Youth Day

when the Ij girl graduate from the school, she will not remember what content you have taught, or even some of the interesting lessons you have given; she will remember you as a teacher and mentor and most importantly she will remember you for the wackiest performances you have put up on Youth day...

IJ had this interesting tradition where the teachers have to entertain the students. This is when the IJ teachers showed off their hidden talents (whether it is singing in the shower, or in front of a ear-muffed audience in a sound proof room) This is also the opportunities where the teachers sportingly and unsportingly "humiliate" ourselves for the laughter and entertainment of the students. Last year was a break from this tradition but then again, there were just so much things which the staff and students were involved. The SARS outbreak, which seems so distant, the IJ Carnival in late June and of corse not forgetting the super short semester when we had to catch up with the syllabus and at the same time trying to rush out prepared students for the O levels exams

But then I digress. Over the years, I have to say that it is a acase of the heart is willing but the body is weak. This year was also untimely with the 150 years celebrations with a substantial amount of the students and staff away from the rehearsal at CHIJMES and I can guarantee that next year will be a similiar situation when we start the mad rush of moving back to the new IJ building

So what does all this mean? Things had changed and I believe that it will take a long time before the culture will start settling in again. Sad but true.

I remember the last time when we performed (or embarrassed ourselves) in front of the students. We did a dance based on the music "footloose" and we had a wild time. The second year saw more professionalism when the teachers spent the three days prior to the concert practising. We even edited the music. I believe we did quite a commendable job. The third time we did these, I can see that even the enthusiasm of the teachers was waning. As it goes over the years, it became a chore on top of the bulk of work we have to do, which never seems to be decreasing. Heck, we didn't even have that much time with the students, and bond with them anymore. I shuddered when one day we will just be like machines teaching in classes, where students will even have a hard time trying to remember what's the name of the teacher. Now that's a scary thought.

For memories sake, I would put up one of the archived pictures of the Youth Day performance. And mine it really remind me how far we have gone. Now that's fun!