Old School

Yes I mean literally old school as in the former school we were from and not “old school” as from an older time. We all know people who are really sentimental about their old school. You know, those slightly sad individuals who cling on to often fictional old memories of youth and how wonderful their school days were. I know someone who is so convinced by this that all his male friends only come from this particular school he was from. People from other schools aren’t worth his time. Of course women like his wife who is obviously not from his all boys school are exceptions.

That is just weird I think. Not that I don’t have feelings for my alma mater, but I think it must seen in the context of reality. No everything was wonderful. Part of what I am today was influenced by what happened in school, part shaped by other, equally important influences. What is this thing we call school spirit?

I am working in a school now and we often talk about school spirit. What is it? I sit on an interview panel in my old school assessing young people for awards etc and often we ask them what school spirit means to them. Often, it is linked to cheering, sports events etc. All of this is fine. But it seems to be to be extremely artificial. What happens after the cheering is over, the sports events are over, then what?

Let me share a personal example. I was in the same family of schools for 12 years from Pri right through to JC. That is a long long time. I was largely an anonymous student until JC when I became more noticed because of some miracle that I was top student at Sec 4. This boost in self esteem encouraged me to think of myself as ‘top of the world’ as I also became president of the students’ council. Now given this, one would think I would be the ideal candidate for one of those active old fogeys always back in their old schools for events and functions. But I never was. Until last night, I have never attended a school founder’s day celebration for example.

Why? One thing of course is that I work in a school. So I already have school events I have to attend. I don’t want to spend my free time attending anothetr school event. Another thing is that I don’t really see the meaning of doing that. What for? Life goes on, we all move on.

I do go back to my old school once a year. Why? As I mentioned. I sit one on of the scholarship interview panels. Why do I do this? Prestige? What prestige? I did it over the years because the chairperson of the panel was the person who inspired me to go into teaching in the first place. I felt I owed it to him. This part of my experience of my school was his inspiration. So it is my duty and obligation to give back to the school through that which he represents. So I do it every year. We catch up, do the interviews and have dinner.

Why did I go back last night for my first founder’s day since I left school? One of the heads in the school today was a old friend from the time I was a student. He called me and told me that they were trying to get back all the past student leaders to attend and it would be really good if I came. So I went. Over the years, I had ignored the countless invitation cards (they are really good a tracking us down), but I went because a friend asked me to. Not even a good friend but someone who was a part of my school days.

So what is this school spirit? Not the buildings. The building is not even the same one anymore. Even the site is different. Not the cheering and competitions. All those are gone. So what is left? It is realy the people and connections we make while we are in school in our formative years. Friends for sure. So old school mates that you shared laughter, silliness and even tears together. Teachers who made a difference in your lives. I have been blessed with a few (that’s why I am a teacher I guess). Thats is what school spirit is about!

I did enjoy my return to founder’s day last night. No I didn’t enjoy sitting through hundreds of students receive prizes and the long boring speeches. But I loved the nostalgia associated with singing that wonderful school song with gusto (to my students in my current school, you will be ashamed if you were there. Past and present students brought the roof down figuratively), I enjoyed joining the may past presidents on stage leading the school in a cheer, all that was great, but they are over this morning. I also enjoyed meeting the current student leaders though the mde me feel all so old as any of them could be my own children.

What I enjoyed most was the connections made with people who were a vital part of my formative years. Some old friends were there. Some are now company directors, teachers, lawyers and even a couple are clergymen! Connecting with some poeple who were not there in school at the same time I was there was great too and we recalled common experiences. There were at least 2 teachers there who had taught me before. One of them was really the hottest young teacher when I was in school and all the boys were in love with her. She has aged well and is still beautiful. The odd thing is, she introduced me to one of her current colleagues who was my ex-student in another school. So we took an odd 3 generational photo together.

This is school spirit! It is the people who make the school experience for us. School values and all that are empty unless the people are the role models of such values. I love some of the people who were an integral part of my growing up years. They were in my old school. That is why I love my old school. Whatever I give back to my old school, I give back to those people.