Thursday 27 November 2008

Thank You!

Prom's over, so does the whole IB experience. The prom night (a.k.a. pseudo-graduation) was a decent event, indeed, regardless of the controversies that have always been associated to the ways it was held. It was a success in the way that most of us had a good time, and that's the only thing that matters for me now. The food was terrible indeed (the prawn was damn salty, the fish fillet didn't bear any taste of a 'fish' it was atrocious). The more pathetic fact about the food is that we're all charged 40 bucks for the astonishingly bad food. Another caterer for the next prom, please!

I shall stop ranting on the prom food. The main reason for me to write this post is to thank my teachers and friends for their contributions in making my whole IB journey meaningful. Yes, I understand that the air of discontentment with regards to the whole IB experience that we've had in Sri KDU has already risen among most of us, but don't you guys think that we've all been complaining too much that we've already forgotten the fact that we truly deserve a space for us to think and reminisce on the positive aspects of IB in Sri KDU. I know that most of us think that the whole experience of doing IB in Sri KDU sucks, and I totally respect your opinion and stand in this matter. Yes, IB might suck big day, and Mr. Shaw might be such an irresponsible IB coordinator and so on so forth. Yes, you are free to think so, and such freedom of thinking and voicing out our opinion is supposed to be one of the most pivotal elements of IB itself. Yes, we are in the position to lament anybody for the negativities that might have surrounded us all in the 2 years of us doing IB. However, don't you think that while we're all focussed in looking into the negative aspects of our academic life in Sri KDU, we have also overlooked some of the brighter sides of our IB life in Sri KDU. There are certain positive elements that were embedded in our IB experience without us even trying to appreciate them. And these positivities were mostly crafted by my dearest IB teachers, whose dedication will always remain in my heart and soul forever. The latter parts of this post will all be dedicated to you, my teachers...

Mr. Lawrence:
You've been teaching me chemistry since day one and I can't help but to be awe-inspired by your dedication in turning your students into the future Einstein and Markovnikov. I can't help but to feel deeply touched by your willingness to have long, sleepless nights to prepare the materials needed for us to accelerate into the future as an independent, scientific, and knowledgeable beings with good hearts and souls, too. Your ideas on the importance of integrity in doing scientific investigation and independence in wading our way through the expanse of knowledge will always be my guidance and saving grace for years to come. We'll all get SEVEN, Mr. Lawrence, god-willingly. Thank you.

Mr. Sai Mun:
You've been one of the most laid-back, yet effective teachers I've ever met. Your jokes have always uplifted our mood in the most depressing times, and your notes have always been very very useful! The simple and relaxed ways of your teaching have always set you apart from Mr. Lawrence's heavier, and intensive ways of teaching, but both of you were all focussed towards reaching the same goal of churning out excellent students who are well-prepared to face the future of uncertainties. Thank you.

Mr. Masukor:
You're our saviour, as our maths were in a mess when you first came to the school. We were left having limited to no knowledge with regards to the important and genuine elements of mathematics that we're all supposed to know (we're all maths HL students, by the way). Having taught us for a few months, you've managed to increase our level of confidence in maths, and by the time we're all going to face the examinations, my level of faith in doing maths has certainly been higher. Apart from being an excellent maths teacher, you've also been such a good story-teller who told us a lot of interesting stories that involve our country, its people and the way for us to survive in the increasingly dynamic world. Your ideas that are all unconventional have certainly prepared us all to face the real world out there. Thank you.

Mr. Azhar:
Of all the IB teachers I've had in sri KDU, you're the one who has been generally particular about the formal aspects of learning; your voice has always been heard at the corridor, asking us to put our bags into the locker, and so on so forth. You hate jeans too! I'm going to miss your particularity and fussiness with regards to those matters, Mr. Azhar. Your commitment in your job has also been awe-inspiring. I believe that the business lessons I've had with you had certainly equipped me with the nature of doing business; and nature of making MONEY to turn me into a millionaire of course =) You have been such a great teacher, Mr. Azhar, and that's how I'm going to remember you. Thank you.

Mr. Oliver:
Je veux ecrire dans francais, mais un majorite des lectures n'ont comprennent pas la francais! You're another teacher whose level of commitment in your job has never ceased to amaze us. You always came super-duper early to the classroom for the french lesson (you're so punctual, monsieur!), and you made our lessons very interesting and anything but banal by making some really fun jokes and using interactive and colourful ways in teaching and learning. Your newly-born baby is so so cute, too =) May God be kind to you. Merci beaucoup, monsieur!

Mr. Shaw:
You taught us English A1 for more than 1 year, and we've certainly learnt a lot from you. Your limited experience in teaching English A1 might have barred us from doing greater things together, but your efforts in still teaching us English with commendable passion deserve you some accolades. Your jokes have also made our day, (I'm not being sarcastic here, okay) =) We're gonna miss you. Thank you.

Mr. Ong:
You came too late for us to do greater things together. Your willingness to come out with your 'rescue' package with a few weeks left before the final exams touched our hearts and helped us to alleviate our englishA1-related anxieties syndromes! I know and I do appreciate how much you love us and how bad would you feel if we're not doing well (or at least pass) in English A1, and your commitment in teaching us sincerely regardless of the time constraint that we all had at that time has acted as a candle that enlightened our spirit and determination to shine in English A1. Furthermore, you're such an eternally young figure who understands the real problems that bother us as your students, and that has certainly delighted us big time. You're a cool teacher to hang out with, too! Thank you.

Mr. JG:
You were with us for quite a short period of time, but our affection towards you has certainly grown due to your absence. You're a excellent Maths teacher, who really cared about your students, and that very quality made us love you. Your absence was, is, and will always be sorely missed. Have a great life in India, and good luck! Thank you.

Dr. Reed:
I was joining your class for a few times, and I would really like to express my admiration in your level of dedication in your job as an english teacher. Thank you for teaching me syntax, aesthetic imagery, and many other important and profound stuffs that are so beautiful that they never fail to inspire us, every day. Thank you.

Miss Kalai:
You're such an angelic monster! You are a combination between Heaven and purgatory. Love you so much. Thank you.


"Friends Forever" by Vitamin C. Enjoy!




Faizal Hamssin

5 comments:

Ian Beh said...

hey man.

I'm really considering IB at sri kdu seriously for the june 2009 intake. What do you think? Is it worth it? Thanks a lot!!


-Ian

Faizal Hamssin said...

hey ianb
glad to know that. ib is a great choice since it is designed towards moulding well-rounded students who can think and generate, not only consume knowledge. therefore, it is a very intense program, and you should be willing to work really hard to shine in IB.
about the school, i think that the school's ways of doing ib still leave a lot to be desired. some of the teachers are pretty new with little experience (if any) in the field of ib. the school's system is pretty annoying at times; it is very much profit-orientated. the subject combinations are also very limited (i wanted to take econs SL initially but it wasn't available at that time so i had to resort to taking Bus SL instead). the CAS activities in the school can get pretty lame at times.
However, above all, the ib centre of Sri KDU is very well-equipped, facility-wise. The library is well-stocked with the latest ib reference books and the labs are very well-equipped. some of the teachers are very dedicated, too.
for me, i would like to say that ib is fantastic, but doing ib at SriKDU may not be the best option. it's very new in this field and many weaknesses have arisen due to this very fact.

Anonymous said...

Hi Faizal, thanks for the very motivating paragraph.. glad to hear you enjoyed my jokes = )

aleensie said...

hey you.

did you purposely leave out another person's paragraph? hahaaa ;)

Faizal Hamssin said...

leensy leensy. once vain forever VAIN! haha