Pranit Rastogi Excels in Chess
Pranit Rastogi of Grade 4, Shiv Nadar School Faridabad, has delivered an impressive series of performances in chess this year.
He secured 3rd position (25 March) and 2nd position (26 March) at the Open Grandmaster Chess Camp Tournament conducted by Himanshu Sharma.
He further emerged as the Champion at the Under-9 District Chess Tournament 2026–27, held on 5 April 2026 at Grand Columbus School Faridabad, finishing undefeated across all 6 games.
A strong reflection of focus, discipline, and consistent performance.
Tiara Jain Secures 2nd Position at Faridabad District Chess Championship
Tiara Jain, a student of MYP 1 at Shiv Nadar School, Faridabad, has secured 2nd position in the Under-11 category at the Faridabad District Chess Tournament, held on 4th April.
This achievement reflects Tiara’s focus, discipline, and growing strategic thinking. We are proud to see our students pursuing excellence beyond the classroom and making their mark in competitive arenas.
Congratulations to Tiara on this accomplishment. We wish her continued success in her chess journey.
Viraaj Vir Singh Excels at District Chess Championship 2026–27
Viraaj Vir Singh, a student of Grade 3 at Shiv Nadar School, Faridabad, delivered an impressive performance at the Faridabad District Chess Championship 2026–27, organised by the All Faridabad Chess Association, and held on 4th and 5th April at Grand Columbus International School.
Viraaj secured the 1st position in the Under-7 (Boys) category, showcasing exceptional skill and focus. He further demonstrated his capability by achieving the 10th position in the Under-9 (Boys) category.
His achievement reflects dedication and strong potential at a young age. We congratulate Viraaj on this accomplishment and wish him continued success ahead.
Jayansh Dhingra Excels at District Chess Championship 2026–27
Jayansh Dhingra of Grade 8, Gir, Shiv Nadar School, Faridabad, delivered an outstanding performance at the Faridabad District Chess Championship, held on 4th–5th April 2026.
Competing in the Under 15 Open category, Jayansh clinched the championship title, an exceptional feat especially as he is currently just 12 years old and competed in an over-age category. He further demonstrated his consistency by securing the 3rd position in the Under 13 Open category.
Continuing his strong track record, Jayansh had also emerged as the U15 Open Champion in the previous year and secured the 2nd position in the U13 Open category.
His achievements reflect remarkable skill, focus, and dedication. We congratulate Jayansh on his continued success and wish him the very best for the future.
Divit Virmani Secures 2nd Position at All India Gymnastics Competition 2026
Divit Virmani of Grade 4, Ranthambore, a student of Shiv Nadar School, Faridabad, participated in the All India Level Wise Gymnastics Competition 2026 held on 5th April 2026, and secured an impressive 2nd position.
His achievement reflects dedication, discipline, and consistent effort. We congratulate Divit on this accomplishment and wish him continued success ahead.
Arya Sisters Shine at District Chess Championship 2026–27
Avisha Arya of Grade 4, Ranthambore, a student of Shiv Nadar School, Faridabad, secured the joint 3rd position at the Faridabad District Chess Championship 2026–27, held on 4th and 5th April 2026. Competing in the Under 9 Girls Category, Avisha displayed strong strategic thinking and focus, earning a trophy, medal, and certificate for her achievement at the district level.
Adding to this proud moment, her younger sister Avanya Arya student of Grade 2, Kanha also performed exceptionally well, securing the 4th position in the Under 7 category.
We congratulate Avisha and Avanya on their accomplishments and wish them continued success in their journey ahead.
Anandam 2026: Gully Girl – A Story of Conviction and Courage
This year’s Anandam production for PY1 and PY2, Gully Girl, brought to life a powerful and timely story about courage, self-belief, and the determination to challenge stereotypes.
Set against the backdrop of a neighbourhood cricket culture, the production followed a young girl who dares to choose cricket—a space often perceived as dominated by boys—and persists despite doubt and exclusion. At its heart, Gully Girl was a celebration of gender equity, voice, and empowerment, reminding us that sport can be a powerful platform for identity and expression.
The evening began with a serene lamp lighting ceremony, accompanied by a moment of mindfulness and a universal prayer, setting a reflective tone. Our young emcees then took charge with confidence, introducing the story with clarity and poise, guiding the audience seamlessly into the narrative.
Through a blend of drama, music, and expressive choreography, learners brought the story to life. High-energy dance sequences recreated the vibrancy of a gully cricket match, while thoughtfully staged scenes explored moments of conflict, doubt, and growing empathy. Music added emotional depth, giving voice to the protagonist’s inner journey of resilience and determination.
As the narrative unfolded, powerful moments—both on the field and within the home and school environments—highlighted the challenges and support systems that shape a child’s aspirations. The turning point, set in a team dressing room, became a moving reflection of belief, perseverance, and the courage to keep going.
The performance concluded on a celebratory note with a spirited musical finale, where learners came together in a vibrant expression of unity, confidence, and joy—capturing the essence of triumph not just in achievement, but in belief.
Learning Beyond the Stage
Gully Girl was not just a performance, but a reflection of months of meaningful learning. Through the arts, learners developed:
- Confidence in voice and expression
- Body awareness and stage presence
- Emotional understanding and character interpretation
- Collaboration and ensemble discipline
- The ability to connect movement, music, and narrative
More importantly, the production encouraged students to reflect on values of resilience, perseverance, and gender equity, reinforcing the idea that every child deserves the opportunity to dream, participate, and lead.
At its heart, Gully Girl reminds us:
The magic is not in the bat.
It is not in the applause.
It is in the conviction within.
Anandam 2026: Little Lunchboxes, Big Stories
Early Years Anandam 2026 was a joyful celebration of imagination, expression, and meaningful learning through the performing arts. Titled “Little Lunchboxes, Big Stories,” this year’s presentation transformed familiar, everyday experiences into engaging stage narratives—allowing our youngest learners to explore themes of gratitude, responsibility, and thoughtful choices in an age-appropriate and meaningful way.
Through drama, dance, and music, children developed essential skills such as stage confidence, voice clarity, coordinated movement, listening, and collaboration. The production reflected not just performance readiness, but a deeper growth in self-assurance and expressive communication.
Bringing Stories to Life
The evening opened with “The Great Tiffin Box Strike,” presented by EY1 and EY2 learners. In this imaginative piece, everyday lunchboxes came alive with personality and emotion. Through expressive role play, children explored facial expressions, gestures, and voice modulation—laying the foundation for early theatrical skills. The narrative gently encouraged reflection on food habits, appreciation, and responsibility, all conveyed with humour and charm.
Dance sequences added energy and vibrancy to the performance, with learners demonstrating coordination, spatial awareness, and ensemble discipline. Music further enriched the experience, as children came together through action songs and rhythmic transitions, building confidence, listening skills, and a sense of unity.
The second performance, “Tenali Raman: Wit Over Noise,” by EY3 learners, transported the audience to a royal court setting. Through structured dialogue and expressive storytelling, students brought to life the wit and wisdom of Tenali Raman. This segment showcased growing theatrical abilities, including clear articulation, controlled pacing, and character differentiation. More importantly, it highlighted the value of calm thinking and thoughtful problem-solving.
Learning Beyond the Stage
Across both productions, learners demonstrated strong ensemble coordination—entering and exiting with awareness, maintaining formations, and supporting one another on stage. The performances reflected a shared sense of responsibility and teamwork, making Anandam a truly collective celebration.
The finale brought the focus back to the children—their confidence, creativity, and joy. Standing before an audience with pride and composure, they embodied the essence of Early Years learning.
Anandam 2026 celebrated far more than performance. It was a reflection of:
- Growing language and communication skills
- Emotional expression and confidence
- Motor coordination and spatial awareness
- Imaginative thinking and creativity
- Independence and resilience
Through drama, dance, music, and play, our youngest learners showed that when given the space to express themselves, their inner magic shines brightly.
At its heart, Anandam reminds us that big lessons can come from little stories—and great confidence begins with the smallest steps on stage.
Scriptoria 2026: Interschool Literature Festival
Scriptoria brought together young minds from across schools for a vibrant celebration of language, literature, and creative expression. Conceived as an inter-school literary fest, Scriptoria aimed to nurture deeper engagement with texts, encouraging students to think, interpret, question, and create beyond rote learning.
The fest was designed to encourage confident articulation, promote ethical thinking and perspective-taking, strengthen vocabulary and interpretative skills, and provide platforms for storytelling, visual narration, and performance, while fostering collaboration and healthy inter-school competition.
Scriptoria 2026 saw enthusiastic participation from 10 schools, with 180+ students from Grades 3 to 8 (ages 8–14) competing across a diverse range of individual and team-based events. The campus buzzed with creativity, curiosity, and the shared joy of literary exploration.
The competitions spanned poetry recitation, storytelling, elocution, and persuasive speaking, alongside creative expressions such as comic strip making, book cover design, collage, and street plays. Students also engaged in vocabulary and literature-based challenges, as well as thought-provoking activities that required them to respond to ethical dilemmas and interpret texts from multiple perspectives—bringing together language, imagination, and critical thinking in meaningful ways.
A defining feature of Scriptoria was the role played by our students as hosts and coordinators. They demonstrated key IB learner profile attributes such as being communicators, principled, and caring, while showcasing strong leadership and organisational skills. Their warm and welcoming interactions with participants and guests contributed to a positive and inclusive environment, reflecting a strong sense of international-mindedness and community.
Scriptoria 2026 witnessed thoughtful performances, imaginative storytelling, and a spirit of healthy competition. Students demonstrated not only linguistic ability but also empathy, creativity, and clarity of thought—bringing literature to life in dynamic and engaging ways.
The fest concluded on a high note, with participants leaving with new perspectives, strengthened skills, and a renewed appreciation for the power of language. Scriptoria continues to grow as a meaningful platform that celebrates voice, creativity, and the joy of storytelling, while nurturing confident and expressive learners.
Iha Joshi Shines at ITF Junior World Tennis Tour (J60), Dehradun
Iha Joshi, a student of Grade 10 (Corbett) at Shiv Nadar School, Faridabad, has secured the Runner-Up position at the ITF Junior World Tennis Tour (J60) held in Dehradun from 16 to 22 March 2026.
This is a significant milestone, as the ITF Junior Circuit is an international ranking tournament, where players compete at a highly competitive level. Iha’s performance not only reflects her skill and determination but also marks an important step in her global tennis journey.
What makes this achievement even more commendable is Iha’s ability to balance her academic commitments alongside rigorous training, demonstrating discipline, resilience, and focus. Competing in international tournaments often requires extensive travel and exposure, making her accomplishment all the more noteworthy.
We congratulate Iha on this remarkable achievement and wish her continued success as she scales new heights in the sport.