Esther Cook

My final day passed by in a whirlwind of busyness, emotion and laughter.  I spent the morning at the National Museum.  I had planned to pop in but found its story and presentation so inspirational that I ended up staying the day.  I had a precious afternoon with new colleagues, who I very much hope haven’t seen the last of me, before being privileged to lead a presentation.  As I looked around the room of 30 or so colleagues I was humbled and honoured to realise that I was speaking to a room full of new colleagues, now known and deeply respected; the previous unfamiliar situation was now replaced with a room full of shared memories, conversation and mutual learning.  I’ll be honest and say the goodbyes left me somewhat emotional (of course!).

My wonderful new friends ensured I was sent off with a glorious Chinese meal and like so many before me the time passed quickly at the award winning Changi Airport.

The flight itself was pleasant (another miracle!), and I really did burst into tears of joy when my precious children and husband were waiting for me at Terminal 5.  Loosing all sense of English reserve, we treated on lookers to our very own version of a famous airport scene straight from the film ‘Love Actually.’

And what next …?

God does indeed know, and I trust one step at a time, but I can tell you that this happened:

My first purchase on my return was a World map, which now has pride of place on our stairs.

My next job is to post you all some pictures!

‘The best is yet to be.’

I think belonging is the word which sums up todays adventures.

First, I explored what it means to belong at a truly wonderful primary school.  I was welcomed so warmly and learned what their programme of student development involved.  I have spent a large part of the week discussing and learning in a variety of ways, the deliberate actions and curriculum decisions taken to ensure that children grow in depth of character.  At the heart it seems to be a deep sense of belonging, that we all belong, we all contribute, and together we all succeed.

This was further developed in my amazing opportunity to visit the opening ceremony of the National Youth Games.  Here students showed the most incredible talents in gymnastics and martial arts, before taking their start of season pledge to be good sportsmen.  The stadium was incredible and reminded me of Stratford.

I then ventured to the Night Safari as I was assured that it was a must for tourists!  I started off feeling a stark contrast between the welcome and involvement of being in such a warm and nurturing community as the Singaporean Educational system, and being among the nameless faces of tourists.  I waited in a particularly long cue and started chatting to a fellow Brit; another lone female traveler, enjoying the must-see attraction.  In fact that commonality of being with a Londoner made a wonderful experience even more special.  I had a companion with which to share the wonder of being a stone’s throw (definitely not literally) from elephants, lions, tiger, bears, wolves and many other creatures.  I had a fellow southerner to exchange jokes with whilst watching the animal show.  I had someone to chat to on the night bus and metro home, discovering that her hotel was only one stop from mine.

I started the day with a wonderful Facebook post from my Dad and have been in constant contact with Brad and the girls.  I am so very grateful to have belonged here for a short week, and so grateful for the knowledge that I will be reunited with my nearest and absolute dearest within hours.

I was going to start this post with ‘I was saying to a friend earlier …’  Then I paused and realised the implications of what I was about to say.  Here I am, on the other side of the World, with people I have known for 3 or 4 days, and yet I absolutely count them as friends and I am grateful for them.  Today has been a day of shared conversation, shared experience, shared joy and of course, shared food!  In fact that’s what I was going to say – as I was saying to a friend earlier, there is a real danger of this turning into a food blog!

It was kindly suggested that I start the day slightly later today, so in true English style I set off for a walk. I wished to deliver a gift to a school I visited yesterday, before retuning to my host school.  It is amazing how quickly a place can feel like home, especially when your gracious hosts are so incredibly generous with their hospitality, welcome and friendship.  Coming into school, turing on the office light and switching on the air con (a grateful provision – air con is to Singapore as to central heating is to the UK) feels like a home from home (or work from work!)!  I have been so privileged to have a number of meetings with incredible people over the past view days and I have learned so much from each one.  These friendships have then been built upon through kind and generous offers to incredible places.  Yesterday it was Chinatown, today it was a wonderful restaurant for Dim-sun with SLT, before putting on a cocktail dress and heels for high tea at Raffles with one of my hosts and two other wonderful people.  We have laughed and chatted, and I have learned so much from them.  A visit to the Gardens at the Bay was a spectacular ending to another wonderful day.

As I start to think about my return I wonder what legacy this visit will leave.  I’m sure I will return to this question, but for now it will suffice to say that alongside all the academic, pastoral and personal benefits this visit will surely bring, my life will be richer because of the friendships I have made.

Today the adventure has continued in a whirlwind of food and colour, greetings and discussion, generosity and hospitality. I can hardly believe that this is still the same day which greeted me at 5.50am,   so that I could be ready for a 6.20am commute and a 7.30am session.

I have be so blessed all day, by colleagues and students, with information, sharing, discussion, patience, and above it all, gracious generosity.

Educationally, I have been so incredibly grateful for the time and wisdom of my colleagues, and am excited to see what the fruits of my visit will be.

Culturally, socially and even perhaps gastronomically,  I have had the experience of a lifetime.

Yesterday I ate lunch with some visitors from Japan, we were treated to a traditional dish of chicken rice, followed by a traditional Japanese cake. Last night I thoroughly enjoyed a Korean barbecue,  where the meat was cooked over hot coals on our table, and severed with lettuce and a range of side dishes.  I had been taken on the way to experience the national fruit of durian.  A very strongly smelling fruit, which I really liked, much to the surprise of some of my new colleagues!

I was invited to breakfast today with hosts who invited me to eat paratha dipped in curry soup.  I enjoyed a beautiful lunch of rice and chicken, followed by a fruit selection of purple dragon fruit, guava, mango, rose apple and pineapple. For me a particular highlight has been this evening, where some wonderful hosts have taken me to China town and invited me explore the preparations for Chinese New Year.  I seem to be having some trouble uploading pictures, but have patience, there are many and I will load them soon!

We explored the markets and streets; visited Buddhist and Hindu Temples and explored the shops before stopping at a Chinese food stall for dinner.  This included a dish with a variety of ingredients tossed together at the table while wishes (or in our case prayers) for the New Year were said. We also ate pork satay, spring rolls and crunchy edible baskets stuffed with a vegetable mix, all washed down with sugar beet.

The descriptions doesn’t do it justice.  It was phenomenal.  Not just the food, but the whole experience.

And tomorrow … afternoon tea at Raffles!

This has been precious time,

I am struck by how much I have learned in such a short space of time.

Today I visited my host school for the first time, a truly wonderful place.  I have learned so much already which I know will impact my own wonderful workplace.  I have learned from so many people and situations.

Particularly I have learned from, and thoroughly enjoyed, being a ‘commuter’ in a new city.  In the past, as a tourist and holiday maker I have wished for the opportunity to ‘join in’ with the local culture and flow of life.  I have sought to eat in local restaurants and avoid the more ‘tourist-y’ spots!  It has been a real privilege to be able to join for a short period of time, the flow of Singaporean life.  I am honoured to be welcomed and included, and I am greatly blessed by the time and care which is being taken to involve me.

I have learned again how much I love city life.  I am in a fantastic hotel which is right next to a large shopping mall (Raffles City) and the metro station.  It is easy walking distance from the galleries and museums.  It has been amazing to be able to explore the city and mingle with such a diverse and welcoming group of people.

I have learned that the vocation of teaching is a common language.   That passion and commitment, dedication and enthusiasm are shared across the World.  This was reinforced by the very great privilege of having lunch with some visiting Japanese teachers.

I have learned with great depth (I did know already!) that my Husband and children are my greatest cheerleaders and my biggest support, and that my home community are there for me when we all need them.

I have learned that technology is a gift which makes the World feel smaller, and which enables home to be so near.

I have learned that I love to travel and that facing a flying fear head on has great rewards.

I have learned that my personal faith sustains me, and this is also shared across the globe.

I have four more days here and the rest of my life ahead ….

The best is yet to come!

Today I approach Sunday evening feeling grateful. I’m grateful for this incredible opportunity. I’m grateful for a fantastic Church which felt like home from home, wonderful worship and a brilliant message. I’m grateful for my wonderful hosts who I am privileged to have spent the day with. I am grateful for a culinary extravaganza at the Ritz and for promises of a fabulous week planned for me. I am grateful for new shoes (following the admission that mine were more pain than gain!) and a beautiful city to buy them in. I am grateful for being here on the day of a Hindu festival and in the run up to preparations for Chinese New Year – a real treat for an R.E. Teacher!
I have been learning about gratitude today. Gratitude for those who have prepared the way for us. I have thought about Holocaust Memorial Day and the gratitude we will again show to those who ensure our freedom. I am left pondering the way we pass on a habit of gratefulness.

Today the World feels smaller, and I find this profoundly moving and incredibly reassuring.  The flight, which I had been so scared of, was amazing.  So amazing in fact, that I don’t feel as far from home as I thought I might.  iPhone and Wifi make the World smaller, but the action of flying over countries which were previously just names and news headlines has changed me.

I love Singapore already and I have been here for 5 hours!  I have a beautiful room with plenty of space to work and think, and right in the middle of the city centre.  This leads to my second thought …

The World is different when you’re on your own.  I have had an incredible time exploring, and on the advice of my host, I have visited a converted convent called CHIJMES, which was stunning, and filled with incredible restaurants.  I then wandered over the road and spent a happy hour in a large shopping complex, Raffles City.  Rather than eat in a fancy restaurant, possibly because I was on my own, and possibly due to a recovering body clock, I opted to eat in the food court.  This was incredibly familiar and wonderfully new at the same time. I sat with people from all over the World and felt instantly at home. My final choice was beef peppered rice, which was amazing and cost $6 (about £3).  As I walked back, past the restaurants I felt like I had had a real welcome to Singapore.

We look often for the opportunities and ‘tricks’ to open up the World to our students.  We take them wherever we can, we expose them to as much diversity as is in our gift to do. A part of my work recently has been exploring a ‘Cultural Entitlement’ for our children.  And today, before I even leave the airport I think I understand a little bit more.  In giving our children the very best opportunities we can, we give them keys to their future.  Opportunities of their own to visit, to explore, to share, to become.  In helping our children to not only achieve, but also to aspire, we offer them chances and choices; a ‘hope and a future.’  

I am blessed with my dream job.  Working for a fantastic school with an inspirational group of people is a privilege.  With graciousness and a quest for excellence at the heart of all we do, the challenges and difficulties always lead to solutions and steps forwards.  I have learned over the past two years particularly, that everything in education starts and ends with relationship.  As a teacher we focus on building positive relationships with our students and colleagues.  As a leader we focus on developing a culture of mutual trust and collaboration. Now with a role in system leadership I am learning to appreciate the very great strength which can be found when we really work together with the good of our children at the heart.

This love of collaboration and desire to learn from every new experience has lead me to tonight.  The night before I fly to Singapore.  I’m going as part of a project to connect teachers and classrooms around the World, and I’m going all on my own, on my first ever long distance flight.

I want to find a way to document my experiences and record my learning, and I want to invite you to share in the journey.

I have been impressed tonight by the motto of my host school “The best is yet to be” adapted from Robert Browning’s poem ‘Rabbi ben Ezra’

Grow old along with me!
The best is yet to be
The last of life, for which the first was made:
Our times are in His Hand
Who saith, “A whole I planned,
Youth shows but half, trust God:
See all, nor be afraid!”