Aqil's Belated Birthday Celebration in School

Today was a PACKED day for me...well, it was not supposed to be coz I have 5 'free' periods straight on Wednesdays. But today was different coz I took time off during my free periods to go over to Aqil's school...hehehe!
Had a belated birthday celebration for Aqil in sch. Well, his birthday was yesterday but he doesn't go to school on Tuesdays thus the celebration today! ;)) Hubby couldn't take off coz he's on 'special' duty these 2 weeks....thanks to the upcoming by-election. That is why I decided to just take time-off instead of the whole day even though am entitled to. The VP even asked me if I wanna take whole day when I approach her to apply for the time-off....hehehe!
Ordered rainbow push-pops cakes for the party! Luckily the place for collection is in Woodlands which is near my school. By the time I reached there, not all the push-pops were ready. But enough for Aqil and frenz and of coz....his teacher, therapists and case manager. Phhhheeewwww!
Hence, grabbed whatever was ready first and went over to Aqil's school. My lil boy smiled and shouted 'Mama!' when he saw me coming! His laughter & happiness made the time taken off work was all worth it! ;))

Aqil Danish turns 5! ❤

Had an advance birthday celebration for lil Aqil on Saturday becoz his birthday fell on a weekday which was Tuesday. Just planned for a small gathering at home...didn't even have time to cook so we bought satay, tulang and rojak mama. FIL fried some mee hoon earlier in the day so we had that too! Hehehe!
Ordered his birthday cake from Prima Deli...a digit 5. And the cakes from Prima are awesome especially those made with fresh cream! Didnt even plan for any games whatsoever...maybe the shagginess from 5-day work had yet to diminish then. Nevertheless, great time spent with family and the laughter from Aqil...PRICELESS! Well, thanks to his bibikz! ;))

What's up with the Education System???

Today's front page article in the newspaper covers on the education/learning in SG. And example of the vocabulary words that a P5 pupil should know almost popped my eyes out!
I knew less than half of the words! And my sista who's an A scorer for her national exams & a NUS grad barely knew half of the list! Isn't that a killer to the pupils?
One thing that I remember my P said...and it is something that I totally agree with is "to not assume that the pupils have tuition or support at home".
It is true that we need support from parents. But we can't expect each & every pupil to be the same or have the same family background.
Personally, as a teacher...I'd not be bothered by the 'clever' ones coz they will cope. It's those struggling that attract me. Though I wish I can do more for those pupils...time is usually a problem. So I'd never expect excellence or even a pass from them, what I look for is an improvement...a progress.
I remember only learning 5 words for each spelling....and the words are from the high frequency list. But today...it seem that pupils are EXPECTED TO KNOW the high frequency words by the time they enter P1! Poor thing children these days!
And nah! That's not gonna happen to my kidz. Have yet to send my kidz for tuition coz they are coping well in sch. And no...I am not looking for B1s or As...as long as they passed, I wouldn't mind B2s & Bs.
My kidz maintain or improves, I praise & reward them. If they perform worse, they'd be warned & reminded of the need of education and progressing. I am not gonna control the speed of their progress coz I believe they should be developed at their own pace. Each child is unique...they progress at different paces. As long as I see progress...I am happy. Alhamdullilah! ;))