Hello Everyone.
Welcome to week 10 of the last week of term and to the Sec 4s and 5s I like to remind you that today is Monday and that makes Friday just round the corner!
A very good morning to Mrs Poh, Mrs Koh , Mrs Goh, colleagues, boys and girls. The subject of my inspiring Monday is about an inspiring student whom I had the privilege of meeting and working with.
Many years ago, when I was teaching in a junior college, I was made the teacher in charge of the school’s air rifle club. In1998 I had a captain by the name of Zhou Quan. In those days air rifle competition was conducted with the competitor lying down, in a prone position and shooting an aluminum pellet at a paper target about 30 metres away. The score is calculated based on the number of bull’s eye that one can hit. As like in all the other CCAs, the air rifle team practiced really hard. They would be down in the rifle range practicing about thrice a week including Saturdays.
Enough to say that the team made it past the qualifying stages, then to the quarter finals and they made it to the semi finals. Once past the semi’s they were headed for the Nationals and at this stage the practices intensified. The day before the Nationals , like in the earlier rounds of the competition I asked Zhou Quan to name the 4 shooters and who will shoot for the school in the finals. As in the earlier rounds Zhou Quan would nominate the best shooters with the highest score in the practice sessions. When he submitted the final name list to me, I was surprised that his name was not in the list. A thought ran my head ‘Zhoe Quan was not injured, nor was he disqualified, so how could a captain not name himself in the final squad?”
Do not get me wrong, Zhou Quan was one of the best shooter in the squad. He was consistent in practise. Furthermore he chalked up one of the personal highest score in the quarter finals. What was even more surprising was that he chose a junior member of the squad to replace him in the finals.I remembered asking Zhou Quan why he did not put down his name in the team list. He replied “Mr Kamal, I think based on the last few practise runs, my form is going down. Although my shooting is still pretty good, but I got a feeling that during the finals my form would be low. This may affect our team chances of clinching the gold medal’.
He also added “Its better that Jimmy (the junior member) take over my position. Jimmy has been shooting real good in the least few sessions and I believe he will not disappoint. These 4 shooters in the list are the best that the school has and they would do us proud, he reassured me”. Those were Zhou Quan’s words. At that moment it struck me that captains of CCA sports group don’t normally rule themselves out unless they are injured or otherwise. There’s too much pride to be lost if you are not in the team, what more in the team heading for the finals. In today’s terms it is like Raul, the captain of Real Madrid not selecting himself to play in the Championship League Finals. (assuming of course Real qualifies in the first place)
On the day of the National, I remembered that Zhou Quan huddling up the 4 shooters giving them advise. When it was time for the shooters to take their position, he went to the back of the rifle range. I remembered him shouting and urging his team mates as he stood behind the fence. I also remembered the look on the faces of the four shooters as they were about to shoot. They all turned back and nodded to their captain and later they nodded to each other. The nodded because they knew that this is the time to perform. Jimmy the replacement shooter turned his baseball cap to the back and he took aim. And he fired away.
The results? Well enough to say that the team won the gold. Not only did they take the A division title and the Gold medal, they also walked away with personal best records. Every shooter shot his personal best. Jimmy the replacement shooter shot his individual best and broke the National record. I believe his name still stands in the National 0.22mm air rifle , honour roll. The team was ecstatic. They ran to their captain and with high fives they hugged each other. Their teacher in charge was equally jubilant.
What is the moral of the story?
For this short story I believe you can tease out many lessons. One can say its about doing all that you can for the best for the team. For some the moral of the story is that personal pride takes a back seat when doing what is right. For all these and many more answers, you are correct.I was given the topic of excellence to share on this wonderful Monday morning, and to me the opportunity to lead and to make a difference in the lives of others is at the peak of personal excellence. According to Robert Cooper, “The act of making a difference and the ability to achieve results through people” is what a leader does.A good leader is not just someone who is the president, captain of a sport, staff sergeant , cadet lieutenant or class chairperson. These are people who hold a leadership position.On the other hand, someone who has no leadership position can also lead.
Whether you are the chairperson of your CCA or someone who has younger siblings, your ability to lead depends largely on the amount of influence you have over the people in your charge.Do not confuse having a leadership position with the act of leading, for the two are not the same thing.Leaders who lead always ensure that their words and deeds are consistent all the time, even when no one is watching They also are capable of doing what is right instead of what is popular. They are individuals who are capable of accomplishing what is difficult instead what is simply easy or convenient.They can achieve results with their team in good times and in bad times.
Leaders usually are the first to come for any training or practise sessions but they are also the last to leave. Before they leave they would help the coach pack up and clear the rubbish in the training area and at times when needed they would spend the extra time talking to their juniors and relating to their problems.William Shakespeare says this best in the play called the ‘Twelfth Night’ in Act II Scene V when he said. "Some are born great, some achieve greatness and some have greatness thrust upon them" For many of us we will not have the opportunity to be born great but we do have the ability to achieve greatness through hard work. We also can have greatness thrust upon us, if our actions are viewed appreciatively through the eyes of our followers. How then can a leader meet the high standards imposed onto him? Like Zhou Quan, who risked his reputation, his position as captain and to have missed out shooting in the national finals leadership is indeed about doing what is right for the team instead of what is convenient.
It is under those tough times and unexpected circumstances that decisions and actions can forge someone into an inspiring leader. If done wrongly or if a bad decision is made, or worse indecision takes place, then the individual would have failed the test of leadership. Those who pass the test, often has his or her actions echoing in the hearts and minds of many for a long time, including their teachers. Like what Spiderman’s uncle said to him, “with great powers, come great responsibilities’, a true leader does not blame others. He is not defensive. He exercises restraint and gives his 100% to his team. And when 100% is insufficient, he will dig deeper and squeeze and extra 10%. And when the team loses, he will be able to turn it into a victory .
He learns from every stumble and setback, often smiling hiding his fears or disappointment. To sum up,leadership is about “ Doing all you can to have the heart of a lion, the skin of a rhino, and the soul of an angel.”
At the end of the day, a leader knows that his job is done when other people think of integrity, when other people think of enthusiasm, when other people think of commitment, and when others think of caring, they think of you.
My message to all Andersonians whom I believe has the potential to be leaders of our nation is that you already are on you way there; For you belong to a school or an institution of distinction to inspire and serve. To inspire and serve others that is.And serving others or committing a life of service are what leaders do all the time ,for the leader is already in you with or without an official title
For those who have a leadership position remember that as more privileges and entitlements are accorded to you, your peers expect much more of you in terms of meeting their high standards of service and duty. Do try your very best in making a difference in the lives of others.
In fact don’t try, just do it. Have a curious mind. Have a listening ear. Have an open heart.
Every Andersonian is born an original.
Knowing you were born to make a difference in the world.
And with constancy and purpose, I believe you can and you will .
Have a great week ahead!
=============================
Post script : Zhou Quan I believe did Chemical Engineering in Princeton. I was one of his character referees who wrote his personal attribute statements. He is with A - Star. I believe he would have completed his PhD. Last call I got from him was to go karting in Jurong with the other air rifle members. Thanks to Elaine for being my air rifle CCA mentor. I remember fondly the days when I was a beginning teacher in RJ, back in Mount Sinai campus with. Auspicium Melioris Aevi!!
Welcome to week 10 of the last week of term and to the Sec 4s and 5s I like to remind you that today is Monday and that makes Friday just round the corner!
A very good morning to Mrs Poh, Mrs Koh , Mrs Goh, colleagues, boys and girls. The subject of my inspiring Monday is about an inspiring student whom I had the privilege of meeting and working with.
Many years ago, when I was teaching in a junior college, I was made the teacher in charge of the school’s air rifle club. In1998 I had a captain by the name of Zhou Quan. In those days air rifle competition was conducted with the competitor lying down, in a prone position and shooting an aluminum pellet at a paper target about 30 metres away. The score is calculated based on the number of bull’s eye that one can hit. As like in all the other CCAs, the air rifle team practiced really hard. They would be down in the rifle range practicing about thrice a week including Saturdays.
Enough to say that the team made it past the qualifying stages, then to the quarter finals and they made it to the semi finals. Once past the semi’s they were headed for the Nationals and at this stage the practices intensified. The day before the Nationals , like in the earlier rounds of the competition I asked Zhou Quan to name the 4 shooters and who will shoot for the school in the finals. As in the earlier rounds Zhou Quan would nominate the best shooters with the highest score in the practice sessions. When he submitted the final name list to me, I was surprised that his name was not in the list. A thought ran my head ‘Zhoe Quan was not injured, nor was he disqualified, so how could a captain not name himself in the final squad?”
Do not get me wrong, Zhou Quan was one of the best shooter in the squad. He was consistent in practise. Furthermore he chalked up one of the personal highest score in the quarter finals. What was even more surprising was that he chose a junior member of the squad to replace him in the finals.I remembered asking Zhou Quan why he did not put down his name in the team list. He replied “Mr Kamal, I think based on the last few practise runs, my form is going down. Although my shooting is still pretty good, but I got a feeling that during the finals my form would be low. This may affect our team chances of clinching the gold medal’.
He also added “Its better that Jimmy (the junior member) take over my position. Jimmy has been shooting real good in the least few sessions and I believe he will not disappoint. These 4 shooters in the list are the best that the school has and they would do us proud, he reassured me”. Those were Zhou Quan’s words. At that moment it struck me that captains of CCA sports group don’t normally rule themselves out unless they are injured or otherwise. There’s too much pride to be lost if you are not in the team, what more in the team heading for the finals. In today’s terms it is like Raul, the captain of Real Madrid not selecting himself to play in the Championship League Finals. (assuming of course Real qualifies in the first place)
On the day of the National, I remembered that Zhou Quan huddling up the 4 shooters giving them advise. When it was time for the shooters to take their position, he went to the back of the rifle range. I remembered him shouting and urging his team mates as he stood behind the fence. I also remembered the look on the faces of the four shooters as they were about to shoot. They all turned back and nodded to their captain and later they nodded to each other. The nodded because they knew that this is the time to perform. Jimmy the replacement shooter turned his baseball cap to the back and he took aim. And he fired away.
The results? Well enough to say that the team won the gold. Not only did they take the A division title and the Gold medal, they also walked away with personal best records. Every shooter shot his personal best. Jimmy the replacement shooter shot his individual best and broke the National record. I believe his name still stands in the National 0.22mm air rifle , honour roll. The team was ecstatic. They ran to their captain and with high fives they hugged each other. Their teacher in charge was equally jubilant.
What is the moral of the story?
For this short story I believe you can tease out many lessons. One can say its about doing all that you can for the best for the team. For some the moral of the story is that personal pride takes a back seat when doing what is right. For all these and many more answers, you are correct.I was given the topic of excellence to share on this wonderful Monday morning, and to me the opportunity to lead and to make a difference in the lives of others is at the peak of personal excellence. According to Robert Cooper, “The act of making a difference and the ability to achieve results through people” is what a leader does.A good leader is not just someone who is the president, captain of a sport, staff sergeant , cadet lieutenant or class chairperson. These are people who hold a leadership position.On the other hand, someone who has no leadership position can also lead.
Whether you are the chairperson of your CCA or someone who has younger siblings, your ability to lead depends largely on the amount of influence you have over the people in your charge.Do not confuse having a leadership position with the act of leading, for the two are not the same thing.Leaders who lead always ensure that their words and deeds are consistent all the time, even when no one is watching They also are capable of doing what is right instead of what is popular. They are individuals who are capable of accomplishing what is difficult instead what is simply easy or convenient.They can achieve results with their team in good times and in bad times.
Leaders usually are the first to come for any training or practise sessions but they are also the last to leave. Before they leave they would help the coach pack up and clear the rubbish in the training area and at times when needed they would spend the extra time talking to their juniors and relating to their problems.William Shakespeare says this best in the play called the ‘Twelfth Night’ in Act II Scene V when he said. "Some are born great, some achieve greatness and some have greatness thrust upon them" For many of us we will not have the opportunity to be born great but we do have the ability to achieve greatness through hard work. We also can have greatness thrust upon us, if our actions are viewed appreciatively through the eyes of our followers. How then can a leader meet the high standards imposed onto him? Like Zhou Quan, who risked his reputation, his position as captain and to have missed out shooting in the national finals leadership is indeed about doing what is right for the team instead of what is convenient.
It is under those tough times and unexpected circumstances that decisions and actions can forge someone into an inspiring leader. If done wrongly or if a bad decision is made, or worse indecision takes place, then the individual would have failed the test of leadership. Those who pass the test, often has his or her actions echoing in the hearts and minds of many for a long time, including their teachers. Like what Spiderman’s uncle said to him, “with great powers, come great responsibilities’, a true leader does not blame others. He is not defensive. He exercises restraint and gives his 100% to his team. And when 100% is insufficient, he will dig deeper and squeeze and extra 10%. And when the team loses, he will be able to turn it into a victory .
He learns from every stumble and setback, often smiling hiding his fears or disappointment. To sum up,leadership is about “ Doing all you can to have the heart of a lion, the skin of a rhino, and the soul of an angel.”
At the end of the day, a leader knows that his job is done when other people think of integrity, when other people think of enthusiasm, when other people think of commitment, and when others think of caring, they think of you.
My message to all Andersonians whom I believe has the potential to be leaders of our nation is that you already are on you way there; For you belong to a school or an institution of distinction to inspire and serve. To inspire and serve others that is.And serving others or committing a life of service are what leaders do all the time ,for the leader is already in you with or without an official title
For those who have a leadership position remember that as more privileges and entitlements are accorded to you, your peers expect much more of you in terms of meeting their high standards of service and duty. Do try your very best in making a difference in the lives of others.
In fact don’t try, just do it. Have a curious mind. Have a listening ear. Have an open heart.
Every Andersonian is born an original.
Knowing you were born to make a difference in the world.
And with constancy and purpose, I believe you can and you will .
Have a great week ahead!
=============================
Post script : Zhou Quan I believe did Chemical Engineering in Princeton. I was one of his character referees who wrote his personal attribute statements. He is with A - Star. I believe he would have completed his PhD. Last call I got from him was to go karting in Jurong with the other air rifle members. Thanks to Elaine for being my air rifle CCA mentor. I remember fondly the days when I was a beginning teacher in RJ, back in Mount Sinai campus with. Auspicium Melioris Aevi!!
why does the snow is grey , i think it is white.
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