Track and Field

Track and Field started on the 15th of February and since then I have attended 2 of the practices. The goal of track and field is to improve an athletes skills, endurance, and personal bests. Before I started track I thought about some goals that I want to achieve during the season which are as follows:
1) Beat my personal records in high jump, long jump, 100 and 200 meter sprint
2) Encourage others if they are struggling with something
3) Become a better athlete
4) Focus on techniques
5) Try my best through out the season
6) Make the team

From the 2 practices I have attended I know that I have to build up my stamina since I haven't done that much sports since the football season except for motocross. I also need to practice my high jump and long jump techniques since I have forgotten some of them. However I believe this will be achieved during the 6 weeks of training.Overall I hope this will be a great season and I will keep the blogging about my achievements!

Week Without Walls

From January 24th to 28th my grade (11) went down south to Hambantota located about 6 hours away from Colombo. Our reason for going was to have have community service in some of the rural schools there. The grade was split into two groups: the shi group and sha group, in other words 11.1 and 11.2. Week Without Walls is a chance for students to learn outside the class room and to help the community around them. It is a great activity that enhances the following things from a student:

1. Leadership skills
2. Work Cooperatively and productively
3. Stick to an Activity
4. Understanding of the community around us
5. Organizacion
6. Time management
7. Discipline

Before we went we were asked to come up with some goals that we wanted to achieve. I thought about my goals for a long time and in the end they became the following:

1. Become a better leader.
2. Work cooperatively and productively with other students.
3. Bond with the children at the school.
4. Enhance my creativity skills in the mural activity.

From all the goals that I have listed I think i was able to achieve all of them. I became a better leader by helping out with the painting of the mural and taking part in our concert that we had to perform to the children on the last day. I worked cooperatively and productively the whole time we were at the school and helped out when needed. The children at the school were really shy at first but then as I got to play with them, for example draw with them i thought it was really nice and enjoyable. This way I was able to achieve my goal to bond with the children at the school. My creativity skills were improved since we had a theme which was outer space and because of this I was able to practice my painting skills and contribute to the mural group and the school.

I really enjoyed the whole week in Hambantota with the whole class and the teachers which attended our trip. The teachers inluded Ms Flynn, Ms Shameela, Ms Fernando, Mrs Williams, Mr De Silva and Mr Lockwood. They all helped us with the planning and the organizacion before we went.

SAISA FOOTBALL!!

The Girls Football Saisa tournament took place here at the Overseas School of Colombo from December 3-5th. From the beginning of the year one of my goals was to make the girls football team, which I am very happy about because I have accomplished it.   The tournaments with the other schools from across asia were very competative but in the end we accomplished to come 2nd after the AES school from New Delhi.

 As a team we were able to win all our games except for the finals which was a bit dissapointing, but I think as a team we have built on our individual skills and learnt to play as a team! I myself have learnt a lot and I believe I have achieved a lot from making the girls football team. These skills include: controlling the ball, working as a team, collaborating and putting all my effort and passion into a sport.Overall I have made new friends and been able to develop a lot as a football player. I also think the season was great and I am looking forward to trying out for the team next year again since it will be my last year in school. I also think everyone did a great job in contributing to the team and that it couldnt have been better! The weather was the only trouble we had through the whole tournament because it flooded the field and therefore we werent able to play against Lahore.

Below is a picture of the whole team and plus our coach Mr Shipley:

Now that the girls football season is over I am looking forward to trying out for Track & Field team later next year. However until then I will be working on my motocross skills.

Motocross Driving

Last Sunday (November 14th) I went to drive motocross at a track. I am doing motocross as action for the CAS programmge since it is something I enjoy. In the beginning of the semester I made a goal that I will join a motocross race in 2011. I believe I can achieve this goal if I keep practicing every weekend or whenever I have time. On Sunday I did quite well and I was satisfied with my driving; in order to improve I will have to practice more in turns and I need to practice a bit more at jumping. Overall I have great timing and my driving is smooth which is really important. Next time I'm going driving I will concentrate more on starts and drive more agressively. Below are some pictures as proof that I have actually been driving motocross :)

Football Match

On November 3rd, we had a football game against Lyceum which was a great opportunity for us to be in a game situation. I played right mid filled which worked for me quite well because I kept myself open and in the game. However next time i need to play a bit more in the middle as well and I need to use my left foot as well, which i will have to practice. Other than that i think the match was really great and since the other team wasn't very experienced we were able to focus more on passing and taking time with the ball instead of rushing into something.

This week we have been working on penalty shots, kicking with our left feet, precision, and timing. All these techniques will help us in a real game if we make the team. I think i have learnt a lot from all the practices i have attended and that it will really help me in the future.

Stage and Set Design

In October I was able to attend some sessions for Stage and Set design. In this after school activity we designed two different back drops for the primary production which was really interesting and I was able to use some of my art skills for it. The back drops are really colorful and will probably be great at the primary production which is this week.

However since I started football on Tuesdays i was unable to attend this after school activity. I am now looking for something to do for creativity which will most probably be guitar or instrument such as piano. This would be a challenge but something that I would enjoy because I have always wanted to learn how to play some kind of instrument.

Football

For the last few weeks I have been attending football practices which has been successful. I have been able to improve my football skills quite fast and im really enjoying it. Last Saturday the football team had a game but i wasn't able to attend it because I was sick. However today (Wednesday, 3rd November) we are having a game against Lyceum. This will give me a chance to see how a real game is going to be :)