Recognition Is Not Only a Certificate - It Is Encouragement for a Child’s Journey
As parents, we send our children to school not only for academic education, but also with the hope that they will grow into disciplined, confident, responsible, and well-rounded young people. In that journey, every meaningful achievement matters.
It is therefore concerning to hear that the recognition previously given to President Scouts at College Colours Night, through merit certificates, may be discontinued. For many parents, this is difficult to understand.
A President Scout achievement is not something a child earns overnight. It is the result of years of commitment, service, leadership, discipline, sacrifice, and personal growth. Behind that achievement, there are many early mornings, late evenings, training sessions, community service activities, parental support, and a child’s own determination.
When such an achievement is recognised by the school, it is not merely a certificate being handed over. It is a message to the child: “Your effort is seen. Your commitment matters. Your school is proud of you.”
The same concern applies to Karate Black Belt holders. A student who reaches Black Belt level has usually trained for many years, often more than six years, with patience, discipline, physical effort, and mental strength. Karate teaches respect, self-control, confidence, focus, and resilience. A Black Belt is a recognised milestone awarded through the relevant Karate association, with strong traditional roots linked to Japanese martial arts.
For a child, receiving a Black Belt is a proud and emotional moment. It represents years of learning, falling, getting up again, practicing, improving, and not giving up. Yet, such achievements often pass without proper recognition at a major school forum.
As parents, we do not seek unnecessary awards or special treatment for our children. We only hope that genuine achievements, earned through discipline and long-term commitment, are recognised with dignity.
Recognition gives children confidence. It tells them that hard work has value. It encourages them to continue. It also inspires younger students to participate in scouting, sports, martial arts, leadership, service, and other meaningful activities beyond the classroom.
A school with a proud history and tradition should not reduce opportunities to appreciate its students. Instead, it should protect and strengthen a fair and transparent recognition system for all deserving children. Whether the achievement is in academics, sports, scouting, leadership, service, or discipline-based activities such as Karate, the child’s effort should be acknowledged.
Therefore, it would be helpful for the school to clarify:
1. Whether President Scouts will continue to be recognised at Colours Night or another suitable official college event.
2. If the previous practice is being discontinued, what alternative recognition will be given.
3. Whether Karate Black Belt holders and similar recognised achievers will be considered for formal school-level recognition.
4. Whether the school has a clear and fair policy to recognise individual student achievements across different fields.
Children remember these moments. A certificate may look simple to an adult, but to a child it can become a lifelong memory. It can be the moment that makes them feel valued, respected, and encouraged.
Recognition is not about creating competition among children. It is about appreciating commitment. It is about teaching them that discipline, service, perseverance, and excellence are values the school truly respects.
As parents, our humble request is that such achievements should not be overlooked. Children who work hard for years to achieve recognised milestones deserve to be seen, appreciated, and encouraged by their own school community.
Comments
Post a Comment