Hi everyone, this is Tim, Zick, Chiz, Robyn, Nae Nae, Arvind, Esther, Fitzy G, Ellie Bellie andElle :)
We've had the most amazing week. Students and teachers met us from the airport and it was really hot! Jet lag set in pretty much straight away. FAIL. After a couple of humid hours on the coach, we made it to the college, only to find it was raining. We were given fruit like, mangosteene (which can go through the green glass door) and coconut! Then we were all shown to our chalets and apartments, it was really hard to get our bearings as it was so dark. The air con and fans were much appreciated, THUMBS UP ALL ROUND!
An early start for breakfast at 0730 the next morning - HELLO CHICKEN AND RICE! Then we went to the headmasters office where we met all the students! We went to our 'base' - classroom 1.1 and started our discussions about 'major global issues' EPIC FAIL.
After randomly randomising for a random amount of random time, we found ourselves at random tables with random people. It was RANDOM - ELLIE FAIL!
Some more CHICKEN AND RICE later, we played some drama games for THREE HOURS, just to keep us awake. It was awesome, as it gave us a chance to meet everyone, including MR.BRIGHTSIDE for the first time of the week, DEJA-VU TO COME LATER!
Tuesday morning after some more CHICKEN AND RICE, we bussed it out to the Cameron Highlands, all in our sunnies and insect repellent, giving us our first chance to do some Malaysian shopping - HELLO GRAPE MENTOS, PINK GUAVA JUICE, WATERMELON CHEWING GUM, SOUR SKITTLES, RADIOACTIVE CRISPS AND SEAWEED PRINGLES! We started our trek through the jungle it was .We had to get down a REALLY steep hill which we all fell over on as it was really muddy! We didn't see any monkeys - MAMMAL FAIL! Then bussed it on up half way to the tea plantation, and had to walk the last 2km to the top! We got smelling the tea in the factory before trekking back down. 3 hours winding back down to KYUEM meant that we made it back for CHICKEN AND RICE before going to the battle of the bands! Zick should've won!
Greetings from Malaysia! This is Zick! You guys are awesome! EPIC! I just wanna tell that I'm gonna miss all of you guys! I had so much fun. And everything happened so fast. It's Friday already. Can I go back to UK with you guys? LOL You guys are my inspirations. You've showed me so many things that I didn't see before. I love you guys so so so much. Please don't leave =( Nobody said it was easy, it's such a shame for us to part, nobody said it was easy, no one ever said it would be so hard. I'm going back to the start. ps- You guys made my life more colourful and meaningful. See you in UK =)
Wednesday we prepared for our presentations as well as presentations for the Cultural Evening. Highlights included 5mins waiting for the music to start and Tim as Harry Potter. We ended the very fun evening with a vigorous rendition of Mr Brightside, as per usual. We then ran to the front for a good British rave. This evening ended with every student on campus taking a photo with us as we seem to be quite an attraction.
Thursday was KL day. This involved several visits to places, but mostly stuck in traffic. At the UEM building they gave us such a nice meal. Then shopping yey bargains.
JOE HAD LOADS OF LOVE NOTES FROM THE MALAYSIAN STUDENTS!!
And now it's today, we've done the presentations. EPIC ELLIE FAIL! And now we're getting ready to go out for our seafood dinner, some of us British kids wearing traditional Malaysian clothes. But not Tim and Nae Nae's matching kaftans or Tim and Joe's matching aladdin pants.
Bye ze bye...
Much love from the far reaches of south east Asia...
FAILLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLl
Thursday, 19 November 2009
Malaysia 2009 - day 5
Today, we have spent the morning preparing and making the presentations of global issues.
The brief required students to explain how they would tackle a particular problem faced by our international communities today. They first had to look at the root causes; then suggest short and long term solutions, followed by obstacles to these solutions and how these could be overcome. They finally suggested qualities of leadership required to make a success of the solutions they had come up with. A tall order, considering they only had 15 minutes in which to make their presentation. We were also marking them on the quality of their communication skills and the depth of their research.
The presentations were all extremely well-researched, as it happened, and it was very difficult to choose a winner. In the end, however, the Green Gang won (Robyn, Jocelyn, Ellie J & Zikri), with second place going to Team Verity (Kieran, Verity, Anas and Mei Ching) and third to Colin's Crew (Tim, Elle, Arvind and Afiah).
Now I'm going to give the pupils a chance to have a say!
The brief required students to explain how they would tackle a particular problem faced by our international communities today. They first had to look at the root causes; then suggest short and long term solutions, followed by obstacles to these solutions and how these could be overcome. They finally suggested qualities of leadership required to make a success of the solutions they had come up with. A tall order, considering they only had 15 minutes in which to make their presentation. We were also marking them on the quality of their communication skills and the depth of their research.
The presentations were all extremely well-researched, as it happened, and it was very difficult to choose a winner. In the end, however, the Green Gang won (Robyn, Jocelyn, Ellie J & Zikri), with second place going to Team Verity (Kieran, Verity, Anas and Mei Ching) and third to Colin's Crew (Tim, Elle, Arvind and Afiah).
Now I'm going to give the pupils a chance to have a say!
Wednesday, 18 November 2009
Malaysia 2009 - day 4
Today, we visited Kuala Lumpur. We went to the UEM Learning Centre, to the HQ of HSBC Malaysia, and then to the Central Market and KLCC (Petronas Towers) to do some shopping.
The leardership specialists at UEM gave us an overview of some of the business interests the company has, which are mainly to do with building but also include other things like environmental projects and, of course, the school. The leadership trainers then went through some tam-building games with us and showed us a video on banning the word "try" from your life, on the grounds that it promotes uncertainty. The man in the video insisted that this one little trick could improve company efficiency by 30%.
After lunch we moved on to HSBC, where the director for Corporate Sustainability, Elizabeth, talked us through their ethos and took questions on both the bank and management styles. It's fair to say she had a bit of a grilling, but she certainly rose to the challenge and provided some excellent insight into the business of banking, especially in a foreign country with different legislation.
After consuming plenty of coconut-laced cakes (mostly made with rice), we went to Central Market, an indoor bazaar selling mainly clothes and scarves, but also a wide vareity of other souvenirs. We then went over to the KLCC, a huge shopping centre at the base of the Petronas Towers, the second largest twin towers in the world. Unfortunately, due to terrible traffic congestion, our time here was cut short but luckily everybody managed to buy an "I Love Malaysia" t-shirt and a Burger King meal - at least, everybody who wanted one.
We then rushed back for the Christmas party, which is still in full swing. I must admit that I don't feel very Christmassy, in a 30 degree heat, in November - but everybody is currently singing Jingle Bells, which is helping!
Tomorrow, the final presentations will be made and we'll go to dinner with our hosts in the nearby town of Tangin Malit.
The leardership specialists at UEM gave us an overview of some of the business interests the company has, which are mainly to do with building but also include other things like environmental projects and, of course, the school. The leadership trainers then went through some tam-building games with us and showed us a video on banning the word "try" from your life, on the grounds that it promotes uncertainty. The man in the video insisted that this one little trick could improve company efficiency by 30%.
After lunch we moved on to HSBC, where the director for Corporate Sustainability, Elizabeth, talked us through their ethos and took questions on both the bank and management styles. It's fair to say she had a bit of a grilling, but she certainly rose to the challenge and provided some excellent insight into the business of banking, especially in a foreign country with different legislation.
After consuming plenty of coconut-laced cakes (mostly made with rice), we went to Central Market, an indoor bazaar selling mainly clothes and scarves, but also a wide vareity of other souvenirs. We then went over to the KLCC, a huge shopping centre at the base of the Petronas Towers, the second largest twin towers in the world. Unfortunately, due to terrible traffic congestion, our time here was cut short but luckily everybody managed to buy an "I Love Malaysia" t-shirt and a Burger King meal - at least, everybody who wanted one.
We then rushed back for the Christmas party, which is still in full swing. I must admit that I don't feel very Christmassy, in a 30 degree heat, in November - but everybody is currently singing Jingle Bells, which is helping!
Tomorrow, the final presentations will be made and we'll go to dinner with our hosts in the nearby town of Tangin Malit.
Malaysia 2009 - day 3
Today, we have spent time in college, working on our presentations. The topics we are focusing on are global warming, war and lack of trust. These were identified as some of the major issues facing our international community today and each presentation will focus on one of them. Students have been looking at the problem itself, possible short and long term solutions, and what sort of leadership will be necessary for these solutions to be implemented.
We have had some input from our helpful mentors, Helen and Kerena, on what makes a successful presentation, which included hands-on sessions from the students, in which they made short presentations on fairy tales, each focusing on a different aspect of a successful presentation - clear enunciation, using questioning techniques and so on.
The students also attended some classes this morning: half went to a Physics lesson, while the other half went to English classes and studied some poetry. I know they enjoyed some insight into lessons here and finding out about the differences in what is studied. I am hoping to attend a History class on Friday with any interested pupils, though I suspect they will all be working hard to tie up any loose ends on their presentations, ready for the competition later that day.
We are now preparing for this evening's cultural performance, which promises to be an endless delight of dance, song and video presentations from our hosts, and a slice of quintessential Britishness from our students. The performance from us includes some tennis, some Shakespeare and a song from Sara, our student from Italy. She has her own Italian flag to wave at the end of the piece, when we all sing Yellow Submarine.
I don't know why I am saying we - I will be cheering them on from the audience!
We had a beautifully sunny morning and then the rain started after lunch, which is not too bad as we're all working much too hard to enjoy the sunshine anyway. I'm hoping for nice weather at the weekend though, when we go to the coast. It is Western day in the canteen so we were treated to frankfurters, beans and scrambled egg for breakfast, instead of the usual noodles and vegetables.
Tomorrow we're spending the day in Kuala Lumpur, where the students will attend leadership seminars at UEM, the school's sponsor (who also, apparently, own Wessex Water, amongst other things) and HSBC. Then we'l be off to the central market and the mall in the Petronas Towers, to do some souvenir shopping, followed by the end of term Christmas feast in the evening.
We have had some input from our helpful mentors, Helen and Kerena, on what makes a successful presentation, which included hands-on sessions from the students, in which they made short presentations on fairy tales, each focusing on a different aspect of a successful presentation - clear enunciation, using questioning techniques and so on.
The students also attended some classes this morning: half went to a Physics lesson, while the other half went to English classes and studied some poetry. I know they enjoyed some insight into lessons here and finding out about the differences in what is studied. I am hoping to attend a History class on Friday with any interested pupils, though I suspect they will all be working hard to tie up any loose ends on their presentations, ready for the competition later that day.
We are now preparing for this evening's cultural performance, which promises to be an endless delight of dance, song and video presentations from our hosts, and a slice of quintessential Britishness from our students. The performance from us includes some tennis, some Shakespeare and a song from Sara, our student from Italy. She has her own Italian flag to wave at the end of the piece, when we all sing Yellow Submarine.
I don't know why I am saying we - I will be cheering them on from the audience!
We had a beautifully sunny morning and then the rain started after lunch, which is not too bad as we're all working much too hard to enjoy the sunshine anyway. I'm hoping for nice weather at the weekend though, when we go to the coast. It is Western day in the canteen so we were treated to frankfurters, beans and scrambled egg for breakfast, instead of the usual noodles and vegetables.
Tomorrow we're spending the day in Kuala Lumpur, where the students will attend leadership seminars at UEM, the school's sponsor (who also, apparently, own Wessex Water, amongst other things) and HSBC. Then we'l be off to the central market and the mall in the Petronas Towers, to do some souvenir shopping, followed by the end of term Christmas feast in the evening.
Sunday, 15 November 2009
Malaysia 2009 day 2: the Cameron Highlands
Today, we took a bus trip to the Cameron Highlands. After yesterday's heavy rain I was apprehensive about what the weather would be like today, but luckily it remained dry until we were well on our way home, and it wasn't too sunny, so there wasn't a high risk of sunburn.
It was also cooler in the Cameron Highlands, being higher up. We stopped part of the way there to buy snacks and go to the toilet; there were a great deal of strawberry themed items, as the area is known particularly for its strawberries, as well as its tea. I was also surprised, and pleased, to see scones with jam on the menu and I know a lot of the students were happy to find the Malay version of Pringles in the shop.
We then went a bit further up to a more secluded spot and started our jungle trek, which followed the passage of a waterfall for some distance before winding down the mountain, finishing up at the edge of a farm. At this point there was quite a lot of slipping over in the mud (you can blame me - I went first and slid quite a long way, which made it nice and slick for everybody else!) but luckily everybody made it down to the flat with everything intact, except perhaps their pride.
After that we got the bus a few km up the mountain and then walked the final 2km to the Boh Tea Plantation Factory, where we had a very civilised lunch of sandwiches, cake and fresh tea - Cameronian Gold, which is made from orange pekoe fannings. Expect to see some of this coming home for you, parents! We watched a video about the production of tea and then went around the factory, which smelled extremely fragrant, to get a good look at the manufacturing process. It was certainly very interesting, and the tea plantation itself was very picturesque - tea bushes ranging over the hills as far as the eye could see. Apparently they produce enough tea for 5 and a half million cups a day, which would almost keep the average school staffroom going.
There was just enough time on the way back to stop at the fruit and vegetable stands by the side of the road and buy fresh strawberries. The Cameron Highlands grow an awful lot of fruit and veg as the climate is perfect for it, and I came away with some delicious tomatoes; we also saw aubergine, courgette and cabbage growing in the fields, amongst other things.
We've spent this evening at the college's Battle of the Bands performance, which has showcased some of the most talented students. Tomorrow, we're going to visit some classes and continue work on the presentations, as well as preparing for the evening's cultural performance.
Unfortunately I am not having much luck uploading any pictures, but I hope to rectify this tomorrow.
It was also cooler in the Cameron Highlands, being higher up. We stopped part of the way there to buy snacks and go to the toilet; there were a great deal of strawberry themed items, as the area is known particularly for its strawberries, as well as its tea. I was also surprised, and pleased, to see scones with jam on the menu and I know a lot of the students were happy to find the Malay version of Pringles in the shop.
We then went a bit further up to a more secluded spot and started our jungle trek, which followed the passage of a waterfall for some distance before winding down the mountain, finishing up at the edge of a farm. At this point there was quite a lot of slipping over in the mud (you can blame me - I went first and slid quite a long way, which made it nice and slick for everybody else!) but luckily everybody made it down to the flat with everything intact, except perhaps their pride.
After that we got the bus a few km up the mountain and then walked the final 2km to the Boh Tea Plantation Factory, where we had a very civilised lunch of sandwiches, cake and fresh tea - Cameronian Gold, which is made from orange pekoe fannings. Expect to see some of this coming home for you, parents! We watched a video about the production of tea and then went around the factory, which smelled extremely fragrant, to get a good look at the manufacturing process. It was certainly very interesting, and the tea plantation itself was very picturesque - tea bushes ranging over the hills as far as the eye could see. Apparently they produce enough tea for 5 and a half million cups a day, which would almost keep the average school staffroom going.
There was just enough time on the way back to stop at the fruit and vegetable stands by the side of the road and buy fresh strawberries. The Cameron Highlands grow an awful lot of fruit and veg as the climate is perfect for it, and I came away with some delicious tomatoes; we also saw aubergine, courgette and cabbage growing in the fields, amongst other things.
We've spent this evening at the college's Battle of the Bands performance, which has showcased some of the most talented students. Tomorrow, we're going to visit some classes and continue work on the presentations, as well as preparing for the evening's cultural performance.
Unfortunately I am not having much luck uploading any pictures, but I hope to rectify this tomorrow.
Malaysia 2009 - day 1
It's Monday, and we're halfway through our first day in Malaysia.
We arrived at KYUEM last night, having been traveling for around 20 hours. The flight was long, but not busy, so there were a few spare seats scattered about for stretching out; and we managed to get past the thermal scanning and passport control, and all our luggage made it safely.
We were greeted by our student hosts and their accompanying staff, who made us feel very welcome straight away and guided us to the bus. They were very apologetic about the terrible wet weather, but having left the UK in the middle of gales and heavy COLD rain, it is blissful to be in a warm environment where the rain is not like ice!
When we arrived at KYUEM, we were treated to a welcome reception in the staff common room, which began with a fresh coconut each. The tops had been sliced off and the coconut water had become a softly set jelly, which we ate with spoons. It was my first experience of a really fresh coconut, and certainly one I'd like to repeat. We also tried some other seasonal local fruits, and got to know our hosts a little better, before retiring to bed.
We're all a bit sleepy today: a combination of jet lag and being unable to sleep last night, perhaps due to the excitement of being in a new place. This morning, we've worked in groups to look at problems facing our local and national communities, and formed our working groups of four for the presentations on Friday. Everybody has picked a topic in the form of a problem facing the international community – there is heavy emphasis on global warming – and have had skills sessions on how to tackle problems in different ways.
The weather is hot and clammy, but not sunny, yet. It's very green and there are a lot of animals around, from the many stray cats to the frogs who sound a little like they are mooing when it gets dark!
Tomorrow we're going to the Cameron Highlands to visit the Boh tea plantation, and a Buddhist monastery.
Sunday, 8 November 2009
Welcome
This blog is for updates about events running for AG&T students in the West Wilts Federation of secondary schools.
We've set it up because we're just about to go to Malaysia for our annual sixth form leadership conference at KYUEM and we'd like to share our news with parents and anybody else who is interested! We leave on November 14th. Check back in soon to find out what we're up to.
We've set it up because we're just about to go to Malaysia for our annual sixth form leadership conference at KYUEM and we'd like to share our news with parents and anybody else who is interested! We leave on November 14th. Check back in soon to find out what we're up to.
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