We took a leaf out of our partner school St.John's and hosted a Garden picnic for the parents, students and staff of the HOPE foundation School in Bhuj. We appreciate the efforts of the staff and students in making this a successful event. The idea was to help nurture collaborative efforts between the parents and staff, which would result in making learning an awesome experience for the students. 

Despite the fact it was fasting month for many Muslim parents, most of them made it a point to come and attend with their children. It was also the time where we announced school plans for the current academic year. Couple of boys performed a dance and few teachers sung a song during this event to entertain the guests. Looking forward to such wonderful times together. I have not added captions as the pictures speak for themselves.

A Summer well spent - Camp 2012

It was a long and special summer for the participants of this years camp. They got to do so many activities that they had not done the entire year gone by. Thanks to the staff who organised the various activities of the camp. From activities indoors to outdoor action, it was all there to be had. When choosing the photos to add in this blog, it was a pleasant dilemma as to which ones to choose. In short it was an action packed Summer Camp.

Drawing

Art work from recycled material

Clay modelling

Drawing

Eat 'n' Drink your way to victory

Girls Cricket time

Batting for the girls

Nice art work

Trying to beat the eat

Embroidery

Burst the balloon

Cool Embroidery

All together

Treasure Hunt

More hunting

Hunting in packs

Fun time at the Hill Garden

Hill Garden

Desi Hockey Golf

Transfer the peas

Good Teachers - helping hand

Snake and Ladder

Shake a leg

All together

Final Day performances

Dance 

Older participants dance

Enjoying the show

Cool Moves

Some Hip-Hop too

Visiting Partner School in Frome, UK

The second part of the reciprocal visit began on 20th of May 2012. While 2 teachers from St John’s (C.E.V.A) First School, Frome in UK visited us in February 2012, this was the time for our visit. Mr. Christopher Noel, Director of the School Program in Bhuj and Mrs. Pearly Christina, Principal of the School took up the visit.

The week long visit at the school was an eye opener for both the schools in many ways, at the same time confirming some of the similarities in both schools. As the partnerships main beneficiaries would be students of the school, every activity undertaken during the visit at school was aimed at understanding how we may increase the communication between our students, which we hoped would enable them to understand their two very similar, yet at the same time different, communities.

The week was lined up with many wonderful events and programs for us to participate, while observing and learning from them. While we were introduced to the school formally on Monday the 21st, we found out that most at school already knew lot of about us, thanks to the efforts of Mrs. Karen Tizard and Mrs. Julie Moore, teachers who had visited us in February. The HOPE foundation School photographs were posted all over the school and class rooms on notice boards. It was wonderful to be linked with a school which was so committed to the partnership.

As the week progressed we were involved in observing various classes and subjects, had a once in life time opportunity with the school of seeing the Olympic Torch being carried through Frome, took part in a garden picnic with the Parents, Teachers and Students of school, met with the Senior Management Committee and planned out the future course of the partnership.

One of the highlight was when we were asked to unveil a sculpture by Mr. Anthony Rogers, Father of Astrid and Silvana, students at the school. The sculpture is a beautiful image of a flame, both symbolizing the Olympic flame and the flame to keep our school partnership alive. 

We are very grateful to the Head Teacher Mr. Alan Burgess and all the other staff who made our visit a valuable and memorable one. Looking forward to the future.

The Flame Sculpture

Mr. Antony, Mr. Christopher, Mrs. Pearly and Mr. Alan

With the Mayor of Frome

With the Year 4 children and Mrs. Karen

Waiting with the students for the Olympic Torch

The Olympic Torch

Answering questions of the students

Teaching new games

Teaching Kho-Kho

Answering questions with photos

Observing violin class

With the reception class

Gathering in the morning

Special service at the St John's 

French class

Future violinists

Lunch time