EPL Week 17

The year end fixtures came true and fast. Van Gaal complained of insufficient rest time between matches when the Red Devils had to play Spurs in 43 hrs after their Boxing Day match. The draws in this second match of the festive season seemed to reflect on the fatigue felt by the players.

Spurs vs Man Utd : 0-0 huffing and puffing could not blow White Hart Lane down. Luckily for Utd, the other top teams also drew or else they would then say goodbye to the race.

Southampton vs Chelsea : 1-1 the Saints showed that they are up there by merit. Jose Mourinho lost the chance to extend their lead

Burnley vs Man City : 2-2 A shocker! City lost the chance to catch up with Chelsea when they lost a 2-0 lead to draw with Burnley. It must be complacency

West Ham vs Arsenal : 1-2 the Gunners survived a late barrage by the Hammers to hold on their win. Second consecutive loss for the Hammers

• Liverpool vs Swansea: 4-1 this win makes Brendan Rogers believe again that the Reds will make it into Champion League next season

An Old Friend

Last week, I was very happy to meet an old friend of mine, from our days in Chua Chu Kang Secondary in the 90s, Pak Chik Samat. He is one of those friends who you never forget as he went through many school events and experiences with you.

 

 

Pak Chik was originally employed as a school warden when CCK was started by Ms Sum Chee Wah, the Principal in 1992. Before the first pupils arrived at the beginning of 1993, he guarded the school premises day and night. Once the school began operation, he was then employed as a gardener.

During those initial days, stocky Pak Chik, TSO Zulkiflee and I decided to transform the garden scape of the school. Bonsai plant, Wrightia was planted along the front fence boundary of the school. These plants are now more than 20 years old!!!! Many fruit and spice trees were also planted around the school besides the normal trees which NEA?PPD provided, to create a kampung atmosphere. Go into CCK compound now and you know what I meant.

Pak Chik also followed us to school camps outside school. He was such an integral part of the school then.

                                    Pak Chik with Mr Lee A L, Zulkiflee and his father-in-law
                                   Pak Chik's favorite food : Mee Goreng with potatoes

When I met him again last week, I can't help to have a sense of helplessness initially. However as we chatted I sensed an air of optimism and hope even at an age of 75. He is on a wheelchair and spent the weekdays in Swami Home (Sembawang). He has to learn to reuse his once powerful limbs again through a variety of exercises. However, his ever smile and optimism made me saw a light in a tunnel and is confident that he will lead a satisfactory life, though his problems cannot be easily solved. I have never manage to hold a good conversation with him, like chicken and duck. He understands but cannot speak in English. I can understand basic Malay but cannot speak it. However, somehow, we understand each other all this time!! An endearing part is that he always call me Mr Whoosh....

Pak Chik - retired in 2000. AM Wilson presenting him a gift from staff





Life as An Adjunct Teacher

It was reported this week in Straits Times that more and more retired teachers rejoined the service as either Flexi-Adjunct (FAJT) or Contract Adjunct (CAJT) teachers. I am very thankful that after one year of being a FAJT, I was offered to continue as a CAJT in the school next year. As a retiree who still wishes to be occupied, in mind, soul and body, and being a teacher for all my life, it was a big lift  for my spirit when I was told about it. Somehow, not being a normal full time teacher can sap one's spirit and lower one self esteem if you allow them to manifest.

The Reason
Why did I want to continue in the present school? I believed that a positive school culture towards everyone is the main reason. I decided to retire 'immaturely' as a key personnel (KP) could be due to my previous school's leaders 'vibes'. Being appreciated, whoever you are,  is also one of the reason. Also, the being 'just a teacher' feeling is one lost forgotten feeling since the days I left Institute of Education as a virgin teacher. You just prepare your lesson and facilitate learning!!

FAJT vs CAJT:
The former is like a relief teacher (RT). Three months (one term) contract renewed termly. Salary based on hourly rate ($38 per hour for a graduate teacher) subjected to a maximum number of hours per contract. No other benefits are given. If you are sick, too bad, you are not paid for the MC. Good thing is that you can care less about others things happening around the school if you wish to. When the hour is up you just pack up and go. Of course there are also FAJT who stayed beyond the hours for the benefits of the pupils.
CAJT is like a normal teacher. You are given a year's contract subjected to passing a medical checkup, paid by MoE, at Raffles Medical Centre. There is an element of uncertainty as RMC will not give a copy of the report to you. I was told that we only know whether we passed the medical in Jan, after we have joined the school, starting December 26 (so that we can attend the Staff & Department meetings before the new term starts, I think).  The yearly Performance Bonus (PB) may be paid subjected to good performance. However, DON'T expect the high end of the payment. The Principal decides whether we are subjected to performance ranking review by a KP or not. I heard that many Principal forgo the review for CAJT. However, SOME enthusiastic KPs may want to be heard in the name of developing and 'setting targets' with the CAJT. It showed 'POWER' in capital, for some of them, which is not uncommon in schools.
As a 3/4 workload CAJT, one needs not to be a form teacher or be in charge of a CCA. However, he may be asked to join an ad-hoc or event committee.

Looking forward to New Year
I believed that as a 'retired teacher', one has to count small blessings that come our way in our everyday life back in school. One just cannot go back to the former self. One also must not put up as a threat to narrow minded people who are afraid that we will break their rice bowl. Nowadays, there are so many SH posts and thus much more number of KPs (yes, in some schools, all their SHs are in the School Management Committee). These are younger group of teachers, 5 to 10 years service usually, who may felt uneasy if they have an 'old ginger' in their midst. So, don't act like you will be a threat!!!

Boxing Day 26 Dec 2014

While the rest of Europe hibernates and rests, the EPL continues its traditional festive grind with 4 games in a week. This is the week that usually decides the title contenders from pretenders.
In the first round, all the big guns won.

Man Utd vs Newcastle : 3-1
Rooney is in his best form in five years as he scored a brace for an easy Utd win. Van Persie scored the other. Falcao continued to start and is getting back to form. The next game in 2 days against Spurs could decide how far this Utd team can go.

Chelsea vs West Ham : 2-0 the ease which the Blues brought down the high flying Hammers suggested that this is a title for them to lose. They made it so simple.

Arsenal vs QPR : 2-1 Sanchez rescued the Gunners which make heavy work in defeating QPR

Burnley vs Liverpool: 0-1 Raheem Stirling scored in 2nd half

WBA vs Man City : 1-3 This City side made the win simple, scoring all their goals in first half and then ease off

EPL Week 16 22/12/2014

Villa vs Man Utd: 1-1
van Gaal is again an unhappy and frustrated man after the Red Devils could only draw at Villa Park after a 6 match winning streak, even though they had an excellent record there. He felt that it is too far for his team to catch up with the top teams. The Xmas feeling seemed to come early for the Red Devils as again, they were sloppy especially the defense and midfield: Fletcher, Jones, Evans and even Van Persie. Even the harsh sending off of Agbonlahor with 25 mins left could not stir the Red Devils. Falcao, starting for the second time scored his second goal for Utd.

Man City vs Palace : 3-0 An easy easy win for the Citizens showing their rise in form after their qualification to the KO round of the Champions League. Drew level with Chelsea on points for 48 hrs.

Spurs vs Burnley: 2-1 White hot Spurs got their 3rd win in 6 days to move up the table

Liverpool vs Arsenal: 2-2 Brenden Rogers believed that the Reds have turned around the corner with the last gasp draw. Both teams faced similar problem: non existing defense in this game.

Monday:
Stoke vs Chelsea: 0-2 an efficient victory at Brittania to lead table by 3 points again.

EPL week 15

Man Utd vs Liverpool : 3-0 One could easily sympathies with Brendon Rogers on his team's lack of luck, etc in public. However, in private, he knew that pressure has increased on him to deliver again after last year's triumphs and highs. His clueless and blunt side just could not beat the in-form David de Gea. How he must have wished that the Spaniard is with his team, after losing confidence with Simon Mignolet in goal. Yeah, Utd's 2nd goal by Juan Mata was offside, but in the end, the Red Devils strike when it matters. Rooney scored the first and van Persie the third to continue with their good form. Man Utd's six win in a row propelled them to 3rd but the team is winning without playing well. Unlike last season when David Moyes' team limped to a 3-0 thrashing, at least the Red Devils are playing with a swagger. Van Gaal still not please but is speaking with more conviction of a title chase now.

Chelsea vs  Hull : 2-0 easy home win for Mourinho's side, still 3 points ahead of Man City and 8 over Utd

Leicester vs Man City : 0-1 The Citizens are bathing with confidence again after their midweek qualification to the KO round of the Champions League, when it seemed improbable only a few weeks ago.

Arsenal vs Newcastle : 4-1 the Gunners brought the in-form Tooners down to earth with this thumping

Swansea vs Spurs : 1-2 The Swans are in flight down after a good start

EPL Week 14

Southampton vs Man Utd : 1-2
Forth win in a roll for the Red Devils, van Persie scoring twice. The Saints are in a free fall, losing for the 3rd time in a roll, after an early surge at the top of the table. It was again hard work for the Red Devils but their swagger continues after last week's 2-1 triumph against the Gunners. The Red Devils are now in the 3rd spot of the table

Newcastle vs Chelsea : 1-2 Jose Mourinho knew that his side would not be able to remain undefeated during the season. Alan Pardew, recently scourged by the Toon army was the instigator of this win.... Man City is now only 3 points behind. Getting interesting.

Stoke vs Arsenal : 3-2 The jinx team struck again. The Gunners were all at sea at the Brittania, deserved it.

Liverpool vs Sunderland : 0-0 No strikes no form for the Reds

Man City vs Everton 1-0 Pelligrini's men just did enough to win

Spurs vs Palace : 0-0