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KINGSPARK NEWS Club Number: 30119 2005-06 Rotary Year : Issue 14 : 19 January | ||
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is the biweekly bulletin of the Rotary Club of Kingspark Hong Kong Club Website: http://www.rotary3450.org/kingspark-hongkong | ||
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| Chief
Editor : Francis Wann Club Webmaster : John Wan | ||
| Editorial
(The Myths of Our Teaching Profession) - By Francis Wann | ||
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District Website | RI Website | RI President | TRF | News Room | Global History Fellowship | ||
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The
myths of our teaching profession
It seems a bit passe today to moan and groan over the recent incidents which made the headlines. We've got enough "expert advice" to tell us what's good for education, and whatever you do, students' interest must come first. There's also no shortage of education psychologists and counsellors and social workers who are on the lookout for suspected symptons among teachers. The current policies have gradually turned the teaching profession into something of a high-risk, low-maintenance group devoid of ideologies and professionalism. Not all Rotarians are teachers, but fortunately many teachers are or have become Rotarians and would continue to influence others. Rotarians respect other people's right to their views and would uphold theirs without fear or favouritism. It's all too easy to lament at the present sorry state of our educatiion, but to be a martyr does require considerable courage and determination. This editorial has been highly critical of our official thinking in education ever since the introduction and implementation of the mother tongue policy some seven years ago - that it's socially divisive and that breeds contempt. But nothing can be more damaging than policies which directly affect the integrity of teachers, especially when they come with sweeteners. We don't claim to have definite answers for our education, but the disquiet which has surfaced these days should be enogh evidence to remind those in charge of our education practices that something has gone terribly wrong. Want to know how not to be an education bureaucrat? Want to know why our education policies cannot convince the teachers in the classroom? Why not listen to the Rotarians? Indeed what better teachers are there than our predecessors in Rotary? Read their stories, read their accomplishments. You will be convinced, and a convinced leader becomes an extraordinary convincer. (Rotary Fellowship Jan 14) Today I'm sad to witness a profession which I'm devoted to but feel powerless in the face of our enormous government propaganda. I'm even sadder that I've become part of this inhumane system. I've seen many teachers crack under pressure. Indeed a very good friend of mine is having depression and is still under medication. Who knows how many are suffering in silence? Want to be a teacher? There're jobs with more money, and there're jobs with more glamour. I hope my dear friend hasn't lost her zest and passion in education; otherwise at stake is not only the integrity of our teachers, but the future of our students. | ||
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President's
Column
We had a fellowship BBQ at our Friends of Kingspark, Terry Yeung's home, in Fanling on 14th January, 2006. Including the children and families of our members we had an attendance of more than 25. There were many children and obviously they enjoyed the gathering very much. Our Rotarian Joyce Mak, looks so young that she was treated as the daughter of Rotarian Calvin Fung by Rebecca, the wife of Terry. It is not unusual for our club because we always have young members like Joyce and Kennedy. Our 3 sponsored Interact Clubs are making excellent progress with their community service. The Interact Club of Wah Yan College, Kowloon has uploaded their e-version of their newspaper, the Interact Messenger, in their web site, http://interact.wyk.edu.hk (Alternatively, you may visit our district web site, www.rotary3450.org to link to the Interact Clubs). The Wah Yan College, Kowloon being the leading Interact club, together with Wah Yan College, HK and St. Benedict's School are jointly organizing a tutorial service on English and Mathematics on every Saturday for the children of the young immigrants from March to May this year. Interacators! Please carry on with you good work. At our last Board meeting, we have resolved that we will give a break to our members on the Thursday right after the Chinese New Year that we are going to cancel our meeting on the 2nd February, 2006. We will have a Chinese New Year gathering jointly with our Rotaractors on 4th February, 2006 Saturday and we shall have majong, karoke and dinner. | ||
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Do
They Know It's Another Year
While shifting furniture and boxes, I found a small book copyrighted in 1990 by Workman Publishing with the title "14,000 things to be happy about" also known as "The Happy Book by Barabara Ann Kipfer". It began with a Thank You note from the author suggesting that she had pestered Workman for 10 years to have her book published, followed by a personal thank you to her son whom she said that there was no greater happiness than him. She then went on to chronicle the 14,000 things - little things - that had made her happy in the 20 years before, beginning in the sixth grade with a tiny spiral notebook, graduated to larger notebooks and finally to a personal computer. I did not and could not be bothered to count, and frankly I do not think the author expects her readers to read the book from cover to cover, but the back cover does say that it is "a quirky, compulsive, irresistible list of all the little things that make us happy." Let me give some examples, totally random: side dishes, ice cream sandwiches, red leotards, wet babies, tobogganing, charisma, alkaline batteries, pony trekking, albalone hunting, hugs, rings, the best waves, wrapped candies, night music, white cotton T-shirts, double bed, movie stars, growing onions, a widow's walk, gulls, sharing popcorns, and so on. What are you thinking? Rain drops on roses and whiskers on kittens, brown paper packages and wollen mittens, and the rest of the stanzers of "My Favourite Things" from "The Sound of Music"? What is happiness? Why do people want to be happy? If one had been happy with certain things under a specific circumstance, could he or she expect the same degree of happiness in a repeat situation? In the final analysis, everything is in the mind. Let me share with you the following stories often attritubed to Hui Nang. Hui Nang was walking with two friends. It was a windy day and the banners atop the walls were flapping. The first friend said the wind was moving, but the second friend disagreed, saying that it was the banners moving. Hui Nang said that it was the mind that was moving. Two persons can go through identical situations and come out with totally different perceptions and conclusions. It follows that there can be no objective measures for happiness, which is but a state of mind triggered by objects or events or a combination of situations, but most important of all, which is impermanent. Seasons follow one another and in our culture, we are preparing for a new year. The market is filled with books and publications telling us what we can expect in the next year. Didn't the authors do similiar books last year this time? What happened? Are there people out there checking? Would they have made a difference if they had done something else? Whatever happened or will happen, the world is never short of people who cannot take care of themselves sufficiently. That's where service organizations such as Rotary comes in. Rotarians will always be there, rain or shine, to carry out what they have promised and to render service to those who need their services most. Nor they nor those whom they service would know or care that we have another new year coming up. | ||
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Views in any article in Kingspark News reflect those of the authors. They are not necessarily the views of the Rotary Club of Kingspark or of District 3450. You are welcome to write to Chief Editor Francis Wann or Club Webmaster John Wan on any topic, particularly in response to articles published in Kingspark News. We would publish all contributions as long as the authors identify themselves, the contents are not offensive or abusive, and would not offend common decency or common sense. You need not be a Rotarian to write to us and you have a choice to withhold your name in the published version. Where the contents make reference to statements or policies of individuals or organizations, we would try to obtain a response from the latter for publication in the same issue if possible. | ||
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Chief
Editor : Francis Wann The Board of Directors President
: Dominic Ko | ||
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