SK Banggol Pa' Esah Leadership Camp- English Motivation Morning

SK Banngol Pa' Esah organised a 3 day Leadership Camp for around 40 plus students. It started on Thursday after school and ended on a Saturday afternoon (21-23/5). The site they selected was some delightfully prime beachfront real estate. The event included an assortment of students from Years 3-6. However, this blog will only focus on the Saturday English Motivation Morning.

The fresh sea breeze embraced me, when I arrived at the resort in Bachok, Kelantan. I was greeted by the smiling faces of my mentor team: Teacher Asisiah, Teacher Nor Azizah and Teacher Mohasnizam. There was a simple open air hall where we set up the final activity of Leadership Camp 2015. The students gathered in the hall as we showed them a couple videos from Kid President like, "15 Things You Should Say More". It was an inspiring and positive video.

We also repeated the phrases throughout the morning and gave a token gift for those who were able to recall the sayings.  The students were arranged into 5 groups.  The groups were assembled into circles holding hands for the first team building activity. It's The Hula Hoop Pass. Then two people were asked to let go of their grip long enough for them to place their hands through a hula hoop before rejoining them. The team task is to pass the hula hoop around the circle in a specified direction until it returns to the starting point. 

The game was very amusing. It took some creative thinking and teamwork to pass the hula hoop. In the end, After the game we got some more advice from Kid President on how to change the world. In summation, it's not wealth, power or popularity that changes the world, but a big a heart with big love is required.

Next on the agenda, The Marshmallow Challenge. The groups were reassembled and distributed 30 sticks of pasta, 1 meter of tape, 1 meter of ribbon and a marshmallow. Each team was given 30 minutes with one instruction. Build the tallest self-standing structure that can support a marshmallow on top. One of the teams undermanned, so the GB, Cikgu Subri stepped in to save the day. The teams employed vastly different designs to achieve the objective.  There were many attempts and many returns to the drawing board. As the time expired, the hall was filled many unique engineering gems.

We watched another motivational clip and then it was time for signature finale, The Alphabet Water Balloon Toss. The students were split into male and female. They were partnered up and challenge began. The kids really love this game and it's a welcomed relief in the scorching Malaysian sun. Note, it was so hot, many balloons were melted together while in the shade for 30 minutes and ruptured upon retrieval.  It was a heartfelt and happy conclusion to an excellent Leadership Camp. Teacher Mohasnizam deserves kudos for organizing the event and all the good teachers at SKBPE who joined forces to make a sweet memory for the students.  

SK Panggong Teachers' Day

The final school to have their Teachers' Day Celebration was SK Panggong.  As they say, last but not least. Teacher Roslimaton, Teacher Zailina and Teacher Zuriana decided to train some Year 4 students to sing at the gala event in the Dewan on Thursday,  21st of May. It was a memorable occasion, because it was the last Teachers' Day for Cikgu Johari who was retiring the following week. The event was ceremonial and playful.  

The morning started off with speeches from the various school leaders. The GB, Tuan Hajji Saiduikhwan, gave a talk on the importance of teachers. The new PIBG president, YDP Tuan Abdul Rahim gave an enthusiastic appeal on the appreciation of teachers. Then finally, the highly anticipated teacher gift exchange began.

All teachers received a randomly selected number card. There is a corresponding identical number card in a container.  The gifts were arranged in order. A number is chosen from the container and that prize is given to the teacher who is holding the identical number. The gifts ranged from comforters to gift hampers. It brought a lot of joy to the teachers, to see a colleague walk away with their gift. I even had the opportunity to pick some of the last numbers from the container.  

After this segment of the programme, students were allowed to give presents to their teachers. The students were so looking forward to this moment to show their appreciation to their teachers.  It was very jovial as bands of students roved around and searched for their teachers to give them gifts. It's a touching experience for teachers everywhere. Teacher Zuriana was drowned with gifts from her students, they filled three garbage bags. Now that's a good indicator for a teacher you're doing something right. 

Teacher Zailina took this occasion as an opportunity of generosity. She  gave all her coworkers, me included, a personalised bookmark. She creatively made a colourful bookmark with every teachers picture in it. It was nice touch and a great team building action. 

Of course it wouldn't be a Teachers Day without a feast. Today was no exception. The canteen whipped up some tasty rendang, laksa, rice, vegetables and cake. Teachers and students chowed down on the special meal.  

Next, everybody returned to the Dewan to hear the Year 4 class do some English action songs for their beloved teachers and classmates. Teacher Roslimaton, Teacher Zailina and Teacher Zuriana spent a few weeks selecting songs and training their student team. The students stepped on stage and belted out four songs. The highlight of the performance was, "I'm Holding a Red Brush".  After the sizzling hot performance, the day finished with some fun relay games. It was a very enjoyable day had by all.

Pasir Puteh's Co-Curriculum English Festival- SKBA 1st & SKBPE 3rd Places

On Wednesday, 27th of May, it was a damp morning in Pasir Puteh at SM Sains School. It was the site of Pasir Puteh's Co-curriculum English Festival. The PPD sponsors an open district level competition for both primary and high school students in English.  The primary school competition consists of Action Songs, Poetry Reading,  Public Speaking,  Scrabble and Story Telling.  Two of my schools decided to participate.

SK Bukit Abal competed in Action Songs and Scrabble, while SK Banggol Pa' Esah participated in Poetry Reading and Scrabble. At this moment, I must comment on what a superb job by Teacher Siti Basirah, Teacher Suzana and Teacher Nor Azizah (SKBPE). Actually, all the students and teachers who attended did a fantastic job.

Teacher Nor Azizah had trained two year 6 students for the Poetry Reading, Nurin and Syzellina.  The students performed a poem, "Learning Together in the Sixth Grade". The Conference Room was the venue of the poetry reading competition.  It was very somber in the room with a panel of judges at the forefront. The long table was surrounded by the various Poetry teams and their teachers. The students had 5-7 minutes to woo the judges. The girls from SKBPE gave a valiant effort and walked away with 3rd place finish. Nice One!

Action Songs Competition took centre stage in the school's lovely Dewan. The competition is limited to Year 3 students only. Last year, SK Bukit Abal took first place. This year Teacher Siti Basirah and her team were well practiced to defend their title. SK Kamil 1, SK Kamil 3 and SJK Kai Chih came lock and loaded to win the title. Competition was fierce.

The last event of the day was the Action Song Competition.  Most of the other events had winded down and the Dewan was almost filled.  The students from SK Kamil 1 looked really snazzy in their bow tie costumes.  Right before their performance, SK Kamil 3 adorned their costume with adorable plush animal head hats.  The SKBA team's bellies were brimming with butterflies as they watch super performances from the other schools.

As the SKBA team lined the hallway, they got a bit rattled as the crowd was clapping for the SK Kamil 3 performance.  Teacher Suzana and Teacher Siti Basirah were preparing the students and helping to calm there ne breathing exercises. As the team's designated cheerleader, I rallied the troops. I also reminded them the performance stops for nothing, no matter what happens, continue on. As the students climbed the stage, their  game faces were on.

The team's theme was Sportsmanship. They performed two songs: "Wavin' the Flag" and "Chasing the Sun". The kids performance was a slam dunk! The crowd exploded with clapping and cheering. Keeping with an accidental tradition, the kids knocked down the mic twice (just like the previous year). They were unfazed by the interruption and continued to make their teachers feel on top of the world with their stellar performance. We wish them all the best of luck at the Kelantan State Level Competiton in Tanah Merah on the 16th of June!

SKBA, Pasir Puteh's YR 3 Champion Action Song Team 2015

SKBPE YR 6 Scrabble &Pasir Puteh's 3rd Place Poetry Reading Teams