We anticipate that there may be some parents, teachers and school staff who have a few more questions - either because we left some blind spots or perhaps you did not happen to see it answered elsewhere. If you still have questions, feel free to contact me peronally!
Derrick Wilkerson, Director JomLEAD (DerrickW@gspconsulting.com)
“We cannot always build the future for our youth, but we can build our youth for the future,”
Franklin D. Roosevelt, 32nd President of the United States
A Few Fast Facts
Last Day to Apply: Wednesday, July 21, 2021
First Session: Saturday, July 24th (3:00 - 4:15)
Cost: Rm 15 x 8 sessions = Rm 120
Payment Due: Thursday, July 22,2021
(Note: You will receive payment details upon application.)
We will meet for eight consecutive Saturdays.
Application Link: Click Here
Is this a programme to help my kids learn English? JomLEAD is a programme that is conducted in English (and which will have a number of native English speaking participants) but it is NOT a programme that teaches English. In fact, it is important that your son or daughter has a basic level of English so the he/she can comprehend what is taking place. We recognise that many may feel a bit "malu nak cakap (shy to speak)" but that is true everywhere. We do believe that each will feel more comfortable over time to speak.
Who is your intended audience? JomLEAD is intended for boys and girls (ages 11-13 ) who 1) personally want to join this programme (not forced by parents!); 2) have a reasonable command of English; 3) are willing to step beyond their comfort zone in interacting with those who may be different from them and in participating in activities that might be new to them; and 4) want to grow as a person! We also know that there may be students who enjoy speaking English but in their respective schools they may not have the opportunity to interact with peers who enjoy speaking English and/or provide a "safe zone" to do so. )
Who will be the other participants? For the upcoming July module we anticipate about 25-30 boys and girls participating. It will be a really interesting mix with about half being native English speakers (mostly Americans) who are part of home schooling networks because their parents are working overseas. The remainder are mostly from national schools in Kedah, Penang and Perak because two of our staff are based in the north with connections to the local schools.
Why are we calling JomLEAD a "Pilot Project"? Our July JomLEAD module is being labeled as a "Pilot Project" because it is the first time our GSP team is organising it. We have consulted with an international partner Reshape Egypt (Check them out on FB) who have had a great response in developing team building for youth and adults. We have had a lot of fun putting it together, but we are sure there will be some "learning as we go." Don't be suprised if you experience some "mid-course corrections." We anticipate that our next round of JomLEAD will increase in price. We also recognise that in the midst of a pandemic some families simply do not have the means to pay for anything "extra." As we work with schools, we will look for ways to make JomLEAD affordable for those who would benefit the most.
What are the topics that will be covered? Each of the eight weeks of JomLEAD features a theme. They include:
Identity…how they and others see themselves.
Values…what values are important to them and how they affect others.
Gratitude…how a grateful heart leads to success.
Integrity…how honesty and how words affect more than us.
Insecurity…how to identify and overcome insecurities.
Mindset of a Leader…what it means to be a leader and how to lead well.
Healthy Relationships…how to communicate and relate to peers.
Leaving a Legacy…how to live for what really matters of benefit to others
What should my son/daughter expect each week? There will be whole group activities such as ice breakers, purposeful games and fun competitions as well as presentation of weekly theme. Each participant will join a small group each week (in breakout rooms) which will not only allow them to further process (in a variety of ways) what they are hearing but provide a safe place to interact with peers facilitated by the small group staff leader(s). We trust that they have fun, make new friends and will be challenged in their thinking, values and actions by what they encounter.
Will this interfere with my son/daughter's studies? JomLEAD is weekly programme that takes place on Saturday afternoons from 3:00 - 4:15. We believe it will complement your child's academic pursuits. There is minimal work to be done out of class. For example, at one point, participants will design a flag that reflects some of their key values. They will be asked to share what they have done with their parents and receive feedback from them.
What are the technology requirements for JomLEAD? We will be meeting online through the medium of MS Teams. Each of you will receive a link each week to join the upcoming session. You do not need to have a copy of MS Teams on your computer or phone. Do recognize that an MS Teams meeting does use quite a bit of data.
What if my son / daughter cannot attend one week? While we will certainly miss their presence (!) there is no "extra session" to help them recover what they missed. There is also no reimbursement for missed sessions.
Is this a religious programme? The short answer is NO. Please recognise our deep commitment to not only the best interest of your student, but conducting ourselves in a manner that in no way questions or undermines your values and commitments. In that we are talking about personal identity, values and ethics, and consistent with our commitment in Malaysia to "Rukun Negara," there may be reference to a general belief in God as the "One who made us, loves us and holds us accountable." Be assured that anything shared will be consistent with Islam, the official religion of our nation. As a company, Global Sports Partners does not promote any religious tradition and relates to each person with respect. If you have any questions, suggestions or concerns at any point in time, feel free to contact us.
How can we maximize the value of JomLEAD? We would encourage you as parents to be sure to debrief each Saturday evening with your son / daughter what took place and what they learned in JomLEAD that day. In that each of these themes are meaningful building blocks for maturity on the pathway to adulthood, what a wonderful opportunity for you to continue meaningful "life conversations" with your son or daughter. It has been said, "You can't pass on what you don't have!" You might want to think of how your son/daughter might present or summarize what he/she is learning for a young sibling or friend. Finally, as you are talking with your son/daughter about what they are learning, be sure to ask them how they will apply what they are learning to the choices they are making each week at home and beyond!
Who is Global Sports Partners (GSP) and why are you doing a youth development programme? GSP is a sports development company with offices in nearly twenty countries which has been operating in Malaysia since 1999. Over the years we have had many programmes for youth, often informally integrating conversational English. In the midst of Covid-19 and the need to generate new revenue streams, we have created JomLEAD not simply for a bit more revenue but because as parents we are passionate about developing the character of our own kids and supporting the efforts of others with their kids! :-) For more info about GSP please visit http://gspconsulting.com/ and/or https://ultimatemalaysia.com/gsp/gsp-malaysia/ .