School Birthday and Sports Day

Tilly's first big performance. She does not like the spotlight. She doesn't like performing in front of people. Her teacher told me that even when they were learning the dance she never followed the steps. Just stood there. And on the day the three kindi classes from Xing Long Elementary stood out in front of the whole school and all the distinguished guests and did their dance. Tilly did not. She just stood there. Out of the nearly one hundred kids participating, she was the only one not. And yet when it came time to partner up in the dance she just kicked in and followed in time with the steps. Even coaching her partner along. Holding his hand up and guiding him in the steps. Didn't skip a beat. It was a wonder to behold. She did not let her partner down. I love that about Tilly. She's got your back. And when they didn't have to partner anymore? Just stood there till the dance finished!

One blow of the whistle in all the hulla baloo and the kids raised up their arms and followed out to the sports field.

Tilly's sweet teacher. She adores her. She is the perfect teacher for her.

Waiting for the special performances to finish. Revoltingly hot and humid day. By lunch it was pouring down with rain, hence the humidity.

Tilly's best friend. Till's fell on the muddy floor and muddied up her pink tights on the knees. I pondered running home to grab her another pair. But before I could her friend fell over twice and had a black bottom to match Tilly's black knees. They thought it was quite hilarious. (Evie is already over it and wanting sleep and air conditioning so couldn't see the funny side.) A quick survey and about 90% of the kids had scuffed their whites. Thanks goodness! Speaking of whites. They were asked to wear white tights and a white short sleeved top. All the girls ditched their shirts due to the heat. Tills was having none of that. She endured the heat in the name of modesty.......

Getting ready to perform.

The kids getting into it. Can you see through the legs Tilly's scuffy shoes planted firmly together not moving?

And off she goes! Note she's also the one with her hand where the teacher has hers.

Eyes on her teacher.

Going through the motions.

Didn't pay attention to shoes on the day and she walked out of the house in her oldest and dirtiest pair! It was a nice morning and ended with a daddy daughter race. So sorry I didn't have the camera at that stage. Yellow class lost miserably. But what fun they had and their teachers were wild with excitement, despite the pitiful loss! I've noticed that Tilly's class (yellow) is a bit shaggy around the edges and that might have something to do with their class being the only one with middle class kids, meaning 4 year olds. You can be 6 and still in kindi here. Also, her class has three teachers, I guess to accommodate for the younger middle class, half day students? But despite their shaggy edges (and having the sloppiest dance routine on the day!), I also get the sense that the teachers and the students all really enjoy what they are doing and most of it is steeped in fun. And to say that about Taiwanese education is something let me tell you.