Apeejay School, Saket celebrates class 5 graduation with joy and nostalgia

The Class 5 graduation ceremony at Apeejay School, Saket was filled with pride, nostalgia, and excitement. With the assembly ground adorned with yellow balloons and students dressed in their school shirts, jeans, and ceremonial graduation coats and hats, the stage was set for an unforgettable event. Teachers, parents, and students gathered to celebrate the transition of these young learners from primary to middle school.

A Heartwarming Welcome

The ceremony commenced with Ms. Seema Passi, PRT English and Activity Coordinator, delivering an emotional introductory speech, setting the tone for the event. She warmly welcomed the parents, acknowledging their unwavering support in shaping the young minds. Ms. Sangeeta, the beloved primary Maths teacher, then took the stage to introduce and welcome the esteemed Chief Guest, Mr. H.S. Randhawa, Assistant Commissioner of Police, Delhi Police, known for his significant work in the Cyber Crime Unit and IFSO Special Cell.

Following this, Principal Dr. Sujeet Eric Masih presented a green welcome to the Chief Guest by gifting a sapling, symbolising growth and new beginnings. Ms. Ashneet, the primary English teacher, invited the Principal and Chief Guest for the lamp-lighting ceremony. In a special gesture, parents were also invited to join this auspicious ritual. As the lamp was lit by the Chief Guest, Principal, and parents, a choir of twelve Class 5 students serenaded the audience with a harmonious rendition of a shloka, followed by the soulful melodies of O Paalanhaare and Teri Hai Zameen.

Words of Wisdom

ACP Randhawa captivated the audience with his heartfelt speech. He commended the students for their academic and personal growth over the past five years, acknowledging their curiosity and analytical skills. Addressing the parents, he expressed gratitude for their dedication, particularly during the challenges of remote learning. He mentioned, “You have played an integral role in your children’s education, balancing work and home responsibilities while ensuring their progress. This journey has brought parents, teachers, and students closer than ever. Keep guiding your children to do the right thing and speak up against injustice. As Mahatma Gandhi once said, ‘Be the change you wish to see in the world.’”

Taking the podium, Principal Dr. Sujeet Eric Masih also expressed his heartfelt gratitude to ACP Randhawa for gracing the occasion despite his demanding schedule. He extended his appreciation to the parents for their relentless dedication, stating, “Because of your hard work and support, we are able to witness this special day where our children take a step forward into middle school. Class 6 is a transformative phase, and with our combined efforts, we will ensure a smooth transition for them. Our students have grown into confident individuals, better speakers, and excellent team players.” His words were met with a round of applause.

Honoring the Young Achievers

The highlight of the event was the distribution of citation certificates to the graduating students. Class teachers Ms. Sangeeta (5A) and Ms. Priyanka (5B), along with the Chief Guest and the Principal, personally presented each student with their certificate. To make the moment even more special, the teacher on the podium shared a few personalised lines for every student, ensuring that each child felt valued and celebrated.

Following this, two students, Shaurya Gupta (5A) and Nityant Pandey (5B), took the stage to share their reflections on their journey in primary school. Their words resonated with their classmates, evoking both laughter and sentimentality.

Shaurya Gupta expressed, “Our school is not just a place for education; it is our second home where we have created beautiful memories and lifelong friends with valuable lessons. As we move forward, let us always remember the values we have learned here and carry them with us in every step of our journey.” He thanked the school, teachers, parents, and fellow classmates for their constant support.

Adding to this, Nityant Pandey shared, “Our teachers have not only taught us subjects but also life lessons that will stay with us forever.” His words reflected the gratitude and respect the students held for their mentors, reinforcing the significance of their primary school years in shaping their future.

A Celebration of Talent

The ceremony was interspersed with vibrant cultural performances. A group of fourteen students delivered an energetic dance performance to a medley of motivational songs, including Jame Raho, Aal Izz Well, Aashayein, and Taare Gin Gin. Their infectious enthusiasm lit up the stage and brought smiles to the audience.

“The ceremony was awesome. The performances were amazing!” shared the mother of Vihan Vinayak Mishra (5A), reflecting the sentiments of many parents in the audience.

Another round of heartfelt speeches was delivered by students Ishani Malik (5B) and Kavya Bisht (5A), who spoke about their experiences and aspirations for middle school.

Ishani Malik shared, “It feels like just yesterday when we started this journey, and now we are ready to take the next step towards middle school.” She further expressed her gratitude towards her teachers, parents, and friends, adding, “This is not just an ending, but a new beginning, and I am excited for what lies ahead.”

After her, Kavya Bisht took the stage and shared, “Now we are moving from tiny tots to primary masters. I wish I could go back to primary school again because it was so much fun!” She encouraged her classmates to embark on this new chapter with courage and determination, cherishing the lessons they had learned along the way.

To honour the Chief Guest’s presence, the Principal presented him with a token of appreciation. The celebration continued with another mesmerising dance performance by thirteen students to Ek Zindagi Meri, further adding to the joyous atmosphere.

“It was great to see everybody dancing and enjoying themselves. I can’t believe my little one has moved to Class 6. It feels like just yesterday she was in KG!” remarked the mother of Piya Sachdeva (5A), capturing the bittersweet emotions of the day.

A Joyous Conclusion

As the ceremony drew to a close, Ms Sangeeta delivered a warm vote of thanks, expressing gratitude to the parents, teachers, and students for making the event a grand success. Even though the official proceedings ended, the joyous echoes of laughter, camera flashes, and heartfelt hugs lingered. Students, parents, and teachers enthusiastically captured memories in photographs, marking the end of a significant chapter in the students’ lives and the beginning of a new one.

Throughout the ceremony, emotions ran high as parents, teachers, and students shared their thoughts on this milestone moment.  “I was very excited!” exclaimed Maham Siddique (5A), summing up the joyous spirit of the graduates.

Parents also expressed their joy and appreciation for the school’s efforts. The mother of Shaurya Gupta (5A) shared, “I feel wonderful as my child has graduated today from the primary department to the middle department. The school’s support has been invaluable.” Anushka Sharma, sister of Raghav Sharma (5A) and an alumna of Apeejay School, Saket, said, “The graduation ceremony was really good and inspiring for the kids. My brother was so excited!”

Ms. Seema beautifully summed up the essence of the event, “Class 5 has always been close to us. We have nurtured them to ensure they develop strong values. Now, our little falcons are ready to soar high in the middle wing.”

With hearts full of pride and eyes brimming with dreams, the young graduates of Class 5 stepped forward, ready to embrace the exciting journey that awaited them in middle school.