志忠愛你
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XUHS: One Team, One Family
It was a night of fright and fear as the Junior students of Xavier University High School celebrated its annual family day. With the theme of Halloween, students together with their loving parents dressed and decorated their designated areas with scary figures and masks as they mark November 12, 2011 as an extended celebration of the dead.
How does a Jesuit school open a celebration but definitely with a mass. The mass was presided by the principal himself, Father Jonjee Sumpayco Jr. He shared of the basic role of the family; on its importance to how students grow and what impact they bring to their children. It was also a reminder to the parents on their responsibility, not simply as providers but also with the intangible things. Having this heard, it set and gave the meaning of what is the family day all about.
Students showcased what they have to their parents; they sang, danced and performed throughout the afternoon, allowing their parents to see what they have prepared and offered them to them. It was a blast of what seemed to be a boost to the students and their families. 3rd year Bobola performed their own song composition with the title “Bobola Song”.
It was also an opportunity for me, as an intern, to know my students in a more intimate and personal level. We have been together for a week yet knowing them was still a big problem for what happened in class was only about class tasks but then; that evening was a night of pure bonding and understanding. As You Keung and I went through the evening, I cannot help myself and speak to myself who am I in this class, in the 3rd year Bobola? This question was easily answered as I saw the student who had dominant speaking power, dominant confidence level and the student who had nothing else to do but talk and interact; it was Kishan. To make the night more interesting, You Keung and I dared each other to who will be having the most number of names of the students which ended up as a tie because we both went around together. Talking to them and connecting to who and what they had was not a task, it was an honor for me to see them that evening, sharing and simply being involved. We met Maam Susan whp was their assistant moderator because Sir Anito could not make it, Tess, their class president, Wella Gwapa, Jessa Cute, Warren, who “gave” You Keung a gift, Macky, David, Danica and to the students who I forgot, please do forgive me.
The night was filled with laughter, camaraderie, unity and fellowship; fun-filled as they say. I hope that with happened tonight, I would be able to create rapport and simply create a new relationship with them. It made me feel that I was part of something big because I did not feel I had to fit in because I already did. Students are also friends but not to the extent of abusing you. How does one connect and interact when at the first place, you do not know why they are acting this way? That opportunity proved that as a teacher, you do not limit yourself inside the classroom; you extend your room and expand. I love meeting and knowing people and I hope they also do.
