Grade 11 trip to Dharamshala

Before the Trip

The Grade 11 excursion was significant to us, since in school, we are all so busy with studies that we don’t get enough time to bond with our batchmates and friends. An excursion is the perfect way to take time off from our school lives and truly enjoy the company of friends and teachers in a completely different environment.

Usually, waking up at 4 am would have us all sleepy and tired and want to lay back in bed. But on the morning of the excursion, we were up and ready to leave, thrilled for what was ahead of us. Even though some of us were anxious as we had never been so far away from home without our family, our teachers and friends made us feel right at home. Before the trip, while reading the itinerary, we assumed we were going to just hop from one city to another and look around but the actual trip was much more than simply sight-seeing. Our days were filled with activities from dawn till dusk and some of the places we visited taught us a lot. For example, we learnt about Jallianwalah Bagh as part of our syllabus, but to be there in real life, was a surreal experience. All together, we had a wonderful time and are already looking forward to our next excursion for such meaningful experiences.

Introduction

Senior year of high school brought with it a series of ‘lasts’- one of them being our last field trip as a grade. It was as easy coming to terms with this as it was planning for the trip itself. Leh, Ladakh was entirely new to us, both faculty and students alike. But despite the initial setbacks and hurdles during preparations, we were glad that so many of us could make it on the trip. The environment was challenging, the scenery incredible and the people extremely welcoming, but above all were the little memories, we believe, we’ll hold dear for years to come.

At the risk of losing them to time, we’ve decided to pen them down.

Across the country- three thousand kilometres and two flights away from home- this was our time in Leh, Ladakh…

DAY 6 & 7: The Final Leg

DAY 4 & 5: Corbett Park to Delhi to Agra

DAY 3: Jim Corbett National Park

Day three began at 5am. Some enthusiastic children were ready and playing football by 5.15 in the morning. They had no issues with the cold. We got into our jeeps by 6.45am and started our safari. The city of Ramnagar is interesting and is up early. You can see many small hotels that cater to the large number of tourists that throng to the Park. Being the start of the season the local people are getting set to do most of their yearly business. The Park is closed for about four months of the year due to the rains and weather conditions.

DAY 1 & 2: Delhi, Corbett and Agra

Rajasthan & Agra: Class VI Excursion. Nov 11

Rajasthan & Agra: Class VI Excursion
by Riad Mahmood
Subject: Back Home!
Date: Mon, 11 Nov 2013 12:37:04 +0530

As the trip comes to an end I can't help but acknowledge the deeds teachers do. It touches me to see people do things out of concern and passion rather than duty. Every day was a new day. Never did they carry the fatigue of the previous day into the new one. To them the need to reach out to every child was from the heart. The desire to make sure that every child was okay or comfortable was paramount. Never did I see anyone wanting or unattended to. I think this is something we can be thankful for. The Head Start teachers overall think with their entire beings and this is something a student will look back on in time and remember.

Rajasthan & Agra: Class VI Excursion. Nov 10

Rajasthan & Agra: Class VI Excursion
by Riad Mahmood
Subject: Rajasthan
Date: Sun, 10 Nov 2013 21:48:32 +0530

Dear Parents,

The Sound and Lights show at the Agra Fort left us with thoughts of what the Moghul Empire and Akbar must have been like. It was a very enlightening experience that gave us a marvellous history lesson. Akbar seems to have been a man who had a progressive vision for India. The children walked away with different questions that I am sure will be taken back to their history classes in Bangalore.

Rajasthan & Agra: Class VI Excursion. Nov 09

Rajasthan & Agra: Class VI Excursion
by Riad Mahmood
Subject: Agra, The Road to Wonder
Date: Sat, 9 Nov 2013 13:01:21 +0530

Dear Friends,

Our journey from Jaipur to Agra was pleasant. The children spent some time chatting and looking at the beautiful countryside. They also had a discussion with Hedwige about all kinds of things. She patiently answered their questions that went from the Taj Mahal to Belgian chocolates.

As you drive into Agra you get a sense of the past. If you are accompanied by a knowledgeable person, you are jogged down memory lane and start to imagine what all this history could have been. My paternal grandmother hails from Agra and so I was trying to recollect some of the things she would talk about.

Rajasthan & Agra: Class VI Excursion. Nov 07

Rajasthan & Agra: Class VI Excursion. Nov 06

Rajasthan & Agra: Class VI Excursion
by Riad Mahmood
Subject: Rajasthan
Date: Wed, 6 Nov 2013 10:21:55 +0530

Dear Parents,

Sometimes it is a wonder how much of a child's education takes place outside the boundaries of a school. Education to me has always been more than just literacy. In short every exposure is a part of our education.

One tends to forget the importance of that first school trip! It is an opportunity to gain a sense of independence. An opportunity to make a choice or an opportunity to make a decision and stand by it. You are forced to make a choice on your own. Then live by it. This is truly an under rated thought considering life will be all about it very soon. Excursions present perfect pickings.

Travel & Learning