“True creativity shines when we step into unfamiliar roles and find purpose in helping others succeed.”

Guiding the Game: A Creative Journey in Team Collaboration

I have always wondered: Why are teams from other schools and organisations treated so well when they play on levels more than the school level? I found my answer to this question with my experience with the ISSO Football team I escorted throughout their time in the school. I got to escort the ‘Singapore International School, Mumbai (IB Board)’ during their matches. I never thought I would find myself on a football match’s stressful and competitive grounds, but life is full of unexpected turns. When I filled in the form for volunteering to assist with the ISSO work, I took part only for my CAS requirement. I woke up early, ironed my clothes, applied a few extra pumps of perfume reeking of floral and fruity and made my way to school, to the awaiting grounds of the school in the chilly morning, but an unexpected feeling awoke in me. A feeling I don’t have words to express, but it awoke me with a sense of freshness and a sudden burst of energy. Watching the teams play built a sense of anticipation inside of me and also secretly awakened a sense of determination to participate in my school’s football team the next year in 2025. Throughout my journey with the SIS team, I watched, experienced, developed and learned. The ‘Learning Outcomes’ I developed during this experience are as follows:

LO4 – Show perseverance and commitment to CAS experience

 I am an introvert. Yes, it is a controversial statement from an IB student, but it is true. I was nervous, shy, anxious and full of doubts as I reassured myself nonstop in my mind. “It’s okay! They are just harmless souls just participating in a football match. Calm down Jaishanavi!” I didn’t know the people. I didn’t know how the players would be. Would they be friendly? Would they sideline me? Would I be able to keep up with them? But, as I exited my house and sat on the activa behind my mother on my way to school, I took in a deep breath of the fresh and cool air and reassured myself. I pushed back my doubts and looked forward to meeting new people. My only purpose was to make sure they had a comfortable time in the school and were ready for their matches. I put on a charming smile and greeted the football players, and I was proved wrong. They were the most friendliest creatures I have met. The coaches were friendly and considered me a part of their team. I became a part of their team, prayed with them, stressed with them when a goal was missed, and cheered with every point they scored. I hardly took it as a CAS experience anymore. It was more than a CAS experience. I genuinely enjoyed this experience. In the end, I am proud of myself. I went through the CAS experience with positivity and hyperenergy! 

LO5 – Demonstrate skills and benefits of working collaboratively

This was teamwork, and it included everyone giving a contribution. They never let me forget that I was a part of their team. I knew the matches were tense and tiring. It was evident that my peers were worn down from the constant matches. They showed up bruised and covered in bandages and band-aid. Yet, their determination never wore down. It gave me a sense of accountability, and I knew that these players were tired enough that they couldn’t even walk properly. I made sure they never lacked any comfort the school provided. I made sure they had a constant supply of hydration. I didn’t let the blazing sun or chilly mornings take me down from running on the ground to and from providing the SIS team with glucose powder, water, ice, lemonade, bananas and chairs. Helping them with their bags and making sure they have a shed to sit under. We all worked together to make sure everyone was comfortable. They relied on me for assistance; I relied on them for friendship and companionship. 

LO7 – Recognise and consider the ethics of choices and actions

No matter how much we talked and learned about each other, there was an atmosphere of awkward silence. After all, we were total strangers and barely knew each other. This also came with a huge sense of responsibility and consideration. There were a hundred eyes on us. The reputation of the school somehow lay on my decisions. The way I act, the way I speak, the way I behave, my tone, my actions, my decisions, my language… EVERYTHING! I know that I am representing not only me but the whole Fountainhead School, and it was essential to maintain a formal decorum. There would be unexpected events where I needed to keep my cool and assist the scenario with care and handling. For instance, the coach from my team was frustrated with the players of the team for missing an evident goal. He shouted harshly, bringing some to the verge of tears. As soon as the coach left the area, I approached the players and helped them calm down. It was a serious moment. It was a moment of vulnerability, less confidence, confusion, anger, remorse, regret and a huge brewing cauldron of negative emotions. I was left with the question: What should I do? Before I could answer myself, my legs were drawn to the cluster of brooding players; I started a cheerful conversation by praising them. I fed them encouraging words as if I was spoon-feeding a mischievous toddler, shoving words of appreciation and positivity at them, making them accept my praises even if they degraded themselves as not worthy of the praises and succumbed to the harsh words of their coach. Soon, they started to smile and blush on my praises. “IT WORKED!!” I thought. They laughed and patted each other’s backs. We all sat down and had a serious conversation about the mistakes to avoid for the next match. As I sat there, I was above cloud nine, after all, I chose the perfect words and appreciation and somehow contributed to fixing the mood. Thus, I carefully recognised and considered the ethics of choices and actions. 

Conclusion:

In a nutshell, this experience became a part of my CAS experience under the strand of Creativity.In the end, SIS lost the match against Jamnabai Narsee INT and returned home with the decision that they would make a comeback next year. The goodbyes were hard, but a reminder of the reminder that all good things come to an end. The chapter started with a prologue of unsureness but ended with a beautiful ending with new realisations and developments for me. I got a ‘reality check’ that life is not only about hanging away in the corner but is the total opposite, to meet new people and create more opportunities. To learn and grow, after all, that is what life is about, isn’t it?? 

This is the end of my chapter with this ISSO experience. In the end, This chapter was quite a rollercoaster but a good start as I await the next chapters in the book of my academic life in DP. I already can’t wait for my excitement for chapter 2.

  THE END