Do you remember when you first learned to skate? Did you lace up roller skates or strapped on roller blades? For many of our students, our trip to Skateland in December marked another "first" in their life. Although we had some veteran skaters in our school population, most students - and some staff - excitedly slipped and tied on their roller skates for the first time, teasing each other and giggling at the funny-looking shoes they traded their comfortable shoes for.
Do you remember what it felt like to first skate? Did you have someone holding your hand or did you brave it on your own? Our school would have made fine candidates for "
Do you remember falling many times and scratching yourself? Do you remember feeling wobbly and nervous at first, until finally, success? We were such an entertaining mass, such a messy attempt at skating. But the most admirable thing that struck me was how the students were unafraid and unconcerned about how clumsy and unco-ordinated they looked on the rink. They were so eager to learn, determined not to fall, and resolute that they too can fly like their more experienced peers and teachers.
I want to save that moment forever. The feeling that these students felt they could do whatever they set their heart to do, even at something seemingly simple like roller skating. Others may roll their eyes and mutter, So uncool... But in my heart, I shout: Go for it, mate!
