Recently, two S.5 students of your school have played truant for a day to attend a meeting with their favourite pop band from Taiwan to collect the members’ autographs. This incident was found out by your school’s Discipline Master. As ways to punish these two students, the principal decided to suspend these two students for a week and give each of them a major demerit. As a senior student, you feel the punishment is not very appropriate.
Write a letter to your principal explaining your views and expressing your hope that he/she can consider the punishment again. Sign your letter ‘Chris Wong’.
Dear Principal,
I am writing to express my view on the punishment on the two S.5 students who played truant for meeting with their favourite pop brand. As I know, they are suspended for a week and are given a major demerit. To me, the punishment is too harsh for them and may not be that effective.
I have known the two students since the Orientation Day of school orchestra and choir five years ago. Wai Yee, the girl involved, was a new member of choir at that time and she is a gifted singer. Chris, the other student involved, was talented in playing several musical instruments. Both of them dream of becoming a pop singer or taking part in a pop band when they leave school. They have dedicated themselves to the music teams and both of them were the vice-chairperson of the music teams last year. Mrs. Smith, the leader of music teams, had praised them for their unremitting commitment to music and they were awarded the certificate of music last year. From my six years’ acquaintance with Wai Yee and Chris, I am sure that they really love music. Their passion for music is beyond doubt but sometimes, they indulge in music too much, which consequently leads to some silly actions.
Admittedly, their misbehaviour is by no means worth praising. Yet, their foolish behaviour may be induced by their affection towards the pop band. They really appreciate the band. I have once visited Wai Yee’s house, and I noticed that her bedroom was filled with posters, CDs and photos of the band. It is the same in Chris’ home. He told me that he had the whole collection of all products of the band. To the best of my knowledge, this Taiwanese band has never come to Hong Kong. The rare opportunity, added to their enthusiasm, may lead them to do such immature things.
Both Wai Yee and Chris are good students. Although they cannot get a good academic result, they try really hard to strive for improvements. Just a few weeks ago, Chris phoned me at 11p.m. and asked me some mathematics questions which he found difficult. Though I was so tired, I explained to him for 3 hours that night because I could feel his eagerness to learn and his determination to make improvements. Wai Yee and Chris really have a good learning attitude. They are never afraid of making mistakes as they always think they can learn a lesson from their failure. I strongly believe that they can also learn a lot this time and I sincerely hope that they can be given a chance to learn.
Granted, they deserve punishment but a major demerit and suspension would be too harsh. By my estimation, they stand little chance of gaining a place to be a S6 student in our school. It is likely for them to study in other schools or even further their studies overseas. A record of a major demerit will ruin their promising future. Which school wants to admit students with a major demerit? It makes it much more difficult for them to further their studies. Moreover, according to our self-redemption scheme, to cancel a major demerit, a whole year is needed but unfortunately, there are only four months before the end of the school year. Hence, it is impossible for them to clear their major demerit record even if they make a comprehensive and genuine reflection.
Suspension isolates them from their classmates and teachers. It is not helpful for them to reflect as reflection often needs reminders and care from others. Staying at school allows them to learn from their friends and listen to their advice. Also, a one-week suspension has great impact on their study as the S5 curriculum is so broad that missing a week’s lessons means missing a lot. They may fall far behind the schedule and it is hard for them to catch up with the lessons missed. Suspending them makes their reflection even more difficult and in addition, brings adverse effects to their academic studies.
Truly, they violated the school rules and punishment should be meted out. Yet, suspension and a major demerit are not at all effective in helping Chris and Wai Yee to reflect on what they did. Meanwhile, the punishment is likely to destroy their promising future. I hereby sincerely hope that the school can reconsider the punishment and if necessary, I am always more than willing to help Chris and Wai Yee.
Yours sincerely,
Chris Wong
Chris Wong