This is a speech at SABS HS on Dec 5 2022
This is second last month of this semester. Probably you didn’t realize final examinations are just one month away! While we throw ourselves into a variety of school activities, we should also remind ourselves that academic teaching and learning is always the most important part of the school life. So, for students, you should begin planning to review for your final examinations and you should prioritize the main tasks on your timetables by possibly removing those activities that could distract you from your main goals.
Looking at the December calendar of the high school, there are still a few big events awaiting a lot of attention and time from both students and teachers. The HSSA are preparing the third House Night on Dec 20th. The Drama Club will put on a show on Dec 19th. Expat teachers will have their Christmas Holidays from Dec 21st to Dec 23rd.
On the academic side, the two language groups will open their classes to other teachers and the DP2 students must complete most of their essay writings before the end of this month. Actually, Grade 12 students will not only deal with the learning tasks within the school, they will also submit more university applications and some of them may have to sit for important tests needed for these applications. As of today, 15 Grade 12 students have received 29 universities offers.
All these events and activities will create pressure or even stress to students, will drain your time and energy, and will make you feel disoriented if you don’t have a plan and don’t know how to manage yourself to fulfil that plan. Two weeks ago, a few students shared their learning experiences during the Edinburgh Awards trips. All of them talked about the importance of maps and navigation because these devices and practices offer you a sense of direction and control. Similarly, in academic study, you also need to create this type of sense of direction and control by better managing your tasks, time, and materials. More importantly, you should also learn to manage your inner self including your emotion, motivation, and persistence.
During the time under COVID, your high school study has been already hugely interrupted by the seemingly unstoppable disease and the never-ending disease prevention measures such as temporary lockdowns and home quarantines. High school life itself is already complex for many students even during the normal time. Now, unfortunately, the lasting problems associated with COIVD obviously made the VUCA (Volatility, Uncertainty, Complexity, Ambiguity) age even more VUCA for every young learner. When you face demanding learning tasks, you will have to deal with many unanticipated distractions and interruptions at the same time. This is not easy!
Fortunately, though, we began to see some light at the end of the dark tunnel. Many countries and regions outside China have already returned to the normal. Signs of loosening up some prevention measures are seen in China too. For example, the high officials in Beijing seem to admit the lower risker of the current variant of COVID. We might be very close to the end of this tunnel. So, every student should be hopeful and mindful while we begin to march together towards the great success of our society.
Recently, I spoke with quite a few students who, from my point of view, are losing their hope and mind for different reasons. Some of them roamed around the campus without having a clear direction, some stopped learning important things while wasting time on useless matters, some showed stupid behaviours without knowing the harms to themselves and the community. Their eyes were blinded by their ignorance, their minds were blocked by misconceptions and biases. They were stuck by how they were and where they were. Sadly, they just couldn’t grow as a whole person if they don’t change.
What I told them to do? For example, I asked one boy not to interrupt classes because of rudeness; I asked another boy to apologize to the teacher whom he misunderstood; I asked one boy to practice humility so he could really learn new things; I asked one girl to reassess her learning habits in and outside classroom for the hope of improvement; I asked another girl to reflect on her stupid and selfish behaviour in writing.
I know these mistakes are normal at your turbulent age, which is called teenage. However, at the end of the day, it is your conscious self who will eventually shape the kind of person you will become when you walk out of this age. Therefore, you must consciously remove the blinds in front of your eyes and smash the blocks in your mind in order for the final metamorphosis. You must manage yourself in order to engineer your future, you must learn to be resilient in the face of all types of difficulties in the process of development.
Thus, having said all the above, I want to propose the theme of December 2022 will consist of two key words: Self-management and Resilient. I believe the associated skills and awareness will help you navigate through the stressful time.
Self-management skills
You demonstrate organization skills such as managing time, tasks, learning materials effectively;
You are able to manage state of mind including but not limited to mindfulness awareness, perseverance, emotional management, self-motivation, resilience.
Resilient
You adapt well in the face of adversity, trauma, tragedy, threats, or significant sources of stress, such as study, health or relationship problems.
You will not only make it through the challenges and difficulties but also emerge to become a more confident and courageous self.
Next, I am going to announce the result of House Point competition of November 2022.
After one month of competition, S House took in 198 points, R House won 184 points, O House 161, E House 135. S House is the winner of November 2022, owing to all the efforts of S House students and teachers.
There are a few students who earned more than 10 merits in one month. Obviously, they impressed their teachers either by good behaviors, or by evident improvements in their study, or by supporting teachers or school events. Other students should find out more what they do and how they so that you can be one of them next time.
At the same time, I saw some students lost merit points because of unaccepted behaviors and the warning letters the school issued to them. I would urge these students to reflect on their wrong doings and correct the behaviors as soon as possible.
As always, I encourage students to earn more points by showing their merits and teachers to give more points to recognize students’ achievements or improvements. House points are awarded in the Dormitory too, so you should also pay attention to your behaviors and manner when you stay in the dorm.
Kommentare