The tension is unbearable! The score was 5-4 when the captain steps up and take the kick. I needed him to score to keep the team in the game. Honestly, everyone expects him to score without making a sweat out of it. To the team’s horror, he missed and the team failed to win the cup. The only reason he missed was too much pressure was on him.
One year flew past so quickly, and we are in the finals again. But, this time it was different. The opponents have changed and my team was the favourites to win. I, as the coach of team, will never let history repeat itself again. This year, the school has built a synthetic field which cost a bomb. Everyone including the principal and teachers in charge expects us to go all the way and attain glory for the school. The pressure has been on my shoulders since the preliminary round started a month back. The expectations were very high.
One week to go before the final match in the South-Zone tournament, the preparations are starting today. I studied our opponents to the best I can. I decided to make a few changes to the team that beat Queensway Secondary School three days ago. I changed the formation and when the training started, the players were adjusting to the tactical change. This is the first time we going to playing in this new formation. At the end of the training, I was not happy with the players as they had under performed. I speak to the teacher in charge and requested for an extra training session. He agreed with the request. During the next training, I gave the players a harsh scolding.
Time flew past me again, and today is the big day. I had high confidence that my team will be victorious today. The school has brought 200 students to support us. The supporters cheer for us right from the start to the end. The first half was more of like a warm up for the both teams; the score remained as a draw. When the players went into their respective dressing rooms for their breaks, I gave them a team talk. The second half went according to plan; my team created enough chance but just could not score that most important goal. Even after the tiring extra time, the score line remained as a draw. Now, same as last year, penalties are being used to decide the winner.
During the penalty kicks, the first four turns of the kick went well for both teams. Now, for the fifth kick, my opponent had scored. The score line reads 5-4. The captain of my team steps up. This time, last year, in this situation, he missed. So, will lightning strike twice in two years? When the captain kicked the ball, my team and the supporters were praying with all their might. To everyone’s horror, he missed once again. Indeed, lightning did strike twice. There are simply no words to describe my feelings then.
We headed back to school from the stadium. In school, disappointed faces are written all over. I encouraged all the players. I went back home and did a reflection. Let’s hope that we can do better next year.
Tuesday, May 6, 2008
Sunday, February 17, 2008
LETTER TO MDM JEAN TAN
Dear Mdm Jean tan,
Hi, I don’t think you will remember me. How your life after leaving Kent Ridge? I am living in a life filled with books.
First, my classroom has changed from 4th floor to 5th floor. Everyday, during the recess time, by the time I reach the canteen, the queue is always so long. Almost everyday, I do not eat and but drink only. This is so different from Secondary Three. In Secondary Three, I get to enjoy my meals almost everyday. My stay at the 5th floor was shortened when Mrs. Tan told us we were moving to the 6th floor. The reason for the shift was the noise level. Mrs. Tan believes we can study better with a lower noise level.
Secondly, the pressure I face in Secondary Four is stronger than the previous years. The remedies are coming thick and fast. The amount of homework has also increased. By the time I reach home, it was like five o’clock. Then, I take a rest, bath and eat my dinner. It is going to be seven at night. There is no time to play at all or to watch the television. There is also stress for me to score well for my O’levels in order to enter into a polytechnic. To achieve that, I need to revise my work from the start of the year and not a few months before my O’levels.
Thirdly, the classmates have also changed a lot. Their attitude towards school and work has changed a lot. There are more serious in class and work. They also do not fool around like last year. This year, relationships between classmates get better, with fewer confrontations between them. I also notice a change of chatting topics, from games to school work.
Fourth, I sense that I have fewer responsibilities in my CCA than in Secondary Three. I have also started to treasure my time with the BB boys and officers as it is my last few months in the BB.
I hope to hear from you soon.
Yours sincerely,
Kok Wai
Hi, I don’t think you will remember me. How your life after leaving Kent Ridge? I am living in a life filled with books.
First, my classroom has changed from 4th floor to 5th floor. Everyday, during the recess time, by the time I reach the canteen, the queue is always so long. Almost everyday, I do not eat and but drink only. This is so different from Secondary Three. In Secondary Three, I get to enjoy my meals almost everyday. My stay at the 5th floor was shortened when Mrs. Tan told us we were moving to the 6th floor. The reason for the shift was the noise level. Mrs. Tan believes we can study better with a lower noise level.
Secondly, the pressure I face in Secondary Four is stronger than the previous years. The remedies are coming thick and fast. The amount of homework has also increased. By the time I reach home, it was like five o’clock. Then, I take a rest, bath and eat my dinner. It is going to be seven at night. There is no time to play at all or to watch the television. There is also stress for me to score well for my O’levels in order to enter into a polytechnic. To achieve that, I need to revise my work from the start of the year and not a few months before my O’levels.
Thirdly, the classmates have also changed a lot. Their attitude towards school and work has changed a lot. There are more serious in class and work. They also do not fool around like last year. This year, relationships between classmates get better, with fewer confrontations between them. I also notice a change of chatting topics, from games to school work.
Fourth, I sense that I have fewer responsibilities in my CCA than in Secondary Three. I have also started to treasure my time with the BB boys and officers as it is my last few months in the BB.
I hope to hear from you soon.
Yours sincerely,
Kok Wai
FIRST DAY OF SCHOOL
On the night, before my first day in school, I was so excited and over the moon. I tried all types of ways to make sleep but I jus could not fall asleep. I was lying on the bed, thinking will happen in school tomorrow. As a result, I stood up and walked around my house trying to make myself tired so that I can fall asleep. Despite trying my best to make myself feel tired, it did not make any difference. I went back to my bed, lying on it and wondering what will the school like and many more. Eventually around at 3am, I fell asleep.
As early as five in the morning, I woke up without the help of the alarm clock which supposes to sound at six. As usual on the first day of school. I was reluctant to get out of my bed. Without any help, I get out of my bed at 5.30am and went to the toilet to brush my teeth and wash my face. I changed into my uniform and ate my breakfast; my mother accompanied me to school.
Upon reaching the school gate, my mother left. At that moment I stepped into the school, there was like a giant building in front of me. I went up to the third floor of the school; loiter around until a teacher called us to line-up. The time flew past very quickly and the morning assembly started. The first teacher that greeted the school in the morning was none other than Mr. Koh. I also heard from my seniors that Mr. Koh was a fierce and frightening teacher. As a result, the first impression he gave me was not a pleasant one, either he scolded the Secondary Two and Three for just reacting too slowly. The following programmes were boring and nearly made me fall asleep but they were very important talk by the principal, vice-principal and teachers. We were dismissed to our classrooms after those talks.
Back at the classroom, the form teacher went through some information with the class. Followed that was the councilors taking us on a tour around the school. They told us where the staff room, P.E. room were and so on.
When the bell rang, it was our recess and Giulio was the first guy to run to the canteen. I did not even want to try the food in the canteen because I thought it was disgusting. The last programme of the day was the mass dance. I also thought it was a little bit too rushed to learn the dance and perform it to our parents to see on Parent-teacher Interaction. But, after the performance, I changed my mind as I had learned a new dance.
From the first day of school, I had learned to respect the councilors as they had planned a wonderful dance and maybe a fun camp ahead. I also get to know new friends.
As early as five in the morning, I woke up without the help of the alarm clock which supposes to sound at six. As usual on the first day of school. I was reluctant to get out of my bed. Without any help, I get out of my bed at 5.30am and went to the toilet to brush my teeth and wash my face. I changed into my uniform and ate my breakfast; my mother accompanied me to school.
Upon reaching the school gate, my mother left. At that moment I stepped into the school, there was like a giant building in front of me. I went up to the third floor of the school; loiter around until a teacher called us to line-up. The time flew past very quickly and the morning assembly started. The first teacher that greeted the school in the morning was none other than Mr. Koh. I also heard from my seniors that Mr. Koh was a fierce and frightening teacher. As a result, the first impression he gave me was not a pleasant one, either he scolded the Secondary Two and Three for just reacting too slowly. The following programmes were boring and nearly made me fall asleep but they were very important talk by the principal, vice-principal and teachers. We were dismissed to our classrooms after those talks.
Back at the classroom, the form teacher went through some information with the class. Followed that was the councilors taking us on a tour around the school. They told us where the staff room, P.E. room were and so on.
When the bell rang, it was our recess and Giulio was the first guy to run to the canteen. I did not even want to try the food in the canteen because I thought it was disgusting. The last programme of the day was the mass dance. I also thought it was a little bit too rushed to learn the dance and perform it to our parents to see on Parent-teacher Interaction. But, after the performance, I changed my mind as I had learned a new dance.
From the first day of school, I had learned to respect the councilors as they had planned a wonderful dance and maybe a fun camp ahead. I also get to know new friends.
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