St Margaret's Principal (Marion Tan): life after the botakgate.

[jw5]

Re: St Margaret's Principal (Marion Tan): life after the botakgate saga.

This pedantic adherence to rules is so typically sinkee. It is a rule that didn't make any sense in this case. Why would the 'wise' principal even impose it on the girls baffle me.

Establishment mentality.

 

[Semaj2357]

Re: St Margaret's Principal (Marion Tan): life after the botakgate saga.

This pedantic adherence to rules is so typically sinkee. It is a rule that didn't make any sense in this case. Why would the 'wise' principal even impose it on the girls baffle me.
The girl committed to a rule but then they realized that they could do more good by showing up bald. So, why shouldn't they pursue that? They did and they got common sense to prevail instead of adhering to a rule blindly.

The teaching lesson is that don't follow rules blindly.

yes, commitment is the root word here - don't commit if you can't hold up your end of the bargain. When one goes in with eyes wide open, don't do a double take when the commitment or circumstances doesn't suit you. Best to think through before committing coz an ah long has only one simple rule, O$P$ or live with the consequences.

 

[bic_cherry]

Why the contract invented by the principal is indeed an embarrassing joke.

Another perspective:

Why the contract invented by the principal is indeed an embarrassing joke.

(Thread source: Mr Heng should not have intervened in bal girl Integrity issue)
This is evidence that the 2 kids did this in retaliation and rebellion. This is why I say Minister Heng should have thought through deeper before he came out to censor the principal.
The message he sends with his words is that it is Ok to question authority and not to keep promises.
The 2 rebellious girls and their parents are now gloating at their glory of over throwing the principal and getting their way. They made use of the media, publicity and even the authorities to get their way. hahahahaha

No need so big font,
Just to tell you why the contract by the principal is indeed an embarrassing joke.

Principal is firstly a guide and a counselor, to teachers and students alike. She is supreme authority to both set the agenda and then the rules to achieve them and then review them continuously. In this case she could easily have made an exception, simply by ensuring that those allowed to have 'unladylike hairstyles' did NOT do so for social rebellion, but for a greater social cause, and made announcements to bolster that aim. The eager students had applied for permission, the principal should respond with courtesy and attention. For double confirmation and deeper consideration, the principle, or anyone whom she should direct, may speak with the parents to poll their views and opinion about their support of the charitable cause. A visit to the Hair for Hope Facebook page would also reveal both the Minister of Education, as well as DPM Mr Tharman's support for the campaign.

As a judge of character, the principal has to decide if the student's intentions are bonafide ones- in alignment with the aims and objectives of the charity concerned.

The job requirements of a competent school principal, as previously mentioned, includes creating and reviewing school rules based upon on moral priorities. Whist general discipline such as a feminine turnout, school uniforms and punctuality might aid some moral achievements such as literacy and the attainment of better grades, the are remain other moral achievements which make for better individuals that are ad hoc and not part of the curriculum. E.g. fund raising for a student struck down by cancer. Anti mosquito activities recommended by NEA in view of a recent dengue outbreak. Lesson periods may be adjusted so as to accommodate such aspirations.

A school is an educational establishment, not an institution recalcitrant, hardened drug addicts. Nurture, rather than discipline should be the foremost aim of educators.

To draw up contracts with children should be the last thing on her mind. It could well be that due to the kid's over-enthusiasm and the principal's seeming nonchalance: 'just go find some cover for the peak', the kids had no conceptualization of where to find wigs and how much each should cost- an neither did the principal give these issues any adequate consideration.
In short, it is neither the job of principals to provide legal assistance, nor to enforce contracts in law; the contract the principal drew up was a stupid joke and the students were correct to deem it as such.

To a student, that the principal agreed was sufficient proof that their application was bonafide- the welfare of cancer kids would be all that is important. If in the unfortunate instance that wigs could not be obtained, then a principal who had a heart for cancer suffering kids would surely not mind- especially so when their result was no different from the handiwork of DPM Mr Tharman who himself shore the head of a 15 year old boy participant. If the boy could bask in his new DPM handiwork outcome, announcing to all his new found joy, then so too could a girl share with her classmates the beauty of new-found affection. Surely the fact that wigs were expensive and hard to find, cause rashes and uncomfortable to wear would be ample reason and but petty inconvenience to a principal who will surely appreciate their new found freedom and joy- the school itself being a Christian organisation- an institution as loving as "God is love" (1 John 4:8; NIV).
Basking in the joy of their new found freedom (to fight in solidarity with cancer suffers), these poor 16year olds must have been shocked at being sentenced to some form of detention, and subsequently, have their parents being presented with a $70 penalty, thanks to efficient henchman assistance of some unthinking parent volunteers (obtaining suspect quality wigs of some ?dubious? source).

Comparing their negative reception with the raucous welcome that of other participants from other (participating) schools received, it is fortunate that parents intervened and saved their children from falling into a state of depression given the persistence of persecution they faced from both parent volunteers and the entire educational establishment.

About a principal who derelicts her educational duties just to run a female supremacist institution. About a principal well attuned to scoring good brownie points just based on student grades and other ritual performance, I'm sure hope our ministers have an answer to people who perpetually try to game and outsmart the local educational system.

If the ministers will not judge in the midst of this public confusion, then let God be judge, for the conduct of this principal is no different from the Pharisees, Sadducees and the Sanhedrin who tried all manner of legal contortions and accusations to discredit and persecute Jesus Christ simply because he challenged status quo [Matthew Chapter 22 (NIV)] and called them a "den of thieves".

Psalm 1 (NIV)
1 Blessed is the one who does not walk in step with the wicked or stand in the way that sinners take or sit in the company of mockers,
2 but whose delight is in the law of the Lord, and who meditates on his law day and night.
3 That person is like a tree planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in season and whose leaf does not wither— whatever they do prospers.
4 Not so the wicked! They are like chaff that the wind blows away.
5 Therefore the wicked will not stand in the judgment, nor sinners in the assembly of the righteous.
6 For the Lord watches over the way of the righteous, but the way of the wicked leads to destruction.

[source]

Ministers participating in Hair for Hope, Singapore:

[pict source]

[pict source]

[pict source]

 

[maxxi]

Parents already storming into principles office and banging table.

 

[winnipegjets]

Re: St Margaret's Principal (Marion Tan): life after the botakgate saga.

yes, commitment is the root word here - don't commit if you can't hold up your end of the bargain. When one goes in with eyes wide open, don't do a double take when the commitment or circumstances doesn't suit you. Best to think through before committing coz an ah long has only one simple rule, O$P$ or live with the consequences.

Totally disagree on this. Changing the rules in this case was a win-win for all. A win for the raising awareness of cancer, a win for the school for showing casing to other students how they can do good.
Some rules are meant to be broken and this is one of them.

 

[steffychun]

Re: St Margaret's Principal (Marion Tan): life after the botakgate saga.

st margs is a shit school to begin with

 

[bryanlim1972]

Re: St Margaret's Principal (Marion Tan): life after the botakgate saga.

st margs is a shit school to begin with

Y u tar all the students past n present? A shit principal does not a shit school make.

 

[looneytan]

Re: Botakgate, how one principal can live on

now, he, heng swee kiat, rooks gud lor! ... principal rooks bad, lor! ... ...

your principal got tell your parents or not that you had problem with spelling

 

[po2wq]

Re: Botakgate, how one principal can live on

your principal got tell your parents or not that you had problem with spelling ...

me proud graduand of dat my 1st skool ... how? ...

 

[hockbeng]

Re: Botakgate, how one principal can continue to live on

Silly girls!

I agree with the principle; they are just trying to be rebellious and showing that they are different.

Nothing to do with cancer patients.

When you have cancer, the last thing on your mind is your bald head. There are many issues far more important to them and their family: finances, side effects of medication; pain from chemo; disruption to education; and most importantly chances of cure/remission etc...

Maybe next time these girls should skip their exams as well, or empty their bank accounts to show their solidarity.

 

[hockbeng]

Re: St Margaret's Principal (Marion Tan): life after the botakgate saga.

Totally disagree on this. Changing the rules in this case was a win-win for all. A win for the raising awareness of cancer, a win for the school for showing casing to other students how they can do good.
Some rules are meant to be broken and this is one of them.

Everyone is fully aware of the existence of cancer. Have you met anyone who doesn't?
What we need is better medications/ better still a cure. No amount of head shaving will achieve this. A total waste of time.

 

[Semaj2357]

Re: St Margaret's Principal (Marion Tan): life after the botakgate saga.

Totally disagree on this. Changing the rules in this case was a win-win for all. A win for the raising awareness of cancer, a win for the school for showing casing to other students how they can do good.
Some rules are meant to be broken and this is one of them.

>>I think the school rules are outdated, girls should be allowed to go botak for any reason... in today age, promise count very little, no need for everything to be cast in stone... <<

my main point is to have students (and adults) do the right thing in honouring a commitment and thereafter not to flip whenever circumstances doesn't suit them, nothing to do with their support in this cause which I think is a noble one. It's a slippery road when we allow the young'uns to renege on their promises and try to lace it with religion. Education encompasses civic studies in attaining self-worth that's worthy of respect amongst friends and family when we honour what we say we will do and that counts alot in my book.

 

[looneytan]

Re: St Margaret's Principal (Marion Tan): life after the botakgate saga.

Everyone is fully aware of the existence of cancer.
What we need is better medications/ better still a cure.

If only everyone is fully aware of the existence of soursop

 

[hockbeng]

Re: St Margaret's Principal (Marion Tan): life after the botakgate saga.

If only everyone is fully aware of the existence of soursop

Have heard this soursop thing from many people.
Any evidence about its effectiveness?
Supposed to boil the leaves and drink the stuff right?

 

[ginfreely]

Re: St Margaret's Principal (Marion Tan): life after the botakgate saga.

I think it is okay to break promise when there is a valid reason to do so and it does not cause others harm.

>>I think the school rules are outdated, girls should be allowed to go botak for any reason... in today age, promise count very little, no need for everything to be cast in stone... <<

my main point is to have students (and adults) do the right thing in honouring a commitment and thereafter not to flip whenever circumstances doesn't suit them, nothing to do with their support in this cause which I think is a noble one. It's a slippery road when we allow the young'uns to renege on their promises and try to lace it with religion. Education encompasses civic studies in attaining self-worth that's worthy of respect amongst friends and family when we honour what we say we will do and that counts alot in my book.

 

[bryanlim1972]

Re: St Margaret's Principal (Marion Tan): life after the botakgate saga.

It's a slippery road when we allow the young'uns to renege on their promises and try to lace it with religion. Education encompasses civic studies in attaining self-worth that's worthy of respect amongst friends and family when we honour what we say we will do and that counts alot in my book.

flowing from your argument, it would have been better for the girls not to make the initial deal with the principal. they should have turned up botak, and then fight for their civil/moral right to be botak.

the deal was a hobson's choice.

 

[steffychun]

Who decreased my points?!

 

[Semaj2357]

Re: St Margaret's Principal (Marion Tan): life after the botakgate saga.

flowing from your argument, it would have been better for the girls not to make the initial deal with the principal. they should have turned up botak, and then fight for their civil/moral right to be botak.

the deal was a hobson's choice.

i'll say it again, when one makes a deal - honour it, period. I think you would expect this from your friends and family yes? Whether the girls shaved their pubic hair, exposed their twats and then fight with the principal not to wear knickers because of the itch is not the concern here. That choice, whether Hobson's or otherwise, is theirs alone to make.

 

[ginfreely]

Re: St Margaret's Principal (Marion Tan): life after the botakgate saga.

i'll say it again, when one makes a deal - honour it, period. I think you would expect this from your friends and family yes? Whether the girls shaved their pubic hair, exposed their twats and then fight with the principal not to wear knickers because of the itch is not the concern here. That choice, whether Hobson's or otherwise, is theirs alone to make.

Even if circumstances change and someone may die, still must honour?

 

[Semaj2357]

Re: St Margaret's Principal (Marion Tan): life after the botakgate saga.

Even if circumstances change and someone may die, still must honour?

depending on the circumstance, if someone dear to you is at death's door, I don't see why not.