A unique feature of Sishya is that all children starting from 9 to Grade 12, participate in Socially Useful Productive Work (SUPW) on Fridays between 2 and 3 p.m. SUPW aims to equip students with varied skills which include carpentry, crafts, first-aid, yoga, aerobics, cooking and practical activities like changing a tyre, fixing a bulb, sewing a button or cooking a tasty dish. All this enables them to be capable and self-sufficient. SUPW classes are led by professionals and are meant to spark and develop students’ lateral thinking abilities.
SUPW also encompasses ‘Social Service’. The students visit institutions which teach and train differently-abled children, orphanages, old age homes, schools like Seva Samajam and Avvai Home for first generation learners. Such exposure helps build the character of the children and moulds them into socially conscious citizens from an early age. Some of these organizations arrange for games to be played at Sishya with their children. This helps to sensitize our students to the needs and problems of other children.
Interact Club of Sishya
The School has an active Interact Club under the Auspices of the Rotary Club of Adyar. The Interact Club of Sishya was established in 1982 and has been functioning successfully for the past 41 years. It is affiliated to the Rotary Club of Adyar and has been contributing towards the welfare of the less fortunate.
Students of Standard XI are members of the Interact Club and every year, in July, the new office bearers are installed at the Inauguration ceremony attended by the Principal, the Coordinators, the parent organisation “The Rotary Club of Adyar,” along with Standard XI students and ex-Interactors. Monthly proceeds are raised through activities such as food carnivals and the sale of newspapers, candy, and friendship bands. Grain drives and the contribution of clothes and toys are other initiatives. These proceeds go towards various organizations like Little Hearts, Little Sisters of the Poor, Annai Illam, Suyam Trust and Seva Samajam. The fund raising proceeds also support important social activities, one of which has been the eradication of polio. The Interact club of Sishya fosters mutual respect and team-work and promotes responsible citizenship.
Interact Club of 2022-23
The Interact Club of 2022-23 had an extremely fruitful year where they were able to donate a washing machine and a refrigerator to a cancer ward run by the Dean Foundation. They also donated hearing aids to 2 students from MCJ Special High School.
The Installation Ceremony of the Interact Club 2023-24 was conducted on 12th October, 2023. The Chief Guest who graced the occasion was Rotarian Dr M.S. Ravi Varma along with other key Rotarians. The Club for this year consists of the following students: Tabitha George Vengal, the President; Anya Shah, the Vice President; Amritha Ravishankar, the Treasurer and Anjana K.S, the Secretary. The Office bearers are Vedant Khattar, Deeksha Anand and Manasi Arvind. The group leaders are Aradhana Suzanne Alex, Anvi Shah, Jiya Surana, Rudra Mitesh Chagli, Nafeesa Zainul, Madhav Venkatachalam, Vummidi Deeksha, Shivani R.S, Swara Laya Shashank and Jinendra D. During the ceremony, the Treasurer’s report for the year 2022-23 was presented by Gauhet Poddar and the Secretary’s report for the year 2022-23 was presented by Tia Thadani.
The exchange of collar from the outgoing President, Tanvi Arvind to the incoming President, Tabitha George Vengal marked the beginning of the new Interact Club 2023-24. The charter was handed over to Anjana K.S. by TiaThadani and the ledger was handed over to Amritha Ravishankar by Gauhet Poddar. This year’s Interact Club has already conducted a bake sale on the occasion of Sishyamrita and currently has a newspaper drive going on in full swing. The club aspires to reach new heights and set an all-time high bar.
