NARAGAKUEN Junior High School , High School

News

Yatayama Hill Cross-country Run    (Feb. 10, 2016)

On February 10, 2016, all the students at the JHS and SHS ran through the hills of Yatayama. It was the 28th running of this annual event at our school that started back in 1964.

The course is about 12 km long. It is fairly rough running along the narrow, winding and slippery paths in the hills and forests behind the school.

At 9:30 in the morning, the first class started out from our school grounds for Matsuodera Temple. One minute later, the next class started out, and then in the same
interval each class went out.
They have to run up the steep road for about 1 km to get to the temple, and then run along the narrow paths in the mountainous area.

The fastest students make it back to the school grounds in just under 1 hour.
This athletic run is surely a lasting and memorable event for all students.

Yatayama Hill Cross-country Run
Yatayama Hill Cross-country Run
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Seminar on Biotopes and Satoyama   (nov. 22-23, 2015)

We had a seminar for teachers about biotopes and Satoyama on November 22 and 23 at our school. "Biotope" is a biological term that was created in Germany. It originally means a small biological area which is different from the surrounding area. Satoyama (found on our school grounds) is a small mountain which has a close relationship with the life of the people living around it.


For example, half a century ago, oak trees at Satoyama were used for making charcoal, as well as its leaves for organic fertilizer. After a few years, new oak trees grew from the trunks, and then they could, in turn, be used by the people for many years to come.


On the first day, Professor Yabu of Wakayama University gave a lecture about the safety involved in making a biotope at one's school. He also explained in detail how to make an artificial pond as a biotope.


Then the teachers from our prefecture and others walked around Satoyama and the biotope special to our school where students grow mushrooms and cultivate rice. They practiced constructing a small brook habitat in the area where fireflies could thrive.


On the second day, Professor Shibata of Kyoto University gave a lecture about Satoyama. He explained the historical change of Satoyama, the characteristics of coppicing (a method of forest management whereby young trees are cut back in order to help them regenerate), the relationships among forests, Satoyama and the sea. He stressed the devastation of Satoyama is related to the change in agriculture and lifestyle in Japan where a lot of chemical fertilizers and fossil fuels have been and still are being used.

Seminar on Biotopes and Satoyama
Seminar on Biotopes and Satoyama
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Athletic Meet   (Oct. 23, 2015)

We had our Junior High School Athletic Meet on October 24, 2015 on our multi-purpose field which has artificial turf.


It was a fine and comfortable day for a sporting event. A lot of parents came to cheer for the team their children belonged to. The students were divided into 4 teams by the color of their headbands.


Students joined various races, where some ran very fast, others slowly in spite of their effort, and some even tumbled. Everyone did their best and it was exciting to see their sincere performances.


In some races, we could even have a good laugh, all in good fun. For example, in one race students ran to a point and then ran around in a small circle holding a baseball bat at the center of the circle while putting their forehead on top of it. They had to look down while running in this small circle, so they got a little dizzy. They had to run back to their team after this, but some staggered and fell down to the ground like a drunken person. It was often funny to watch.


Students must have really enjoyed the sports event and for most it will definitely become a good memory of their junior high school days.

Athletic Meet
Athletic Meet
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36th Culture Festival    (Sept. 6, 2015)

On September 6, our NG Festival was held here at the school. "NG" stands for Naragakuen ( Nara Gakuen ) Senior & Junior High School.


It rained a lot in the morning, but fortunately the rain stopped in the afternoon.
The theme of this year's festival was "Space". Students chose it hoping their future would be infinite like space.


They made the entrance gate with a "Space" signboard and a miniature silver rocket. Also, in front of the gate, stood a large paper-mache version of Star Wars' Darth Vader.


One of the more popular events was the performances by the Dance and Vocal Club in the gymnasium. They danced to music and sang a lot of songs while wearing various costumes. The performances were based on an original story of someone pulled into a parallel "mirror" universe and then trying to get back. It was very imaginative and the large audience was enchanted by the colorful and rhythmic performances.


Another event attracting a large audience was the concert by the Chamber Music Club.
They played Passionate Continent composed by the famous violinist Taro Hakase, one of the main songs from the famous musical The Phantom of the Opera, and so on. The audience fell captive to the charms of their beautiful sounds.

36th Culture Festival
36th Culture Festival
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36th Culture Festival
36th Culture Festival
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School Mascot is Created   (July 13, 2015)

A special event occurred recently when our school mascot was created and then unveiled
on July 13, 2015. The frog, which is unnamed for now, was conceived from two living
things commonly seen around the small hill area, called Satoyama, located on our
school campus.


The frog, which is a Nihon Akagaeru (literally meaning a Japanese Red Frog) is not
only found around the hill, but our students have also been researching the life of the
frogs for two years, now. And, they are going to present their research at a scientific
conference in Osaka this summer.


The other image seen with our frog is a mushroom, which is a Shiitake (type) in
Japanese. Every year the Grade 7 students use logs to grow the mushrooms which are
observed/studied and finally harvested about one year later.


The picture of our mascot is already being used on the homepage of our website.
We believe, it will be adored by our students and will surely become a very popular
ambassador of our school.


ps

July 22, 2015
Our mascot was named "Yata Pyon" because it lives in Yata Hill and jumps like other frogs.

School Mascot is Created
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Finishing Second in the Kinki Rubber-ball Baseball Competition   (June 7, 2015)


Our high school nanshiki (rubber-ball) baseball team finished second in the prefectural tournament advancing us to the Kinki
District competition.

The competition was held from June 4 to June 7 where 10 teams
from 6 prefectures in the Kinki District joined together. Our eam and the Tenri Senior High School team were the
representatives from Nara Prefecture.

In the first game, our team defeated Ikuei High School 7-5 on June 4. In the second game, we defeated Hieizan High School 3-2. And on the third day, we won unexpectedly by a score of 2-1 over Hatsushiba-Tondabayashi High School, putting us into the finals.

On June 7, we played in the finals against Houtoku Senior High School from Hyogo Prefecture.
Our players did their best, but the other team was a little better at batting. We lost the final 5-1.

We finished second in the Kinki District and this is a great achievement for our team.

Finishing Second in the Kinki Rubber-ball Baseball Competition
Finishing Second in the Kinki Rubber-ball Baseball Competition
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Lodging at Soni Highlands   (May 1 to 2, 2015)

On May 1, the first year students of our JHS went to the Soni Highlands which is located in the eastern part of Nara Prefecture.


Fortunately, the skies were fine and it was even hot like in summer.
Students enjoyed walking up Mt. Kuroso which is famous for its shape and the Japanese pampas grass growing all around the highlands. In the fall, many people visit there to see the beautiful Japanese pampas grass shining in the sunlight.


In the evening, the students had a gathering where everyone could deepen their bonds of friendship through a ceremony using candles, a contest for singing our school song, and a quiz game about the teachers.

Toward the end of the evening, some teachers unexpectedly began to dance to a very popular song. Students were quite surprised by that, but also very pleased.


On May 2, using firewood, they boiled rice and made beef curry.

Lodging at Soni Highlands
Lodging at Soni Highlands
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Entrance Ceremony    (April 5, 2015)

Our entrance ceremony was held on April 5, 2015. 152 students were admitted into our JHS and 31students into our SHS.

In the Principal's address to the students he emphasized two important matters for their school life.


One is to do their best every day, every year. In general, there are two ways to go through life at school. The first one is to live an easy life with little effort. It may be pleasant and one may feel superficially happy, but when the student graduates from school after 3 or 6 years, they will not have grown up enough academically, mentally or physically.


The second choice is to live a sincere life with a lot of effort. After 3 or 6 years, the student will be more mentally mature and well-prepared for learning at an advanced school.


The choice is up to each student. The Principal hoped every student would make good use of their school life in order to realize their unlimited potential and possibilities.


The other matter is to respect human rights. We sometimes read sad news these days that tell us about victims of terrorism around the world. In society, life and human rights must be respected most of all.


The Principal hoped students would respect human rights paying particular attention to their words and activities at school, and finally becoming mature individuals who have respect for human rights.

Entrance Ceremony
Entrance Ceremony
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Lecture by Mr. Bando, Curator at the Asahiyama Zoo   (March 14, 2015)

On March 14, we had a lecture given by Gen Bando who is the curator at the Asahiyama Zoo in Hokkaido. All the 2nd grade students of our JHS listened carefully to his interesting stories about animals.


Asahiyama Zoo is located in a rural part of Hokkaido and it was once going to be closed about 20 years ago because the number of visitors became very low.
Gen Bando and his staff changed the zoo, so that visitors can see animals as they really live. Visitors can see not only what a dolphin is but how a dolphin swims and lives.
Since then this zoo has become famous and a lot of people visit there every year, now. The number of visitors a year is either the second or third most in Japan every year.


In his speech he put emphasis on the fact that all the lives on earth are closely connected with each other through the food chain. Human beings are just one of them.


He also emphasized that death is a natural part of an animal's life. Visitors at a zoo had better know the reality in a natural way. At his zoo, when an animal dies, they
make a poster saying, for example, "One of our elephants has died. We are in mourning."


He suggested that human beings, as well as animals, need obstacles, hardships, or
crises in order to grow stronger and cleverer. They find new ways or master new skills. He also says that excessive indulgences spoil a child.

Lecture by Mr. Bando, Curator at the Asahiyama Zoo
Lecture by Mr. Bando, Curator at the Asahiyama Zoo
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34th Graduation Ceremony   (January 30, 2015)

On January 30th, our 34th graduation ceremony was held. In the main gymnasium, 195 high school students were handed diplomas by Principal Morimoto on the stage.


In Japan this ceremony is usually held in March when the school year comes to an end. Our school, however, is the earliest school to have the ceremony in our prefecture.


In his speech, our principal stated the following:
"I would like you all to keep the inflexible will of Ms. Malala Yousafzai, who was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize last December, in mind. You will encounter various troubles and hardships in your life, but remember Malala as a shining symbol of challenge, so you too can overcome anything. I wish you all happiness and success in life."

 34th Graduation Ceremony
 34th Graduation Ceremony
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Athletic Meet    (Oct.24, 2014)

We had our Junior High School Athletic Meet on October 24, 2014 on our multi-purpose playground with artificial turf.
It is an annual event at our school. Various games and races were held, such as the 80-metre run, 1500-metre run, tug of war, piggyback battle, the carrying of a big rubber ball by 4 students, obstacle races and so on.


Students from the three grades were divided into 4 teams by color. They were very enthusiastic in preparing for the cheering contest which was also evaluated and added to the score of each team. They danced to music and showed gymnastic athleticism.


This event was basically run by the students and they must have had a great experience with happy memories.

Athletic Meet
Athletic Meet
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Lecture by Mr. Shirakawa, Nobel Prize Winner    (Oct. 4, 2014)

On Oct.4 Mr. Hideki Shirakawa, who got the Nobel Prize in chemistry in 2000, delivered a lecture to our students.


He talked about his childhood when he loved the plants and insects around him. He showed the students a picture of a butterfly he collected and mounted when he was in elementary school. He said it is important to be interested in the nature around us, which will lead us to further studies of science in the future.


He also talked about how he could make a special plastic that conducts electricity as much as metals. He said the failure of an experiment was the starting point to his great discovery. He emphasized that it is very important for everyone to be well-prepared in order to grasp an accidental chance that may lead to some great success.


Our students were very impressed with his speech and must have learned various important things from him.

Lecture by Mr. Shirakawa, Nobel Prize Winner
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Culture Festival (NG Festival)   (September 12, 2014)

On September 7 our NG Festival was held here at the school. "NG" stands for Naragakuen ( Nara Gakuen ) Senior & Junior High School.


It rained a lot the previous night, but fortunately it was fine the next morning. Some tents were pitched on the grounds in front of the main building, under which students opened stands for serving food like noodles, pancakes, rice balls, soft drinks and so on.

On a small stage outside the main building, at a place called Firefly Square, students performed dance, singing, and other amusing activities.

Classrooms were used to exhibit drawings, insects around the school, scientific research and so on. A few rooms were changed into haunted houses, and some into amusement arcades.


In the main gym drama and dance performances were held.

Students spent a long time preparing for this festival, so they must have learned many things after all that fun, but hard work. It must leave some very good and long-lasting memories for them!

Culture Festival (NG Festival)
Culture Festival (NG Festival)
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Fireflies at School   (July 1, 2014)
Our school grounds are three or four times larger than an average high school in Japan. We are located on a hillside where a few small streams flow down past our gymnasiums.

In June, we can enjoy fireflies around the brooks at our school.

Fireflies lay eggs during this season on grass leaves and the larvae live in the brooks for about 10 months eating shellfish called Kawanina. As they get bigger, they then become pupae in the ground near the streams, shedding their skin in about 50 days to then finally fly as Imagoe.

Imagoe never eat anything. They just fly, look for a mate, and lay eggs for about 2 weeks. Then their lives end.
School Excursion to Tokushima   (May 23 to 25, 2014)
Grade 9 students went on a school trip to the Minami-Awa area and Tokushima City in Shikoku from May 23rd through the 25th. They crossed Akashi-Kaikyo Ohashi, which is a very long suspension bridge, onto Awaji Island and then into Naruto, Shikoku. They arrived at their first destination, Ohama Beach, where they had lunch.

After lunch they were taken separately in small groups to their host families where they enjoyed doing interesting tasks or were shown around the neighborhood.

On the second day, they participated in various fish-related activities. Some went fishing, some others enjoyed net fishing, and still others watched the cultivation of bonito. After those activities, students learned how to cut and trim bonito before grilling it to be served then as tataki.

In the afternoon, our students enjoyed different marine activities such as kayaking, snorkeling, surfing and doing crafts with seashells.
The students headed to a hotel in Tokushima City. They ate supper quickly so they could enjoy their recreation time, in which they sang, danced, and played games.

On the following morning our students went up Mt. Bizan by bus and then went down by ropeway to Awaodori Hall, where they watched the famous dance and joined the dancers at the end.

They left Tokushima and got to Naruto where they walked on the bridge 45 meters above the sea and after that they got on a pleasure boat to watch the well-known whirlpools there.

All in all, the students had a wonderful time visiting several fascinating places, staying with different people, and participating in various activities.
tokusima
tokusima
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tokusima
tokusima
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Outing in Spring   (May 2, 2014)
On May 2, students in each grade went on an outing to various places. The Grade 9 students were taken to Mt. Hiei. They went to the Sakamoto Cable Car Station by bus. From there, instead of taking the cable car, they walked up the mountain path for about 90 minutes. The weather was beautiful and the air was fresh and clean. Though it was a tough hike to Enryaku-ji Temple, the students had a good time seeing picturesque views along the way.
Outing in Spring
Outing in Spring
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Our 36th Annual Entrance Ceremony   (April 5, 2014)
The entrance ceremony was held on April 5, 2014. 158 students were admitted into our JHS and 67 students into our SHS.

In the Principal's address to the students he emphasized two important matters in their school life. One is to make their goals clear and do their best to attain them. If they spend their high school life without any goals, it will be more difficult for them to grow mentally, intellectually, or physically.

The other matter is to try to be a person who can respect the feelings of others. In other words, he hoped students would respect everyone's human rights.
Graduation Ceremony
Graduation Ceremony
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Yatayama Hill Cross-Country Run   (March 2, 2014)
On February 21, 2014, all the students at the JHS and SHS ran through the hills of Yatayama. It was the 26th running of this annual event at our school that started back in 1964.

The course is about 12 km long. It is fairly rough running along the narrow, winding and slippery paths in the hills and forests behind the school.

Students can see three famous temples along the way. First they will reach Matsuodera Temple which is worshiped by many people wishing to drive out evil spirits. In the middle part of the course stands Komyoji Temple which is known as the temple that cures diseases. The third one, where students can reach in about 20 minutes from Komyoji Temple, is Yatadera Temple. It is visited by many people who go there to enjoy its beautiful hydrangea garden.

The fastest students make it back to the school grounds in less than 1 hour.
This athletic run is surely a lasting and memorable event for all students.
Graduation Ceremony
Graduation Ceremony
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Graduation Ceremony   (January 30, 2014)
The 33rd graduation ceremony was held at our school on January 30. 176 high school students were handed diplomas by principal Mr. Morimoto on the stage.

In Japan this ceremony is usually held in March when the school year comes to an end. Our school, however, is the earliest school to have the ceremony in our prefecture. We took the entrance examinations to universities into consideration and then decided this is the most convenient time for students.

Our principal stated in his speech the following:
"I would like you to keep these four points in mind if you wish to achieve anything valuable in life...
1) To have a vision and its plan.
2) Select the more important ones among the many things you want to do, as time and resources are limited in life.
3) To have people involved in, understand, and support your vision and plan.
4) To make a serious decision and strive to accomplish each endeavor."
Graduation Ceremony
Graduation Ceremony
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Vietnam Seminar in 2013   (Dec. 17 to 22, 2013)
Our school sent 11 students to Vietnam from December 17 to 22 in order to encourage scientific and friendship exchanges. They visited Nguyen Sieu High School, Hanoi University of Science and Technology, a village in Hoa Binh, the construction site of a bridge over the Hong River,a shrimp farm and several other places.

Please read Our 3rd Visit to Vietnam in this Home Page for more details.
Seminar in Vietnam
Seminar in Vietnam
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Culture Festival   (September 8, 2013)
 Today we had our Culture Festival at school. Though it was a little rainy in the morning, there were no real difficulties in having the scheduled activities, even outside the school buildings.
 In the classrooms, there were various exhibitions, such as drawings, an English quiz, the studies of history, railways, radiation, living things and so on.

 There were also rooms which were changed into haunted houses or amusement places.

 Cultural clubs/groups showed the fruits of their daily practice. They did dramas, dances and music in the gymnasium.

 Sports clubs prepared food and drinks at stands in front of the main building (the 1st photo) and many people lined up to buy them.

 Students enjoyed the Festival very much, which was organized, prepared and also run by them.
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Field Work at Satoyama   (July 27, 2013)
 On July 27, we had an environmental seminar for the first grade students at our Junior high school.

 In the first period, Prof. Yabu of Wakayama University delivered a lecture on the connected role of Satoyama ( a small mountain in the area of the school campus ) with the life of the local people.

He emphasized that Satoyama plays various important roles, such as, supplying oxygen to the earth, storing water to control flooding, maintaining biodiversity, supplying energy from timber for human use, and so on. However, the area of Satoyama, or mountains in general, has been decreasing in Japan, because we have changed them, as well as rice fields into urban areas.

 In the 2nd and 3rd periods, students were divided into 4 groups. Students had 2 objectives. One was on how to correct this situation at Satoyama.
In doing so, students scooped sand from a small pond and carried it using a conveyer belt. The other goal was just to observe and learn in the field. There, they had short lectures about plants and insects, rice fields, and so on at selected points around Satoyama.
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Lecture by Gen Bando, Zookeeper of the Asahiyama Zoo   (July 25, 2013)
Mr. Gen Bando, zookeeper of the Asahiyama Zoo in Hokkaido, delivered a lecture about life on earth to second year students at our junior high school.

Asahiyama Zoo is a small zoo, however, it became famous for its interactive exhibitions that started in 1997. We had seen just various animals at zoos until the Asahiyama Zoo showed how they were interacting in daily life. The change was revolutionary, making the zoo well- known both in Japan and all over the world.

In today's speech, he warned that people, especially in civilized countries, have to reconsider their extravagant way of life that robs animals of their territories and existence.
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Lodging at Soni Highlands   (May 1 & 2, 2013)
The first year students of our JHS went to the Soni highlands which is located in the eastern part of Nara prefecture.
Though it was rainy last year, fortunately the skies were fine or a little cloudy this year. It was, however, unusually cold.
On the first day, students enjoyed walking up Mt. Kuroso which is famous for its shape, height and the annual event called Yamayaki (a controlled burning of the pampas grasslands on the mountain) .
In the evening they had a gathering where they deepened their bonds of friendship with each other through a ceremony using candles, a singing contest and a quiz game. At the end of the evening, some teachers sang songs while accompanied on the guitar. Students listened to the music intently and then gave very appreciative applause.
Then, on the second day, using firewood, they boiled rice and made beef curry.
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Our Second Visit to Vietnam   (Dec. 16 to 21, 2012)
Our school sent five students to Vietnam from December 16 to 21 in order to encourage scientific and friendship exchanges. They visited Nguyen Sieu High School, Hanoi University of Science and Technology, a village in Hoa Binh, the construction site of a bridge over the Hong River and several other places.

Please read the International Exchange page in this Home Page for more details.
Adelaide
At Nguyen Sieu High School
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English Homestay Program in Australia   (Aug. 2 to 18, 2012)
23 students in the first grade at Naragakuen Senior High School visited Adelaide, Australia this summer. They left Japan on August 2, stayed with host families for 14 days and returned to Japan on Aug. 18.
The schools they learned English at were Southern Vales Christian College and Investigator College. Please read more explanation on the International Exchange page in this Home Page.
Adelaide
Adelaide
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Principal's visit to Vietnam   (Aug. 7 to 12, 2012)
The principal of our school, Mr. Shigekazu Morimoto, privately visited Vietnam this summer. He visited there from August 7th to 12th for the first time in order to understand the country where our students have begun to visit since last year.
Please read his views on the International Exchange page in this Home Page.
A Temple on one pillar
A Temple on one pillar
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School Excursion   (May 1 & 2, 2012)
The first year students of our JHS went to the Soni highlands which is located in the east of Nara prefecture. Soni is well-known for the Japanese pampas grass covering the mountain. In autumn many tourists visit there to enjoy walking along the paths lined with pampas grass on both sides.

Unfortunately it was rainy in Soni on May 1 and 2, and our students had to stay inside the lodge named Soni Natural House for Youth. There they were taught how to use a knife to make bamboo crafts such as small flower vases or simple helicopters. In the evening they had a gathering where they deepened their bonds of friendship with each other through a ceremony using candles, a singing contest and other recreational events.
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Entrance Ceremony   (April 5, 2012)
The entrance ceremony was held on April 5, 2012. 161 students were admitted into our JHS and 39 students to our SHS.

In the Principal's address to the students he emphasized 3 important matters in their school life. One is to have an ambition which will drive them forward. Another is to learn hard and to educate themselves so that they can become well-balanced students. The third one is to do their best in their everyday life. If they are too comfortable or satisfied with their daily situation, it will be difficult for them to grow mentally or intellectually.
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