Diwali or the ‘festival of lights’, which symbolises the triumph of inner light over spiritual darkness, was celebrated with great fervour at Vishwajyot High School. If you are wondering how high schools celebrate Diwali in the modern world, take a look at the zeal, camaraderie and commitment with which Vishwajyot celebrated Deepavali this year.
This year, our Diwali celebration in high school began by brainstorming ideas for decorating classrooms and school premises. We understand that festivals are a great time to promote artistic expression and creativity among children. Additionally, it also provides the opportunity to instil a sense of responsibility and empathy for Mother Earth in them. Keeping in mind the sustainability goals of India and the need to support our students’ artistic side, we encourage our children to present creative ideas to celebrate this year’s Diwali in an eco-friendly way.
Diwali is one of the festivals that highlights the importance of values such as harmony and unity. The festival is celebrated by people from various religions for different reasons. Thus, it transcends religious boundaries and unites people from different backgrounds. It’s a time when communities come together to share happiness. To celebrate this togetherness, we continue following the tradition of dressing in vibrant attire, partaking in a potluck lunch, and sharing sweets and delicacies from different cultures with peers. Sweets are an integral part of Diwali celebrations and so, every student brings their favourite sweets from home to share the joy of being together and the sweetness of life with their friends and teachers.
One of the cherished traditions at Vishwajyot associated with Diwali is the “Walking the Spiral” ceremony where the children from Grade 1 embark on a symbolic journey. This ceremony represents a developmental milestone in their lives, marking the transition into a new stage of learning and self-discovery. As each walks the spiral, they seek the knowledge and courage required to discover their inner strength which they are encouraged to share with the world.
Apart from rangoli-making, Diya decoration and sharing sweets, our way of celebrating Diwali with tradition and innovation also involves storytelling and traditional dance and music performances. Along with tapping into their artistic potential, these creative endeavours also provide a chance to learn and appreciate Indian culture. These activities allow children to understand the fact that the Festival of Lights is much more than a festival. It’s a celebration of the pursuit of knowledge and life values.
That is why, at Vishwajyot High School, our approach towards celebrating Deepavali goes beyond mere festivities. Here, the innovative approach is not limited to celebrating festivals. It is the core of our educational approach. We believe that learning by doing is the most effective teaching method to impart life skills and values. Our personalised skill-based curriculum is designed to prioritise every child’s learning pace and unique interests. Along with academic learning, the school values physical and emotional well-being through exposure to a variety of activities. Activities such as art, clay work, and handwork provide students with a platform to express themselves.
Our spacious and well-lit learning spaces which we consider as the “third teacher” are thoughtfully designed to assist exploration. At Vishwajyot, we have developed a unique approach to teaching ownership through child-led PTMs where children discuss their performance and propose strategic improvement plans. In the same fashion, unlike traditional exams where the focus is only on marks, we conduct ongoing assessments to track progress and holistic child development.
As we create sweet moments and cherished memories this Diwali, we hope and pray that you
have a wonderful time celebrating the festival of lights with your loved ones. May the
radiance of the Diwali light illuminate the corners of your home and heart with happiness,
love and prosperity.
Happy Diwali!
