Best Wishes FTPSS 3E2/Bravo/2006!

Finally i'm back from the FTPSS sec 3 camp this morning. was sooooooo tired after i reached home that i am feeling so lethargic now. this camp is so different from my previous camp wif PRSS.

1) Nature of camp: Outdoor camp wif FTPSS is indeed very unique. camping at open public area (changi beach), when students can really 'run about' the place.

2) Nature of coy: cannot comment so much, but there are definitely differences in terms of organizational style, instructor welfare etc.

3) Nature of students: though all r sec 3 students, but i have different sentiments towards both groups. To PRSS, I felt 'crazy' with them, when we danced, cheered, played together. Whereas for FTPSS, I feel 'more' for them in terms of empathy and sympathy becos there are reali a handful of students whom need special attention from me as i reali feel a sense of duty towards them to do all i can in my 3 days wif them to make sure they choose the right paths in life with strength and be equipped with the correct values because they are a such a well natured but vulnerable lot.

i would say that there's plenty of self reflections i can make out of this experience. But for the most important concept that i haf confirmed, it's the 1/many rule as a teacher. i was taught this rule by a secondary school teacher when i was in sec 3.

"as a teacher, do not expect to be able to change the lives of all your students. as long as you can change the life of 1 student for the better, u r already successful"

I have always used this statement to be my guide in camps. this is esp true for FTPSS. i dare to say that i have the heart to give my students the best i could provide for them, but it is also impossible for me to reach all 16 students given the time constraints and my capability and energy. so i could only allocate these 'extra' time to the students who need me most. in addition, it also take 2 hands to clap. even if i am willing to help, if the student is not receptive, things can never work out. For this camp, i hoped that i have made a difference to 2 students......despite the criticism from fellow colleagues that i should not spend so much time wif them, i haf no regrets becos i believe that i should not leave them alone to face the difficulties and by lending a listening ear and not giving up on them, i could haf create a difference that could possibly affect the rest of their lives. unfortunately, i felt that apparently, i haf failed to create this possible difference to 1 student whom i have chosen to 'grab', simply becos he's totally not receptive and his body language towards me says it all. but i haf come to terms wif it becos of the above guiding principle.

I have yet to get the photos of the FTP students, so the only momento i can keep from them is a packet of 旺旺雪饼. which they have won from the 2nd prize of the best cheer competition....unfortunately they do not want to learn the Hokkien cheer i haf taught PRSS, if not they might haf won 1st like wat my student from PRSS do???? ;p

To FTP 3E2/Bravo/2006, even though i doubt anyone will ever get to read this, i sincerely wish you all the best to you all in your studies and success in ur lives and future challenges.