The Power of Words @ SMK Kepong Baru

Back Again!

November 27th saw the momentum of giving back to the younger generation continue. This time impacting the halls of SMK Kepong Baru. Buzzing with excitement, the team was refreshed and eager to kick off the fun activities and insightful teaching.

Hosting an engaging workshop on communication skills, the event was split into two interactive slots, that catered to both Form 3 and Form 4 students, aiming to equip them with essential communication tools that would serve them in both academic and real-world settings.

The trainers—Kumar Nagalingam, Valarmathi Selvaraj, Hadri Bin Omar, Chiew Chin Kent and Jayceva, designed the activities to foster creativity, teamwork, and clarity in communication. With nearly 400 students participating in the first slot and around 200 in the second, the event was a true testament to the power of collective learning.

A Morning of Storytelling and Laughter

The first slot, running from 8:40 AM to 9:50 AM, brought together close to 400 eager students for two lively activities: the Story Circle and the Broken Telephone Game. Each activity was thoughtfully crafted to emphasize key aspects of effective communication.

Building Confidence and Creativity with The Story Circle

In the Story Circle activity, students formed small groups and collaboratively wove imaginative stories, with each member contributing a segment. This exercise was more than just a creative outlet—it encouraged teamwork, active participation, and critical thinking.

Once the stories were complete, representatives from each group summarised their tales for the entire audience. This provided an invaluable opportunity for students to hone their public speaking and summarization skills while building their confidence in addressing a large group.

A Lesson in Clarity with The Broken Telephone Game

Next came the Broken Telephone Game, a timeless favorite that blended fun with learning. Students passed a series of tongue twisters along a line, with the last participant announcing what they heard. The results were often hilariously distorted, underscoring the importance of clarity in both speaking and listening. The key lesson of this activity was to show how easily information can be misunderstood and how critical precise communication is in avoiding such breakdowns.

From Storytellers to Digital Creators

After a short break, the second slot commenced at 10:30 AM, focusing on digital creativity. This session, tailored for 200 students, encouraged participants to conceptualise and design a social media account. Grouped by class, the students brainstormed names, themes and content ideas, putting their imagination and collaboration skills to the test.

Digital Communication in Focus

This activity allowed students to explore the nuances of digital communication, emphasising the importance of creating engaging and purposeful content. The task also required critical thinking as students considered their target audience and the type of message they wanted to convey.

Whether it was an account promoting school events, environmental awareness or creative hobbies, the exercise instilled a sense of originality and purpose in the students’ approach to social media.

A Celebration of Growth and Collaboration

The event left an indelible mark on the participants, providing them with valuable skills and experiences to carry forward. Here are the key lessons the students took away:

The Importance of Communication: From public speaking to listening, effective communication is a cornerstone of success in both personal and professional settings.
Public Speaking and Summarization: Activities like the Story Circle helped students gain confidence in articulating their thoughts concisely and persuasively.
Listening Skills and Clarity: The Broken Telephone Game reinforced the need for careful listening and clear expression.
Creativity in the Digital Age: Designing social media accounts allowed students to explore the intersection of creativity and communication in the modern world.
Teamwork and Collaboration: Across all activities, students learned the value of working together, respecting diverse perspectives, and leveraging group strengths.

The trainers’ thoughtful guidance and the students’ enthusiasm made the event a resounding success. By blending education with entertainment, the workshop created a lively and supportive environment where students could experiment, learn and grow.

As the session concluded, the smiles and laughter were proof of the day’s impact. More than just a set of activities, the event at SMK Kepong Baru was a celebration of the power of communication and creativity—an inspiring reminder that words, when used effectively, can unlock limitless potential.