Challenging ourselves to be our best In many types of situations, we find ourselves facing moments of challenge. Whether at work, at school or at home, situations arise that cause us to reach outside our comfort zones to resolve a problem, master a new skill or try something new. It isn’t easy to face new challenges head on, but when we put forth the effort, we learn a great deal about ourselves. Students have the opportunity to learn through challenges in numerous ways throughout their education. One example of this at Discovery College is our Education Outside the Classroom (EOTC) programme. Beginning with activities in Year 1, students are given an opportunity to experience learning outside of the typical classroom environment. In progressively more rigorous programmes, including camps in the Primary years, the Hong Kong Hustle, Secondary camps and eventually No Boundaries, students learn new skills from these fun yet challenging experiences with support from their teachers and their peers. Often this means that students reach outside their comfort zones to sleep away from home for the first time, camp outside, hike or bike new trails, or visit a new country. Through this, they gain knowledge about themselves and their ability to persevere, to show independence and leadership, and to work together with
SHI JIE MAGAZINE / SPRING 2016
their peers as they develop and strengthen friendships. Throughout this issue, you will read about the experiences of our students in the EOTC programmes this year. I am proud of our students each year for the commitment they make to put their best effort into these experiences, and thank the many parents and staff who support these activities. Also in this issue, you will see students challenging themselves in other ways. Our primary students staged an excellent drama production this spring, no doubt stretching many beyond their initial comfort levels as they embarked on an incredible performance. You will see also read about our basketball teams being challenged in international competitions, and our Year 13 visual arts students putting together their final exhibition. One of our goals at DC is to provide ways to both challenge and support students so that they are able to stretch to their full potential and learn from their experiences, their mistakes, and the process of carrying out these activities. By focusing on the whole learning process, we aim to give students many opportunities to learn about themselves, to find creative solutions to problems, and to work together to be their best selves. Mark Beach Principal
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