Parry Primary School was the posting I got for my first attachment. I was to spend 5 weeks there where the first 3 weeks is just observing and the last two weeks being observed.
CastMrs May Sim (Cooperating Teacher - CT)
Ms Catherine Lim (Mentor)
Ms Wong Wai Theng (Trainee Teacher)
Mrs Chan (Principal)
The StoryToday is Friday and it is the last day of my attachment. The moment I saw my CT walked into the Staff Room, I took a picture with her (I think we look best and freshest in the morning). I don't have to do any teaching that day as my CT gave me the day 'off'.
She got a student to call me up from the Staff Room at around 1000hrs. When I went up, after the class greeted me, she announced to the class that it's my last day in Parry. To my
surprise, she actually prepared a farewell meal for me (amazingly pleasant surprise). We went for an early recess (the class is to have recess everyday at 1030hrs). I really don't know how much more to thank her at that point of time except to say "Thank you" a few times. How dull of me...
She asked me to come to the class before the end of the day to bid the children farewell. Thus at 1320hrs, 10 min before dismissal), I made my way up to the class where hald the population is gone (the other half went for a Malacca trip).
There,
another surprise awaited me. I received a personally crafted card that is designed and signed by all the students in the class. And yes...it is beautiful. There were also a couple of small gifts and few personal cards from some students. Well...I was
touched! Spoke some words of encouragement (hopefully encouraging) to the class and also acknowledge Mrs Sim's hard work for the class. The class had their final
"Thank you, Mr Zaki...Goodbye, Mr Zaki" and I exited...haiz.
As I returned to the Staff Room, I sat down and recalled...
My Life in ParryWhen I stepped into Parry, it was like a flashback to the past. It somewhat gave me that sentimental feeling. The building is a similar, if not exact, replica of my primary school - Saint Stephen's.
The Dedicated CTI was assigned to Mrs May Sim. She is one dedicated teacher who I think I owe a lot to. She is someone who is every ready with words of encouragement and is very open about sharing her knowledge. She is not demanding but she does have her standards. Whenever I see her, I will feel relaxed and calm. She never puts stress upon me and that allowed me to work at a relaxed state of mind but yet meeting the deadlines. She even go the extra mile and actually helped me when I am in trouble. She is a very dedicated teacher and I am really honoured to have been able to be attached to an inspirational teacher like herself.
The Challenging ClassMrs Sim is the form teacher of 5/Passion. The class consists of at least 50% PRC students. And out of that 50%, more than half of them can't understand/converse in English...their ages...older than the Singaporean students up to maximum of 15 years old. But beign older, quite a number of them are also more mature. There were a few exemplary students like Jing Jing, Xuying, Manhui...and interesting ones like Yixuan, Lei Tao, Shizhe, etc.
It is very challenging to teach them because of the language barrier..and I admire Mrs Sim for beign able to. But nevertheless, the students are a very nice bunch on overall...I mean...look at what they did for me in the end.
The Jovial MentorThere's also a Mentor in the school. She is unusually jovial. Unusual in the Mentor sense because I was expecting mentors be those dead serious kind...but she proved me wrong. Like Mrs Sim, she is also very experienced. Seeing her will make me smile...because she always smiles! And yes, she sings very bautifully to. I happen to hear her singing hymns in the Staff Room (to herself that is) and her voice was very melodious.
She taught me a very important lesson which I've blogged in the previous entry.
The MusketeersDuring my period of stay, I got to work with several other teachers who also helped me in one way or another. Namely they are...Mrs Chan (Principal), Mdm Laura Lim, Mr Sahir, Mr Jeevan, Ms Radiah, Ms Ng Lai Muay & Ms Rozana.
Thank them all for being friendly and hospitable which makes my stay in Parry more worthwhile.
It's OverMy life in Parry has been over. I am proud to be associated with the school during it's final year before closing down and merging with Xinghua Primary. The school who has a FANTASTIC and JAW-DROPPING Gamelan and Angklung performers who attained GOLD at the SYF06. I just can't believe that a group of Primary School children can be an orchestra.
Thank you Parry Primary School for all that I've learned from you. You have been a great host and I am forever thankful for the valuable lessons. You might just be...a legend!