Global School Awards for Excellence 2014 recognised and honoured 402 exceptional individuals for rising above all challenges to do their best in a glittering ceremony, held on September 13, 2014.

Honour was bestowed upon students, teachers and administrative team members for their exceptional performance and contribution to the organisation, at a prestigious ceremony held at GIIS Queenstown Campus in Singapore. The event was graced by Guest of Honour, H.E. Ms Vijay Thakur Singh, High Commissioner of India to Singapore; special guest, Lt Gen (Retd) Sudhir Sharma, Member, Advisory Board, GIIS India; Mr Atul Temurnikar, Chairman & Co-Founder (GSF); Ms Kirtida Mekani, Member, Advisory Board, GIIS Singapore; Mr Kaustubh Bodhankar, Deputy CEO (GSF); Mr and Mrs Sudan Wargantiwar, Mr Rajiv Vasudeva, Country Director (Singapore), GIIS; Mr B G Shenoy, Director, GCEE, Mr GSS Rao, Director, Operations, GIIS, Principals and Vice-Principals of three GIIS campuses in Singapore, students, parents, dignitaries, teachers and administrative staff members

The evening began with the emcee drawing attention to the prominence of Hindi language. Vishwa Hindi Divas (World Hindi Day) is commemorated each year on September 14. President of the Global Schools Foundation, Dr Justice C S Dharmadhikari always reminds students about the importance of the national language in their lives with reference to the Rashtrabhasha Prachar Samiti which was initiated by Gandhiji in 1936, and is currently helmed by Justiceji.

Renowned academician Sir Richard W Livingston had rightly said “A fundamental principle of education should be to make the pupil realise the meaning of excellence, of the first-rate, and to send him out of school and college persuaded that it is his/her business to learn what is first-rate and to pursue it - in all the great fields of life.”

Two-hundred and ninety GIIS student achievers were awarded prizes in four categories at the Global School Awards 2014:

• Dr APJ Abdul Kalam GIIS Award for Academic Proficiency
• GSF President@aps@s Award for All Round Excellence
• Mr Chandu Borde Award for Sports Excellence
• Dr Justice C S Dharmadhikari Award for Co-curricular Excellence

The fifth, GIIS Subject Proficiency Award will be presented to winners in their respective campuses.

These students have excelled in multiple spheres of learning under the Nine Gems^TM model. Their perseverance has made the school, their parents and teachers proud through the year. Several students made their debut at the Global School Awards; making excellence a new habit. For many others, it was setting yet another record in their excellence-filled career. The Global School Awards were instituted in 2008 to recognise the undying commitment and performance excellence of students, teachers and staff at GIIS. The prestigious event is a celebration of the GIIS spirit to persevere and triumph. The award ceremony motivates all to excel in what they envision as their boundaries and set new targets for themselves. GIIS teachers have been hailed and recognised for their passion to inspire generations of students at school. With consistent motivation, confidence and enthusiasm, GIIS teachers have awakened the lives of their students with creative expressions and knowledge. “Those who educate children well are more to be honoured than parents, for these only gave life, those the art of living well,” said Greek philosopher, Aristotle.

Teachers and administrative team members were honoured for their dedication and contribution in teaching and administrative fields.

112 GIIS teachers and Administrative team members were felicitated with awards in seven different categories this year.

• GIIS Long Service Award
• Dr L M Singhvi GIIS Ambassador Award
• Mahatma Gandhi GIIS Extra Mile Award
• GIIS Star Award
• GIIS Innovator Award
• GIIS Green Champ Award
• GIIS Super Star Award

The awardees received trophies and plaques from HE Ms Vijay Thakur Singh, Lt Gen (Retd) Sudhir Sharma and Ms Kirtida Mekani who did the honours for different categories. They were accompanied on the stage by Mr Atul Temurnikar, Mr Kaustubh Bodhankar, Mr Rajiv Vasudeva, Mr GSS Rao and GIIS Principals.

Performances at the event included a foot tapping number, ‘Enchanting moves - The joy of dance’, performed with grace and charm by GIIS Balestier Campus students. A mesmerising performance by students of GIIS Queenstown Campus, titled ‘Harmony in Symphony’ which showcased a fusion of various dance forms. Students of GIIS East Coast Campus presented an energetic performance, ‘Fusion Fiesta’, with applause from members in the audience.