SPBDS Young Authors' Workshop 2014

A summer night of early April, two people met on social networking site. Over a casual chat between an ex student and a class XII student of the same school, they talked about words, stories. They talked about their love for writing. They confessed to each other that they missed amongst all talent hunt contests in school…a creative writing competition. They wanted a change to come. So they decided to be that change!

From that little chat box originated a workshop that is right in front of your eyes today. In fact the second chapter of it.

The chapter one was held in end April and the participation of the students was really commendable. The workshop was started by an ex student, Aryani Banerjee and solely coordinated by class XIl student, Jaismita Alexander. Last time we had just one active blog platform. Thoughtsconnect.com owned by Mj Arvind of Radio One.

This time there is a coordinating team, there is an official blog, there are teachers actively involved in it and there are more platforms that have come forward to collaborate with it. To give exposure to the talent of the little authors, some really enthusiastic friends have stepped in to support. We have four online platforms! 

1- Beyond Words (School’s official blog)
2- @n Inked He@rt, blog by Aryani Banerjee, author of the book Little Longer than Forever.
3- QUIP Digital Magazine.
4- Kolkata Bloggers- Publicity Partner (blog)

The above mentioned platforms will publish the articles. Some best entries will be sent to The Telegraph in Schools (TTIS) by Tiger Reporter, Jaismita Alexander.

The SPBDS Young Authors' Workshop has definitely and undoubtedly stood the test of time and many hurdles. Countless sleepless nights have been spent in giving it a shape it has today. 

We are happy to tell you all that we are now more confident to take it forward. 


By Aryani Banerjee. Ex-student (ISC 2006) and author of the book Little Longer than Forever

Teacher’s Day Celebration at St. Paul’s.

On the 5^th September, the students of St. Paul’s Boarding & Day school celebrated teacher’s day. A beautiful programme was put up by both the junior and senior sections of the school. The first half of the programme was put up by the primary section. It started with a group song by the little students of class KG followed by an action song. Classes one and two organized a fashion show. The first half of the programme by the juniors concluded with a dance performance and a group song in Hindi. After a short tea-break the second half of the programme by the senior section was held. All teachers were greeted with red roses and were made to walk the ramp on stage. The programme began with a short speech by the school captain followed by a musical act performed by the students of classes 6, 7 & 8. Classes 11 & 12 performed a group dance and a group song. A comedy drama was put up by the students of class 10 which left everyone amused. The acting skills of the students were appreciated by the teachers. A group dance by the students of class 12 NIOS also ‘rocked’ the stage. An English song was performed by a few students of classes 11 & 12 followed by a dance performance by class 12. Time to time the hosts cheered the audience with their jokes and humour. A special game was organized where the teachers were called up on stage and were asked to pick up a chit which contained the names of an actor and actress. They were to sing a song of the famous bollywood Jodi . The game was thoroughly enjoyed by all. The programme was concluded by a closing speech and ‘thanks giving’ from the teachers. All were given a small token of love from the students. Lunch was served soon after the programme. The day was enjoyed by both the teachers and the students. 

Report by Jaismita Alexander. Class 12 C.

Action song by class KG

The evergreen Sr. Kleinman walked the ramp

Our dear teachers

Group song

Group Dance

Pictures by Jaismita Alexander. Class 12 C.

SPBDS celebrates Independence Day

On 15th August, 2014, St. Paul’s boarding and Day School celebrated the Independence Day. The day started with a grand march past by the students of classes six to twelve followed by the hoisting of the tricolour flag by the chief guest. After that the students marched into the hall where a program was arranged. Even the parents and ex-students were a part of the audience. 

School Band

 An English skit was performed in which the school choir sang beautifully. Four folk dance performances by the students added to the versatility of the show. A Hindi skit was performed based on the topic 'role of women in the freedom of India.' This was followed by a melodious Bengali choir and recitation which en-fused in every mind the spirit of patriotism. The program ended with a concluding speech and a vote of thanks by a teacher. Refreshments were served at the end of the eventful morning.

 Report by: Meghna Mukherjee (Class 12C)

Picture Courtesy: Niloy Bose (Ex-student)

Flag hoisting by the chief guest

Captains participate in the march past

Santhali Dance

Students performing Bhangra

Garba and Dandiya 

Hindi Play

South Indian Folk

Bengali Choir

 Special Thanks to Niloy Bose for mailing the beautiful pictures to us.

Inter-house Dance Competition

On August 1, 2014 St. Paul’s boarding and Day School held an inter-house dance competition in the school hall. The Gala celebration and the authenticity of folk dance , exclusively chosen from the four extents of India – brought in the feeling of Indian-ness looking back at the day gone by, when a trip to the extreme stretches – from the snow covered north to the peninsular south to the lush green vegetation of the east to the coastal west; when contemplating at the festival of the harvest season, and the celebration associated with it, brings in the feeling of unity- one cannot deny that St. Paul’s  inter-house dance completion was high.

Sister Juliet with the two judges

The four houses, Churchill (green), Gandhi (red), Kennedy (blue) and Tagore (yellow) performed popular folk dance forms from across the country. Students of classes 9-12 participated in this competition.

As much as the competition was vibrant and fun, the rehearsal and practices were all the more fun in themselves. The participants all in colourful costumes and glittering jewelry and full of zeal made it difficult for the judges to mark them a little less than the previous one.The programme began with a short introduction on the format of the competition by the host, Mr. Kleinman. The judges were Mrs. Shrija Krishnadas (Classical dancer) and Ms Ranjita Chakraborty (Contemporary dance teacher). Altogether four folk dance forms were performed by the four houses. Each house had nine dancers and they got only three minutes to put their best foot forward in dancing. The first house to take the stage was Churchill (green) and they performed Bhangra, the Punjabi folk dance. Tagore house (yellow) performed a folk dance from Tamil Nadu following a Santhali dance by Gandhi house (red).

 

Pre-performance preparations

The last to perform was Kennedy house (blue) and they performed Gujarat’s Garba and Dandiya. The judges were really impressed with the effort put in by the students and the teachers. It would be a herculean task to congratulate each of the participants, representing their own house, since every adjective would be less to describe the sincere effort and endless energy. Participants after days of practice geared up for the D-Day, finally setting to “rock” the dance floor. The red curtains were accentuating, already illuminated stage and the colourful lights added to the brightness even a degree more. 

After all the four performances, the principal Sister Juliet was called upon the stage to deliver a short speech. She too appreciated the skills of the students in dancing. Soon after the felicitation of the two judges, the results were announced. Gandhi house (red) was declared as the winner. Tagore house (yellow) came second while Kennedy (blue) & Churchill (green) secured the third position together in a tie.

 It was not only a success for the students but all teachers involved. The hard work of the student and the teachers was really commendable. St. Paul's, thus witnessed what magic music, rhythm and footsteps can create!

By Shreeja Das (Class 11 C) & Jaismita Alexander  (Class 12 C)

Pictures by Priya Chanani (Class 12 B)

Edited by Aryani Banerjee, ex-student (ISC 2006) & author of the book 'Little Longer than Forever'.

Kennedy House performing Garba

Gandhi House performing Santhali dance

Churchill House performing Bhangra

Tagore House performing South Indian folk dance

St. Paul’s Boarding & Day School conducts ‘Bengali elocution contest’

Dishari Chakraborty

Class 9 Sec A

The words of Tagore recited by a student of Class XII echoed in the hall, announced the inauguration of the Bengali Elocution of St. Paul’s Boarding & Day School on 23rd June, 2014. The competition was divided into 4 groups- Class IV - VI, Class VII-VIII, and Class IX-X & Class XI & XII. As the inauguration was declared, the competetents all sat with their back straight. All tried to take a glance of the poem. The judges’ names were announced. The hall burst into a round of applause. The judges walked down to take their seats. The sheets were given to each of them by the coordinating students. There were 32 participants in total. 1 from each of the four houses- Churchill(Green), Gandhi(Red), Kennedy(Blue) & Tagore(Yellow) and 4 students from each class. Gradually, all were called for delivering there poems. The words of the poets like Tagore, Sunil Gangopadhyay, Subodh Sarkar, Nazrul and many others echoed in the hall. Every participants performed a mind blowing performance, which could be well understood by the thunder of applause by the entire hall. When all were done with their performances, it was really a tough time for the audience as well as the participants. The coordinators were seen counting the results. All sat with crossed fingers. All desired of securing the first position in the contest, as these would add to their house points. And finally when they were done, a pin drop silence prevailed in the hall. After the results were all, declared and the certificates were awarded to each of them, again the whole hall burst with the rounds of applause. And then the final house positions were declared. In the first position was secured by-Churchill House, second position- Gandhi House, third position- Tagore House, fourth position- Kennedy House. One of the judges said a fabulous speech declaring the end of the program.