Hard work rewarded: River Oaks Academy celebrates student achievements

Teachers stress reading as student talks about throwing away their TV.

KARACHI: “Upon the education of the people of this country, the fate of this country depends,” River Oaks Academy Principal Aasim Karim quoted from Benjamin Disraeli, twice prime minster of Britain.

Throughout his address, Karim stressed upon his students to be the best they could be. He was speaking at the 2nd Principal’s Award Ceremony held by the River Oaks Academy at the DHA Central Library Friday. The ceremony was held to recognise the efforts of exceptional students and faculty members in the effort to help all students of the school reach their potential.

Students were also given an opportunity to show off their talent by performing comic skits and reading poems, making the evening an entertaining one.

Karim highlighted the school’s 15-year history and stressed on its belief that a balance between academic and extracurricular activities brings diversity to each student’s nature and makes each one successful in every walk of life.

Throughout the evening, students and teachers were called up to receive various awards, both individually and in groups. Students were rewarded for outstanding academic achievements, efforts and extracurricular achievements. Teachers were handed awards for the duration they had served the school and for their popularity with students.

Sixteen-year-old Abdul Ghani Mianoor received the key award of the evening for achieving nine As in his Ordinary Level Cambridge exams. His acceptance speech reflected his humility. “I recently returned to Pakistan from Canada and my experience here has been very positive,” he said. “I owe a great deal of what I am to the education I have received at the River Oaks Academy.” He went on to thank his principal, parents and teachers.

One student, who received a deafening round of applause, was seven-year-old Rida Amjad, who has Down’s Syndrome. Despite her condition, she has excelled in her studies. Junior Section Vice Principal Ayesha Mahmood encouraged parents and students alike to read more. “Both parents and children should read Harry Potter as it helps children to see that the possibilities are endless,” she said. “It will also go a long way in encouraging creative thinking.”

Sadan Khan of Class III then went on to recite a poem titled Television, talking about throwing your TV set away and installing a lovely bookshelf instead.

The evening also served as an opportunity for the students to learn how to present themselves properly. Their teachers insisted that each item of students’ uniforms was well-maintained and properly worn.

“I would not take my children to another school,” said Rana Saeed, the father of three students at the school. “The staff has done a commendable job. Now that the students and faculty have received their awards, someone should present the principal with one too. After all, it is his vision that brings such high quality to the school.”

The evening ended with group photographs.

Published in The Express Tribune, October 1^st,  2011.