Sept 2017

It is with mixed emotions as I write this blog as the start of September has been a challenge to us all.

 The arrival of the 17-18 school year comes on the heels of a warm and stormy summer, when we saw our students continue to excel themselves, not only in academics, sports, travels, but more importantly helping others, amidst the otherwise turbulent weather. I am looking forward to talking with each of them and hearing their personal summer adventures. In this day and age, students no longer just learn in school, but also through diverse activities as well as interactions with people they do not normally meet during the school year. I encourage you as parents, along with our teachers, to provide our students with proper guidance as they reflect and learn from their experiences.

 While we celebrated the start of a new academic with high expectations, we received the sad news of the passing of a well respected and much loved teacher and colleague.  LTPSS lost a wonderful teacher and we all lost a dear friend.Memories of the teacher in various activities are still so vivid.  As I have implored my colleagues and students, let's celebrate her life by remembering her laughter, her selflessness, and all the happy moments that she had shared with us. 

 Recent events that took place across many university campuses, especially that of the Education University have caused those of us in the education sector considerable anxiety over the moral values of our young generation.  At a time like this, we ask ourselves why some people could have no empathy towards the suffering of others, and what we as educators could do more to bring about positive changes in our young generation.  Frankly, we must redouble our efforts to teach our children and students right from wrong and fact from fiction. It is only with our guidance and support that our students will not be led down a wrong and destructive path. Having said this, I am proud  that our students have shown remarkable maturity and dignity amidst all that is happening around them.  I applaud them for demonstrating prudence ("practice") and thoughtfulness ("contemplate") in their actions, as taught to them by the School's Four Core Principles. They contemplate before they practice and they practice with sincerity and righteousness. 

This year, our focus continues to be on respect and responsibility (R&R) - for ourselves and others.  As our students grow up amidst an uncertain and unruly world, both physical and virtual, R&R has certainly taken on new and expanded meanings.  Meanwhile, our focus on academic progress will be maintained as we put our efforts and resources to nurture students with positive life values and progressive learning habits.  We will endeavor to equip our students with a wholesome personality, a positive outlook and a solid set of moral values that will constitute the bedrock of their character for life. 

Together, we can be the lighthouse for our students as they navigate and grow.  Let’s shine a spot light on their path to success, academic and otherwise, and walk with them in their exciting journey ahead.