NLCS JEJU Sports Council Newsletter #17 [June 12, 2021]

June 12, 2021

NLCS JEJU SPORTS COUNCIL

NJSC NLCS Jeju | Sports

General Notices

Message From Your Editor

NJSC will also be available through the school website.

NLCS Jeju is definitely acknowledged as an exceptional

If you would like individual achievements to be mentioned, send details to jspark22@pupils.nlcsjeju.kr

school with outstanding physical education both inside and outside of class. To achieve this, there are many hardworking teachers behind the scenes inspiring many

Contacts

talented young athletes in NLCS. In this Newsletter, we

Editor-in-chief: Jason Jongsuh Park

would like to introduce two teachers who share life

Editor: Shona Hyun Park Chair: Alex Yoonjae Chung Nick Sunghyun Oh

stories in their sports career and their true passion for sports.

Link Teacher: Ms J Forster Sports Council Email: sportscouncil@pupils.nlcsjeju.kr What would you like us to write about? Tell us through:

A big thank you to these two teachers who have spared their time to tell us about their zeal for sports.

Instagram: @nlcsjeju_sc Facebook: NLCS Jeju Sports Council

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"Nothing is instant in this world.

So we have to fight for everything step by step.”

Interview with Mr. Masykur Pua (PE Department Main Sports Recreational Assistant Staff)

By Nick Oh

As we come to the end of this school year, I would like to introduce to you Mr. Masykur Pua, who is our PE department's Main Sports Recreational Assistant. While talking to him for this write-up, his compelling life story has made me reflect on the life values I hold. I hope you find this interview with Mr.Pua as enthralling as I had.

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Could you tell us about your sports career? What sports have you played throughout your lifetime? Your Favourites?

I was born in Bima, Indonesia, and ever since I was a kid, I participated in various sports such as badminton, table tennis, swimming, and athletics in my home country. I did (and I still do) enjoy participating in numerous sports, especially badminton. Maybe the popularity of badminton in Indonesia encouraged me to like the sport even more.

When I came to Jeju a year ago, I joined a local badminton team to continue my passion for the sport. During the badminton team practice sessions, I met many new local friends. I very much enjoyed the fact that I was able to interact with different people through sports, even though it was difficult for me to communicate with them in Korean.

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What is your current role at our school?

I joined NLCS Jeju as a Graduate Assistant for the Sports Department and the Events Office. My role specifically as the Main Sports Recreational Assistant Staff is to ensure that all sports facilities and equipment are ready for regular PE classes and Co-curricular activities. In addition, I am also responsible for helping the preparation of all sports events, including JS & SS Sports Day, KISAC, Fobisia, and more.

I heard that you went through a period of significant change over the last few years? Could you please tell us more about it?

I did go through a lot of change over the last few years. The change, however, was something I decided on, and I am glad I decided to go through it. Until a few years ago, I have been pursuing my career as a businessman.

Initially, I graduated in 2001 with a Bachelor's Degree in Economics and Development Studies from Diponegoro State University. From there, I worked for two years as a stock market analyst/ manager, ten years in operations and human resources (HR), and five years running my own business.

Although I was satisfied with the job I had during those times, I felt like the business for me would not make me the happiest I could be. I was making a good living from working in the stock markets and business, but I felt slightly vacant like something crucial was missing within myself. I suppose material wealth, which may be necessary to a certain extent, is not everything that brings happiness.

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Hence, when I thought of a career that would make me the happiest, the answer I arrived at each time was teaching. I think my siblings had a significant effect on my response. I am actually the youngest of four siblings, and all my brothers and sisters are teachers. Also, my oldest brother is the principal and a mathematics teacher for a Middle School in Jakarta, Indonesia. Having been surrounded by siblings who enjoyed their teaching careers, I have always been interested in the job.

More importantly, however, I thoroughly enjoyed being around enthusiastic and passionate children, and the thought of working with them simply made me happy. So, at the age of around 40, I finally decided that I wanted to become a teacher. Some may think that it is too late to start something totally different, but I was and still am determined to make my dream come true.

Do you have any personal sports goals?

My personal sports dream is to compete in the World Racketlon Championships in Europe once covid-19 goes away. In racketlon, athletes compete over four different racket sports: Table tennis, badminton, squash, and tennis. Squash is my weakest racket sport, so I receive coaching from Mr. Long twice a week.

Is there anything you would like to say to our students?

I want to encourage our students to try as many new sports as possible during their time in NLCS Jeju. Sports activities, I believe, should be something that helps you relieve pressure and tension. By trying out different types of sports, hopefully, you will be able to find one that you thoroughly enjoy.

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I also want to deliver a message that sometimes life doesn't always go as planned, and there is nothing wrong with that. Of course, I believe it is great to dream high, and once we have set our bar, we should do our absolute best to achieve it. However, if your dreams do not end up coming true, there will always be other options! Just be patient because nothing is instant in this world.

We have to fight for everything step by step.

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“Better lifestyle, Improved relationships; Sport is an opportunity.”

Interview with Mr. Stuart Brown (PE Teacher)

By Sharon Yoon & Bella Kim

Today in this article, we would like to introduce you to Mr. Stuart Brown, a PE teacher in NLCS JEJU. His enthusiasm and commitment towards the improvement of NLCS students surprised us while talking to him. We hope you would enjoy reading our interview with Mr. Stuart Brown.

Can you give us a brief summary of your life playing sports so far?

I particularly enjoyed playing in the playground when I was young. Then I officially started to play different kinds of sports - I started off with Swimming, and then joining a football club. I really think that I’ve grown up in an encouraging environment - I attended schools that had such enthusiastic teachers. My secondary international school had outstanding sports facilities that helped me learn and experience different types of sports. During High School and University in

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London, I focused on playing Rugby, and I was very much inspired by my professional female rugby teacher at my last sports club.

What is it like to be a sports teacher in NLCS Jeju?

NLCS Jeju is an exceptional school, enthusiastic and passionate about physical education. As the students here are willing to learn, I feel pride teaching these students. I often get surprised by the student’s enjoyment and effort in sports. Their participation helps me to process faster in lessons. As I became a sports teacher in NLCS, I taught various sports besides my major sport. I played rugby during my career, but after becoming a teacher I also had the opportunity to teach swimming and other numerous sports.

How has COVID-19 influenced your life as a PE teacher?

Because of the COVID-19 pandemic, most of the lessons were arranged online. The students and I had to go on a meeting call and communicate through the screen. As PE involves movements and is usually done outdoors, having to teach PE through the computer was a definite challenge.

Furthermore, online learning also decreased Participation and collaboration among students.

Since it’s hard to be active and enthusiastic through the screen Students were not as eager as they were in non-virtual lessons.

Hence, COVID had an impact on the competitiveness between schools. As Kisacs and various other competitions were either delayed or canceled, the competitiveness between schools had lessened.

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What does sport mean to you?

Sport is fun, enjoyable. It could be transferred to any aspect of life. The skills I learned while playing sports contributed to my everyday life, and allowed me to learn many more things I couldn’t have learned otherwise. Without them, I wouldn’t have been able to interact with diverse people. Thanks to the competitions I participated in during my sports career, I got to meet a lot of players who came from different countries, who are still in close touch with me.

“Amazing father, Splendid housemaster, Great person :)I am more than a sports player”

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