By Catharina Ethania Girsang, Secondary 3 Courage
Credits to Mr Pitchai
The air vibrated with excitement from all the students who occupied the grass field alongside their teachers. Near them were the four tents, each crowded with students in red, yellow, green and blue for each of the Houses. The day started off with fun and cheer – as in everyone took a few quick seconds to prepare for their House Cheer. This was how it all started: an ordinary Friday turned into this new year’s Sports Day.
At Gor Pajajaran the school had booked a field for this battle of the athletes. A series of marathons and group sports boosted the students’ sportsmanship as they competed for their Houses to grab the Sports Day trophy.
The students gathered at the venue around 7 AM on the bleachers. In the center of the track sat a grass field with four tents for each of the four Houses: Blue Dolphins, Yellow Eagles, Red Rhinos, and Green Panthers. Students competed in a variety of individual and group sports to bag the trophy for their House.
Before the real sports began came the Interhouse Cheering competition. One by one each House displayed their fiery spirit towards winning this year’s Sports Day. Red House had brought an Among Us suit, and Blue House had even used blue face paint as part of the cheering.
The first competition was a series of running events – 100 metres, 200 metres, and 400 metres on the track. There were a number of categories between females and males of Lower Secondary, to females and males of Upper Secondary. The four runners of each House and category raced across the field as fellow House members and friends yelled at the top of their lungs to cheer them on. Officer teachers were even herding people from the track to give way for the runners. The thrill and excitement practically vibrated in the air as there were a few unexpected close-call wins near the finish line.
“Sports day was a ton of fun! I really enjoyed being able to race and compete against people from other Houses as well as performing the House Cheer,” said Natalie Sue Whitehead, a fellow Blue House member and winner of the 400 metre-run Lower Secondary Female category.
The final relay race of the session consisted of eight people from each house running 2 laps of the entire track for victory, also with female and male categories. Everyone then participated in the crowded House Run, filling the field with streaks of red, yellow, blue and green shirts.
The second event was a series of simultaneous activities: ring toss, individual and group skipping rope, shot put, and the long jump. Students scattered all over the field, either huddling with friends taking shelter in the tents’ shade or buying snacks and drinks and fans sold by the Student Council. The school also provided bread and bananas to ensure bellies were filled.
Co-Captain of Red House Darren Lionel Arifin gave his enthusiasm and sportsmanship after the day. “I think Sports Day is a great way to engage people with physical exercise but also be united and having fun. Even though my house didn’t win the entire event, I’m still proud to see everyone trying their best and having a blast during the event.”
The following Monday, 20 January, 2025, students gathered in the school Sports Hall to know the top 3 winners for each of the individual sports, receiving certificates and a special medal for those in first place. The overall winner of the event was Blue House. All the members stood onstage for a photo session. House Captain Dea Lutecia Tjahyadi, JC1, and House Co-Captain Mukhil Balasubramanian, S3C, held the House trophy aloft.
This Sports Day gave a boost of confidence and enthusiasm for students and teachers alike towards the start of the new year’s term 3. Everyone was buzzing with anticipation for more fun the school has to offer.