Journal of SMKTC

On the day 6 Feb, 2009 SMKTC was visited by a group of students and teachers from Qurum Private School, Oman. Which consists of 21 students and 2 teachers.

“The welcoming was very nice, we enjoyed it!”

The school was busying preparing for the welcoming ceremony of the arrival of the students, prefects were doing their best cleaning up the school, and students were rehearsing for their perfomance. And for a moment or so, an ice truck came in and stirred up the students. Soon, Mr. John gave the green light, the prefects stood still, and there came the first sight of the bus. One by one, the Omani students came out, wearing grey t-shirt, with a name tag over their collar, a country flag and school badge over the chest. As they approached the school gate, drums roared, they lined up and was escorted by the principle and teachers. They were welcomed with a cheerful dance of the lion and students over the block clapped their hands like there was no tomorrow. In brief, they were surprised by the warm welcome from us, Connaughtians.

What do you think about our school? How about the facilities over here?

“Your school is very big, very beautiful, the facilities are excellent here.”

Soon, they we’re guided to our library for a slideshow presentation on our school and some introduction on the clothings of the 3 main races in Malaysia. After that, they went to our Cyberlab 3 for a quick tour and then the teacher’s room and the counseling room. One of the Omani teachers exclaimed, “You have a nice place for teachers, nice, very nice.” Later on, they walked across the canteen and students welcomed them with greetings, it really showed our hospitality for foreigners. Afterward, they had a glimpse of how we incorporate computers in our education with a visit to the Cyberlab 1.

“I really liked the Chinese Orchestra.”

“Talented.”

They walked to the school hall for a performance from the Chinese Orchestra group. There was a short introduction on the instruments being performed like the cello, yangqin, erhu, zhongruan, etc. right before the performance. Generally speaking, they we’re stunned with the first piece being performed, they stood up and clapped their hands, one Omani student even showed a thumb-up sign. After the 2nd piece, Mr.John gave them a chance to go up to the stage and have a closer look of the Chinese instruments. They even tried their hands on the musical instruments. Once that was done, they ventured off to the side of the hall for an exhibition of the traditional games like Congkak and Batu Seremban. Similarly, they also participated in the games and after a conversation with the teachers, we also know that they had similar traditional games involving marbles over there too. When that was over, they’re invited to see the performance  by the 扯铃 or Diabolo group, a version or variation from yo-yo but with 2 sticks and a hourglass shaped object. It is a exhibition of different skills and techniques. The Omani students played around with the diabolo and had fun, some even showed hidden talents. Soon after that, they’re once again embraced by the lion dance performed by the Wushu club. Likewise, they had a hands-on experience with the drums, cymbals, gong and the lion costume and simple introduction on the origins of this tradition.

“The games are fun, very fun and interesting.”

“Awesome school.”

In the meantime, Connaughtians was gathering in the hall for the calligraphy contest. The Omani students walked into the hall and was once again taken aback by all the students writing with brushes and black ink. They were briefed with explanation and the meaning of what is being written down. Some even wrote nice Chinese letters with the calligraphy pen though it was their first time. Afterward, they sat down in front of the stage and took group photos, with the principle, teachers, prefects, and those involved in the welcoming of the Omani. It was a very awesome sight to be seen. They then walked around school, with gifts like mandarin oranges and other stuffs.

And when they are leaving, students all over block A and B gave their farewell, conducted by Mr.John himself.

We wish you had a great time here.

“Yes, thank you. We had a great time here.”

Random quotes and facts

“Your principle is a very person, very kind.”

“We liked the ABC (Ais Kacang).”

“Malaysia is a very nice country.”

“Your school is very welcoming.”

“It’s really unexpected. When you see from the outside, you’ll never expect something like this.”

“I really liked the performance.”

Some facts

- They got to know us, partly because of our school’s webpage and also from the travel agency.

- This is not their first time coming to Malaysia.

- It is holiday season over there (Oman) and this is a educational trip.

- They’re heading to 1 Utama after the visit. For rock climbing.

A group of students and teachers have come over to SMKTC through the student’s study exchange program. They will be here in SMKTC for five days to observe our education systems and the cultures of Malaysians through Connaughtions. They are divided into four different classes which is 3A, 3B, 3C and last but not least 3D. They will study alongside Connaughtions for five days.

We as Malaysians and Connaughtions are proud and honoured to have them as our guests. Besides that, SMKTC will try our best to fulfill their need. We hope that this will be a very good opportunity to exchange our views, perspections and ideas between country.

Wakil-wakil Web Team telah diberi peluang keemasan untuk menemu ramah wakil pengetua, Encik Hatti Sucipto yang juga merupakan Ketua Dinas Pendidikan (Jawa Timur). Temu ramah tersebut adalah seperti yang berikut:
WT 1 dan WT 2 : Selamat petang dan salam sejahtera, Tuan Hatti dan terima kasih kerana sudi meluangkan masa anda daripada rutin encik yang sudah padat.

Encik Hatti : Selamat petang dan salam sejahtera. Sama-sama sahaja, lagipun saya juga ingin lebih mengenali sistem pendidikan Malaysia ini. Kemungkinan saudara dan saudari kalian dapat membekalkan saya dengan yang apa perlukan.

WT 1 : Sudah tentu kami akan berkongsi pengetahuan kami sejauh mana yang boleh. Encik Hatti, inikah kali pertama encik datang berkunjung ke Malaysia?Adakah ini sekolah pertama yang encik lawati?

Encik Hatti : Ya, ini kali pertama saya datang ke Malaysia dan SMK Taman Connaught merupakan sekolah pertama rombongan kami lawati. Lawatan ini adalah pertama kali ke Malaysia demi hal-hal yang berkenaan dengan urusan rasmi pendidikan.

WT 2 : Memandangkan ini kali pertama encik datang ke Malaysia dan juga melawati sekolah di Malaysia untuk urusan rasmi, apakah tanggapan pertama yang encik ada terhadap sekolah kami?

Encik Hatti : Oh, saya berasa sungguh terpegun dan juga bangga kerana mempunyai peluang untuk datang ke SMK Taman Connaught! Disiplin pelajarnya sungguh baik sekali jika dibandingkan dengan sekolah-sekolah di Indonesia kerana cara-cara mereka berkumpul di dewan sebelum memasuki kelas men gikuti koordinasi begitu teratur sekali. Saya juga dapat melihat ramai pengawas yang menjalankan tugas mereka dengan begitu berdedikasi sekali.

WT 1 : Encik, sebenarnya pihak kami agak hairan dan ingin tahu tentang sistem pendidikan di Indonesia. Encik sudah mengfahami dan mengenali sistem pendidikan Malaysia melalui taklimat sebentar tadi. Adakah terdapat jurang perbezaan yang besar antara kedua-dua sistem?

Encik Hatti : Sebenarnya, tidak terdapat perbezaan yang bagaikan langit dengan bumi antara kedua-dua sistem pendidikan, hanya semester sekolah yang berbeza dan juga usia anak-anak mula menuntut di bangku sekolah. Di Indonesia,daripada 3 tahun sehingga 5 tahun atau daripada 4 tahun sehingga 5 tahun, anak-anak diwajibkan memasuki sekolah tadika yang digelar ‘ Play School’ atau ‘Children School’ di Indonesia. Sekolah rendah pula adalah daripada 6 tahun sehingga 11 tahun manakala sekolah menengah diklasifikasikan kepada dua iaitu Sekolah Menengah Pertama (SMP) dan Sekolah Menengah Atas yang melingkungi anak-anak daripada usia 12 tahun sehingga 18 tahun.

WT 2 : Encik, setahu saya di Indonesia juga terdapat sekolah bawah pengawasan kerajaan dan sekolah swasta, adakah berbeza sistem pendidikan kedua-dua sekolah tersebut?

Encik Hatti : Sudah tentu tidak banyak berbeza, lebih kepada persamaan jika dibandingkan dengan perbezaan lamun orang-orang tua pelajar lebih berbesar hati dan bangga sekiranya anak-anak mereka mampu belajar di sekolah kerajaan kerana sekolah kerajaan merupakan minoriti di sana.

WT 1 : Disiplin murid merupakan satu aspek yang amat mustahak di sekolah di samping kejayaan akademik. Di Malaysia, pihak sekolah menjalankan hukuman secara praktikal terhadap pelajar yang melanggar peraturan di bawah lindungan sisi undang-undang. Bagaimanakah pula dengan kawalan disiplin di sekolah Indonesia?

Encik Hatti : Sekiranya di Indonesia, guru-guru tidak dibenarkan menjalankan hukuman praktikal tehadap para pelajar. Biarpun melentik telinga pelajar, ibu bapa akan membawa si anak untuk membuat laporan polis.

WT 2 : Oh, seriusnya tindakan yang akan dikenakan kepada guru! Sememangnya lain lubuk lain ikannya.

WT 1 : Encik, apakah cadangan-cadangan lain daripada encik yang boleh encik berkongsi bersama dengan kami supaya kami boleh menjadi lebih baik?

Encik Hatti : Sudah tiada apa-apa lagi komen atau cadangan lain yang saya boleh beri kerana SMK Taman Connaught ini sememangnya sudah cemerlang. Saya hanya boleh ucapkan SMK Taman Connaught, terus cemerlang.

WT 1 dan WT 2 : Terima kasih, encik. Nampaknya sehingga sinilah temu ramah kita pada kali ini.

Encik Hatti : Baiklah, semoga pada hari lain berpeluang lagi saya dan rombongan lain dari Indonesia dapat berkunjung ke sekolah yang serba indah ini.

WT 1 dan WT 2 : Kami juga berharap begitu juga. Walau bagaimanapun, terima kasih diucapkan kepada Encik Hatti kerana sudi ditemu ramah.

Encik Hatti : Sama-sama.

Wakil-wakil Web Team amat berbangga dan menghargai peluang yang diberi untuk menemu ramah Encik Hatti. Melalui temu ramah, pihak kami jali merasai kehairanan dan perasaan ingin tahu Encik Hatti dan rombongannya akan budaya-budaya belajar di Malaysia. Sementelahan itu, pujian Encik Hatti kepada sekolah kita sayugianya diingati dan dibanggai. Oleh itu, hargai dan sayangi sekolah kita agar kita boleh sederap memacu kecemerlangan terus cemerlang seperti kata dorongan ‘terus cemerlang’ yang diberi oleh Encik Hatti seiring dengan slogan sekolah.

Pada 08 Januari 2008, hari Khamis, serombongan pengetua sekolah dari Negara Indonesia telah datang melawat ke sekolah kita. Tujuan mereka berkunjung ke sini adalah untuk melihat sejauh mana prestasi pendidikan di Malaysia. Oleh itu, SMK Taman Connaught terpilih untuk tatapan mereka atas tujuan tersebut.

Sebaik sahaja mereka menjejakkan kaki ke dalam kawasan sekolah, mereka mula memerhati kawasan sekolah dan juga telatah para pelajar. Dalam dewan, wakil daripada pengetua turut memberi sepatah dua kata tentang perasaan beliau teehadap sekolah kita. Beliau menyatakan perasaan bangga kerana dapat melihat sekolah yang sebaik ini di Malaysia dan beliau berasa tidak salah kerana memilih datang ke Malaysia selepas destinasi dari Singapura.

Selepas melawat dewan sekolah, kumpulan pengetua yang disegani tersebut telah menghadiri taklimat yang disediakan oleh pihak sekolah yang dihadiri oleh Puan Radiah selaku pengetua sekolah, Encik Wong, Puan Faridah, Puan Patricia, Puan Phua, Puan Aziah, dan Puan Lee Swee Ching. Rakaman video hari pertama pendaftaran pelajar baru telah ditayangkan dan dijelaskan oleh Encik Wong. Sementelahan itu, serba sedikit sejarah dan pengenalan sekolah juga diperkenalkan.

Sepanjang taklimat tersebut, beberapa orang pengetua telah menanya soalan berkenaan dengan disiplin sekolah, proses pembelajaran, dan pencapaian dalam akademik dan juga kokurikulum. Secara tuntasnya, para pengetua amat berminat untuk mengetahui sistem pembelajaran dan pelajaran di Malaysia, sistem disiplin, dan kelayakan guru-guru.

Setelah menghadiri taklimat, para pengetua dijemput untuk menikmati juadah yang bercitarasakan makanan tradisional Malaysia. Selepas jamuan teh, wakil-wakil Web Team sekolah telah diberi peluang keemasan untuk menemu ramah wakil pengetua, Hatti Sucipto.