Firstly he worked so hard to get his yellow belt at taekwondo. I think he is the youngest kid in his club to get it. But it is not just that he got it, its how he worked for it. He was so determined. In the two weeks leading up to the exam there were days that he really didn't want to go to practise. He'd ask me if he HAD to go. I'd say NO! but then I'd remind him that his teacher had said suggested that he practise everyday until the exam... and so he'd go! He pushed himself. He practised at home. He focussed. He did it.
For me, the incredible thing was that this was the first thing that he's ever achieved entirely on his own. He decided he wanted to do taekwondo. He decided how many times a week he would go. He decided he wanted a yellow belt. He decided to work towards it. Obviously we encouraged him, but this was HIS effort and HIS victory.
Then, today we got his school report. Yes, in Thailand even 4 year olds get reports. His overall mark: 81%. Eighty one percent. His teacher told me that he'd done so well, and that all his friends had clapped and cheered for him. He had only been in the school for a few weeks when the tests were done. The school, the system, the method of teaching, the language, EVERYTHING, was completely different to what he had been used to. He'd had to adapt and adjust ... and as I think I've mentioned before, Jonty does not like change.
He's not top of the class, but he's above average and that is cause for CELEBRATION.
Most notable comment: that he is happy and cheerful
Most surprising mark: 18 out of 20 for English i.e. surprising that they were brave enough to assess him seeing as his English is better than the teacher's!
Most pleasing comment: that he plays well with his friends.
Most encouraging mark: 16 out of 20 for Thai. Wow.
Most unsurprising remarks: about how strong and physical he is.
Jonty is so pleased with himself and more motivated than ever before. He is seeing the fruit of hard work and likes it. When I picked him up after his taekwondo lesson yesterday I saw that he was helping the new kids - showing them where to stand, and how to tie their belts. On the way home I asked him if he was happy with his yellow belt. He said yes, but that he wants to "go for" his green belt now.
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