Trying to Fit In Into Form 1

2nd week - 6 -10 Jan 2014

This was a full school week. It was a week of trying to fit in in the new surrounding for my 13 year-old. 

He was the only student who came from a private school background so he could not immediately fit in. All other students had similar background which is they came from the same national primary school. 

So knowing my son, he did what he does best ....observe everyone and everything.  When I asked him how was his school, he shared the following with me.

(1) Usage of Bahasa Melayu

Where he came from, everyone spoke English. The medium of instruction was English. Here in national schools, the speeches during assembly were in Malay and all subjects were taught in Malay except English, Maths and Science. 

(2) Presence of CCTV 

He spent his first 2 days counting the number of CCTVs in the school. Strange yes, these are the sort of things I wouldn't even notice.

(3) His classmates speak English including the Malay boys

So I knew it is just a matter of time before he fits in.

(4) Little Discoveries

He found a boy in his class who went to the same kindergarten with him. He found another boy who went to the same taekwando class with him in our housing area.

(6) Love thy canteen

He loves the canteen as food is plenty and cheap - especially the drinks.

(7) Obsession with football

Everyone in his class had interest in football - and for PE lessons the teacher tells the boys to play football while he does his own thing. My boy hates football but had no choice but attempt to play.

(8) The cane is in

The Afternoon School Senior Assistant goes around with a long thick cane. Yes, a CANE. And she uses it and means business. Finally some age old discipline in place, I am all for it.

(9) Greeting teachers

Getting into the culture of greeting teachers as a group - at the start and end of each lesson, the boys sing it out aloud. He finds this strange.

(10) Homework time

Most teachers dipped straight into their subjects - with some giving homework. For History, I noted a lot of homework on just copying pages of what is already in the textbook. If this trend continues, I will have to bring it up with teacher just to find out the need for this.

(11) Teacher in black

The shock of seeing his English teacher in black garbs leaving only the face exposed. But speaks good English. 

(12) Result out

He did well in his Maths diagnostic test -with only one mistake. Seems students who do well will be offered the morning session which is a control class. If offered, we have to decide whether to change him to the morning session. Not sure what is in store here.

(13) Choices for Co-Curricular

After discussing with us, he finally settled for Badminton as his choice for Sports Activity; Computers as his choice for Club/Society and Scouts as his Uniformed Body. These are all compulsory extra-curricular activities; with one more being Community Service which the teacher will decide for the students later. Looking at the schedule, it looks like he has to come in by 10.30am every day from Mon till Wed and occasionally be ready to be called on Sat. This spells a transportation nightmare for us parents.

(14) Raising the school spirit via school song
My son was so changed after a briefing by the older boys and prefects on the importance of feeling the school spirit. They were taught the school song and all sang the song passionately. He was impressed with the older boys - the way they spoke English and conducted themselves. He came home that day and practised the song repeatedly on his own.