I’m extremely disappointed with @stcom (the Straits Times’ Twitter feed) for what I feel is a failure to promote a well-rounded discussion, as well as a failure to respond appropriately to feedback.

Earlier today, I saw a tweet by @stcom that read:

If you can’t see the graphic, the tweet is:

“ACS old boys and Rafflesians: How do you feel about the appointment of ex-RJC principal Winston Hodge as ACS(I) principal?”

I was both appalled and amazed at the same time that the person in charge of the Twitter feed had the temerity to do that – especially considering the fact that the original Straits Times news article mentioned that Winston Hodge had been a principal at St Gabriel’s Secondary School as well.

(NOTE: The article has been changed somewhat since the news broke. In any case, Channel News Asia also included the above-mentioned fact, so the information must have appeared in the original press release or interview, at least.)

I need to state two things before I continue:

1. I am an alum of St Gabriel’s; I was a Gabrielite since my Primary School days (1990 – 1995), all the way till I was in Secondary School (1996 – 1999). This meant that Winston Hodge was the Vice-Principal (1996) and Principal (1997 – 1998) of St Gab’s Secondary during my time there.
2. However, I am in no way trying to ‘claim’ Winston Hodge for ‘glory’ or ‘pride’ or what have you. I think it’s the principle behind the message that has been sent by @stcom.

So my response to @stcom was as follows:

Again, if you can’t see the image, my response was as follows:

Temporarily changing my Twitter feed to public mode because @stcom needs to be told off.

@stcom, This is unacceptable behaviour. Why wasn’t the tweet broadcast to old boys of St Gabriel’s as well? By only addressing ex-Rafflesians, you are sending two very inappropriate signals:

1. It is okay to marginalise an equally [important] group, and
2. It is okay to privilege one group above another.

This flies in the face of ST’s commitment to serve all its readers. You should retract that tweet and/or send out a new tweet addressed to “ACS old boys, Rafflesians and Gabrielites”.

To reiterate, my beef is with @stcom’s lack of inclusiveness in gathering views and opinions from an equally important group of people.

Unfortunately, since my response to @stcom, it’s been radio silence all the way.

Suddenly, I discover I’ve been un-Friended.

“Getty Richway Luckschild is no longer in your friend list.”

Confused. Why? I hop over to his profile to try and figure it out. Ah. So des ne.

One of Getty Richway Luckschild’s likes: George Yeo.

You are in the papers again! BTW I texted this to the wrong person; he called me back in shock.

My response:

Hahaha! He must’ve done something really bad then to have had such a fright.

Context: the message was from a friend whom I’ve known for 12 years, so we know each other’s phone number by heart. He probably typed in the wrong number as he was sending the message. BTW it’s not just the both of us who know each other’s number by heart; all our friends in the same group do the same. That’s the value of a Saint Gabriel’s education for you!

Nevertheless, before you begin your papers, PLEASE READ ALL THE INSTRUCTIONS ON THE EXAM PAPER CAREFULLY!

You’re welcome.

and I hope you change your mind I’m sorry to be teaching you “useless” things, but if you can tell me what you feel is important for you to learn, I will definitely work to provide you with what you need.

I understood why – it wasn’t a surgery (although I thought it was at first but I guess I confused the phases of treatment) so from a very clinical point of view, I didn’t need that much rest.

But I didn’t see the point to this flow of logic i.e. I thought it was too hard and fast a rule for it to work across the board. I’m not an office worker, so it’s different in my case. The act of excusing me from teaching still means I have to be at work, which still means I have to prepare my food, my clothes, etc. the night before, wake up early, jostle with the crowd (Pooters is at the workshop, BTW [separate story]) – which I think doesn’t really bode well for the recovery process.

Or is it a Singaporean obsession with ‘showing face’ at work? Quantity of appearances doesn’t really translate to quality of appearances, you know.

Anyway, I went to the clinic near my home to request for an MC; the doctor said no. Again, I understand. He has his own ethical code of conduct to follow. I could feel him grappling with his own inner conscience, but I decided not to push the matter. I know he felt guilty, but I think he should feel some sense of guilt – if he had bothered to listen to what I was trying to say (which, in any case, was kinda hard because the braces have rendered me slightly unintelligible), perhaps he would have understood a deeper meaning to it all – I don’t chao keng but I am aware enough of my own body to know when I need the rest.

I think the rest I need is more psychological than anything else. I didn’t have a pleasant day with the extraction; it hurt like hell. I can’t chew any more; I’m reduced to soups and porridges, and even though I like soups and porridges, I don’t have any more choice to consume what I want at will. I just want some time at home to recover mentally and emotionally, but I guess Medical Certificates don’t cover that, do they?

On hindsight, maybe I could’ve practiced what I preach about performance. I didn’t go into the clinic looking like death; I went in requesting for an MC. So in a sense, I wasn’t in the role of the patient enough for the doctor to step up to the stage and perform his role as well. Maybe it really is all about the politics of performance? *shrugs*

The only thing to be slightly cheery about: I have very good Co-Operating Teachers. Ms Toh Hui Yuan, Mr Peter Crawshaw and Mr Anthony Phoon, if you come across this – thank you very much for your care and concern.

And for the students who are stalking: 4E2 and 4E Literature rocks, and I hope 3E4 comes on board soon.

I was thinking of putting in some personal thoughts and comments but decided against it. Instead, I’ll just leave you with a photo narrative framed within the secondary school song lyrics. The lyrics of the old school song and the Primary School version are here.

See you back here on Monday, when there are more exciting posts in store.

~

In white and blue, boys full of mirth and life

From early morn, we flood the green playground

In every hall, soon starts the daily strife

Of school routine, lessons and work all round

With spirits bright, our will well gladly bracing

From teachers kind we learn what’s good and right

We thus do hope to attain with God’s blessing

Virtue and Truth, Virtue and Truth

Of life’s true beacon light

Saint Gabriel’s School dear

Here willing hearts behold

When duty’s call rings clear

Mid sorrows as through joys

For Singapore and God

For Justice to uphold

Let us live and thus prove

Saint Gabriel’s boys!