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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.

Embodying Kartini's Spirit: SES Nurtures Female Leaders and Mirrors Her Values

Embodying Kartini’s Spirit: SES Nurtures Female Leaders and Mirrors Her Values

Surabaya European School (SES) isn’t just a place for learning; it’s a community deeply invested in shaping the leaders of tomorrow, a philosophy that chimes perfectly with the enduring legacy of Raden Ajeng Kartini. This article explores how SES actively instils Kartini’s values in its female students and how Kartini’s own life and aspirations remarkably embody the core principles that underpin the SES educational ethos.

Nurturing Kartini’s Legacy in SES Female Students:

SES understands that Kartini’s fight for education, equality, and empowerment remains incredibly relevant for young women today. The school actively integrates her ideals through various initiatives:

  • Empowering Voices and Leadership: SES provides numerous platforms for female students to develop their voices and leadership skills. From student councils and debate clubs to leading extracurricular activities and community service projects, girls are encouraged to take the initiative, express their opinions confidently, and lead with empathy. This mirrors Kartini’s own determination to be heard and her belief in women’s capacity for leadership.
  • Fostering a Love for Lifelong Learning: Kartini was a voracious reader and a passionate advocate for knowledge. SES cultivates this same love of learning in its female students, encouraging them to explore their interests, ask questions, and become independent, critical thinkers. The curriculum emphasises inquiry-based learning and provides access to a wide range of resources, mirroring Kartini’s own pursuit of knowledge despite societal constraints.
  • Cultivating Independence and Resilience: Kartini faced significant obstacles in her pursuit of education and her desire for progress. SES aims to equip its female students with the resilience and independence needed to navigate challenges and pursue their goals with determination. The supportive and inclusive environment at SES encourages girls to take risks, learn from setbacks, and develop a strong sense of self-belief.
  • Promoting Social Responsibility and Global Citizenship: Kartini was deeply concerned with the well-being of her community and envisioned a more just society. SES fosters a sense of social responsibility in its female students, encouraging them to engage in service projects, understand global issues, and become active, compassionate citizens of the world. This echoes Kartini’s own desire to contribute positively to her society.

Kartini: A Reflection of SES Core Values:

Remarkably, the learner outcomes that drive the educational philosophy at SES find a powerful embodiment in the life and aspirations of Raden Ajeng Kartini:

  • Independence: Kartini’s unwavering belief in her ideas and her determination to pursue education despite limited access reflect SES’s commitment to nurturing confident and independent learners who take initiative and believe in their ability to shape their own futures.
  • Respect: Kartini engaged in respectful, thoughtful dialogue across cultures and ideologies, demonstrating a deep appreciation for others’ perspectives—mirroring SES’s focus on developing pupils who treat all individuals with dignity and value diverse viewpoints.
  • Engagement: Through her active correspondence and advocacy for social progress, Kartini modelled intellectual and civic engagement. This aligns with SES’s aim to foster pupils who participate meaningfully in their learning and communities, both locally and globally.
  • Resilience: Kartini’s ability to persevere through societal constraints and her continuous pursuit of reform embody the resilience SES aims to instil in pupils—the strength to face challenges and overcome obstacles with determination.
  • Confidence: Kartini’s journey of personal growth and her efforts to uplift other women exemplify SES’s dedication to cultivating confident leaders who strive to make a positive impact on the world around them.

In conclusion, Surabaya European School actively works to imbue its female students with the enduring values championed by R.A. Kartini. By fostering leadership, promoting equality, cultivating a love for learning, building resilience, and encouraging social responsibility, SES empowers young women to become the change-makers of tomorrow, echoing Kartini’s own powerful legacy. Furthermore, Kartini’s life and aspirations serve as a potent embodiment of the core values that lie at the heart of the SES educational experience, creating a powerful synergy between historical inspiration and contemporary practice.

SES Students Ace Sekolah Ciputra Junior Golf Tournament

SES Students Ace Sekolah Ciputra Junior Golf Tournament

Surabaya, Indonesia –Students from Surabaya European School (SES) have once again shown their exceptional talent and dedication, achieving cracking success at the recent Sekolah Ciputra Junior Golf Tournament. The prestigious event, held at the Ciputra Golf & Family Club, saw young golfers from across the region compete fiercely, with SES students showing off their skills and sportsmanship to emerge as champions in several categories.

The superb performance of the SES golfing students highlights the school’s commitment to nurturing well-rounded individuals and providing opportunities for excellence in both academics and extracurricular pursuits.

The Sekolah Ciputra Junior Golf Tournament is a significant event in the junior golfing calendar, attracting promising young athletes keen to test their abilities on a competitive platform. The success of SES students in this tournament is a testament to their hard graft, the guidance of their coaches, and the supportive environment fostered by Surabaya European School.

The achievements of the SES golfers not only bring pride to the school community but also serve as an inspiration to other young athletes. Their success underscores the potential that can be unlocked through passion, perseverance, and the right support system.

The entire Surabaya European School community congratulates all the participating students for their efforts and celebrates the remarkable achievements of their golfing champions at the Sekolah Ciputra Junior Golf Tournament. This victory further solidifies SES’s reputation for fostering excellence in a wide range of disciplines, empowering its students to shine both on and off the course.