# data[].attributes.headline
Teachers' Day 2023 (It All Started With A Dream...)

# data[].attributes.subject
Teachers' Day 2023 (It All Started With A Dream...)

# data[].attributes.body
Probably the biggest event council has to plan. It was very unfortunate that because of the elections, we could not put up hall decorations. I think we really looked forward to that but it was unfortunate that we could not do it. However, it did ease our workload by a lot though. We could better focus on other areas and polish up the gifts.

One thing that I think we could have done better was putting more focus on the fairy lights. I think that was really rushed and we should have planned better for that.

But overall it was really fun and I am thankful for the experience! I think my biggest takeaway is that everything works better in teams. I truly realised the importance of delegating tasks and splitting up the work so that tasks can be completed more efficiently and a better quality of work can be achieved too.

# data[].attributes.attachment_caption
Pleaseeee visualise Janelle in the pic too!!!

# data[].attributes.body
This was definitely a new experience and it was rewarding indeed. Although this did take a lot of preparation in order to carry out successfully, I'm glad we were able to do it well. It was very sweet to see councillors interact with the little children and elderly. I also enjoyed singing along to the National Day songs at the end.

# data[].attributes.body
This one was slightly nerve-wrecking. I have never led a student forum for 2 cohorts before so this one was definitely a new experience for me but I think it was a very good learning experience. I think the structure for this time's student forum was a very good one (this is honestly my biggest takeaway) I liked how it was made such that after every commonly faced issue was brought up, there was a list of initiatives that were being carried out by the school to counter these issues. I think this really helped a lot in preventing complaints and off-topic "fix the toilet doors!" comments which is often a weakness when conducting student forums. Thus, i hope that this is something we can continue for the following forums.

# data[].attributes.body
"One Day or Day One"

# data[].attributes.attachment_caption
Dumbies that I unfortunately love very much

# data[].attributes.body
This one was interesting. Apparently I said "good morning" in my speech when it was supposed to be "good afternoon". How awkward and embarrassing, given that I said it in such an important setting. However, it felt good to be commended to God and to be doing all of this in his glory :) I think that is the main purpose of the event and it was well fulfilled. It felt even better to be doing so with 6 other people that I could not be more grateful for and a whole family of councillors. I'm very thankful for this experience but somehow I don't look forward to next year's commendation.. will never be ready to step down :/

# data[].attributes.attachment_caption
One of my favourite pictures with the 6 of them :)

# data[].attributes.body
To start it of, what is the definition of light?
- Light represents the opposite of darkness
- Light represents Hope and Knowledge
- Could also mean to Ignite or spark something

Then what about the theme of this year, "Let Our Light Shine". What does these words mean to you? Why was "Let Our Light Shine" the theme of this year?

What does this words mean to me?
To me, it means to not be fearful or shy and be courageous. There's this Chinese phrase where it goes "明知山有虎，偏向虎山行，不怕困难，勇往直前。“ The direct translation of it is "you know that the mountain has a tiger but you purposely head towards the mountain with with courage and no fear of problems." I wrote down this phrase as i feel that it directly describes how the words "Let our light shine" mean to me.

Why was 'let our light shine' the theme of this year?
I remember that someone shared during teacher time that she thought that this theme was chosen so as to encourage people not give up and build confidence during this period of the pandemic and i completely agree with her. I also think that this theme was chosen to motivate students to push through this period and not to give up.
Other than that, i think that it was also selected to tell students that everyone has potential to do something, it is whether you let it shine or not. Have faith in yourself and you will most definitely shine.

Invisible light
There's always a light that we can see, the light from a lamp, torch, light bulb etc. However, there is also a light that we cannot see. The invisible light. Like the light from an X-Ray, Ultraviolet, Microwaves...
And although we can't see these invisible lights under the naked eye, without them, humans would lose out on many things.
Talking about all this light stuff, how can we relate this to leadership?
The point is sometimes leadership can be contributed invisibly. We don't have to do things that must be seen, but things that have big impact. Don't do something for the sake of doing it, do it because you want to do it. It's the intention that counts.

The scientists that failed to produce the light bulbs.
I remember Ms Cao talking about how the two scientists before Thomas Edison, failed to create the light bulb. The reasons why they failed was because,
1. Light could not sustain
2. It was too bright for practical use
3. Lacked a good vacuum
4. Insufficient supply of electricity.
Again, to relate this to leadership,
1. Leadership should sustain. It should be not be on and off whereby you only act as a leader when the teachers are around etc.
2. Leadership is not just about you giving all the opinions and ideas and telling everyone what to do. You have to consider what others opinions are as well. It's not about you shining out the most, it's about how you lead the team to shine together.
3. You don't have to carry the burden all by yourself, rely on others sometimes. There are people that can support you! (Council, friends.. etc)
4. Yes, being a good leader is important but taking good care of yourself is too. Don't overwork and always take occasional rest when needed. Remember that your leadership should be powered by good believes and values.

Victoria :)
19 January 2022

# data[].attributes.body
What are four things you absolutely want to spend your time on each week? Why are these things important to you, and how will you make sure you have time  each of them?

Four things that i absolutely want to spend my time on each week would be exercise, sleep, meals and screen time.

Firstly, exercising is important to me as not only does it help me keep fit, but also helps me to clear my mind and relax. In other words, exercising is a way for me to escape reality and de-stress. Secondly, sleep is extremely important to me as it helps me rest my body and helps me to get the energy i need for the next day. Getting sufficient sleep also decreases my stress and allows me to think better. Hence, of these 4 activities, i value sleep the most.
Thirdly, meals are important to me as i love my food. Everyone should know that taking their meals on time is very important. Which is also why i dislike people skipping their meals.  Meals help provide you with the energy you need for the day. And personally, i'm a foodie so there is no way i will skip my meals. To anyone reading this, don't skip your meals. Eat properly :D
Lastly, screen time. What's life without screen time? I'm confident that majority of society can agree with me that screen time is one of the biggest sources of entertainments. And just like majority i , too, get my entertainment from screen time. Be it scrolling through Tik Tok or watching Kdramas. Screen time just simply provides you with that little spark of joy that everyone should have in their lives. Hence, screen time is importantly to me.

On to the most important question, how can i make sure that i have enough time for each activity?
My answer would be construct a realistic time table and have good self control.
Personally, i heavily rely on these two methods/ qualities to organise my time each day. Usually what i would do is that i would write down everything that has to be done on my student diary and then complete it base on when i have to get it done by ("If it's due earlier, do it first" kind of thing.)I would also take breaks before i switch to a new subject. That's basically my timetable each day. However the problem is, whenever i take a break i would use my phone and sometimes my break extend a lot longer than it should actually be. Hence, this is where self control comes in.  I'm gonna be honest, making a habit of self control is difficult. You have to do it constantly and keep reminding yourself that you have things that need to be done. But then again, make it a good habit at this age and you won't regret it.

- Victoria 23 Jan 2022
:D

# data[].attributes.body
What does it mean, to you, to be a leader?
Let me start this with a little quote i read over the internet. Do you know the difference between a leader and a boss? A  boss is one that says "Go for it." Whereas a leader is one that says "Let's go for it" I'm pretty sure the difference between these two statements is clear. One is instructing  the person but the other is offering assistance and guidance.  This leads me to my point of what a leader means to me - having the ability of guiding, motivating and being a good role model.
Firstly, Guiding. If you search up the dictionary definition of this word, two meanings would pop up. The first one would be to show or indicate the way to someone and the second one would be to direct or influence the behaviour or development of someone.  This is what every good leader should be able to do. They should be able to lead the team well and also be able to influence others positively. Kinda like being a good role model to others.
Secondly, Motivating. A good leader not only has to be able to guide others, but also has to be able to encourage them. Should someone ever say that they can't do it, a good leader is one that would motivate them and be the reason why they think they can do it. You have to be able to prove to them why you think it is possible for them to do it. Be that pillar for them.
Lastly, being a good role model. You know how throughout your whole life in school, teachers would constantly tell you during CCE or some other spare time that they have that you should be a role model to others. I always wondered growing up why they kept repeating that to us and why they always wanted us to be on our best behaviours whenever around juniors. Well i didn't realise until i was a little older when i noticed my younger sister was like a duplication of me. She copies everything i do.  Be it what time i sleep or what time i eat. I think that's a simple example of how role model works.  This is why as a leader, you should be a good role model and influence others in a good way. You may never know who looks up to you.

Victoria 23 Janurary 2022

# data[].attributes.body
If i had all the time in the world,  how would i spend it?
Well, i think i can weave this into my goal in life or in other words, "What do i want to be when i grow up" This may sound way to ambitious but when i grow up, i want to be someone who leads a medical research team that researches on cancer.  I want to spent all the time i have in the world on researching cancer.
To elaborate a bit more, every year, almost 10 million people pass on due to cancer. In fact, My grandpa passed on in 2017 because of cancer.  Hence, growing up, i have always wanted to work on cancer.
But why do i want to to specifically lead the team that researches on cancer?
I have always found it more interesting to be a leader. As a leader, you will be able to know a lot more than a regular group member. Why? Simply because the leader gets to know everyone else's data and also gets to work with a lot more people.  That would mean you will get many opportunities to build friendships with people and also gain knowledge at the same time. It's a win-win situation so why not be a leader?

# data[].attributes.body
“明知山有虎，偏向虎山行，不怕困难，勇往直前” Direct translation: you know that the mountain has a tiger but you purposely head towards the mountain with courage and no fear of problems"
Be brave and courageous!!

# data[].attributes.body
16 Feb (done)
2 March (Council Interview)
23 March
6 April
20 April (Last meeting for Secs 4s :(
29 June
13 July
27 July
26 Oct

# data[].attributes.body
Where do i get or what gives me, energy and motivation? (In relation with leadership)
There are 2 things that give me energy and motivation.  (The people around me, and my goals in life)
Firstly, the people around me. What motivates me to be a leader? Well, as cringey as it may sound, my seniors in school motivate me to be a good leader. I still remember my facil during the secondary 1 orientation. Her name was Riley. I remember thinking she was awesome. She was really nice to my group and even offered us advice in upper secondary. She answered all of our funny questions and was very patient with us throughout the whole orientation. In fact, she inspires me to become a facil when i go to upper secondary. I'm on my way to becoming a facil!! Hopefully i make it there!

Another example would be my friends. They motivate me by simply being on this journey with me. You know how when you know someone is going through the same things you are going through and its tough or stressful but they are also going through the same thing so you should also be able to make it through too and hence it kind of motivates you. Well, it definitely motivates me to persevere through the difficulties.
Hence, i would say people around me give me motivation and energy for leadership.

Secondly, my goals in life. One of my goals in life is to be able  to work well with everyone or simply, to be a good friend. I want to be able to communicate well with everyone and be that friend that you can rely on when in trouble. I want people to see me as a reliable/ trustable person. This motivates me to be a leader as a leader is one that's able to connect everyone together and is able to speak confidently to anyone. I want to be someone like that.
Hence, i would say my goal of being a good friend motivates me to be a better leader.  :)

# data[].attributes.body
"The ultimate aim of the ego is not to see something, but to be something" - Muhammad Iqbal

# data[].attributes.body
What does being a good follower mean to you?
To me, a good follower or a good leader is one that takes initiative, can work well with anyone and most importantly, accepts feedback from people and works on that feedback.

Firstly, taking initiative. As a good leader, you shouldn't be sitting back and waiting for someone to speak up when i a situation. You should be the one that speaks up. You should be brave and be the one that guides the team.  Step forward, don't camouflage.

Secondly, being able to work well with anyone. A good leader is one that would be able to connect with everyone, even the quietest student in class. Even though working with some people may not be the easiest or what you like, you should learn to counter the problem. Why is it difficult working with her? How can i work better better with her? I think that's an important quality that a leader should have.

Thirdly and lastly, accepting feedback from people and working on that feedback. As a good follower, you should always listen to what feedback people have of you. In my opinion, to grow better as a leader or simply a person of good character, you should occasionally ask people what their feedback of you is. I find that it is a very useful way that i use to improve myself as a leader. Do make sure you work on the feedback though. You won't benefit just by listening. Very cliche but "Actions speak louder than words"

# data[].attributes.body
What does it mean to be a team player? Do you fit your definition?

Well, there are a number of qualities that make a good team player. However, in my opinion, the main 2 qualities that a good team player should have are - Doing their part to the best of their ability and more importantly, welcomes feedback.

Firstly, doing their part to the best of their ability.
To me, everyone should contribute equally. It's called group work for a reason! Everyone should be putting in their best effort. You never know how big of a difference your efforts can make. Always do it whole heartedly no matter how 'unimportant' the group project is. "Oh it's not graded.. I can anyhow do.." This isn't the attitude a good team player should have. He/ She should instead have the mindset that even if the group project isn't as important, they will continue to put in their best efforts.

Secondly, i believe that a good team player is one that welcomes feedback. I feel that it important to accept and welcome feedback as that is, to me, the best way to improve one's self. Of course, listening to feedback is simple but applying that feedback can sometimes be difficult. For example, you have your own ppt slide format that you always use in projects. However, a teacher or a group member suggests that your format isn't very effective and wants to make some changes in your format. Now you have to adapt with the new edited format that you are not used to using. You will most likely face difficulties and it's normal. But most importantly, you are able to improve yourself based on someone else's feedback! I think that itself is an achievement. After awhile, you will get used to listening to other's feedback and be able to improve yourself more! You will overall become a much better team player.

Do I fit my definition?
Well, usually it is others that will tell you whether or not you have the quality so I cant't really be sure that I fit my definition. However, I know that I am trying my best to cultivate these 2 qualities. I may not perform these qualities perfectly but i promise, i am putting effort into becoming my definition of a good team player.

# data[].attributes.body
"Talent wins games, but teamwork and intelligence wins champions"
-Michael Jordan

# data[].attributes.body
What is servant leadership and the value of it?
Servant leadership is a leadership philosophy whereby the followers are priority. It's about inspiring people to feel motivated so that they will contribute to the best of their ability. The main values/ characteristics that a servant leader should have are Empathy, courage, patience and of course takes initiative.

Am I servant leader?
Well to answer this question, I googled people that are good examples of servant leaders. One of the few that came up was Mother Teresa. And logically, if you were to compare me with Mother Teresa, I would look minuscule. She dedicated her whole life to inspiring others to help one another while here I am, a small fry, leading and helping my group in an SLP project. However, even though I am nothing compared to Mother Teresa, I aspire to be like her. I want to be as empathetic and inspiring as her. Therefore, to answer this question, I may not be an excellent/ perfect servant leader like Mother Teresa, but I am working towards it.

What can I do to become a better servant leader?
My answer to this would be to start small. I believe that even the smallest of tasks like helping your friend when they are in doubt or leading a small group project will help you develop to become a better servant leader. In my opinion, you don't have to do big things like leading a whole cohort of students. I mean of course that would be great but start with the smaller things first. When Mother Teresa first started, she didn't automatically start a Charity to help the poor. She started of by receiving basic medical training and ventured into slums first. Hence, that is why I think that I should first start small and work on my development first, then proceed if possible to do bigger tasks.

# data[].attributes.body
Think of someone you admire, a role model. What qualities do you admire about this person?
My answer's quite simple. My role model is none other than Mother Teresa. Mother Teresa was a Catholic nun who dedicated her life to caring for the destitute and was the founder of the Order of the Missionaries of Charity, a Roman Catholic congregation of women dedicated to helping the poor.

In my opinion, she is the human definition of qualities/ values like humility, resilience, devotion and of course empathy. This is because she was resilient in overcoming hardships and was also resilient in her promotion and advocation of peace. She was also very devoted as she pretty much devoted her whole life to helping people. Not only that, she made sure to always thank and credit god for whatever she did. She even said that “If you are humble nothing will touch you, neither praise nor disgrace, because you know what you are. If you are blamed, you will not be discouraged. If they call you a saint you will not put yourself on a pedestal.” She was always humble and continued to serve and give back to the community.

Finally, empathy. Other than helping others, she went all out and gave everything that she had to the poor. She lived on the streets with the poor,she only ate what the poor ate and she only gave herself what what she gave the poor. That's how empathetic she was.

Hence, I admire these qualities of her and aspire to be like her. She has inspired not only me, but many others to help and give back to society. I hope that one day I'll be able to help as many people as she did.

# data[].attributes.headline
Defining a leader - Continue from previous post

# data[].attributes.subject
Defining a leader - Continue from previous post

# data[].attributes.body
How can I develop these qualities of Mother Teresa?

Well, it is quite impossible to be exactly like her considering that she really sacrificed everything that she had for the poor and even suffered how the poor suffered. However, there are many simpler ways to develop the qualities she had.

For example, for empathy, instead of giving/ donating all the money one has to the poor,  they can instead do smaller, simpler things like listening to what others have to say, taking action and offering help/ advice when others are in distress.. etc. The small things that one can do to make a big difference in someone else's day.

Another way would be to reflect on one's self. I know its a bit cliche but I seriously believe that reflecting helps you to develop your qualities and allows you to review whether your growth in the quality- Is what your doing now to build up on that quality effective? Do you think that you perform that quality well enough? Those are some questions that i tend to ask myself when reflecting. Rather than just carrying on doing things as you have always done them, stop and ask yourself these questions first. Moreover, I'm quite sure that reflecting takes less than 10 minutes. Take some time, maybe before you sleep to stop all the chaos that is happening in your mind and just relax and reflect. You don't just have to reflect on your qualities in fact you can reflect on anything else. I feel that in general it just makes you a better person.

Hence, through these 2 ways, i think that I can learn to develop the qualities of Mother Teresa.

# data[].attributes.body
Which of the three things do I find most challenging to display?
For me, it would be moral courage. I would think that a good student councillor is one that is courageous and brave and is willing to step out of their comfort zone. But unfortunately, I'm not like that. I find it difficult at times to display good moral courage. (It's honestly just a me thing)

How will working on this area in my life help me become a better servant leader and fulfil the council creed?
Working on this area in my life will allow me to be more confident and achieve greater things when helping others as i will be able to step out of my comfort zone. Hence, I will be able to fulfil the council creed that leadership goes hand in hand with moral courage

# data[].attributes.body
Some mentors in my life would be my parents  as they are always there for me, they give me advice and honest feedback.

Mentors us to see things from a different pov. They share wisdom and experience. They also bring out the best in others and empower them.  Additionally, the role of a mentor is to be a role model, provide guidance, be a cheerleader and having the courage to give honest feedback.
How to be effective mentor?
-> Be prepared
-> Be courageous
-> Be respectful
Mentoring is not mere talking to another but is having reflective conversations on growth, leadership etc. It is also to inspire others (be the spark or light).

# data[].attributes.body
"If there is anything that links the human to the divine, it is the courage to stand by a principle when everybody else rejects it"
-Abraham Lincoln

# data[].attributes.body
Council retreat
Youth day
book donation drive
Student commendation
Teachers day
LETITSHINE180
Spirit fortnight

All in 2 weeks.
the past 2 weeks of school have been hectic. Together with the countless homework and the different events that i participated in, it is safe to say that i am stressed. Life has been insanely hectic recently. Funny thing is, I like the stress. It gives me a reason and a motivation to keep going. It feels kind of empty to have nothing to do. Moreover, i really love the feeling of accomplishing something. Be it the day to day homework or simple every morning's duty.

# data[].attributes.body
Servant leadership
How do we deal with difficult people when leading others? Has your servant leadership been tested by a difficult person?
-Patience
-Empathy
-Sympathy
-understanding

How can we "Let our light shine" or show "Charity patience and devotion" in a world where being a "karen" is the norm or even a joke.
I think the fact this term "karen" exists shows that there are some people out there that just require a bit more patience than others. I think that's how we can show patience as stated in the school motto. Moreover, I think that if we ever meet with such people we should try and understand where they are coming from first before necessarily judging them.

# data[].attributes.body
One favourite afternoon meeting?
One time, i came early for council meeting and got to play "what time is it now Mr/ Mrs wolve" with  2021-2022 exco.

Two things you found especially interesting during teachers' time?
i like how Ms Cao put activities before her teacher time like how she told us to do an operation before bringing across a message. And also the activity we did before she shared "the true story of light."

Three goals you aim to achieve by the next council meeting?
Be more accepting towards karens
Reflect a bit more
sleep more
spend more time on myself

# data[].attributes.headline
Teachers' Day Reflection (Teachers' Day - 1 sep 2022)

# data[].attributes.subject
Teachers' Day Reflection (Teachers' Day - 1 sep 2022)

# data[].attributes.body
First of all, I thank god for the successful event. I also thank god for giving me the opportunity of being the teachers’ day emcee. It was really fun to say the least. The number of people that approached or texted me after to say “Good job!” etc.  really REALLY made my day. I honestly thought I didn’t do that well. I made a few mistakes that, truth be told, could have been avoided. I think in future i should briefly go through the script completely (a few minutes) before going on stage. (Give myself more prep time) But then again, time was most definitely not on my side and things were a tad bit rushed that day so i guess i can cut myself some slack. But yes, of course, that is something i think i should work on.  Even with my primary school experience of being emcee, there’s always something new to learn :)

Don’t get me wrong though, it was extremely fun to be on stage and getting to hype the crowd up. (Even though they were already really hyped) Definitely something i would want to do again if given the opportunity.

Other than the whole emceeing thing, I think the decoration part the day before teachers day is also something worth reflecting on. Like Ms Cao said, I think we could have been more prepared. Some things could have been done earlier. I was one of the “runners” that was sent to get extra decoration. It was stressful knowing that we were heavily relied on, but we pulled through :) It was tiring though, so I hope we don’t do that again next year.

Overall, it was definitely a very fulfilling experience. I learned a lot from it and it was amazing to get to see the many smiles on our teachers faces. The hard work we put in was, to me, very very worth it.

What can i say, we rocked it.

Victoria

# data[].attributes.headline
Serving wholeheartedly - Mrs Lim, Mrs Yang and Ms Cao

# data[].attributes.subject
Serving wholeheartedly - Mrs Lim, Mrs Yang and Ms Cao

# data[].attributes.body
Serving wholeheartedly
-Completely and sincerely devoted
-marked by commitment

Feeling - Betrayed, taken aback
Leader ->build trust and respect

Impression - Lazy, couldn't be bothered, doesn't care.
Must be discipline. Motivation gets you going, discipline keeps you going

impression - Shocked. Hallmark of excellence, the test of greatness is consistency. A good leader is someone that is consistent in all areas
Commitment (Ms Cao)
-> Putting your all in something that you do.
-> Sustaining an action over time is also a type of commitment

Types of Commitment
Instrumental commitment - Being forced. You are doing something because you want the outcome. (e.g you want to be a councillor because you want the title)

Normative commitment - commit to something because of a belief. Identify yourself as a member of the group.  Commit because of a sense of duty.

Emotional commitment - Doing positive things because of your emotional attachment to that group. Does not come overnight/ developed over time. Strong sense of belonging.

If it is important to you, you will find time for it. Dedicated and passionate.

# data[].attributes.headline
Finding strengths in the new you - Ms Cao (18 Jan)

# data[].attributes.subject
Finding strengths in the new you - Ms Cao (18 Jan)

# data[].attributes.body
Focus on your strength
I think my strengths are
- Social Intelligence
- Kindness
- Hope
"Don't push your weaknesses, play with your strengths"
"What makes you different or weird, that's your strength"
When one wants to be a leader, they don't sit back and wait. They step up.
In council
- Leadership
-Judgement
-Love

# data[].attributes.body
Empathy is feeling with people.
- "I'm stuck, it's dark and I'm overwhelmed" "I know how you feel"
- Empathy is trying to make things better. Feels better when someone relates with you. Connection. People would feel more comforted when you are going through what she's going through too.

Perspective taking
Not Judging
Recognise emotions
Communicating emotion

# data[].attributes.headline
A leader carries the load and burden - Mrs Ho

# data[].attributes.subject
A leader carries the load and burden - Mrs Ho

# data[].attributes.body
Why did you want to join council?
I think it was my interest towards organising activities for the school that made me want to join Council along with the council community.

What do you think are the characteristics of a good leader?
>Being reflective - reflecting on feedback given and making changes for the better

>Having moral courage - being able to step up to say something when something is wrong

A leader carries the load and burden
Empathy - understanding the challenges that people face.
What are some challenges that you or your fellow councillors are facing?
E.g NSG, SYF
Having empathy for one another. It starts with you.
>So task orientated that we forget to show emapthy. Enjoy the process. Enjoy being around the people we are with. Don't be to the extreme of being task orientated. Think before you do.
>The difference you make as a group differs from the difference you make alone.
How can I carry the burden more as part of the student council?
I think I can think before i do. Sometimes I tend to be a little too task-orientated too. I think I shouldn't be too focused on something that I don't put others first. I think I can show it more during my duty.

# data[].attributes.body
Unity is strength
-Unity is not only strength but vision. It is part of the process of learning to see.
-"Hey i'm not the only one"
-It's not about working alone. It's a lot about working with others.

Why is Unity important?
Jenga Blocks
See the significance of your contribution. One piece out of place can make a whole building collapse. Everyone should contribute. Everyone has a role to play. E.g Council seniors have put forward a good expectation of councillors. We should continue to uphold it. Don't think negatively.

Unintentional things we do that may break Unity.
-Be mindful of what we do and say
-Your choice of words say a lot
-Your body language says a lot
There are certain things that you may do that may break this unity that has been built for so long.

The feeling of unity is wonderful. People that disrupt cause a lack of trust. An unhealthy environment. Unity is created overtime.

Areas in which i am acting alone as 1 person in council?
Sometimes when doing duty I feel that we need to be adaptive in the sense that we should move around to become "traffic policewomen". However at times I feel that I am the only one doing so and adapting to my surroundings so I hope we can work on that.

Areas in which I am acting as ONE, together with others in council.
-When we do morning duties, I think it's really a collaborative effort between all the councillors. I think duties are only possible because it is done by a group of us. Teamwork really makes a difference.

What are some things I commit to doing to make council more united
I try to take initiative when possible, to encourage councillors to speak up and voice their opinions or thoughts. I think having casual conversations are important too as it helps build a bond that can make council more united.

# data[].attributes.headline
The heart of the Matter: What is your influence? - Mrs Yang

# data[].attributes.subject
The heart of the Matter: What is your influence? - Mrs Yang

# data[].attributes.body
Video
Each item has to connect with one another to work.

6 skills to exercise leadership Influence:
1. Engage in conflict

2. Have a strong voice
Don't be afraid to voice your opinions.

3. listen with empathy
Not just about pushing my own agenda, but connecting with others. How can i connect with others? Relationships

4. show vulnerability
Always perfect, then you become someone that people can't connect with. Don't be afraid to be vulnerable with people around you. It is okay to make mistakes.

5. Be direct
Shy to communicate things, afraid to hurt others. Be direct so that people can understand you.

6. Don't be defensive
It's okay to make mistakes. Be accepting towards feedback.

"The true measure of leadership is influence - nothing more, nothing less" John C Maxwell

"The most powerful moral influence is example" Huston Smith

Which skill do you find easiest to practice?
Listening with empathy. I personally think that it is easy for me to connect with others and try and think from their point of view. I often lend a listening ear to friends that need someone to talk to or anyone that has concerns that they would like to bring up.

Which skill do you want to practice more intentionally?
I would like to practice being direct a but more. Sometimes, I would like to give feedback to someone but because of the possibly of hurting their feelings, I am not as direct as I would like to be. I hope to work towards having more courage to be more direct when it comes to things like that.

# data[].attributes.body
Why do you think this man was helping others?
He wanted to help someone else. He received joy through showing kindness to someone else. It was what he believed was right.

Was he bothered by what others thought? Why or why not?
No he was not. In the video, he can be seen giving the dog his chicken wing despite the chef shaking his head in disagreement and how he gave the Mother and daughter money despite people not thinking that he should. He wasn't bothered because he didn't care what others thought, it was his personal belief that he should help someone else.

Listen around, what does the student body want? How can I bear the burden for council or the school a bit more?
Open eyes and ears bigger, but don't compare.

Don't compare
Don't compete
Don't complain

Reflection of my journey in Council/ How can I bear the burden for others a bit more? Can i compare myself with others less?

I think I can exercise empathy a bit more. Sometimes others have busy schedules so I can offer to help with certain tasks so that it's not too tiring on them. I can also compare myself with others less. Each person has their different strengths and weaknesses so I ought not to compare with others. I think I focus more on what I'm good at rather than degrade myself by only looking at my weaknesses.

# data[].attributes.headline
Struggle (when it's hard to find your footing) - Ms Cao

# data[].attributes.subject
Struggle (when it's hard to find your footing) - Ms Cao

# data[].attributes.body
Common struggles that leaders face
Loneliness and Isolation
Self-doubt and feelings of inadequacy
Fear of letting people down
Public failure
Scrambling to get everything accomplished
their weakness
Criticism
Finding the best way to hand confrontation

Which of the 8 areas do you struggle with?
I struggle a lot with Public failure. I hate embarrassing or humiliating myself Infront of teachers/ a large group of people or just people in general. I would feel really disappointed after that and wouldn't want to leave the house. Moreover, the next day i wouldn't want to go to school. This is something that I try very hard to get rid of but I still struggle with it.

Leadership and the Art of Struggle: How great leaders grow through struggle and adversity.
-> Leaders think that they must be perfect.

-Positive energy begets positive energy
-Tuning out all the negative thoughts and emotions can be a roadblock to the honest conversations people need to have with themselves and others.

Struggle
-Is normal
-Help vs to be honest with ourselves
-cannot be swept under the carpet - We need to talk about it

# data[].attributes.body
Philipians 2:3-4
Humility - The bigger the ego, the lesser space there is for others.

Heart of a servant leader/ Humility
-> Other people are more important that ourselves
-> The state of condition of being humble
-> Having a modest opinion if ourselves and our own importance
-> Not believing we are inferior to other
->Fully appreciating our own gifts and talents, but not esteeming ourselves above others

What is false humility?
->Pretends to be humble/ Pride in disguise
-> Deliberately put down ourselves to appear humble
-> Fishing compliments to draw attention to ourselves
-> "Humble-bragging" (Talking about how humble we are)
-> Falsely portraying helplessness or a lack of power
-> Self-deprecating humor

We are not possessive over the things we have. I'm prepared to change because someone else showed me a better way. Embrace new ideas/ truth. Recognize contribution than be recognized for making it.

Having the right perspective about ourselves.

# data[].attributes.body
Why is it important to take initiative?
Things will get done or things will be done better. I feel that as a member of the council family, taking initiative is so important. Taking initiative should not only be applied during duties, but also during discussions. This is so that things can be done more efficiently and discussions would be a lot more "rich"

What are some ways in which i can take more initiative?
I feel that I can take more initiative to step up for the right things. I feel that sometimes I lack the moral courage to take initiative and point out that something is morally wrong and I feel that I can take more initiative to stand up for the right things here.

Take-away
-Creating a culture of care. Taking initiative can benefit someone else.
-Initiative always starts with I
-Taking initiative can affect someone positively without you knowing.
-What more can I do to help somebody?
-Also part of challenging the process
-Offering without asking
-Thoughtfulness, helps to improve things as a whole.
-Initiative ends with e - Everyone

The measure of good leadership - when you're not around, will things still get done?
Everyone can take initiative.

Move beyond yourself, think of how others can benefit from you

It takes time for a response to you taking initiative.

"Some people wait for things to happen, some people make things happen, some people wonder what happened" You can start by taking initiative now.

# data[].attributes.body
What are 3 things that I hope to achieve today?
1. I hope to get to know 2 new people
2. I hope that Council retreat goes successfully
3. I hope I have fun

How do you hope to achieve this goal?
I hope that enough planning has been done to ensure a successful retreat, I hope that I will have time to mix around with new people too, get to know some people that i didn't already know before. And lastly, I hope that it won't be too stressful that I'll have time to have fun too. Hope it goes well pls.

# data[].attributes.body
Types of leaders:
Hand - Reliable
Head - Focused on the goal
Heart - Empathises and encourages others

What style resembles you the most?
I think the Heart leader resembles me the most. I think a good trait that I have is that I can empathise with others and I can put myself in the shoes of others.

How are you going to actively apply your weakest H in your leadership?
I think my weakest H is being a head leader. I think a weakness of mine is that sometimes I tend to drift from the goal because I prioritise having fun and others around me have to remind me that I should not drift too far from the goal. For example, when planning gifts for say seniors farewell, I want to do something big so as to make it more fun but whether it is feasible or not is something that I should consider too.

How can you use the 3H's to be a more effective leader?

# data[].attributes.headline
Council retreat - Mrs Yang, Ms Cao and Mrs Ho

# data[].attributes.subject
Council retreat - Mrs Yang, Ms Cao and Mrs Ho

# data[].attributes.body
Model the way
Inspire a shared vision
Challenge the process
Enabling others to act
Encourage the heart

Model the way
-> Someone following others
-> Be real, be authentic, be yourself. It's about knowing what who you are and what you stand for - What your core values are.

1. Clarify your own values.
- What is important to me.?
E.g I value family, health, education
- What are my core values and value system?

Values on Display:
-> What makes you unique
-> Builds your foundation as a leader
-> Being real to yourself and the people around you

2. Set an example. You value and your value system guides their decision. They don't just talk the talk, they walk the talk.
-> People may not remember everything a leader a leader has done, but they do remember what she represents.
-> People will remember what you stand for

How can I model the way more as a councillor?
I think I can have more moral courage. I feel that Moral courage is something that I'm not very good at having moral courage so I hope I can do more it. Moreover, I feel that it is essential for a leader to have moral courage as it is also a value that council stands for.

Inspire a shared vision.
-> Vision
-> The image or insight of how something should look in the future.
-> Hey why don't we make it better. What can i do to improve this area instead of just dealing with it?

What do you think Onn Hafiz's vision is?
I think his vision is to help the Malaysian community to a better state, or that the facilities could be better and can help more people.
What does he do to achieve his vision?
He puts time and effort into his vision and empathises with the users of the causeway.
What leadership does he display?
Servant leadership. Putting others before him and empathising with others.

Challenge the process
What made Edwards stand out from the rest?
-> Willingness to step out even though it meant that everyone else was going to judge him
-> Not rebelling because of rebelling. Doing things differently because there is an intention in mind.  Not doing things differently to step out.
-> Need to think outside the box
-> Old ways are not going to produce new results
-> Seizing the initiative ad by looking outward for innovative ways to improve
-> Experiment and take risks (Nobody said that it was going to be easy)  One step closer is better than done at all.

When was one time when you had to do things differently in order to succeed?
I had to adapt to certain changes at the moment for example when dismissing the students from the hall, we have to direct students to different routes if there is an empty one. This is so that dismissal would be efficient.

What is your biggest obstacle to challenging the process in your everyday leadership journey?
I'm afraid that I have overestimated myself. what if it's not feasible? What if we don't end up having enough time to finish what I aspire to do? These are some worries and questions that I have.

# data[].attributes.body
Share 1 photo that has changed you as a person this year

How have you grown as a person/leader this year?

I think I have faced a lot stress this year and it was definitely a whole new level of pressure and stress considering the number of things I had to juggle and balance. Honestly, I remember at some point in term 3 which was the peak of my stress (because of WA3 and how there were back to back events that I had to balance) I think I was at my lowest point because of how I really felt so demotivated and lifeless. I wasn't feeling the adrenaline anymore and everything just seemed like a chore in a way. But I think it shaped me for who I am now.

I think because of how stressed I felt then, I now work better under stress. I feel like I'm prepared if I ever face the same amount of pressure and stress again so in way I'm kind of thankful that it was there to challenge me and now I think I'm more resistant to stress so that's definitely a plus.

Now why the baby picture, I think during my stress season my grandma coincidentally sent this picture of me to the family group chat and I just stopped and paused for awhile. I just thought about how proud little me would be of me now and it just made my stress all worth while and motivated me to push on. I think it really made me realise how far I've come and how I have changed, grown and matured as a person. Thus, this baby picture at that point in time served as a reminder to keep going and to persevere on and I thought I would share about it!

# data[].attributes.body
Two goals:

Make friends with a 3 nominees

Have fun!!

How to achieve:

I will try and talk to the sec 1 nominees

I will try to enjoy the process

# data[].attributes.body
Understanding why we serve

"To serve and love always"

- It is a joy to serve

- Sowing into your vision

Taking up the responsibility of being a leader

- Charity, patience and devotion in our call to serve and love always

1. charity (Love, building relationships within council and outside of council, organising events to show thanks) Relationships are ever-changing but we hang on to the relationships.

2. Patience (Associated with the concept of time) Recognising that people take time to grow. Extend grace to one another. The person you see today will not be the same person in the future. People are allowed to change and grow

3. Devotion (Showing up shows devotion. Showing up and doing our best during duties or podium etc. Not serving because it is convenient, serving because it is our responsibility.

Serving with joy. Can make things better because of a will to serve. Humility to give what we can.

Recognising the influence we have as leaders

White paint - good work that we are trying to do

Black paint - represents bad things, negative influence

Work together to block out negative influence. We have to be mindful that we have influence outside of council. You are not just a councillor from 7-7:30am, not just a councillor during school events. It is about how you are outside of council too. If you want to be a leader with a good positive influence, you have to have "it" outside of council too.

Influence is not:

Exerting power over others

Bossing people around

Trying to manipulate others

Such a strong force that others are influenced too. Starts with one person.

How can we begin to influence others?

Random acts of kindness

Small things that you do could make an impact on others.

"Your vision cannot be achieved in a day. It can be achieved through action and influence."

What did you do to achieve this year? What more can you do in 2024 to achieve this vision?

I think I can start by encouraging the people around me to proudly do the school cheers during house events so as to encourage house pride and to build a better school culture and environment

2 acts of kindness you want to try out?

(one at home, one at school)

1. Do house chores without my mom having to ask me to do them

2. Giving the unsung heros in our school a high five whenever i see them

# data[].attributes.headline
Why choose the difficult road? - Ms Cao 

# data[].attributes.subject
Why choose the difficult road? - Ms Cao 

# data[].attributes.body
The difficult road - Leadership

Could have chosen the easier road.

1. Being in a position of leadership requires you to do more

2. Expectations of a leader - being held to higher standards

Must live up to them - not easy

Certain image and reputation that we have.

It's your mindset. Your predecessors have set these standards that the teachers see. Must uphold standards.

3. Being a good leader requires you to look beyond yourself and care for others under your charge too. Should come from within yourself. You should challenge yourself to do more to take care of those that you are in charge of.

Being on the difficult road helps you to build your individual capacity and strength. Build your own skills.

It is when your limits are tested that you acknowledge that you cannot do this without the help of others. (Don't crumble on your own, split the work with others)

Difficult roads often lead to beautiful destinations. You are going to remember the fun moments, not the mathematical formulas.

# data[].attributes.body
Why do we transit

Development of leadership skills to serve: Leadership transitions provide opportunities for students to step up, develop and hone your leadership skills and gain experiences.

Fresh perspectives: New leaders bring different perspectives and experiences to the Council and School, which can lead to innovation, exploration of new strategies, and fresh approaches to how things work (Challenge the process)

Be responsible for your leadership skills

Having strong values and principles (Model the way)

Communication and Confidence (Inspire a shared vision)

Problem-solving and time and task management (Challenge the process)

Inspiration and motivation (Enable others to act)

Emotional connection (Encourage the heart) Affirm you, encourage you

Passing on the baton to the next "runner".

Transition and change are natural parts of leadership. Excitement and uncertainty are valid feelings. What if i don't do well?

Leadership is a journey of continuous learning and growth. More importantly, know that you are working as a team. "She always looks like she has it together, I don't think I will be able to do that"

Be the embodiment of the values and behaviours you expect from your team. Demonstrate integrity, commitment, and hard work

Model the way. Arrive on time, be prepared for meetings, actively participate in tasks, and hold yourself accountable to your team and your deadlines.

REMEMBER THE COUNCIL SPIRIT!!!

Common goal: to serve and love always

Stay united

Be supportive

Build and lift, Build and lift

# data[].attributes.body
Everyone has strength

Every leader has a strength

Talents = natural abilities

Strengths = something you can develop

Strength = Talent + skill + knowledge

How can you cultivate and develop it

Executing - make things happen

Influencing - inspiring a shared vision

Relationship building - very empathetic, hears others opinions

Strategic thinking - give a lot of information can piece them together

Influencing

# data[].attributes.body
"The harder I work, the luckier I seem to be"

# data[].attributes.headline
NEARING THE END OF Os HAHAHAH (5 NOV 2024)

# data[].attributes.subject
NEARING THE END OF Os HAHAHAH (5 NOV 2024)

# data[].attributes.body
Suddenly thought of Council and came back to have a look at my padlet :)

I MISS COUNCILLL