Last Friday, November 13, was a memorable Sports Day for the students in various MS/HS
“Houses” (school families away from home). Sports Day is the culminating activity to wind up
weekly activities by “Houses”. The Elementary Level had its Sports Day last November 6 with great success. The prime intention of the “Houses” activities is to foster socialization, support, teamwork, sportsmanship, doing the best, exercise, and fun. Winning is secondary. Interpersonal skills and bodily-kinesthetic are honed. Sports and House activities make the school curriculum more balanced. Thanks to all the teachers and staff for a job well-done especially our ace teachers (Alex, Baldeep, James, Oein, and the House sponsors).
How to design or architect a balanced curriculum is most challenging. This tall order resonates a call to produce graduates who meet the expectations of society and university. Definitely, interpersonal skill, teamwork, and good health are key components. Oftentimes, we wonder on the mechanics of developing a well-balanced personality in students/children. There seems to be some sort of mysteries behind such because there have been good schools which and good parents who have produced bad children. For instance, it is a part of the Asian culture that young ones show respect to the older. And yet, once in a while we witness a few students ignoring this cardinal segment of our culture. Commonsense may tell us that this aspect needs to be instilled and learned at home. If the home ignores this value, then the school suffers. Respecting others is the bottom line of interpersonal skill. For students, it may mean building relationship with other students and with teachers. By and large, teachers tend to be proactive and endeavor to be role models. True to the calling of teachers, they are servant leaders. They make the first moves in building bridges of relationship and friendship with students. It does not necessarily mean sacrificing principles. All are done within the parameter of service, respect, and prudence. This may run counter to some cultures. However, the leaders are obligated to take subordinates with due respect. There is a need for youth with strong interpersonal skill and who will stand for the principle. What a valid and striking reminder!
Many books and motivational speeches have underscored great ideas on interpersonal leadership but they’re easier-said-than-done points such as: Be lavish with sincere appreciation, Disagree agreeably; Rejoice over the prosperity, successes, and happiness of others; Give up ethnocentrism and geo-centrism; Stand up, speak up and shut up at right forum; Allow to be positively influenced by others; and Learn from the “insignificant others”. In addition, those who may wish to continue in leadership positions, one secret is to go for principled concentric decision making even if it runs counter to human logic. Go for it!
All the best,
RN & ATL
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