Summary
The cultural programme at St Francis Xavier School started with a spectacular Odissi dance performance by students of classes VI to XII to Saraswati vandana - Var de veenavadini.
Students of St Francis Xavier School experienced a surge of energy as they assembled for their annual prize distribution ceremony at EZCC.
They were joined on the occasion by their counterparts from St. Francis International School, a pre-primary school that is a sister concern of the Purbachal one.
Prof Sonali Chakravarti Banerjee, vice-chairperson, West Bengal Joint Entrance Examinations board and former vice-chancellor, Calcutta University, was the chief guest at the event. “India is an ancient country with a tradition of knowledge and scholarship. But we need new skills and tools and new talent to be a global power today,” she said. “This school has the vision to take part in this creative journey. It will guide students to be leaders of tomorrow academically and morally.”
The cultural programme started with a spectacular Odissi dance performance by students of classes VI to XII to Saraswati vandana - Var de veenavadini. The dancers looked striking dressed in yellow and white.
Students who had achieved excellence in academics in the year 2022-23 were honoured with certificates, books and medals. Tanisha Dugar of Class XII received the founder’s gold medal for her outstanding achievement in academics and co-curricular activities. “I wish to study in the field of aerospace and work at the Indian Space Research Organisation someday,” said the outgoing student with a smile.
Merit awards were given to toppers of ISC examination 2023 — Ayush Sur (who topped with 98.25 per cent), Arun Das (second place with 96 per cent) and Ruhit Banik (third place with 94.5 per cent). Tanushree Kar and Mayank Shekhar Bal tied as toppers in ICSE 2023 with 97.4 per cent each.
The investiture ceremony for the Students’ Council also took place where the head boy, the head girl, the captains, the vice captains and the prefects were selected from the four houses – Netaji, Tagore, Gandhi and Teresa. They took an oath to abide by the rules and take responsibility for their roles.
“It is exciting to be the head boy but also a big responsibility. I am ready to take on the role,” said Arkadev Pandey on being elected. Nandita Dutta was chosen as the head girl.
Prizes were also given to students of all classes for their performance throughout the year. Srija Das of Class III took home the award for registering 100 per cent attendance. “I love coming to school,” smiled the girl. “My mother says I should never miss school and I, too, try not to be absent.”
These ceremonies were followed by cultural performances. Dressed as birds and animals, pupils of lower and upper KG danced to the Savage Garden song I want to live like animals. The school choir presented the song Something just like this by The Chainsmokers and Coldplay. Students of Classes VI to XII enacted a play based on the nava rasa.
“I enjoy dancing and have been taking part in shows since childhood,” said Akansha Gupta, who played a butterfly in the play. “We practised for two weeks; the experience was something different for us.”
Last updated on 29 Sep 2023
