
Fears are signs that we care. And because we do, we can pull through...I'm pretty certain that we can impact their lives in one way or other...
By now, less than 72hours to the start of the programme, i admit that fears are creeping in but I'm not going to let it eat into me!
Take a step back and relook at our programme, is this what they really need? how can we better improve the programme to impact them? Are they going to accept us? Honestly, i dont know because i'm not experience.
HOWEVER...............
base on experience, i think why the behave as such as due to many factors like the lack of concern, failures, pressure, conflicts...
Below are my thoughts:
1. show concern towards their life, do not go out there to tell them that they are wrong, give assurance that there are things that in life they have succeed and some decisions that they've made are right
2. let them know that in life failure in results and relationships does not constitute a failure in life. give some examples of people that they can relate to like celebrities etc.
3. they dont know how to handle pressure they face in school/life (regardless of results, punishments from teachers, fitness etc). Show/explain to them how to face pressure and how to handle it positively...fully utilise our games to optimise that
4. Conflicts. I'm pretty certain that this kids are prone to shouting vulgarities. They are not aware of how to address conflicts. When conflict occurs, vulgarities are probably the first words. I think we should teach them how to handle conflicts. Thinking back, at my time, students use to fight in school.
they are not accepted by their teachers, their peers and possibly their parents. Our job here, is to accept them as who they are, care for them and show them that their is light.
Do not follow the wrong path (some of us has been through) and end up regretting it.
Sunday, February 24, 2008
A rethink needed?
After looking through the list of students and the new info nick has provided, it sounds tougher than we expected. I think it is natural instinct to be worried but worrying does not solve anything.
Instead of worrying I think we have to rethink our plan and see what we can improve or modify to suit the current situation, if any adjustments are needed at all. Tomorrow would be the best time to sort out any worries and fears with Christine and have a plan that we are convinced would work.
But saying that I have full confidence in the team. =)
Instead of worrying I think we have to rethink our plan and see what we can improve or modify to suit the current situation, if any adjustments are needed at all. Tomorrow would be the best time to sort out any worries and fears with Christine and have a plan that we are convinced would work.
But saying that I have full confidence in the team. =)
Remember our Vision
Honestly, I'm abit worrried, looking at the type of students we will be handling. All of us lack the experience of handling such students. Nevertheless, let's just give our best and press on the fulfill the vision we set out in the 1st place: “Impacting Youths, Changing Lives.” Let’s make a difference to the lives of these students. :)
Friday, February 22, 2008
I'm not so sure about letting the prefects be the students' mentors. It all depends on how well they get along with the 'bosses' of the school. Maybe we need to know how our students are like.
Think about it: If you were a bully and rebel in the school, someone who likes to control everything, would you want to be tied down to a prefect who is such a goody-two-shoe for 4 days?
Perhaps it will be good if we just get the prefects to participate in the activities, but if it's like to set up a buddy system, then...I'm not quite sure it will work out. Unless you want the buddy system thing to be long term, like have it only after our project or something, so that they will always have someone else in school who will watch out for them.
What do you all think?
(yup, I think sparkling wine is jerrine, the one who's so fascinated about the sentence 'how much wood can a wood-chuck chuck if the wood-chuck could chuck wood')
Think about it: If you were a bully and rebel in the school, someone who likes to control everything, would you want to be tied down to a prefect who is such a goody-two-shoe for 4 days?
Perhaps it will be good if we just get the prefects to participate in the activities, but if it's like to set up a buddy system, then...I'm not quite sure it will work out. Unless you want the buddy system thing to be long term, like have it only after our project or something, so that they will always have someone else in school who will watch out for them.
What do you all think?
(yup, I think sparkling wine is jerrine, the one who's so fascinated about the sentence 'how much wood can a wood-chuck chuck if the wood-chuck could chuck wood')
Crunch Time
Its now the end of week 7 and execution is week 8 as mentioned by sparkling wine (Who is that?? Jerrine??)
As Calvin mentioned at yesterday's meeting, we have loose ends to tie up at this late stage. Thankfully our organization has been quite kind to us in the sense that they did not pull out. Despite the lack of time, I am very confident that we can pull it off and it will be a success.
New information about prefects being added to the mix as observers set me thinking and I want to throw some ideas around. If we have the students there, would it be a waste if we did not engage them? Maybe we can find some way to involve them without making our targeted students resentful? If we could find a way to show our kids that they are just like them with the same fears and feelings though they maybe from differing backgrounds, we could attach them to the prefects as their mentors in school.
Sounds like a tall order but perhaps we ponder and look at the possibility and feasibility of the idea. Change always occur and its what makes life worth living for. =)
As Calvin mentioned at yesterday's meeting, we have loose ends to tie up at this late stage. Thankfully our organization has been quite kind to us in the sense that they did not pull out. Despite the lack of time, I am very confident that we can pull it off and it will be a success.
New information about prefects being added to the mix as observers set me thinking and I want to throw some ideas around. If we have the students there, would it be a waste if we did not engage them? Maybe we can find some way to involve them without making our targeted students resentful? If we could find a way to show our kids that they are just like them with the same fears and feelings though they maybe from differing backgrounds, we could attach them to the prefects as their mentors in school.
Sounds like a tall order but perhaps we ponder and look at the possibility and feasibility of the idea. Change always occur and its what makes life worth living for. =)
Thursday, February 21, 2008
Who was that sparkling wine intruder? hahaha
And why kids... they're NOT lor.
Anyway, I want the photo of our Egg+One!!!
Shall I be looking forward to our execution? (I'm referring to the project, not anything else) Looks like it's going to be a busy busy busy mid term break for us!
--i'm hoying by the way, if you all don't know--
And why kids... they're NOT lor.
Anyway, I want the photo of our Egg+One!!!
Shall I be looking forward to our execution? (I'm referring to the project, not anything else) Looks like it's going to be a busy busy busy mid term break for us!
--i'm hoying by the way, if you all don't know--
Ready, get set and GOooo!
Hi people,
1 more week to execution (not the kids but the programme!). I hope things are going on well for each and everyone of you. Lets get everything ready by next week! Pull up our socks and make this execution a successful one!
I'm all excited about this week 8...and i hope to see the kids soon.
Anyway, I think we are now at phase 1 of "temporal pacing" this phase is one of the shitty phase...hahaha....moving on to transition...do expect changes around this time (as the theory says) !
ok....not much reflection today...shall do more the next time...
To be continued...........
1 more week to execution (not the kids but the programme!). I hope things are going on well for each and everyone of you. Lets get everything ready by next week! Pull up our socks and make this execution a successful one!
I'm all excited about this week 8...and i hope to see the kids soon.
Anyway, I think we are now at phase 1 of "temporal pacing" this phase is one of the shitty phase...hahaha....moving on to transition...do expect changes around this time (as the theory says) !
ok....not much reflection today...shall do more the next time...
To be continued...........
Wednesday, February 13, 2008
noob blogger spends 30mins figuring out how to post
for anyone like me who didn't know how to make a post, press the "new post" button at the top right of the screen
anyway i originally wanted to post about completing the team charter & letter of intent today. another long but productive meeting today
anyway i originally wanted to post about completing the team charter & letter of intent today. another long but productive meeting today
Eight plus one
Welcome people! Feel free to start blogging about your Project Compass expeirence!
We can do the formatting of the blog later.
We can do the formatting of the blog later.
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