I went back to my primary school today to pay a visit to my teachers whom have taught me before. Actually all along I wanted to go back but I was half-afraid that they may have retired or posted out to other schools. Coincidentally , a friend of mine is currently teaching Chinese in Zhonghua. It was through her that I found out the teachers I had wanted to see are actually still there. Hence I planned to go back today since normal days I am being kept in camp and can't afford to fork out the time. The feeling was nostalgic as I walked through the familiar pathway into the school. It has been 9 years ever since I graduated from Zhonghua Primary School. The school compound has since been expanded and more vibrant with the usage of bright colours.
Changes were evident , but certain structures still remain. The good old concourse is still there , the fish pond etc. The canteen is completely different and the stallholders are all changed except for one auntie selling snacks whom I remembered her stall was reshuffled from the old stall 7 to her current new slot. She was pleasantly surprised when I reminded her. I toured around the school compound and even though this warranted attention from students and teachers who were still having lessons , I did not mind at all. It was as if it was just yesterday I am just one of those students sitting quietly at my own desk listening to my teacher teaching. The sight of them was evocative of my own primary school days. I saw my friend teaching a bunch of kids Chinese and it was quite hilarious , because the students were rather noisy and she was literally having a hard time vying for their attention. She later told me that these students are the ones who did not do well for Chinese and has to attend extra lessons. I told her no matter what circumstances , never give up on them because she has a hand in guiding them towards the right direction in life. These kids still have a long way to go in life. Wow , I wonder what will happen if I really become a teacher in future as well. I guess I will probably face some dilemmas in handling students too.
I met up with my teachers , particularly my three favourite teachers whom nurtured and taught me before. They were my P2 , P3 , P4 & P5 form teachers respectively.
My P2 form teacher : Mrs Chua !
Mrs Chua is a very motherly teacher who is very patient with her students. I was just a newly transferred student to Zhonghua when I was in P2 (I spent my P1 in Guangyang Primary) then. I repaid her faith in me when I joined her Buddy Reading Programme when I was in P6 to have 3 P2 juniors under my care. Basically just to read to them and help them understand the difficulties they encountered when reading such as vocabulary and pronounciation etc. I still remember their names : Yi Zhen , Yvonne and Gwee Yeong. I suppose I won't be able to recognise them out on the streets because their appearances may have changed. This programme is still on up to this day and Mrs Chua is still in-charge of it.
I didn't managed to take a photo with my P3 form teacher Mrs Goh but we had a good chat together with my P4 & P5 form teacher Mrs Ang and my P6 english teacher Mrs Tan in the staff room. Saw a couple of other old teachers whom have not taught me before but I still recognised them. They were glad to see me. I had a very palatable chat with my teachers , especially Mrs Ang.
My P4 & P5 form teacher : Mrs Evelyn Ang !
We chatted and reminisced the good old days. My teachers all had a good impression of me as I was the quintessence of a good student back then : Diligent , unassuming , conscientious and always attentive in class. I was even a prefect back then. I think many people must have gasped in disbelieve that I was such a goody-two-shoes student back then. What happened to me in secondary school is a 180 degrees change but I am still glad that despite of all the rebellious behaviour and appearance in my gabrielite days and during the first year in JC1 , I did not do anything that will shame my ancestors or disappoint those who has high hopes for me. I am still focus on the right path and did not lose my sense of direction in life and emerged unscath in this meritocratic educational system after the primary-secondary-junior college route with a university place secured after I finished national service. My teachers are happy to see me doing well and encourage me to aim high. They are absolutely right. Nowadays , being undergrads is nothing. Just pick a stone and hit anybody , he or she is an undergrad. Just like with so many reality shows now choosing idols from ordinary folks like you and me , anybody can be a superstar or has tried to become one. The difference is getting into honours from the many basic degree holders. Even in the honours system , there are still different levels in differentiating the most zai and the normal zai and the average that comprises the rest. Gandhi once said : " Be the change you want to see in the world ". I think this is very motivating. Then again , talk is cheap. Hopefully 1 day I can live up to my own expectations and achieve my goals : happiness & success.
Zhonghua Primary has given me the best possible primary school education , at least in my eyes. I feel very blessed and fortunate to have such great teachers who taught me and help built a good foundation for me to carry on climbing up the educational ladder. It's been very long since I last catch up with my primary school friends too , especially since all of us now lead different lives and has our own circle of friends. Hopefully , there is a reunion someday in which all of us can meet up to reminisce the good old days.
