Lau (centre) presents the ‘Excellence Student Award 2019’ (Anugerah Tokoh Pelajar 2019) to Gordon Tiong while Goi (left) looks on.
SIBU: Students’ attitude and the way they behave have a bearing on their future.
How they think about themselves and others, how they treat people, the words they use, their body language, the way they act and interact with others may have more impact on their current and future success than how knowledgeable or skilful they are at something, SMK Tung Hua School Board of Management chairman Temenggong Dato Vincent Lau pointed out.
He said they may be the best athletes on the team but if they are arrogant and cannot get along with their coach or teammates, they will not get very far in that sport because no coach will want to work with them.
“You may be the smartest student in your class, but it will be your attitude about making a valuable contribution to a company that will get you hired for the job.
“People want to be around a person with a positive attitude. Bosses want to hire a person with a positive attitude. Your ability to rise to leadership will be determined by your attitude. It is that simple,” he pointed out.
He was speaking at the certificate and prize presentation ceremony of SMK Tung Hua at the school hall yesterday.
It was attended by about 700 students.
Lau said he agreed with Zig Ziglar who once said ‘A positive mental attitude will not let you do everything, but it will let you do everything better’.
He added a positive attitude is no guarantee for success, but a negative attitude will always hold them back and limit their potential.
“The better their attitude about life and people, the better their chances for success.
“Here is my challenge to you. Think about the skill sets you have currently. Think about how you could improve those, how you could add new aptitudes on them and how you could grow both of these areas,” he said.
Lau added that as they grow in both attitude and aptitude, they will soon find out that their confidence and belief in themselves will naturally increase.
“You are not only going to have the skills, but you also have the attitude to back it up. Finally, I would like to note that nothing comes without hard work and dedication.
“Thanks to our hardworking parents, we have a comfortable start in life.
“But for everything else extra, you have to work as hard to get them. When you want to achieve something, set your mind to do it, then put in all your effort, giving it your 100 per cent best and nothing less,” he added.
On another note, Lau commended SMK Tung Hua principal Goi Nguok Yew and all his staff, the School Management Board of Directors as well as the school’s Parent- Teacher Association for their relentless effort and support in realising the vision and mission of SMK Tung Hua.
“You all are also very much a part of the awardees’ success. All these years, many of us here have also come to know and are impressed by the commitment and dedication of all the teaching staff of SMK Tung Hua.
“They work diligently and inspire their students to get the best out of themselves, hoping that the students will leave the school with the necessary skills to make their way in society,” he added.