‘Two generations apart, but still associated with Apeejay School’

Some schools stay with you long after the final bell. For Gaurika Nanda, who graduated from Apeejay School, Noida in 2010, that bond brought her back, this time as a parent. Today her daughter Shivanya Sikka walks the same corridors as a KG student. In this Tales of Tradition conversation, she reflects on what has stayed the same, what has evolved. 

You graduated from Apeejay in 2010. What do you remember about your time here?

I remember it as a really good phase. We had wonderful faculty, and the rapport with the teachers was very nice. They were friendly and accommodating, and they listened to our problems. They also always gave us a platform to outshine, which I think is a big reason I look back on those years so fondly. I feel that experience helped me to get my daughter enrolled in Apeejay. 

I really wanted my daughter to graduate from the same school I did. After seeing other places, I realised that not everything that shines is gold, and that is why I finalised Apeejay.

Do you and Shivanya share school experiences yet?

She is still very young, since she’s in KG, so we don’t have much to compare right now. But as she moves into higher classes, I’m sure we’ll have a lot in common to talk about. I am excited to share my journey with her. 

How have you seen Apeejay evolve since your school days?

What I like about Apeejay is how the school is blending both worlds. It keeps its traditional touch while also keeping pace with newer approaches such as Montessori-style learning. The extracurricular activities offered to students are also really nice.

How do you see Shivanya’s foundational learning progressing?

The school is doing well. What stays with me from my own time is the English we picked up here. I once went for a job interview, and as soon as the interviewer saw that I was from Apeejay, they told me they had no doubt about my English. They said students from such a school are known for good vocabulary and fluency. That reputation has stayed with me, and it is something I’d love to see Shivanya carry forward too.

How do you feel about safety and security at the school?

The security arrangements have become more systematic, especially during dispersal. It is well organised now, which gives me more confidence as a parent.

What does it mean to you to see your daughter in your own school?

It feels like coming full circle. The school that gave me my foundation is now doing the same for Shivanya. I’m happy to be part of that journey again, this time from the other side.