Mr. Richard’s interview
by: Manaal Asim and Laiba Bilwani.
1. Could you please tell us a bit about yourself and your international experience in different countries?
I grew up on an island in Tuvalu and have lived in Wales as well. I spent a year in New Zealand at the age of 10 but then moved to England at the age of 11. I studied in a school in England and Tuvalu. I love sports. I represented England in the cross country run and Wales in hockey. All this happened before I turned 18.
I went to University in Wales. I worked in Greece and had worked in a University in England. I have lived in Portugal for the last 18 eighteen years and know how to speak fluent Portuguese. I've worked in 2 International schools, Porto and Brado. When I lived in Greece, I saw that it, had a lot of history and culture. In Portugal, however, the culture is based on Roman Catholicism (Christianity).
2. Which subjects did you like the most when you were a student?
The subjects which I liked the most were craft, design and technology because you get to build and make things.
3. Why did you enter the education system?
I did not really enter the education system. I wanted to be in the navy but didn’t because I had to spend 9 years studying and training. My 2nd choice was sports but I couldn’t do that because at the age of 17 I got injured. I still had many choices but I chose teaching because I wanted to travel. When I started to teach, I loved it. I have been teaching for 20 years.
4. What do you like about being the Headmaster at LINKS?
I actually came to LINKS to be considered as a teacher. I came here for a new environment and culture. I have not come to be a Head but instead I have come to work with everybody, not be a boss.
5. Who or what is an inspiration to you?
I have 2 inspirations:
. Daley Thompson: he was an athlete who participated in 10 different events. I had even trained with him.
. Every single one of my students: each one is different and each surprises me with what they can achieve.
6. What is your opinion of life in Karachi? Which places have you been to so far?
I really like life in Karachi. People like to eat meat. People help each other a lot and are incredibly friendly. The security here is different. Some people here have wealth, some suffer from poverty and some have luxury. The thing which I do not like is that the weather is humid here and I am not used to it but I will soon get used to it.
7. What do you think is the most important characteristic any individual ought to have?
A person should have a hardworking attitude, be trustworthy, determined and passionate.
8. What differences can you see between Links and the last school you worked at?
Everything is difference such as:
· Technology
· Sports
· Teachers
· Training, experiences and cultures
The only thing that is same is that the objective.
9. Is there any specific event that has shaped you to be the person you are today?
There are three events that have changed my life:
a) Being adopted.
b) Suffering an injury at the age of 17.
c) The day that my daughter was born.
10. Who is your favourite author? Which is your favourite book?
My favourite author is Tom Clancy and my favourite book is 'Without Remorse'.
11. What do you do in your spare time? What are your hobbies?
I cook food and study in my spare time. My other hobbies are:
a) Hockey
b) Golf
c) Pool
12. What advice would you like to give to the student body?
I'd like to advise the student body to live life to the fullest, work hard, play hard and love hard.
by: Manaal Asim and Laiba Bilwani.
1. Could you please tell us a bit about yourself and your international experience in different countries?
I grew up on an island in Tuvalu and have lived in Wales as well. I spent a year in New Zealand at the age of 10 but then moved to England at the age of 11. I studied in a school in England and Tuvalu. I love sports. I represented England in the cross country run and Wales in hockey. All this happened before I turned 18.
I went to University in Wales. I worked in Greece and had worked in a University in England. I have lived in Portugal for the last 18 eighteen years and know how to speak fluent Portuguese. I've worked in 2 International schools, Porto and Brado. When I lived in Greece, I saw that it, had a lot of history and culture. In Portugal, however, the culture is based on Roman Catholicism (Christianity).
2. Which subjects did you like the most when you were a student?
The subjects which I liked the most were craft, design and technology because you get to build and make things.
3. Why did you enter the education system?
I did not really enter the education system. I wanted to be in the navy but didn’t because I had to spend 9 years studying and training. My 2nd choice was sports but I couldn’t do that because at the age of 17 I got injured. I still had many choices but I chose teaching because I wanted to travel. When I started to teach, I loved it. I have been teaching for 20 years.
4. What do you like about being the Headmaster at LINKS?
I actually came to LINKS to be considered as a teacher. I came here for a new environment and culture. I have not come to be a Head but instead I have come to work with everybody, not be a boss.
5. Who or what is an inspiration to you?
I have 2 inspirations:
. Daley Thompson: he was an athlete who participated in 10 different events. I had even trained with him.
. Every single one of my students: each one is different and each surprises me with what they can achieve.
6. What is your opinion of life in Karachi? Which places have you been to so far?
I really like life in Karachi. People like to eat meat. People help each other a lot and are incredibly friendly. The security here is different. Some people here have wealth, some suffer from poverty and some have luxury. The thing which I do not like is that the weather is humid here and I am not used to it but I will soon get used to it.
7. What do you think is the most important characteristic any individual ought to have?
A person should have a hardworking attitude, be trustworthy, determined and passionate.
8. What differences can you see between Links and the last school you worked at?
Everything is difference such as:
· Technology
· Sports
· Teachers
· Training, experiences and cultures
The only thing that is same is that the objective.
9. Is there any specific event that has shaped you to be the person you are today?
There are three events that have changed my life:
a) Being adopted.
b) Suffering an injury at the age of 17.
c) The day that my daughter was born.
10. Who is your favourite author? Which is your favourite book?
My favourite author is Tom Clancy and my favourite book is 'Without Remorse'.
11. What do you do in your spare time? What are your hobbies?
I cook food and study in my spare time. My other hobbies are:
a) Hockey
b) Golf
c) Pool
12. What advice would you like to give to the student body?
I'd like to advise the student body to live life to the fullest, work hard, play hard and love hard.
An interview of Mr. Abdul Fateh, Links' new art teacher.
Conducted by Sophia Farooqui.
Q. What is your full name?
Ans. My full name is Abdul Fateh Saif.
Q. Which school did you study at?
Ans. I studied in Indus Valley School of Arts and Architecture and in Garison Army Republic, Lahore.
Q. Why do you like Art?
Ans. I like it because I can express my feelings when I draw.
Q. Have you met any famous artists?
Ans. Yes, I’ve met Syed Akhtar, R. M Naeem and Meher Afroze.
Q. Who inspired you to become an artist?
Ans. R. M Naeem inspired me.
Q. How should a person feel about Art?
Ans. Every Artist has a different feeling as Art is very diverse - so everyone has a different feel and thought towards the subject.
Q. Why would you teach in a School rather than in a College?
Ans. I would rather teach in a School because the kids do not know a lot about Art, so you can actually teach them. In Colleges they already know a lot so it's not a lot of fun.
Q. Who is you favourite actor or actress?
Ans. My favourite actor is Johnny Depp.
Q. What is your favourite song?
Ans. My favourite song is Fireflies by Owl City.
Q. What do you like to do in your spare time?
Ans. I love photography and collect books and also read them.
Q. What is your favourite colour?
Ans. Blue.
Q. What is your favourite thing about Art?
Ans. Graphics.
Q. Who is your favourite artist?
Ans. Syed Akhtar.
Conducted by Sophia Farooqui.
Q. What is your full name?
Ans. My full name is Abdul Fateh Saif.
Q. Which school did you study at?
Ans. I studied in Indus Valley School of Arts and Architecture and in Garison Army Republic, Lahore.
Q. Why do you like Art?
Ans. I like it because I can express my feelings when I draw.
Q. Have you met any famous artists?
Ans. Yes, I’ve met Syed Akhtar, R. M Naeem and Meher Afroze.
Q. Who inspired you to become an artist?
Ans. R. M Naeem inspired me.
Q. How should a person feel about Art?
Ans. Every Artist has a different feeling as Art is very diverse - so everyone has a different feel and thought towards the subject.
Q. Why would you teach in a School rather than in a College?
Ans. I would rather teach in a School because the kids do not know a lot about Art, so you can actually teach them. In Colleges they already know a lot so it's not a lot of fun.
Q. Who is you favourite actor or actress?
Ans. My favourite actor is Johnny Depp.
Q. What is your favourite song?
Ans. My favourite song is Fireflies by Owl City.
Q. What do you like to do in your spare time?
Ans. I love photography and collect books and also read them.
Q. What is your favourite colour?
Ans. Blue.
Q. What is your favourite thing about Art?
Ans. Graphics.
Q. Who is your favourite artist?
Ans. Syed Akhtar.
An Interview with Delores Soares
By Amber Robinson, Class 7P
I have interviewed a very inspiring woman that SHOULD be a role model to all young girls today. Delores Soares: a Runner, an almost Olympic runner and a senior Pakistan International Airlines’ (PIA) hostess.
“I was the 4th child of 9 kids", said Delores, "And the tomboy of the lot (the naughty one too).”
In her teenage years, Delores studied in St. Joseph’s High School and College and was a very keen sportswoman. She was only focused on her education and the sports she did. She took part in all the Inter-school and College games.”
She excelled in athletics. Her noteworthy events include: running 100 m, 200 m long jumps and relay. “I brought many laurels to my school in the inter board athlete leads.”
She represented Karachi in the National Games. She won most races and held the National Record for 100 m and 200 m for many years.
”I was chosen for the 1972 Pre-Munich Olympic trials, but due to local rules, women were not allowed to represent Pakistan in International Games.”
She, then, started to play netball and actually shared the torch with Roshan Khan (Pakistan Squash Legend). But her bad luck struck again when she had to reject a scholarship to a German Athletic School because of being a woman in Pakistan.
She then gave up sports and joined PIA (Pakistan International Airlines) and immensely enjoyed her job because she met people from different walks of life. She worked with PIA for 33 years ever since.
“As a result of my old career I follow every sport (and drive my husband mad!). I also take short runs in the afternoon and I am addicted to Formula 1 and Football”.
She is a Manchester United Fan!
I have learned from interviewing her that girls (and boys) should stop thinking of pop stars and rich people as their role models because there are so many IMPORTANT people who have done more; and many of them are women. These days, women have a chance to do something with their lives. In the past, females in Pakistan didn't have many chances to do anything but be a wife and now girls take those chances for granted.
Delores’ message is that we need to make the most of what we have and work towards achieving our dreams. Nothing is impossible.