Dragon Boat - 5 Nov '07

5 Excellence!

Hope this day is an unforgettable one for you. I'm sure this is our first time dragon-boating (yes, including myself). It is not just a day about fun, but also to expose yourself to one of the many water sports that are available in Singapore. More importantly, it is an important lesson on TEAMWORK!

Unfortunately, not all of us could enter the water as they did not bring their extra set of uniforms.

Getting ready for the 'Dragon'

Hey! Who says we look funny?

This is how you 'dig' into the sea

Off we go!

During the activity, we had a few races with the other dragonboats. Every member on the boat had to play their part in rowing the boat. Their only job was to listen to the timing given by the leader and to just focus and concentrate on rowing the dragonboat. Once any member starts to look elsewhere and worry about not being fast enough, the race would immediately be lost.

Walking hand in hand - "Together we overcome any challenges!"

Still remember the swim? Hey, our boat was the only one that had the opportunity to 'abandon ship' and swim to shore. And all of us did it! The waves may be a little choppy but that did not stop us from doing our best to swim ashore. It was not an easy feat and I'm sure the other classes may not be able to accomplish it like us! Hey! We were the only class which did not have anybody falling off the boat. Neither did we have any pupils vomiting in the boat or cry! Wasn't it amazing?!

Welcome the 'dragon', back to its 'nest'

I know many of you hated this part of the activity - to return the boats. The other classes had helped us pull out the boats and thus it was our turn to keep the boats. Again, you would realise that the success in completing this task lies with our teamwork. The first few tries may not be a smooth one as it was our first time working together. However, practice makes perfect. The extra teamwork effort that came in made the process even faster and smoother.

Feeling tired and beaten?

Didn't you guys wish you were as wet as the rest?

I hoped you all have learnt an important lesson on staying FOCUSED, TEAMWORK and DETERMINATION from this activity. Staying FOCUSED when rowing the boat, putting in TEAMWORK into action in moving the boat as well as having the DETERMINATION to swim back ashore.

It is very much closely related to your studies. When you are studying for your exams, you must be very focused in class, paying 100% and not be distracted by other things going around you or with your friends. Certain lessons require you to do an activity as a group in class. You have to help one another in order to accomplish the very same goal of the activity.

Lastly, you must have the will and determination to overcome all challenges in order to succeed. It is okay to try hard and fail, but it is not okay to not even try and give up. Only losers give up. Winners win by lots of trying and not having the fear of failing. They may have failed a couple of times but at the end of the day, sweet victory will be theirs. Even if they do not succeed, at least they have tried their very best and their conscience is clear.

That is what we mean by EXCELLENCE. Well done P5 Excellence! You guys sure did me proud! :)