School clubs, culture and curious habits of pets

Calcutta Public School, Bidhan Park

Students of Calcutta Public School, Bidhan Park, have been taking part in diverse club activities for personal growth, skill development and social interactions. Most of these clubs — music, dance, quiz, science, debate, sports and eco-awareness — are after-school activities, and they turn the grounds into vibrant hubs of creativity and learning.

The music club provides a platform for budding singers to showcase their talent. Students are encouraged to perform solo or in groups. The events organised by the club also help instil confidence and stage presence in the participants.

The dance club ignites in students the passion for movement and rhythm and encourages them to express themselves through choreography and performances. From classical forms to contemporary styles, the children often fuse different dance styles here to celebrate diversity.

Another popular club is for quiz enthusiasts who are eager to stimulate intellectual curiosity and critical thinking. Various events and challenges are held for them that test a student's knowledge of various subjects. Members of the debate club learn to engage in structured arguments on current affairs and philosophical topics.

Another interesting club activity is dramatics. It provides students a creative outlet for theatrical expression, nurturing talents in acting, directing and stagecraft. Through theatre productions, students learn empathy, collaboration and the power of storytelling.

Sports club promotes physical fitness, teamwork and sportsmanship through competitive matches and recreational activities. The sporting events also foster camaraderie, resilience, and leadership skills among participants.

Science club fosters a love for research and experiments in science. Students make projects, take part in science fairs and STEM workshops to whet their curiosity, innovation and problem-solving abilities.

The eco club raises environmental awareness and promotes sustainable practices through tree plantations and recycling drives.

The forum club grooms students for public speaking and decision-making. Group discussions and debates are regular features of the club meetings held every Friday.

"For students, these club activities provide priceless chances to explore their interests, learn new skills and form enduring friendships. With these experiences, we keep improving our school community," said principal Protichi Lahiri Sengupta.

B.D.M. International

Toys and food, the Pre-primary section of B.D.M. International used two of their favourite things to present a creative exhibition on unity in diversity on February 23.

Toy-Mela, an exhibition set up around 500 tots, saw them talking about delectable cuisines and creative toys from different states and learning through experiences in the process.

The children also took part in role-play dressing up as puppets themselves. They were divided into four different zones of India — north, south, east and west — and each zone displayed toys, native to that particular area. All the toys were made of wood, mud, clay, bamboo, jute and other recyclable materials. No plastic toys were encouraged, keeping in mind the sustainable development goals. On display were terracotta toys from Bengal, stuffed puppets from Rajasthan and wooden toys from Kashmir, among others.

Some children were entrusted with the job of talking about the items on display and describing why they were special. Others dressed up as puppets, adding a real-life version to the event.

The "mela" also had the students showcasing traditional food from different states, clad in ethnic wear. There were pithe and patisapta from Bengal, Kahwa from Kashmir, tandoori roti and Murg Maritsari from Punjab, momos from Ladakh and many other delectables. The children took part in every aspect of the event excitedly.

Some children also walked the ramp as live puppets, representing different states. They walked and spoke of unity in diversity.

Principal Madhumita Sengupta said: "Toy mela was organised to sensitise our little ones about inclusivity. The uniqueness of culture and ethnicity of every part of our nation was celebrated in a joyful manner, which inculcated true human values in children."

Birla High School

The Nursery kids of Birla High School got to play with adorable pets at a show, Paws & Play, organised on March 5. The event was held on the school's playground as part of the kids' term-end activity.

The event aimed to introduce the little ones to different types of pets while fostering a sense of responsibility and compassion towards animals.

Up for interaction and petting were playful dogs, cute rabbits and colourful fishes. Each pet was accompanied by its owner, who shared interesting habits and anecdotes about their furry friends.

The parents also accompanied their children and pets and were actively involved in demonstrating how one needs to take care of a particular animal.

The activity taught the children about different animals, their needs and habits and the importance of co-existence. They also had a lot of fun as they learnt new things. The show also developed empathy in the children and laid the foundation for responsible pet ownership. It brought together animals, children and parents for a session of holistic education and community engagement.

"As we celebrate our furry friends in this charming pet programme, let us not forget that the affection and attention we provide to our pets reflects the principles we embrace. Students gain vital life skills like empathy and compassion through experiences such as this one. May this occasion serve as a display of the kindness and responsibility we foster among our school community," said headmistress Farida Singh.

A.K. Ghosh Memorial School

A.K. Ghosh Memorial School organised its 56th annual sports recently. The day saw students participating in various track and field events with energy and exuberance.

The guests at the event included administrative board president Santanu Basu, vice-president Amit Bhattacharya, principal Tuhin Guha and teachers of both Lake Gardens and Batanagar branches. Parents also attended the event, supporting their wards enthusiastically.

The event began with the hoisting of the school flag and the torch run by Aalekhyo Ghosh of Class IX. This was followed by a march past by members of the three houses, Meghnad Saha, Swamiji and Derozio. The students marched on, showcasing synchronised movements.

The students took part in an oath-taking ceremony. There was a yoga display that highlighted the students' fitness goals as well as a drill display full of aerobic moves. The students also staged a cultural performance, paying tribute to different forms of global sports.

The performers danced to popular songs such as Chak de India, Panga, Jai Ho, Brazil and Waving Flag. There was a spirit of patriotism in the performance that made many moist-eyed.

Students took part in different races, even thematic ones such as Drape the Sari and Superwoman. The prize distribution was the most exciting segment of the day. The principal gave a standing ovation to all the teachers, staff and students for their efforts in making the school shine both in academics and co-curricular activities.

"I believe sports is an important event of any academic organisation as it inculcates the value of teamwork among the students and encourages them to work hard and never give up," said the principal.

The Apeejay Schools

Three venues, more than 1,200 children and priceless artworks on hope and resilience.

Like every year the 32nd edition of art workshop organised by Apeejay Anand Children’s Library, under the aegis of Apeejay Schools, saw enthusiastic participation from children on February 26. The art mela was hosted at the Apeejay House lawn and also on the grounds of Apeejay Schools in Haldia and Bhubaneswar.

The library has been hosting the workshop since 1993 to commemorate the memory of Anand Paul, who was born on February 26 and who died in an accident. The workshop was a platform for the budding talents to explore their imagination.

The theme this year was "Life is a Rainbow". Around 1,200 students aged between nine and 12 years took part in the event and expressed their hope in times of darkness and difficulty. Most artwork symbolised a renewed sense of optimism and a will to embrace life. Most children spoke of resilience in the face of adversity.

The judges selected the best three artworks from the three venues.

Darryl Bloud, CEO of Apeejay Schools, said: "There are multifaceted benefits of immersing ourselves in art, music, sports and performing arts. It serves as a therapeutic outlet for children, aiding them in coping with life's challenges and traumas."

He also asked parents to support their children in their artistic endeavours. "By nurturing their sense of hope and encouraging their growth and development, we empower children to flourish in various aspects of life," he said.

Apex Academy

Teachers of Apex Academy celebrated International Women's Day by appreciating the contribution of female colleagues on March 8.

The programme began by welcoming the female teachers and staff members of the school with floral shower, tilak and diyas. There were speeches from school president Debasish Maiti and secretary Ramesh Santra. Both stressed on the importance of women in every walk of life.

Principal Nayantara Roy delivered an inspirational speech on gender equality and the position of women over generations. She also thanked her male colleagues for organising such a warm event.

Some more senior teachers such as Sujata Goswami, Hira Ram, Haraprasad Sahoo and Sisir Bag gave speeches on the role of women in history, literature, science and other fields. They highlighted the challenges faced by women and steps taken to empower them.

Music teacher Joydeep Chakraborty performed on the occasion. Two other teachers, Debasish Jana and Subhankar Bera, recited powerful poems on the position of women in modern society.

Finally, the female teachers and non-teaching staff members were felicitated and a cake was cut.

"The celebration of Women's Day plays a crucial role in promoting gender equality, empowering women and fostering a culture of respect and inclusivity. It is a day to celebrate the achievements and contributions of women and work towards a more equal and just society," said the principal.