Dear Students, Congratulations! We have successfully completed an academic year, physically, after two years of online classes! This academic year has been filled with laughter and joy. It has been packed with music, drama, sports and studies! Your social, time and self-management skills have improved tremendously and we are ever so proud of you! Now, as we look towards a time of rest and relaxation, let us not forget to keep our minds and bodies active. Utilize your time effectively, help your parents, pursue some hobbies, and read some interesting books. Enjoy your time with friends and family. Recharge yourselves for another hectic year – 2023 to 2024. Till we meet again, may God protect every one of you and keep you safe. With warm wishes and prayers, S. Mallic Kumar Principal

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An Evening of Hymns Look around you, look at the sky, the animals and plants, the water, even the people. Do you ever wonder where it all came from? Many people wonder how the world began. The Bible says that God created the world. On 21st Jan 2023, St Mary's School, Pune organized an Evening of Hymns. 120 students across Classes Prep and I presented The Story of Creation. The students sang 9 hymns depicting the 7 days of creation. Every element of nature was brought alive by the students, through song and dance. So, when you feel like questioning if God’s love is really there, just take a look at all He’s made, with Hands of Love and Care. God put love into creation; He had you and I in mind. He gave us a world of miracles; And there’s still more to find.

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‘Together we are stronger, our voices louder and the synergy of our actions more powerful.’ The much-awaited Prep Section Annual Sports Day was hosted on 26th January 2023 with great zeal and excitement. The theme ‘Together - Stronger’ inspired the sentiment of unity in diversity amongst all present. The programme commenced with a word of prayer recited by Joyce Joseph of Class III. The students of Classes I to III donned in the colours of their class emblems, rose to the occasion by marching in the inauguration parade, led by Aryna Balkawde who proudly carried the Prep Section flag.

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This was followed by our Principal Mrs Mallic Kumar addressing the audience and welcoming our Chief Guest, Mr Nikhil Kanetkar, the first Olympic Badminton Player from Pune. Mr Nikhil Kanetkar unfurled the National Flag, and the tune of the National Anthem soon evoked the feeling of patriotism amongst all. A torch relay by the little athletes quite aptly commemorated the Opening Ceremony of the Sports Meet. The ever so motivated students entered into the spirit of the occasion in a grand way by resonating the National Pledge recited by Anaya Harode and paid respect to the tricolour. The mascot, our school pet - Coco symbolising loyalty, protection, companionship and reliability complemented the Sports Day motto ‘Together Stronger’. Around 875 students from Nursery to Class III participated in the various events. In the first part of the programme, the students competed in the inter - class relays, 50 and 100 metre races, thus displaying their athletic skills and teamwork. The Mix Relay event saw participation of students from Nursery to Class III each running different legs of the relay. The air was filled with cheering and tons of encouragement for the young athletes. The team events too, featured the students playing several games that require teamwork and a sense of community. These events were aimed at enabling the students to develop skills of proficiency in eye-hand coordination, fine and gross motor skills, fitness, focus and math integrated with sports, to name a few.

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Parents and Grandparents of the students were an integral part of the ‘Sports Day’ celebration. The super enthusiastic parents of the students participated in the Parents’ races, while the grandparents did their bit by proudly giving away the prizes. The ‘Sports Day’ was a wonderful and successful event due to the wholehearted and enthusiastic participation and involvement of three generations - the students, parents and grandparents. The event was concluded with an inspirational speech on life’s lessons by the Honourable Chief Guest.

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The Prep Annual Concert Exploration is really the essence of the human spirit. And for the girls of class III to capture and to experience that spirit of adventure, they sailed forth onto a magnificent production of ‘The Saga of Vasco Da Gama’. This open-air theatrical experience, staged on the 24th of February, had families trooping onto the school grounds, as the sun set in a fiery red sky. The wide-screen on the stage glowed brilliantly too, with Vasco da Gama’s three - masted ship sailing in a wind - blown sea. The students had parents embark on an exciting voyage with Vasco and his sailors, first to breathtaking Italy, when to their surprise the winds of change swept them to Mexico - the land of the Aztecs, then to the dark continent of Africa and finally to their much-awaited destination, the land of gold and spice - India! The audience sat mesmerized as the visuals, the music, costumes, props and the performers took them in another time, another place, portraying a historical fiction of incredible adventure, myth, emotion, fantasy and humour!

The parents were moved to tears watching their eight-year-olds give an unbelievably brilliant performance with great confidence and ease!

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Project Presentation Project work promotes the principles of learning through experience and experimentation. Apart from expanding the student’s knowledge of the subject matter taught, it encompasses valuable learning, the ability to solve problems, thinking out of the box and working in teams. The students of Classes I to III showcased their learning experience and shared their research work skills with everyone.

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The Swimming Gala 8th March, Women's Day, a perfect day with perfect weather to host the Prep Swim Gala. Events were arranged so that all swimmers regardless of their level were able to participate safely. The little ones swam like dolphins participating in multiple events like butterfly stroke, backstroke, freestyle and relays. The pool interclass relays saw the height of excitement with each class fiercely cheering for their team. Much to the delight of the little ones, the highlight of the Gala was the synchronized swimming by the students of the middle school. The Prep students watched in awe their seniors display grace, rhythm, flexibility and exceptional breath control. In her speech, the Principal Mrs Mallic Kumar congratulated the swimmers and motivated them by saying that she was sure that some of them would one day represent the country at the Olympics!

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The True Insides of You

Open the true insides of you… Open the true insides of you… You’ll find feelings for being happy and content. Or some to make you sad, weep and wail. Which one would you like to choose? Open the true insides of you… Open the true insides of you… You shall find the light of happiness. Telling you that you were magnificent throughout the year! Open the true insides of you…

Open the true insides of you… You will see you’re as magnificent as can be!! No matter what you do. Open it up and let loose, let go! Open the true insides of you! Open the true insides of you. Mishika Ved - 1E

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JOIN THE DOTS

FIND THE ODD ONE OUT!

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A Big Cheer for a Different School Year! 6th June 2022, the excitement was palpable as students walked into school donning masks getting their temperature checked, hands sanitized while maintaining a safe distance, so different from the warm hug! Though waking up early and getting ready for school was quite a challenge, the students were eager to reconnect with their peers and teachers. The teachers too were delighted to have the children physically back in school. Conducting lessons and seeing their little ones on screen had given them neither the feel of their teach nor the satisfaction of interacting with them. Most students adapted quickly to the school environment while some took their own time and had to be counselled and cajoled, but the resilience and adaptability of the students and teachers was nothing short of remarkable. Gradually the excitement of being back with friends and teachers and the joy of participating in activities and games made the transition smoother. Safety protocols were put in place to ensure the health and well-being of students and staff. The paradigm shift in the way students learnt was evident, the reluctance as well as difficulty in acquiring the required writing skills in every subject was a huge challenge! Socio- emotional qualities like sharing, empathy, peer helping were re-oriented. Teachers had to adopt a different approach to deal with children’s emotional needs, parents' anxiety, and not to forget their teaching strategies. Several events were organised to bridge the learning gap, instill confidence and enhance communication and social skills. As we continue to navigate the challenges of changing times, we take comfort and pride in the fact that we as a school are doing everything to support our students. Getting back to physical school has been a positive experience as it has reminded us of the importance of in-person learning and the value of human connection in education. I can’t thank God enough for being by our side throughout this tumultuous year!

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