Recap 2016 (III) - Lynn's P4 journey

School has already restarted, and I have not done the P4 final update yet.  Had a really very busy Dec'16.

Lynn's school doesn't do year end meet the parent session (it only do mid-year session); so the year end update is really my own conclusion of the year. 

Lynn has the most successful academic year as far as I am concern.  It is not measured by position, marks or prize she get or didn't get, but is based on efforts-vs-results.  In the first 2 years, she was in randomly formed classes, and she got top 3 positions in both years.  And also best in Maths for the cohort with a few other pupils for getting 100 marks for P2.  When she was streamed into the top 2 classes in P3, I did not give her any pressure to get the top positions.  But of course I was concern, and checked with her consistently how she fair in comparison with her classmates.  I did that discretely and skilfully.  

I put more effort in stressing that efforts bring results.  For both years (P3 and P4) I put in efforts to guide her in correct techniques in learning Chinese and Science.  For Chinese, she begin to like it better than previously.  I believe this change is due to her ability to finally grasp the language.   This is my achievement that I am really proud of.  She did ask if she can not take higher Chinese in P5, which I turned her down.  I believe she not only can manage it, but she will enjoy the challenge and the ultimate reward, in the form of mastering the language and getting decent results.

As for science, I can only bring her a few years of advantage.  The technique is in using key words in explaining the facts.  Eventually, she can use this skills and learn on her own.  Lynn like science; I never did.  I hope her interest will continue.  She has very good P3/P4 teacher, Ms. Chua, who really go the extra mile to encourage her students.  Lynn missed out being best in Science in her cohort.  Ms Chua recognise the efforts that Lynn put in for the subject, so she took Lynn and another boy in her class, both of whom top the class in Science, to buy presents.  This reward trip to Kinokuniya books store was only for prize winners (top 3 in class, and best in cohort for certain subject), which is officially only for 6 students in Lynn's class.  But Ms Chua took 8 students, including Lynn and the other boy.  Lynn is really blessed to have good teachers.

And for Math, Lynn almost got the award this year.  There were quite a handful of pupils in her class that got 100 marks for SA2 paper.  Lynn got 98, and it was a careless mistake that caused her the 2 marks.  I am both happy and disappointed that this happened.  It will be more and more difficult to her to get this award as she progress to P5 and P6.  However, I had also been waiting for this kind of opportunity to illustrate what we always nagged her about - checking for careless mistakes.  No amount of nagging or teaching will be enough to learn this; only an experience will seal the understanding once and for all.  So, this is one item that can be checked off my list. 

Finally, for English, her grades is still in band 1 but below 90, and I know she has done her best.  She has very good English teacher, Ms Kalpana, who had been demanding.  I have not been monitoring much, so I'm not very sure how to help.  Well, let's see how it goes from here.

Time files, she is now on her PSLE journey already.  I hope she has a good academic, character building, and learning journey ahead in P5. 

Ms Chua sent us photos in Whatsapp of a class activity after the exams:

Sweetie made this ice-cream chocolate milk dessert for me one night.

She got 99 for Maths, 94 for Science, 92 for CL2, and 87 for English.  Very good results for P4. 
I wonder what Ms Chua means by "display courage when making difficult decisions".  Based on May's PMT session, I think her last comment " should continue to set high standards for herself and strive for excellence" is a loaded (as oppose to causal) comment. 

Below are pictures of her CL2 essay.  I got compliment from WK that I taught her (CL2) well. Actually, my goals are more complex than that.  Lynn is not competitive by nature, and I believe there is no need to be what you are not.  However, she will be short-changing herself if she gives the bare minimal effort in things she do (that's what Ms Chua and Ms Kalpana are harping on!).  Thus, what I want to achieve is the delicate balance of setting high, stretched, but achievable standard.  To teach her that she bear the results of actions(/inactions) and choices. And very importantly to cultivate the liking for learning.  Wish me success!

小感动

3 to 4 years back, I was the excited new P1 mum, posting quite a bit on both FB and blog about the preparation and the first weeks' experience.  This year, it was suppose to be a non-event.  We bought text books early, which was last Nov when the holiday started, so for more than a month, there was not a glimpse of school reopening.

Finally on Saturday, I asked Lynn to pack her school bag, which she did on her own.  I only commented that it was heavy and asked if she can lighten it.  Yesterday night, I asked her to do the final preparation, and she got ready the uniform, including the prefect pin, again by herself.

Then came the "shocker"; she said that she need to reach school by 645 this morning (we usually leave home about 7 am).  She lamented about having to guide "crying" P1 new students.

That's when it hit me that she's going to P5!  The memories of her attending P1 came back, that her school task the P5 students to buddy P1 new students.   Wow, my baby's in P5 liao...

 

642am.  My happy gal deep in thoughts about the day ahead (I guess..)

Update 4 - Lynn's p4 PTM

June holiday started early this year, on 28th May.  I took leave on 27th May (Friday) to attend Lynn's parent-teacher- meeting.  I missed the session last year as I was on biz trip.  This year, I got my boss to make the trip in the 3rd week of May instead, so that I can attend the meeting.

Lynn has the same form teacher for the 2 years of P3 and P4 - Ms Chua, like she did for P1 and P2 (Mdm Ong).  I know Mdm Ong well because I was much more involved in her class activities during those 2 years.  It was different with Ms Chua.  She is a young teacher, so she uses Whatsapp to communicate with us (parents) more often.  She seems friendly, and the kids seems to like her.

We waited a long time outside the classroom for our turn.  Ms Chua really took her time with each set of parents.  When I walked in, she said out loud ".. and you are...".  Then she saw WK walking behind me, and she said ".. ahh... Lynnette's parents..".  Ha!  Proves that Lynn looks like Daddy more.

It was an impressive session.  I was so surprised that the teachers, as in Ms Chua and Ms Kalpana (Lynn's English teacher) are really spot on in understanding their class of 40 children.  Ms Chua explains that Lynn's results are really ok, as we can see all are quite good, but.. hmm but...  Then she explained, that the teachers just felt that she can do better, that she is not giving her best.  We laughed, because we understand what she means.  Lynn just gives the minimum effort in most things that she does.  For example, when she writes her composition, instead of using interesting sentences and expanding the details, she would just write it plainly and quickly to just hand in the job.  I told Ms Chua that we will continue to encourage her; we don't want to be too pushy either, so it's going to be tricky to find the right balance to motivate her to do better.

And she told us that Lynn cried the day or the week before, because Ms Chua asked her to play captain ball, but she didn't want to.  Again, I will take a "watch and see" approach.  I do not want to be too demanding in this aspect too.  I do not know if Lynn's a softie by nature or not, or if she will grow out of it eventually or not.  I learn, through my own experience, that we cannot change a person's inner character.  On one hand I want her to be more resilient, on the other hand I do not want to impose my expectation (model) on her.  But I did talk to her to encourage her to speak up more to solve problem. 

Soon she will be at starting her PSLE journey, because I was told that it all starts at P5.  Every year is a blessing and a milestone :)

Finally MOE announced that the new PSLE grading system will take effect from 2021.  It had been a long wait for most of us who are already entered the Primary school journey a few years back (It was first announced by LHL in 2013, when Lynn was only P1, that there will be a new system).  It was with mixed feelings that it is finally confirmed that Lynn will not be part of the new system, as the new system will take effect only for those in P1 currently.  So it is a lengthy 8 years from first announcement to full implementation.  That gives the parents and students affected plenty of time to get to know the new system.

The reactions of parents are per expected.  All changes are greeted with suspicions by detractors.  And the media likes to blow up a negative comment to be that of the view of "many parents".  If a parent commented that now the child needs more tuition than in the past for a weak subject so that it doesn't drag down the overall grading, the media will report that parents feel more stressed out and consider more tuition under the new system.   So a Kiasu parent will still be a Kiasu one, and will try to beat the system, or cry foul about the system.  That's why the message has always been a mind set change is needed. 

Well, I will refrain from giving too much comment on the new system, since Lynn is not in the batches affected.  My next task is to start assessing the different secondary schools that she may be eligible for.  As a "not-too-extreme-but-should-be-considered-kiasu", i.e. concerned and well-informed, parent, I want to ensure that we pick the most suitable environment for her to grow and flourish.  I am quite dishearten to see friends' kids who went to top notch schools that are really pressure cookers.  They do their homework up to and past midnight.  I wonder if it's doing them good or harm.  It is better to expose them to the reality of intense competition, or to let them enjoy learning for another few more years?  Still the good schools also come with branding and prestige that is tangible; until today, I still get a lot of positive comments of me coming from the very branded Hwa Chong JC.  It was in HCJC that I first experienced doing homework up to midnight..  There's a price to pay, and a trade off for everything in life.  See, the worries of being a parent..

That Friday afternoon, we went hover-boarding!  

Update

2016 January is coming to an end; time files!!  Before my blog posts become all CNY 2016 related, I shall do an update here with a few photos..

(I) Lynn. 

Pass it on.. There was a conversion on Yap family whatsapp group on CNY clothing.  I think Winny and myself are the top 2 vain-pots, cos seems like only the 2 of us are engaged in that conversation.  Winny commented that Clara can wear the Chinese traditional costumes passed down from Chloe.  I scanned through FB and blog to see what the kids in our family have been wearing in the past many years.  Saw quite a few photos, of items passed down from one cousin to another.  Anyway, this one photo is my favourite while I was browsing, so I shall post it here.  Lynn was 2 years, 3 months here, quite many months older than Clara who is 18 months now.  I wonder where this piece (of clothing) is now....

Long hair.. She started P1 and P2 with need-to-tie\-up shoulder length hair, which was cut short a few weeks into the school year because she was not ready for long hair yet (untidy, sweating, not cleaning properly, not that interested, etc).  Finally, she was ready in P3, and thus, for most part of P3 her hair was long.  Now, at the start of P4, it has reached the longest length thus far.  I'm not intending to let it grow longer.  Here 2 photos of weekend, slightly more fanciful hairstyle.  The joy of having daughter!

 

The minister said "Every school is a good school".  There's a lot of sarcasticism on social media on his comment.  The education system is not perfect, but parents are as much at fault as the policy makers in creating the problems in this system.  

Lynn's school conducted it's first briefing session for parents last weekend.  In the past 3 years, there were only 2 sessions, one in April (AY and AS), and one in May (PTM), which I find very useful.    This year, it created one more in January, such that the sharing about the focus of that academic year (AY) is discussed in January instead of in April.  This also means that the April session this year will fully concentrate on the academic syllabus (AS).   This is definitely another improvement from the school.  I'm very appreciative of the efforts of the school and teachers, such that I sent a thank-you cum encouragement chat-message to Lynn's form teacher (Ms Chua).  Lynn's very lucky to get 2 good form teachers in P1/P2 and P3/P4.  Having the same form teachers 2 years in a row is also a great feature in her school.  I missed the parent teacher meeting (PTM) session with Ms Chua last year, and this year I'm determined not to miss it! 

As far as my experience goes, this neighbourhood school is a good school.  As long as parents make the effort to engage the school.  Although she is in the top 2 classes, the attendance of parents for this session is only <50%.  I wonder if those who did not turn up were engaged in more important stuff (like I was away on biz trip last year PTM)?  I wonder if they are the ones/not the ones who pass sarcastic comments about the system?  

Here's an article for reading pleasure.  This is a great article; I think I will put up a separate posting when I'm free, to discuss my views on this article (read the interesting comments to this article too)
http://hedgehogcomms.blogspot.sg/2016/01/when-students-in-top-schools-dont-make.html

(23 Jan, 2016.  It was Mr. Wong the VP who gave the briefing this year.  I like his straight to the point style.  Err, ok he is not in this pic). 

While sitting in her classroom last Sat (listening to Ms Chua feeling a bit bored), I saw this very familiar looking watering can :).  Took a photo, and chatted with Lynn about it at home.  She told me that she did a great job last year when she was the environmental monitor.  This year, because the EM is not really doing a decent job, so she actually took care of the plants even when she's no longer the EM.

Recognised this as her work (pasted at the back of the classroom) too, because of the stickers :)

Many kids in her class (about 15) were selected as prefect this year.  So I wonder if it is to give them a chance to learn about leadership, and if there will be more stringent selection next year?

(She wore her band as she was on duty last Wed)

Our new pet..  Sigh.. my first experience with tortoise.  MIL says that some vendor sell tortoise that is too young, and these tortoises will not survive because they can't feed yet.  I didn't really believe her.  This tortoise which we named "Tiffy", is now about 2 weeks in my home already.  Still alive, but not feeding well.  In fact I have not seen it eat at all.  I wonder if it will die eventually.  Everyday I look at it, I feel sad actually.  Tiffy, please eat..

(II) Office.

Here's a funny story to share about my BD (at office).  There's a colleague in my team (Mov) who shares the same BD as me.  I told him before that he is the first person that I know to share the same BD as me.  But for him, he said he knows a lot of people who share the same BD as him.  This conversation took place probably early last year. 

On my BD (Monday), we were having lunch and I said happy BD to him, but he didn't wish me back.  On Wed or Thurs, we were having lunch in canteen, and he asked me if my BD is on 19 or 20 Jan, because he thought that one of his friend's BD "story" (not sure but he thinks it's me) is that it is on the "cut-off" between Capricorn and Aquarius.  I told him definitely it's his other friend's "story", because the "story" that we exchanged was about "sharing same BD".  This sweet young chap must be extremely embarrassed by this conversation, that he bought me a BD cake that afternoon (he sneak out of office).  So we had cake that afternoon, and took a group photo. 

Mov will be moving back to Cambodia, and working for another plant within our company's group.  So we had a group lunch yesterday for his farewell.

I also had dinner with SY (together with Eva and LS), who's also a Capricorn. Nowadays it's quite fun and easy in whatsapp chat to send pictures, just to put cheer in someone's day!

P3 Journey

(Written: 2nd Jan.  A long overdue post, but not even sure what to write.  Start from the back then.)

  Not surprising, we did not attend the prize giving for this year as she is not the top 3 of her class, nor did she get the top Maths price award.  She's now in one of the 2 best classes of the cohort, thus not unexpected that she's not the top 3.  Based on her marks, and some of the programs and tests she took, she is probably the top 10 in her class.

The highlight of P3 for kids who are academically incline, and their parents, is probably GEP.  She got through to the 2nd round, which is supposed to mean that she is in the top (10 -20%, I'm not sure) of the country's cohort.  There were 12 in her class who made it to the 2nd round.  Assuming another 12 from the other top class, her school has exactly 10% (24 out of 240 P3) going into the 2nd round selection.  And eventually it is exactly top 1%, ie 2 students from her school, getting into the GEP program.    Lili asked if Lynn was disappointed.  Both Lynn and myself were not, because I always knew that she is not the top 1%.  GEP is for gifted kids; she is academically inclined, but not gifted.  I set Lynn's expectation too, telling her that it is unlikely for her to get selected. 

This year's year-end exam, I was disappointed that she fell ill and did not take her composition exams.  I can only console my myself that it is the learning journey that is important, and not the exam itself. 

What do I think Lynn got out of this year's experience.  My guess are that, she's finally starting to get a little taste of what competition means.  Definitely, what it means by 一山还有一山高。The teachers will give them some pressure, but not excessive.  And she like science, which is a good start.  I'm glad that she went through another happy year at school.   Next year, it is still the languages that she has to work hard on.

Finally, I want to document this conversation that I had with her.  At 9, she's already starting to have thoughts about life and purpose (for me, it only started in secondary school).   Not that she asked about what's life and it's purpose, but she said that sometimes she feels "empty".  Especially after play.  I said something to her, but I can't recall what.

Just 2 days ago, during my dinner with Aunt Cindy, I asked why she doesn't consider taking up a hobby so that she can retire.  The context of this statement is that, she can't retire because she is not the kind that can enjoy doing nothing.  She explained that it is because her hobby is making money, that's why she is not retiring.  She enjoys her frequent travels, have been to many exotic places experiencing different cultures and natures.  She has the money to retire and go for more traveling.  But she said that when she comes back from these purposeful travels, she still feels "empty".

I think, the conclusion is that, money and play can buy one happiness when one's playing, but they don't buy fulfillment.  What we need in life is fulfillment.  Now, I'm more ready for my gal, when she brings up the topic again.

As I type this (230pm), the renovation is still ongoing.  So excited for her, her new room and study table to accompany her in her journey and challenges in 2016! 

P2 learning journey review

Lynn has completed another fun learning year at KCS, and mummy-me again has experience and thoughts that I'm eager to share..

Last year when Lynn was in P1, we had an easy year.  She adapted to the system well, made lots of friends, and did not face any problem with studies.  There wasn't any major exam.  Based on tests and assessments throughout the year, we were pleasantly surprised when she emerged the top 3 in class.

Going into P2, I was quite complacent.  The school issued school term and exam time table at the beginning of the year, which I read through.  Then the school organised 2 workshops regarding the syllabus, and a PMT session, which I attended and took note of her weak areas.  To sum up, while I'm being kept up to date in general, I didn't think that I need to pay attention to the detail.

The "wake up call" occurred in early Sep.  Lynn missed school for 3 days in the last week of Term 3.  We usually self medicate if it's common flu, and we try to not be too hang up about missing class.  Then the Math teacher Ms Ang called me.  If she hasn't, I wouldn't even realise that Lynn actually missed a Term 3 Maths test, with marks that count towards the final results.  She asked for MC, but we didn't have one.  Lynn told me after I put down the phone, that she already informed me previously of that requirement. 

A few weeks later, I attended the class excursion and met Mdm Ong, the form teacher.  She reminded me that the exam period is coming up, and there is streaming for P2.

Mdm Ong didn't go into much detail, so I was left to figure things out on my own.  So instead of working towards a precise end result, I did 3 things mainly.  Firstly, I get myself, WK and Lynn to be familiar with the exam time table, which spans over 3 weeks with 7 different dates (2 Orals, and 5 different written papers)!  Secondly, I keep watch over Lynn's health.   When she contracted flu again in mid Oct, I had to enforce adequate water intake.  Lastly, I did some revision with her, but only on her weaker areas like CL Oral and compositions. 

Throughout Oct, Lynn wasn't stressed at all, nor was she pressurized to perform.  She also learn skill sets that she can apply in the future to take charge of her own studies and results .  For example, taking note of the exam dates is the starting point for revision planning.  Another example is that I explain to her that staying away from crowded places will minimize exposure to virus, which is something that I do when I had major performances or exams in the past.  The point is, while there are many things that we cannot control, there are many more others which are within our influence ; this is a life lesson that I learn from my dad.

In the end, for the good effort that she put in throughout this year, her results were well enough to earn us another attendance at the year end award ceremony.  This time round, she got 2 prizes, one for "academic achievement" (top 3) and one for "Best in Maths". 

It was only at the ceremony that I had a lengthy chat with Mdm Ong, then I realised how much I have "missed out".  I didn't know that the streaming picks up the top 80 pupils (from the total P2 cohort of 240) to be placed in 2 top P3 classes (the rest of classes are random).  Mdm Ong told me that due to this streaming, a lot of P2 parents spend time helping the kids with their revision during the exam period. 

She told me how challenging it is for her class to learn the same Maths syllabus as their peers in other classes due to the "age difference".  There are 4 best-in-Maths in P2 this year (they all scored 100 marks).  I reminded Mdm Ong that the other 3 kids actually got full marks for all 4 papers (Terms 1 - 4), whereas Lynn got full marks for 3 papers (Term 1,2, and 4) only.  It really set me wondering.  It had turned out to be "unfair advantage" - if Lynn had taken that paper and had not scored full marks, she would not have this "Best in Maths" award.  It may well turn out to be "unfair disadvantage - had the school decided to penalized Lynn and not awarded her this prize because she missed one paper. If that happens, it will be due to our complacency that she is not recognized for her talent/interest in Maths, and for the one full year of good work.

WK casually told Mdm Ong that it is my efforts that Lynn got her good grades.  In a way, it is a form of acknowledgement.  In another light, he is still not convince that what I do is necessary (he didn't hear the part about the other P2 parents' involvement).   He is the "cool" parent, while I get the "labels". ~ Recently I got upset from hearing some insensitive remarks, from a kid who told me that he got 52/100 marks for Maths.  When I asked him if there's any plans for tuition, he told me that his mum will tutor him.  Then he said that while some kids need tuition, he don't understand why kids who are already smart like Lynn goes for tuition.  I'm sure it was what he hear from the adults gossiping.  I can only console myself that every parent has their own style, and will bear responsibility for the outcome.  If it doesn't bother them that he gets 52 marks for P2 Maths, it shouldn't bother me their untruth comments about Lynn going for tuition. ~ As for WK, I'm not going to be too calculative, because I know he is truly not too bothered even if Lynn doesn't do as well as she does now.  When I have the opportunity, I will reminded him that he (we) is blessed with a conscientious girl, who got "best in Maths" without any coaching from mummy-me!

Most importantly, I knew that I have done my best in maintaining a fine balance, in order for Lynn to only bloom and excel from my guidance/push,  and not suffer any undue stress or pressure.  I believe it is solely for her own benefit, and not mine. 

So lessons learnt from the P2 exam experience and the above recent episodes are as follow.

One, honeymoon period is only for one year, for neighbourhood school. Recently, I met up with an ex-colleague who became a SAHM 3 years ago.  Her elder boy is in P1 this year, in a branded school.  She talks about the politics in the PSG that she is in.  And there is already CCA for her P1 boy. 

Two, learn the school system and process, keep in contact with the teacher. 

Three, do not comment/gossip about others' parenting style, especially in front of kids. 

Finally, I told Mdm Ong that next year, there is no more pressure on me anymore, as she may not be the top of the class :).  Perhaps the more correct way of putting it is that, the focus for me next year will be to build responsibility and accountability in her.  受之于鱼不如授之于渔

Lastly, I hope that once again she will have a happy learning journey in KCS in 2015!!

New principal, Mdm. Sarah Leong, next year onwards

The trophies are for the kids, the certs are for the parents:

Lastly, this is the teacher who is the main contributor to Lynn's fun and fulfilling first 2 years of primary school life. Thank you, Mdm. Ong!


 

8 year old logic

Here's something interesting that I want to share; it is about how innocent children think differently from adult. 

Here is a math question from her final exam.  Read the question first, and determine what is the correct answer before scrolling to below:

To me, an adult, it is quite obvious that the question is asking, or is meant to ask "what is the last TV program that Siti can watch at her own home". It's a math question that test children's ability on "time". Thus the children need to subtract 1/2 hour (travel time) from 1pm (reaching time), meaning to leave home at 1230. Thus the last program is "Detective Alan", which starts at 12noon and ends at 12.30.

I saw on the front page that the teacher had initially mark Lynn's answer as wrong, but then subsequently change to mark it as correct. With this additional 2 marks, she got full marks - 50 out of 50:

When I saw Lynn's initial answer, it was again very obvious to me why she choose "Tales of the World", which is a program that starts at 1pm. And I can also understand why the teacher change her mind in the end, to mark "Tales of the World" as the correct answer too:

The interesting part is coming up now. I chat with Lynn about this question, just to ensure that understanding is correct.  Sure enough, Lynn explain that "reach at 1pm, so can watch the 1pm program". Then I asked her who else in her class is in the same situation as her.  Her answer is "whole class"!  Ha, I was pleasantly surprised!! All the children read the question "correctly", because the question did not specify "watch at their own home", so all of them apply the same logic that "friend's place got TV". I was so delighted by their straight forward thinking. Then I wonder what the rest of the P2 classes did.

When I meet up with Mdm Ong on the last day of school, I asked her my query. With laugher and sparkle in her eyes, she told me that non of the other classes had the same occurrence, ie her class of Oct/Nov/Dec babies was the only whole class to choose that answer!!

Mdm Ong related to me how challenging it was for her to attract and sustain the attention of her young class.  Prior to taking this class, she had taught class 1.1 (kids with birthday at the beginning of the year) for several years.  She notice a big difference in behaviour.  When I went for the bird park excursion with class 2.1 and 2.8 in Sep, I thought it is just coincidental that the whole of class 2.1 seem so mature and how the whole of class 2.8 seem so childish.  But now I wonder and I marvel over these interesting observation.  What can I say, except, well done 2.8 cuties!!

A over due update on Lynn

Finally, a super overdue posting.  I realise that I did not write about Lynn much this year.  Even now, I'm quite not sure what I'm going to write about..

The very subtle (difficult to notice) but actually the most significant change this year is that she has reached post-kid and pre-teen milestone.  She is starting to learn on her own, form thoughts and opinions, every single day, without us noticing sometimes.  For example, she wanted to have her own money to buy stuff that she fancy, so she started this pool by doing housework (I pay her 20 cents every time she helps me), selling stuff (e.g. loom bands), and also saving her $1 per month spending allowance.  She started this pool without consulting me, so I step in to set some boundaries when I found out.    Another example is that she arranged with Mabel to stay overnight at her house during the start of Sep school holiday.  She planned a detailed timetable of the activities they wanted to do.   Then whenever she ask me to read or explain the various articles on the back page of the evening chinese newspaper, I can "see" her mind processing the information.

As for school work, she has slacken slightly, as both myself and the new after school care are less syllabus oriented compared to last year.  I do not know if she will still get top 3 this year (ha, the Kiasuism kicking in!).

The misalignment of her teeth is showing some improvement.  I realised that I can only try my best in helping her to become pretty.  Some things are beyond control.  My biggest worry now is that her astigmatism will become uncorrectable.  But like I say, now I know that my duty is to help, it is a lot up to luck or fate.  By the way, I don't believe in fate, I believe in randomness.

Overall, she is still a very very cheerful and fun person to be with.  The 2 of us spend a lot of time together.  We are still very close to each other.  I hope it will stay so for the rest of our journey together.

Some funny conversations that I remembered:
Nowadays, Lynn likes to rebut us with "So?"
Me: Why you keep saying "so?", I should have named you "So Yap", not "Lynn Yap"
Lynn: Then you should be "No Chan"..... 

Me: You talk non stop like parrot
Lynn: You are "crow's mouth"
Me: What's "crow's mouth"
Lynn: 乌鸦嘴。。。

Lynn: Daddy, why are Vets all skinny?
WK:........
Lynn: 兽医。。。


Some pictures:

During the Sep school holiday stay over, I knew that Mabel likes to doll up, so I did nails for the 3 of us

At J8.  Lynn wanted to play her with her favourite cousin, but Mabel didn't like it.

Miss Vainpot (Mabel) wanted me to take a picture of her pretty finger pressing the lift and post it on FB!

At Ikea, one weekend in Sep

On the Thursday during the week before I start my new job, I did parent volunteering again, to accompany the class to the bird park.  It was a great disappointment because we couldn't proceed due to the rain.  It only started raining very heavily on our way there.  After waiting till slightly after 10am outside the entrance, the rain didn't stop, and the teachers decided to head back to school.  On our way back, the rain stopped.  

The kids were upset and disappointed.  Some boys were very vocal, and they crowded around Ms Ang to challenge the decision.  Ms Ang was the stand in that day, when Mdm Ong (Lynn's form teacher) was asked at the last minute to do PSLE invigilation.  Ms Ang is a soft spoken teacher, and doesn't control the kids as well as Mdm does.  So on both the journey there and back, the school bus was turned upside down..  Here are the pictures.

 2 classes went, 2.1 and 2.8.  2.1 are kids who are born in the beginning of the year, and 2.8 are year end kids.  May not be due to the slight difference in age, could be just coincidence; somehow, the whole of 2.1 is very quiet, and 2.8 is the exact opposite!

It started pouring on our way there.

A rather cute selfie

When we reach, the kids were given a workbook, which they were supposed to fill in along the tour.

Lynn in her pink rain coat

The work book contained Q&A and quiz about the birds found in the park.

An interesting tree /deco

The boys swamped Ms Ang when told that we were heading back to school.

Finally, here's a few pics of Lynn trying the round patch mask I got from Tokyo.

P1 journey

This is again another long outstanding post, and I'm not sure I can finish this tonight.

Another milestone year had passed; the first year of primary school is over for my little girl.  Lynn did well in terms of studies, and I think she enjoyed school in general.  It hasn't been difficult for me either, because P1 syllabus is very manageable.

The school's annual prize giving ceremony was held on the last day of term, 15th Nov.  There were 5 winners per class - 3 "academic achievement" awards, 1 "improvement" award and 1 "best conduct" award.  So we know that Lynn scored top 3 in class, but the exact positions were unknown.

Surprisingly, quite a lot of the academic achievement awards, including the best performance in each subject by level, went to the boys.  My guess is that nowadays parents pay more attention to the kids' studies, so the smart boys study more than the smart boys in the past.

Lynn lost (dropped) her monitor badge just 2 days before.  I had wondered for the whole year, if the school will ask for the badge to be returned.  Up to the last week, there was no such request.  Unfortunately, in the end, it was not meant to be ours to keep.

Here's the photos of the fun morning.

 
Sitting with her class mates.

Mrs Neufeld, the principal

Parents were asked to accompany the kids on stage.  The school wants the parents to be engaged in their children's eduction

Sweetie with her gleaming award

This was taken that morning during breakfast

Playing with my camera before the ceremony start

I took a pic of her report book, but then realised that I do not know which subject each of the line items were.

Lynn and aunt Cindy had this deal about eating a whole cutter-fish by herself (don't need to share) if Lynn scored 100 marks.  I did not take this to hear at all, until Lynn told me on Saturday that she wanted to bring the award to Yi-Po's house to claim her cutter-fish.  So i called aunt Cindy, and arranged to go to her house for lunch on Sunday.  The cutter-fish was cooked in soup, with carrot, which Lynn liked a lot.  Here's sweetie eating the cheap and nice home cooked lunch.

Hopefully, we will have another fulfilling year in 2014