A Special Trip

Year 1997 was a remarkable year for Ms Tam Kit Wan and Mr. Wong Wai Lun in their teacher's life, since it was the first year they both taught the AS level subject "Use of English", even more for Ms Tam, she was the first time being a form teacher of the matriculation class. That's great challenger for them, although they are both experienced teachers.

Being editors of this year's school magazine, we have specially arranged an interview with these two teachers in order to give our schoolmates a thorough understanding about them.

This trip will start soon, we whole-heartedly hope all of you will enjoy it.

<----Miss Tam Kit Wan (Tam) 　 Interviewee: Miss Tam Kit Wan (Tam) , Mr. Wong Wai Lun (Wong) Interviewer: Chung Hiu Yin, Ophelia (Ophe) , On Hoi Li, Kelly (Kelly) 　 Mr. Wong Wai Lun (Wong)---->

Ophe: Good afternoon Ms Tam and Mr. Wong. Thanks for spending your time here doing an interview with us. Let's start our interview now.
Tam: Okay!
Wong: Okay!

Ophe: How long have you been a teacher?
Tam: um...Over 15 years but less than 20 years.
Wong: 18 years.

Kelly: How do you feel about our students?
Tam: Most of them are nice, active, easy-going and cheerful. They're polite, kind and sincere but some are always careless, absent-minded. Some are clever but lazy. Students of CGHC should be more hardworking.
Wong: They're all happy kids, and many of them are very helpful.

Ophe: What do you think of the English standard of CGHC's students?
Tam: um...The English standard of CGHC's student can be better. There's still a lot of room for improvement. Some of our students have good potential with creative mind. These students are so weak that we teachers always teach them some basic grammar. They should pay more effort in learning English.
Wong: Well......I think they're just the average.

Kelly: Do you think that there are too many extra-circular activities in out school? If so, don't you think that it will affect them to concentrate on their studies? And would you like to recommend some methods on this?
Tam: If students join too many extra-curricular activities, I'm sure it'll harm their studies. I would suggest that students just join one or two activities which they are most interested in so that they can really learn some skills and build up leadership from it.
Wong: um...I don't think there are too many activities in our school. You can only say there is a great variety. But whether students are affected by the activities depends on how they handle them. I understand that the school has set a limit on the number of activities that students can take. So in that case, the extra-curricular activities themselves will have nothing to do with students' academic performance.

Ophe: Do you think it is essential for a student to be versatile?
Tam: Before one can be versatile, one should have a lot of time to learn different things or one must have gifted talents to be versatile. It is not essential for a student to be versatile, but if one can develop a particular skill and build up leadership from it.
Wong: It is better for him to do that because what a student is doing now in school is to prepare himself for the future. Therefore, other than studies, students should try to learn different skills which can help them with their future.

Kelly: Any students make you never forget?
Tam: Well...there should be more than one student. There are still a lot of students in my mind. I'm afraid I can't recognize them if I meet them on the streets as they may have grown very tall.
Wong: No.

Ophe: Do you have a good time with your colleagues?
Tam: W ell...I always have a good time with my colleagues when they share with me their funny stories in the classroom. I enjoy outing and eating out with them during our school holiday. I appreciate the loving kindness and thoughtful gifts they always give to my children.
Wong: Yes. We often have lunch together and we don't have any conflict.

Kelly: As we know, this is the first time for you to be the form-teacher of the matriculation class, until now, do you find it difficult to handle?
Tam: As matriculation students, they always regard themselves as adults, grown ups (in fact they are), therefore they don't like to restricted by the school rules and regulations. They are not self-disciplined. They think they have freedom to do whatever they like but the discipline in a school is very important to keep the school operate in an orderly way. So, it is difficult to handle the discipline problems in F.6 and F.7. I expect my matriculation students be more co-operative and set a good model for the junior classmates.

Ophe: As you know the curriculum of matriculation is quite boring, how can you enhance their concentration on the lessons?
Tam: um...By integrating various activities into the lessons. For example, before a writing is done, we have group discussion followed with a presentation. Projects on interesting topics are carried out in group work. If students are willing to participate more in these activities, the lessons won't be too boring.
Wong: ah...ha...Why do you say it's boring? As a matter of fact, it's a curriculum specially designed to equip students with different skills so as to prepare them either for work or for tertiary education. But if you really want to make it more acceptable, I would say teachers would have to take out the practical parts and make the curriculum more realistic and target-oriented.

Kelly: It is known that more and more students attend tutorial schools, what do you think about it?
Tam: In my school days, no one attended tutorial class but still we could get good results in public exams. Maybe it is a trend or a popular practice for students to attend tutorial class. They may fear that if not attending tutorial class, they'll miss a lot of tips and skills essential for the exams. In fact, such knowledge and skills are taught by the school teachers. I won't oppose my students attending tutorial class if they think it is necessary but they should choose the good one, otherwise, they spent the money but gained nothing. If possible, students shouldn't depend too much on tutorial class.
Wong: It's all right for me. If they really want to learn more, they can do so. But it is better not to let it disrupt their regular studies.

Ophe: Have you ever thought of giving up your career?
Tam: No, I haven't thought of that as the days in CGHC are so exciting, challenging and filled with fun. I'll miss a lot if I give up my career here.
Wong: No, never. It's painful to do that.

Kelly: When will you be retired?
Tam: My students know that I'm always 25, so it's a bit too early to ask me about my retirement, it's still a long way to reach that stage.
Wong: Can I not answer the question?

Ophe: What're you going to do after it?
Tam: I would like to be a volunteer serving my church and the community center.
Wong: If I retired, I would do something I like such as traveling, reading, etc. The duty of a teacher is not only to give the knowledge from textbook to their students, but also teach them the development of values, logical thinking and problem solving skill. In school, teachers try their best to fulfill their students with academic knowledge, give their students a great hand whenever they are in trouble or in need. Let's see?

Ophe: Where do you live?
Tam: Tai Koo Shing.
Wong: West Point.

Kelly: Who do you live with?
Tam: My family-husband and 2 children.
Wong: My wife and two kids.

Ophe: Do you think you have neglected your children?
Tam: Of course, I haven't. We (my husband and I) always share and discuss our views on bringing up our children.
Wong: No, I don't think so. I'll try whatever I can to be with them.

Kelly: How do you supervise your children?
Tam: I don't supervise my children. I love, care, lead and bring them up according to the Bible teachings.
Wong: I don't do supervision. My wife does most of the work. I just sometimes help them with their homework.

Ophe: Do you children attend any tutorial class?
Tam: I was my daughter's private tutor till she was primary 4. Starting from P5, she can manage all her school work, tests and exams on her own. I'm really contented with her independence in this respect.
Wong: Yes, but only in summer. It's up to them to decide what they are going to learn.

Kelly: What are your expectations on your child?
Tam: They can lead a simple but happy life. We expect they can develop appropriate values and positive attitude towards life. The most important of all is that they can become a devoted Christian.
Wong: To see them finish their university education.

Ophe: How do you make a balance between your family and your career?
Tam: While I am at school, I do my best and devote myself wholeheartedly to my students but at home, my family comes first. But sometimes, I have to bring home school work, I usually start it after my children have gone to bed.
Wong: If I'm not working, I'll spend most of my time at home with the kids sharing fun with them.

Kelly: Will you share the housework with your other half?
Tam: My domestic helper shares most of the housework for me. I really appreciate her hard work for my family. She has been serving my family for over 10 years. Without her help, I can't dedicate so much to my career.
Wong: Yes, everyone is equal, right? I do the laundry sometimes and wash dishes.

Ophe: What are your hobbies? And what will you do during family days?
Tam: I like gardening but in Hong Kong, it is not quiet possible, instead, I like appreciating the beautiful nature that God has created for us. As my children are still young, we usually go to the parks, the Ocean Park, the beaches and family gatherings during the family days. And we usually go to church every Sunday.
Wong: Traveling, driving and watching television. And during family day, we'll dine out.

Ophe: Oh...I see. Well it is the end of the interview, thank you very much for your time, and have a nice day!
Tam & Wong: You're welcome!

After having an interview with Miss Tam and Mr. Wong, there is one thing we can realize. They not only involve themselves wholeheartedly into their teaching career, but also their family.

<轉載自1997-1998校刊>