THE BROOKSIAN TIMES
Issue 2 /July 2023
Latest news from Northbrooks Secondary School
PRINCIPAL'S MESSAGE By Mr David Lau
Dear Brooksians, Welcome back to school! I hope you all had a wonderful and well-deserved midyear break. Now, as we gather once again, let's embark on an exciting journey through Semester Two together! Let me share an intriguing story based on a book I read during the June holidays. Picture a time not too long ago when penguins reigned over a place called the "Land of Penguins." These penguins were the authority, always dressed in their black and white suits. They believed in uniformity, thinking that unity could only come from everyone being the same. However, there were other birds, like the worker birds, who wore diverse colours and outfits that represented their unique
work and lifestyles. These birds aspired to become leaders themselves and were encouraged to imitate the penguins. They were told to don the penguin suits and emulate their behaviour, hoping to follow in their leaders' footsteps.
Then, one day, a peacock named Perry joined the Land of Penguins. Perry was vibrant, colourful, and brimming with new ideas. Initially, the penguins were impressed by his creativity and believed he had the potential to be a great penguin. However, as time went on, the penguins began whispering against Perry. They thought he was too loud, too different, and his new ideas disrupted their comfortable routine. Perry, too, felt unhappy because the penguins wanted him to conform and be just like them, wearing a penguin suit and adhering to their ways. Both sides were dissatisfied. This story reflects situations that arise when diverse groups of people come together to work and play. Initially, creativity and innovation are valued, and individuals like Perry, with fresh ideas, are welcomed into the group. However, along the way, their creativity often becomes stifled as they are expected to conform to established norms.
In any work team, there will always be penguins and peacocks. There are also pigeons who act as peacemakers, sparrows who remain neutral, and ostriches who avoid conflict by burying their heads in the sand. Peacocks bring diversity and new ideas, while penguins provide stability and structure. It's crucial for penguins, as the backbone of the team, to recognize that diversity can coexist within a team through acceptance and trust. When we learn to appreciate each other's differences, we become more receptive to listening, open to new ideas, and eager to grow. Birds of different feathers can work together in harmony, creating a more inclusive and innovative environment. Remember, Brooksians, that it's important to embrace your unique qualities, just as Perry did. Be open to new ideas and respect the perspectives of others. By doing so, you'll contribute to a more creative and collaborative team.
Diversity can coexist within a team through acceptance and trust. When we learn to appreciate each other's differences, we become more receptive to listening, open to new ideas, and eager to grow... creating a more inclusive and innovative environment.
FACES OF NORTHBROOKS:
Brought together by a love for buses and FSBB By Michael Liau with input from Aqid Mohamed Sani Bin Abdullah (2T2)
We were onboard a Volvo B7R Coach owned by Yellow Bus Services Pte Ltd that was chartered by the school to shuttle students to and from the learning journey. I closed my eyes and tried my best to drown out the chatter by my new Secondary One classmates. Despite my best efforts to get comfortable, it was difficult. There were too many conversations. A distinct conversation…or voice I should say… caught my attention. Someone was identifying the different bus models that drove past. A fellow bus enthusiast? To begin Stuttgart with, there were not many bus enthusiasts who were my age.
Michael (left) and Aqid are classmates from 2T2 who share a common passion for buses.
I stood up from my seat and tried to identify the owner of the voice. To my surprise, it was Aqid! I remember his introduction to the class on the first day of school, but he didn’t mention that he was a bus enthusiast.
Bubbling with excitement, I asked, “Do you like buses too?” Aqid nodded his head. I quickly shifted to the empty seat next to Aqid’s. For the rest of the trip, we identified bus models that drove by and we shared our knowledge about the different bus models in Singapore.
Continued on page 3.