A CELEBRATION FOR THE SCHOOL'S DEBATE TEAM WHICH HAD BEEN LONG OVERDUE

This was a lunch gathering to celebrate the success of SMK Dato' Jaafar's English Debate Team for the year 2019. Yes, it had been one year - too long an overdue but as the saying goes: better late then never. The decision was made to have it after school on Sunday afternoon as this should be the only time when everyone was available. One of the hardest things in planning is to get a suitable slot when everybody could turn up. 

SMK Dato' Jaafar won the district's level of the English Debating Competition and was chosen to represent Johor Bahru to the state level. We unfortunately went through only to the quarter final but that to me and Puan Suhaida, the other teacher adviser, was already a huge achievement. This year it seems there is not going to be any debate competition as the COVID-19 pandemic has stalled all the school co-curriculum activities in schools. On a brighter note, we are still the district's reigning champion until a new winner emerges. 😁 But for one thing, how long do we have to wait for the same thing to happen again.

I hope the lunch treat at Seoul Garden, Plaza Angsana, would be a memorable event for them, especially to Mr. Amirul and Mr. Azmeel who will be going for their matriculation/foundation courses real soon. We would also have thank Mr. Faizal, who is Mr. Azmeel's father, who had given his support for the team throughout the debating competitions, right till the very end which had assisted us in many ways to go this far.

For one thing I am sure the time the boys spent together as a team will be something they will treasure in their hearts.

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FOOTNOTE: Seoul Garden in Plaza Angsana has sized down its seating capacity for its in dine in customers. The buffet spread has also lessened so people have less choices of food on the counter. We were there on a weekend (for the private sector) so lamb was available. You could no longer pick your own food from the fresh meat/seafood/vegetables section. The person in charge has to serve you by putting all your selections in your plate so not like last time, you will have to make a return trip to the food counter to get more things to grill and boil. I already miss the old normal in Seoul Garden.