July 2023 was an exhilarating month at Ekya Schools’ EITPL and EJPN campuses, where young minds explored new horizons beyond textbooks and traditional learning. The Wrap Around 2023 activities drew the participation of a staggering 112 students at EITPL and 179 students at EJPN, all eager to “FIND their unique voice,” as per the ethos of the program.
Wrap Around 2023 offered various activities across Arts, Sports, Exposure, and Self-development, emphasising well-defined outcomes. Students dived into the world of music, sports, martial arts, and more, guided by our carefully chosen partners. At EITPL, the budding musicians learned to play a medley of five songs on the keyboard, exploring C and D major chords as well as C minor chords. The guitar enthusiasts weren’t far behind, mastering A and E minor chords and E major chords. In gymnastics, students executed forward and backward rolls, incline and ¾ handstands, splits, and back bridges. Basketball saw a dual track of coaching. In mass coaching, students were taught various exercises and ball-holding techniques. Those in team coaching underwent rigorous training in general fitness, advanced game strategies, and intense defensive skills. Martial arts took a front seat with karate lessons that included basic stances, footwork, blocks, kicks, and punches. Students also got a taste of skating, learning skills like zigzagging, hand movements, turning, and stopping. Table tennis wrapped up the activities with students learning the essential rules, forehand and backhand services, and even playing friendly matches. The EJPN campus had its unique flair with activities like drumming, where students learned drum rudiments and how to build a drum beat based on quarter notes. Chess also made its debut, teaching typical checkmate patterns and basic introductions for beginners. On-spot dribbling right and left in basketball, skatewalking, and on-spot tapping in skating were among the other activities that captivated the students.
“I am an intermediate player. My after-school classes help me meet different types of players and participate in competitions. I have learned tips, strategies, and control warm-ups that have helped me to improve as a player. It is also helping me stay fit,” said a student, encapsulating the essence of what Wrap Around 2023 aimed to achieve.
Ekya Schools’ Wrap Around 2023 was not just another extra-curricular program; it was a month-long journey that allowed students to discover new passions and hone existing skills. As we look back at the strides taken in July, we are filled with pride and look forward to seeing how these newly acquired skills will shape our students’ futures. With Wrap Around, we reaffirm our commitment to the holistic development of our students, inside and outside the classroom. Thank you to all the students, staff, and partners for making Wrap Around 2023 an outstanding success. We can’t wait to see what the next edition holds!
Leadership is not just a title; it is a journey of continuous growth and development. The Leadership Bootcamp organised by the Student Development team on September 19th was an extraordinary day that brought together over 120 student leaders from Ekya, CMR NPS and CMR PU campuses. The day was filled with wisdom, stories of resilience, and the forging of future leaders.
The vision of the Leadership Bootcamp is to “Provide students with transformative experiences to excel at their leadership posts and enable them to be globally competitive and resilient leaders of the future.”
The Leadership Bootcamp started with Dr. Tristha Ramamurthy, Vice President of CMR Group of Institutions, Founder of Ekya Schools and Provost of CMR University, inspiring a welcome address that set the tone for an enriching journey of growth and learning. Her wisdom and guidance undoubtedly set the foundation for leadership excellence. The keynote address by Dr. Ishani Roy, Founder and CEO, Serein Inc, emphasised the significance of inclusivity, adaptability, and what it takes to be an inclusive leader. Dr. Roy set the stage for a day of self-discovery and leadership exploration.
Captain Vaibhav Pandey, Assistant Vice President, Vestian Global Workplace Pvt Limited, and Archana Mohan, Co-Founder, Bookosmia, took the stage, offering a glimpse into their remarkable journeys. Their stories of leadership, courage, and determination resonated deeply with all attendees, serving as a testament to the transformative power of effective leadership. Captain Vaibhav’s session on Adapting to Change brought insights and strategies that equip us to navigate uncharted waters with confidence, and Archana Mohan’s session on self-expression was a game changer for the students as the students learned the 3 best practices for leadership.
A pivotal session on leadership skills and core values provided the students with the tools necessary to lead effectively. The discussions delved into the importance of teamwork, communication, and moral principles in leadership roles.
Students left with a better understanding of key leadership skills and values and how to apply them in practical situations on campus. The experience also encouraged them to think critically about their personal leadership journeys and development. Students took back with them their leadership development plan and SWOT analysis to help them continue their leadership journey. Students' reflections included thoughts such as leadership is not about holding a position but about taking action and inspiring others to follow. The journey of leadership is ongoing, and the Leadership Bootcamp was a vital step in their journey, equipping them with the knowledge and inspiration to lead authentically and effectively.
Gautam Aravindan, Bhoomi House Captain, from CMR PU ITPL
I really appreciated the session on Diversity and Inclusion as well as the one on adaptability to change, because I found those 2 topics the most relatable amongst others. Although, all of them were really valuable and provided me with really good insights. I would like to appreciate each and every council member amongst all the campuses because they all were really kind during the interaction session, and all of their presentations were amazing and bold, which I really appreciate.
Megha M S, Head Girl, CMR NPS
To be grounded and true to our values even when we reach a certain level or have a certain amount of power and it was very interesting to bond with other school’s council members and get to know what their plan of action for their institution.
Sahasya Vinodraj, Editor, Ekya BTM
Huge kudos to the student development team of Ekya for organising this event annually for council members. It's been such a memorable experience, and it's extremely well-organized!
Karen Grace Rohit, Agni House Vice Captain, CMR NPS
My key takeaways are the qualities of a leader that were stressed upon such as the relevance of being assertive and approachable at the same time. I would like to affirm all the CRMNPS council members for working so hard for us this year and the teachers for helping make this session such a success. I would also like to affirm the council and staff of all the other schools for being extremely friendly and helpful.
WE ARE LEADERS! WE ARE THE FUTURE