Here come the guiders

 

It's the start of a brand new project at Penang Free School. On and off, Siang Jin and I have been working on this project during the past year and with the School's Speech Day just round the corner, it has become imperative for us to have this project launched before the big day.

We are calling this the Free School Guide, which is an innovative interactive guide to the heritage of Penang Free School. There are more than 200 years of history here, which we have distilled into the Free School Guide.

It is still far too early for me to say more but I can disclose for the moment that we are starting to train a bunch of the students to be the Guiders. They'll be able to take visitors around the Free School and narrate stories to them. Be proud of your school and be proud of your history, that's what we have told them.

Therefore above, we have a group picture of all of us together, save for one student, at our inaugural workshop. Cikgu Zahidah was the teacher who helped to coordinate everything. So, thank you to her! 

Left of banner: Lim Siang Jin, Agilan Sastriyar a/l Sivaraman, Muhammad Adriez bin Reza Azlan, Avinaash a/l Selvanathan, Cikgu Zahidah

Right of banner: Muhammad Danish, Nicholas Lew, Lim Jing Fuh, Jayden Chee, Yashodev, Allan Albert, Nordin Hilman Visser, Marvin a/l Mohgan, Nurul Fazilah Hanim, Dhevisri a/p Vasu, Heng Yee Keat, Fatimah Al-Zahra, Quah Seng Sun

The workshop at the Lecture Theatre in the Sixth Form Block went off very well with 17 students present. Halfway through the morning session, the Headmaster, Syed Sultan, came in to address them. He has always been very supportive of our programmes, including the Student Leadership Workshops through the years, and this fine gesture showed how keen he was to have this Free School Guide implemented. Here are some pictures:

In case anyone wants to know whether I've made a mistake with my half-past-six English, here is some food for thought regarding the difference between the words guide and guider. First of all, "guider" is a valid word, though it is not as commonly used as its synonym, "guide". Both words refer to someone or something that provides direction, assistance or leadership. I chose "guider" because I didn't want the students to be known as "girl guides" or, horrors, "boy guides".

"Guide" is the more standard and widely recognised term. It can refer to a person who leads or directs others, as well as to something that offers instructions or information.

"Guider" is less common but still correct. It can be used as a noun to indicate someone or something that guides. For example, in some contexts, "guider" might be used to describe a person leading a group through a forest or a tour, similar to how "guide" is used.