Munira Nurbhai, Grade 11
UWCEA Arusha Campus
Broken eggs on the ground, people in the air, and children in sacks, there was only one day in the year when you would see these things all together in one place - the annual end-of-semester games day.
This ceremony lasts for 3 days straight, each day representing one sub-division of learning starting from Kindergarten, Primary, and finally Secondary. It is celebrated every year on the 18th, 19th, and 20th of November and lasts all day from 10 am until 7 pm.
The ground is always tastefully decorated while on the side, there are tents and bleachers that hug the wall to accommodate the crowd. Athletic white track lines are drawn exactly in the middle of the ground showing the starting and finishing lane and making it easier for the crowd to observe.
Our community leader is invited every year as the chief guest to commemorate the ceremony and give a word of motivation to the young kids and adults participating in the competition.
As the students stretch and prepare for the games they are partaking in, you see parents, friends, and relatives getting situated in the bleachers to cheer their loved ones on while the tents are getting equipped with water bottles, glucose, energy bars, and fruits high in vitamins.
The itinerary for lower secondary is as follows:
9 00-9 15 am- A welcome speech by the principal of the school to address the dignitaries, parents, teaching, non-teaching staff, and the participants of this event.
9 15-9 45 am- 50m race followed by 100m race
9 45-10 15 am- Lemon/egg and spoon
10 15-10 45 am- Sack race
10 45-11 15 am- Hopscotch
11 15 am-12 00pm- Triathlon
12 00-1 00 pm- Lunch
1 00-1 30 pm- Long jump
1 30-2 00 pm- High jump
2 00-3 00 pm- Swimming (freestyle, butterfly, breaststroke, and backstroke) - 50m
3 00-4 00 pm- Swimming (freestyle, butterfly, breaststroke, and backstroke) - 100m
4 00-4 30 pm- Tea break
4 30-5 00 pm- Tug of war
5 00-5 30 pm- Three-legged race
5 30-6 00 pm- Parent and child, three-legged race
6 00-7 00 pm- Closing speech, award-giving ceremony, and word of thanks to the chief guest.
I loved participating in some of these games, mostly sack race, lemon and spoon/egg, three-legged race, and tug of war. These events sent even the most serious spectators to laughter.
The rush of adrenaline and the echoing sounds of people cheering you on and tickling your ears always drove me to participate. I was able to build a strong sports spirit, knowing I am not going to win every time I participate. There will always be people who are smarter or sportier than me! However, with every life experience, I was able to learn something meaningful and educational behind it.
Moreover, it presented a medium to contribute to my yellow house team having three others: red, green, and blue. While growing up to be emotionally and physically resilient for the future.
I was awarded a gold medal in the sack race during my last ceremony before I shifted. I was devastated when I found out my school where I would be spending my 4 years (grade 8-11) didn’t offer an annual sports day. It only increased my passion for joining UWC. I was extremely thrilled to uncover that they offer an end-of-semester games day!!
At UWC I will be able to continue my passion for some of my loved sports and hopefully win some medals and awards!
Image Courtesy: https://pngtree.com/freebackground/dream-sports-campus-sports-festival_1094294.html
This ceremony lasts for 3 days straight, each day representing one sub-division of learning starting from Kindergarten, Primary, and finally Secondary. It is celebrated every year on the 18th, 19th, and 20th of November and lasts all day from 10 am until 7 pm.
The ground is always tastefully decorated while on the side, there are tents and bleachers that hug the wall to accommodate the crowd. Athletic white track lines are drawn exactly in the middle of the ground showing the starting and finishing lane and making it easier for the crowd to observe.
Our community leader is invited every year as the chief guest to commemorate the ceremony and give a word of motivation to the young kids and adults participating in the competition.
As the students stretch and prepare for the games they are partaking in, you see parents, friends, and relatives getting situated in the bleachers to cheer their loved ones on while the tents are getting equipped with water bottles, glucose, energy bars, and fruits high in vitamins.
The itinerary for lower secondary is as follows:
9 00-9 15 am- A welcome speech by the principal of the school to address the dignitaries, parents, teaching, non-teaching staff, and the participants of this event.
9 15-9 45 am- 50m race followed by 100m race
9 45-10 15 am- Lemon/egg and spoon
10 15-10 45 am- Sack race
10 45-11 15 am- Hopscotch
11 15 am-12 00pm- Triathlon
12 00-1 00 pm- Lunch
1 00-1 30 pm- Long jump
1 30-2 00 pm- High jump
2 00-3 00 pm- Swimming (freestyle, butterfly, breaststroke, and backstroke) - 50m
3 00-4 00 pm- Swimming (freestyle, butterfly, breaststroke, and backstroke) - 100m
4 00-4 30 pm- Tea break
4 30-5 00 pm- Tug of war
5 00-5 30 pm- Three-legged race
5 30-6 00 pm- Parent and child, three-legged race
6 00-7 00 pm- Closing speech, award-giving ceremony, and word of thanks to the chief guest.
I loved participating in some of these games, mostly sack race, lemon and spoon/egg, three-legged race, and tug of war. These events sent even the most serious spectators to laughter.
The rush of adrenaline and the echoing sounds of people cheering you on and tickling your ears always drove me to participate. I was able to build a strong sports spirit, knowing I am not going to win every time I participate. There will always be people who are smarter or sportier than me! However, with every life experience, I was able to learn something meaningful and educational behind it.
Moreover, it presented a medium to contribute to my yellow house team having three others: red, green, and blue. While growing up to be emotionally and physically resilient for the future.
I was awarded a gold medal in the sack race during my last ceremony before I shifted. I was devastated when I found out my school where I would be spending my 4 years (grade 8-11) didn’t offer an annual sports day. It only increased my passion for joining UWC. I was extremely thrilled to uncover that they offer an end-of-semester games day!!
At UWC I will be able to continue my passion for some of my loved sports and hopefully win some medals and awards!
Image Courtesy: https://pngtree.com/freebackground/dream-sports-campus-sports-festival_1094294.html
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