Month: February 2020

A waitress tells me her restaurant is doing so badly that the boss is encouraging staff to take leave. A cabbie told me he has been roaming the streets with the vehicle empty as “everyone is not going out.” It doesn’t help that one of the confirmed cases of the coronavirus was a taxi driver. A property agent friend tells me the market has been quiet as the rich Chinese nationals are kept away for now. At least 25 countries have infected cases and about 60,000 have caught the virus in China alone. The director of US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention expects the spread to continue beyond 2020, according to a CNN report. It seems like this could be the way of life for the time being. Temperature checks from hospitals to shopping malls, a ban of parents to enter education centers to avoid overcrowding and the rush for toilet paper purchases at supermarkets- these little inconveniences could be here to stay. If there’s any silver lining, it is how everyone has been united behind the cause. At Study Room, parents have been understanding when we impose the no-parent rule. Some even message to ask how they can help, volunteering to take temperatures for us. Through this saga, everyone is starting to adopt more hygienic practices. Our students automatically head to the sink to wash their hands with soap; people who are ill choose to stay indoors and wear masks. It is also a great chance for education- I took the chance to repeatedly remind friends and family who forward me unverified messages about the virus to stop spreading rumors. The current situation is not ideal, but let’s take solace in the small gains. Remember not to avoid a normal life completely. Life has to go on. We just need to be more careful and wash our hands more often. Remember to show compassion to those in the frontline. Without them, we would not be able to fight the virus. Remember to play our part, be it volunteer at food shelters as they lack helpers now or simply not maliciously selling masks at a profit or hoarding instant noodles. We had gone through SARs. We can go through this. Be patient and there will be light at the end of the tunnel. (Photo credit: Wallace’s son Wes) #sgunited #coronavírus

Posted on by Wallace

A waitress tells me her restaurant is doing so badly that the boss is encouraging staff to take leave. A cabbie told me he has been roaming the streets with the vehicle empty as “everyone is not going out.” It doesn’t help that one of the confirmed cases of the coronavirus was a taxi driver.[…]

My P1 son has a personal tutor; he comes once a week to guide him in English. I am from China so I don’t speak the language. It’s tough for me to teach him. The tutor is recommending the lesson twice a week because his foundation is too weak. Do you think I should agree? Answer: For languages, the more you practise and get exposure, the easier it is for you to improve. Sure, twice a week if you can afford it. Works even better if it’s five times a week. However, that said, not many people can spend that kind of money for a tuition session daily. Thus, you need to strategise. If it is a group tuition, the teacher should have plans on how to help your son. Since it is a 1-1 tuition in your case, make full use of it by utilising the tutor to answer doubts that you have, not to go through what the school teacher is already doing. Because few of us can have enough money for more sessions, this is the most cost effective plan. Here are a few tips. 1. Don’t JUST depend on the tutor. Yes, you paid good money, but remember, a child’s success depends on the “alliance” with the child himself, the teacher and the parents. The child must be willing to learn and the teacher must guide and be patient. The parents spend the most time with the child, and are the only people who can monitor their revision, especially at a young age. If you are thinking you can just “dump” the kid at the tutor’s and not do any work at home for a P1 kid, that’s not really possible. 2. Read for half an hour daily It is okay if you don’t understand the words. Write it down and google it. If you still do not understand certain contexts after reading, pose the question to the tutor. The National Library has many great books and you can even borrow online versions. 3. Use more It’s true that you come from a Chinese-speaking background, but that shouldn’t be an excuse. It is tougher indeed, but life isn’t fair. Instead of watching Chinese programs, he can watch English TV shows at home. Vice versa for those keen in improving the Chinese language. 4. Don’t give up He’s just in P1. The curriculum is relatively simple. Build the foundation and life will be easier later. Good luck! #thurswithwei

Posted on by Wallace

My P1 son has a personal tutor; he comes once a week to guide him in English. I am from China so I don’t speak the language. It’s tough for me to teach him. The tutor is recommending the lesson twice a week because his foundation is too weak. Do you think I should agree?[…]

Amidst the COVID-19 scare, I will like to share a more heartwarming story with you today. Keep our minds off this horrible pandemic. Our teachers discuss class developments with us weekly and updates us if there’s any red flags with the students. This is a story shared by our weekday & Sun Primary School Maths teacher Lay Koon. In her class, there is a boy who’s pretty restless and unable to focus. In a class, he would fill his bottle twice and go to the toilet another two times. Unwilling to sit still to do his work, his classmates actually encourages him to do them, and through peer influence, he eventually did them. Despite the fact that the student is distracted, LK didn’t scold him but instead, tried different ways to get his attention and convey the concepts to him. At the end of the class, he surprised LK with a simple drawing and then he said, “Thank you for not scolding me. I love you, teacher.” The boy is still work-in-progress but we hope we can get to him soon. Thankful to LK for her patience and his classmates for not ostracizing him, but inspiring him instead.

Posted on by Wallace

Amidst the COVID-19 scare, I will like to share a more heartwarming story with you today. Keep our minds off this horrible pandemic. Our teachers discuss class developments with us weekly and updates us if there’s any red flags with the students. This is a story shared by our weekday & Sun Primary School Maths[…]

The battle against the coronovirus is not just medical but also psychological. The situation is exacting a mental toil on all of us but we’ve to stay strong and fight on, especially as we’ve got a long battle ahead. My son was displaying some anxiety about the virus. Understandably so, as we adults seem to be discussing it non stop and children get their cues from us. Let us all stay positive and fight this virus together, and refuse to let it drive us apart or make us withdraw and be suspicious of each other. Here’s what we can do: 1. Step up the hygiene game. Wash hands regularly, avoid touching face. 2. Stop sharing horror stories and be positive. 3. Don’t go into lockdown. Avoid gatherings if sick, but do continue social interactions otherwise. Wallace #sgunite

Posted on by Wallace

The battle against the coronovirus is not just medical but also psychological. The situation is exacting a mental toil on all of us but we’ve to stay strong and fight on, especially as we’ve got a long battle ahead. My son was displaying some anxiety about the virus. Understandably so, as we adults seem to[…]

Update on Wuhan Virus: We’re aware that Singapore has just raised the DORSCON level to orange. Please note that we will be doing our very best to adhere to MOH directives and also ensure the safety of our students. 1. We had asked parents to highlight to us previously if their family had visited China in the last two weeks. For your information, none of our students/students’ family had been to China. If you had, please take a compulsory Leave of Absence. 2. We have increased the frequency of the cleaning of our classrooms and have instructed the cleaner to do a deeper clean of the premises. 3. Students’ temperature will be measured before they enter. 4. During this period, parents are to stay outside to reduce the crowding of the school premises. 5. Hand soap is provided at the sink and all students are encouraged to wash their hands before entering the respective classrooms and after the classes. 6. Teachers will be alerted to watch out for students who are unwell. 7. We will continue following the updates closely and follow the lead of MOE’s directives.

Posted on by Wallace

Update on Wuhan Virus: We’re aware that Singapore has just raised the DORSCON level to orange. Please note that we will be doing our very best to adhere to MOH directives and also ensure the safety of our students. 1. We had asked parents to highlight to us previously if their family had visited China[…]

P6 Composition tip: Besides focusing on your conflict and resolution, there are two important aspects that many students ignore. 1) Motive What is the motive of the antagonist? It doesn’t make sense for the kidnapper to kidnap a random child. He could have a feud with the child’s parent or the child’s parent is really rich. Similarly, for the topic competition, if you are writing about a protagonist who insists on going for it even though he’s sick, you have to consider: why is the competition so important to him? Was it to fulfill a dream? Or a promise? 2) Consequence Imagine this scenario for the movie Avengers: Thanos found his stones and happily played five stones. No one would pay to watch this story. Ask yourself this as a litmus test: if my story is made into a movie, would anyone pay to watch it? If the topic is “important task”, ask yourself this: what would happen if the task isn’t fulfilled? If it’s about confronting the bully, what is the bully doing to you? A student wrote that the bully would tickle him. That won’t be much of a bully. ? Try writing a story now using these tips and see if it’s better. #friwritingtips

Posted on by Wallace

P6 Composition tip: Besides focusing on your conflict and resolution, there are two important aspects that many students ignore. 1) Motive What is the motive of the antagonist? It doesn’t make sense for the kidnapper to kidnap a random child. He could have a feud with the child’s parent or the child’s parent is really[…]

Qn: I was in N(T) when I was a student. My mother did not care for my studies. With no one to guide me, I did not do too well academically, partied a lot and only regretted much later in life. Now that I have my own child, I want to make sure he doesn’t follow my footsteps. Thus, I spend a lot on tuition for him but he just doesn’t get it. It’s so frustrating. He is so lucky that there’s someone looking out for him and yet he is not relishing the opportunity he’s given. Answer: 1. There’s nothing wrong in being in N(T). If he needs to learn at a slower pace, so be it. Sure, in reality, there’s the social stigma but that’s something our society in general still has to work on. You have proven that one can do well in life even after going to N(T), so kudos to you. 2. Your focus is on your missed opportunity and you draw parallels with your son and hope that he will not face the same challenges as you. He’s lucky to have a good mother like you. However, perhaps you can also draw another parallel too. You did not like studying. He did not too. Try to empathise this. It’s good that he’s getting all the help he needs but he should not need to fulfill what you could not. It is not fair to him for you to live vicariously through him. Of course, we want the child to do well and want to work hard with him to succeed. However, there’s no need to go into quarrels with him because you were exactly like him at his age. You should be able to put yourself in his shoes. Would you have listened to your mother even if she told you to study? What kind of advice would you have listened to when you were 14? Do that. Look beyond the academics. Find what his strengths are and help him with those too. The Singapore system might not be curated for everyone but it doesn’t mean those who fall between the cracks aren’t brilliant. For his studies, just be more encouraging and try not to have so much negative energy. In these teenage years, be the supportive mother, so he will have a friend/listening ear when he needs one. Hopefully by doing so, this builds the foundation of a fabulous relationship that extends into his adulthood. That’s most important. #thurswithwei

Posted on by Wallace

Qn: I was in N(T) when I was a student. My mother did not care for my studies. With no one to guide me, I did not do too well academically, partied a lot and only regretted much later in life. Now that I have my own child, I want to make sure he doesn’t[…]

To meet demand, we are increasing classes for P6 and S4 classes to help you in this final leg. P6 English Sun 630pm S4 English Wed 730pm S4 Higher Chinese Mon 7pm Separately, if you are looking for small classes to help you conquer the finals. S3/4 Regular Chinese Mon 7pm A Levels General Paper Fri 630pm DM us or contact us at https://ift.tt/2cWZ0aG for further queries. #olevels #psle #alevels #generalpapertuition

Posted on by Wallace

To meet demand, we are increasing classes for P6 and S4 classes to help you in this final leg. P6 English Sun 630pm S4 English Wed 730pm S4 Higher Chinese Mon 7pm Separately, if you are looking for small classes to help you conquer the finals. S3/4 Regular Chinese Mon 7pm A Levels General Paper[…]