Reading about “M&M with Dad” will melt your heart. At the same time the inaugural Fathers@Schools event at Paya Lebar Methodist Girls School (Primary) will challenge you to see that power to positively impact your daughter’s life, is in your hands.

Dad's (got) a Great Idea

You could see it in the faces –the delight that their father was bringing them to school on a Saturday morning, for a special event called “M&M with Dad” or Munch & Movie with Dad.
And their joy was captured in one snapshot after another on 24 April 2010, a pleasant Saturday morning, at the inaugural Fathers@Schools event at Paya Lebar Methodist Girls School (PLMGS) (Primary).

The event was carried out by Fathers@PLMGS, a newly set up group under the school’s Parent Support Team (PST). And, the idea, came from a survey that Fathers@PLMGS conducted in January 2010 to find out what activities the girls wanted to enjoy together with their fathers.

As such, the initiative for the event was by the fathers themselves, and born out of an understanding of what fellow fathers would be willing to participate in. The response far exceeded expectations; in total, 147 dads, 185 daughters and 30 volunteers attended M&M with Dad.

It takes a team effort

The high level of participation was the result of a very strong collaborative tripartite effort between the school, its PST, and the fathers’ group. Fathers@PLMGS spearheaded the event, receiving administrative support from the school's PST.

PST Secretary Christina Chai shared that dads were very positive about the event. “Some even called to ensure they had a place,” she said.

Registration for the event was set at an affordable $15 per father-daughter pair. Dads bringing more than one daughter, paid an additional $5 each for each additional girl. Registration fees were waived for families in the school’s Financial Assistance Scheme.

The organisers were also encouraged by the support given by Canon (providing a photographer to cover the event) and Diethlem (for the M&M chocolates), PUB (for bottles of Newater), and the Dads for Life Secretariat (for the publicity, event coverage and supply of goodie bags).

Daughters Make it Special

To start the day, each girl led her father on a tour around the school. Together, they discovered her favorite “hiding” place, seat in class, and favorite food stall. Some fathers got to meet their girls’ best friends.

One girl pointed out her artwork, while another played a song on the piano just for her father.
Time passes quickly when one is having fun. Soon, it was time for all to gather in the school hall. Speaking to the fathers, Principal Mrs Christine Ho urged them to be role models that their daughters could look up to. She also encouraged the fathers to simply enjoy the time with their daughters that day.

“I’m sure your daughter will remember this for many years to come,” said Mrs Ho.

(Read more in Truly a Dad for Life, at the end of this article)

Network and Discover

At a networking session for fathers, Michael Tay, Chairman of Fathers@PLMGS, shared that Fathers@Schools is an effort to galvanise fathers to enrich daughter father-bonding through activities, education and skills development. It is a platform for fathers to meet.

“Active fathers positively impact your daughter’s life,” Michael said.

Michael also presented results from the January 2010 survey on the issues fathers are most concerned about. The survey showed that fathers of primary 1s and 2s wanted to know how to communicate with their daughters.

Fathers of primary 3s and 4s felt they needed to know how to help their daughters cope with exam stress. At the same time, these fathers grapple with how much freedom to give their girls. And, fathers with daughters in primary 5 and 6 were concerned about how to help them deal with peer pressure.

The networking session was also a good opportunity for Fathers@PLMGS to get validation on the rest of the year’s program.

A Father’s Response

Mr T. Vilmaraj proudly displays the card which his daughter Sheetal Sahana made for him
(Photo: The DadsforLife.sg Resource Team)

“I strongly agree with the goals of (Fathers@Schools) programme,” said Mr T. Vilmaraj who was there with his daughter Sheetal Sahana from primary two. “It gives me practical opportunities to bond better with my daughter,” he added.

Sheetal was evidently pleased that her father was there with her. When asked how she found the activities, Sheetal smiled and said, “I feel excited!” Her favourite activity for the morning was making a card for her father.

Led by the PST, the girls gathered in another part of the school for some craftwork while their fathers were at the networking session. Each designed a beautiful masterpiece – a card that daddy could carry easily with him, in his wallet, work diary or briefcase.

Spontaneous Surprise

Christina shared that the PST decided on making cards because they wanted the girls to express appreciation to their fathers for coming. As much as the PST wanted the girls to enjoy the day, they wanted to ensure that their fathers felt welcomed.

Mrs Lee Weng Hun, teacher and PST coordinator said that the girls had been looking forward to the event. She had briefed them on what to expect for the day, but did not tell them about making the cards. Therefore it was a surprise for both the father and daughter.

When the girls returned to the hall, they proudly presented the card to their fathers. Thereafter, they made their way to the canteen for a “munch” - a light buffet of snacks and beverages - and more bonding time.

Memories that Last

So heartwarming were such vignettes, that they were eventually presented in a visual and audio montage entitled Moments to Remember. The slideshow, comprising of pictures taken throughout the morning by roving photographers - including parent and student volunteers - created a lasting impression for many.

Perhaps the most memorable moment at M&M with Dad was when Michael asked all the girls to stand up and give their dads a hug. They did so immediately and enthusiastically. It certainly was a powerful moment – a picture that painted a thousand words on the positive impact that fathers’ presence can have at schools.

Then, the girls sat back, contented and relaxed, enjoying the movie Akeelah and the Bee together with their dads, munching on M&M chocolates.

I love my father as the stars -he's a bright shining example
and a happy twinkling in my heart.
~Adabella Radici

 

M&M with Dad Programme

0830 to 0915 Registration & Tour around the school by daughter(s) with Photo-taking
0915 to 1000 Talk & Networking for Dads (Hall)
Card making for dads (other Hall)
1000 to 1045 Light buffet & bonding time (canteen)
1045 to 1100 Moments to Remember slideshow (Hall)
1100 to 1230 Movie screening of Akeelah and the Bee (Hall)

Truly a Dad for Life

'The words “Dads for Life” do not merely make up a term or catchphrase. When lived out, every day, in dedication to the well-being of a beloved daughter, becomes a legacy to be proud of.'

We had the privilege to speak to Mrs Christine Ho, Principal of PLMGS (Primary) about her late father’s constant love and presence in her life.

As we sat in Mrs Christine Ho’s office chatting about the DadsforLife movement and Fathers@Schools programme, it was evident why she firmly believed in active fathering, and how it positively impacts a child’s life.

Mrs Ho described her father fondly, “He wanted his children to learn three things: to swim, to cycle, and to dance –for grace and poise.”

When in Teacher’s College, she needed to draw a cockroach, but was too frightened of creepy-crawlies to go near them. Good thing that her father wasn’t, and got hold of one for her.

One day, when already married with children of her own, Mrs Ho was pleasantly surprised to find out that her father still carried a photo of her in his wallet.

And through the years, her father continued to live out and teach them many good values, including how important it is to be diligent.

Mrs Ho shared that even though her father has passed away, the good things he taught, remain with her. Therefore she places great emphasis on a father's role in a girl's character development.

As such, the Fathers@Schools programme has been approached by PLMGS with much enthusiasm. “It’s about passion. We do this for the future of our girls,” said Mrs Ho.

“When fathers take a step forward, the girls will see how they are valued by their fathers. They will feel affirmed. The children will have a role model to look up to.”

-Mrs Christine Ho, on how Fathers@Schools will change PLMGS (Primary)

 

Submit your own dad story here and we will do our best to publish it.

---

About the Author: The DadsforLife Resource Team comprises local content writers and experts, including psychologists, counsellors, educators and social service professionals, dedicated to developing useful resources for dads.

---

 

 

Back to Listing