Darpan: Apeejay School, Saket turns holiday homework into a celebration of learning

Education at Apeejay School, Saket goes far beyond textbooks and tests. Rooted in the belief that learning must empower children to explore their unique potential, the school recently hosted Darpan – A Student-Led Conference, where holiday homework became a gateway to creativity, critical thinking, and collaboration.

The theme across classes was aligned with CBSE’s educational vision, with a special focus on the cultural richness of Sikkim, India’s northeastern gem. From nursery to senior sections students curated projects reflecting diverse themes such as biodiversity, hygiene, life underwater, sustainable living, and more.

Walking through the vibrant classrooms, parents engaged with their children who confidently explained the vision, process, materials used, and key learnings behind their projects. Each interaction became a moment of shared joy, discovery, and pride.

Little Hands, Big Ideas
Nursery and Kindergarten students were a highlight with their charming, hands-on creations. They made pen-stand-cum-transport vehicles, vibrant family tree files, and inventive crafts—one child even turned an eraser into ambulance wheels.

Nursery and Kindergarten teachers Ms. Sunita Thapar, Ms. Lakshmi Parvati, Ms. Ifrah Khan, and Ms. Sahaya Kapoor shared that through these activities, students learned about road safety, emergency services, and vehicle types in an engaging, tactile manner. “One child even crafted an ambulance-shaped pen stand with erasers as the wheels—it was adorable and educational,” they said.

Early Grades, Bold Expressions
Class 1 students worked on the theme of Health and Hygiene. They crafted cultural masks representing the Red Panda (Sikkim’s state animal) and Nilgai (Delhi’s state animal). Ms. Rachna Magoo, Primary Teacher (PRT), Class 1, noted that these creative expressions not only taught children about biodiversity and wellness but also helped boost their self-confidence.

In Class 2, the focus shifted to Life Under Water. Students designed origami aquariums to convey strong messages about marine conservation. Ms. Pooja Bhardwaj, PRT Class 2, remarked that students learned about the importance of protecting aquatic life and avoiding plastic pollution through their vibrant displays.

Brothers Shreyansh Mishra (Class 4) and Divyansh Mishra (Class 2) were enthusiastic participants. “I made a brochure on Sikkim’s culture and a tourist map featuring Buddha Park. It was so fun,” shared Shreyansh. His younger brother added, “I created a colorful aquarium and marine animals using origami. I loved learning about sea creatures!”

Middle Grades Showcase Creativity with Depth
Class 3 students created clay models to depict the culture of Sikkim and posters themed ‘Dharti Bachao – Save the Earth’. They also constructed Math clocks featuring Indo-Arabic and Roman numerals. Teachers Ms. Ashneet Kaur and Ms. Sandhya Sharma explained that the clock-making activity was a fun, interactive way to reinforce numerical systems.

In Class 4, students built healthy food pyramids using examples from Delhi and Sikkim and made Hindi posters titled ‘Swastha Sharir, Swastha Mann’ to promote wellness through yoga, exercise, and balanced diets.

Class 5 students showcased models on biodiversity, solar energy, and environmental consciousness. Their work included slogans and functional models. Ms. Kavita Chaudhary (TGT Hindi) and Ms. Priyanka Tandon (PRT Class 5) praised their students’ clarity in explaining the concepts. “Their understanding of clean energy was commendable. They explained complex ideas with surprising clarity,” they noted.

Senior Students Raise the Bar
Class 6 student Inshirah Anjum created an original short story titled The Last Tree Speaks. “I wanted to highlight deforestation and our shrinking green cover. It helped me tap into my creative side,” she said, displaying her handmade scroll and recycled eco-bag.

Her elder sister, Ayesha Anjum of Class 7, explored comparative river studies. “I worked on the Teesta and Yamuna rivers and made a bar graph comparing cleanliness levels in Delhi and Sikkim. Math became much more fun this way!” she said.

Teachers and Parents: A Unified Learning Ecosystem
Mr. Ritesh Sharma, Academic Coordinator, reflected on the broader vision behind the initiative. “Our culture fosters student-led learning. With parents involved in the assessment process, it becomes a powerful three-way collaboration between student, teacher, and parent,” he said.

Ms. Seema Passi, Primary Coordinator, beautifully captured the emotional impact. “The joy and pride in parents’ eyes as they watched their children present their work was priceless. Homework turned into a celebration of learning.”

Principal Dr. Sujeet Eric Masih concluded the day with a powerful message: “Darpan truly mirrored the journey of learning at Apeejay. It amplified students’ confidence, eloquence, and team spirit. This is the essence of true education.”