Today, we held the Amicus International Junior High School Olympics (Sports Day). As I joined Amicus in April of this year, this was my first time experiencing the JH School Olympics. One of the unique aspects of the Amicus Olympics is the team structure: instead of competing by class, all classes from grades 7 to 9 are reorganized into four new teams—Red, Green, Blue, and Yellow—that compete against each other in various events.

In public schools, it’s common to form vertically-integrated teams, where classes from each grade are grouped together; for example, class 1-1, 2-1, and 3-1 might form a single team.

The team structure at Amicus, however, provides students with a great opportunity to build essential skills. Ninth graders are tasked with leading teams composed of students from different grades and classes, bringing everyone together as one cohesive unit. They also must go beyond their usual friendships within their own class and form new connections. As teachers, we are similarly required to look beyond the students we know well and pay attention to those from other grades and classes. This type of approach demands a lot of energy and commitment from both students and teachers alike.

Within this team structure, our students managed to build incredible teams, showing a great sense of responsibility and teamwork by giving their all for their respective teams. Their dedication was truly inspiring.

Beyond winning, what matters most is mutual respect and cooperation. In the final team relay, everyone ran their hardest for their team, but when the anchors reached the final corner, they joined together to push the wheelchair of a student who couldn’t participate due to a broken bone. This relay was excluded from the point tally, yet the sight carried a message beyond competition—one of cooperation, respect, encouragement, and a shared sense of joy. This idea originated from the students, which speaks volumes about their character.

The students’ faces shone with pride, and afterward, they celebrated each other’s efforts with their friends from their original classes.

Our teachers also provided dedicated guidance throughout the event. The parents cheered on the students wholeheartedly until the end. I want to express my deepest gratitude to all involved. As the principal, it was a day that filled me with immense happiness.