A chance to win, a chance to lose, a chance to showcase, a chance to prove - the exciting opportunities called 'competitions'
Singing, debate, elocution, fancy-dress, dance, drama, handwriting, painting, drawing,quiz.... and an endless list of competitions; competing for an exciting life at school!
Besides academics, an array of diverse intra-school and inter-school competitions occupied the course of our term. While pondering about the memories of school,I could not resist bringing them into the picture. Right from the pre-primary level till the secondary grade, every academic year greeted us with tons of opportunities to hold a certificate or display the wining cup! With an increase in academic level; the type of competitions and nature of performances did differ,yet crossed-fingers and wishes to win always remained the same.
Designed and conducted with an aim to encourage all round development, these different
competitions forced students to look beyond their books. While most of times, it proved to be additional work for parents - preparing, practicing and working with kids gave them a chance to be back on stage in their own little way! With innovative ideas and interesting concepts, as we looked forward to these competitions, it spelled out lots of fun; after all it was our only tried,tested,valid, approved reason to stay miles away from homework!
As kids of primary section, fancy dress was our most memorable competition every year. While parents were engrossed in racking their brains for novel ideas and spending time behind the costumes, we eagerly waited to try them out! Rehearsing the script at home with all possible energy and enthusiasm, yet forgetting the part on stage formed moments of fun and joy. When I look at my photographs dressed as 'vegetable garden' or 'doll', I feel amazed at my parents' skills to hunt for different ideas.
While these performing competitions were favorite among all, those revolving around writing or reading witnessed less participation. With an aim to encourage these skills, when a tag of 'compulsory' decorated them, the entire class had no choice but to be a part of it!
Organizing competitions as per season,month or festival was an interesting feature to match the changing time. From 'painting contests' about nature in monsoon to 'lantern preparation' during festival of lights; from 'Best out of waste' competitions at the end of term to elocution based on different themes; there was so much to learn from these deviations to the routine schedule.
Debate and quiz competitions during our senior years were thoroughly enjoyed by all. While defending or opposing interesting topics, an official chance to fight was totally worth it! During higher grades, opportunities to participate in inter-school competitions meant lots of fun. Be it solo or a group event, performing and wining for the school was a matter of pride.
Though within its premises, complaining about school was part of our regime; such inter-school competitions served to rekindle flames of love while on the outside. As a group when we worked together to win for our school, it brought us closer to values of unity, team spirit, coordination and cooperation. Memories of march-past competitions on various grounds, with numerous schools across the city, still appear fresh and recent, as each one of us worked hard for the wining title.
With increased exposure to the virtual world and influence of reality shows, nature of competitions seem to have changed a lot. As school is the foundation for a child's future, it is essential that these competitions encourage them for newer experiences, yet preserve their innocence. Our teachers and management at school worked hard to give us these fun-filled moments on stage, while still keeping us rooted to our childhood.
Though competitive spirit is essential to promote ideas,skills and talents of students, excessive stress on wining can rob away all the fun. Pressuring kids for the first position or tempting them with gifts to win, may inhibit their natural essence of trial and error. After all,like it is always said, wining and losing is part of the game and to enjoy this game, it is essential to play right till the end!
So, as an after thought, which competitions did you enjoy?
Were you forced with the 'compulsory' tag or did you choose to participate yourself?
What was more interesting - participating as a kid or participating through your kid?
Designed and conducted with an aim to encourage all round development, these different
competitions forced students to look beyond their books. While most of times, it proved to be additional work for parents - preparing, practicing and working with kids gave them a chance to be back on stage in their own little way! With innovative ideas and interesting concepts, as we looked forward to these competitions, it spelled out lots of fun; after all it was our only tried,tested,valid, approved reason to stay miles away from homework!
As kids of primary section, fancy dress was our most memorable competition every year. While parents were engrossed in racking their brains for novel ideas and spending time behind the costumes, we eagerly waited to try them out! Rehearsing the script at home with all possible energy and enthusiasm, yet forgetting the part on stage formed moments of fun and joy. When I look at my photographs dressed as 'vegetable garden' or 'doll', I feel amazed at my parents' skills to hunt for different ideas.
While these performing competitions were favorite among all, those revolving around writing or reading witnessed less participation. With an aim to encourage these skills, when a tag of 'compulsory' decorated them, the entire class had no choice but to be a part of it!
Organizing competitions as per season,month or festival was an interesting feature to match the changing time. From 'painting contests' about nature in monsoon to 'lantern preparation' during festival of lights; from 'Best out of waste' competitions at the end of term to elocution based on different themes; there was so much to learn from these deviations to the routine schedule.
Debate and quiz competitions during our senior years were thoroughly enjoyed by all. While defending or opposing interesting topics, an official chance to fight was totally worth it! During higher grades, opportunities to participate in inter-school competitions meant lots of fun. Be it solo or a group event, performing and wining for the school was a matter of pride.
Though within its premises, complaining about school was part of our regime; such inter-school competitions served to rekindle flames of love while on the outside. As a group when we worked together to win for our school, it brought us closer to values of unity, team spirit, coordination and cooperation. Memories of march-past competitions on various grounds, with numerous schools across the city, still appear fresh and recent, as each one of us worked hard for the wining title.
With increased exposure to the virtual world and influence of reality shows, nature of competitions seem to have changed a lot. As school is the foundation for a child's future, it is essential that these competitions encourage them for newer experiences, yet preserve their innocence. Our teachers and management at school worked hard to give us these fun-filled moments on stage, while still keeping us rooted to our childhood.
Though competitive spirit is essential to promote ideas,skills and talents of students, excessive stress on wining can rob away all the fun. Pressuring kids for the first position or tempting them with gifts to win, may inhibit their natural essence of trial and error. After all,like it is always said, wining and losing is part of the game and to enjoy this game, it is essential to play right till the end!
So, as an after thought, which competitions did you enjoy?
Were you forced with the 'compulsory' tag or did you choose to participate yourself?
What was more interesting - participating as a kid or participating through your kid?
Kudos for vivid presentation of school life.
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