Come July; it was time to head out on our first field trip of the year with our excited, energetic and enthusiastic third graders.
The venue was Prani Pet Sanctuary of its kind experiential, outdoor educational park on Kanakapura Road.
Seeing passionate guides and a well-organized setup at the sanctuary was great. Students had immersive learning about various animals through fact snippets, Q&A sessions and many opportunities to pet and stroke different creatures.
Starting with some goats who were busy chewing their straw, our group then visited a lot of birds. Birds that came and sat on our hands- even our caps as long as we provided some bird seed! That was a truly remarkable experience.
Next, we visited some emus and got to pet them- now that was something else. As one animal lover exclaimed- “I felt like I was hugging a broom!”
We met many reptiles and petted a guinea pig, a hedgehog and a monitor lizard! The staff at the sanctuary demonstrated the correct way of stroking these animals and were committed to making this a fantastic experience for the children.
Students understood that these creatures had been rescued from places where their lives were in danger, and we could see how the caretakers bonded with their animals.
Finally, the children met a python- soft and bumpy- was how one child described it as he stroked the sleeping reptile.
By the end of the tour, I could sense change- inhibitions were dropping, and fear had lost out to curiosity. Prani Pet Sanctuary provided the students with an interactive, sensorial opportunity to connect with animals, and I hope these memories stay with them for a long time.
By Sonal Hede,
English Educator, Ekya ITPL
Entering 12th grade has given me a row of epiphanies related to the end of school, a lot of childhood, and the end of an era in my life. My mind ceases to process the fact that I am in 12th grade. "I made it through almost 12 years of school?" "There's no school next year? How is that possible!" making my mind spiral in disbelief.
Over the years, the school has become a second home for me. The place might not have been the same, but the emotion associated with the school remains unchanged. The school has moulded me into the person I am today. When I was younger, l was eager to finish school and graduate. Now that my school days are numbered, I only want to run back to primary school and never leave. I've met some of my closest friends in school. It showed and gifted me the power of true friendship. It helped me build a second family. It has become and will always remain one of my comfort zones.
But that's the thing with comfort zones. They're meant to come out of. If you don't leave your comfort zone, it makes you go. I can only stay in school for a bit as much as I would love to. But, the beginning of 12th grade starts a long journey towards graduation and a new phase in my life: college. It's time to grow up and learn that the onus is on me and no one else. Board exams, college, adulthood all these things are ahead of me. The pressure and expectations are high and can appear scary and distressing. But, if there's one thing I have learned over the past twelve years in school, it is to work hard and give it my all. Life will have ups and downs, but I must keep moving forward with my head held high.
As I look back at my childhood and school years with nostalgia, I appreciate the present. My last year of school is something I will never get back. I'm excited about the future but want to focus on the year ahead. The bittersweet 'last' I'm going to experience and one last chance to be a kid. I intend to savour this year with all my heart and create memories that will last a lifetime!
Written By: Sahasya Vinodraj (Student of Grade 12)
Is that an eye-catching title? I have, though, and I'm proud of it because I am not myself if I don't read every day.
Welcome to the post and have a cup of tea or coffee ready for this light yet medium-depth read. It's always important to never let go of one thing in life that makes you 'yourself', which is your hobby.
Hobbies make you centred with yourself when some elements pull at you, like teaching, focusing on students, family, relationships, cooking, chores and most importantly, lesson plans!
All these take time, and we cannot help but do these things to ensure our lives are smooth sailing, no matter how intense the storms we face are. Today, I want to remind you of why it is essential to cultivate, nurture and never give up on your hobbies.
All banter aside, think about what the eight-year-old you loved doing as a passionate hobby. It can be anything from collecting cards to reading a book. Pick up that habit again and start living with your pursuits; see that life is even more beautiful when you are the best version of yourself.
Never be ashamed of your hobbies, never call them silly or a waste of time, and keep being passionate about what you love because, as our dear Google says, a hobby is a pursuit outside one's regular occupation, especially for relaxation.
Thank you. Have you picked your hobby back yet? Vaishnavi P K
Leave a reply