Reading Week, SM Canossian Convent, Kluang

The Reading Week was officially launched on Monday by the principal, Madam Tan Tong Yar. A book review was conducted by Pn Norliza (Eja) and a huge bookmark was given to the principal to symbolise the importance of reading. Pn Murniyati (4th pict from top) gave a speech to explain the significance of the Reading Week. In conjunction with the week, the library is showcasing its collection of new and interesting books for all to see. I didn't want to miss the chance to view the new books and snap some pictures for my blog. Maybe I should also try to finish that book by Kam Raslan which has been by my bedside for many months now...

JPNJ 4th Monthly Assembly, 22 April 09, Dewan Gemilang, SMK Teknik JB

I was invited to this monthly JPNJ assembly plus nine others from the state last 22April 2009, to take part in an exhibition of the action research we had conducted. The Kluang PPD, Tn Hj Saharudin Sharif was also there and so were many other officers. I was only informed of the invitation a day before so I did what I could.

Top pict: a gadget from one of the participants
2nd from top: the audience
3rd from top: Kluang PPD (Tn Hj Shaharudin) with Latifah and me
4th from top: registation
Bottom pict: me at my booth

I could kick myself today for a silly thing that happened in class (4S1) hehe. I only had the last part of si tengggang's context questions to discuss but i ended up typing all the rest and showing only that little bit via lcd..and you know what, my students were soooo nice (or lost too for that matter :)), they were not bothered, amused, or anything at all...hehe funny these girls sometimes- can't tell what they are thinking!! but they are always the ones who keep me happy and sane when things (or people) around you are insane. Thanks girls, you've always kept my spirits high even when the going gets tough at times. btw, deeveeya reminded me of the choc cake..hmm... i must bake this afternoon. a promise is a promise.

The past week was horrid but the past two days was ey okay!! No one to boss you around, no sour faces to stare at, no reverse psychology (which is a trademark of this particular colleague of mine), no apologies to make etc.etc. Just me and myself sitting peacefully and clearing a lot of backlogs...

18th MELTA CONFERENCE 2009

Hi All,

Don't forget MELTA conference is in Puteri Pan this year from 11-13 June. Don't worry about letter from JPN as it's during the hols. I will be presenting a paper in the conference. Hope to meet some old and new friends! Visit melta.org.my for more information or click the title on top.

Course Material

Hi all,
On the left sidebar are some materials I used for the recent Professional development course for Excellent Teachers in Kluang. Hope you find them useful. If you have any questions, feel free to leave your comments. By the by, my session was on "Kemahiran Berfikir Secara Kritis dan Kreatif'. It was conducted in BM as the particpants consisted of 65 Excellent Teachers from various subjects. Cheerio.

Tuesday's Date with PS (BOS Write up)

From the top: I really am proud of my student E Jia Yen 2nd pict: Form 3's turn in March 3rd pict: Puran and I picking names at random 4th pict: Electrifying support from the not so lucky ones! 5th pict: The chosen one- Amilia delivered a speech on 'Boyfriends' which proves what SMCC students can do if given the chance! Salam and hi to all of you out there. If you happen to stumble upon my blog, do leave your comments. It's really motivating when someone leaves a comment or two. I know some of my good friends and students (x and present) who miss me go to my blog (hehehe) but leave your mark guys! To my students, don't let the fear of English keep you away ok.. Anyway, I'd like to share a programme called 'Tuesday's Date with PS' (not Puran Singh, my KB but Public-speaking. No offence puran:)

It's basically a public-speaking programme that has become a hit in my school, SMK Canossian Convent. Since I first came to the school , I noticed the lack of English speaking culture and decided to act on it. Thank God for the support of my panel members- Puran, Dr Rekha, Sarojini and Anand not forgetting my principal, Madam Tan for her enthusiasm! (Ehem..are you taking over madam? hehe) What started as something students really feared has become a hit. I can't forget the screams of support from fellow students when their friends are randomly selected to present a speech on the stage. Bravo girls!! See what you can do? You can do anything you want to do if you put your mind to it enough. I didn't say that, Helen Keller did :) The best part is I know that the students have a lot of potential but opportunities must be created for them so they can bloom. 

Thanks to Mdm Tan for her continuous support! For details on the programme, click the link Tuesday's Date with PS on top. I wrote it as a Blue Ocean Strategy (BOS)write up recently in BM okay. Be patient if it's a bit slow downloading. It's because of the photos dears. Have a productive day!

The week that was...

Salam and hi,
The past week left me really tired and demotivated. When you are stuck with people who have negative vibes, you get influenced too..and they drag you down..down..I need positive people around me who complain less and work more. It's been very challenging trying to get people to work. This reminded me of a discussion with Bill (former PET teacher in my old school) on what leadership really meant. I think I summed it well- 'Leadership is getting people to do what they don't want to do' and Bill totally agreed! I have not been able to do most of the things I want to do because people hate change. They are too comfortable in their little comfort zone ('results are good so why kill yourself?' But when results are poor, go after the GC!!) and change is seen as threatening. But if you think about it carefully, the only permanent thing is change really. Even politicians talk about 'change or be changed'!

Teacher's Debate, National Level, IAB Jitra, 12-15 April 2009

Salam and hi,
I adjudicated twice in the teacher's debate. Pleased to meet some old friends. The semi-finals and final will be held in Terengganu in May. Met Mala and Zulkifli (see picts) Everything went well except for the nightmare at Alor Setar airport. My name and Nizam's (BM judge) were not listed in the passenger list and the flight was full!! To make matters worse, I was listed as 'no show' when I actually took the flight from Senai despite the 50 min delay!! I was fuming as I had changed my flight home from Senai airport itself. The staff was pretty evasive and made us go back and forth from the office and the check in counter. Thank God, one En Hisham (the manager probably) took notice our our situation and acted promptly. After some waiting, the management sent us to Penang airport by taxi and re routed us from Penang to JB, all expenses paid. I was lucky to have Nizam as company- a well-mannered young man(there are not many around these days!) who carried my notebook until we reached KLIA. Thanks for the company!

Professional Development Course for Excellent Teachers, PPD Kluang & MGC Kluang, 9-11 April 2009

From the top: Ice-breaking (Paper Ball)
2nd: Group Dynamics (Diamond 9)
3rd: Don't know who this is :)
4th: Rapt Attention!!
5th: Yahya presenting his group's discussion
6th: Tn Hj Shaharudin (Kluang PPD)
7th: Audience enjoying En Azizul's session
8th: En Azizul

Today marked the closing ceremony of the Professional Development Course organised by the PPD and Majlis Guru Cemerlang Daerah Kluang in SM Sains Johor, Kluang. The focus of the course was Pedagogy. Before officiating the closing ceremony, Tn Hj Shaharudin Sharif, the PPD, provided useful input to all GCs on the district's performance in public examinations and urged them to excel and contribute to the district in more ways than one. The guest speaker for the closing ceremony was En Azizul Abd Rahman, Grade C Excellent Teacher from SMK Parit Sulong, Batu Pahat. As usual, En Azizul's slot was full of lessons to be learned and peppered with great humour! The facilitators were Pn Norizah Rahmat(Chairperson, MGC Kluang), Pn Zanariah Abdol(BM GC), Pn Gayah Madu (Physics GC), En Ismail Yon (Media GC) and Pn Rahmah Hj Sayuti (English GC). Overall, I must say I enjoyed being part of the team (despite running back and forth to school in between :)) and hope that the participants gained a lot of useful input from the sessions. To the new GCs, welcome on board and bravo to the organising committee -MGC Kluang!

SPM Teachers English Course, District English Panel

Date: 2nd April 2009
Venue: SMK Bandar T6
44 teachers attended the professional development course on assessment of the SPM papers. Facilitators were Pn Hjh Roslinda (SMK Bandar T6), Pn Rosleen (SM Tinggi Kluang), Pn Ong Yim Lean (SMK Sato Hj Hassan Yunos, Rengam) and Mr Puran Singh (SMK Canossian Convent, Kluan). I dropped by at the training centre to inform teachers of the standardised papers for the coming mid-year. Was pleased to note that most participants were young and fresh graduates as this would mean the course objectives were achieved.

District PPSMI Meeting1, 1 April 2009

The district PPSMI meeeting was conducted by the PPD, Tn Hj Shaharuddin to discuss the latest developments in PPSMI. Quite a few newly appointed GC's were present.