Archive for January, 2010

Author: Stephen R. Covey

This book was picked up somehow by chance at Harris Bookstore’s sale. It was late and the store was about to close. Since I was already there, I was not about to leave without buying a book. The title caught my eye “The Courage to Change”. I am usually tremendously resistant to change, therefore that seemed like the perfect book.

It does not matter whether you have read “The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People” from cover to cover, you can still keep up with this book as Covey brings attention to the Habits (and how they were used) at the end of each short story. The short and inspirational stories are shared effectively in sections, namely the Individual, Family, Community & Education and lastly the Workplace.

The very first story that made me shed tears was “My First Broken Heart” in the “Raising Teens” section, whereby a man recalls vividly how his father wept together with him on the night of his first romantic heartbreak many years ago, and recently how he paused to remember fondly that particular night before closing the lid on his father’s casket. After the story, Covey did a wrap up and emphasized the value of profound emotional experiences that lasts a lifetime, and the fact that such experiences give powerful scripts to the next generation.

Another persuasive take-home point from this book is the highlight of Habit 3: Put First Things First. Sometimes we can’t help but grumble about lack of time, yet Covey states it isn’t a matter of time; in fact, it’s a matter of “prioritization and commitment”. But first, you need to decide what matters most. The most important thing is always to “keep the main thing the main thing”.

With that said, it is perfectly fine to read this book before deciding to pick up “The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People”. Who knows, you might feel instigated to let the 7 Habits govern your life and perhaps next time, it is your turn to share your inspirational story.

We just had our AdvoChalet on the 8^th Jan at Costa Sands Resort at Downtown East. The purpose of the chalet is to let the students have fun and for bonding. Although it was not my first time go to the resorts, but it was my first time to join in the AdvoChalet. The events started at 2pm, but I arrived around 6pm with my colleagues.

However, the rain started when we reached. You may think that the BBQ cannot be done under such bad weather conditions, however, our 4 great heroes – Lynn, Darrell, Anisha and Adam were doing their best to save the fire. They were all drenched, while the others were hiding in the comfortable room. Then we found out that there was not enough food for everyone, so we headed down to the food court to have our dinner.

Next was the cake cutting session and the champagne popping. After that, coaches sent their wishes and blessing to students as two days later was the result release for O level students. After that, we had the Chinese traditional “yum seng” cheers. The energy was very high and everyone had a share of the champagne. The next event was bowling, we found out that there are a lot of talented players among students. And lastly, they decided to go pool and continue their challenge. Back in the room, we continued our day with playing cards.

Overall, students enjoyed themselves and had fun. However without our AdvoTeen Committee, the chalet will not be fun and success. Let us remember their efforts and the members – Anisha, Adam, Darrell, Rupini, Sandra and Farah.

AdvoChalet 2010 collage

-by Audrey-

Recently I caught ‘Avatar’ in 3D and to my surprise it was full house as the show opened early last December. Initially I have no intention to catch the show as the trailer doesn’t interest me. I was away for holiday and when I came back, people around me were selling it to me. Most of them watched it more than once.

As first I was telling them I will catch it when the DVD is out. However they were telling me the effect is best on the screen in 3D. What happens next is that I was sold!

Let me give you the gist of the story…
The film is set in the year 2154 on Pandora, a moon in the Alpha Centauri star system. Humans are engaged in mining Pandora’s reserves of a precious mineral which can fetch them millions, while the Na’vi—a race of indigenous humanoids—resist the colonists’ expansion, which threatens the continued existence of the Na’vi and the Pandoran ecosystem. Ironically, the “spy” who mingled among the Na’vi eventually joined forces with the Na’vi to fight against his own race to defend the Pandora and its residents.

My own verdict of the show… I LOVE IT! It’s a show not to be missed. The idea of the story is fresh and something different. I like the computer graphics, the interesting plants and species being portrayed.

Human beings are often found engaging in activities that are harming the environment and the living things on earth, due to their greed and self-centeredness.

Thinking back, how many people actually bother to slow down their pace and appreciate what Mother Nature has bestowed upon us? On the other hand, many people are always exploring new arenas like outer space and unknown territories.

I was just sharing with my colleagues the other day that I was very happy that I get to touch and feel the grass and trees on my last holiday. As the car was cruising along the road and passing by the mountains… A thought came to my mind “Wow! How beautiful the grasses are on the mountains with varying shades of earth colours. If only I can touch it or lie on it.”

Whenever we stopped over at places, I never miss the chance to mingle among the trees and grass and I even lie and roll on it. Yes, my friends say I am crazy. It feels good to be in and with nature.

We never know when we will wake up not seeing the sun or the moon might just disappear one day.

For our future generations, love the earth and do our part to keep it thriving.

-by Lynn-

Objectives:

1.   Instil commitment and discipline in students

2.   Make learning fun via a game system

Level Up Challenge

The backbone of the A.S.S. is the Level Up Challenge, which is held every 7th week of term.

Level Up Week

Held every 2 months, during the 7th week of each coaching term.

The Level Up Challenge will replace all classes during this week.

Students will take a Memory Challenge first.

Upon passing the Memory Challenge, students will take the Confidence Test.

Once they pass the Confidence Test, students will level up and earn points.

Level Up Week Schedule

Weekdays 5pm – 9pm:

Students who do not complete the Memory Challenge or Confidence Test on the designated weekday will return on Saturday or Sunday (10am to 5pm) to complete it.

Students can come in any time between 5pm to 9pm on the relevant day, and may leave as soon as they have completed the Confidence Test and leveled up.

Incentives

Individual standings:

Students will get points depending on how quickly they level up.

End-of-year exam results will be taken into account.

Top-scoring student of the year will get a prize.

-by Jiahe-

It seems that most of us want to operate our own business and be our own boss at some point of our lives. Everyone has the free choice to pursue an entrepreneurship, turning their ideas into something profitable and exciting. A new business requires more than just a thought; not everyone has the potential or characteristics to be that ‘special one’ which combines good judgment and planning to organize and manage their own business for profit. Below we will look at some key characteristics of an entrepreneur.

1)      Dare to dream

2)      Creativity

3)      Commitment and perseverance

4)      Competitive

5)      Confident

6)      Optimistic

7)      Opportunity and result-oriented

8)      Tolerance for ambiguity

9)      Risk taker

10)   Tolerance for failure

11)   Organizational skills

12)  Management

Though the actual components of entrepreneurs include many other variables such as capital, environment and product, all of them generally share similar characteristics, which are also the ingredients for success. New characteristics are continually being added to this ever growing list as the field of business studies expands and new entrepreneurs emerge.

-by Jean-

迈进新的一年2010！祝大家新年快乐！回顾2009， 我经过了人生中几个转换点。首先， 我大学毕业了，之前我享受读书的乐趣，参加校园内的各类活动，这让我大学四年的生涯里生色不少，留下许多美好的回忆。四年的努力也没白费，我以第一等荣誉学位毕业。我让家人感到欣慰，让妈妈安心。我要谢谢家人和朋友们这些年来的鼓励和支持。

毕业就等于失业？不过，这种事情很少会发生在我的科系。因为，我在大学里是修读教育系，主修化学，副修数学。教育系的人通常会被政府委派到全国某各地区的中学里教书。这也算是一位公务员，我们会有稳定的薪水，还会得到许多福利。这可说是一分安稳的工作。最后，我放弃了这个机会。离开我的安稳区域，到另外一个国度寻找梦想，开扩自己的视野。就在机缘巧合下，我加入了这个大家庭。

人生就是这样，我们生活在和平安宁国家，可以掌握自己想要自走的路，所以，来吧！！大家一起努力去追求梦想！ 加油！