Independence Day 2013

This year, fifteenth of August celebrations took us on a walk down memory lane as it reminded us about the sacrifices of the martyrs who laid down their lives so that our countrymen could breathe freely today. The enlightening words of our teachers taught our young minds to soar high in the realm of freedom and rethink its actual meaning. The speeches of students as part of the declamation competition informed us about the situation of women and how significant they are in society; a fact that most tend to overlook. Following this, the lively dance competition comprised various performances wherein one was a representation of Lord Shiva jiving to Michael Jackson’s song!

For a change, the students very comfortably settled down in their seats well before time, eager for the show to start. As soon as we caught a glimpse of Urvashi Aunty we could see the entire congregation straighten their spines to look smart on this very glorious day. As custom goes, we saluted our National Flag and in unison sang the National Anthem followed by a patriotic song, with great fervour. Our Principal, transformed her speech into a wonderful story that personified freedom. It was meant to inspire and ignite thoughts and opinions on the actual meaning of freedom and it surely did set us thinking. Following this, was a thought-provoking speech by the Vice Head girl Aiman Jafri who threw light on the Martyrs of our country and the growing awareness of contemporary situations amongst the youth.

We had four thought provoking speeches for the competition in “Klisht” Hindi and two more from students of Prerna Girls & CFL, who were given the floor to express their views. Though the sound system at Study Hall has a history of untimely mood swings, our Head Boy, Dharm Pravartak luckily didn’t need one, owing to his deeply resonant and expressive voice which paved the way for his win in the competition. Subsequently, a few from the audience were called up to further elucidate on the topic with their own thoughts. These included Kshitij, Abhilaksh and a few others.

The results of the dance competition which was to be based on the theme of creation and destruction, were not congruent to popular choice but nevertheless, winners were applauded and cheered. Cypress house got the consolation prize with their representation of nature while Jacaranda came in third with their depiction of creation and destruction of freedom and nationalism. Fire flame chose to portray the woes of the girl child, was adjudged second while Silver Oak’s well- coordinated performance with Nature as its central theme stole the show and stood first in the competition.

Independence Day was a great blend of seriousness and amusement( as every few minutes one balloon on stage would burst sparking giggles), information and entertainment and most importantly it made us realize that independence is a legacy, to protect and to live for. On a lighthearted concluding note one must mention that we could not help but notice how savvy our Student Cabinet looked in their white polo shirts!

– Samriddhi Shah and Rohina Dass

Model United Nations, a term yet unfamiliar? Not anymore.

For the first time, Study Hall participated in the XVII Cathedral Model United Nations which was held from the 9th of August to the 11th of August, in Mumbai. After two months of hard work, staying back after school and endless research, the 12 delegates who attended the 3 day conference, did not return with empty hands.

Eleven delegates drawn from classes 9-12 were selected and then divided into several committees dealing with their own crisis while there was one student who was amongst the fortunate ones to get selected from the entire country, for the CMUN Press Corps which only comprised 12 reporters.

They were privileged to meet students from many different schools and cities; keeping aside all their differences, delegates worked together to find practical solutions towards the betterment of the entire world. They learnt how to keep their needs aside and focus on problems that were more acute in nature. There were times, delegates were overcome by unpredictable crisis-situations, delegates were even murdered, countries were destroyed but that wasn’t the end. Keeping in mind the directives laid down in the UN Charter, young minds strived to find workable solutions to uphold the peace initiatives of the United Nations. Herein, the Study Hall students tried their best to make their presence felt and so they did.

CMUN meant many things to many of the 500 plus delegates gathered there from different parts of the country and beyond. Not only was it meant as a getaway to see a city as beautiful as Mumbai for some of the most aspiring debaters of our school along with two amazing teachers who trusted them enough to accept their maturity, but above all that it was a sharp learning experience for each one of us. Cathedral Model United Nations taught the students how to make quick and apt decisions in a very limited time, it reminded them of how beautiful yet tough the world is out there and how the power to change their future rests in their own hands. At CMUN they learnt ‘munning’ which is new-age debating. They learnt that in any situation whatsoever there is great importance given to consensus & team-play.

Some of the Committees in which we were delegates included The Historic General Assembly where they re-thought solutions to the oil crisis of 1973; The Adhoc Committee of Heads of Intelligence Agencies deliberated on the importance of intelligence services in national & international relations for global safety & security; The Futuristic General Assembly discussed the growing Al-Queda threat to the Republic of Mali; The SPECPOL delegates took up the future of Iraq after the withdrawal of American forces; The DISEC expressed concern over the growing militarization in the Arctic region; and the very interesting Lok Sabha where young leaders of tomorrow discussed the repealing of, or the re-enforcement of AFSPA in J&K as well as the north-eastern states.

So, what are we waiting for? MUN was an amazing experience and the school should encourage more & more students to participate next year. Truly, it leaves an indelible mark on those who participate. All of this; the experience, the fun, the laughter, the memories wouldn’t have been possible without Mrs. Anusha Sharma and Ms. Prachi Sarbahi, who dedicated their precious time to the development this team.
The delegates saw & listened. They carefully observed. They learnt. And now they recognise their strengths & weaknesses as well as how the limits can stretch to infinity. Study Hall has decided to evolve a strong set of debaters and editors who will aim at excelling in both. This is us, the students, striving for excellence.

**An interesting input from Arusha (Delegate of South Africa in the HGA) It’s funny how I just realized the actual meaning of the adage, ‘You never know the true value of a moment until it becomes a memory.’ MUN-ing is one of the most invigorating and enriching experiences I have gained. It was by far the most knowledgeable too. The confidence I gained while speaking in front of highly experienced MUN-ners, was remarkable. I must admit that I have never felt this confident before. This experience was about learning history (you never knew existed), about having the guts to be able to speak your views out and of course the amazing view from the Rooftop of the Trident!

**An interesting feedback from Abhilaksh (Delegate of South Africa in the FGA) ‘MUN? What is that?’ This was my very initial reaction when I had first heard this acronym. I later discovered that it stood for Model United Nations. It was indeed an obscure word then but I soon found out that it is a simulation of the United Nations. It is essentially a forum for young people like me and you to debate upon the burning issues in the world and find pragmatic solutions for them. Each participant represents a particular country and acts as a delegate of that nation. We had decided to go for Cathedral Model United Nations, one of India’s first MUNs hosted by Cathedral and John Connon School to be held in August in Mumbai. The D-day fast approached and The Trident awaited us. After hours of hard work and research with our faculty advisors, we landed at Mumbai on the 8th of August. The three days that followed can only be described as exhilarating and unforgettable. We were exposed to a variety of new thoughts, people and to expound on the learning that happened would take pages altogether. It has not just enhanced our linguistic ability and recognised the Cicero in us; it has also sensitized us towards the critical problems the people of the world face today. It is imperative that today’s youth lead from the forefront and work towards the betterment of the upcoming generation. Last but not the least; we feel highly motivated to work for the attainment of peace and harmony in the world through deliberation and talks. We were awestruck by the fact that an event of such magnitude had been run solely by the student body of the school and we learnt much from their managerial skills. It reflected in their handling of food, allocations, transportation and nitty-gritty of the conference in a very meticulous manner. I strongly recommend all students to participate in such events and gain positively from it.

“One entire country and they chose me!”
by Simran Varma
Delegate-Press Corps

I always believed that I am a good writer, but I never knew I would be good enough to go that far! Compared to what my dreams are, going to Mumbai and writing for a conference hosted by one of India’s top schools, is nothing but again ‘it IS something’. It’s a start to something from where there will never be any looking back. CMUN was my getaway from the city I grew up in, to a city that felt like a dream, it scared me but it fascinated me; everyone on the road, had an aim in mind, while I pretty much stalked them.

Being in the Press Corp was an eye-opener; all the reporters seemed so well-versed in their subject and so much fun to be with. They were all talented and unique. I learnt about deadlines (a term I never took seriously until my teacher would shake me up a million times!), I learnt how to be humorous (MIRACLE!) and most importantly I was asked to work alone; so there were times, I walked around the corridors & committee rooms of this awesome Trident Hotel with sore toes, took a selfies in the lift (really good ones!) and watched my friends and juniors become someone I never saw them as; confident and independent individuals. Please note, being a reporter was the most amazing thing to do. Why? Because you learn the nitty-gritty of writing effectively and interestingly, in fun you get to scare people (Get me food, or I’d report you!), you get to sit in the press room located on the roof top which happens to have the most beautiful view to awaken your muses, you get to take plenty of really nice pics, you get to have fun with your teachers (Prachi aunty and Anusha aunty are like the coolest teachers I know!) , you get to witness some of the life-changing-moments with your best friend on the marine drive and you get to feel what I am feeling now; high self-esteem.

Lucknow is where my roots are, as for Mumbai, that is where the branches will probably extend.

P.S: SPEAK IN ENGLISH, PEOPLE. THE TEACHERS ARE TELLING THE TRUTH. YOU WONT SURVIVE ANYWHERE WITH PUTRID ENGLISH.

Hindi reading – Children were given an unseen passage to read and they all read that very well.

English Reading-Children read the unseen passage with expression and amazed the judges as well as children.

Indian music competition was conducted in junior school children on 11th july(classes 2 and 4) and 18th july ( classes 3 and 5). Whole class participated in the event with great enthusiasm and their performance was liked by all.

Class II

Class III children sang the song “Teri hai zameen”

Class IV children sang the song ‘Yeh tara who tara har tara “

Class V children sang the song “Itti si hansi, itti si khushi”
POSITION

The Investiture Ceremony of the student council of the Junior School for the year 2013-14 was held on August 6, 2013. Head Mistress of the Junior School Mrs. Bani Malhotra extended a warm welcome to the guests. The office bearers were conferred the badges by our Principal Mrs. Shalini Sinha, Vice Principal Mrs. Meenakshi Bahadur, Head Pedagogy DSH Ms. Shalini Chandra and  the Head Mistress, Junior School Mrs. Bani Malhotra . Our Principal Mrs. Shalini Sinha handed over the school flag and  pinned the badges onto the Junior Head Girl Prisha Singh and the Junior Head Boy Issac Subhaan Hasan . The newly elected  team was administered the oath by Mrs. Shalini Sinha.  The School Head Boy Dharam Pravartak and the School Head Girl Rohina Das were called upon to say a few words to encourage their junior counterparts. This was followed by speeches from the Junior Head Boy Issac Subhaan Hasan and the Junior  Head Girl Prisha Singh. The parents of the newly appointed office bearers were happy to be present at the function.  They were also invited to share  their views about this very special moment of their lives. The function concluded with the rendition of the national anthem.