Ben on September 30 2009
Tomorrow is my last day of high school.
Being at Barker for 10 years (since the beginning) is no mean feat. There have been so many fantastic experiences over the years. There have been so many friendships made, changed, and broken. There were the good times, and the bad times. And we’ve all been through it all. Together as one. As the Class of 2009.
Many of us have planned to do so much in these last few weeks. However in reality, only a fraction of these things have been done. For me, it is physically and mentally impossible to do what I had planned in the space of a week. There are so many people to thank, so many people to recognise and yes, so many people to hug.
Tomorrow will be filled with many emotions. I know that some of us, myself included, will get a bit teary. I think it’s normal though. School has made up a majority of our lives, in the grand scheme of things. It has dictated and directed many minutes of the days. It will be interesting to see how life progresses without this.
I still have so much more to say, but now I must rest.
Tags: day, last, school
Filed under Forward Thinking,Reflection
Ben on September 27 2009
Tomorrow is the beginning of one of the most anticipated weeks in the year, the last week of school. Many months of hard work has gone into planning and expecting this. I think many of us are still trying to see how we will be after this week is over.
For all of us, 13 years of our short lives have been in school, a regulated sanctuary, and now it is time to go.
For me, I still don’t know what to think. I say, let’s enjoy it for now.
Luckily a week of events has been planned, and yes, there will be some coverage on my Flickr. Stay tuned.
Tags: last, school, week
Filed under Forward Thinking
Ben on September 21 2009
This week is Recognition Week! I’m so excited!
This is the week where I am hoping to recognize everyone for what they have contributed to Year 12. The other main thing happening this week is the free hugs. So for those of you who don’t know, this is my initiative and and everything is done out of my goodwill.
This week also leads up to the Leaving Week, which is the week long celebration of the end of high school. Yay.
So for me, it’s time to recognise. Here I go!
PS: Sorry for the lack of posts recently. There is this thing called the HSC that I wand everyone else still has to do.
Tags: recognition, week
Filed under Forward Thinking
Ben on August 28 2009
For those who don’t know: Last Thursday 27 August, a girl in Year 11 died whilst skiing at Perisher Valley yesterday. Please read this SMH article to understand what is written below. Tomorrow, I’ll write an analysis of today’s media coverage.
Today, we witnessed a tragedy, spirit and camaraderie. The events of today were attended by all, many with tears in their faces. Many of us didn’t know her personally, but we all shared the grief of today.
It is hard to comprehend something that is usually not associated with youth. Especially when it is so close to home.
This morning began with a memorial service, attended by Year 11 in the Chapel. Many who were there knew Amelia well. Many in Year 12 also knew her and remembered her elsewhere. Television and radio news media were outside the Chapel covering the service.
The first half of today was a time of remembrance; coming to terms with what had happened. Flowers lined the steps of the Chapel following the service. Flags flew at half mast, almost a grave symbol in itself. Many took the option of not taking class for part of the day.
By the afternoon the mood had lightened, but was still solemn, a party mix of lollies assisting. Most Year 11 and 12 students had gone home.
It is now evening, and Facebook statuses continue to pay tribute to what was a full, active life tragically cut short. Messages of support have also been passed on to friends and families down at Perisher Valley.
Rest in Peace, Amelia.
Filed under Reflection
Ben on August 27 2009
Tomorrow (Friday) is the deadline for HSC English Extension 2 major works. As part of their work, a reflection statement is written to, supposedly, ‘reflect’ on the major work they have composed. This week, the phrase has been uttered many times, in different ways, expressions and the like.
Given that Year 12 finish school in a matter of weeks, I took this phrase and thought, “What has been great about this part of my life?” I am, of course, referring to the last 12 months or so of high school.
I really want people to reflect on what has been great in the last year, in the last three years, or in my case, the last 10 years at Barker. The next few weeks, free of assessments and exams, are a great time to pause and reflect. There are other things we can think about too:
- As above, your time in high school
- Friendships and relationships
- Contributions you have made to a group e.g. choir, rugby team, debating team
- Personal achevements academically, socially, etc.
And also especially for you all:
- Your sense of belonging over the past year
- What you have done to change yours or others’ sense of belonging
- Initiatives you have started to affect others’ belonging
I think that this a good way to realise what achievements you have made over the last year, and will give an insight into what lies ahead. Life sometimes throws too much at us. Everyone needs a way to release and understand what’s going on. This is just one way to do just that.
Happy reflecting!
Tags: english, Reflection, school
Filed under Reflection
Ben on August 21 2009
Six weeks ago, many of us never thought that this day would come. For the last two weeks, I and everyone in year 12 have had trial examinations. These are the final school assessments before the HSC exams in October. I must say, that even with all the hype surrounding Trial exams, everyone handled it quite well. As with the last exam period, I went around motivating everyone (and myself) to do the best we can. On the library wall, there is a poster that says:
The gem cannot be polished without friction, nor man perfected without trials.
For those who are wondering, yes, I put that up. I felt that it was rather witty concerning the last two weeks.
And now, we are all celebrating the end of these exams with drinks all round. I’m happy that everyone’s happy.
I’m also happy to say that a massive creative burst is on the table. You’ll see a lot more posts about lots of things very soon. Now, I’m celebrating.
Tags: exam, relief, trial
Filed under Reflection
Ben on July 30 2009
This afternoon, I put my iPhone in a glass jar. It was nothing special; I just thought it looked nice in a glass jar. While carrying this around the place, I encountered conversations that went a bit like this:
Someone: Why have you got your phone in a jar?
Me: Long story.
Some people were persistent enough to ask what the long story was. Here it is.
I have some tea leaves. I needed a glass jar for them. I brought this one on Tuesday, but I found a smaller one. Hence, I am taking this home today, and I thought the iPhone looked good inside.
After this long story, some of the responses were rather interesting. Some people commented it being a new style icon: “iPhone in a jar”. Some thought I was rather stupid. Here is the most interesting response.
Ok. Well, good luck with the glass jar!
Overall, a very interesting experiment.
Tags: experiment, iphone, jar
Filed under Reflection
Ben on July 20 2009
I’d like to talk today about optimism. I think it is great to be optimistic about what you do and think. Often it allows us to focus and forget about things that have passed. But how much optimism is too much? Is it unhealthy due to its ability to cover up our shortcomings?
I recently applied for a traineeship at a large accounting firm (who will not be named here). They put a large focus on hiring the right people i.e. spend a lot on their recruiting, finding those who fit their ‘core values’. Now, I got a fair way through this recruiting process, met a lot of great people, but today, I got a call from their one of their recruiting staff. I didn’t make it. It does take a great deal of guts to deliver bad news, even over the phone. Most would rather use email to do the same. After that call, thoughts were provoked. Should one start to be sceptical about what people say, especially when they speak from an overlooking perspective (such as from the viewpoint of a company)?
The recruit staff had told the candidates all the way, “Be yourself … accountants are people, they like to talk”. When I look back at the experience, it was a mistake to take their advice literally, part or whole. Everyone there is so competitive, so you have to change your behaviours to set yourself apart. I now realise what has been apparent for so long. Life is competitive. Enjoy the challenge, but don’t let it drag you down. Let each failure be a lesson for the future.
Was it also a mistake to be too optimistic? Did too much enthusiasm spoil my chances?
If anyone who I met from that particular traineeship is reading this, it was great to meet you, good luck for the future, I hope we meet again somewhere, someday.
Tags: job, optimism, traineeship
Filed under Reflection
Ben on July 17 2009
At the time of writing, it is 68 days until Recognition Week.
Today, I am announcing Recognition Week. It is going to run from the 24th September to 1st October. It will be a week for me to thank everyone for their contribution to Year 12, 2009. I’m doing this, because everyone has done so much for me, and also to show how much everyone has contributed to the Year 12 group.
I’ll be doing a lot of things for everyone to benefit from. Probably the most ambitious act during the week, will be my aim to give a free hug to everyone over the course of the week. Those who accept, will get a small card from me, saying thanks and also to remember the time spent. Certain others will get larger cards, for those with more stuff to thank them for.
This will not be limited only to Barker Year 12, I invite anyone who I have met, whether it is for one minute, one day, or one year to receive this free gift.
While I’m almost at the end of a significant part of life, it is a great opportunity to reflect on the happenings of the last few years. They certainly have made a considerable impact on my life, which has flown on to others, and that is something to be thankful for.
I hope you approve!
Tags: recognition, week
Filed under Forward Thinking
