On Sunday, December 9, Gandhi Gruh Gujarati School a sub-committee of the Auckland Indian Association Inc. held its annual prizegiving event to celebrate the end of the school year and recognise the students for the high achievements.

Student Himnish Patel was awarded the Leadership Award of the Year for being a role model to other students and demonstrating commitment and influence in both studies and extra curriculums.

The Student of the Year award was presented to Dhruvi Raval for demonstrates commitment and diligence in his performance throughout the year.

“This was a well-deserved award for Dhruvi. All students received a Certificate of Participation, and top achievers of the classes were also recognised. The event was attended by over 100 people – particularly by the parents, grandparents and relatives of the students,” Chairperson of Gandhi Gruh Gujarati School, Shantiben Patel told The Indian Weekender.

“The prize giving is not only a celebration of what the children have achieved but also the teachers and the schools’ contribution to the Association and the wider community,” Ms Patel added.

This year the school had an average of fifty students attending the school every Sunday. The school conducted six classes and eight teachers with three dedicated helpers.

“The teaching staff are an exceptional group of people, some qualified teachers from India and other counties but mostly these people have a passion for working with children and for teaching children their mother tongue,” Ms Patel added.

The students also regularly took part in the Auckland Council Diwali Concert, Independence Day programmes, Republic Day concerts and Rangoli competition.

The Gujarati School has been operational for over sixty years in Auckland.The Gandhi Gruh Gujarati School’s vision is to strive to enhance Gujarati children’s sense of identity by teaching the language both written and oral. The school is committed to celebrating Gandhi Jayanti every year, and this year took part in the Global Peace March to inaugurate the commencement of 150th birth anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi.

“Some of the proudest moments for us was when students have been able to deliver speeches in fluent Gujarati, recite slots in Sanskrit and perform musical items on tabla and flute. We also now have alumni students helping in the school,” Ms Patel added.

The end of the year prizegiving event was well supported by the Auckland Indian Association executive officers, the board of trustees, members and parents.

“One of the primary objectives of the Auckland Indian Association Inc. is to promote and preserve Indian culture in New Zealand, and Gandhi Gruh Gujarati school plays a pivotal role in helping the association to achieve this objective,” President of the Auckland Indian Association Inc. Narendra Bhana told The Indian Weekender.

Mr Bhana also congratulated the Leadership and Student of the Year Awards recipients Himnish Patel and Dhruvi Raval for their outstanding achievements and encouraged them to keep raising their personal standards continuously.