Somerville School NOIDA organised a morning assembly on Yoga, on 25th November 2019 to enlighten the young minds about the importance of Yoga in our life. Students of classes VI TO XII attended the assembly. The school’s Yoga expert and instructor explained that Yoga is a way of living that aims towards a healthy mind in a healthy body. Benefits of different Asanas were elucidated. The importance of correct posture and breathing techniques was reinforced in the assembly. The students were made to perform the yoga Asanas. Children spoke on how Yoga focuses on idealizing concordance between our mind, body, and soul. Also, Yoga as a practice has innumerable benefits that ensure the holistic development of the individual both physically, spiritually and mentally.

ACTIVITIES ON FITNESS AND NUTRITION Workshop on Eat Right :

As part of the FIT INDIA SCHOOL WEEK, Somerville School NOIDA organized a Workshop on ‘Eat Right’ for the students and the teachers of classes I TO XII. The resource persons were from the FSSAI Gautam Budh Nagar. They spoke about healthy food versus junk food and the after effects of junk food. The students were educated about the nutritional information that is to be read and understood well before buying any food product. It is very important to see the expiry date before consuming packed food. Healthy food pyramid was discussed which comprises of Safe and nutritious food, fortified food and hygiene. The students were told about different super foods like apple, red lentil, Indian gooseberry, millets etc. They learnt about 7C's like Clean, Check, Cross Contamination, Cover etc. An interesting video on ‘#aajsethodakam’ was shown to encourage the children to reduce the intake of sugar, salt and junk food.

Salad Making Competition :

As part of the Fit India School Week, the students were told to bring nutritious food in their tiffin. The importance of eating healthy food was reinforced. Junk food is very low in nutrient value and triggers lifestyle diseases such as obesity, diabetes etc. To encourage students to eat salads, a Salad Making Competition was conducted in the Biology Laboratory .The students participated with enthusiasm and made very delicious and innovative recipes for salads. The Principal, Mrs. MN Arul Raj judged the competition and praised the students for the tasty and aesthetically displayed salads. The Principal reiterated the imperative need to inculcate healthy eating habits in order to be energetic, men tally agile and alert and ensure overall health and fitness.

FREE HANDS EXERCISE FOR ALL :

A Free Hand Exercise For All was held in Somerville school, NOIDA for the junior, middle and the senior school on 26th November 2019, as a part of the morning assembly ‘A sound mind resides in a sound body’ this age old saying emphasizes that the mind and body should be both healthy and sound Students performed various free hand exercises like stretching, breathing bending etc. Push-ups, squats leg lifts were conducted for the middle and senior school students. These exercises helped them in in improving their stamina, flexibility and energy level. These exercises will also help them to improve their power of concentration and will enable them in retaining the information that they study in the class. The students enjoyed the free hand exercises and went back to their classes fully energised.

MENTAL FITNESS ACTIVITY: Symposium on ‘Mental Health and Sports’:

The students of Class XI and XII held a symposium on the topic' Mental Health and Sports’. They spoke articulately, with eloquence on how sports play a pivotal role in nurturing the mental health of a person.Participation in sports is of paramount importance, especially since students spend so much time on the screen and lead a sedentary life. Many of the mental health issues and maladies afflicting the youth of today can be resolved by active participation in sports. They spoke of how competitive sports can have positive impact on an athlete's mental health. The Principal Mrs M.N Arul Raj inspired the students to appreciate the extreme relevance of their overall holistic health and wellbeing .She explained why physical fitness ensures that they remain happy and healthy. Sports are an intrinsic part and can alleviate or help them to deal with red flags or problems related to depression, anxiety or stress.

Debate on the Topic Emotional Intelligence is an Overhyped Notion :

The students of class XI AND XII participated in a debate on the topic 'EMOTIONAL INTELLIGENCE IS AN OVERHYPED NOTION' .Ten students debated the topic with dynamism. Five students highlighted the importance of emotional intelligence for a more fulfilling, empowering and enriching life. They spoke about how emotional intelligence enhances physical health, strengthens their will power to deal with challenges and hence ensures success in every venture they undertake. Their opponents argued in favour of the motion.

Lecture By Sports Psychologist: Mrs. Vibha Nath :

The Sports Psychologist, Mrs. Vibha Nath delivered a lecture on ’The Importance of Sports in Enhancing Mental Health and Curing Mental Disorders’. With the aid of a very effective power point presentation she elucidated the meaning of mental health and wellbeing.She emphasized the paramount importance of physical activity as a panacea for mental disorders.She cited experiments conducted by renowned Psychologists that prove how regular exercise had been able to reduce the symptoms of anxiety,depression and even Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder .In her address the Principal Mrs M.N Arul Raj urged the students to engage in activities such as dancing,swimming,aerobics or even a walk in the park to remain physically and mentally fit

POSTER MAKING COMPETITION ON ‘FIT INDIA SCHOOL’:

On the third day of 'Fit India School Week' the arts department of Somerville School, NOIDA organized poster making competition on the theme: ' Fit body, Fit mind and Fit environment ' which highlighted the urgent need, significance and interdependence of these aspects. On the third day of the week, students of classes VI to XII were asked to paint a poster on the above mentioned theme. Seven entries per class,that is one from each section of classes VI to VIII were selected by the class teachers which were then handed over to the art department who then with the help of class coordinators selected three posters. In the second category, that is from classes IX to XII, the posters were judged by the art department and the coordinators who shortlisted five entries out of which the best was selected by the Principal. The posters urged people to exercise daily, to meditate, relax and think positive thoughts and to go green. Beautiful illustrations, amazing hues and short and eye catching slogans not only depicted the creativity of children but also sensitized them and connected them to the environment.

PHYSICAL ACTIVITIES FOR ALL STUDENTS INCLUDING DANCE, AEROBICS, YOGA, ROPE – SKIPPING,MARTIAL ARTS AND GARDENING:

On 28TH November 2019 Somerville School, NOIDA conducted a host of physical activities for all the students of Classes I to XII. Activities like Dance, Aerobics and Yoga were organised for senior students and Rope-skipping, Martial Arts and Gardening was organised for the Junior students. Dance is a most exhilarating form of physical activity and the students performed agile and well synchronized classical dance steps and postures.They were brimming with energy as they did aerobics to the beat of peppy music. All the senior students performed Yogic Asanas in the morning in the basketball court. The Junior School students of Class IV planted Neem trees as an initiative to save the environment. Students of Class V practiced Martial Arts as part of their self-defense training. The students of classes I-III enjoyed themselves immensely as they did Rope Skipping in the play field.

ESSAY / POEM WRITING COMPETITION FOR ALL THE STUDENTS ON THE THEME FIT INDIA SCHOOL

Somerville School, NOIDA conducted a Poem and Essay Writing Competition for Classes I-V and VI-XII respectively. The objective was to not only make the students aware of ‘Fit India Movement’ launched by the Honorable Prime Minister Narendra Modi on 29th August 2019 ,but also to make them participate in a healthy nation building exercise in their own little ways. There was a buzz all around as the students from classes I-XII penned their ideas in the form of essays and poems on the theme ‘FIT INDIA SCHOOL’. Some of the enthusiastic students also gave a stirring rendition of their poems and essays much to the delight of their peers. The efforts of the students were applauded by the Principal Mrs M.N Arul Raj who urged them to prioritise their health quoting Winston Churchill “Healthy citizens are the greatest asset any country can have.”

FITNESS / SPORTS QUIZ

Somerville School NOIDA organized a SPORTS AND FITNESS QUIZ on 29TH November 2019 for classes VI to IX as a part of the FIT INDIA Week. The Quiz Master Mrs. Sonali Karmakar gave a brief introduction on the need to spread awareness among students to give importance to good health and fitness. Students were quizzed on various sports and games. They participated with enthusiasm. The decisive round was the one in which children demonstrated yoga poses and their team members had to say the name of the pose. The winning team was awarded certificates by the Principal Mrs. M. N. Arul Raj.

CELEBRATING THE UNITY IN DIVERSITY

TRADITIONAL GAMES OF PARTNER STATE –ARUNACHAL PRADESH AND MEGHALAYA

The richness of Indian ethos is most predominantly alive in its rural milieu and intrinsically interwoven in our culture are the traditional sports.Arunachal Pradesh and Meghalaya are the partner Union territories of Uttar Pradesh. Budu Salgrika, also known as Tug of war is an indigenous game Arunachal Pradesh and Meghalaya. This game was organized on 30th November 2019 for senior school, junior school and the Support Staff comprising the drivers and peons. The students were divided into two teams .There were separate teams for boys and girls.Each team was pitted against each other testing their strength. As the competitors pulled on the opposite ends of a rope, with the goal being to bring the rope a certain distance in one direction against the force of the opposing team's pull.This was a novel experience for the students living in urban areas.They played with great gusto and strength as they stretched every sinew of their body. The Principal Mrs. M.N Arul Raj cheered the teams encouraged them to try their best. The Support Staff members too enjoyed themselves.