Pallikoodam – A New Experience

My expectations for my first day at my new school were at rock bottom. I was prepared to be disappointed. However, my first impressions of the school, its classes, activities, students and teachers were far from disappointing. I had never moved schools before, so the thought of a new school, with new classes, classmates, and teachers was both thrilling and daunting. My longing to go back to my old school ended on the very first day, thanks to the sheer number of activities and the students and teachers of this school. The realization hit me that change was not such a bad thing after all! I decided to look at things differently and approach change with a better attitude, to open myself up to the prospect of making new friends; and again, I was not disappointed. The friendships I formed have become an important part of my experience. I was also intimidated by the idea of moving to a different curriculum, but I don’t find it as difficult as I expected it to be, and if I ever do, I can rest easy knowing that I have wonderful teachers to help me. Pallikoodam is an unconventional school, to say the least, and one that I’m growing to love since the two months that I’ve been here. A school that is very different from the schools I’m used to seeing, in both structure and values. I have never been so in touch with nature as I am now. The environment at Pallikoodam feels foreign but also so familiar. Classes are sometimes held in different rooms and that keeps me moving. It’s incredible what a little activity and sunlight can do for a person. Ever since I joined Pallikoodam, I’ve noticed a general upliftment in my mood and well-being, and I have the weekly PT and Yoga classes to thank for that. Current Events sessions ensure that I’m kept up to date with what’s happening in the world. This routine was initially difficult to get used to, but as the weeks progressed I found myself getting very comfortable with it. My apprehension and initial discomfort have transformed into familiarity and confidence. This school is beginning to grow on me!

Sarah Jacob – Std XI

Australia

Two weeks in New South Wales, Australia, wasn’t just a student exchange trip. It was a whirlwind of adventure with the warmest of welcomes. Living alongside the Reeves family in Kingscliff and Byron Bay felt less like a homestay and more like having a second home for those short but sweet fourteen days. James, Nicole, and Ben Reeves, along with their furry friend Polo, became like family, opening their hearts and their home to us. Our days were filled with incredible experiences. One unforgettable highlight was the trip to SeaWorld with my classmates. We marveled at the amazing marine life shows, watching in awe the agility of the dolphins and the playful antics of the seals. But the real thrill came on the rides. The Leviathan, a leviathan in name and nature, stole the show. This uncomfortably creaky and wooden behemoth, one of Australia’s fastest and tallest coasters, launched us from 0 to 70 kilometres per hour in a blink, sending us hurtling through twists, inversions, and stomach-dropping plunges. It was a white-knuckled, exhilarating experience that left us 3 weak-kneed and grinning from ear to ear. We of course tried out other coasters too, each offering its own brand of thrills, but the Leviathan remained the undisputed champion. Another unforgettable memory was our adventure to Killin Falls with the Reeves family. The trek itself was a mini-adventure, weaving through lush forest, and navigating down the muddy path. Reaching the base of the falls, the power of nature was jaw dropping. The cascading water roared, sending a cool mist that tickled our skin. With a deep breath and a shared look of excitement, we plunged into the icy-cold pool at the base of the waterfall. The shock was immediate, but it was quickly replaced by exhilaration. Laughing and grunting, we splashed and played. We slowly adapted to the cold and managed to capture a memory that I’ll hold close for the rest of my life. Leaving Australia was bittersweet, but the memories I made with the Reeves family and my classmates will forever hold a special place in my heart. This trip wasn’t just about exploring a new country; it was about the wonderful people who made it feel like home, and the incredible adventures we shared together.

Dave Boby – Std XII

Carnival 2023

To say that Carnival 2023 was a huge success would be an understatement. It was fantastic! Parents, children and teachers had a great time. Held on the 10th of February in the Tamarind Court, it lasted for four hours from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. All proceeds went to charity.

The children were asked to contribute food or crafts to be sold at the carnival. Over a dozen varieties of different items started to pour in, making for quite the huge pile. Cookies, cakes, sandwiches, pickles, juice, quesadillas (I swear I’m not making this one up), you name it, we had it all! Everything was of the highest quality, home-made and absolutely delicious!

A lot of effort went into making crafts too. A whole month before this, the classes were asked to help cut, colour and paste decorations onto twine which were later hung on the fences, the railing and the Tamarind tree. I must say, the effect was gorgeous! A select few were asked to help out in making the beautiful handmade crafts such as paper notebooks, fridge magnets, lanterns and so on. More crafts arrived from kids who had made them at home. The teachers went ahead and made scented candles – they were splendid! The crafts were a huge success!

The day before the carnival was hectic to say the least. There were people all around trying help out, setting up speakers, hanging décor, doing sound checks, marking the areas for the stalls, clearing out classrooms and most importantly, having fun doing it.

The Musical Dedication was run by a few students from STD VIII where, you could exchange a Rs.10 coupon for any song of your choice dedicated to someone special.

Wait, I forgot about the amazing face-painting and mehendi.  Hats off to the people who did those fabulous designs!

What with the food stalls and the mouth-watering goodies served in the restaurant run by STD IX, it was  a foodie’s paradise! Good food for reasonable prices – the queues were

long. There was the photo booth where you could have your picture taken by our professional student photographers.

The flash mobs by Std VIII livened up the carnival. Std V pitched in with their Zumba performances. By far, the most crowded area of the entire carnival were the games stalls. These included word games, picture puzzle, math puzzle, Russian Roulette and many more! There was also a lucky draw.

The carnival was an instant hit, everyone had a good time and all of us were left with lots of memories I’m sure we will treasure forever. Kudos to everyone involved!

Eeshani M Pillai  – Std VIII