Farewell 2k26: Apeejay School, Noida Bids an Emotional Goodbye to Its Outgoing Batch

The campus of Apeejay School, Noida came alive on a crisp morning as it hosted the Farewell 2k26 for its beloved students of Class XII. The event, held on a bright, cheerful day, was an emotional tapestry of memories, laughter, nostalgia, and well-wishes, marking the bittersweet transition of students from their school days to the broader horizons of life. With no specific theme for the farewell, the occasion celebrated the individual personalities and journeys of each student, blending joyous moments with heartfelt reflections.

The students entered the campus to a traditional welcome, with the juniors of Class XI adorning them with tilak and chawal, a symbolic gesture of respect, blessings, and celebration. Dressed elegantly, the 12th-grade girls in sarees and boys in formal coat-pant ensembles exuded a maturity and charm that reflected years of growth, while the 11th graders, in sharara sets and kurta-pants, warmly played the role of hosts.

From the very beginning, the event struck a delicate balance between celebration and emotion. Teachers were visibly nostalgic, admiring how their students had blossomed from curious little children into confident young adults. The air was punctuated with the strains of emotional songs like Goodbye, and Love in Photograph, setting the tone for a day that was as reflective as it was celebratory. Students hugged, clicked photos, and shared laughter, yet a quiet undertone of melancholy reminded everyone that this was a farewell, a final celebration of shared years.

Setting the Mood: Music and Ceremony

The programme commenced with the soulful rendition of Ilahi to set a reflective mood. This was followed by the commentator singing Abhi Na Jao Chhod Ke, which added an intimate, heartfelt layer to the proceedings. The ceremonial lamp-lighting was then conducted by Principal Dr. Neha Sharma, Vice Principal Ms. Amrita Hajela, and the student leaders, Head Boy Mohd. Akmal and Head Girl Yesha Singh, symbolising the illumination of knowledge and the guiding light the students had been in the school community.

Adding a lively touch, the musical band, featuring talented students, performed melodious tracks including Simba the Sailor and Tum Ho Toh, showcasing the artistic flair of the school’s young talents.

Messages of Guidance and Discipline

Vice Principal Ms. Amrita Hajela addressed the students with a warm yet poignant message, emphasising discipline and personal growth. She reminded students that while this day belonged to them, their journey would require commitment, respect, and character. “You must remember, don’t compromise on discipline. It’s your personality which will speak for it,” she said, urging students to value integrity alongside achievement. Her words reflected the school’s ethos of balancing warmth with guidance, creating responsible individuals ready to face the world.

Citations and Celebrating Dreams

The heart of the farewell lay in acknowledging each student’s journey through citations. Class XII was divided into sections from A to F, with each student receiving a personalised citation from their class teachers. The PowerPoint presentations accompanying these awards highlighted the students’ dreams, aspirations, and cherished memories, offering a glimpse into the bright futures that awaited them.

Class XII A to F’s presentation, featuring snapshots from their earliest school days, showcased their growth, friendships, and shared adventures. The emotional resonance of these images was palpable, and students were visibly moved. It blended citations, video presentations, and performances, ensuring each student felt celebrated. A recurring theme in the students’ dreams was their desire to be financially stable, happy, and good human beings – ambitions spanning professions from doctors, engineers, and civil servants to artists, actors, choreographers, and entrepreneurs. This spectrum highlighted the school’s encouragement of both academic and personal aspirations.

The programme then shifted gears with a dance performance, lifting spirits and infusing energy into the audience.

A particularly touching moment was the music performance after the Class XII F presentation, Na Chodhe Yaariyan, evoking tears and nostalgia as it captured friendships, laughter, and moments that defined the students’ school life.

Teachers’ Reflections: Pride and Nostalgia

Throughout the farewell, the emotional undertones were reinforced by teachers’ heartfelt reflections.

Ms. Anuradha Mittal, the Artificial Intelligence teacher, shared, “It’s a very nostalgic feeling not only for children but for us also as we have seen them grow over the years, a mixed feeling that we are not going to be able to see them in future but yes we would love to see them come back and cherish the memories once again.”

Dr. Mamta Sharma, HOD Music, noted the blend of pride and sorrow: “Farewell is always a mix of emotions. There is happiness in seeing our students grow and step confidently into a new phase of life, and there is sadness in letting them go. Teaching them has been a beautiful journey, and watching them evolve into responsible, confident individuals fills me with pride.”

Ms. Meghna Pancholi, Social Science teacher, reflected on the lasting impact of guidance: “And many of them have got so many scoldings, so many lectures from me. I feel that over the years at least one of them must have imbibed something, they are going to fly high in the future.”

The sentiments echoed by students themselves reinforced the emotional depth of the day. Ritobrato Bhaumik, Class XII B, expressed his gratitude, “It’s been a really nice experience. Apeejay really enhanced it.” Meanwhile, Pihu Srivastava, Class XII A, cherished the simple joys: “The lunch breaks, that was constant every day and I’ll always cherish it.” Kritika, 12 F, admitted, “I thought that I wouldn’t be emotional, but today, after listening to Surbhi ma’am’s speech, I legit got tears in my eyes.” And Suravi Gupta, 12 F, will miss “definitely the beautiful campus and the school trips that we had so much fun with.”

Fun and Laughter: Dance, Music, and Farewell Quiz

Breaking away from the nostalgia, energetic dance performances and vibrant music acts lifted the atmosphere, prompting claps, hoots, and cheerful participation from the audience. The farewell quiz, featuring questions about classmates and familiar school spots, added an element of fun and engagement, celebrating shared memories and inside jokes.

Passing the Torch: Flag and Candle Ceremonies

A significant tradition, the passing of the school flag, symbolised the transition of responsibility from the outgoing batch to the juniors. Principal Dr. Neha Sharma, Head Boy, Head Girl, Vice Principal Ms. Amrita Hajela, and Sports HOD Mr. Rajput ceremoniously handed over the flag to the Vice Head Boy and Vice Head Girl, inspiring the younger students to carry forward the school’s legacy.

The Passing the Light ceremony added a spiritual and symbolic touch. Each student lit a candle from the teachers’ flames and placed it around a rangoli of the Apeejay logo in the foyer, signifying unity, guidance, and the continuation of light in their personal journeys.

Messages of Love: Teachers and Students

The farewell was also enriched with personal messages. Ms. Surbhi, Class XII F English teacher, delivered a touching video message, “You, confident young people, have been one of my greatest joys as a teacher. Your laughter, your impish commons, your pranks, your cute smiles made every moment unforgettable. So go score and soar and catch the stars. This class teacher will always be with you.”

Principal Dr. Neha Sharma shared a heartfelt reflection, “Farewells are definitely full of nostalgia. We have seen you grow from chotu babies to confident young boys and girls who will conquer the world. Never take shortcuts, never do things that may harm others. Enjoy, have fun, but be good human beings”

The outgoing student leaders, Yesha Singh and Mohd. Akmal, echoed these sentiments with a moving speech that recognised the efforts of teachers, staff, and classmates, while capturing the collective joy and learning of their years at Apeejay School. They spoke about the ordinary moments that became extraordinary, the friendships, laughter, and even small disagreements that shaped their journeys, concluding with a message of pride, purpose, and readiness to face the world.

The day drew to a close with the Passing of the Light ceremony, a deeply symbolic moment that reflected the school’s enduring values. As teachers shared the flame with the students, it represented the transfer of knowledge, wisdom, and guidance that had shaped their years at Apeejay School. One by one, students lit their candles and placed them around a floral rangoli of the Apeejay logo in the foyer, creating a quiet, reflective space. The ceremony served as a gentle reminder that while the students were moving on to new chapters, the lessons learnt within the school would continue to guide and illuminate their journeys ahead.