Robert@PNG

Lectures and tutorials finish up this week, with a study week for the students scheduled for next week and exams the week after.

What does this mean?  Lots of study for the students and even more marking for the staff!!

My final year students had the opportunity this week to learn all about the “Talking Stick”.

What is a “Talking Stick” ?

It is an old ritual used by the American Indians. The elders, when sitting circle to discuss important tribal issues and matters would have a “stick” in the middle and anyone wanting to speak, would pick up the stick and say : “My name is….  and I will now speak”. The only talking stick rule is that when someone is holding the stick everyone else basically shuts up and listens!!! Once the person with the stick has finished speaking they would say : “My name is….  and I have spoken” and then lay the stick back in the middle of the circle.

Most of the final year students have been at UNITECH for the past four years. They have shared fun times and sad times, laughed together and cried, fought and made up. They can walk with their heads up high as they bring great honour to their respective clans and tribes. These students are the future of this country and I am proud of them !! In fact, they have become my teachers, each and everyone have assisted with my learning process of learning how to teach. I thank them all.

And also…  what get's shared in the circle : stays in the circle !!!

One other thing I have learnt / observed…  at home we have an expression : “When the going gets tough the tough get going” !!! This expression needs to be slightly altered for PNG : “When the going gets tough the group gets going”.