Schools celebrate wellness, leadership and fun

Birla High School

The junior section of Birla High School organised an investiture ceremony for the new leaders of the student council at the school auditorium on June 29. Twenty-two of them from Class V got their badges on that day.

The event aimed to entrust children with responsibilities and groom them for leadership positions.

A captain, vice-captain and prefect were selected from each of the six houses — Ashok, Gandhi, Netaji, Pratap, Shivaji and Tagore.

Abhiraj Chawla was selected as the head boy of the junior section, while Md Aeeb Qamar became the games captain of 2024-25.

The guests at the event were Maj. Gen. V.N. Chaturvedi, secretary-general of the Vidya Mandir Society, Col Tapas Bera, deputy secretary-general, principal Loveleen Saigal and headmistress Farida Singh.

The ceremony began with Saraswati Vandana. Next, dignitaries and heads of the institution gave the young leaders their badges.

The student council members took an oath, pledging to fulfil their duties with integrity and dedication.

Chaturvedi addressed the assembly, emphasising the importance of leadership, teamwork and service.

The headmistress explained how the leaders were elected through a fair process and encouraged the council members to be role models, exemplifying good conduct, discipline and academic excellence.

The ceremony concluded with a vote of thanks, followed by the school song and the national anthem.

"The investiture ceremony is a testament to our commitment to fostering leadership, responsibility and a sense of community among our students. Our elected leaders have demonstrated exemplary qualities of integrity, dedication and a willingness to serve. This ceremony is not only a recognition of their potential, but also a call to all students to strive for excellence in all their endeavours," said the headmistress.

Bidya Bharati School, Behala

Father-daughter fashion show, music performances and games turned the auditorium of Bidya Bharati School, Behala, into a fun zone on June 16. The occasion was Father's Day and the children of Nursery and Kindergarten expressed their love towards their fathers and father-figures in various creative ways.

Every performance celebrated the role that dads play in a student's life. Even the mothers joined in the fun, taking part in some of the activities.

The festivities began with a special dance performance by the KGII children. Kids from the Toddlers section ramp walked with their parents in traditional outfits.

Nursery and KGI children gifted personalised cards and Best Dad badges to their fathers that made many emotional.

The highlight was a touching father-daughter dance performance to the popular Hindi song, Main Koi Aisa Geet Gaun. The dance teachers of the school, Ananya Ghosh and Nivedita Naskar, trained the fathers and daughters and choreographed their steps.

A Super Dad contest was organised where the fathers were judged on their outfits and messages of love for their little girls. Many dads got emotional and poured their hearts out.

The event concluded with fun games, distribution of prizes and sharing of refreshments. Dads and daughters also created fond memories at the selfie corner. Another popular event was the lucky draw.

"Father’s Day celebration at school helps reinforce the value of family and promotes emotional connections which are missing nowadays. It was great to see dads and their princesses bond so beautifully and create lasting memories forever," said teacher-in-charge Moutushi Chakraborty.

St Augustine’s Day School, Shyamnagar

St Augustine’s Day School, Shyamnagar, celebrated International Yoga Day and World Music Day on its school grounds on June 21.

The students organised the event to promote the importance of yoga and music in maintaining a healthy lifestyle. It began with a yoga session led by experienced instructors. The students took part in various asanas and breathing exercises, focusing on physical fitness and mental well-being.

Everyone took part in the yoga and meditation session, promoting a sense of calmness and inner peace. Then students showcased their musical talents. The children sang, danced and played various instruments. The tunes and beats resonated on the school premises, creating a festive ambience.

Workshops were also conducted to focus on the physical and mental benefits of yoga and the therapeutic effects of music.

The students took part in the workshops, gaining insights on the importance of incorporating yoga and music into their daily lives. The event also fostered a sense of unity and cultural appreciation among the participants.

"On the occasion of World Yoga Day and International Music Day, I urge you to take a moment to appreciate the power of these two art forms. Yoga helps us find inner peace and balance, while music has the ability to uplift our spirits and bring us together. Let us all make a conscious effort to incorporate these practices into our daily lives and reap their countless benefits," said principal Rev. Rodney Borneo.

P.B. Academic School

Students of P.B. Academic School celebrated International Yoga Day in their school auditorium on June 21.

The auditorium was decorated with banners and posters emphasising the importance of yoga. The day began with an introductory speech by principal Madhuparna Andrews, who highlighted the significance of yoga. Different classes were given different time slots to showcase their yoga moves and physical agility.

Classes I to V started the day with simple and beginner-friendly asanas such as Tadasana and Vrikshasana, focusing on basic postures and breathing techniques. Students from Classes VI to XII demonstrated Surya Namaskar and Chakrasana.

Each performance preceded a brief explanation. The students explained how a particular posture can improve flexibility, help them focus better and enhance overall health. The celebration concluded with a collective meditation session.

"The event was a remarkable success and a testament to our school’s commitment to health, wellness and mindfulness. I am delighted to see so many students take part in the celebration of World Yoga Day," said the principal.

Shri Shikshayatan School

The junior section of Shri Shikshayatan School organised a solemn investiture ceremony on its grounds on June 26 to inculcate leadership qualities in children from an early age.

The Shikshayatan Foundation's secretary-general Vinod Agrawal, headmistress Poushali Mukherjee, coordinators, teachers and parents attended the ceremony. The audience was students of Class IV.

The students were selected through an elimination process that was carried out by the school headmistress, house teachers and coordinators.

Agarwal addressed the audience and motivated the council members to take up the responsibility of leading the school seriously.

This was followed by the introduction of the student council and the mentors of the four houses, namely Anusuya, Arundhati, Vishakha and Satavisha.

Head girl Drisana Sadhu along with games captain Saanvi Shaw and the four house captains — Sarannya Barua (Anusuya), Swanami Mondal (Arundhati), Shayna Guin (Satavisha), Aradhya Karar (Vishakha) — held their house flags and took an oath to uphold the school motto.

The headmistress congratulated the leaders for their new roles.

The newly appointed office-bearers were brimming with joy as they received their badges and certificates from the dignitaries. The event concluded with everyone joining in for the national anthem.

"I congratulate all the leaders on their new roles. This is a special occasion where office-bearers take the oath of responsibility and duty in front of the school and their parents. Leadership should be handled humbly, politely yet firmly. I wish all the very best to all the new leaders," said the headmistress.