If you are a Malaysian or being in any form or shape, affiliated to Malaysia, the General Election week of 9 May 2018 is THE WEEK in history. It’s the story that follows Lord Acton’s famous quote “Power tends to corrupt, and absolute power corrupts absolutely.”
It’s beautiful to be part of the positive change that happened with a pulse of an entire nation. Especially when the changes are peaceful, and moved with level-headed maturity. If you are a parent, you would sleep on 10th May early morning, with a glance at your children. You would exude a positive smile.
That smile is the hope of a brighter future ahead. Not because of the end of a corrupt government. Not because of the appointment of new leaders. Not because of all the positive cheers that hover behind. That genuine smile is because of knowing one important thing. That, the child has the opportunity to shape their future in a better environment than it has been for you.
While our Eagles were not eligible to vote, they are part of the fabric of the current Malaysian society. They might not comprehend the electoral systems; or the way the country’s history intertwines with their lives. Or the complexity of Malaysia’s political landscape. But they understand that this week is the most important week for the country. They understand that there are heroes (against tyrants). They understand that there is hope (against fear).
With a sudden announcement of holidays in Thursday and Friday, we had to make adjustments. No doubt, with such an event like GE14, it was a unique and memorable week!
Highlights:
- Elementary School Updates: Election of Eagle Bucks Council & Zumba Dancing
- Middle School Updates: Signing Ceremony & Blue Planet Dive
- No School. But I still want to come to School.
- Ice Skating!
- Beach School Camp
Elementary School (ES) Updates: Moving-moving, Sea Jeopardy Challenge, & Election of Eagle Bucks Council
Moving-moving, Zumba & HIIT
The Eagles found a new love—Zumba dancing! Many eagles decided to do more Zumba as free time, even the boys!
The HIIT exercises still continued.
“We must train harder for the Spartan Race! We need to run 3.2km for it.”
“Can we dance more, please? One more, one more!”
Sea Jeopardy Challenge
After challenging the body, it’s time to challenge the mind!
In the Marine Science Quest, the Eagles take weekly challenges to test their learnings before moving to the next stage. Each stage follows a Marine Life food chain, starting from krill level to the apex predator—shark level. It’s hard work as Eagles had to reflect and research to answer the questions.
Election of Eagle Bucks Council
The Election week provided a template for discussion for the next step in governance. Discussions are just a starting point. More importantly, we asked: “What are you going to do about it?”
The Eagles applied their learnings in the studio and elected the Eagle Bucks (EB) council for the sprint.
They went through a simple process of discussions about leaders, followed by campaigning and voting.
They looked at the positives:
“A good leader must be an example to others.”
“A leader is someone who is fair and responsible.”
“A great leader will inspire others.”
And also the natural consequences of negatives:
“If someone doesn’t do his/ her roles well, they will be fired!”
“If the leader is greedy and corrupted, the community will not grow.”
After the little “campaigning” by each candidate, eagles voted. Note: Campaigning is saying a couple of sentences why their fellow heroes should vote for them.
The Eagles elected Apsie and Arjun! Lots of cheer for them.
“Yes!! I’ve wanted to be an eagle buck council since a long time ago.”
The studio is looking forward to the new governance.
Middle School (MS) Updates: Signing Ceremony & Blue Planet Dive
Signing Ceremony
One year ago, the MS Eagles burned their contracts (their governance were simplified to simple three line promises), the MS Eagles finally come to terms with their history. They read, edited, discussed, and finally ratified their contracts.
The signing ceremony was solemn.
Can they hold up the contracts? That’s the real test.
Blue Planet Dive
The Eagles completed all the Marine Science jeopardy challenge, all the way to the Shark Level. This provided them the theoretical foundation of Marine Science for the next step—appreciating the Blue Planet series!
The process is similar to the Civilization Process. Each episode of Blue Planet is one hour. Then, they engaged in discussion and reflection writing. The goal is to be inspired and experience broad observations in the Marine Science universe. Next week, they would need to decide on their research topic!
No School. But I still want to come to School.
Thursday is a holiday. We decided to leave it as a flexible day, where Eagles could come in to prepare for the next day’s camp.
Many Eagles, especially the MS Eagles stayed till late on Wednesday to follow the Election results. Few did not. So, there were just three Eagles who made it early.
“It’s so peaceful here. I could meditate the whole day.”
Later, six Eagles made it. Many Acton Academy Eagles prefer school days over holidays. Such is the nature of a learner-driven community. The Eagles created their own schedule. Core skills time was productive, with everyone focused on work. Snack break, lunch, Studio maintenance went well too.
Soon, it was time for ice skating!
Ice Skating!
Both ES and MS studios had their share of ice skating in MYNISS. ES did this as part of this term’s Sports choice. They were coached to the basics. Two parents joined in too because it is so fun!
It was the first time for many! There were jitters and excitement. Many fell down, but the Eagles definitely looking forward to next week!
“I can’t wait for the next class.”
“It’s so scary!!!!”
“Let me help you skate.” Eagles Helping and guiding each other on the rink.
It was a celebration day.
Meanwhile, MS Eagles organized because of a special RM15 deal at MYNISS on Tuesday. Y’know, they are a group of deal seekers. So, Hadiya (who most wanted to do this) organized the group to go for ice skating.
Beach School Camp (Friday to Saturday)
Our original plan of this Sprint was to have an East Coast Trip, with Turtle hatching observations and potentially a scuba diving course. Scuba diving is the best way for a human to experience at marine life. Next, is through an aquarium or through nature, either in a beach or on a fishing boat. Closer to date, we realized it would have been too much of a commitment, both in terms of extra fees, time and organization demands. Turtle hatching is a serious test of patience too—a challenging one for the younger ES. The Ramadan period towards the 2nd half of the Sprint didn’t help.
So, we settled for two excursions close to KL—one for an exposure of the marine environment in Port Dickson and second for a private marine life observation via Sleep with Sharks program in AquariaKLCC.
We held the Camp with Beach School in Port Dickson. It was also a small holiday gathering for the ES parents, albeit a rugged one. We apologized that we did not do our homework thoroughly, as the logistics were not the most convenient. The washroom area was 7-minutes walk / one-minute drive away. Still, parents and Eagles made do with the situation and environment.
It was also a time to be in the outdoors—sea, sun, swimming, fishing, “cooking”. There were learning activities organized by Mr. Kent in between, via discussions, conversations, questions and show & tell.
Drag net fishing. Looks simple, but some skills needed to make it effective.
The activities stretched through the night. Beach camping is needed to really experience many of these natural phenomena.
Few Eagles also stopped by a local aquarium on the way back to KL.
Then, there was plenty of time for socializing and free play in between.
Free play for so long? Yes, for example, they “hailed a king” for almost 30 minutes.
There is the usual Camp Life of eating, sleeping, and more.
Many Eagles shared their joy here!
“Can we have an Acton near the beach or in the mountains?” *
“This is so fun!!!”
*There will be a poll coming soon, and we will be exploring this!
Overall, it was a happy trip. Thank you, Kent for the Beach School experience!
There were considerable hiccups if we were to “achieve learning objectives”. But the philosophy of Beach School is such that participants have fun, experience something different, and want to come back to the beach, willingly. Like the Unschooling principles, learning is a lifelong process. Better make it fun to make it lifelong :))
The ES parents enjoyed the balmy sea breeze, shaded by casuarina trees. Here’s a time to ponder the lives of the children ahead. A future where there’s increasing freedom.
The challenge with freedom is responsibility.
Back to the Smile of GE14
That smile of a parent, looking at your child on 10th May early morning, is knowing that the child has the opportunity to shape their future in a better environment than it has been.
But the smile will sustain only if we continue to work for it. So, let’s do it.
[/fusion_text][/fusion_builder_column][/fusion_builder_row][/fusion_builder_container]