London, thoughts about being the "star pupil of the week"

During these days I have both noticed differences and similarities due to the Swedish school. Compared to Sweden this school in England seems to practice a lot of “elitism”. For example, during today's assembly in the assembly hall the teachers handed out diplomas for what they called “Star pupil of the week”. One or two students from every year was picked out as the “star pupil of the week” and had to go up in front of the whole school to get their diploma and applause. For sure, the pupils that was picked out in front of the whole school as the best student this week felt very proud and happy about it but what about the pupils who wasn't picked out? Probably some of the students will never get picked out as the “star pupil of the week” and I don't think that they enjoy this as much as the other ones do.

Another example is from the P.E lesson we observed on Tuesday. To motivate the pupils, the P.E coach told the class that she was going to give that pupil who performed the best during the lesson a bracelet.

I really don't like these thoughts about always pick out one pupil from the class who performed the best in different subjects and situations. In the beginning, contests like these probably will motivate all pupils but as time passes by some pupils will notice that they will never become “the star pupil of the week”. Instead of increase these students motivation and self-confidence I think it probably will reduce them. Also I don't like that the pupils being taught that life is a competition and that you either will be the best or either nothing at all. Instead, I think, should the students focus on taking their own knowledge into a new level instead of struggling for being the best in the whole class. The only one you should compete with should be yourself.