My Lovely 1E1,

I may not be seeing everyone next year. There is a chance that I will be going to further my training as a teacher in some isolated corner of Singapore. In case I really do not see everyone next year and probably for a long long time, this is my farewell message.

It has been a great experience teaching 1E1. I still remember vividly the first day I stepped into the class and Miss Shanti told me that I would be taking over her as your history teacher. At that moment, I did not know that I would become your co-form teacher as well. My first week was spent observing my would-be students and a class that I grew to love - 1E1.

The first day I came into 1E1, I still remember what some students were doing. Shi Hau was busy making his cat calls (meowing all over). Lesmin was giving me a cheeky grin and calling me Mr Bean, Tianjia was sitting sideways. Dylan was trying to crack some lame joke about me being "sexy"....and etc etc etc. Seeing everyone running around, I shouted and warned the class to sit down. It must have been shocking. But, guess what? I was NOT ANGRY AT ALL!!! I just wanted to scare you guys!

So you probably thought that you got a fierce history teacher and later a scary co-form? Well, I guess, as time went by, you were proved wrong. I know that sometimes, my jokes were kind of lame. Once in a while, I told grandfather stories. I acted funny, showed history clips and funny movies, did drama in class, jumped on the table, showed off my funny looking socks and and....most importantly, I think I TAUGHT. History was not the most interesting subject for some, but I think I tried to make learning it more fun, more creative and more understandable.

In the end, 1E1 did very well for their SA2. Many people improved. We had a record number of distinctions. Many passed. 1E1 tried hard, I put in effort to teach and we got the results. It was a good class effort. In that, I will have to say that I'm proud of 1E1.

Despite all these, 1E1 had their fair share of punishments. There were times you had to be punished. Punished for being rowdy, for being late in handing in work, for being disruptive in class and for not obeying instructions. Those were the times that you suffered and probably hated me. Trust me when I say this. Mr Mak did not feel good when he punished you. Like today, I stood up and did not sit when I made the class stand. The pain is not your own. It is mine too. When I punished you, it made me feel as if I have failed to teach you well. When you hated me for punishing you, I was probably asking and blaming myself, "Is there anything else I could I have done better or was I wrong?" I still had to do the painful thing to punish.

Pampering the class now and letting you run wild is as good as ruining you.


Mr Mak believes that someday 1E1 will do well in life. What I have left behind for you are a few things.

1. History is really not such a boring subject. It depends on how you learn it and how it is taught.
2. There is a time to have fun and a time to study and a time to be serious.
3. Being disciplined and having the right attitude is important in life. It brings you a long way.
4. Respect each other and yourself. You do not live alone.
5. If you do not like me now, it is okay. You are my student, I still want the best for you. I hope when you are older, you will understand.

1E1, it has been a great semester. It has really been great knowing everyone. I learnt a lot too. I wish 1E1 all the best for your future endeavours. I bid you adieu. Till we meet again and if we do, do remember to give me a smile. I know I will.

With love,
Mr Mak
(Your Wacky Co-Form and History Teacher)