The CIS team shares their experience with school director Anuradha Das. Picture by Anindya Shankar Ray

For seven students from Calcutta International School (CIS), it was the opportunity of a lifetime. The lucky seven were not only chosen to represent their school at a conference in the US, they even got to spend a day at the United Nations General Assembly hall.

And they did their country proud. A film made by the team was adjudged the winner in the conclave, in which 48 schools from 19 countries participated.

The CIS team had recently headed to the US to attend the 35th annual UNIS-UN Conference. The event was organised by the United Nations International School (UNIS), in association with the United Nations. The theme this year was “The Web: Wiring Our World”. The participating countries countries included England, Germany, Sweden, Spain and Canada. The other Indian school to be invited was Maria’s Public School, Guwahati.

CIS was represented by Mayukh Mukhopadyay, Archin Bhowmick, Rida Randerian, Sugato Bhaduri, Ashvika Dalmia, Dhruv Yadav and Joshua Nassiri. “This is the fourth year that we have sent students to this conference. The candidates are selected on the basis of their articles and other work,” explained the school’s director, Anuradha Das.

Sugato, a Class XI student, couldn’t believe his luck. “I have been to the US before, but it was different this time. I got to attend a conference in the United Nations General Assembly hall. Not everybody gets to experience that,” he gushed.

The CIS team was accompanied by their teacher-in-charge, Ditipriya Mukherjee.

The students spent the first day attending classes at UNIS, the host school. This was followed by a cultural programme in the evening that included all participating schools.

The second day was spent in the United Nations General Assembly. hall. The first half saw experts speaking on the evolving role of the Internet and its implications. The second half was devoted to a students’ panel discussion. Mayukh and four others were selected for the panel discussion.

“I spoke about the benefits of online employment and how the Net has removed the traditional communication gap,” he said.

There was a surprise in store for the CIS team on the third day. Not only was their film shortlisted for screening, it also bagged a prize. Seven films made by participating schoolchildren were screened. The CIS team had made a seven-minute film, Webbed, about a boy suffering from Internet addiction who loses his creativity.

“He realises his own potential when he comes across an essay that he had written long ago,” explained Archin.

“We were not even sure whether our film would be screened. So it was a huge surprise when it was declared the winner,” beamed Sugato.

Friend Dhruv added: “We roamed around Red Road and College Street to shoot. We were stuck at the editing stage. That the final product could be so good was beyond our dreams.”

The CIS group was also struck by the difference in teaching methodology. “At UNIS, classes are far more interactive,” said Ashvika.

For their teacher, too, it was a learning experience. “The event was managed by the students themselves, with no interference from teachers. They put up a glitch-free show,” said Mukherjee.

The students were also taken on a tour of the Columbia and New York universities. They were treated to the Broadway presentation of The Phantom of the Opera.

JHINUK MAZUMDAR

Chitchat

UNDER THE KNOWLEDGE TREE Children of Kangaroo Kids, Salt Lake, perform at their annual concert at the EZCC on March 23. The theme this year was “Fashion Fiesta” The children showcased various trends that have evolved over the years. Picture by Anindya Shankar Ray

Stress-free learning

A primary school curriculum minus examinations? That’s exactly what the Akademia International School aims to achieve. Set to start its first session in April under GEMS Education, the school aims to provide a stress-free environment to students. At a press meet at Hotel Hindusthan International on March 10, members of GEMS India said the school would follow the Cambridge International Examinations (CIE) till Class VII. Then, the students can choose between CIE or the Indian School Certificate examination. The daily curriculum will stretch beyond the eight periods to include an hour of guided lessons from teachers. This will be followed by a 40-minute activity session, in which children can also devote themselves to games like billiards, chess, rugby and squash.

PRIYASDARSHINI GOSWAMI

A student of the National Institute of Creative Performance, Jadavpur, performs during a freshers’ welcome recently. Picture by Sanjoy Chattopadhaya

Splash of colour

The Apeejay Anand Children’s Library (Park Street and Salt Lake branches) organised an arts mela on the lawns of Apeejay House on Park Street. Around 1,000 children from various schools and NGOs participated in the event. They were asked to paint T-shirts and caps on the theme “A Beautiful Tomorrow”. Painter Amitava Banerjee was the chief guest.

Salina Khatun, an underprivileged child, was selected this year’s “Promising Student”. She will be inducted into a mainstream school under the School Interact Club Project. The other winners at the arts mela included Dwaita Adhikari, Farheen Sanam and Swastik Jana.