The first day of school is a milestone not only for children but also for parents, often bringing a mix of excitement and emotion. Understanding this bittersweet transition, Apeejay School, Panchsheel Park, organised a two-day Student Connect Programme for newly admitted students in the Primary Wing, aiming to make their first school experience comfortable, engaging, and memorable. The event was graced by the presence of Ms Vandana Bansal, Vice-principal of the school and Ms Rachna Jain, Pre-primary In-charge.
The school campus came alive with vibrant decorations and a cheerful atmosphere. Teachers along wiith students dressed in colour-coded attire, blue, green, yellow, and red, warmly welcomed students, helping them feel a sense of belonging from the very beginning. A special tilak ceremony added a personal touch, making each child feel valued, safe, and at ease in their new environment.
Day 1
It began with a lively welcome. While many children initially felt a bit anxious, they gradually settled in through interactive circle time sessions that encouraged bonding and peer interaction. A highlight of the day was an engaging storytelling session of Pete the Cat, brought alive through music and movement, delivering a meaningful message of resilience and positivity.
The children also created colourful hand impressions, capturing their first-day memories. The day continued with fun-filled activities, including playtime in the trampoline and ball pool area, along with nutritious refreshments.
Ms Jain said that the beginning of a child’s school journey is as emotional as it is exciting. “The purpose of this initiative was to help both our young learners and their parents feel comfortable, confident, and familiar within the new school environment and with their teachers. While tiny hands learn to let go, we gently support them with care, patience, and reassurance—transforming moments of separation anxiety into confidence and comfort. We also deeply value our parents’ concerns, addressing their questions and worries with empathy to build a strong bond of trust. Together, we turn these early challenges into meaningful milestones, laying the foundation for a joyful, secure, and enriching learning journey for every child.”
Day 2
The day was with enthusiasm and activities centred around Getting to Know My Friends. The aim was to strengthen connections among students. A magical performance left the children amazed, while colouring activities, music and movement sessions, and playful engagements kept them happily involved. Swings, trampolines, toy cars, and the ball pool provided ample opportunities for children to interact, play, and build friendships, enhancing their psychomotor skills.
A noteworthy aspect of the programme was the warmth and involvement of the teachers, who actively participated in play and offered personalised care, whether it was helping children settle in or even assisting them during snack time to ensure they felt secure and comforted. Support staff also played a vital role in creating a nurturing environment.
Both days included a brief Greet and Meet session with parents, where the school shared essential information about daily routines and addressed queries, strengthening the home-school partnership. The young learners expressed their joy with innocent enthusiasm.
This was evident in the students’ responses. Agastya Dahiya from Nursery A shared, “I’m very happy today playing all the time.” Meher from Nursery C said, “I made many new friends today.” Arya Chopra from Nursery D added, “I’m loving my first day at school, and I loved eating snacks too.”
Meanwhile, parents too were happy that their wards had settled in. Ms Shreya, Nishtha’s mother, shared that the experience has been wonderful so far. She expressed delight that it was her child’s first day at school and that Nishtha did not cry at all, thoroughly enjoying the entire experience. Appreciating the school’s facilities and well-maintained systems, she added that she is looking forward to a positive and fulfilling year ahead.
Kavyaansh’s parents shared, “Although it was his first day and they initially felt nervous while dropping him off, the experience turned out to be extremely positive. Everything at this school starting from the admission process to the beginning of his school journey has been smooth and well-managed. Seeing him happy and comfortable reassured them, and they were especially impressed by the warmth of the teachers, who made him feel so at ease that he didn’t even want to go back home.”
The Student Connect Programme at Apeejay School, Panchsheel Park concluded on a delightful note, leaving children with happy memories, new friendships, and excitement for the learning journey ahead.