Copyright is help by the orignal author. In no wy should this entry be used in the Court of Law of Singapore. This is jsut a personal opinion.
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Okay, here's the highlight of today's entry. Enjoy!!! Oh oh, maybe I'll get reported for libel and get sued. Or better still, it gets published! XD
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Letter to Principal of Temasek Secondary School
Dear Mrs Ouyang Geok Cheng,
You suck. Sorry if I seem ungrateful, but I really must say what I feel before I explode.
In your four-odd years of being the Principal of Temasek Secondary School, we've not only seen our major CCAs climb to new heights of achievements, we've also seen our academic rankings plunge to historic lows. And we have you to thank for such spectacular performances. Last year's school ranking was a particular embarassment. No doubt that cohort of students had the lowest PSLE T-score in recent years, which could partly explain for the disgusting performance. Most fortunately for YOU, this year's batch of graduating students have done MUCH better. (and no, I'm not trying to gain glory for myself.)
Temasek Secondary isn't what it used to be. I really miss the days of old principal Mr. Loo Pui Wah. Although he retired when I was only Secondary 2, he really left a lasting impression. He was a disciplined academian, who really knew what the school's priorities were. His strong emphasis on studies, led to a commendable improvement in the schook rankings, to an all-time high of 16. Discipline was also very much enforced in those days. For example, there were such things as public canings. Yes those much dreaded events in front of the whole school. (some of you TMSkians may ask, now what the hell is that, because you don't get much of that happening anymore.)
Well, it's not that I enjoy seeing my friends and schoolmates getting whipped, or that I'm comparing him with you. But what has to be done, has to be done. You should not sacrifice enforcement in oder to save some 'face'. What's wrong with letting the public know that we've caught a few guys smoking back at the D & T toilets? What's wrong with showing that we take such offences seriously? You have great intentions, of wanting the school to do well. But you see, the road to Hell is paved with good intentions. Of course, we all want the school's CCAs to excel and make a mark for themselves. But what's the use if we're champions in canoeing and Gold standard for all the aesthetic groups, if we don't do well academically? (NO offence to those CCA groups though. The offence is like more so directed at YOU, Mrs Ouyang. Haha, kidding =) You've got all the priorities topsy-turvy. Where's the focus nowadays man.
Even veteran teachers like Mr Eddie Tan can agree, that the general discipline has taken a turn for the worse. Our ex-Disicpline Master (DM) Mr Ng Kok Wei put on a strict front. Thats's really good, but you see, when he was in power, he wasn't around half the time, for whatever reason, it doesn't matter. So basically, we not only lacked the discipline, but also the power to enforce it. Hopefully, YOUR new DM would do a much better job. His name is Mr Toh or something right. Yeah. But I must say that I applaud your move to allow the use of moblie phones in school (of course, after curriculum time). They are indeed, an indispensable tool for communication. Yes, you can say that there's a double-standard here. Too bad.
The success of any school rests largely on the ability of her students to perform well. I wholeheartedly agree with this fact. However, these bright young minds deserve a capable, efficient leadership to guide and teach them. After all, the MOE's motto is something like - "Moulding the Future of Our Nation", or some crap like that right. Ah-hah.
If all these phenomena only occured in Temasek Secondary, I would probably think the problem lie with the lazy bunch of students. But before you were posted this school, you were the VP of Swiss Cottage Secondary. During your rule there, the school was languishing in the academic rankings. After your departure, their ranking shot up by 8 places (Source: MOE School Rankings 2001-2002 I think)
However, I must caution that rankings DO NOT mean everything. I must say that this system has produced a certain degree of unhealthy competition between schools, and comparision between their students. But the rankings would help primary 6 students to choose their secondary schools wisely don't you think? It also distinguishes the good from the not-so-good, to the absolutely hopeless. Hey I'm not discriminating against neighbourhood schools or anything. There are some really good ones like Ngee Ann and Tanjong Katong Secondary School
So please Mrs Ouyang, don't destroy all the work that your ancestors have built over the past decade or so. Rumous have been circulating around, saying that TMS may lose her autonomous status over the next Review, IF we continue on this losing streak. Please, DON'T EVER let TMS become just another neighbourhood school!!! (I'm sure the TMS Alumni wouldn't want that to happen.)
P.S Sorry for all the grave spelling, grammatical and whatever mistakes. I'm a pretty bad typist and my English is pretty bad. So sorry. Thank you for your kind understanding. =)
From a concerned ex-Temasekian,
Lif3sux a.k.a Straggler
