Sunday, March 1, 2015

The International Day Spirit at Mirdif Private School Dubai

The International Day at MPS runs parallel to the School's Mission of Character Development and Lifetime Learning. It is a celebration of diversity. Students engage in activities to cover a wider perspective on globalism and spreading awareness. It is a culmination of 45 nationalities and their aspirations that reside in our school. It is a day when we exercise tolerance, acceptance and make space for our differences.
To help students absorb the very spirit of being an inspiring International Student, a Peace Parade was arranged from Grades 1-5 and students happily engaged in creating their own posters and perspectives on peace in their Literacy Classes. They followed the concept of peace understanding the importance of making peace, the process of finding harmony and the necessity of spreading good will. Students envisioned a world with no war, a world of opportunities.
Grades 6-9 followed the theme “We are the Change”. It was an effort and initiative to develop self-awareness and the power of conviction. The faith that ‘A Little Can Change A Lot’ and that ‘One Voice’ can inspire many to help bring about a change. Students of Grade 6 indulged in scripting and role playing concepts such as Child Labour, Eradication of Poverty, Saying No To Prejudice and Holding Gratitude. The students of Grade 7 came up with heartfelt poetry on ‘Standing Together’, ‘Being One World’ and ‘Being One’. These were verses of hope and inspiration.
Grade 8 students presented a project on the UAE as an exemplary picture of diversity and internationalism. With more than 200 nationalities, living in peace and understanding. It was followed by the Grade 9 NEWSWATCH presentation. These ambassadors of change, taught their school mates the significance of ‘Following News Today, To Help Change Tomorrow.
Special Assemblies were held through the week to share this spirit of Internationalism and being one big Global Family. The consistent debates on ‘Being Different Yet Alike’ created an air of tolerance and students developed the ability to listen to diverse perspectives. This led to the grand and cardinal event, “The International Day” which was a reflection of all learning and awareness that was spread through the activities of the week and the learning through the Character Development Programme where students in all grade levels wrote essays on 'Respect, Compassion, Acceptance, and Integrity'.
 
The day was marked by setting up different country stands exhibiting their distinct taste of food, cultural and traditional way of dressing, dances, music and aspirations. There were stands from the UAE, Ireland, Lebanon, Pakistan, India, Egypt, Nigeria, Russia, Iraq, Spain, South Africa and many more. Teachers and parents proudly displayed their heritage and future ambitions to help make better connections across the globe.
 
The Lebanese stand was all about sharing and there was a variety of home cooked specialties like, Maghrabia, Shankleesh, Kibbeh, Mutabbal and Waraq Inab. There was a colourful folklore Dabkeh dance performance by a professional Lebanese group which set the stage for many others as the Liwa band, and the captivating African band that was pure celebration of beats on the drums. Students participated happily in playing drums and singing out loud.
 
The Pakistan Stand was a proud celebration of its youth and women in particular who are excelling in different fields of education and technology, health and medicine and breaking myths through hard work and achieving celebrated success in the field of aviation, engineering, sports and business by owning, up and running entrepreneurs. The theme being “Youth Promises Change”.


At the South African Stand, representatives were teachers who spoke about great national leaders as Nelson Mandela and shared interesting facts on holding 11 different languages within South Africa itself. There was talk of the happening Cricket World Cup 2015 and the aspiration to win it this year.
Parents were invited and students not only enjoyed the “Celebration of Colours”, in the form of exchanging ideas and participating in each other’s dances, but also visited each stand to complete a survey and questionnaire to complete compare and contrast activities planned through the next week lessons to draw intelligent conclusions and reflections.
This entire experience at MPS aims at developing not just virtues as tolerance, acceptance and compassion, but also the realization of what each one of them has to offer the world today and tomorrow and how taking ownership of one’s actions can lead to positive change and transformation of society. MPS students are aspiring International Spirits that we are all very proud of.