SMK Air Itam’s senior assistant (student affairs) Choo Poh Lean has great aspirations for their students and teachers taking part in Penang Starwalk 2012.
Not only is Choo eager to participate for the second time this year, she is also enlisting her students to be part of the upcoming event.
“I took part for the first time last year because the change in route appealed to me.
“This activity could be a form of outdoor learning, where the students obtain hands-on learning on why George Town was made a Unesco World Heritage Site,” she said.
Choo emphasised that the most important objective was to achieve the spirit of unity from walking together.
“This activity can become the best time to bridge the gap between teachers and students,” said Choo.
Teacher Ng Kooi Chew also signed up for the walk at the roadshow yesterday. This year will be his fifth time taking part in Penang Starwalk.
Ng said Starwalk could be a form of extra-curricular activities for students.
“Outdoor exposure is beneficial for students, who will not only know about the heritage sites of Penang but also the culture of the place,” he said.
About 150 students registered at the roadshow, among them Form Three classmates Leong Weng Hoong and Loh Chun Ling, who said it would be a good chance to learn more about Penang and the heritage sites.
“Our teacher told us about this event a few weeks ago, and we are eager to participate,” said Leong.
“Some of our classmates also sign-ed up, and we consider this a good outing for experience and interaction.”
Loh added: “I enjoy sports such as badminton and jogging. I tried walking before, so this will be a good chance to venture into this form of sports.”
Penang Yang di-Pertua Negri Tun Abdul Rahman Abbas will flag off the walk at Birch House, Penang Times Square, at 6.30am on Sept 17, a re-placement public holiday for Malay-sia Day that falls on Sunday.
The route for non-competition walkers is 6km while it is 10km for competition walkers.
This year’s non-competition route covers several new he- ritage and historical sites apart from the traditional landmarks such as Fort Cornwallis, St George’s Church, Goddess of Mercy Temple, Kapitan Keling Mosque and Sri Mahamariamman Temple.
The new sites include Sia Boey Market, Tan Kongsi, Chew/Lee Jetties, Wisma Yeap Chor Ee, Customs Building (formerly Ma-layan Railway Building), Logan Heri-tage, Whiteways Arcade, Pinang Per-anakan Mansion and Masjid Melayu Lebuh Acheh.
The walk is jointly organised by The Star and Penang Amateur Athle-tics Association and endorsed by the state Education Department and Penang Municipal Council.
Participants who complete the route within a two-hour time limit will be eligible for a lucky draw which promises attractive prizes.
Registration fee is RM10 for non-competition walkers and RM15 for competition walkers.
Entries for competition and non-competiton walkers will close on Aug 15 and Sept 3 respectively, or when the targeted 20,000 has been reached.
The public can register at Star Northern Hub in Bayan Lepas or The Star Pitt St. at 15, Jalan Mesjid Kapi-tan Keling (9am-5pm daily including weekends and public holidays), The Star Seberang Jaya at 19A, (first floor), Jalan Todak 3 (Bandar Sun-way), Pusat Bandar Seberang Jaya (9am-5pm on weekdays) or at the Penang Times Square information counter (10am-10pm daily).
They can also sign up online at http://sites.thestar.com.my/starwalk. For enquiries, call Eric Voon at 04-6473388 ext 3021 during office hours or 012-5851612 (email: ericvoon@thestar.com.my).
