Lighting the Fire Within: How SES Athletics Day Sparks Students' Competitive Spirit

Lighting the Fire Within: How SES Athletics Day Sparks Students’ Competitive Spirit

Surabaya, Indonesia – The roar of the crowd, the thumping of trainers on the track, the triumphant cheers – these are the hallmarks of Surabaya European School’s (SES) annual Athletics Day, a much-anticipated event that goes far beyond just a bit of sporting competition. For SES students, Athletics Day is a catalyst, lighting their competitive spirit, fostering teamwork, and instilling valuable life lessons that stretch far beyond the sports pitches of Surabaya.

More than just a day of races and jumps, SES Athletics Day is carefully put together to tap into the natural competitive drive within each student, no matter how sporty they are. The event fosters a healthy bit of rivalry, encouraging students to push their own limits, have a go at getting better, and experience the thrill of challenging themselves and their mates.

A Platform for a Good Old Competitive Spirit:

From the youngest ones having a go at fun, age-appropriate events to the older students battling it out in the track and field finals, Athletics Day provides a structured and supportive environment for students to get their competitive instincts going. The house system at SES – with its spirited rivalry between Sura, Baya, Garuda, and Komodo – further amps up this healthy competition, fostering a sense of belonging and everyone wanting to do well together.

It’s not all about winning, mind you. SES Athletics Day celebrates having a go, putting in the effort, and beating your own best. Students are encouraged to focus on how they’re doing themselves and to cheer on their teammates, creating a good atmosphere where everyone feels motivated to give it their all. The cheers and encouragement from other students and the teachers create a buzz where everyone wants to have a proper go.

Beyond the Finish Line: Growing Essential Life Skills:

The competitive spirit that gets going on Athletics Day at SES goes further than just sports. Students learn valuable life skills that are crucial for doing well in everything they do later on:

  • Setting Goals and Sticking At It: Students set their own goals for their events and learn how important it is to keep trying and stick at it to achieve them. The effort needed to train and compete teaches them a good lesson about how hard work pays off.
  • Bouncing Back and Dealing with Setbacks: Not every race ends with a win. Athletics Day provides a safe place for students to experience both doing well and being a bit disappointed. Learning to deal with not winning, to think about how they did, and to get back up and try harder is an important part of building resilience.
  • Working Together and Mucking In: In team events like relays and house competitions, students learn how important it is to talk to each other properly, work together, and support each other. They understand that everyone pulling together can lead to better results than just doing your own thing.
  • Playing Fair and Being a Good Sport: Winning with grace and taking a loss on the chin are both lessons from Athletics Day. Students learn to respect the other teams, acknowledge their efforts, and play fair. This encourages a good sense of competition that goes beyond the sports ground.
  • Feeling Good About Yourself and Believing You Can: Stepping onto the track or field and giving it their best shot, no matter what happens, builds their confidence. Overcoming challenges and achieving their own goals on Athletics Day makes them believe in themselves more.

A School-Wide Celebration of Effort and Spirit:

SES Athletics Day is more than just a bunch of sporting events; it’s a school-wide celebration of effort, determination, and good spirit. The energy and buzz on this day spreads throughout the whole school, showing how important it is to have a healthy competitive streak as something that makes you want to do better and achieve things together.

By providing a platform for a good old competitive spirit, growing essential life skills, and celebrating everyone having a go, Surabaya European School’s Athletics Day plays a vital role in lighting the fire within its students – a fire that will keep driving them to do well in everything they do, both in and out of SES.