ONLY BY GRACE

TEACHERS' CHAMP (from the ST, 26 August) "Teaching is the profession on which all other professions depend. Indeed, everybody who is anybody was enabled to become somebody by a teacher." --- Professor Linda Darling-Hammond I never thought teaching needs to be advocated until I read this article in the papers where Professor Linda argued for more recognition for teachers, whose impact on the young people is far and wide. Personally, I thought teaching in Singapore is rather recognized as compared to other professions say social work, which is still equated with volunteer work by many! Beyond the advocacy for higher pay & recognition, she wants to highlight the significance of a teacher's role, which unfortunately has been undermined over the years. T eaching is often associated with aspects like job security, recession-hardy, good benefits, long holidays etc etc but what goes on behind the scene, no one is aware except for the teachers themselves. Teaching is mor

Goodbye At. Peggy. Kangfei At.Lydia At.May At.Sally Uncle John At.Peggy Not sure how to grasp what has happened. Another familiar face gone. But I know where she is now - eternal rest in the safest place anyone can be. Being confronted with reality of life once again.

JOANI & ADDIE! My crazy 2 NIE pals are lost in school. Haven't met them since I don't know when!!!! Felt it even more so today when I had a long break with most of my classmates away as they had finished for the day (except for us EL teachers!). Suddenly, I remembered how we would call each other and shout over the phone asking each other our whereabouts and to meet for lunch. I can almost hear Addie's voice and our conversations in my head! :) There was a bazaar at NIE and again I can see Joani and Addie scouring for weird dresses/accessories/socks etc, with Addie taking 1-2hrs deciding on just 1 piece of clothing! I remembered alot of things we did together in just that 1 hr of sitting in the canteen and watching the world go by. I expected this to happen i.e. it will get harder to meet up as this is the season to be busy (esp in this school term). But just there and then, I missed those 2 weirdos. By the way, I am NOT being emo!

Its been 2 weeks since I returned to the 'Forbidden Island'; the land of idealism. Feels really great to be a student all over again. Moreover, paid to enjoy life! Simply cannot ask for anything more. Who gets paid to play sports the whole day, have long breaks like 6-7hours, go out for movies and return for classes etc??? PE TRAINEE TEACHERS! When I first got my timetable and realised that I have seriously long long breaks, I was grumbling and complaining. On hindsight, I should not be. Enjoy the breaks while they last because they are not a right but a privilege (while I'm still a trainee!). In fact, my class has been putting these breaks to good use; play all kinds of games (softball, squash, table-tennis, soccer, floorball, tennis), watch movie, practice swimming strokes (for those in swimming) and just hanging out to chill or spend time with one another. Doesn't my class sound 'PLAY-FULL' ????? 1st tennis session : the siew mai tennis balls The guys did a

We the citizens of Singapore Pledge ourselves as one united people Regardless of race, language or religion To build a democratic society Based on justice and equality So as to achieve Happiness, prosperity and progress for our nation. At 8.22pm, my friends and I said the pledge that we are all so familiar with. Yet, unlike the 'I- say-the-pledge because I have to' attitude during schooldays, a new found sense of pride came over me. Detractors may say this is another typical PAP's attempt at brainwashing Singaporeans, but is there anything wrong in brainwashing one to love his/her country more? At the risk of sounding clich: "This (Singapore) is home truly Where I know I must be"