Being Your Best Self
The children turned up this morning and were ready to be their best selves - they had prepared by packing bags, excitedly taming to their friends, exchanging some nervous glances with parents, but they had an overall sense of being the best versions of themselves. There was an implicit understanding that it would lead to the best outcomes for each other and themselves.
While away from their parents and school structure, our children will need to be the best versions of themselves by choice. This intrinsic motivation will be a great agent for change. The children will adapt to the norms of the group, and those unwritten social queues help us to develop and understand ourselves.
Within four short days, the children will be back in Hong Kong. They will return home and to school but be a different version of themselves; they return more confident, more independent, a little more assured that the world beyond the school gates is in that, in time they will tackle, albeit at the moment with our guidance.
Our children have much ahead of them, and being the best versions of themselves is a great way to approach any challenge.
Proudly representing Hong Kong – by Ms. Pescod
From October 10-21, I travelled to Cape Town, South Africa as part of the Hong Kong Masters Hockey team taking part in the Masters Hockey World Cup. Masters Hockey is divided into age-group competitions for both male and female athletes, ranging from Over 35s up to Over 75s.
16 teams from across the world gathered for the women’s Over 35 competitions. Hong Kong’s pool consisted of The Netherlands, USA and Australia. After a very intense first few days of competition, Hong Kong ended up with one loss (against the Netherlands), one win (against the USA) and one draw (against Australia). Unfortunately, the results of the other matches meant we were out of the medal chances, but after 3 more close, hard-fought games against Ireland, Wales and France, we finished the competition a respectable 11th.
Representing your country in a World Cup, playing top-class hockey against the world’s best teams, is an experience few can be honored to say they’ve had. The hours of training and preparation, the sacrifices of time spent with family, and the mental and physical strain for the months leading up to the competition are testament to the resilience and determination of everyone who took part. All of us are working professionals, many also mothers, so this once in a lifetime opportunity was only made possible by the support of many people, including family and employers. I’m grateful to NAIS Hong Kong for their support in helping me achieve my dream.
Have a great week,
Stephen Sharma
Head of Primary
