Library Club Project Rose for Love
Just last week, while talking with Ms Yu, the teacher-in-charge of library club, I discovered that the Library Club is in need of manpower, as one of the teachers-in-charge is pregnant and Ms Yu needs assistance in managing the weekly programmes.
As Valentine’s Day is coming up, I thought of organizing a handicraft workshop for the librarians. It was an exciting idea and I did not hesitate for a second thought. With all the necessary materials at hands, I had the librarians seated around the table and conducted the workshop by showing them the process of making paper roses in a step-by-step manner.
The kids were interested, especially the girls. Just then, Ms Yu pointed out that the roses can be sold for charity purpose. The library club is visiting an old folks home in the upcoming weeks and Ms Yu thought it would be a good idea to donate the proceeds from rose-selling to the elderly. Our librarians liked the idea very much and became more motivated.
Basically, due to man power shortage and time constraint (as the students were just beginning to learn rose-making), we decided to set a realistic target. We should only target the teachers as, they can better afford the roses, and more willing to fork out the money. (Some of them with spouses or partners may even feel obliged to buy). That allowed us to set the price higher than our expectation and raise more for the elderly.
Meanwhile, I scuttled to message all my contacts about our impromptu project and there came our first order of bouquet. Ms Yu and I also advertised the roses among the Mother Tongue Department teachers and several other teachers I met at the Secondary Two campsite last Friday. The response was encouraging. This demonstrated how successful the project could be if given enough time and planning. Nonetheless, it was a valuable lesson and Ms Yu and I both agreed that it could be made into a tradition of the Library Club-selling roses for charity every Valentine’s Day!
Secondary Two Camp
Besides the premature charity project, the highlight of the week had to be the Secondary Two camp. It exposed me to other facets of a teacher’s life—their responsibilities and duty outside of the school compounds. The entire P.E department camped there overnight, plus the respective form teachers of all the participating classes, to make sure that things fall into place and the various programmes and activities installed by the camp instructors could be carried out smoothly. Besides cooperating with and assisting the camp instructors, the teachers had to be part of fun, literally.
During that short period of break time before dinner, all the teachers gathered and racked their brain for ideas in preparation for the “Teachers’ Show” later as a key event of the camp fire.
It was a challenging task.
The teachers tried their best to infuse valuable lessons and reinforce the key points emphasized during their Civic and Morals education lessons, such as the “Seven Habits”. On the other hand, they wanted to avoid preaching and make the skit as enjoyable as possible. That was where the difficulty lie.
Nevertheless, as it turned out, the skit was a successful one, winning applauses and cheers from the student crowds as they watched their teachers pitch in the fun. It was truly an unforgettable night where a lot of bonding took place.
It was also a revelation, as I witnessed how teachers took the initiative of fulfilling parental duties. They woke up earlier, slept late, ate alongside the students and helped answer their every need and problem. I witnessed how Mr Emery Lim, the P.E teacher messaged the thigh of boy who strained one of his legs during a soccer match, slowing spreading the ointment and helped the boy to stand, and ultimately, walk. I saw how Ms Xiu Mei, the Chinese Language teacher waited patiently for the students who needed to go home, and made arrangements to drove them home after a long and tiring day. By the time she should reach home,it would have been after twelve at midnight. Even our principal Mrs Mary Bay had to ferry one of the students home, as Ms Xiu Mei’s car could not accommodate such many students.
It was clear that when it came to the safety and well-being of students, every teacher had to go the extra mile, and there was never a limit or clear boundary as to how far one can go. I believed this facet that the camp revealed was only the tip of an iceberg, and there was much more to experience, to see and initiate.
