The program began with all the students marching onto the field in their house groups; the school is divided into four colour houses (red - wearing orange just to confuse you, blue, green, and yellow), wearing appropriately-coloured uniforms. They proceeded to do synchronized, choreographed stretches to a drum beat, one house at a time. It was amazingly impressive. They also lit a torch and raised flags, just to make it all seem official! The whole schoolyard was decorated with streamers, which added to the already jubilant atmosphere, and hundreds of parents gathered to watch.
Then – let the games begin! Every grade had running races, separate for boys and girls. Other events included frog jumping (honestly too cute to put into words), skipping, stone collecting, banana eating, and a sac hop. The grade 3 class also had a three-legged race. After each race the top three competitors were presented with tinsel crowns, medals, and certificates, and were photographed on top of a real podium. The podium, however, was about as tall as most of the kindergartners, so we had to hoist them up for their photo shoot! Again, it was just too adorable.
It was so wonderful to see the students having so much fun at school. While receiving an education is a tremendous opportunity for these children, particularly as many of them are the first to ever study in their families, often the extra-curricular activities are limited. However, on Sports Day, the school went all out to make sure the kids had a day to remember.
(This is an excerpt from a blog written by DFN Canada's Jon & Suzi Livingstone, who had the opportunity to attend the Sports Day. Visit their page to learn more about their time in India.)