Wow, it has bee 30 long years since I went in St Joseph's Institution at Bras Basah Road - now the Singapore Art Museum.
Just 2 days ago, I received a call from my old classmate, Anthony Mak, that SJI is celebrating its 155 years of its Founders' Day. Just an excuse of having the guys from my class - 4 Arts 10 - to meet up. Of course, I said yes, but later have some reservations, as the costs of $100 and later my oldest daughter needed $150 for her Outward Bound Course she attend in March. There goes the budget for this month. So much to do and yet so little to spend!!!
Well, the attendence of this Founders' Day dinner on next Monday - 30 Apr 2007 at Shangri-La Hotel have brought back so many memories and also take stock of how much have happened for the last 30 years.
In 1977, going to a new school was really quite scary. I remember my parents came to see which class I was in. I remember being in Sec 1 C 10. Must be in the second last class as my Chinese was really hopeless. Well my sec 1 and sec 2 classmates had some of my classmates from primary school. I clearly now remember that we were really a bunch of motley boys. we would always made to stay back after school as we always make the most noise in between classes. And the irony is that the the beside us is the "best" class. I think it was 1 C 5.
We were so naughty that we even made 4 relief female teacher quit after a day of teaching as we always disturbed her. We even made teacher scold us for not wearing our uniforms after PE lessons. Some of my classmates will be in their underwear when the female teacher comes in for lessons. But think of it now some of the guys are now bankers or lawyers. Such irony in life.
When I went to Sec 2 I was in 1 C 9. You must think I improved but I think not, the school will place us in categories of what levels if standard you were in for your 2nd language. I was always in the worst class. we were always given this psychological tension that we will fail our O levels. even though the chinese teachers were right, I think this is like putting us in for slaughter.
I remember we were up for streaming at Sec 2. and also had to go for Tech Class at Mcnair Road every Friday. I hated going as we needed to do metal and woodwork. Sec 2 was quite a blur now, but I remember having to studying hard but I guess with my Chinese I was Destined to go to Art Class.
I made it to Sec 3 Arts 10, and we were made to be in a class that was next to the principal office. Again always had to stay back as we made one hell of noise in between class. One incident that I find weird is of having 7 classmates suspended for looking a a "dirty' Magazine. Well I recall, the magazine was passed during Science Lab class. I was sitting in the second row, and waitng to see the magazine, but never got to see it. Well, if the storey was right, some of the guys were looking at it and when one of the spotted a prefect walking by threw the magazine on the floor.
The guy that was reading the magazine was brought to the Principal's office and asked who else saw it. It was like asking him who he knows. it could be the whole school. Well, form waht I was told, someone chicken out and spill the beans and 7 guys were suspended for a week.
Well, Sec 3 and Sec 4 was the best time as we were voted by the school for having the class with the best teamworking and togetherness. Till today we still remember our "brothers" as one we will always help for anything.
I may have offended many of you guys during these 30 years, I don't mean any offence - maybe being young and hot tempered. But I will always remember our good times and hope that we will meet each other soon and connect again.
I look forward to this Monday's dinner and maybe this can be some life changing experience. Well, life is always made of experience that we can always learn from and grow from it.
I will report of what happen then, Later ...........
Just 2 days ago, I received a call from my old classmate, Anthony Mak, that SJI is celebrating its 155 years of its Founders' Day. Just an excuse of having the guys from my class - 4 Arts 10 - to meet up. Of course, I said yes, but later have some reservations, as the costs of $100 and later my oldest daughter needed $150 for her Outward Bound Course she attend in March. There goes the budget for this month. So much to do and yet so little to spend!!!
Well, the attendence of this Founders' Day dinner on next Monday - 30 Apr 2007 at Shangri-La Hotel have brought back so many memories and also take stock of how much have happened for the last 30 years.
In 1977, going to a new school was really quite scary. I remember my parents came to see which class I was in. I remember being in Sec 1 C 10. Must be in the second last class as my Chinese was really hopeless. Well my sec 1 and sec 2 classmates had some of my classmates from primary school. I clearly now remember that we were really a bunch of motley boys. we would always made to stay back after school as we always make the most noise in between classes. And the irony is that the the beside us is the "best" class. I think it was 1 C 5.
We were so naughty that we even made 4 relief female teacher quit after a day of teaching as we always disturbed her. We even made teacher scold us for not wearing our uniforms after PE lessons. Some of my classmates will be in their underwear when the female teacher comes in for lessons. But think of it now some of the guys are now bankers or lawyers. Such irony in life.
When I went to Sec 2 I was in 1 C 9. You must think I improved but I think not, the school will place us in categories of what levels if standard you were in for your 2nd language. I was always in the worst class. we were always given this psychological tension that we will fail our O levels. even though the chinese teachers were right, I think this is like putting us in for slaughter.
I remember we were up for streaming at Sec 2. and also had to go for Tech Class at Mcnair Road every Friday. I hated going as we needed to do metal and woodwork. Sec 2 was quite a blur now, but I remember having to studying hard but I guess with my Chinese I was Destined to go to Art Class.
I made it to Sec 3 Arts 10, and we were made to be in a class that was next to the principal office. Again always had to stay back as we made one hell of noise in between class. One incident that I find weird is of having 7 classmates suspended for looking a a "dirty' Magazine. Well I recall, the magazine was passed during Science Lab class. I was sitting in the second row, and waitng to see the magazine, but never got to see it. Well, if the storey was right, some of the guys were looking at it and when one of the spotted a prefect walking by threw the magazine on the floor.
The guy that was reading the magazine was brought to the Principal's office and asked who else saw it. It was like asking him who he knows. it could be the whole school. Well, form waht I was told, someone chicken out and spill the beans and 7 guys were suspended for a week.
Well, Sec 3 and Sec 4 was the best time as we were voted by the school for having the class with the best teamworking and togetherness. Till today we still remember our "brothers" as one we will always help for anything.
I may have offended many of you guys during these 30 years, I don't mean any offence - maybe being young and hot tempered. But I will always remember our good times and hope that we will meet each other soon and connect again.
I look forward to this Monday's dinner and maybe this can be some life changing experience. Well, life is always made of experience that we can always learn from and grow from it.
I will report of what happen then, Later ...........
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