Dale Kaleidoscope NEWSLETTER 5TH ISSUE, AUGUST 2017

From the Editor’s Desk Welcome Back! Let us begin this new school year with renewed Three precious gems of ours left this world in aspirations and immense determination. Make the first half of this 2017. Inna lillahi wa inna ilayhi Sunnydale and your parents feel proud of you with raji’un. your dedication, your upright comportment, your modesty and your compassion for all. Samina Rahman, one of the very first and former teachers of Sunnydale, had been a person with the Sunnydale expects to be overwhelmed, yet again, essential traits of a truly good human being. This with what the Super Achievers did throughout the 2016-17 session. To our unbound pleasure compassionate being passed away on January 23. and pride they competed in various inter-school and intra-school events and came out victorious Fahima Haque who created an identity of her with loads of crests, certificates and much more own by touching lives as an educationist at a accolades for their discipline and good mannerism. renowned institution was the youngest off-spring of the founding Chairman of Sunnydale, Late However, those who competed but could not win Abdul Mannan Khan. Taking ill in the last couple of or those who were not confident must know that months of her so short-lived life she quite bravely Albert Einstein, the great physicist, who also won battled the last battle of her life and submitted to the Nobel Prize in Physics, was a slow learner and was once expelled from his school; one of his the Almighty on March 25. teachers had even declared that he would never achieve much. His life teaches us to strive with all Ina Tarmin Rashid had a heart that overflowed our sincerity and might no matter how adverse the with immense love for her fellows and her students situation is. - she left for eternal peace on June 9. You must believe that the Almighty has sent you Reminiscing about them we realize that they were to this world with some noble purpose; so just the people of true stature and had striking similarity persevere and explore yourself. in their dispositions i.e. each of them had been Wish you all a very successful learning well and truly the epitome of dedication, discipline, experience. humility and compassion for their fellows and students. Tazeen Ahmed Principal May the Almighty give us the strength to cope with the irreplaceable vacuum their departure has created. Do not stop when you are Zareen Abdullah tired. Stop when you are done. - David Goggins

Sunnydale Newsletter / 1 World Schools Rajuk Nationals 2016, Debating Championship Debate Tournament

(WSDC) Sunnydale’s debate team extraordinaire, Rifayat Zafeer Wafee, Bishal Podder and Parmita Protik Das (Class XI) became Runners-up in the Rajuk Nationals 2016, a three day debate tournament held in December 2016. Wafee was adjudged the Best Debater of the Tournament while Bishal and Parmita achieved ranks among the top 10 debaters. Field Trips

A quality curriculum is one that extends beyond the walls of the classroom and therefore to facilitate our students to gain a deeper knowledge of our cultural heritage and to help them relate their classroom learning to the real world, various field trips were arranged for students from Kindergarten I and onwards. The World Schools Debating Championship (WSDC)

is the largest platform in English Debating for school children all across the globe, with over 50 nations taking part every year. Rifayat Zafeer Wafee, Class XI, had the glorious opportunity to be a part of Team 2016, which comprised of five best debaters from across the country to represent the nation in this prestigious event.

In 2016 WSDC was held in Stuttgart, Germany and the experience was simply unparalleled. The pride of hoisting the red and green flag, the thrills of victories and the The places visited for field trips were Bijoy Soroni Samorik heartbreaks of defeat - all made this journey one of the Jadughor, Shaheed Minar, Rayer Bazar Boddho Bhumi, most memorable experiences for Team Bangladesh. Lalbagh Fort, Air Force Museum, National Museum, Liberation War Museum, Channel-i Station, Polar Ice cream Factory, Haque Biscuit Factory and Paragon Ceramic Industries.

Sunnydale Newsletter / 2 Scouts Tour to

A team of sixteen scouts from Sunnydale Scout Group participated in the 17th National Jamboree of ‘The Bharat Scouts and Guides’ held by India in Mysuru, Karnataka from December 26, 2016 to January 10, 2017.

There were 146 members including high officials, rovers and staffs. After the Jamboree, all headed towards for site-seeing and visited the ‘Shantineketan’. The students came back with lots of memories to cherish.

Sunnydale Rhetoric 2017 – Articulate Your Passion

Sunnydale Rhetoric 2017 was The preliminary rounds were The event reached its climax an interschool English debate followed by a grand event that with a grand dinner joined by the tournament held from January 12 debaters refer to as “Break- winners, other participants, both to 14, organized by Sunnydale Night,” where participants interact, the Vice Principals and some senior Debate Club. With around a socialize and enjoy a cultural show teachers. Sunnydale’s students hundred debaters from over a etc. organized by the host school. who were majorly in charge of dozen reputed institutions across At Sunnydale, a Carnival Night was handling logistics and arrangements the city, this tournament had the arranged which included several under the guidance of teachers standard format of World School interactive games and a stand-up definitely proved themselves and Debating Championship (WSDC). comedy performance by a promising their right upbringing. The debating Sunnydale’s Adjudication Core debater, Sakib Bin Rashid. Both the community who participated in this (judges’ panel) ensured proper events were enjoyed tremendously event by Sunnydale students for adjudication and competitive by the participants. the first time appreciated the overall motions that were argued by the event immensely. most promising young minds of the Academia, after a head-to-head next generation. competition with Mastermind was crowned the Champion of Sunnydale Rhetoric 2017.

Sunnydale Newsletter / 3 Teachers’ Day Out

It was the time to unwind and elude the strenuous everyday routine for the whole Sunnydale family. A picnic day was enjoyed at ‘Jol O Jongoler Kabbo’ on February 2. The refreshing lemonades on arrival and the winter cakes on departure make it anybody’s guess to contemplate the mirth experienced in between.

Sunnydale Newsletter / 4 Sunnydale Newsletter / 5 Winter Fair

On February 6, Middle Section 1 bid farewell to the winter season by setting up a winter fair. The building went abuzz with folk music amid the stalls put up by the ecstatic students from Class I to V. Items varying from colourful stationery and multicoloured bracelets to scrumptious homemade food were offered. In brief it was a celebration of the season in its right sense.

Annual Sports and Picnic

The Annual Sports and Picnic was held at BKSP Ground, The Picnic part of the day comprised of the customary Savar in February. Students from Class III onwards ‘Tug of War’, refreshments, lunch and a raffle draw. took part in nine athletics events which included 100m Sprint, Relay Race, Shot–put, Long Jump etc. Besides Sports and Picnic Day for students from Kindergarten I competing in the enlisted events the students also had to Class II was held at Women’s Complex, Dhanmondi fun playing badminton, cricket and football. on January 25 and students enjoyed the day heartily.

Sunnydale Newsletter / 6 Subject Selection Day Bashanta Mela of Class VIII for Ordinary Level Course

Spring, the much awaited and the loveliest of all seasons was welcomed by the students of Middle Section 2 with a fair arranged on February 20. The whole campus put on a lively appearance with a riot of colours everywhere. Girl At Sunnydale, the Subject Selection Day of Class VIII for students draped themselves in yellow ‘sarees’ and floral Ordinary Level Course is held ceremoniously every year. bands whereas boys wore ‘punjabis’ in hues of green. The day is given due importance as it plays the role of The students set up stalls decorated with yellow flowers. the road map for the students and parents, guided by an They sold lots of items, mostly homemade food, which encouraging and instructional speech from the Principal, as they get ready to step onto the final stages of their sold like hotcakes but the supply was also abundant. The school education. This year’s Subject Selection Day was lively environment captivated the hearts of the students held on February 19. The Parents met the teachers and and teachers and they enjoyed it thoroughly. discussed at length in order to make the right selection of subjects for their children’s Ordinary Level Course.

The brilliant feat of Tajrian Chowdhury

Tajrian Chowdhury, (Class XII), won the 1st place in the 7th Following this magnificent feat, Tajrian also won the Chemistry Olympiad organized by Bangladesh Chemical 3rd Position in the 8th Biochemistry Olympiad, jointly Society on February 17. He became the Champion organized by the Biochemistry Department of beating a mammoth number of 9,600 participants. University and BRAC Bank on March 11.

Relating to his win, an interesting episode also took place. Soon after the competition, Tajrian left the Olympiad venue believing that he would not win any position because he could not answer one question. And therefore when his name was announced as the winner of the Olympiad and to collect the HP laptop, he was not anywhere in the venue. At this, the Principal was called and given the good news. Such was his humbleness about his own brilliance!

Sunnydale Newsletter / 7 Bangla Olympiad at International Turkish Hope School

Sunnydale participated in the 6th Inter- School Bangla Olympiad organized by International Turkish Hope School in February and performed excellently in every category of the Olympiad. The winning contestants were awarded cash prizes, medals and certificates.

Sunnydale Newsletter / 8 Amar Ekushey

The unforgettable emotions of this day when the language martyrs sacrificed their lives for the sake of our mother tongue were rekindled in the young hearts of our students by observing the day in due solemnity. Students walked past the makeshift ‘Shaheed Minar’ and paid homage to the language martyrs by laying down flowers at the memorial. Prior to this patriotic songs and speeches were delivered to mark the occasion.

The day was observed in equal solemnity in all the five sections of Sunnydale.

The following contestants from Sunnydale stood winners in the day-long programme:

Recitation - Mir Fariyan Mehbub  Class IV  1st Position Mahdia Rahman  Class VII  3rd Position

Singing - Sreyonti Paul  Class IV  2nd Position Saaraf Ibnat Hasan  Class V  3rd Position Anila Nehreen  Class VII  3rd Position Dipro Nishanto  Class IX  1st Position

Painting - Mahiba Musharrat  Class V  1st Position Bijoy Sen  Class VII  1st Position

Forum - Md. Mohotasim Rahman Khan  Class VIII  3rd Position

Essay Writing - Najida Farah Aysharjo  Class X  1st Position

Sunnydale Newsletter / 9 Bhasha Festival Spring blooms at Sunnydale

Students from Class VIII and IX organized the immensely successful intra-school ‘Bhasha Festival’- Sunnydale’s first ever festival of Bengali and English languages combined. This festival commemorated the historic ‘Ekushey February’ and the unforgettable Language Movement.

The enthusiastic students participated with great fervor and passion in the three-day event from February 25 to 27. Their zeal and effort and impeccable talent came shining through in all events comprising of English and Bengali Essay Writing, Poetry Writing, Quiz Competition, Spelling Bee, Extempore Speech and Bangla Recitation.

The event was painted with colours of success because of the laudable hardwork of Noyolee Munim and Mrinmoyee Guha, (Class IX), the dedicated Presidents of English and Bangla Clubs respectively. Theirs and the combined dedication of other volunteers is what marked this event a success in everyone’s eyes.

Sunnydale Newsletter / 10 Sunnydale hailed the return of Monwar, and Ms. Rezwana when the performers took to the Spring, the queen of all seasons, Chowdhury Bannya, the most stage on the reverberating beats by putting up a spectacular show popular exponent of Rabindra of tabla and harmonium and ‘Esho Esho Praner Utshabe, Sangeet in the subcontinent, was the best ditties and numbers of Dokhin Bayur, Benurobe’ on an added attraction especially the famous poets Rabindranath March 2. for the students. The Chairman Tagor, and Atul of Sunnydale, Dr. Tanvir Ahmed Prasad Sen. A pair of narratives of The exquisitely cohered Khan also graced the occasion , devotedly delivered, presentation by Middle Section 1, with his presence among a host of left the audience spellbound. The spoke volumes about the devotion teachers and students. show reached its epic when the of student thespians and singers thespians stage played ‘Tota from Grade I to V. Moreover, the This hour-long stage presentation Kahini’ (Story of a Parrot) by tireless efforts of their mentors began with the formal inauguration, . apparent throughout the entire lighting of traditional lamps, by programme raised the repute of the special guests escorted by This grand show came to Sunnydale to the next level. the Principal, Ms. Tazeen Ahmed an end with the rendering of and the Vice Principal, Ms. the national anthem and a lot The presence of special guests, Zebunnessa Mahmud. Soon after, of encouragements for the the pioneer of puppet show the atmosphere was filled with performers from everyone. in Bangladesh, Mr. Mustafa the mystic sensation of Boshonto

Sunnydale Newsletter / 11 The Language Fest 2017

The Language Fest 2017 was a by the Presidents of both clubs. The own pride - Arshiyan Alam Laaj (Class spectacular event organised by the heartwarming speech by the Principal X). The rest of the competitions were zestful English and Bangla Clubs of lifted the spirits of the participants and conducted and invigilated diligently Middle Section 2. soon after balloons were released in by the organisers. the air as the ceremonial opening of Students of Class VI and VII The opening show comprised of the fest. the rendering of some beautiful enthusiastically took part in multiple compositions of Tagor’s evergreen The two day event included Story and categories and revealed their interest, songs in English and Bengali, a Poetry Writing in English and Bengali, outstanding talent and fluency in both recital of a Bengali poem, an act from Quiz Competition, Extempore Speech the languages. William Shakespeare’s “The Merchant and the most anticipated Spelling Bee of Venice” and inaugural speeches conducted by one of Sunnydale’s

JLRC Language Festival

On March 4, the future literati of Sunnydale competed with other schools in the 14th Language Festival organized by the Josephite Language and Reading Club (JLRC) of St. Joseph Higher Secondary School. In this two day event, Sunnydale students from Class VII, VIII and IX came out with flying colours.

Winners from Class VII, Session 2016 – 2017 Abhor Ozair Abdullah  3rd Position  Inter-School Spelling Bee (Junior) Ahona Saha  1st Position  Handwriting Competition

Winners from Class VIII, Session 2016 – 2017 Anoosheh Abdullah  1st Position  Story Writing Competition (English) Sidratul Montaha  2nd Position  Story Writing Competition (English) Khondoker Nadia Nawshin Hassan  2nd Position  Handwriting Competition Jahin Kabir  2nd Position  Inter-School Spelling Bee (Junior) Raphael Jibran Solaiman  1st Position  English Olympiad Taimoor Rabbani  2nd Position  English Olympiad Al Wasee M. Fahmidullah  1st Position  Tetrathlon R. M. Shahriar Hoque  2nd Position  Tetrathlon Shah Fatin Ilham  3rd Position  Tetrathlon

Winners from Class IX, Session 2016 – 2017 Nazifa Tabassum  1st Position  Handwriting Competition Raiyan Ahmed  2nd Position  Inter-School Spelling Bee (Senior)

Sunnydale Newsletter / 12 Sunnydale Annual Interschool Science and Mathematics Festival 2016-2017

With much enthusiasm and festivity, Sunnydale, for the first time, arranged the Annual Science and Mathematics Festival in March this year. It was a two day event where a total of 288 students participated from S.F.X. Green Herald International School, South Breeze, Delhi Public School, Sir John Wilson, Dhanmondi Tutorial and Sunnydale. The categories for competition were Physics, Chemistry, Biology, Mathematics, Sudoku and Project Presentation. Sunnydale’s Advanced Level teachers took the responsibility to assess the work of the participants.

Birth Anniversary of the Father of the Nation, Bangabandhu, Sheikh Mujibur Rahman

All the sections commemorated the 97th birth anniversary of the Father of the Nation, Bangabandhu, Sheikh Mujibur Rahman paying tribute to his memory in the morning assemblies. Later in the day Class V visited Bangabandhu Memorial Museum to learn about his life and death in depth.

Rag Day (Class X & XII)

Ahead of their Ordinary and Advanced Level Examinations, Class X and Class XII held their Rag Days on March 22 and 23 respectively. Songs, dances and merriment by the rejoicing students in the main campus of the school, created an atmosphere of unity among the school community. The students wore specially made jerseys and jackets to celebrate the day and also presented tokens of love to their teachers. Students autographed each other’s jerseys as a souvenir for the day.

Sunnydale Newsletter / 13 The Handball Team of the school achieved Champion Independence Day and Runners-up positions in the Scholastica and Sunbeams Handball Tournaments respectively. Also, Celebration in April, Sunnydale’s Handball Team became victorious in the Polar School Handball Tournament - one of the biggest tournaments held in Dhaka.

Out of these tournaments, four students came through as Most Valuable Players. Raian Rith (Class XI), a gifted player, whose skills have played a major part in winning many tournaments, was declared the Most Valuable Player in both The Aga Khan Handball Tournament and the Scholastica Basketball Tournament. Wasif Ahmed (Class VII), Mansiv Hamid and Irfan Zayed Ali (Class IX) were also adjudged as the Most Valuable Players in these Basketball and Handball Tournaments. Sunnydale’s Senior Section paid due respect to the martyrs and freedom fighters of the Liberation War through an elaborate Independence Day programme. Teachers and performers adorned in red and green made Pancha Kabi the programme colourful and perfect. The venue was Sunnydale celebrated the works aptly decorated with eloquent images of our struggle for of the five great poets of Bengal - independence. Melodious songs of patriotism moved the Rabindranath Tagore, Kazi Nazrul audience while Sukumar Ray’s ‘Obak Jolpan’ made them Islam, Atul Prasad Sen, Rajanikanta burst into laughter and vigorous applause. The movie Sen and Dwijendralal Ray - by “Guerilla” was shown to the children and after that, as staging a programme ‘Pancha the final event of the day, students participated in the Art Kabi’ on April 6. The programme Competition specially arranged to commemorate our was graced by the presence nation’s Independence Day. of the three founding trustees

of Liberation War Museum, Mr. The other four sections also observed the day with Mofidul Hoque, Mr. Ziauddin Tariq informative morning assemblies and art competitions. Ali and Dr. Sarwar Ali.

The show was inaugurated by the Superb Performance in Principal, Ms. Tazeen Ahmed, the two Vice Principals, Ms. Yasmeen Interschool Sports Habib and Ms. Zebunnessa Tournament Mahmud and the dignitaries by lighting traditional lamps. In the first quarter of this year, Sunnydale Basketball and Handball teams pulled off fantastic victories from the The participating students tournaments they competed in. The Basketball team mesmerized the audience by became Champion in The Aga Khan School, Sunbeams rendering some of the compositions and Delhi Public School Basketball tournaments and of the five great bards through Runners-up in Scholastica and St. Gregory School songs, dances, recitations and Basketball tournaments. a drama, “Juta Abishkar” by Rabindranath Tagore.

Sunnydale Newsletter / 14 Welcoming the Bengali New Year 1424

The Bengali New Year 1424 was welcomed by the teachers and students of the Senior Section with much enthusiasm on April 16. An enjoyable cultural function was held to mark this joyous occasion followed by a ‘Baishakhi Mela’. The most unique feature of the festival was the colourful theme and motifs that reflected the traditional Bengali spirit. From clay motifs to floral murals, the festival had a distinctive look.

Sunnydale Newsletter / 15 ‘Dua Mahfil’ for Cambridge International Examinations Candidates

A ‘Dua Mahfil’ was arranged on April 18 to seek divine blessings of the Almighty for the candidates of Ordinary Level, Advanced Subsidiary Level and Advanced Level Examinations of May/June 2017. At the ‘Dua Mafil’ held in the school’s gymnasium, students and their educators supplicated the Almighty for good results in the examinations.

World Book Day Fest

If we encounter a man of rare intellect, we should ask him what books he reads. - Ralph Waldo Emerson

World Book Day is a yearly Rashidi and Anbarin Parisa. There and teachers to share knowledge celebration of books on April 23, was yet another prize for Best with underprivileged children around organized by the United Nations Composition on Bangabandhu, the country. The donated books, Educational, Scientific and Cultural Sheikh Mujibur Rahman given to around one thousand, were handed Organization (UNESCO), to promote Areebah Ozara Elham of Class V. over to BRAC University’s UNESCO reading, publishing and copyright. Club a few days later. Countries around the world The colossal response from parents celebrate this day annually and so who attended the Fest with their did Sunnydale this year. children made it a successful programme where children enjoyed At Middle Section 1, World Book a wonderful world of learning and Day Fest was held to help students exploration. develop a love for reading and to indulge them in books. Two great Book Donation: Another interesting wordsmiths Ali Imam and Raoshan part of the fest was collection of old Jamil Chowdhury enlightened the but fresh books from our students captivated crowd of parents and students about how important reading is for our development in all spheres of life.

The other interesting event of the fest besides a day-long book fair was the prize giving ceremony for seven best book review writers from Class V. The inspiring winners of best book reviews are: Syeda Tanshit Sarmadi, Jarin Farhat, Rafjaya Rafiq Shayaan Sayeed, Sneha Monisha, Chowdhury Jaha Zaafira

Sunnydale Newsletter / 16 Ritur Ronge Sunnydale

Junior Section 2 put up a grand show ‘Ritur Ronge Sunnydale’ to celebrate the six seasons of Bangladesh on April 29.

The programme was graced by the great dancer, Ms. Sharmila Banerjee and the popular exponent of ‘Nazrul Geeti’ Ms. Sadya Afreen Mallick who is also a seasoned journalist.

Traditional lamps were lit to inaugurate the programme by the special guests accompanied by the Principal and both the Vice Principals. The young performers of the Junior Section mesmerized the audience by presenting various songs, dances, recitations and role playing the six seasons individually, for an hour.

The grand show came to an end with Playgroup Parents the rendering of our national anthem. The spectacular show was highly Orientation Programme appreciated by the audience. for the Session 2017-18

On May 05, Playgroup Parents Orientation Programme for the session 2017-18 was organized for the Parents whose toddlers have just begun their schooling from this July. Through this programme parents were familiarized with the unique method of schooling at Sunnydale. It was the prologue of a Book consisting of 16 chapters covering 16 years of a student’s life in Sunnydale. Hopefully, in these sixteen years an unbreakable bondage with Sunnydale will silently nurture in the hearts of the students.

The Orientation Programme was held in two shifts and the Principal brought awareness to parents about Sunnydale and their child’s schooling. Both the Vice Principals and teachers of Junior Section 1 were also present and they together made it another successful day for Sunnydale.

Sunnydale Newsletter / 17 The Achievers’ Eve 2017

Sunnydale Newsletter / 18 For long the students of Sunnydale have been achieving remarkable success not only in education but also in extracurricular and co- curricular activities. Their performance has been equally stellar in events such as Olympiads, Science Fairs, Sports, MUN, Debate, Scouting, etc. A grand programme titled “The Achievers’ Eve” was arranged by the school to honour, rejoice and celebrate the achievements of these talented students. The programme took place on May 06, in the Gymnasium which was attractively decorated in black and gold.

Sunnydale Newsletter / 19 Sunnydale Relief Contingent

Our sorrows and wounds heal only when we touch them with compassion! - Gautama Buddha

When it comes to empathy and alliance, Sunnydale has always been there with broad sets of examples. As such, in order to send a little token of love and brotherhood for the affected people of haor areas who endured huge damage to their crops and fish caused by the heavy pre- monsoon rainfall, a couple of months ago, a relief fund was set by the Senior Section. And the Sunnydale community of students, parents, teachers and the Board of Directors came forward with generous feelings and relief for the families of Sunamganj district.

On May 28, Sunnydale Relief Contingent distributed in six unions of Jamalganj subdistrict, 3 kg rice and 1 kg lentil to each of 400 families and a cash donation of Tk 500 to some fifty elderly in the Vimkhali union of the same district.

The distribution was the humane effort of Md. Mizanul Islam Sir, Reza E Rabbi Sir, Debabrata Paul Sir, Md. Harun-Or-Rashid Sir and the support staff.

Every day people straighten up the hair, why not the heart? - Che Guevara

Sunnydale Newsletter Head Office: House # 34, Road # 7, Dhanmondi R/A, Dhaka, www.sunnydale.edu.bd Sunnydale Newsletter / 20