I recently had the privilege of attending my students' sports day at SMJK Kwang Hua. I had to cancel my classes but it was worth it. Anyway I'm going to replace those classes next week but I'm never going to get another chance to be at my students' big day. This was, after all, their senior year and their last ever sports day.
For weeks, my students have been staying back after school, marching in the hot sun while some have spent hours designing and making their banners. They've been so tired with practices that a few have even stopped coming to my classes for a month while some have skipped one or two classes. Of course I wish they could attend but I've always kept an open-mind to their situation and I willingly allow them to forgo their classes without any ill-feeling. Rather, I greatly encourage their participation in sports day.
For me, sports day is an experience that every student should participate in. It's one of the most memorable events of a student's life and most of all, it's a non-academic event. Along with canteen day, school concerts and graduation day, sports day should be celebrated as a key contributer to a student's overall development. In our flawed education system that continually bores our students to death with mindless spoon-feeding, sports day is a rare success story. Leadership, teamwork, creativity and determination are great lessons which a book can never teach you. It's a great shame that most schools are not properly funded with well-equipped track and field facilities. One look at the muddied, sand-covered field tells you just how much support schools get from the government.
For weeks, my students have been staying back after school, marching in the hot sun while some have spent hours designing and making their banners. They've been so tired with practices that a few have even stopped coming to my classes for a month while some have skipped one or two classes. Of course I wish they could attend but I've always kept an open-mind to their situation and I willingly allow them to forgo their classes without any ill-feeling. Rather, I greatly encourage their participation in sports day.
For me, sports day is an experience that every student should participate in. It's one of the most memorable events of a student's life and most of all, it's a non-academic event. Along with canteen day, school concerts and graduation day, sports day should be celebrated as a key contributer to a student's overall development. In our flawed education system that continually bores our students to death with mindless spoon-feeding, sports day is a rare success story. Leadership, teamwork, creativity and determination are great lessons which a book can never teach you. It's a great shame that most schools are not properly funded with well-equipped track and field facilities. One look at the muddied, sand-covered field tells you just how much support schools get from the government.
Yet, despite all these forces working against them, I saw my students march proudly, stomping on mud and turning their white shoes black. I saw them exert every ounce of energy running, slipping, falling and some failing; but never giving up. I saw them cheer their teams as they crossed the finish line while some despaired with bruises on their hands and knees but never once did I see the competition boiling over into a heated rivalry. Instead, there were hugs between competitors and handshakes between house captains. Some of my students failed in their quest for trophies but the true champion of the day was sportsmanship. It's the important tiny details like these that make the whole event such a joy to watch.
As for me, I soaked in all the joy and glory of my students, for they performed to the best of their abilities and for that, they are all winners! "Majulah Sukan Untuk Negara!"
1 comment:
i am no longer study at kwang hua d..
i just find ur blog anonymously at google ~ =D
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