newsletter special edition

8/8/2019 Newsletter Special Edition

1/8

MoreReflections

5

When I heard that I

was going to be a

part of the Sikitex

this year too, a thrill

of suspense chilledmy body as I

Taktse HorizonsSpecial Edition, Nov. 2010

3

Sikitex 2010

Going for the GoldWe had been practicing for one month for the big day. The

State Athletics Meet that was held in TNA. The event lasted forthree days. It included Under 14 boys and girls, Under 16 boys

and girls, and open category men. I was in the under 16 boys

category. And the events

Continued on page 2

4

Swimming

Meet

On the day of the

swimming meet wequickly ate breakfast

and continued our

Continued on Pg. 4

Continued on Pg. 3

The Birth of the Fieldand other exciting

developments- Staff

Reports

7

Team Taktse:

Akash , Tseteej & Pooja (Gr.9),Lekpai & Ingsa (Gr. 8), Abhishek

& Khyentse (Gr. 7), Tashi Wangdi(Gr. 4), Tshering Yangden (Gr. 3)

Coaches:

Mr. Karma & Ghenla Ezra

Fire Side Guys:Burning it up

8


2/8

2Special Edition, Nov. 2010 Edited by: T. Namgyal and S. Tamhane

Continued

that I had participated in were 100mm, long jump,

200m, and the relay.

I had to be qualified to go to the finals for the

events[which I managed to do out of the 60-70

participants.] Firstly, looking at them made me feel like

giving up but I tried and I managed to beat those guys

and suddenly, I wasnt so scared anymore. That

moment I realized that size, height and age dont

matter. All that matters is whats in you. If we have the

determination we can all achieve what we want in life.

A lot of practice is helpful and good as well. People

spend money in buying drugs and alcohol. Why cant

they spend the money in buying sport equipments,

which will make them, fit! Instead they choose tosmoke and drink that makes you tired and you will lose

your stamina.

The air was filled with nervousness; I could hear the

crowd shouting out the names of the participants. We,

the Taktse students, were warming up for our events. I

looked at everyones faces one by one. They were

filled with nervousness. This is the first call for the under

16 boys 100m finals. I was really nervous as I walked

towards the starting line and saw my opponents. They

were huge and had legs like tree trunks compared to

my twigs. You can do it, Mr. Karma said to me andsounded confident as he helped me to put the starting

block on the line. I thought of Husain Bolt before I was

running I was not competing with my opponents but I

was more concerned and worried about my timing

and nothing else. I just wanted beat my best timing

until till now. We were ready to run. The bullet shot into

the air and I pushed myself forward. Not thinking of

anyone at that moment.

I did it! I screamed to myself. I was the first one to

reach the finishing line. This was my lifes happiest

moment and at last my hard work really showed and Icame back with something and made my school

proud and even my parents.

Akashdeep, Gr. IX

Gold:Akash Deep (u16)

Long Jump100m

200m

Silver:

Abhishek (u14)100m200m

Bronze:Tseteej (u16)

200m

Relay Team

Just the Beginning

The gunshot deafened me as I saw my

friends pushing themselves towards that

line where their success depended. My

heart throbbed and every second I found

myself wishing. Wishing for their best. I saw

them struggling but never giving up. This

was the day when I saw t he other side of

my friends. The easy going ones, the one

who always fooled around, I saw them

determined and their heads in the race.They gave their best I was swollen withpride

It was great to see my friends getting

honoured with gold medals, silver medals

and bronze medals. I really appreciate

the efforts they put in to achieve the

medals and they did deserve it. I am really

glad I went to watch the race. It was the

finals and our guys really did it! This yearsathletic meet went better that last years.

I remember the hostel athletes practising

everyday with only one thing going on in

their heads. To win. And they did. They

won medals, they won respect and they

won themselves. It was truly the first time inTaktse that weve won something.

Its just the beginning.

Sagun Limboo, Gr. IX


3/8


Trip to Sikitex

Sikitex is a gathering of

different technology companies.It was a fun and interestingexperience since there were lotsof things we could learn. Therewas even a typing contest and aMoto GP competition.

My favorite stall was theWebel one since they madecartoons and showed us the stepsto make cartoons. I also liked the

Moto GP since I love racinggames. The assembly (mainauditorium) was awesome. It hadcomfortable chairs with big tablesand had mikes which wecommunicate through. The stagewas great and the projectorscreens were even better.

This experience was thebest since Ive never gone on a

field trip like this. Next year, Iencourage other students to go toSikitex and learn about differenttechnology. I want to go nextyear too and make our schoolproud.

Madhav Chhetri, Gr. 6 student

Sikitex 2010Continued from Pg. 1

.only thought of the Typing contest, which was basicallywhat I was going there for. No one knew how I would type orwhat my speed would be like. [nor did I] All I knew was that Iwas scared and nervous and more than anything else, I wantedto win and get the cool prize that Jikmee had told me about (anipod).

The bus ride to Sikitex seemed really quick and in notime, I was sitting down on the chair in front of the LGcomputer and was opening the Typing Master Pro program.

Two minutes was the time I needed to be the winner.As I took my place, I started the first quiz and started typingwithout getting conscious of the uncountable people. I didntbother to count the number of people glaring at my typingspeed. I felt like it was my time, and that I could do it.

It was the best I did. 97 words

per minute (WPM) and that was what Ineeded to get me a 1st prize trophy. Ididnt get an ipod, but it was anenvelope of Rs.1500. I was veryfortunate to get this chance of doingwhat I was good at. I hope we get thesetrips where we would learn andcompete with not only our school butalso with the rest of Sikkim. I feel like itwas a great exposure and I wouldsurely like to go for trips like these inthe future.

Smriti Pradhan, Gr. 8


4/8

The Swimming Meet

Continued from Pg. 1

.journey to the T.N.A swimming pool.

There were other schools from differentplaces. I remember doing my stretches andwishing I was still sound asleep in my bed for itwas bitterly cold early in the morning.

Ms. Zoe managed to persuade me tochange into my swimsuit before hand (if my event

was early). Even though I knew my event waslater, I listened to her instructions and I jumped inthe pool. The water was freezing cold and mademy whole body numb . I started swimming backand forth.

After five minutes or so, I got out andcovered my body with a towel. I waited for myevent which came rather earlier that I d expected.I remember the water splashing and I wasswimming with all my strength. Then when I

reached the finish line, I was huffing and puffingfor air. I also felt good that I finally finished.

Pema Sel, Gr. 5 student

It was really cold in the morning. Wewoke up at seven and changed for theswimming meet (that was held in TNA). I wasvery excited about the day. Sairus and I were

the first ones to brush and change. We randown and waited for the breakfast to be served.I did not eat much because of my excitement.Just when I put my plate in the basket , Ingsaand Ugay came in. We had to wait for them tofinish and I was furious.

When we reached TNA, it was abeautiful sight. The swimming pool was clean.The seats were very wet. I saw a lot of peoplewarming up. Ingsa, Ugay and Pema Sel went to

practice in the pool. It was funny because Ugaymade funny faces (reaction to the cold water).He was shivering when he finally went in thewater.

The events were really tough . Ugayseven was first. Whenever a person passed us,we got wet especially the people in the lowestseat. At the end of all the events, the people gotthe medals and the chief guests and the hostgave speeches. Then the Spacio finally came

and we were really happy.

Nitish Singhal, Gr. 5

Swim Meet Reflection

It was a foggy and cold day in T.N.A. Ishivered. Students from different schools wereswimming in the cold water and I was shockedto see them. I felt cold even while wearingclothes but they didnt. I felt cold just bylooking at them.They started the heats. I was very excited toknow if our school would get in the otherevents. The sun shone and after a while I hadto take off my jacket.

In the first round Ingsa came third but hedidnt qualify. During the break, Nitishwanted to go in the pool but he didnt bring hisswimming trunks. He ended up swimming

with his underpants. The students from otherschools came and joined him.

Sairus Rana, Gr. IV studemt


5/8


Athletic Meet Reflection II

The trip to the State Athletics meet was fantastic

and I was nervous. Akasdeep came 1st in the long

jump heats. There were 1800 participants and 37

or 47 schools were participating. Just before my

turn,it was under 14 boys 200 meters from our

school Khyentse, Tashi Wangdi and Abhishek

were participants. Abhishek came first, Khyentse

came second andTashi Wangdi came third or

fourth. After them it was my turn and I had to racewith big, big girls. My heart was pumping likeanything but at last I became third. After under 14

girls it was lunch for half an hour. I met my sister

who studies in TNA. I chatted for a while. After

that was under 16 girls. Puja was in it. She became

first. Then the day went by.

At the second day I had to run in 100 meters.

Before it was my turn it was under 16 girls, Puja

became third or fourth. After them was

my turn. I had to run in the second time. Ibecame third. Then was the relay, our

school got third place. There were no

more events for Tashi Wangdi and me. So

we went home.

Tsering Yangden Lachungpa, Gr. III

Athletic Meet Reflection I

The State Athletic meet was marvelous. One day before the

meet, Mr. Karma told me to come to TNA the next day. I

was really excited and I said OK.

The next day I was busy packing my clothes and shoes.

Then I asked my sister, Are you ready? She said, Yes.Then I waved at my parents.

When I reached TNA my sister dropped me till the ground

and she went to her class. I saw the Taktse students who

were sitting and waiting and joined them and waited. After

some hours I heard someone call us for the march past. We

all lined up in threes and started to march. We marched for

hours and we waited for the chief to declare the meet open.

At last the meet started. We sat down on the stairs and

watched the meet. I was waiting for my turn and then

suddenly I heard This is the first call for under 14 boys 200

meter race. I was burning with excitement. My legs were

trembling when I heard Get set, then BANG. I ran as

fast as I could but I came fourth. The second day turned out

the same. On the last day, we had to march one last time.

After we marched, Mr. Karma told us we could leave so I

left with my mother.

Tashi Wangdi, Gr. IV student.

India Today Quiz Competition Reflection

The quiz competition was not what I had expected.What I had learned did not come up and most of the time Ihad a hard time concentrating because Sagun was mutteringsomething or the other all the time.

I love the way Mr. Pranab Mukerjee used to explainthe answer. I learned a lot from him. When I looked at theother schools they did not look so confident when theirquestion was given. My hope was gone when he

asked me us about many things I had no idea about.We answered 2 questions but I was still irritatedbecause we did not go fast the first round. ReadingEragon made me forget it but when I was in the caragain the same feeling came back. I hoped that Icould take this feeling to the Athletic Meet.

I remembered theaudience was not that supportive. They laughed atevery wrong answer. Some of the big boys shoutedat me because I did not go to get my prize. In the

end it was a good experience for me. I got to learn alot and I met the best quizmaster in India.

Abhshek Subba, Gr. 7


6/8


This book company was unleashed in August,2010. A boy named Tshering was working on an

alphabet book. Then I joined in to help him. Soon thisboy named Hishey joined in too. So we decided we

needed a name for ourselves. We chose Fire Guys

and we also needed a symbol that will represent

us . So we drew an alien with fireballs in its hands.

On September 12th we decided that we needed

a boss because we decided we needed the boss to

type and color. We needed someone who was good in

coloring, a hosteller and a fast typer. We choseTshering because he had all the three qualities.

Later we finished our first book: THEROBOT ALPHABET BOOK so we needed a print

out of it. Now it was Tsherings turn to type. We

thought it will take 17 days but he completed it in just

two days! So Tshering was selected to be our new

boss.

Jorden Rilon Wangdi, Gr. IV

Fire Guys Co.Writer and Drawer

First Contact

During my visit toLesley University,in Cambridge, USA, in 2008 for a literacyworkshop with Irene Fountas, I was fortunateenough to meet Mr. Jerry Pollatta himself. A

charismatic author who talked enthusiasticallyabout alphabet books, he seemed interested inour school so when I returned to Sikkim, we thethird graders of 2009 and myself, wrote to Mr.Pollatta and sure enough he responded. He sent15 autographed books I am thrilled that he hasbeen such an inspiration for our children and

hope he will visitTaktse one day!

Ms. Sandya, Gr. 4

Fire Guys: A Book

Making Company

Inspiration

Fire Guys got inspired by author Jerry Pollatta andit got started when Tshering became our leader and

when Miss Sandya suggested we write our own Alphabet book. We had finished 3 books, typedand written. Now we are working on a Monster

Alphabet Book. We finished the Robot AlphabetBook, the Imaginary Inventions Alphabet Bookand the Imaginary Robots Alphabet Book. We

would write more books if you provide us withpaper. I know that Mr. Jerry is an awesome

Alphabet book Author.

Hishey Ngedup Wangyal, Gr. IVFire Guys Co.

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7/8


From the basketball court, to the playground, tothe new building consecrated on the 4th ofNovember 2010, Taktse is growing. A ceremonytook place at the location of the new. Below is aninterview with Mr. Lok Babu, one of our BoardMembers, who helps us understand the ritual.

Staff Reporter: Please give us the gist of why weare doing this ceremony.Mr. Lok Babu: Everyone has their own guardian,and the Earth has got its guardian also. We have

the sermon to ask permission from the Earth sothat we can use her land. We have the ceremonygive offerings- to pray.

SR: Why do you pray?MLB: We pray to please the Earth. We beg herfor the pieces of land for a good purpose and givefood and prayers in return.

SR: Why did you choose today as a date toconduct a sermon?

MLB: We chose today because today is GyalturDzomba which literally means three auspiciousthings gathering in one place. It is a very rare dayand the astrologer gave us todays date.

SR: Are there any specifications that you neededduring this sermon?MLB: We needed a person who was born in theyear of the rabbit (1987). And we also needed aspecific person that the astrologer suggested to usso the Earth God would be pleased.

New Construction,

Old Rituals Staff Report

Candy Land! Staff ReportLately Taktse has been working really hard oncreating a perfect land for children: Candy Land,except it isnt edible. Swings, Slides and Monkey

Bars painted with perfect little candy canes aretruly a treat! The monkey bars have been areready but the slides and the swings sill need a fewfinishing touches. This isnt the only good newseither. Students from higher grades can play aswell! Yay! But as you know, every great story hasits detractors, and this is no exception: maliciousrumors have been plaguing Taktse that theplayground is just for the teachers!

When I asked a young student about the rumor,

this she said, I dont think it is true. The teachersare really big and they wont fit or be able to playon the slides, swings or the monkey bars. Thisyoung student didnt want to accept the fact thatshe might not be allowed to play in Candy Land.Later when I asked a slightly older group of boysand girls the same thing they assailed me withwords and phrases that made it clear that theywouldnt let anything come in between CandyLand and them! It was obvious they felt thatCandy Land was their property and the invasion

of teachers would be unacceptable(though in the spirit of Taktse, theywould be willing to share).

The chains for the swings haventarrived yet but the workers outsideguarantee that they are on the way.Even though the play area looks dusty,theres a problem to all solutions andwere sure that Taktse will come upwith one for this as well.

Fasten your seatbelts because we aregoing to land in Candyland soon!


8/8


Have you ever wondered why the JCV alwaysstarts grunting just as a teacher starts her readaloud? Or when you finally figure out how tosolve the toughest sum in your math paper andall of a sudden the JCV makes that loudobnoxious sound and you lose focus? Well, ifyou are someone who is a football fanatic thenthe sound should now bring a huge smile toyour face because all the noise, dust and chaosis all because of the jaw-dropping soccer fieldwe are making.

Its not going to be anything like thefield we used to have before. Do you rememberthat soggy field that you hated because the mudloved your shoes and clothes? Well that veryfield is going through a transformation andafter a few weeks you wont even recognize it.

The field is huge: 90m by 45m, smooth,DRY and capable of being called a soccer field.Have a little more patience and be happy aboutthe noise and the grunts because after all theyare all for us!

Basketball on the Brain! Staff Report

This goes out to all thebasketball fanatics. You donthave to wait any longer! Thebasketball court will be ready inthe next month. And not onlythat! Therell be a fence too.

Now you dont have to wasteyour precious playing time togo down in the forest and gohunting for the ball.

This doesnt only go for thesenior kids but then the youngergrades too have a basket ballcourt for them. This is what itsgoing to look like- (we think!):

The Birth of a FieldStaff Report

Mistakes: If you find any grammatical or spelling mistakes please do contact us! We want to know!

About the Editors: T. Namgyal and S. Tamhane are currently 9th graders at Taktse International

School. They are responsible for the staff reports included in this issue.

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