It was a beautiful sunny day in SMK Canossian Convent. For the past week or so, we have had cloudy skies but today was exceptionally bright as if the powers that be understood there was going to be an important event taking place! Madam Tan's farewell ceremony today began at 11.15 a.m. in the school hall. Honourable guests who graced the occassion were Sister Geraldine Tan (Mother Provincial), Mr Larry (Chairman, Board of Governors) and Mr Lee Kwok Hee (Chairman, PTA SMK Canossian Convent). A variety of performances was held for the special ocassion and the one that stole the limelight was inevitably the teachers' dance. I thought they were superb!! Well-done to Ain, Marina, Ija, Kartini, Wan, and Sham! Prior to this was a grand farewell dinner hosted by the PTA in Prime City Hotel on 9th January. It was a splendid evening and a memorable one. The Deputy Minister, Honourable How Kok Chung attended the farewell too.
Todays' event was even more special as it was held in the school ground where Madam Tan had served for six years as principal. I thought I could hold back tears but no... I just couldn't believe she was actually leaving...it seems like only yesterday I reported for duty in Convent. I kept 'postponing' her retirement date and pretending she was still going to be around. But today, it hit me like a rock. it's going to take some time to really sink in. How time flies.
Let me record a special thanks to madam Tan for being a good listener and for all the advice she had given me. At times when I thought I had become wiser, I hadn't- little did she know that she had shown me there were still many things I needed to learn and one of those important things was to be in control of my emotions. Indeed with age comes wisdom (although I do not want to get older too fast!!) Thanks for this 'gift' you've left me-something I will never forget. Please also accept my apologies for anything I've said and done that may have hurt your feelings. To err is human to forgive divine. At lunch today I was asked whether I had adapted to SMKCC by the PTA chairman and my answer to that was an honest one- I took a longer time than I had expected. Well, better late than never. Although I have never said it before, SMKCC has essentially taught me to be a better teacher. Thanks to you Madam. Here's wishing you good health and happiness on your retirement. Keep in touch! (Thanks to Qiao Wen for the great photos she snapped for me)
Todays' event was even more special as it was held in the school ground where Madam Tan had served for six years as principal. I thought I could hold back tears but no... I just couldn't believe she was actually leaving...it seems like only yesterday I reported for duty in Convent. I kept 'postponing' her retirement date and pretending she was still going to be around. But today, it hit me like a rock. it's going to take some time to really sink in. How time flies.
Let me record a special thanks to madam Tan for being a good listener and for all the advice she had given me. At times when I thought I had become wiser, I hadn't- little did she know that she had shown me there were still many things I needed to learn and one of those important things was to be in control of my emotions. Indeed with age comes wisdom (although I do not want to get older too fast!!) Thanks for this 'gift' you've left me-something I will never forget. Please also accept my apologies for anything I've said and done that may have hurt your feelings. To err is human to forgive divine. At lunch today I was asked whether I had adapted to SMKCC by the PTA chairman and my answer to that was an honest one- I took a longer time than I had expected. Well, better late than never. Although I have never said it before, SMKCC has essentially taught me to be a better teacher. Thanks to you Madam. Here's wishing you good health and happiness on your retirement. Keep in touch! (Thanks to Qiao Wen for the great photos she snapped for me)
omg!! madam tan is no more!!!! =(( it's lamenting.... i surely am gonna miss her.... :((
ReplyDeleteThanks for this write up in your blog , now everybody reads about the splendid efforts of SMKCC teachers and students + ME (56 years old already ) !Can you add more photos , I don’t have any myself at this point .The slides - wonderful
ReplyDeleteI have said thanks more than 10 times already but I think it’s still not enough , I am indebted to all of you , didn’t expect such show of appreciation .
I cant agree with you more - I feel GOD is on my side , the sunshine and the breeze and everything else ….. so many old friends , colleagues , parents , ex-students that showed up on the nite of 9th ….. PPD gave me a personal farewell gift ( Thanks PPD ) and Deputy minister graced the occasion ( what more can I ask for ? ) And so many praises and kind words were spoken -. The sweetest sounds of all is praise and it does wonders for my hearing ( my kids think I am hard of hearing )
Of course , the dance by the 6 teachers stole the show today ! Thanks to them ! Sr Geraldine , Mr Larry and Mr Lee couldn’t believe they were teachers .
I would also like to record my thanks and appreciation to you for all the support and help you rendered as the vice-chair of the district English panel . It’s a great privilege to have access to your vast networking and expert knowledge and this definitely has contributed to the success of the panel . Thanks for initiating the farewell for me , the English panel was the first one to give me the honour and I would like to thank each and everyone present that afternoon to celebrate my retirement . AS for the wonderful and useful gift I received , I haven’t put it to use yet but will , in time - for Mrs Lim ( a dear friend ) gave me a cookbook today , so I cant wait too long to try out some recipes .
Most of all , your kind words and show of support ,cooperation and appreciation will never be forgotten . Thanks for the gift of your friendship .
Mdm TTY
Thanks for this write up in your blog , now everybody reads about the splendid efforts of SMKCC teachers and students + ME (56 years old already ) !Can you add more photos , I don’t have any myself at this point .
ReplyDeleteI have said thanks more than 10 times already but I think it’s still not enough , I am indebted to all of you , didn’t expect such show of appreciation .
I cant agree with you more - I feel GOD is on my side , the sunshine and the breeze and everything else ….. so many old friends , colleagues , parents , ex-students that showed up on the nite of 9th ….. PPD gave me a personal farewell gift ( Thanks PPD ) and Deputy minister graced the occasion ( what more can I ask for ? ) And so many praises and kind words were spoken -. The sweetest sounds of all is praise and it does wonders for my hearing ( my kids think I am hard of hearing )
Of course , the dance by the 6 teachers stole the show today ! Thanks to them ! Sr Geraldine , Mr Larry and Mr Lee couldn’t believe they were teachers .
I would also like to record my thanks and appreciation to you for all the support and help you rendered as the vice-chair of the district English panel . It’s a great privilege to have access to your vast networking and expert knowledge and this definitely has contributed to the success of the panel . Thanks for initiating the farewell for me , the English panel was the first one to give me the honour and I would like to thank each and everyone present that afternoon to celebrate my retirement . AS for the wonderful and useful gift I received , I haven’t put it to use yet but will , in time - for Mrs Lim ( a dear friend ) gave me a cookbook today , so I cant wait too long to try out some recipes .
Most of all , your kind words and show of support ,cooperation and appreciation will never be forgotten . Thanks for the gift of your friendship .
Mdm TTY
hi raenz,
ReplyDeleteyes, we will all miss her
thanks for visiting madam!
ReplyDeletewho is Raenz ? Thanks Raenz but i have to know who are .
ReplyDeletemy e-mail smkcctan@yahoo.com
But the photo shows you look like an ex-teacher , are you Pn ..... from SMKSL ? pardon me if I am wrong . If you are , we already spoke for 20 minutes this morning . tx again
I believe Raienz is Renukha our x-debater madam
ReplyDeletesalam teacher rahmah,
ReplyDeleteluckily u have update the post about Pn.Tan. ha.. i can see the caremony seem really happening to give BIG appriciate for Pn.Tan.
Teacher, is she has a blog?
we all will always remember her as kindly principal..:-)
ops! here u are,Pn Tan!..Mercury is Pn.Tan...i didn't read yr comment..hehe..
ReplyDeletepn tan, it's me from 5 sc2 girls..
kindly will always remember u as SHARING AND CARING PRINCIPLE...:-)
-hafizah
Hi , hafizah !
ReplyDeleteYou have chosen the right name for yourself - cilipadi ( i like cilipadi ) kecik tapi pedas ! What are you doing now ? My effort in making sure that all of you remember and practise the school slogan has not gone to waste , thanks .
I will always remmeber you too , you took part in many creative writing competitions ( sajak etc ) The school ordered many copies of Dewan masyarakat cos of your masterpiece in it .
Our path will cross again , see you again , hopefully often !
Love , Pn tan
well, am glad the two of u are exchanging pleasentries in my blog:)
ReplyDeletethanks a lot Pn tan! U have given me a big motivation now! hehe..now, i'm busy with my part time job in boutique, just want to learn about the -real world-.. :-)
ReplyDeleteYeah, although until anyday, sharing and caring is our way of convent girl's life..hehe..hopefully!
Pn tan, u remembering me coz of my sajak? thanks again Pn tan. I'm really hope that i can continue to put my effort in writing(especially). Pn tan, do you have a blog?hehe..
Till we meet again! pn Tan! Hope you always in good condition!
my flying kiss for u! :-)
and Teacher Rahmah too...
Love-Hafizah
alwayz miss pn tan! :)
ReplyDeleteand welcome to u gadis merah jambu!
ReplyDelete