The world of Tzu Chi March 2021 (Vol.132)

TZU CHI 132 21 All TCISKL students practise proper table manners, an important daily living skill. [Photograph by Chua Teck Ching] living, sitting to walking. Principal Lim explained, “These should not be viewed as restrictions. Following proper etiquette is being respectful of the self and others. If you respect and treasure your life and others’, would you still run a red light? Traffic lights are not a restriction because I will still obey traffic rules without a traffic light. This is how I usually explain to students. These etiquette and school rules are there to safeguard, teach and guide us to be a better, respectful and responsible person.” First graders cheering for frontliners During the first online assembly in May 2020, Principal Lim shared about “Hope” with her students, hoping that they could illuminate their own life and shine upon others. Her speech inspired seven-year-old Hew Wen Yen to do something for the society. At her mother’s suggestion, Wen Yen invited her schoolmates to join her in producing handmade cards for medical frontliners. They completed 60 cards within a day. Principal Lim was deeply touched that a first grader had taken this so seriously and even led her peers to contribute. Wen Yen’s endeavour was published on TCISKL Facebook and electronic newsletter alongside the great deeds of other students. In acknowledging the students’ great effort, Principal Lim sent the students Golden Tickets via e-mail, which they can redeem for book vouchers when the school re-opens. Children nowadays enjoy more material comforts than their parents did in their childhood days. They arewell cared for by domestic helpers, pampered and excused from household chores to focus just on their studies. Hence, there is a need for the school to teach children about taking responsibility and learning to be independent. At TCISKL, these lessons are well thought out through different experiential learning. Realizing Character Education – First Year Anniversary of TCISKL