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Friday, December 21, 2007
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MESSAGE TO THE FAMILY

To: My Precious Band Babies

Hi all. It’s been a tiring band camp last week. 5 days and soooo many things happened. Good or Bad, we learn from each incident. I’m extremely contented this time cos more than 90% of you were cooperating very closely throughout the camp; participating in all the events planned for you. I’m sorry for some logistic issues like, the food and safety throughout the camp. I did my best to make sure it was best for you all. The food issue is entirely my bad. I gave the trust and did not double check that all was going as planned. Do forgive me.

The objectives of the band camp were:
to introduce all the new systems and procedures into the band
to build better understanding and teamwork between members
to train members to a higher level or competency
to teach basic drills and displays
to prepare for SYF Assessment 2008 and Sec.1 Orientation 2008
to make sure everyone enjoys themselves

Looking at the objectives and the feedbacks, I believe the Alumni, Teachers and Instructors have did their best to meet all the objectives as best as possible, failing only for a few members. As the feedback suggests, some found that bonding was not being nurtured for them throughout this camp, some found a few of the trainings a waste of time. Nevertheless, a majority have benefited from this camp. Close friends got closer, strangers became friends. I would like to commend the efforts of a few members and I think many of you would agree to my compliments. There are a few people I would like to highlight for their efforts throughout this term that has contributed selflessly to the band. I’m very touched by the love and sacrifice these people have given to the band and I think they ought to be mentioned. I’ve noticed that more and more have joined in to learn to give, and that’s a very good sign. To give without seeking any rewards in return is the highest level of true love, and in this case, the love for the family, for OUR family.

- The Majorettes, Eilene, Shari and Angeline, have been receiving all the lectures and punishments on behalf of the band and the committee for the past months and they’ve never complaint. On top of which, they still love all the members and protect everyone as best as they can, never failing to motivate those that are demoralized and thinking of more things to contribute to make life in band and thru the camp easier for everyone.


- The Library Department, for doing their best to get the messy Library back in place and with as little complaint as they could every give. Trust me, the library was in a much worse state than it is now. They’ve done a lot and are still doing more to get the mess in order.


- Swee Han, for setting up the wonderful blog where she had to keep improving and altering to meet superior standards and to make it a much more fun place to be. Apparently many of the bandsmen has made the tagboard as though it was MSN. She’s never voiced any complaints and has been doing her best to get everything in place for the convenience of everyone.

- Ming Wei, for his never-ending help in sustaining the Welfare Department. Keeping everything in place in the cupboards and making sure that everyone’s welfare is taken care of throughout the band practices and during the camp. I’ve never seen a more pro-active person than him in my years of teaching. I salute his endless care and concern for the welfare of the members.

- Louise, for her selfless nursing of the members throughout the band camp. I believe everyone, sick or healthy, would agree with me that she’s been a very respectable nurse during the camp. Being the assistant welfare officer, she’s done more than I’ve expected her to do and she deserves my most sincere salute as well. This year, I personally feel that the Welfare Department has done a lot of contribution to the members of the band. Good Job!

- The EXCO (Executive Committee) and the SLs (Section Leaders) for spreading the care and love to the juniors and the fellow members of the GYSB family. Without your cooperation, the camp would not have been as fun as it was.

- The R.O.D. (Release Of Duties) Personnel for helping me out in running the camp and being my extended self. You guys have all the respect I can give, for sharing your love and giving your cooperation to run this camp. Loves.

- And of course, the members, for being actively participating in the activities planned for you. In particular, I’m glad and thankful towards Justin Ong, Wong Zhi Jun, and Koh Jia Wei, for being a great sport in this camp than you guys usually were, and for your cooperation in the camp. Particularly to Zhi Jun’s contribution in the B.P. (Breakfast Party). I’m impressed.

- Last but not least, Rebecca and Fadhil, for ALL the help and tolerance in planning, organizing and running this camp, from DAY 1 of planning back in October, till the last day of camp. And also for the motivation and encouragement you gave me along the way. Thank you.

- Not to forget, the teachers, Mr Lim, Mr Mark and Ms Irene Ng, for sacrificing their time with their family to be with us throughout the 5 days camp, making it such an enjoyable one for all the band members who were present. I believe that if they know how much the members enjoyed the band camp and how many missed the camp and wished for similar camps, they would know that their efforts and sacrifices for the GYSB family have not gone to waste.

- And of course, to Mr Goh Kim Seng and Mr Wilson Ong, for taking time off their schedules to be at the camp to provide assistance in the training and allowing the members to be able to take their playing abilities to a higher level.

That should be pretty much it. I hope I didn’t leave out anyone.
The next year approaches and it’ll be a new beginning for everyone. I hope you’ll continue to spread the love and care that we built up throughout the years in band, and even when you graduate. The new members will come in and will need as much motivation and encouragement as they can get when they first handle the instruments. I hope that there will be less dropping out rate next year and we’ll all be able to come as a team and graduate as the team. We try our best to LEAVE NO ONE BEHIND. Do try to encourage one another at times. And what we can first help is, to help one another in the academic studies. We can guide one another to help improve in our studies so there will be less complains from parents to ask for their child to quit band because of their results. And to you, my dear students, Studying and Participating in a CCA are 2 tasks that you are required to undertake and MANAGE. This is a learning process for you to pick up time management skills. Because in future, you will have to manage your Family, and Your Career, and some of you might also have to handle your Investments and Hobbies. That’s 4 things against 2 things now. And on top of which, your Parents will also be part of your concern as they grow old. If you choose to give up on your CCA because you can’t handle your studies, does it mean that you will give up your career if you can’t handle your Family in future? Or would you end up even giving up on looking after your family so that you can spend more time on your work? We have all got to learn to face obstacles and not give up on them. Besides, to be honest, it’s not about the QUANTITY of time you have to study that determines your results. It’s the QUALITY of each second you spend studying. Meaning, it’s not how much time you spend sitting by your books but what you REALLY do when you are sitting by your books. I can spend 1 hour sitting with a book and dream away, but i will still learn nothing as compared to someone who spends 1 minute really focusing on the topic. Learn to focus more on QUALITY TIME. That will help you manage your tasks better. I’m pretty sure that if you do not know how to achieve QUALITY TIME, even if I were to give you 24 hours more each day to study, you will have no difference as before. Be responsible to yourself. It’s your own future that you’re studying for. Your parents work hard to give you a good life, you have to try your best to take over from them and not focus 100% of your life on having fun. Suffer abit now for the 10 to 14 years of education and have a better life for the rest of your 50 to 70 years. Do you intend to enjoy now and suffer longer in future?? Think about it.

I hope to see that the band will grow in the coming years, not just in terms of band playing standard, but also your academic results. I wish to give out as many academic awards as possible to commend your good efforts. Feel free to come to anyone in the band family for help. Rebecca, Fadhil and I will do our best to help you academically as we can. And I believe your fellow band members can help you out if you approach them. We are a family, let’s help one another become better. Let’s build a healthy family name for others to envy. Okie?

Take Care, have a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year and may you spread the love you have to your family and loved ones. Cheers!

Loves,
Stick Waver.