Being a student nowadays, with the new K-12 learning system is very stressful. Especially if you’re under STOC or the Science and Technology Oriented Curriculum; with 2 elective subjects- Biotechnology and Research/ Statistics. That’s why our beloved SNHS principal gave us an STE week with the theme “breaking barriers and keeping abreast with stuff…..” something like that. It consisted of  activities which we’re assigned to take part in at a certain time within a 5-day period starting at September 25 and ending at September 29. This was a whole week where we perform activities that relieves us of stress caused by our studies, a sort of “rest week” for us. But was it?……. Here’s my opinion.

• Day 1 (September 25)

The day started on as we got registered and placed in our proper subcamps with a facilitating teacher. Then we went on as we got comfortable with each others’ presence in each subcamp. Each created a name, a yell, and a banner for their respective subcamp. In the afternoon, after our lunch break, we started with a lecture about stress management delivered to us by a former SNHS teacher. Finally, we had our friendship games. It was not that all entertaining.

 

• Day 2 (September 26)

We took a hike around Bulusan Lake which was tiring for the others but not for me. I loved the sort of forestry terrain we trekked. During this, we had to collect certain items and to photograph them. For the first time, I felt very close to nature. We, the subcamp 1, were the first ones to start and finish the activity; so naturally we waited for the others. When all returned, we took off to head for the “Mangrove Forests” of Prieto Diaz.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Upon arriving there, we got oriented by the staff present there of what to do and what not to do. Next, we rode on the boats to set a course for “Starfish Island” which was a 30 minute ride through the Mangrove Forests. As we pass the Mangroves, the boat guide shared his trivia about the place,  we learned new information because of this. Finally arriving Starfish Island, which was not actually an island, we were amazed by the bounty of starfishes present there. We even got to touch and play with them. Unfortunately, one of my companions in my subcamp got a little too close to the starfishes and accidentally stepped on them.

 

• Day 3 (September 27)

In the morning, we all went to the Dairy Farm at Cabid-an where the personnel present there gave us a demonstration on how their milk is processed. At noon, a lecture in Research was delivered to us. After that we had exiting “Team Building Activities” followed by an “Amazing Race” and finally the “Search for Mr. and Mrs. STE” was held in the evening ’til midnight.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

• Day 4 (September 28)

It wasn’t really much. We just spent the whole day at a beach resort in Bacon where we just played in the water while finishing the tasks given to us. One of them was the “Centipede Race” it was the hardest task given to us so far and unfortunately I was forced to take part in. We lined up and formed a sort of centipede, we then had to move in sync to reach the finish line. We also had the “Search for Mr. and Mrs. Bacon” It was the funniest event that happened so far because it the particular search there was a catch- the boys had to be dressed as girls and the girls as boys.

• Day 5 (September 29)

The last day was like the first. So boring. Nothing much happened we just listened to another lecture in Math and finally the closing program right after.

So in conclusion, the STE week was pretty fun but also pretty tiring. I mean that “Centipede Race” made my entire leg ache for about 2 days- that’s the most unforgettable experience I had in a short period of time. But overall, it was a very nice way of giving us students a break from all the pressures of School life. Well that’s the blog I guess….. Thanks for sticking around!!!