Written by : Ms.Rituu Trehaan, Activity Coordinator, GIIS Dubai & Mr.Rajendran Padmanabhan, Head of Operations ,GIIS Abu Dhabi

At a time when the entire student community was not able to step out of their houses, the prime goal of the WOW Virtual After-School activity program was to keep children engaged at home constructively.

 “In a situation of uncertainty and dullness it was important to shift the focus to wellbeing, both mental and physical” *Senior Director Operations Mr. Amol Vaidya.

The Virtual After- School activity was launched in May with Fitness sessions on all five days of the week at 4:00 PM. Students were encouraged to participate in fitness sessions, which was a combination of yoga, exercises and dance followed by two additional sessions of other activities. These other activities comprised of art, western and traditional music, contemporary dance, semi-classical dance and drums.

GIIS co-scholastic teachers from Dubai and Abu Dhabi Campus collaborated for these live classes and worked on developing the skills and talent of students during these sessions.

The school received more than 1200 media files in the form of images, videos and audio files not just from students but also their siblings and parents who gladly participated in these classes.

• Fitness through Exercise and Dance-

The daily online activity started with different fitness sessions like Yoga, Exercises, Zumba, Aerobics and dance forms like Latin American and bhangra. A special session was delivered on the Sixth International Yoga Day by our guest Mr. Shashi Kumar, owner of a therapeutic clinic and a wellness practitioner from India who spent many years of his life working for some of the most prestigious hotel groups in Dubai, Thailand and India.

• Art sessions

Art teachers impressed not just students but parents too with their inspiring topics. These topics ranged from ‘selfie art’- recreating one’s self-image, ‘Camouflage art’-images of animals camouflaged in similar background and texture, ‘Optical Illusion art’-done by manipulating patterns to deceive the brain, ‘Esther Mahlangu Ndebelle art’ from South Africa and many such other art topics. The Zen tangle art was much appreciated for its simplicity, positivity and meditative effect. Art classes received over 900 submissions.

• Western Music and Drumming session-

Western music classes were twice a week. Topics like notes, scales, chords, beatboxing, how to handle a mic, video recording etc., were covered along with numerous songs.  On mother’s day students sang the melody “Isn’t she lovely, isn’t she wonderful” for their mothers. Students also submitted recorded version of the song while singing to their mothers. Drumming sessions were well received by the students too. Our students were only too happy, let’s hear what some had to say,         

We will be always respect you to bringing rhythm in his life. Thank you for all your extra efforts to making this drumming sessions.                                                                                                                                        

Thank you ,sir- Jaden 8A

Thank you very much for the wonderful session sir.She was eagerly waiting for your class                                             

-JAYA 1D

• Contemporary Dance Sessions

Students learnt dance on various popular songs. On mother’s day students were taught a short and sweet dance on the song ‘Meri Maa’ meaning My Mother. Students gladly shared videos while performing the dance for their mothers on this special day.

• Semi Classical Dance

Students were given a chance to learn simple mudras and eye/hand gestures from classical dance, these steps were then incorporated with music of different languages making it a fun learning experience for children.

• Traditional Hindustani Music

A variery of positive, inspiring songs were taught along with the basic suras and raags . Students got a chance to sing with the teacher and it was appriciated by both parents and students.

• Live Orchestra on the occasion of Eid

It was heartening to see students playing Saxophone, Djembe, Tabla, Guitar etc. along with the choir on the special occasion of Eid. More than 30 students participated in the Orchestra from both campuses. The students prepared the track individually at their home and then combined them during a Zoom video call with support of their music teachers. The theme track was a mix of Folk Rhythm, Pink Panther, Pirates of Caribbean & Final Countdown (by grade 4th to 11th students).

Few comments received from parents: