IAYP PRACTICE JOURNEY CAMP AT INDIAN SCHOOL SALALAH

The Duke of Edinburgh’s International Award for Young People’s unit of Indian School Salalah organized a Practice Journey Camp from Thursday, 17th to Saturday 19^th of October 2019. The first day of the camp with 70 students and 11 teachers began with a well-elucidated introduction to the Duke of Edinburgh’s award scheme by Mr. Unnikrishnan, the Award Coordinator. He also briefed the code of conduct and the course of activities to be followed in the camp.

Mr. Santhosh, Department of Art, held an illustrated session on ‘Water colour painting skills’. He briefed the various techniques to use the water colour and demonstrated it through a painting. The enthusiastic campers who were enlightened during the session, attempted painting of their own from the techniques they grasped. The end of the Art session marked the end of the 1^st day.

Day two called at 6 am when intense physical recreation shook the sleep off the drowsy but spirited campers. Mr. Mohandas, physical instructor, had the early risers run 4 minutes, followed by a series of twists, bends and jumping exercises. An exciting and entertaining toastmaster session was conducted by Mr. Binoy C A, Department of English, who exposed the students to the world of speaking. The session began with the Ice Breaker where 5 speakers introduced themselves in the stipulated time. The speeches were evaluated by the  student evaluators, who gave the report on the speakers. The next session was based on impromptu speeches, where the Table Topic Master gave 5 topics and randomly speakers were selected to speak for two minutes each. The best speaker and the evaluator were announced at the end of each session. At the end of the session, Principal Mr. Deepak Patankar briefed the students on basic techniques and aspects of public speaking and shared some snippets of his experience during public speaking sessions with his previous students.

On the evening of the second day, was the most-awaited activity; the trek through Ayn Hamran. The troupe proceeded through steep hills, low thickets, narrow paths and plenty of scenic views to be permanently stained in their memories and found their way back to the buses to the campsite. The enthusiastic campers assembled in the auditorium for Musical Symphony by Mr. Rajesh, Music Department along with Mr. Narayankutty, HOD Math Department, Mr. Sinu Krishnan(Malayalam Dept), Mr.Unnikrishnan (HOD Social Science) enthralled the audience spellbound with their wonderful performance. The students then went to the terrace to have the sky watch through the telescope guided by Mr. Jojesh, Science Department. One of the most exciting parts of the camp, the camp fire wherein the entire camp of teachers and students sang and danced to their heart’s content. And with this the second day activities of the camp came to an end.

On the third day the campers assembled in the auditorium and gold awardees delivered a presentation on ‘Photography’ by Master Aryan D Bhattacharya, Master Muzammil and Master Nikhil Thomas. The Award Ceremony was graced by the chief guest Dr. Syed Ahsan Jamil, President of SMC, Principal, Mr. Deepak Patankar, Mr.Navaneet krishnan,SMC member along with the parents of the bronze and gold awardees. Mr Unnikrishnan, the Award coordinator, delivered report on “The Duke Activities 2018-19”. The report included the various activities of the unit. The bronze award was presented by Mr.Deepak Patankar, Principal and  Mr Navaneet Krishnan, SMC member. The silver and gold award were presented by Dr. Syed Ahsan Jamil, President of SMC. The proud parents of the gold awardees received the award. In his address, Dr.Jamil encouraged the students to be self-confident and independent. Principal Mr. Deepak Patankar appreciated the students and teachers involved in the IAYP unit of ISS.

Lastly, Miss Charisma Jonathan of class X proposed the vote of thanks and thanked the president and members of the SMC, the principal, the assistant vice principal, the parents, award leaders, the students and the support staff for their contribution towards the camp.