Heart And Soul: Remembering a remarkable teacher whose songs stayed with me
I remember my primary school days with fondness – not for academic success or lasting friendships, but for my class teacher, the remarkable Miss Avis Coelho, a Kirby-trained educator. — This visual is human-created, AI-aided.
Do you have any real-life, heart-warming stories to share with readers? We'd love to hear from you. Please keep your story within 900 words. Photos are optional and should be in JPEG format (file size about 1MB, with caption and photo credit). There is no payment for stories, and we reserve the right to edit all submissions. Email your story to: heartandsoul@thestar.com.my with the subject "Heart and Soul".
I remember my primary school days with fondness – not for academic success or lasting friendships, but for my class teacher, the remarkable Miss Avis Coelho, a Kirby-trained educator.
She taught every subject except Malay, Art and PE, and led weekly singing sessions. Gathered around an old piano, we'd listen as she played and sang – her voice was lovely, and music class was the highlight of my week. Lyrics in hand, I'd sing with joy, swaying and uplifted.
I had no musical background – no instruments at home, just a rediffusion set playing Cantonese operas for housewives.
Miss Coelho introduced us to songs children in English schools sang – a delightful, unfamiliar world.
Within a year, we learned dozens of songs from her piano book: The Lincolnshire Poacher, Cockles And Mussels, Greensleeves, Danny Boy and more. We also sang African American folk songs and works by Stephen Foster like the wistful Swanee River – far more moving than radio pop songs.
By 1962, anxiety loomed – Standard Six pupils faced the Malayan Secondary Schools Entrance Exam. A pass meant continuing education; failure could mean dropping out. Yet the ordeal passed swiftly – like a nervous child dreading a jab that's over before they know it.
The school's prize-giving and annual concert took place on the final day of term. After exams, Miss Coelho began preparing us – she needed 12 boys for a class choir. Testing each of us individually, she found only 11 she was satisfied with – I wasn't among them.
Still short, she re-tested a few boys. When none met her expectations, she turned to me, asked me to relax and sing again. I gave it my all. She smiled and nodded – I was in.
We performed three songs: the wistful Bonny Banks Of Loch Lomond, the mournful Old Black Joe, and the cheerful Polly Wolly Doodle – a perfect close with its repeated 'Fare-de-well'.
We rehearsed until we knew them by heart.
For Old Black Joe, Miss Coelho chose Peng Kiet – our top English student with a fine voice – to sing the chorus solo: I'm coming, I'm coming, for my head is bending low. I hear the gentle voices calling, Old Black Joe.
The day before the concert, Miss Coelho made a last-minute change – we were to drop the word 'black' and sing the piece as 'Poor Old Joe'. She didn't explain, and we didn't ask.
The big day arrived. After a Malay boy's poetry recital, it was our turn. We took the stage in an arc, with Peng Kiet – our soloist – at the centre.
Standing before the whole school, with the headmistress and guests in front, I felt proud. Accompanied by Miss Coelho on the piano, we sang our hearts out and were met with rousing applause. She signalled us to bow – clearly pleased.
Later at the tuckshop, she treated us to tea and curry puffs. Some boys confessed they'd sung 'Old Black Joe' instead of 'Poor Old Joe', as instructed. She simply smiled: 'You all did well – it's over now.'
When we asked about the name change, she sighed.
How could she explain racism, slavery or prejudice to 12-year-olds?
Singing about Black lives, even innocently, may have seemed inappropriate.
'It's alright, dear child – you'll understand when you're older,' she said, before bidding us farewell.
Leaving primary school was a milestone. My time at Brickfields Primary School ended with a concert to remember. As I walked home alone, I thought of the friends I'd never see again and the vibrant, Indian-majority suburb I was leaving behind.
Time may blur those days, but the songs remain. And with them, one lasting lesson – racism has no place in our diverse society.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Star
an hour ago
- The Star
Korean artiste DJ Soda shares hair loss nightmare after bleaching mishap
The popular deejay has taken to Instagram to urge fans to seek out skilled professionals when bleaching hair after her recent experience. Photos: DJ Soda/Instagram South Korean artiste DJ Soda has revealed a distressing hair ordeal following her most recent dyeing session, taking to Instagram last week to share about it. In a post written in both Korean and English, she began by stating, 'Hair salon ruined my hair,' before elaborating on the incident. According to DJ Soda, she had decided to bleach her hair blonde again to surprise fans after completing her tour and taking a three-year break from colouring. 'I got my hair bleached at my usual salon. My hair was originally thick, full and in healthy condition from taking a three-year break from bleaching and consistent care,' she explained. However, the session went terribly wrong. 'They left the bleach on for too long, and my hair melted from the roots. In the end, I had to shave the entire back and sides of my head.' She also revealed the emotional toll it took on her. 'I was so upset that I couldn't sleep for two weeks and cried almost every day. 'It's really hard for me to look in the mirror. When I see videos fans took of me, I feel even more heartbroken.' Known for her upbeat personality and vibrant performances, the 37-year-old said her road to recovery will be long. 'It will take at least two years for my hair to fully recover,' she added. DJ Soda also urged her fans to be cautious. 'Don't end up like me – bleaching really depends on the hairstylist's skill,' she warned. 'Please seek specialists and do thorough research beforehand.' The situation took another turn when she posted an update a day later, claiming the salon had reached out – not to apologise, but to request that she take down her post. 'They contacted me asking to delete my post and offered me money and a settlement agreement,' she wrote in Korean. Rejecting the offer, DJ Soda added: 'Even if I were offered billions, it would not undo the damage to my appearance or the pain I'm currently enduring. 'I have given them ample opportunity to resolve the issue.' She further alleged that she received no apology or contact for three weeks following the incident. "All I ever wanted was for them to honestly admit their mistake and offer a genuine apology." In sharing her experience publicly, she said her intention was to prevent others from going through the same trauma. View this post on Instagram A post shared by DJ SODA OFFICIAL(@deejaysoda)
The Star
an hour ago
- The Star
Frontman may get 'Squid Game' spinoff, Lee Byung-hun tells Jimmy Fallon
In the series, the Frontman, also known as Hwang In-ho, is the mastermind orchestrating the deadly games and a former winner of the Squid Game himself. Photo: Handout Lee Byung-hun, who plays the Frontman in Squid Game , appeared on the popular talk show The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon this week and hinted at a possible spinoff centred on his enigmatic character. During the interview, the South Korean actor discussed his initial reaction to reading the script for Squid Game . He also shared lighthearted anecdotes regarding his family's surprise when his secret identity as the series' main villain was revealed in Season One. Reflecting on the show's overwhelming global reception, Lee also admitted he was taken aback by fans' reactions when he travelled to the United States to promote the series. "I've been acting for more than 30 years, and I also participated in some Hollywood blockbuster projects. But Squid Game is a Korean story made by a Korean director with Korean actors and Korean language. I'm so grateful and proud of ( Squid Game 's success)," said Lee, during the interview. The entire interview was conducted in English. During the interview, Lee also fielded fan questions about the future of the series, teasing light spoilers. Lee confirmed that more characters in the upcoming season will uncover the Frontman's identity — and he didn't rule out the possibility of a standalone project exploring his character's backstory. In the series, the Frontman, also known as Hwang In-ho, is the mastermind orchestrating the deadly games and a former winner of the Squid Game himself. Much of his backstory remains shrouded in mystery. – The Korea Herald/Asia News Network
The Star
an hour ago
- The Star
Wang Leehom invites 'twin brother' Aarif Rahman as guest performer at concert
Wang Leehom (left) invited Hong Kong singer-actor Aarif Rahman as the guest singer on the first night of his show in Beijing. Photo: Aarif Rahman/Instagram Fans could be forgiven if they thought they were seeing double at Taiwanese-American singer Wang Leehom's concert on June 20. The 49-year-old star invited Hong Kong singer-actor Aarif Rahman, 38, often dubbed 'Little Wang Leehom' due to his resemblance to Wang, as the guest singer on the first night of his show in Beijing. Wang is currently staging his The Best Place concert tour in China, with three sold-out shows in Beijing from June 20 to 22. 'Is there something wrong with the camera? Why are there two overlapping images?' Wang jested when Aarif, dressed in clothes similar to his outfits, appeared on stage on June 20. 'Or are my eyes seeing things?' Aarif joked that it could be due to artificial intelligence (AI). 'AI is very powerful now, and the technology of face-swopping is very scary,' he said. 'The AI filter is so powerful that it makes me 10 years younger today,' Wang replied. Aarif quipped: 'And you will grow taller.' Wang is 1.8m tall, while Aarif is 1.75m tall. Wang said many people have remarked on their resemblance, as the two artistes positioned themselves together on stage for the fans to make their judgment. 'Thank you, my 'twin'. We really look alike,' Wang acknowledged. Aarif – who is of Arab, Malay and Chinese descent – said that since the age of 16, he has often heard comments that he is a Wang lookalike. He attended his first Wang concert in 2008 when he graduated from university, he said, adding that both of them have finally appeared on stage together after 17 years. At the concert, they performed Wang's songs Still In Love With You (2011) and One World One Dream (2008). Wang posted photos of the concert on Chinese social media platform Weibo on June 21. 'Brothers performed a 'lookalike show',' he wrote. 'Were you surprised by today's guest performer Aarif Rahman?' Under Wang's post, Aarif thanked him for inviting him to the concert. Aarif also posted several concert photos on social media. 'Performing your songs on the same stage with you was something I never imagined when I was watching your concert during my younger days,' he wrote on Weibo. 'It has come true in Beijing. I look forward to meeting you again.' – The Straits Times/Asia News Network
