Chilling out in the summer!

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The month of March brought many challenges for the students as they had to appear for the final exams of the academic year 2012-13. Normally exams bring fear, nervousness and lot of anxiety for the students. All of these emotions are useful experiences for students going forward and up to a certain extent everybody felt it. But most of the students were looking forward to the challenge. There was a buzz of enthusiasm amongst students. They wanted to work hard and get up to 70% mark which is considered a minimum at AVM. 
But all those extra hours of reading, hard work, practice warranted a huge break at the end of exams. The students really needed to let them loose and feel sense of relief. They would want to go someplace where they can just relax and get ready for the new academic year. 
Fortunately for the students, teachers and management of AVM organised such a wonderful trip to a resort in Daman called, Mirasol. The location meant not too much of travelling still providing a pleasant atmosphere because of its proximity with the ocean waters. 

The resort has wonderful rooms, large dining area, playing grounds, a big water park and its very own swimming pool as well. The students were welcomed with the sight of a swimming pool near by the waiting area. That prompted the students to jump into the swimming pool as they had to wait for a multi cuisine lunch. The house masters and teachers did not waste any opportunity and joined the students in the pool, which only doubled the fun for the kids. 
The evening schedule was filled with some outdoor activities as the students enjoyed boat and train rides. No matter what activity it was, the fun, excitement and enjoyment on the faces of students were visible. The innovation of digital cameras meant all of those moments were captured by majority of the students. Some of them were busy taking snaps while the others gracefully posed for them. 
Post dinner session was a ‘Prabhudarshan sir show’ all the way. In a semi open shade at the resort Prabhudarshan sir organised various games and fun activities to keep students entertained. He along with some other teachers came prepared with some charades, spelling games and bingo. And there were prizes to be won which made students enjoy the evening even more. 
The next day was reserved for the water park, which made students too excited to sleep. They were ready the next day before anyone waking them up (a rare sight I may add). After applying the sun cream on the body, the students could not hold themselves and started with any ride which was available. Students showed amazing amount of energy keep going up and down in various parts of the park. The lunch time could not have come soon enough for the teachers who could not keep up with the students. 
As the time of closing and departure came close students threw themselves in water rides and enjoyed to the fullest. The manager and the staff at the resort were very helpful and made sure that the students and teachers have a good time. 
The philosophers and writers always say that a time away from daily routine energise us and bring freshness so that we can be ready for the new challenge, and after such a joyride we would have to agree with them.

School Tour: Our experiences

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Tour– the word brings excitement, enjoyment, lots of fun, laughter and tour with friends means all the emotions multiply. 
Our final exams were going on. Pressure of studies, hectic schedule of revision, everyone was busy in his own way. No one had time for chatting, cutting jokes, teasing etc. 
On the last day of exam, all of a sudden, the news of school tour flashed and spread like a forest fire. For us, it worked as cool drops of water on the stretch of hot sand. 
Every one started planning for the tour with great excitement and enthusiasm. It was hard to control the joy. 
The journey: It had to begin on 28th March, at 8 a.m. after breakfast. That day, we felt that the morning dawned brightly. There was a ripple of joy in our hearts and a smile on our lips. Even the tortoise brand slow eaters also finished their breakfast fast and we were told to board on the bus. We didn’t forget to start our journey with prayer. After that the bus was filled with songs, laughter, screams of dancing boys. On the midway cream-rolls were served. 

The stay: After two and half hrs. we reached our destination, Mirasol Water Park and Resort. We were welcomed by welcome drink and allotted our rooms. “Wow” and “Aha” etc. were the reactions on entering the rooms. We changed quickly and went to swimming pool, a swim after journey, what a soothing experience! 
The food: The lunch at Mirasol was delicious consisting a variety of items. Colourful salad, tandoori roti, cool butter milk, all time favourite ‘paneer’, tadka dal were the delicacies along with rasagulla in dessert. 
The dinner and next day breakfast also had many varieties of our choice. 
In the room: After lunch, it was rest time. Who wanted to take rest? T.V. was a great attraction, programmes of our choice too, we were on the seventh heaven. ‘Tom and Jerry’, ‘Savdhan India’, ‘Comedy Circus’ were the few choices. 
Fun in water park: The 28th evening, was full of different activities. In the wave-pool, we swam, jumped, splashed water on each other. It was great fun. The toy train journey and boating multiplied our enjoyment. 
In Vaibhav Water park, next day i.e. 29th, we had great fun in different rides. 
Other attractions: Magic show on 28th night was full of fun. Everyone kept thinking about the performance of the magician. 
The dance party: It was after dinner. We danced till our legs began to ache. 
McDonald’s- After having fun the whole day on 29th, the next attraction was snacks at McDonald’s. 
Back to pavilion: On return journey, most of us were tired so some slept in the bus, others watched children’s movies. We arrived at hostel by half past eight, changed, drank milk and went to bed for a sweet sound sleep. 
The two days of fun and enjoyment came to an end but the hangover continued for few days with sharing our tour experience. 
We felt that this type of tours are necessary for us because they, 
  • provide us opportunity to enjoy holidays and to use new rights. 
  • give us relief from monotony of daily routine. 
  • give chance to share our ideas and food with our friends. 
  • help us to increase our G.K., means it imparts education.
Perhaps in this way, experience through travel teach us what books never do alone. So, it is rightly said that, 
“Tour is more than the seeing of sights; it is a change that goes on, deep and permanent, in the ideas of living.” 
School Tour: Our experiences by:
Devang Patel (Std. 6), Megh Rathod (Std. 5), Niramay Mehta (Std. 4), Jagrat Sandesara (Std. 4), Nishkam Patel (Std. 3)

Art explosion by creative geniuses of AVM

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At Atmiya Vidya Mandir, the post exam hilarity continued with different activities spouting unbounded fun and joy to the students . This time, it was the creativity under the churn, making the little Picasso…producing instant artists.

Exhilarating their imagination and fostering their aesthetic senses, The Art and Craft department of the school, in guidance of Manish Sir, organised an art and craft workshop for the students of classes 1st to 6th. This workshop was held in association with Pidilite Industries, a well known name in the world of art, craft and creativity. The students of I to VI Std participated in this workshop where in the specially trained staff, experts and artisans from Pidilite, along with the school’s hostel staff and Manish Sir instructed and guided the students step by step on how to create stunning multi-colour art, vibrant and dazzling images with amazing colour combinations to create seamless rainbow designs. It was bursts of inspiration, allowing kids to explore their imagination in a different way. The children were joyfully practising on easy designs with their hand’s natural motions, choosing nicest colour as if brightening their world.

The muddle of mixed paints, the mess of palates and brushes, the numerous innovation of unborn shades with some spills and no clean up…nearly novel designs and new patterns…. it was all free self-expression and spontaneity under creative process. Thus, this workshop increased art skills and self-discovery of the students to relieve creative blocks.

Tint of festivity rolling down exam fervour at AVM

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As a refreshing spring cools the landscape, after a brief dwelling of examination across the thorough schedule, Atmiya Vidya Mandir cut loose for a day of curl and general hilarity. The cheer of festive elation lit up students’ faces as Holi was celebrated.

In Atmiya Vidya Mandir, splendid occasions of all Indian festivals are observed in a grand manner with the fervour of culture and performance of unique rituals. Holi celebration began with lighting up of the bonfire (Holika Dahan) on the Holi eve. Students acknowledged numerous legends and stories associated with this festival. As the traditional rituals were performed and the different items like coconut, dry fruits and flowers were offered to the sacred fire. The students, teachers and all elders of AVM family moved along the bonfire, their faces glowed in the orange-yellow light of ephemeral flames. The evening breeze scented with the aroma of sweet festive delicacies being prepared in the school kitchen to treat the taste buds with good food adding to the celebration.

The next day, the school declared holiday in the post lunch session which was greeted with cheer by all students after exams. It’s time to smear others with vibrant colours and get smeared, too, when everybody got drenched in a myriad of colours at the football ground of the school. The spirit of celebration included the splash of colours coupled with guffaws and giggles with sprinkles of water. As the Atmiyans dressed up in myriad hues of the festival of colours of Holi, all rejoiced in the festivities of the season. It was a day filled with colours, fun, frolic, enthusiasm and above all happiness. Promptly at noon, the craziness came to an end and the tiny tots were dragged by didis back to their rooms and to the showers and the seniors too headed towards the water trough, soon a contented silence befell over Atmiya Vidya Mandir as relaxed with the load of funnnn they just had!!!!!!!!!!

April Birthdays

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SARANSH 2012-13

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Academic year 2012 -13 has been a remarkable year for Atmiya Vidya Mandir in so many ways. The year was full of opportunities for students to excel. Students were engaged in wide ranging activities from different subjects in classrooms to different sports on the field. Let it be the preparations of creative assemblies for Saturdays or the value based projection on soft board; the enthusiasm of the teachers and the students was unparalleled. The year also witnessed the inception of the debate club at AVM. The year will also be remembered for some record breaking performances by the students on the tracks and fields as well as some breath-taking performances on the stage. All in all it was a significant year at AVM which needed to be capped with a huge celebration. Hence the program ‘Saransh – Let us celebrate each other’.

Every year students of AVM, who are divided in four houses: ‘Satyam’, ‘Shivam’, ‘Sundaram’ and ‘Suhradam’, compete in different categories throughout the year to win a coveted trophy – ‘House of the year’. The idea behind this year long series of competitions is to provide students with the opportunities to develop and master so many of the much essential 21st century life skills which are equally important along with their studies. It is also an opportunity for students to experience the highs of victory and lows of defeats which they will experience in the real life. In a way it prepares them gradually to become a successful person of the society.

Coming back to ‘Saransh’, it has been a tradition at AVM to celebrate all the achievements from different students and relive those amazing moments. This year for the first time, students from class 8, took up the job of organising the whole function under the guidance of Chirag sir and Suhradam sir. Along with the organisation of the function, four students from class 8 also hosted the function wonderfully with amazing confidence. If the first pair of anchors Nihar bhai and Jugal bhai was humorous and witty, the second pair of Vishrut bhai and Dinal bhai was smart and effective.

The first set of awards were individual / group in acting, dancing and singing category. Here are the winners:

  • Best Singer: Nirmalbhai Patel (9B)
  • Best Actor: Shubhambhai Patel (11 Commerce)
  • Best Dance: ‘Dasavatar group’ from Suhradam House

Arguably the most important individual trophies for the evening were the ‘student of the year’ trophies. The winners of these trophies were adjudged on the basis of some stringent criteria. And here are the winners of this prestigious trophy.

  • Meghbhai Rathod (5 B) (Category class 5 and 6)
  • Vinamrabhai Patel (7 A) (Category class 7 and 8)
  • Sachinbhai Verlekar (10 B) (category class 8, 9 and 10)

The students were also elated with the presence of the senior most students from class 12 in the hall. As they are preparing for the upcoming board exams, their presence was noted and appreciated by everyone. Not only that the students from class 6,7 prepared a wonderful dance to wish them best of luck for the toughest test of their lives yet.

The atmosphere inside the prayer hall was very exciting as the anchors were slowly building up towards the announcement of ultimate winners for the evening – ‘House of the year’. But before that, it was the time to announce House of the year in sports, academics, creative assemblies and softboard display. Here are the winners:

  • Best Academic House – Suhradam House
  • Best Sports House – Satyam House
  • Best House in Creative Assembly – Suhradam House
  • Winners of Debating Club Competition – Satyam House
  • Best Soft Board Display – Shivam House
  • Best House in Athletics – Sundaram House

Rohanbhai Shingala (9B), the vice head boy of the school gave a heart-warming vote of thanks. He thanked all the staff members from different wings of the campus who made it possible for a wonderful and joyous year for the students.

The members of the student council were also appreciated by the school principal respected Vijay sir, as he handed certificates of appreciation to all the members.

Now it was the turn of the biggest announcement of the evening. For this big announcement P. Ashokbhai Patel (Personal Secretary to H.D.H. Hariprasad Swamiji) and respected Haresh Sir (Administrator) were invited on the stage. As they pronounced ‘The House of Unbeatable Spirit – Sundaram House as the winners the hall erupted with the voices of joy, enthusiasm and cheers from all the students. On behalf of Sundaram house the trophy was received by the House Captain Tanmaybhai Patel (10 B), Sports Captain Harshilbhai Soni (10B), house teachers and some key students from Sundaram house.

As the evening faded, everyone present in the hall experienced a sense of fulfilment for an amazing work they did together. In the end the function ‘Saransh – let us celebrate each other’ would be remembered for how all the students together celebrated the spirit and values at Atmiya Vidya Mandir.

Tickle Wiggle, Mingle Giggle, Whistle Jingle!

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Children need plenty of opportunities for creative play and creative thinking. Keeping in mind students’ interest, students of standard 8th were given an opportunity to express their ideas and interest through Jingle making activity.

Children were peered up in groups and were asked to compose Jingles. They were given ample of examples on how to compose an effective jingle. A step wise approach was taught to them on how to compose an appealing jingle. It was a 5 step approach:

  1. The children were asked to choose a product for example Nike, Colgate, Cadbury, KitKat etc.
  2. Then children were asked to describe the products characteristics, features, appearances and benefits for end user.
  3. The next task was challenging, intimidating but interesting. They were asked to write single words which would describe the above mentioned points and write rhyming words for the same.
  4. Next task was to write the lyrics with the help of single words and rhyming words obtained from step 3 and step 4.
  5. Last step was to come up with a small act and tune of the lyrics that they had written.

The outcome of this activity was really praiseworthy. Children came out of their comfort zone and set higher bars of writing lyrics, acting and composing the tune. The children themselves gave a big round of applause to all the performing teams after their performances. This shows that children not only praise the best, but have also learnt to give credit to efforts and creativity of others. Indeed the expression and creativity of all the children were at their best through this activity. This activity not only brought joy to the students but also helped them to grow in confidence, express themselves in gorups and accept and share ideas with each other.

Creativity is the freest form of self expression. There is nothing more satisfying and fulfilling for children than to be able to express themselves openly and without judgment.

AVM Search for Ramanujan 2012-13

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Srinivasa Ramanujan is one of India’s greatest mathematical geniuses. India celebrates the birthday of Srinivasa Ramanujan as ‘National Mathematics Day’. On this 125th Birth Anniversary of Ramanujan, AVM mathematics team was honoured Inter-house Mathematics competition, “AVM Ramanujan Search (ARS)”.
 
All students were invited to participate in the AVM Ramanujan Search (ARS) on Saturday, 22nd December, 2012. The top scorers from each grade was awarded with certificate and a prize.

The InterHouse Maths Competition for 2012-13

Results

Inter-house English Competition 2012-13

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From academic advancement with Continuous and Comprehensive evaluation to artistic reinforcement through creative assemblies and soft board display along with meticulous and rigorous training in sports and games students of Atmiya Vidya Mandir are blossoming in total equilibrium. 
Contributing to the same are the academic competitions. Adding to it, one such competition was organised across all classes was Inter-House English Competition. This competition was designed and organised to serve the very purpose of promoting Language Skills and to enhance spoken and written language abilities of students. The AVM English Department formulated many activities for participants of various classes of this competition. These activities were based on speaking, listening, pronunciation, reading and writing skills. It helped participants to develop and test their vocabulary, syntax, and rhetorical patterns used in academic subjects as well as public communication. An all-inclusive summary of this competition is as follows:
Class
Name
of Competition-Activity
Satyam
Shivam
Sundaram
Suhradam
Out of
1
Poem Recitation and Story Telling
26
22
22
22.5
40
2
Poem Recitation and Story Telling
23
22.5
25.5
19.5
40
3
Show & Tell
41
33.5
31.5
45.5
50
4
Pick & Describe
30
31
34
36.5
50
5
Cut Words & Frame Sentences
19
17
10
12
25
6
Slogan Writing & Turn Coat
85
87
99
81
110
7
Poem Writing (I wish…)
24.5
15
11
10.5
28
8
Jingles (Group Activity)
82
98
86
86
100
9
 Story
Writing
31.5
5.5
15
17
35
10
Persuasive Speech Writing
35.5
32.5
35.5
39
50

Points Earned
397.5
364
369.5
369.5
528

Positions
Class
1
2
3
4
1
Satyam
Suhradam
Shivam,
Sundaram
2
Sundaram
Satyam
Shivam
Suhradam
3
Suhradam
Satyam
Shivam
Sundaram
4
Suhradam
Sundaram
Shivam
Satyam
5
Satyam
Shivam
Suhradam
Sundaram
6
Sundaram
Shivam
Satayam
Suhradam
7
Satyam
Shivam
Suhradam
Sundaram
8
Shivam
Suhradam,
Sundaram
Satyam
9
Satyam
Suhradam
Sundaram
Shivam
10
Suhradam
Satyam,Sundaram
Shivam
Over all
Satyam
Sundaram,
Suhradam
Shivam
This competition was purposed to prepare students to combat the challenges  in context of the academic, social and professional expectations of the outside world.Through this competition, students got a comprehensive head start to understand the rigorous academic, social, and professional requirements while using English. 

AVM Debating Club: an indefatigable impulse to say something new about the all-too-familiar.

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“Let thy speech be better than silence, or be silent.” 
Ever since the inception of AVM Debating Club, students started experiencing thrill and excitement to involve in all proceedings of AVM Debating Club. With the kind grace and blessings of His Divine Holiness Param Pujya Swamiji, who is the ultimate inspiration for the foundation of this Debating Club, the students enthusiastically participated in Semi-Finals and Grand Finale of Inter House Debate Competitions. 
Using Debate as a Mechanism for education, AVM Debating Club selected such topics to make it more of an academic debate. Research and discussion on these topics created an opportunity to train and develop students in the core academic skills of the language arts: reading comprehension, critical thinking, and communications skills. For Semi-finals and Finals three Speakers from each House made a team. Each House team of each group(classes) got one topic to speak ‘FOR’ or ‘AGAINST’. Competition for each group was between two House Teams, Unfolding two opposite sides of the same topic. Topics were given in prior, on which the teams were supposed to gather as much information as possible. 
Semi Finals
Group
Topic
For
(Points -earned)
Against
(Points -earned)
Winners
 6th and 7th Standard
Glamorising Cricket: Is affecting other sports?
Satyam
 196 Points
Shivam 
191 Points
Satyam
Restrict playing and selling of Violent Video
Games
Sundaram
 208 Points
Suhradam
 206 Points
Sundaram
 8th & 9th Standard
Voting Should be made Compulsory
Satyam
188 Points
Suhradam
226 Points
Suhradam
Indian Villages – Our Strength or Weakness?
Sundaram
209 Points
Shivam
198 Points
Sundaram
 10th 11th & 12th Standard
Right-brain person enjoys life/successful more
than the left-brain person.
Sundaram
223 Points
Satyam
233 Points
Satyam
Science boon or bane?
Suhradam
 177 Points
Shivam
216 Points
Shivam
 Grand Finale 
6-7 Winner
Newspapers are things of past
Satyam
215 Points
Sundaram
198 Points
Satyam
8-9 Winner
Internet brings more harm than good
Suhradam
228 Points
Sundaram
196 Points
Suhradam
10-11-12 Winner
Believes they should get a Masters Degree
Satyam
231 Points
Shivam
193 Points
Satyam

While preparing for Debate Competition, the students (members of AVM Debating Club) set up well for critical evaluation of ideas, arguments, and points of view. It is only through this critical evaluation that students learn to distinguish among competing claims for truth and thus determine themselves as autonomous thinkers.

The teachers trained the participants of the debate competition to learn how to analyze and critically think on the given topic to research relatively. The best outcome of the semifinals of Inter house debate competition was the team spirit, coordination and togetherness. It was quite satisfying for the trainers Prajval Sir, Prabhudarshan Sir, Chirag Sir, Saumya Madam and Seema Madam to acknowledge that teams in the AVM Debating Club are made up of Debaters who understand the roles and responsibilities as well as the complexities associated with each speaker’s position. With this understanding, the speakers can appreciate how the roles complement each other and thus put the team in the best position to win. 

Finally, the much awaited event of Grand Finale of Inter House Debate Competition arrived. The knack of relevant references, contextual evidences, and reasonable arguments and the verbal fights among house contestants interspersed with lots of claps and nodding from judges. Following the set rules of Debating and quite sophisticated arguing techniques made students be in a position where they could argue with understanding and assertion. 
It is a great pleasure to mention a deep sense of appreciation for [Harsh Sarda and Sachin Verlekar of Satyam House], for their explanation of Master Degree or Specialization in a subject is not good. Again refer to its opposite, were the arguments put forth by Shivam House’s Vishesh Mistry and Vishlesh Gondaliya. 
Further, it was so amazing to listen to [Keyur of Suhradam House], for demonstrating his speech on Internet poses more harm than good. Referring and responding to this , were solid arguments by Rushi and Sahjik of Sundaram House.] 
It is unavoidable to mention Yathansh Joshi and Ravi Patel of Satyam House in Junior group for giving an excellent coverage to the topic “News papers are things of past”. Referring and responding to them was the opposite team of Rahul and Aakash of Sundaram House. 
The gracious presence of honourable Vijay Sir and other teachers was quite motivating. AVM debating club feels proud to create such an event which was brimmed with podiums where students’ talent can not only reach the pedestal but acknowledge them with the very fact of debating: “Say not always what you know, but always know what you say.”