Sixth Form Pioneers visit our new campus

Date: (Mon) 11th May 2015

Pioneer Sixth-Formers Alif Zainoren and Hanif Chai paid the school a surprise visit on Monday 11^th May 2015.They were welcomed by Mr Louis and Ms Mangalespary of the Sixth Form . Alif and Hanif were both originally from SMK Sam Tet and were among the fifteen students who formed the first batch of sixth formers at Tenby Schools Ipoh.  

“We timed our visit for Teachers’ Day. We have come to say a big “thank you” to the wonderful teachers who made our Tenby sojourn one of the most memorable,challenging and exciting chapters of our lives,” commented Alif who is currently studying Psychology at Universiti Tunku Abdul Rahman (UTAR) in Kampar.

Hanif Chai is currently doing his final year in Petroleum Engineering at PETRONAS Universiti, Bandar Seri Iskandar, Perak.

“ My Tenby years were a great boost to my English before I joined PETRONAS university.It was at Tenby that I really experienced a paradigm shift in my outlook.I emerged from the Tenby programme as a person more aware of global issues ,” said Hanif Chai who was a key player in the Sixth Form Council as well as in the Chinese Language Club of Tenby Schools Ipoh.

Here are some edited excerpts from the interview with the two visitors.

Q Why did you choose to join the Tenby Sixth Form in January 2010?

Alif:  It was very much the advice of my parents who had great confidence in the leadership of the late Dato’ KK Lim, the founder of Tenby Schools Malaysia. His vision for a united world at peace appeals greatly to Malaysians. I myself liked what I saw at Tenby Ipoh – a wonderful ethnic mix of children from more than 25 countries. Another key factor was the reputation of the sixth form teachers at Tenby who were highly regarded in the Kinta Valley.

Q  How has Tenby prepared you for university life?

Hanif:  At PETRONAS university, all the courses are conducted in English. Having done the CIE A Level programme at Tenby Ipoh, I am much better prepared for communication in English. The debates and the Thinking Skills programme at Tenby did much to propel me forward in my mastery of the English language. I am more effective today as a public speakers and writer because of the intensive training I underwent at Tenby Ipoh.

Q  What are the challenges you face in your university studies?

Alif:  We are very much on our own in our studies.Most of my coursework involves field research work and report-writing. I find that I am sometimes hampered by  lack of access to potential “subjects” for my research work. I realize how important it is to have a wider network of friends and mentors in my field.

Hanif:  The challenges are many. Firstly, there is anxiety about  the future of petroleum engineering given the current fall in  crude oil prices. Will there be jobs for petroleum engineers in the future?

Secondly, technology is changing rapidly. I need to keep up with changes by  various means not least by participating in internet-based projects. My advice to future engineering students to go for broad fields of study rather than narrow specializations.  

   Tenby Schools Ipoh thank you, Alif and Hanif, for the courtesy of the visit and for sharing your thoughts with us.

     SIXTH FORM COHORT 11 GEARS UP FOR “THE WINTER’S TALE”

Since their arrival in January 2015, the Sixth Formers of Cohort 11 have been exploring Shakespeare’s “The Winter’s Tale” from various angles: thematic value, choreography, musical back-up, stage sets and a host of other perspectives. They have been practising every Monday from 3 pm – 4.30 p.m. under the able direction of Shamina Ashiqin Gul , the director , assisted by Kenneth Wong and Jasdeep Singh.

“It has been the most intensive drama experience of my life,” admits Weng Dun Xin , formerly of Perak Girls’ Schools,Ipoh. “ I am the narrator of the story and I need to bring my pronunciation and articulation to the peak of perfection. It is indeed a challenge to my public speaking skills.”

“The Winter’s Tale” is expected to be ready for public performances in early June 2015.The play will first be staged before audiences within Tenby Schools Ipoh before it is staged at various schools in Ipoh.

 “The drama tradition at Tenby Ipoh is among the strongest in any pre-uiversity college in Malaysia and beyond,” declares Shahmina who hails from SMK Convent HIJ Ipoh. “ It focuses on Shakespearean plays because Malaysian schools today have minimal exposure to Shakespeare.

We at Tenby Schools Ipoh hope to fill this gap.”

 

  HAPPY TEACHERS’ DAY FROM AUG

The school extends its thanks to AUG for having presented 100 tiny pots of cacti as a Teachers’ Day gift to the staff of Tenby Schools Ipoh. Teachers who are “ pro-cacti” are cordially invited to collect their tiny pots at the school’s main office.