Prefectorial Board Inducted-  With Great Power Comes Great Responsibility  

Delhi Private School, Sharjah inducted the Prefectorial Board for the academic session 2010-2011 on 11th May, 2010. The investiture ceremony was graced by the presence of Mr. Ajay Kapoor from Citibank, the Guest of Honour and proud parents.  

Our Principal, Mrs. Vandhana Marwaha stressed on the importance of the responsibility placed on the shoulders of the young leaders. She highlighted that they were not only taking on a title but taking on the duty of leading by example and making sure that the school scales even greater heights. She also expressed her confidence in the Prefectorial Board and its capability to carrying out its responsibilities in an exceptional manner.  

Head Boy, Guruprasad Raghavan and Head Girl, Navya Putta also made inspiring speeches. Both of them informed the board of the importance of unity and the need to contribute to the enhancement of each other s strengths. They rightfully recognized the school and its teachers invaluable contributions in making them the leaders they are today.  

Vice Head Boy Aamir Ali and Vice Head Girl Shailee Kothari proposed the formal Vote of Thanks on behalf of the entire Prefectorial Board. They acknowledged the contribution of each and every member of the DPS family in making it a true institute of excellence. 

By Pranav Gopalakrishnan, Sec. Ed. 

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Head Start- In conversation with the Head Boy and Head Girl 

The EB spoke to Guruprasad and Navya, the new Student Leaders.  Here s what they have to say. 

  1. In what position do you see DPS, Sharjah by the end of the academic year 2010-2011?

Guruprasad: As the top school in the UAE!  I hope to see the name DPS Sharjah as synonymous with excellence  not only in academics, but also in various co-curricular and extra-curricular activities.

Navya: Well, I ve been in DPS, Sharjah for nearly the past decade, and from personal experience, I can say for sure that its pace of reaching milestones has been rapidly accelerating, especially over the past 2-3 years. And considering, the ambitious prefectorial board we have this year, I am certain that we will see vast improvement in all aspects  at discipline, variety of activities that students can be involved in, in terms of level of competition and many more; at the moment DPS may just be a force to reckon with, but at the end of the year, it will become invincible. 

  1. What aspect of the school, for you, makes it an institute of excellence?

 

Guruprasad: Any school s asset is its teachers.  In DPS we find very energetic, active and highly involved teachers. They are most approachable, guide you best and can be your worst critic too.  As far as their subject strength is concerned, I think they are the best.  

Navya: There is no single aspect that makes DPS exceptional; it is the entire package that is offered at this institution that makes it unique. The standard of teaching, approachability of the faculty, the kind of platform the school provides for all round development and of course, its achievements at national and interschool levels speak volumes for its excellence. But if I am forced to pick one facet of DPS, Sharjah which truly makes it an institution par excellence, it would be the freedom of expression given to its students. I haven t heard or come across any CBSE school in this country that gives students a chance to speak their mind with the hope of expecting some change. This aspect of our school further aggravates every student s sense of belonging to the DPS family.  

  1. Your opinion on this year s prefectorial board and its capabilities?

Guruprasad: I believe that if responsibility is thrust upon someone, they always perform.  Many people may not have the opportunity, so we think that they are not capable.  That is a very great fallacy.  A team of experts and highly experienced faculty have chosen the prefectorial board.  If they trust the prefectorial board and have vested in them certain powers and opportunities, then they know best. Your teachers cannot be wrong.

I am reminded of an autobiographical essay that I read  of Churchill.  He wrote an entrance exam to get into Harrow. He did not write much to impress the examiners, but based on whatever he was able to convey through the partially completed paper, he got his admission.  The panel did see some worth in the boy to select him.  He went on to become the Prime Minister of England.

Plus I think, this year s prefectorial board is energetic, enthusiastic and definitely a very dedicated lot. 

Navya: Well, the prefectorial board of 2010-11, in my opinion, has to be the most self motivated, ambitious and dedicated board in the history of DPS, Sharjah. A lot of wonderful ideas and suggestions have already been made, all that remains is how well we implement our plans and that would be a true test of our character. We are a board with immense foresight and I am sure we will work efficiently as a team to make DPS a place, better than it already is for students, by the end of the year.  

  1. What has helped you develop the calm and composure needed to take on this responsibility?

 

Guruprasad: I am honoured to be Head Boy of the best school in UAE. I think it is my character and personality that ensure that I do not over-react to a situation.  I take up every task seriously and try to see its completion to the best of my abilities.  This probably makes me a very serious person.  As for being  calm and  composed , I think, it is important to analyze the situation and not hastily react to it.  By hurriedly reacting to any event or circumstance, we lose our perspective and hence our decisions will not be right.  Like Edward de Bono says, write down advantages / disadvantages and then sort the situation out with a cool head. 

I know that it is very easy to sermonize. Maybe I have not yet faced a situation that has rattled me!

Navya: Maintaining your calm is easy as long as you have a good team to work with, a team which understands and performs its duties with complete justice and also, a team that comprehends and implements orders quickly!

  1. How do you rate the importance of the youth in today s world, especially in India seeing that it is going through tough times with corruption allegations popping up everywhere?

 

Guruprasad: While the whole world was reacting and bowing under the strains of economic crisis, only India was not affected much.  I am of course not an expert on this and have very less knowledge, but that is what I gathered.

True.  One major problem that India faces is corruption, and this can be solved only through idealism.  The youth generally are very idealistic and they should work for pleasure, and not necessarily for money or power.  Such an attitude will stop corruption.

Corruption exists because people look for shortcuts- shortcuts to get a seat in college, short cuts to gain a job, short cuts to progress in life& ..

If we work for pleasure, then there is no need to look for short cuts.  Then there will be no corruption.  So the youth should be motivated to work for pleasure. 

  1. On a lighter note, your team for the FIFA World Cup?

 

Guruprasad: Brazil, I think!

It is said,  The English might have invented the game, but it was Brazil that perfected it! And I wholeheartedly agree! Unfortunately it s during our June exams!

Navya: Brazil! But I think Argentina and Spain are formidable opponents. Let s see! 

Interviewers: Neha Sood and Pranav Gopalakrishnan.