Our thoughts...by Miss Hing

Hi there c”,)

It is heartening to know that our students are coping pretty well in Shimen despite the ‘miss home syndrome’ and the differences in the curriculum, culture (for Malay students), environment and life styles. They have learnt to be more independent and are able to do things on their own. Generally, they are quite well-behaved. Guess what?　Some of them actually touched the three of us, the　 teachers-in-charge, with their sensibilitｙ especially when they comforted or cheered up their friends who missed home.

Of course, learning is not without struggles. All the students had to adjust to their new hostel life. There were times when a few of them could not see eye to eye and were upset with one another. It was only after our counselｌing that they got to see things from a new perspective. Ｔhis is really a good opportunity for them to learn about respect and how to better relate to others. It is nice to know to know that they are receptive to advice and are willing to change for the better.

No worries. We are fine in China. The students are well taken care of. Do follow up with our blog yah!

Regards,
Miss Hing :)

Participants' voices - Jonathan Siew

I like my buddy, the teachers and the hostel life. My friends treat me well.

Jonathan Siew

Participants' voices - Adeline

My buddy is a kind, helpful and generous girl. She teaches me all the things that I do not know. In class, the teacher got me to try some challenging Math questions and she explained to me again when I had difficulty understanding the concepts.

I was very tired on the first night. I did not sleep well because it was warm at night and there were mosquitoes. I had a few mosquito bites.

Adeline

Participants' voices - Glenn Tan

I have a better understanding of how the students learn in China. This trip has allowed me to learn new and quicket way of working out the Math questions. I suppose my friends enjoy this trip.

Glenn Tan Yihan

Participants' voices - Han Jie

I am still adjusting to the hostel life, which, is very different from Singapore. Not to worry, all of us are fine.

Han Jie

Participants' voices - Nurul Farhanah

I am thankful for the food they serve the two of us, Farkhanda and I (the Muslims). I am going to enjoy myself here as much as possible and learn Chinese with my friends.

Nurul Farhanah

Participants' voices - Jing Chao

Over here, I have learnt Wushu and it is very interesting. I have also learnt how to do things all by myself. Some times, I will still miss my family.

Yan Jing Chao

Participants' voices - Chang Hwan

All the students and teachers are very friendly and they are all very kind. The food here is okay. I think the Chinese students are all strong in Mathematics.

Kim Chang Hwan

Participants' voices - Ada Soh

If there is a chance, you should come to China for holidays. China’s great! But please do not come here when it is hot. I know that my parents are worried about me because this is the first time I join the school on a two-week immersion programme without them. Shimen is great but I think the food is not suitable for me. I still prefer Singapore food. The teachers are nice to us.

Ada Soh

Participants' voices - Yi Jie

This trip is quite interesting. The students in Shimen are very bold. Whenever the teacher asks a question, they will all want to answer.

Wang Yijie

Participants' voices - Wen Xi

My buddy is very polite and kind. In our hostel, six of us (my Keming classmates) share a room and we have a great time. I have taken many pictures.

Crystal Chai Wen Xi

Participants' voices - Su Ning

I am happy here. I think my buddy is very friendly and helpful.

Koh Su Ning

Participants' voices - Yee Shuin

I am coping well in China. I have learnt new methods to solve different types of Math problems. I am having a lot of fun. I like the school a lot. My buddy is friendly.

Chan Yee Shuin

Participants' voices - Brendan Tan

In China, overall, it is nice but I think that there is a lot of improvement needed for the toilet. My buddy is friendly and humourous. He is also a fast learner. But still, I wish to go home to see my family.

Brendan Tan

Participants' voices - GuangZhi

It is fun to be here. The school is big and I can get along with the students here.

GuangZhi

Participants' voices - Wei Song

I learn that their way of solving Math problems is different from us. They can solve the problems pretty fast. I have not attended their English lesson yet but I did have a look at their textbook.

Yeo Wei Song

Participants' voices - Tee Tiong

It is nice to be here. We are well fed. The teachers gave us a lot of food. I always feel sad when I have to throw away the unfinished food.

Tee Tiong

Participants' voices-

It is nice to be here. We are well fed. The teachers gave us a lot of food. I always feel sad when I have to throw away the unfinished food.

Tee Tiong

Participants' voices - Zhi Yong

It is fun learning in Shimen Experimental Primary School. The library and IT lab are beautiful. My buddy is helpful and the teacher in charge of the hostel is kind. They take good care of us.

Chua Zhi Yong

Participants' voices - Yew Jie Sheng

I am feeling sad because this is the first time I am away from my parents. I just want them to know that I am all right. I love them. Mummy and Daddy, I miss home.

Yew Jie Sheng

Participants' voices - Luo Meng

I felt nervous and sad when I first came here. I was nervous because I had to sleep alone (even though my friends stay in the same room with me). I felt sad because I missed my parents.

Luo Meng

Participants' voices - Jie Qin

Hi Mummy and Daddy, I can do things myself now. I am happy here so you don’t have to worry about me. I will be learning Wushu here. I think it is going to be quite challenging. Oh yes!！My camera has no more films so I won’t be able to take any photographs during the land tour. My buddy is very helpful. Her classmates asked me out for shopping but I told them that I could not go without a teacher. Bye!

Loo Jie Qin

Participants' voices - Yuen Sian

I like this place a lot. It has an interesting garden with plastic mushrooms with sounds.

Soon Yuen Sian

Participants' voices - Dong Ho

I have been given a lot of food in Shimen and I am still learning to get use to it. I am fine as my friends are always with me. I love the hostel very much but I am afraid to use the toilet. It’s different from the toilets in Singapore. Once, my sister dropped her pin into the hole (the squatting kind). She is very unlucky. Haha! 　In Shimen, the lessons are conducted in Chinese. Even though I learn Chinese in Keming, I had difficulty following the lesson as I do not really understand what my teacher was saying.

Won Dong Ho

Participants' voices - Jia Jun

I like the hostel life. It is so FUN! I have learnt to be very independent. I enjoy this trip!

Jia Jun

Participants' voices - Dong Hee

Every thing is fine here. Shimen Experimental Primary School is a good and big school. My buddy is kind and helpful.

Won Dong Hee

Participants' voices - Yu Jia

The activities are superb although I sometimes do not understand what the teacher is talking about as she speaks very fast. Shimen Experimental Primary School very generous in giving food. They give a lot of food and I cannot finish it.

Tay Yu Jia

Participants' voices - Farkhanda

I find this learning trip meaningful. It is quite fun to interact with our new friends and to cope with the hostel life. Even though I have never left my parents for more than one week, I have learnt to be independent. The school is very generous. We are well fed with lots and lots of food as if we do not have to eat anymore. :）

Farkhanda

Our learning journey....Miss Ng H L

This is our fourth day here. We would like to apologize for not being able to update the blog immediately due to the network problem here. As the transport in this area is not as convenient as in Singapore, we are not able to get the phone cards ready for pupils until today. We hope for parents' understanding.

I guess most of the pupils are having fun in shimen primary School although some of them are homesick, and some of them are not used to the hostel life (first few days) But this is an expected situation. i believe this is where and when our singapore pupils can and should learn to be independent. They start to realize that they cannot take things for granted. They are also learning how to manage their emotions by themselves. They are growing stronger each day.

We are finally at Shimen by Mr Ho

After more than 5 months of preparation,we are finally here at Shimen. It's summer and the weather is almost similar to what we are experiencing in Singapore. We are all amazed by how big the school is. Everyone is very excited. We are expecting a very fruitful trip. For now, good bye and hear from me soon!