Celebrating the Academy's Enrichment Programme

Students and faculty celebrated the Enrichment Programme in an afternoon-long event consisting of performances and interactive exhibitions in the beginning of October.

The Academy's recently-developed Enrichment Programme has proven extremely successful during its first few years. Students have consistently expressed appreciation at the chance to explore a wide range of activities from squash to cooking to photography. Likewise, teachers enjoy the opportunity to share their passions and skillsets with students outside the classroom. This term, 32 enrichment clubs are on offer every Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday afternoons from 3:30-4:30pm.  

During the Celebration of Enrichment, students showcased the skills they learned through the Enrichment Programme. Those enrolled in music performed a traditional call-and-response tabla piece, a guitar solo, and a piano performance. Star vocalists got their chance to shine during a cappella pieces.  

Following the musical performances, a short play was put on by the theatre troupe and yoga students showed off their flexibility in a choreographed dance. Then, a special video of the recent IAYP trek to Srisailam was screened for students and faculty to commemorate the recent trip.

"Enrichment is a platform to create and celebrate the success of ingenuity and ideas," said Honey Bhatia, CAS & Enrichment Coordinator. "It is the truth of holistic education to ignite passion and execute performance. It symbolises the practical vision of the IB Learner Profile. I am glad to be able to create avenues where multiple possibilities are explored, churned in and actualised. I think, as a Coordinator, the incentive of these possibilities is huge and will have a far-reaching impact on students.  Nothing is more gladdening to observe the curve of learning, personal, interpersonal, displaying an increasing sense of positive change."

The event culminated with an exhibition of Humans of the Aga Khan Academy, a sudent-led project guided by TPP Afeera Maryam and visiting teacher Michelle Massaro. "Our students wanted to bring the whole community together," commented Maryam. Participating students interviewed everyone who makes up the Academy community - from their fellow students to faculty and administrators as well as the kitchen and maintenance staff. Students then photographed the interviewees however and wherever they felt most comfortable, offering a unique insight into who they are as individuals and how they contribute to the Academy. These photographs, along with excerpts from their interviews, were on display at the exhibit. 

"The true soul of the Academy lies in pluralism, acceptance, respect, and acknowledgment of diversity. This is why we titled our project 'Celebrating Diversity,'" continued Afeera, who proudly supported her students at the exhibition. 

Thanks to everyone who made the celebration possible! Click here to see a full-length video of all the performances. We look forward to another one next year.