As Senior Prefect at Toowoomba Grammar School, I have had the opportunity to witness the benefits of being an all-rounder firsthand. With the various activities and programs the School offers, the ability to be involved in as many things as possible is not only enjoyable but brings about numerous benefits that extend far beyond the school years.
Ranging from sports to drama and debating, participating in anything the School has to offer is an excellent way to make friends and build networks of like-minded people. Being able to play and perform with the same group of boys all the way from Years 7 to 12 allows a different type of connection not found in your classroom. By tapping into the different aspects of the School, you meet new people and learn from them, developing a sense of trust and respect. Whether it be on the sporting field, in the classroom or on the stage, relationships formed in these younger years are still as strong when you grow older and are sure to continue to flourish after school, making them so valuable. Doing all I can in school has given me these long-lasting relationships and has led me to enjoy my journey through the School with boys I respect and have fun with.
There is an ever-present opportunity to develop a variety of skills by being an all-rounder. Taking part in many different activities requires you to have different skill sets. With cricket, I learnt the importance of focusing on your own game as it is an individual challenge at times. However, with football, I quickly noticed that you must rely on your teammates heavily and the significance of communication. For the “Read My Lips” performance which focuses on drama, I understood that it was not my strong suit, making me take a step back and allowing those who are more experienced to take the lead. This highlights how different activities and sports require different skills and by partaking in these activities, you can learn things such as teamwork, communication and humility which are all useful in your schooling and future years.
Whilst getting involved in as much as possible demonstrates the skills that need developing, it can also show your strengths and opportunities for personal growth. It allowed me to discover my passion for cricket and football and my interest in other activities. Through playing chess with some boys in my Year 9 class, I realised my interest in playing the game and started to enjoy it. By trying everything, you can discover what you are passionate about and this can help you to discover what you want to pursue in life.
Being an all-rounder enables boys to learn beyond the confines of the classroom and acquire skills that can be applied in real-life situations. As a result, I have certainly become a more well-rounded individual, capable of tackling a variety of challenges and pursuing different opportunities. With this, I encourage all students to get involved in as many activities as possible and take advantage of the opportunities that Toowoomba Grammar School has to offer.
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