South Point High School
Students and teachers of South Point High School gave a green gift to their institute on the occasion of its 70th Foundation Day on April 1. To celebrate the special day, which also marked the ceremonial launch of the school's year-long platinum jubilee celebrations, the institute hosted a green event — Roots and Wings.
Seventy saplings, symbolising the 70 years of the school, were planted on the grounds of Joka Agricultural and Horticultural Society, Pailan, by members of the South Point family, right from some cheerful junior school toddlers to some committed teenagers from high school.
The event was attended by trustees of the school, members of the governing council, staff members, representatives from the alumni association, guardians and students from Nursery to Class XII. There were green crusaders, ready to take up cudgels for the school.
These saplings, mostly of indigenous varieties of trees such as mahogony, ashok, gulmohar and others, will be replanted to adorn the school's new Priyamvada Birla Campus at Mukundapur once the site is ready by April 2025.
The new premise is pre-certified as a Platinum-Rated Green School by the Indian Green Building Council and has also been selected as an energy-efficient model building under the project on Ecology, Evolution and Conservation Biology (EECB) of the United Nations Development Programme's Global Environment Facility (UNDP-GEF) and the central government's Bureau of Energy Efficiency (BEF).
Roots and Wings is the first step towards fulfilling a promise to safeguard the environment, said Krishna Damani, trustee and secretary of the South Point Education Society. "Roots and Wings signifies the need to stay grounded and connected to our foundation of values, traditions and cultural identity, while at the same time having the courage to spread our wings and venture out to pursue greater success," he said.
Principal Rupa Sanyal Bhattacharjee said: "Roots and Wings symbolises each student's pledge for a green and better future. We are happy that the first few trees for the 'green campus' were planted in the first event to mark the platinum jubilee celebrations."
Lions Calcutta Greater Vidya Mandir
Lions Calcutta Greater Vidya Mandir hosted its maiden career fair, Career Conclave, in January, to provide the students of Classes IX to XII a better idea of professional opportunities up for grabs.
Colleges, universities and institutions took part in the event to help students make an educated career choice in future.
The fair was open to all the nearby schools.
On Day II of the conclave, Techno India Group and NIPS Institute of Hotel Management held workshops on some courses offered.
“The purpose of the fair was to offer a spectrum of career choices to the students of Classes IX to XII post-schooling. This initiative has provided awareness, guidance, consultancy and exploration of multiple career options to the students. The fair has enabled students to make informed choices in future. They got to interact with experienced consultants, educators and career-shapers here. We will have this event every year,” said principal Kakoli Ghosh.
South City International School
South City International School hosted its annual science exhibition and fest, Aurora 2023, on the school grounds on February 24.
The participating students were from Classes III to VIII. The theme of the exhibition was Global Science for Global Well-being. The students got a platform to showcase their understanding of the sustainable development goals, environment protection and climate action through a number of activities.
The idea of up-cycling through ideation, innovation and improvisation of scientific ideas was instilled in the students through a hands-on activity at the event.
The inauguration ceremony began at 10am. The chief guest was Susmita Das from the chemistry department of Amity University, Calcutta, while the guest of honour was social entrepreneur Sujata Chatterjee.
Students prepared inter-disciplinary science models, demonstrating sustainable development goals, environment consciousness, energy conservation, recycling, unconventional and reusable sources of energy and many other topics. There were charts and models, covering various aspects of social science, too.
Best out of Waste was an upcycling project, where students got to creatively recycle non-hazardous wastes into useful or decorative articles on the spot.
The fest turned colourful when two street plays on environmental protection and climate action were presented by the enthusiastic students.
The guest schools were Ruby Park Public School and M.M. Model School and the parents. Everybody was highly appreciative of the exhibition.
Principal John Andrew Bagul said: “Science is an ongoing process and a way of life. The first-hand experience and learning by doing are the foundation of fruitful learning of science.”
St Xavier’s Institution, Panihati
The Spring Camp of St Xavier's Institution, Panihati, was held in style from March 9.
There was music, dance, sports and a range of cultural activities. Secretary of the managing committee Dyutiman Banerjee declared the camp open. And thus began days of fun training in different activities.
Students of various age groups enjoyed cricket, football, table tennis, badminton, basketball, volleyball and yoga under the supervision of faculty heads.
For the artistic lot, there were lessons in acting, vocal music, Odissi, creative and western dance forms, recitation, art and craft up for grabs.
The children were served food after the training, something shared amidst a lot of laughter and joy.
The grand showcasing was on March 27. An Odissi performance kickstarted the show, attended by a large audience.
There were competitions and prizes won by the students performing in different events. The latter showcased their talent through music, dance and other performances. A campfire and final celebrations brought the curtains down to the Spring Camp.
"This time, the Spring Camp was an elaborate affair. Last year, we had it but in a toned-down manner. So we made up for it this time. It was all about students having a good time while letting loose their creativity. The camp was so much fun that even some Class XII students also wanted to join in right in the middle of the board exams," said principal Lipika Ghosh.