Creative Thinking Summer School 2002

Trinity Summer School - 2002 Intake

Summary of Trinity Creative Thinking Summer School program

Trinity College Summer Schools are two-week residential courses designed to give international and Australian students an intellectual and social edge in their final years of schooling. Summer Schools at Trinity are designed to assist academically able students in their transition to senior secondary school and/or university with an emphasis upon creative teaching approaches to all disciplines. Students are in residence at Trinity College for the duration of the programs which include academically challenging programs and a diverse range of extra-curricula activities.

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Speech delivered during the Validectory Dinner, 16 Dec 2002.

by Kelvin and Ji Zhen,

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Kelvin

Good evening to the Deputy Warden,Dr Gill,Director of Summer School,Mr Tom,Meagen,other teachers,parents and siblings, and everyone else who is present today.

For the past 2 weeks, I can assume that each and everyone us have had an enjoyable and benefitial time here.Trinity Summer School 2002 was something I never expected on joining.It took,just the last 2 weeks before the course for me to submit my entry form.Before the course,many questions began to cloud my mind.These questions were like,"What would the teachers be like?,How's the teaching style?,Who's Mr Tom?," and so on.After having those questions answered in the best possible way, here we are now. Isn't it sad how time has to pass us by so fast when we're having fun?After all,all things have to come to an and,regardless of what it is. Anyway, I'm here tonight to talk on the course and my opinions and point of view on it. Hopefully each and everyone of you are sharing the same positive feelings as I'm having now. Nevertheless,as I go
into my speech, let us all try to relive the moments that we've had here.

Since this is a Summer School, our main purpose of coming here is to learn.The process that we've went through in learning here is definitely a new and interesting one. From a class of at least 20 students back home, we're confined into a small learning class here.That was one thing that was kind of odd at first. Besides that, calling everyone by their first name here was also kind of awkward. Back home,we're used to calling our teachers "Mr", Miss" or in Malaysian "Cikgu". Here in the Summer School, everyone is expected to participate in any form of class work or activity.In other words,it's more challenging experience, rather then learning directly from books back home.With the teacher's closely monitoring us here, I believe everything thought has been channeled through effectively to everyone.Thus, there's also a requirement for students to speak out more and think fast.After seeing what we've produced in our debate, presentations, and dramas, I believe everyone has broke the barrier. I believe the activities here have build up the confidence and inovation in each of us.This I think, is definitely a precious skill and ability that can be implemented in our lives, now and in the future. Believe me. Besides learning, we did come here to have fun, and at the same time make full use of our time during the holidays.Referring to what I've stated about learning, I'm sure everyone has had a great time expressing or describing scenarios or scenes through acting or any other oral form especially during classes like Dramatic Narratives or Cultural Narratives. Let's not forget too, our political negotiation imitation between Saudi Arabia and Iran during International Relations,and also the learning of our origins and Australia's history through art and mass media during Global Issues. I guess it's enough of what we do in class. Besides the experience of a whole new learning process, we did gain the first hand experience of living in a campus room and living independently. However, I don't think I actually miss home yet!!

Thank you so much too for systematically sorting out our time and activities here. It was a great experience here learning to manage our properly and learning to be punctual at all times. Every moment here has been filled with useful activities which is better then being at home wasting away. ;)

Ace Hi Ranch was practically one of the highlights of our two weeks here. It was a good experience to escape from the crazy city life for once, to a far more subdued and peaceful countryside ranch. The experiences of horse back riding, the giant swing, or even the campfire will never be forgotten. Let's not forget too, the the beautiful countryside scenery that was in vision during our 2 days there. That's just something you don't get back in the city. To me,the best experience was not what we did, but who we have met during the past two weeks. Let us take a look around and think back to the first day of the course. Then, we were practically strangers to almost everyone here. Now, how closely knitted we are to each other is just fantastic. This is definitely one of the best gift from the course. Let's just hope for this friendship to go on forever.

Speaking of friend's, let's not forget our wonderful hosts who have been with us day in and day out without fail. It was a wonderful experience meeting with you guys.You've made our stay here far more enjoyable. It was kind of you to bring us out shopping and giving us a taste of Melbourne city life. No couln't have experience this if not for you. However,one experience that might be forgotten is the climate here. ;) Having prepared so much for summer, the cold weather during our stay here was quite unbearable!

This Creative Thinking course will definitely be remembered all my life. Thinking and acting creatively and confidently is essential in making our lives more meaningful and fun. You've shown us how it is done through various interesting yet effective methods.You've also given us a chance to seek new friendships and knowledge.This we can never thank you enough for. So in appreciation to our hosts, teachers and organisers of the Creative Thinking Summer School 2002, let's put our hands together and give them a round of applause.

Hand in hand,
We watch the times we've spent,
Fly out the window.

Strangers in one day,
And companions in the next day.
How could we ever say,
Thank you in the best possible way?

Forever,
In our hearts and minds,
Trinity College Creative Thinking Summer School 2002,
It'll be!!

by Kelvin

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Ji Zhen

A special good evening to the Deputy Warden, Dr Stewart Gill, Mr Tom, Meagan, the parents and siblings, the hosts and fellow summer schoolers. It is truly an honour to be able to speak at the valedictory dinner tonight.

Many a time when I moan and groan about life, school, teachers and friends, I have been asked what life would be without a challenge. Challenge- I cannot find a word, which could describe the summer school experience more aptly. From late nights out or doing homework to early morning struggles to get up and get ready on time, everything here has been a challenge, but these challenges have enriched my life. Not only have I been challenged to come up with new and innovative ideas, I’ve also lived through the challenge of being away from home and stepping out of my comfort zone. Most importantly, I’ve risen to the challenge of meeting new people and working with them cooperatively.

Summer school has also been the greatest learning experience for me. As all of you probably know, the learning style here is a direct contrast to that which is practiced back home in Singapore. Here, students are encouraged to speak out and share their ideas while back at home, students learn directly from books and memorise facts. In this way, I have enjoyed classes here very much more because I was able to share my opinions instead of giving cold, hard facts as answers. Classes here are also comparatively smaller than classes at home. I feel that the size of the classes has contributed greatly to my getting the most out of the summer school. I think we all found ourselves willing and not shy to share ideas and to take part in activities whole-heartedly. This was especially evident during Dramatic narrative classes. We have truly been transformed from a group of eighteen shy and unfamiliar strangers to a tightly and coherently bonded group of individuals bursting at the seams with energy and confidence. True to its goals, the summer school has most definitely aided us in the ability to think out of the box and to benefit our last years of secondary schooling.

I am so grateful for being able to come to summer school and do not have any regrets for doing so. On behalf of all the summer schoolers, my heartfelt thanks go to Mr Tom and Meagan for organizing such a successful summer school, the teachers for spending their time to conduct our wonderful classes which have helped us learn something new and lasting. Finally, an enormous thank you to Stephen, Sara, Yenny and Cynthia, our hosts, whom we will fondly remember for being with us throughout the last two weeks. Putting up with all our nonsense, coming out with us late at night to catch a show or to go shopping or just simply to get an ice cream- the summer school would not have been what it was without you. Thank you so much!

To end, I will remember this time as being fun-filled and enriching, the memories of the last two weeks and the people I’ve met will always be cherished by me. I’d like to leave you with these final words by Goethe. “ whatever you can do or dream you can, begin it. Boldness has genius, power and magic in it. Begin it now.”

Thank you.
by Ji Zhen.

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