Horrible week. Not really concerned about the academic aspect, but what really gets my goat leans towards another aspect of my school life - leadership positions.
Monday
Script-checking, and a meeting. The fact that I would be getting back my Chinese exam script on this day along with the other subjects' ticked me off, and the formal wear I was to turn up for a filming by a local newspaper for the meeting (people reading my blog should know my birth country) only added to the misery - it was blisteringly hot even at 6.30am, and considering that I was not wearing casual attire, I was relieved when I got into the MRT train which took me to Clementi.
Results were rather shocking. Although I was initially pleased with getting back Paper 1 of Chinese as I got >50, the second paper was... appalling. 47/70??? And the level's average hovered over 40. My dream for a CAP of >4.7 was shattered at this point. Math wasn't so bad, as I got second highest in level for the paper - still highest in the level in overall score though - and somehow I topped the level in one of the Biology papers we received back. Human reproduction, and some had thoughts which are not quite politically correct to put in words here. Geography and Physics yielded rather satisfying results, but English was rather a pleasant surprise; for the first time, I actually got an A for the exam, securing an A for the final grade! =)
Then came the meeting. Elections were to be held on the same day as the filming. Luckily I managed to escape from the menacing lens of the camera, so I would be spared from the media. Little did I expect then that this would soon lead to a situation which has seriously deteriorated my increasingly bad impression of someone. Basically, when we were holding the elections and finalizing the candidates to run for President in my student leadership board, the teacher-in-charge apparently decided to disrupt the close-to-democracy in the elections and interfere. Her actions? To manipulate the votes indirectly by dissuading the other members (>60% whom were unfamiliar with the previous exco as they were just admitted to the student leadership body this year) from voting for one of the candidates. This seriously pissed me off; this candidate coincidentally was my brother, and by doing this she has - unwittingly? - humiliated him right in front of 17 people, and has effectively destroyed my brother's reputation in their eyes. Even if she wanted to utter a single word of apology for this, what can it do? The damage has been done, and nothing this person would ever attempt to do to reverse this would even work anymore. Her rationale sounded (and is) reasonable, but there was completely NO REASON for this person to humiliate my brother in front of so many people. Do not want him to become the President? Don't even nominate him. This abuse of authority (do not take offence if you see this; I can't think of any other words to say this) in influencing the students' choice provoked me even further, as I could do absolutely nothing to stop this as I was just a student. I felt helpless. For the first time, I despised the power of status; similar humans, one unable to stop the other just because one was placed at a lower position than the rest. My impression of this teacher really dropped rock bottom, and now I wonder if she actually deserves the respect we have been giving her for the past few years when she apparently lacks the ability to show one of her students respect. I really hope that this situation can be settled calmly; I do not intend to cause an uproar over this simple incident as I sincerely wish for this to be settled amicably.
Then came the meeting. Elections were to be held on the same day as the filming. Luckily I managed to escape from the menacing lens of the camera, so I would be spared from the media. Little did I expect then that this would soon lead to a situation which has seriously deteriorated my increasingly bad impression of someone. Basically, when we were holding the elections and finalizing the candidates to run for President in my student leadership board, the teacher-in-charge apparently decided to disrupt the close-to-democracy in the elections and interfere. Her actions? To manipulate the votes indirectly by dissuading the other members (>60% whom were unfamiliar with the previous exco as they were just admitted to the student leadership body this year) from voting for one of the candidates. This seriously pissed me off; this candidate coincidentally was my brother, and by doing this she has - unwittingly? - humiliated him right in front of 17 people, and has effectively destroyed my brother's reputation in their eyes. Even if she wanted to utter a single word of apology for this, what can it do? The damage has been done, and nothing this person would ever attempt to do to reverse this would even work anymore. Her rationale sounded (and is) reasonable, but there was completely NO REASON for this person to humiliate my brother in front of so many people. Do not want him to become the President? Don't even nominate him. This abuse of authority (do not take offence if you see this; I can't think of any other words to say this) in influencing the students' choice provoked me even further, as I could do absolutely nothing to stop this as I was just a student. I felt helpless. For the first time, I despised the power of status; similar humans, one unable to stop the other just because one was placed at a lower position than the rest. My impression of this teacher really dropped rock bottom, and now I wonder if she actually deserves the respect we have been giving her for the past few years when she apparently lacks the ability to show one of her students respect. I really hope that this situation can be settled calmly; I do not intend to cause an uproar over this simple incident as I sincerely wish for this to be settled amicably.
Tuesday
This day wasn't really that bad. One of my teachers had requested for me to man an exhibition panel for a meeting - for MOE principals and other important staff, I hear - and I had to turn up quite early to prepare for the guests' arrival. Surprisingly, during the tea break, no one even looked at my panel. Teachers could even stand in front of me and eat, as I looked around anxiously for someone to walk over. I was relieved when they finally returned back to the Auditorium for the second part of the talk; leftovers were finally for my taking.
The meeting for Einstein Plus members was, to put it simply, a waste of time. Only some parts of it got me excited, such as the prospect of being able to take certain modules as Independent Study Modules, but the rest of it was monotonous droning to me. The letter of introduction, as usual, was computer-generated. Ask around if you want to see a copy of the letter; the clue I can give you is the squarish look of a "human-created" component of the letter. ;) Hopefully this new scheme for ISMs would be useful; I've always longed to study higher-level mathematics modules even though I want to keep to my existing math module, so this would open more oppurtunities to me.
Ah, about the elections again. An email just came back from the same teacher. I will not delve into the details of it here for privacy purposes, but it seemed that it had skimmed quite briefly over why she decided to announce her intentions in front of 17 people behind my brother's back. It's not sincere enough, this apology; did I mention that it was quite evident she wanted a particular member to enter into the Exco, and yet she puts it simply as "not... a full democratic process"? I know the rationale behind putting it in such words, but it makes me ponder over the genuineness of her apology towards my brother. Not to say that I take it as an offence, though, so don't get me wrong.
The meeting for Einstein Plus members was, to put it simply, a waste of time. Only some parts of it got me excited, such as the prospect of being able to take certain modules as Independent Study Modules, but the rest of it was monotonous droning to me. The letter of introduction, as usual, was computer-generated. Ask around if you want to see a copy of the letter; the clue I can give you is the squarish look of a "human-created" component of the letter. ;) Hopefully this new scheme for ISMs would be useful; I've always longed to study higher-level mathematics modules even though I want to keep to my existing math module, so this would open more oppurtunities to me.
Ah, about the elections again. An email just came back from the same teacher. I will not delve into the details of it here for privacy purposes, but it seemed that it had skimmed quite briefly over why she decided to announce her intentions in front of 17 people behind my brother's back. It's not sincere enough, this apology; did I mention that it was quite evident she wanted a particular member to enter into the Exco, and yet she puts it simply as "not... a full democratic process"? I know the rationale behind putting it in such words, but it makes me ponder over the genuineness of her apology towards my brother. Not to say that I take it as an offence, though, so don't get me wrong.
Wednesday
Commencement of the post-exam activities. One of the most boring days of my life. Whoever coined the term "Post exam activities" made a grave error; it should have been "Post exam talks". First came a talk on emotional management, which failed horribly in describing long-term ways of resolving issues which lead to anger, anxiety or sadness as it only concentrated on short-term effects of de-stressing activities. As usual, the cohort made such a din that we ended up getting scolded by - guess who - the same teacher in charge of my leadership board. As she lectured us on our lack of respect, a strong urge to raise a point that she herself was not an exemplary person fit to reprimand us - a case study perhaps? - came to my mind, but I decided against the idea as the cons outweighed the pros. Even then, she was still a teacher.
Next came a workshop on "social etiquette for teenagers". Although more interesting than the previous talk, I spent half the time talking, occasionally laughing at some funny actions which my friends performed when engaged in some activities. The next talk was the worst; a talk by the police on various aspects of crime. As if we do not know the consequences and possible actions we can take for crime! It was a relief when we were finally released from this talk.
I hardly look forward to the next few days, when I would receive my Progress Report and have to endure the boring activities set for us in the next 2 days.
