In showcasing the talent, sportsmanship, and academic prowess of the students, Olive Grove College usually holds its annual Speech and Prize Giving Day after the third term of the school’s academic calendar. Most times it’s a 2-day event that showcases the incredible achievements of the students both in academic and non-academic levels. Olive Grove College has long been known and recognized for its commitment and passion to seeing that your child (our students) be the best they can be in academics, morals, skills, and development, and this event was a testament to its commitment to nurturing well-rounded individuals. You can read our comprehensive guide to choosing the best boarding secondary school in Enugu and then rank us on a scale from 1 – 10. I bet you, you will be impressed.
Day 1: Speech and Prize Giving Day: A Spirited Start with Sports and Game
The event in general kicked off with a mini Inter-house sports competition. The college’s students were all in their respective houses ( Grace House, Royal House, Peace House, Favour House), with much enthusiasm and readiness to showcase their talent and teamwork. It’s usually an amazing moment seeing the students cheer on their respective houses in a spirited display of unity and friendly rivalry. The competition featured Indoor and outdoor games. The indoor games were Puzzles, Table tennis, Scrabble, and Ludo tournaments.
The students enjoyed these games, indicating that intellectual capacity extends beyond textbooks. The school field was used for the outdoors. We had the 100 and 200-meter races, relay races, sack bag races, and the marathon. These whole activities exemplified teamwork and coordination, tested the limits of stamina, and above all brought laughter and fun to the fore. Through these extracurricular activities, Olive Grove College not only promoted physical fitness but also instilled essential values of sportsmanship, teamwork, and perseverance in its students.
Day 2: Speech and Prize Giving Day: Awards in Recognition of Excellence
The second day of the event was usually the much-anticipated Speech and Prize Giving Day itself. The event usually starts with a word of prayer followed by an opening speech by the proprietress. During her speech, she made mention of a few important points one of which is education; a prerequisite for personal and societal growth. Her words brought to light again the college’s dedication and commitment to developing future leaders. After the opening speech, the stage came alive with a series of performances ( The Spelling Bee competition, Speed and Accuracy Maths Quiz, Dance, School Choir Ministration, and Skill Acquisition) that left the audience spellbound. Competitions like this in most cases, are to test the students’ ability in the use of English words and their mental sharpness.
The Students also demonstrated their talent and resourcefulness in multiple styles of dance steps; this added a vibrant and cultural element to the event while the school choir’s ministration reminded everyone of the power of music to inspire and encourage. The exhibition of newly acquired skills was one of the major highlights of the day. At Olive Grove College, we place a heavy emphasis on skill development, we acknowledge the fact that education goes beyond textbooks. The exhibition went from detergent making to disinfectant, tailoring, and computer coding. Interestingly, the students demonstrated these skills to the best of their abilities. This signifies that indeed they were fully armed with practical skills that will help them well beyond the college gates.
Awards in Recognition of Excellence
Progressively, It was time to recognize and celebrate excellence through awards. Academic and non-academic prizes were given to students on merit; in order to recognize their hard work and devotion. Academic performance was highlighted in categories such as Overall Best in Grade 7, Grade 8, and Grade 9, while honors such as Neatest Room, Neatest Boy/Girl, and Most Organized Student recognized attributes that transcend beyond the classroom. The Overall Best in Grade awards is a source of motivation for the students; making them understand that striving for excellence in their academic pursuit is key.
The neatness and organization awards are just to point out the importance of discipline and orderliness in one’s life, skills that are invaluable in any field of endeavor. You will agree with us that the most heartwarming awards were those for Improved Behavior. Here is one of our favorite statements at Olive Grove College, “Personal Growth is A Journey. So, in giving the Improved Behavior Award, we are simply saying that we acknowledge the student’s significant strides in character development, and this again is in line with our vision statement to raise godly leaders and develop a total man who would succeed in life.
Conclusion
Olive Grove College’s Speech and Prize Giving Day was more than just an event; it was a celebration of the college’s Mission Statement: Training the students academically, spiritually, and emotionally in line with Global needs, to develop a total man who would succeed in academics and life.
