DHSSC

The following is an interview with Mr Yeo, a very heart-broken teacher who is not able to make it for his beloved student council’s investiture, on 25^th February 2008, Monday.

I: Now, Mr Yeo, thanks for agreeing to this interview on your walnut project – 81 hearts and 1 family. Can you tell us how you come out with the tagline ’81 hearts and 1 family’?
Y: Oh, okie, basically when I was thinking of how to portray the councilors to the school for its annual investiture, I feel that there is a need to put forth a vivid statement, that although student council is not a CCA or a class, but we are bonded and that all of us are a big family. No matter if you are year 2 or year 4, we are one big family. As there are 81 student councilors, therefore there are 81 hearts to form a big family. Although these 81 hearts are of different age, size and personalities, but there is only 1 heartbeat – that of to care, to serve and to lead.

I: Can you tell us more about what is so different in this project as compared to the rest of those that you did in the past?
Y: Hmm… let’s see, when I did the year 2 level last year, it was more like promoting the spirit of bonding amongst the whole year 2 level… when I did the year 2 orientation this year, it was more like reflecting of what we have been through in 2007 and looking ahead… when I did the SC investiture, it was about family lor – like what I mentioned earlier. So if you observe, the photos that I used are all more than 1 person. And the interface is the school mission in Chinese, to care, to serve and to lead.

I: So how do you feel about not able to attend the investiture today?
Y: Sad lor, what else can I say? Haiyo, I thought that I will be free on Monday… but who knows upon checking my timetable, I have a lesson in the morning and then follow by a mass briefing by the dean of NIE about the overseas trip. So in the end, can’t attend lor. I so wish to see their dance, listen to Mr Sng and Siswo’s speeches and also each of my councilors holding their heads high up because they are proud of themselves today to be a invested student councilor in the future.

Y: You bet! I want my councilor to know that the measure of leadership is not the quality of the head, but the tone of the body. The signs of outstanding leadership appear primarily among the followers. I also want them to know that the path of being a servant leader is not an easy one to take. In this journey, one will face obstacles and disappointments; one will face the wet blanket from those who do not belong to the family; one will face the harshness of life; one will face time management challenges. BUT, I also want them to know that, in this journey, they are not alone. What they are facing are what their seniors had faced and overcome – with friendship and support from fellow councilors. No man is an island; only with the support and bonding among each family members then we are able to soar high and expand our horizons.

I: okie, anything to say to Siswo?
Y: oh ya! Yupp – hi AH HU! It’s been a pleasure to see you grow to become what you are today. You have gained the respect of your peers and your juniors. Be more confident in your leading because I know you can. Be a leader that reflects, listens and empathies. Smile more, and take deep breaths before doing your address to the whole school. And you do have a brain, and you are using your brain very healthily.

I: okie, I think I will stop here, thanks for taking the time to be interviewed. Any last words before we call it a day?
Y: Hmm… I guess I can only conclude the whole interview by saying that – student council of 2008, this will be a challenging year for all 81of you. As we close the chapter at Mount Sinai, and as we begin to go back to our home in Tanjong Rhu, we will be facing another year of growing, training and also looking after each other. May we continue to care, to serve and to lead. Never lose sight of our mission – building bridges. And finally, raise a banner, where a banner never flew… if not now, when?