Monday, February 6, 2012

STEPS AHEAD LEARNERS THROWS CHINESE NEW YEAR PARTY

KEE@FSWMAG.COM

STEPS AHEAD LEARNERS--A PRE-SCHOOL WITH A DIFFERENCE--- HOSTS CHINESE NEW YEAR BASH WITH DATUK JIMMY CHOO

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Founder principal of Steps Ahead Learners Jenny Chua-Loh with Datuk Professor Jimmy Choo

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A light hearted moment between Jenny Loh and Datuk Jimmy Choo

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Holding court with Datuk Jimmy Choo

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Kids and especially parents in rapt attention

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The 3 owners of Steps Ahead Learners; Dion Liew, Jenny Chua-Loh and Vicky Loh
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Handsome Kenny Loh, husband of Jenny Chua-Loh and Kee Hua Chee, husband of none
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Kee Hua Chee and Datuk Jimmy Choo, shoe designer extraordinaire
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The gathering of the Loh clan; ;left, Vicky Loh, Mrs LeeLee Loh, Dion Liew, Sarah Joy, Jenny Loh, datuk Jimmy Choo, Kenny Loh, Sean Jasper, Olivia Loh and Hong Kong born Wilkins Leung who is getting an owl for a pet while patriarch Robert Loh of Lord's Tailor is seated on the throne.
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Lee Lee Loh, Datuk Akbar Khan, boss of Bandaraya Development Bhd, Robert Loh of Lord's Tailor and Kee Hua Chee of The Palladium
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Kee Hua Chee and his adoring fans or so he assumes as he is an eternal optimist
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Kids, parents and teachers all enjoying themselves...and it shows


Datuk Jimmy Choo and pre-kindergarten kids are usually not found in the same sentence but for once, the world renowned shoe designer and Steps Ahead Learners, KL’s leading centre for pre-schoolers have joined forces to celebrate Chinese New Year.


In fact this is his third time. Explains Datuk Jimmy Choo, “I am pleased to be here with the children as part of my ongoing involvement with education. I am sure the kids have no idea or care about my achievements but at least they are aware about designing shoes! I am pleased to be associated with Steps Ahead Learners as their curriculum is unique and prepares pre-schoolers for a happy and productive education in kindergarten and primary school. It is this approach to learning that impresses me and so I am always glad to support Steps Ahead Learners.”


The children’s parents are a different kettle of fish however. After a brief Q & A, many thronged one of the world’s most famous shoe designers to have their photographs taken. Around 50 children and 100 adults turned up to celebrate at Steps Ahead Learners in Bangsar Shopping Centre.


Steps Ahead Learners proves they have taken the extra mile to enhance their learning environment with clean air using Premium Air Purification from ALEN which maintains the highest levels of air purification, guaranteed lead free and ozone safe. “ I performed tests and significant review on air purification and found the normal consumer level products did not meet the performance and standards I needed - until I found ALEN.” says Jenny Chua-Loh, principal and founder. The school has since invested RM50,000 for both schools. “It is about creating a very alert, healthy and productive environment for learning. Parents can be assured their children are protected from flus and viruses in school and from bringing them home to the family.”


Steps Ahead Learners also has a branch at The AmpWalk Mall on Jalan Ampang and caters to children from as young as 18 months to 5 years. Remarkably, almost 90% are foreign children!


“We never planned or expected this to happen! We only have a handful of Malaysian children as our system of experiential learning seems to strike a chord with western parents who believe in pre-school and appreciate our method is more effective. Experiential learning is about information, demonstrations and hands-on experiences like making crafts and cooking. We invite guest speakers and celebrities regularly who are involved in specific industries. We also expose our children to fund raising for Children’s Home of Hope, National Cancer Society Malaysia and Make-A-Wish Malaysia. We have invited our local hero-astronaut Datuk Sheikh Muszaphar Shukor and Chef Wan to meet and greet the children. So studies take on a different, fun and exciting aspect,” says Jenny Chua-Loh, one of three owners of Steps Ahead Learners.


Apparently it is never too young to start. “If you do it right, your children can remember and appreciate their childhood. I remember my Sunday School classes!” laughs Loh.


As if any proof is needed, her two children are the best walking advertisements! Sarah Joy, 5, and Sean Jasper, 3, talk and behave beyond their years and are extremely articulate and responsive to other children and adults.


Jenny Chua-Loh, 36, graduated as graphic designer and worked for 1 year as one before succumbing to her first love of educating pre-schoolers. As founder and principal, she is the inspiration and game changer of the school who believes in the ‘think-out-of-the-box’ method. “I love being with children and remember my own experiences as a child and you know it when the teachers are passionate about their work.”


Sister-in-law Vicky Loh, 28, is vice-principal and administers the Bangsar Shopping Centre school. “I graduated with a degree in Childhood Education from the University of Melbourne, Australia, partly because of Jenny who had established Steps Ahead Learners,” she recalls. “I was keen to be involved and I love kids so it was a win-win situation as I was guaranteed a job back home!”


Aunt Dion Liew, 55, is in charge of the Ampwalk school and a Cathay Pacific stewardess before becoming a gemologist. “After graduating from GIA (Gemological Institute of America) in Santa Monica, I worked as gemologist as I love bling. I did not expect to be involved in this business but when Jenny got pregnant and wanted to be a fulltime mother for a few months, she roped me in.” says Liew. “The timing was perfect. Now my love for jewels means the living gems!”


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Geneive Harding and son Alexander, Clariss and Kai Xin

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Brent Simon, boss of ALEN Premium Air Purifying System and Datuk Professor Jimmy Choo

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Parents and children at Steps Ahead Learners' Chinese New Year bash

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Gosh, you can hardly see the forest for the trees! But Jenny Loh, Vicky Loh, Dione Liew and Datuk Jimmy Choo are here somewhere!

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Another look. Jenny sent a better photo but refuse to send as attachment and I dunno how to open her complex system so I deleted it as I very de lowtech

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Gina Benefield in full imperial empress regalia (or is it concubine?) with Dana and baby Tristan.

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Datuk Jimmy Choo and Kang Xin who looks like an imperial baby beauty

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Datuk Jimmy Choo, Abby and Vivienne Tan

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Datuk Jimmy Choo, Mary and Francesca Farinez

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Datuk Jimmy Choo, Maxime and Julie Lauzier

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Datuk Jimmy Choo, Ellie Yap and Pui Pheng

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Datuk Jimmy Choo, Sherri Chuah, Damian and Joni Ooi who is a grandmother but none believes her as she looks 40 max

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Datuk Jimmy Choo and grandma with her grandkid

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Datuk Jimmy Choo, Christina, Maria and Atticus Coffey and doesn't the mum look like Donna Karan the famous designer?

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Datuk Jimmy Choo, Sakina and Zain Tighe

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Datuk Jimmy Choo, Nicole Yong and Nikita Scanlon

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Marisela, Lara, Datuk Jimmy Choo and Manuel Guedez

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happy Yee Sang!

Left; Kenny Loh, son Sean Jasper, Vicky Loh, Jenny Loh, Datuk Jimmy Choo and Dion Liew

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This time with Mrs Lili Loh next to her son Kenny Loh and Joni Ooi at far right

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More merrymaking!

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A parent joins in at far right

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Kenny Loh and 3 year old son Sean Jasper

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What a happy hamster Sean Jasper is!

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Jia Ying and glam mum Clariss Chong

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The lion dance in the foyer of Bangsar Shopping Centre

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The lion looked like it was climbing onto the roof of this pavilion but it was not as this was just an optical illuison, just like life as what we are living may just be a dream after all...

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This posture is what my darling Dedione the French poodle does! So Dedione is a lion-dog!

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Datuk Akbar Khan receiving the lucky pomelo and oranges from the lions

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Lucky lions and lucky guests

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A kowtow by the lions to the benefactors

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Mrs LeeLee Loh, Datuk Jimmy Choo, Kee Hua Chee and Robert Loh

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This is why I always keep my big, double-lidded eyes wide open so I look adorable in picture unlike the shoe designer...

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Datuk Akbar Khan, boss or 'advisor' as he calls himself, of Bandaraya Development Bhd giving angpows to the underprivileged and retarded which always scares me but I remind myself I could have been one since only by a stroke of luck I was born healthy so each time you reel backwards or turn away at the sight of one, always remember it could have been you and you could have been born like this so if you can help like Datuk Akbar Khan, you must do so in this life so you can be reborn in a better position in your next incarnation.

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This guy had horrible teeth whereas mine are perfect after Dr Datuk Sean Paul of Livingwell.com fixed them but I could afford it and was vain enough but this guy was in no position to beautify himself so I kowtow to him and pray he will be reborn tall, handsome and strong as he and all others like him deserve it!

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My favorite 3 people!

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Your favorite 4 people!

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One mandarin orange for the road! Jenny Loh gave me so many oranges I am now ailing from over-eating mandarin oranges



THE END


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