Ups and Downs

Excursion Week

One of the things that separates an international school experience from a public school experience is some of the learning opportunities the students are exposed to.  Typically, in a public school students participate in occasional day trips that consolidate some form of learning that took place in the classroom.  This happens at international schools as well, but our school also has something called Excursion Week.  During the last week of April, all students from grades 4-12 participate in a week long excursion to another country to participate in unique learning opportunities.

Lisa and Haylee spent 5 days on an island in Malaysia called Pulau Besar, participating in outdoor education activities.  They participated in all kinds of activities including hiking, swimming, snorkeling, campfire building and a talent show called Da Coconut Idol.

 Haylee sang a mash-up of a bunch of different songs with her friend Estelle.  Apparently the crowd really got into their performance and was singing right along with their medley of tunes which reached reached its crescendo with Kiss' I'm Gonna Rock and Roll All Night !

I took a group of 25 grade 12 students on a 9 day community service trip to Cambodia where the students worked with a number of charities supporting some of the marginalized people in Cambodian society.

My trip to Cambodia provided so many unique experiences that I actually created an entirely separate blog to document our experiences and to communicate with parents.

View my Cambodia school blog here


Family Emergency

It's opportunities like these that made us realize what a great decision we had made in coming to live and work in Singapore.  Of course, there are pros and cons to any decision.  And as I am writing this blog. I am dealing with the downside of living a world away from family and friends.

As I was working on a housebuilding project with my students, I got a phone call from my principal, Ted Cowan, indicating my mother, Sheila had suffered some complications related to her hip replacement surgery.  After frantically calling my brother, Mark I came to learn that she suffered some heart related difficulties and has a viral heart condition known as myocarditis.  Her condition is not presently a good one and I am stuck here struggling with a sense of helplessness of being a world away and unable to help.  I will remain here for the time being supporting her through my positive thoughts and wishes and will return to Canada if necessary.

So, far all the good that has come from our overseas experience, we are now dealing with the bad.   Our only consolation is that technology has helped us to feel a little closer and we are in regular contact with family and friends at home.