Gita Maniam (joined July 2024)

Assunta is my Alma Mater and as a retired teacher, volunteering as a tutor provides the opportunity to continue my passion for teaching. I hope to be able to help the children grasp the English language in both its spoken and written form. Notwithstanding the challenge of a generally poor interest in the language, the experience has been good when the young ones show improvements over time.

Leong Joo Ti (joined July 2024)

Every Thursday afternoon during the school week, I find myself in the library of SK Assunta, trying to teach 9-year-olds mathematics. So much of the mathematics they are learning — fractions, measurement, time, money, and more — depends on something as fundamental as knowing their times tables. And unfortunately, many of them are still struggling to remember them. Perhaps what we are really teaching is not just mathematics, but that they are capable of learning, improving and succeeding.

Puni Gunaratnam (joined July 2024)

I volunteered with HVT to help the kids which is like a give back time as I am also an ex-Assuntarian. I enjoy teaching my kids and this has given me a purpose in my retirement years to know that I’m helping the kids with Maths and English which are two subjects that most of them could do with some guidance. Having a group of kids where most of them are at different levels of comprehension and proficiency is nonetheless challenging.

Susila S. Sankaran (joined July 2024)

Contributing to a worthy cause is personally rewarding. My hope is to improve proficiency of English among children who are unable to get the help they need. It’s a bit disheartening when the children that need help the most are the ones that are often struggled with their attendance.

Teresa Chan (joined June 2016)

As an ex-Assuntarian, just like Harinder Veriah, whose wish was that every girl should have an education, volunteering as a tutor has been one great opportunity to fulfill my Christian missionary spirit and my love of sharing the English language to non-English speakers. It is satisfying to know that some girls have benefited not only in their improvement in English but in their overall behaviour as an “anak Assunta”. In my small way, l hope to raise Assunta schools to be the best in PJ.

Hilary Chiew (HVT’s administrator, joined tutorial team – April 2026)

My involvement is due to shortage of tutors for the younger ones of Year 1, 2 and 3 which attend the morning tuition session every Thursday. Initially, Teresa was the sole tutor for this session and the girl numbers are too big for her to manage alone. As these 3 levels are the formative years, I view my participation as an opportunity to shape their behaviours and attitude towards learning. If we could strengthen their foundations, it will contribute towards reducing or even eradicating the uneven proficiency levels faced by tutors of Year 4, 5 and 6.

Leong Syn Ti (joined July 2026)

I wanted to share own (school) life experiences with the next generation and to make meaningful connections to needy communities. I hope to inspire positivity, creativity and curiosity through learning. The experience, thus far, has been enlightening and humbling. My main challenge has been how to make the best of short tutoring time. I plan to spend more time on back-to-basics concepts in class and having the exercises as homework.

Dr Sangeet Kaur (joined July 2026)

My journey with HVT began while I was participating in a 100-day leadership programme that required me to complete 18 hours of community service. As I was already supporting some of the HVT girls with their nutritional needs, volunteering as a teacher felt like a natural extension of that care. Beyond helping the girls improve their English, I hope to nurture their confidence, curiosity and love for learning. I want each girl to feel seen, valued and supported—to know that she matters and that her circumstances do not define her future. The experience has been both meaningful and humbling.