2011…

2011 has been a challenging year for us… It started on a really exciting note, but later, many situations happened, that we were not prepared to manage.

With all these situations and challenges, we learn from them, to be: Wiser, Stronger, More Adaptable. This is an opportunity to share the experiences, that others may learn from them, and grow with us.

We will be sharing these experiences in part, as with each of them, there are stories to be told, and nuggets to take away. We will attempt to do this on a weekly basis, such there is time to think, and reflect, and possilby, take action! =)

 

The Start of a Brand New Year!

It’s the start of 2011 – a brand new year, a brand new decade. To date, LDC is 4 years old! Having started the company, and having to see it grow from strength to strength, it has been quite a journey.

In December 2006, just shy of Christmas, LDC started operating from Teo Hong Road, in a small shophouse as her office. With only one full-time staff, who was also the business owner, the planning, marketing and sales were done from there. Of course, I had great support from my colleagues, who started the business with me: Joanna, Kan Wee and Ken. Without them, and their support, financially and through lots of brainstorming of ideas, I would not have the courage to start LDC.

Why leadership development? Haha… That is a story to be told for another time.

So from December 2006, we started spreading the word on our presence, and with the support of a few schools in the beginning, namely Dunearn Secondary School, Ping Yi Secondary School, Qihua Primary School and Kong Hwa School, we started on our adventure! Of course, these were not the only schools who supported us, there were many, many more, and we are grateful to each and every one. Thank you to the teachers who have worked with us, and shared their experiences with us. Thank you to the Principals who have provided the opportunity to work with your student leaders, to impact them, and to share our experiences and knowledge with them.

Internally, we have also learnt and have fine tuned our processes and our programmes, such that it will benefit the student leaders whom we are working ultimately. For the passion of developing the youth, we have also developed our facilitators. Many of our wonderful facilitators were student leaders, and have the passion to lead, and develop others too. And many of them have been a great part of our growth and development, and have left their mark and legacy here. They have helped to create the culture that we have, and we are forever thankful for the time and efforts, to help make our dreams come true. There are just too many to mention, but they all know who they are. =) We love them, and will always have our arms open to welcome them back, whenever they are willing. Many have grown and decided to move on to impact students at large: Halim, Ada, Hilman Sobhari. And there are others who are impacting their peers, whether in NS, or in Uni, or at their work. I’m sure, you are the star that will continue to shine brightly, wherever you are.

In this coming year, we have a new group of facilitators joining us, and with the seniors always around to provide their support. There are a handful who were our previous participants, who have grown up, and are eager to share their experiences and passion as a leader. We look forward to see the blossoming of these new flowers, and may they bloom in full glory, such that it will benefit their community at large!

2011 will be an exciting year, with two staff recently married, which could mean little LDC-ers coming into the world soon! We look forward working with those who are passionate, and intent on the development of our youth! =) Cheers!

Fengshan Primary School – Primary 5 Student Leaders

There are 2 parts to this program: The 1-day leadership camp on March 16th and 4 sessions between March 23rd & July 27th.

During the 1-day camp, I did not have any problems at all since there were only 4 participants in my group. Even though all 4 of them were shy and quiet individuals, they were very sporting & fun to work with. I had a blast conducting all the activities with them and I think they did so too.

For the sessions after that, there were more students returning from their school holidays, so I had a lot more to handle but I was more than happy to welcome them to the group.

Part of their program required them to plan for the Teachers’ Day Celebrations which they were so up to it. They really thought long & hard to figure out what they want to do for their teachers. In the end, they brought together all the ideas in some way or another & came up with a plan that seemed pretty good. You got to take your hats off to them.

At the end of it all, I really enjoyed every minute of my time there & I do hope I will return again soon.

- Facilitator Hilman

Dunearn Secondary School Cohort Leadership Programmes – Sec 2 & 3s

Personally, I liked the Dunearn Secondary School’s programme, both the secondary 2s and 3s.

It is the first mentoring session that I have with a school. I like the idea of mentoring sessions as I feel that it is really a good way to see the student’s progress throughout the months. I remembered I was surprised at the number of students the other facilitators like Azman, Aifa, Karmede and even Jonathan know in the school when I first had my session there. These facilitators were there since those students were in their lower secondary days and now they have all grown up. I feel that there is a sense of satisfaction when facilitators can actually impact these students at a more personal level when they follow through the programme. For me, I have definitely built a bond with the students there throughout the months whenever there is a session.

The secondary 2s was definitely a very satisfying group of students to lead. They started as a group of students who are insensitive to the people around them as well as the surroundings. Therefore, they tend to have more trouble when they have to work as a team to solve the various problem solving games that we played. However, towards the end of the programme, I was able to spot a few of them starting to change their attitudes and their way of doing things and even starting to practice a few of the skills we taught. Through the sessions we had, I also noticed that they have built closer bonds with each other as we see lesser quarrels. It felt great to be able to teach them and to see them change and mature through the sessions.

As for the secondary 3s, they already have certain fundamental skills and bonding with each other before we even started the sessions. So throughout the sessions, I would say we have a more relaxed job. This is especially so because these students have more initiative and more objective in mind when they come for the programme. They were able to follow instructions better and to carry them out with more purpose. Our job was made even easier when the leaders in class emerge to be of great help to push the class forward. It was most enjoyable to be teaching these students when I see how they have fun even as they are ‘working’. They were also creative and more fun-loving as we work alongside them. It was really awesome being part of their growing process.

Indeed, Dunearn Secondary School’s programme has brought me another different experience as I was able to see the students grow throughout this period. It has been a great joy to be part of this programme.

- Facilitator Jin Shi

Hai Sing Catholic School’s Leadership Programme

A really outgoing & ever-ready group I would say, that made my job easier for the 2-day camp.

This group of prefects were initiated and very ‘on’, especially the secondary 2s! Hence, with guidance from time to time, this group was able to absorb fast & produce results during the different activities.

Also, the one thing that made me proud of the group was their determination. They would keep trying & figuring out different methods to use for the different activities despite initial failures.

It was definitely a camp that the student leaders get to learn leadership skills through games, the movie ‘Shrek Forever After’ as well as building sand sandcastle building at Sentosa.

On top of all this, I took the opportunity to teach the sec 2 prefects empowerment, and true enough, on the second day, there were times where I saw them stepping back & letting the sec 1s take the lead.

From the feedback received, it is  evident that the leaders did enjoy themselves and the one thing that stayed with them was the quote that says ‘its never to small to think big’! (:

- Facilitator Samantha Lim

Fengshan Primary School – Primary 3 Student Leaders

The Primary 3’s are so bubbly & jovial and they will do anything to get your attention, so interacting with them was such a breeze.

Even though the session is somewhat similar to the Primary 2’s, I found out that after the first session, I had to change the way I deliver the programme because my original approach was not working. They (the student leaders) were simply too hyperactive and their short attention span made it even tougher for me to engage them on a longer period of time.

At times, I had to be strict to them, just so I could get their attention. But what I enjoyed the most is how they approach each activity with so much enthusiasm & energy. Sometimes I have not even finished my instructions and they are already on their feet, ready to go.

What touched me the most is when some of them will offer handshakes in respect at the end of each sessions. Though they don’t show it, I am confident that they have somewhat absorb some of the lessons that have been served.

- Facilitator Hilman

Fengshan Primary School – Primary 2 Student Leaders

Going into this session, I wanted to try something new so I brought an afro wig on the first day just to see what kind of response I could generate from the students, and boy! Did I get a positive one.

The student leaders were full of energy, very hyperactive & fun to interact with. Sometimes I just wonder where they get their energy from.

Having said that, they can be too playful at times but I guess, at Primary 2, they will be as such.

Now, when it comes to the activities, they are always up to the challenge and took them on with a lot of enthusiasm. At the end of it all, I do believe that even though they were more interested in playing the games, they did learn the value of teamwork & being a good role model.

- Facilitator Hilman

West 7 Cluster Leadership Camp

It was my first time taking primary school pupils for camps. A very different experience compared to taking secondary school students, but I can say its different in a good way. There was a different mix of student leaders from Shuqun Primary School, Fuhua Primary School, Jurong Prmary School & Lakeside Primary School, with student facilitators from River Valley High School.

My group was an enthusiastic bunch especially during the outdoor activities such as the Mohawk Walk, Walk the Plank, etc. Also, they were keen on getting their job done by coming up with interesting games that was to be planned & executed.

Despite coming from different schools & backgrounds, this group was able to form, storm & norm well, given only a 2-day-1-night camp. What really warms the heart is the willingness to learn new things as well as learning from their little setbacks throughout the camp!

- Facilitator Samantha Lim

LDC’s Youth Leaders’ Network 2009

LDC started organising and coordinating the Youth Leaders’ Network (YLN) sessions since we went operational, to provide a platform and avenue for student leaders from all walks of life to come together to interact and learn about leadership together. This year, we have already hosted 2 sessions, once in February and the other in June. Despite the H1N1 scare near the end of June, we decided not to postpone the session, and took precautionary measures, such as taking the participants’ temperature before they entered the room for the sessions. Here are some comments of those who have attended the YLN during these sessions:

28 Feb 2009 (Esplanade Park)

The Facilitators are very good role model for us as a student leader. They talk very friendly like a family member. - Temasek Secondary School, Student Councillor, Subramaniam

I think that this is a really good opportunity for youth leaders to meet up! More social events possibly? - Queensway Secondary School, Student Leader, Mark Lee

25-26 June 2009 (The Arts House)

This is a great programme and it helped me a lot by teaching me positive behaviours and make friend with one another. - Xishan Primary School, PE Monitor, Rey Marvin

I like the idea of getting students from primary, secondary and tertiary to participate in the event. - Millenia Institute, National Education Council President, Md Faisal Idris

For example, I will improve my communications skills with the rest in the team. Be more patient. The sharing sessions and the games have been very meaningful activities which could be used in future activities that I organise. - Hwa Chong Institution (High School), Student Councillor, Gao Chuanyu

We will be exploring the possibility of having the Youth Leaders’ Network mor regularly, with each session focussing on a different leadership theme. Student leaders can then look forward to having more of such sessions, to interact and learn more from each other.

Qihua Primary School – June 2009 (Round 2)

There is time to play and learn, leadership means to me I must be patient, discipline, kindness and teamwork - Chang Chong Min

I have learnt from the programme: teamwork, communicate, respect,Together Everyone Achieves More - Nurul Izzah Bte Md Kamil

I learnt to be confident and speak up. I learn to be a good role model. I learn not to give up - Ahmad Muhsin

I enjoy the leadership training very much and I hope to have more traiing like this – Zoe Ee

The leadership training is great! I hope I can come again to learn more about leadership while having fun – Goh Tong Tong

I think the programme is interesting and help us to find our better side - Madya Ifira Hamis

This leadership is very effective and should be used not only to leaders but everyone - Mikael Jed Cruz

This is the second time in two months that we have conducted a programme at Qihua Primary. This time, the participants were primary 3 and 4 student leaders. My group was spontaneous,and participated actively. The new participants were surprisingly proactive, and were raring to take lead most of the time. Also, there were a few student leaders who have participated in the previous programme, and significant improvement can be seen in some. In one activity where they had to come up with a short skit, my group displayed a certain level of maturity when they were willing to modify their act to accommodate one of their group mates. Overall, it was an enjoyable experience working with this group of student leaders. - Facilitator Sheryl