Working with a heart for the students

While Mdm Goh's primary job scope involves preparing food and cleaning up the Home Economics Cookery rooms and Needlework room, she has become somewhat of a living legend in the school for her meticulous attention to the needs of the students and countless acts of maternal concern.

Mdm Goh loves preparing food in the Home Economics kitchen. "I enjoy cooking and treat this place like my own kitchen," she says.

Teo Xin Yi, for one, has learnt that if one is unfortunate enough to get drenched in a heavy downpour, Mdm Goh is the person to look for as she will always have spare T-shirts at hand. "She doesn't want us to fall sick," says the Sec 3 student. "All the students here treat her like our grandmother because she cares so much about us."

Likewise, students come running to her when they get stuck trying to put together school banners, have a button missing from their blazers, hit a snag with their sewing projects or need to find certain special ingredients for their Food & Nutrition practical assessments.

Some of those whom Mdm Goh has touched: (L-R) Mr Ess Cuthbert, Operations Manager; Sec 2 student Teo Xin Yi; Sec 5 student Syafiq Asyraf Md David; Miss Lim Chek Quay, Home Economics teacher.

"Mdm Goh is very resourceful and helpful. She's always there when we need her," states Syafiq Asyraf bin Md Daud. The Sec 5 student recounts of how Mdm Goh always drops by with raffia string and scissors to help the class in their paper-recycling project during reading periods.

The teaching staff, too, have been on the receiving end of Mdm Goh's nurturing. "She would make us hot desserts like red bean, green bean, barley or lemongrass every Wednesday," recounts Miss Lim Chek Quay, a Home Economics teacher.

An inspiration to the school

How does Mdm Goh cope with all these extras, along with her own set of duties? "I just love my work, love to help others and love the school very, very much," she says. In fact, Mdm Goh had actually retired last year, but because she missed her job and the school valued her contribution, she is now back at school and working on contract.

Mending a school blazer - one of the many tasks beyond Mdm Goh's job scope that she does to help the students.

Mdm Goh, who lives with her two sons and their families, says of her decision to continue work, "When I stayed at home, it got so boring and I was tired all the time. Over here, there are many things I can do and so many people to talk to and work with!"

Indeed, her work ethic is deeply appreciated by the staff of Temasek Secondary School. Says Mr Cuthbert Ess, Operations Manager, "She is very hardworking and always keeps things clean. It's so rare to meet someone so forthcoming - she's always the first to volunteer whenever I need assistance for school events."

Miss Lim echoes these sentiments. ""Mdm Goh is not calculative and sees everything as an extension of her duties. I don't have to tell her to do things, she always takes the initiative to have everything taken care of," she remarks.

Mdm Goh's tireless commitment has also left an indelible mark on the students. Syafiq feels that the way she has extended help to everyone in the school has taught him to "be sincere and happy with whatever work you do". And Xin Yi finds inspiration in Mdm Goh's determination to go the extra mile, sharing that "Mdm Goh has shown me what putting in 101% effort means."