Friday, April 30, 2010

Council > Prefectorial board

In one of the recent student body forum, it was mentioned that we were lucky to have a council instead of a prefectorial board which most schools have. It was stated that having a council to look into the welfare of the community is far better than having prefects who enforce discipline.

Is that true?

No doubt most would prefer the idea of improving for the better, than tying up loose ends. Come to think of it, if you do not look into where you went wrong and try to correct it, what good will it do for you to try and make your good points the best of the best.

In this world, there are two main types of goal setters. One would be to focus on ones strongest aspect, and another would be to focus on brushing up ones weakest aspect. Both ways of setting goals indeed have their own advantages as well as disadvantages.

For the first type, which has a similar strategy of a council, will be to focus on a single strongest point. The aim would probably be to excel in a particular area, and to be the best of the best in that area. Wouldn't that be putting all your eggs in one basket? A good example, would be the learning of subjects. One could just focus on one's best subject, and be the best of the best in that area and letting the weaker subjects lag behind, would that allow you a good average? Can someone even soar high with strings tied to the ground? Thus, should we always focus just on our strongest points?

For the second type, similar to a prefectorial board, will be to focus on your weakest points and try to improve as much as possible in that area. This would not only ensure an all rounder, but one who is competent in every aspect. Despite these advantages brought along by brushing up one's weakest, will it really bring the best out of you? Working on one's weakest would also usually be the harder path to take, as if one is weak in a specific area, one would not be good at making much progress with it. Thus, is working on your weakness be the best choice to make?

Therefore, is having a prefectorial board to ensure that the last are not last not as worth as having a council to drag the rest to greater heights while loose ends hang loose?

Sunday, April 25, 2010

SMOPS

The day started at 6am in the morning.
The chairman exclaimed "I have just received news from the head. We have to do more."
People scattered over the place.
Hands grabbed for signs, feet rushed for doors.
"You, you and you, close your laptops! You, you and you put the ball down!
You, you, all of you, get to work now!"
He wagged his finger and ordered.

We parted to our different committees.
At the refreshments committee,
The teacher exclaimed "I have just received news from the vendors. We have to do more."
People scattered over the place.
Hands grabbed for food, feet rushed for stores.
"You, you and you, don't just sit there! You, you and you help carry the boxes!
You, you, all of you, get to work now!"
She wagged her finger and ordered.

Soon the food arrived,
soon the students arrived.
The helpers exclaimed "I have just received news from the students. We have to do more."
People scattered over the place.
Hands rushed for pens, feet rushed for more.
"You, you and you, stop playing now! You, you and you take the attendance!
You, you, all of you, get to work now!"
He wagged his finger and ordered.

The students ate.
The food ran out.
The in-charge exclaimed "I have just received news from the helpers. We have to do more."
People scattered over the place.
Hands rushed for phones, feet rushed for stores.
"You, you and you, go get the food! You, you and you go and sit down!
You, you, all of you, get to work now!"
I wagged my finger and ordered.