The NLS Experience

Transformed by the mission

I remember the first time I learnt that I had achieved success by clearing the interview process. With another feather on my cap to mark, I was puffed up, ready to change the world with my ‘vast’ 10 years experience of teaching.

What a shock it turned out to be.

Coming to the school, I later learnt that we would be practicing our prepared lessons to an audience of 17 to 18 year olds from the original GSVTC. Myself and Jeff, though apprehensive, were confident that with our life experiences in teaching and the ‘real’ world, we would be able to turn the kids around and make them appreciate life and life long learning.

It was perfect. We did everything right. The pupils enjoyed the lesson. They were so filled with the love for learning and looked at us in awe at our teaching prowess. Yeah right…

1 pupil left after the first 10 minutes, laughing out how she couldn’t believe we were teachers in the first place. Another child came to ask me if this was a joke while the rest looked at us piteously as we tried to salvage what was left of our pride.

That was the baptism of fire we were put through when we first came to good ol’ NLS.

Living life in NLS was never an easy task. There was always something interesting happening in our part of the neighbourhood. From counseling to multiple house visits to playing hide and seek in the Bedok Reservoir area with my good friend Rosli (or Simon, has he likes to be called from time to time), it was an interesting life.

Coming from the mainstream, black and white was always clearly demarcated when it came to dealing with students. However at NLS, I truly learnt what it meant to be that every child is unique. We tried to be fair when we could, but the pupils always knew we had their interests at heart.

Being in the school, living the dream was definitely a bed of roses. We could smell every flower, view all the beauty, but at the same time, feel the prickles of all the thorns when we did not handle them properly.

Their optimism, belief in their teachers and the love they had for all of us is something that I will always cherish.

To all the pupils and staff of NLS, I would like to thank you for the experiences that changed me. To modify a quote I heard once not long ago,

I came (jaded)… I saw (with open eyes)… you reaffirmed (my purpose in life)

With many thanks,

James Clifton Alexis
Friend

Week 3 and counting

With the H1N1 supposedly coming to a full cycle, it is good to see how lax everyone has become. No one bothers to cover their mouths when sneezing or coughing, washing of hands after toilet use has gone back to the good old days of just wiping your hands on your pants. I love Singapore! Ask the average citizen and he will tell you that its over! Back to life as we know it.

What a country. What a people. I am so proud to be a Singaporean.

Haiz...