Here’s us in the Halogen team saying: Thank you teachers for shaping us in our youth!
In this July to September issue of Halogen360, Halogen celebrates the amazing work of our educators in Singapore. It is no surprise that this day is of so much importance to us and we cannot begin to thank the many educators who have helped to lay our foundation. We’re privileged to partner with you in nourishing the minds of our youths, challenging them to ask questions and discover their values. Halogen is proud to work with you everyday.
As the saying goes, “To teach is to touch a life forever”. Your words and actions have left a lasting impact on your students – sometimes more than you may ever know. In this special section, members of the Halogen team dedicate a message to that one teacher who has left a lasting legacy. Our gratitude definitely goes beyond these 100 words from each of us, but here goes!
Miss Jocelyn Tan, St Hilda’s Primary School
Years taught: 1995-1996
“Some of those lessons learnt in my younger years were very painful ones which stuck with me for life. Dubbed as ‘tyrant of the school’, she was the discipline figure and was unapologetic in giving correction when she saw fit. Yet, there was also a caring side to her – When I was going through one of the toughest times as a kid after losing my dad and grand-dad in a span of one month, she stood by me and was a voice of affirmation that things will be alright. Without her, I would have grown up with a very different sense of what is right and wrong.” – Sean Kong (Deputy CEO)
Mrs Rose Enriquez, Stella Maris Academy, Davao City, Philippines
Year taught: 1990
“My primary 3 English teacher, Mrs. Rose Enriquez, gave us a short writing assignment one day on the topic of disabled persons. I wrote that disabled persons are just like you and me. When I got my paper back, aside from the usual corrections, she wrote a short note on the margin praising my writing and encouraging me to use my gifts and talents wisely. It was the first time I ever received a note like that from any teacher, and perhaps the first time it dawned on me that I had a talent. In my 9-year old mind, talent equaled to singing, dancing or drawing, none of which I was good at. I have kept the note to this day, to remind myself that I have much to contribute to the world.” – Darlene Joy Uy (Head, Projects)
Miss Lee Siew Lian, St Joseph’s Institution
Years taught: 1996-1997
“In a class of 20+ hype-active SJI boys who were “notorious” for our antics both in and outside of class, you managed to strike the delicate balance of keeping everyone in check and yet allowed us to just be boys. Thank you for being so accommodating to our boyish behaviours and being involved in our lives! Your dedication and passion for teaching and nurturing the next generation of SJI boys and girls is truly inspirational. Kudos to you, Ms Lee and Happy Teachers’ Day!” – Peter Oh (Senior Designer)
江老师, Dunman High School
Year taught: 1991
During one incident, the Secondary 2 classes that 江老师 taught conspired to pass on answers for a Chinese test she set as the classes were staggered in timing. When she found out, she was very upset, and said, “Look at my eye-bags, I spend the time to mark your papers and all of you just copied from each other? It’s a waste of my time. All of you will get zero points.” It wasn’t just the zero points that caught our attention, but her passion for us and in teaching the Chinese language. I remember her taking the time to share stories from our textbooks making them memorable and vivid. She was one of the reasons why I fell in love with this beautiful language. 谢谢您! – Jael Chng (Head, Social)
Mr Lau Soo Yen, Hwa Chong Institution
Years taught: 2011-2012
Mr Lau is an especially encouraging teacher who always believed in me despite my poor performance in school. I remember clearly how Mr Lau spent an entire afternoon listening to me and comforting me when I was stressed before the A’ levels. His civics lessons will also be forever etched in my mind; Mr Lau always stressed the importance of treating people with sincerity and encouraged us to create happiness for ourselves as well as those around us. Thank you so much Mr Lau and Happy Teachers’ Day! – Jiamin Ren (Intern, Events)
Puan Rosenah Omar, Chung Cheng High School (Main)
Years taught: 1998-2010
Learning Malay as my third language was made interesting because of her. She gave us Malay names, taught us how to cook Malay delicacies and sang Malay songs to cultivate our interest in Malay culture. I looked forward to every lesson even if it means staying back. She painstakingly fought for us to participate in a home-stay program in Malaysia despite our small class size to ensure we had the most fulfilling experience possible.
Your encouragement, affirmation and care will forever be felt and remembered. Thank you Puan and Happy Teachers’ Day! 🙂 – Lui Fang Yu (Intern, Academy)
