It’s not whether you get knocked down, it’s whether you get up” – Vince Lombardi

Intent: A prestigious event - the Ambassador’s Cup, unique and one of its kind football tournament for Indian girls in the UAE was hosted by Credence High School on Thursday, 31^st January 2019. It was a great pleasure and pride for Credence High School to host the under 14 tournament. The one-day tournament & football festival organized under the patronage of the Embassy of India in UAE was to initiate, encourage and motivate our Indian school girls to take part in the beautiful game of soccer and create a momentum in the years ahead to take India to the FIFA Women’s World Cup 2027. Uniting together and taking the spirit of sportsmanship of Indians to a higher level was the aim of the event.

Experience: It was not just an ordinary tournament but a festival at CHS and we welcomed 20 schools of UAE for the under 14 tournament. The student volunteers of CHS took up the role with great responsibility. The under 19 tournament was hosted by Gems Modern Academy Dubai. The schools participating for under 14 were Al Diyafah High School Dubai, The Central School Dubai, Delhi Private School Ajman, Delhi Private School Dubai, The Emirates National School Sharjah, Gems Millennium School Sharjah, Indian High School Dubai, JSS International School Dubai, New Indian Model School Dubai, Pace International School Sharjah, India International School Sharjah, The Indian International School Dubai, Gems New Millennium School Dubai, Gems Modern Academy Dubai, Gems Heritage School Dubai, Global Indian International School Abu Dhabi, Aspam Indian International School Sharjah and Oasis International School Al Ain. CHS students also participated in both the categories. The event welcome the parents who came to cheer the girls and boost them. The teams were smartly dressed in the sports kit provided to them. A small breakfast meal and a quick warm up commenced the day with energy. The senior leadership team of CHS; our Principal, Vice-Principal and the Administrative Officer graced the morning with their presence and inaugurated the event.

The rituals of an event; seeking the blessings of the Almighty with the Holy Quran recitation and respecting the country of UAE by singing the National Anthem, were followed with pleasure and pride. An Indian cultural drill, the ‘Peacock Dance’ was performed by the students of grade 4 and 5 of Credence High School and thereby the Senior leadership team of CHS declared the event open with ‘Ceremonial Kick’.

Then started the exciting part of the day, the Games. All the players were extremely excited and energetic and giving their best efforts to goal and score. The competition was tough and girls took the field by a storm.  Semifinals followed a short lunch break thereby kicking off for the finals.

The final match was played between Indian High School and Gems Modern Academy. The match was witnessed by esteemed dignitary and honourable guests. The Chief Guest for the day was the man himself, His Excellency Mr Navdeep Singh Suri – The Ambassador of India to UAE hand in hand with Mr Nalapad Abdulla – Chairman Credence High School and Managing Director Nalapad Investments while the other respected guests were Miss Sunaina Rana – Media and Culture Coordinator Embassy of India, Mr James Varghese - Director Lulu Group, Miss Reena Bedi - Group Marketing Manager Apparel Group, Mr Dharam Sood – Training and Learning Manager Apparel Group, Miss Seema Shetty - Vice President Corporate Excellence NMC BR Shetty ventures, Mr Navneet Jaggi - Vice President Middle East Indigo Airlines, Mr Robert Wilson - Commissioner Ambassador’s Cup and Mr Bikram Singh - Chairman Soccer Foundation India and Organiser of The Ambassador’s Cup.

The closing ceremony commenced by welcoming our esteemed guests with beautiful potted plants. Thereby the program embraced the routines Quran recitation, closing ‘Patriotic Drill’ and singing the Indian National Anthem.  Our Chairman sir and Principal ma’am welcomed the guests and the teams with their welcome speech. The gathering was thereby addressed by our esteemed Chief Guest His Excellency Mr Navdeep Singh Suri who inspired everyone with his words of wisdom.

The prize distribution ceremony lauded the efforts and sports spirit of the girls. All the teams were felicitated with medals of participation. At the announcement of the runners up for under 19 & 14 (Indian High School) and the winners of under 19 (Al Diyafah School) & 14 (Gems Modern Academy), the gathering burst to rousing cheers and that filled the surrounding with excitement. All the winners received the medals and trophies from our esteemed Chief Guest along with all the guests ending the tournament a photo finish.

Insight: Ambassador’s Cup was not just a football tournament but also an experience. CHS team in association with all the sponsors left no stone unturned to make this event a success and a memorable day for everyone. It was a momentous occasion and it was promised that the tournament will be hosted by the school year by year thereby empowering girls and giving them confidence and support to perform their best.

 “An exercise for the left brain.”

Intent: Solving puzzles help students improve their math skills, logical reasoning and strategic thinking. The idea of the Kenken championship is to expose students to the benefits of developing competitive puzzling into a productive hobby.

Experience: Students of Grade 3 to 9 of Credence High School appeared for the Kenken 2018 championship. The challenge comprised of stages beginning from the School level, Emirates level, National level and finally to the International level which was held in New York. Our students performed brilliantly and achieved the bronze and silver medals along with the certificates.

Insight: We at Credence believe in giving opportunities to the students, for them to achieve and progress beyond academics and succeeding always. Here a glimpse of the students with their awards.

“Sports do not build character. They reveal it.” – Heywood Broun 

Intent: Sports builds good habits, confidence, discipline, team spirit and many more virtues in a child and keeps a child active and energetic. The Annual Sports and Cultural Extravaganza ‘Converge – One Rhythm One India’ at Credence High School witnessed the most spectacular show on Thursday, 24^th January 2019. It was a unique experience as the sports day was combined with various performances, races and relays and was based on the theme of the Republic Day of India which falls on 26^th January every year.

Experience: The day was filled with energy and excitement. The celebration commenced with the welcoming of the Chief Guest – Mr. Robert Wilson, the Guests of Honour – Ms. Purnima Wilson and Mr. Bikram Singh and our Special Guest – Ms. Sonia Ghai. The parents graced the beautiful day with their presence.

The routine of an event was followed by thanking the almighty by reciting the Holy Quran and respecting the countries by singing the anthems of UAE and India. Thereby a parade by all the students of grade 2 to 9 led by the Sports Secretary, Asst Sports Secretary, Head Boy and the Head Girl, displayed the discipline and respect the children hold for their parents and the guests.

The formal inauguration witnessed a series of wonderful events. Our respected Principal gave the welcome address followed by the address by our honourable Chief Guest that motivated the children. Thereby the house flags were hoisted in pride by the Sports Secretary and the House Captains. The balloons were released by our respected Vice Principal and the House Masters, giving wings to the dreams of Credence High School. Our CBSE swimming bronze medalists – Master. Prithvi and Miss. Kateryna bore the Torch of Sportsmanship and the cauldron was lit by our honourable Chief Guest along with the two students. The children took the Oath of Fair Play in presence of everyone and thereby the event was officially declared open.

The parents, both mums and dads got an opportunity to involve in the fun ‘Tug of War’ and the moment was filled with excitement. And indeed the winning teams bagged the trophies too.

The morning was beautified with an array of drill displays, ‘It’s a Beautiful Life Welcome Dance’ by grade 2 and 3, ‘The Peacock Dance’ by grade 4 and 5 and ‘The Patriotic Drill’ by the grades 6 to 9. All the drill showcased an amazing combination of choreography and colours, dance and discipline, gymnastics and grace and lot more. The day boarding Karate children showcased their amazing karate skills and achievements.

Following which were the various races and relays; 100M, 200M and 4X100M by the students of grade 2 to 9 in the categories of boys and girls. The speed, the energy and the excitement in the children was at its peak when they participated in all the races and did their best to score more and more house points.

And finally the most awaited prize distribution ceremony was held. Each child got an opportunity to perform their best and win the medals and trophies. The house that scored the highest points was ‘Oak’ and achieved the trophy proudly. It was a moment of pride when they received the prizes from the Guests, School’s Senior Leaders and Parents present there.

Insight: ‘Sometimes you win and sometimes you learn’, the phrase aptly justified the spirit of the day. Every child is special, be it a winner or not. The aim was getting the children enjoy the whole event and that what successfully achieved. Credence High School kept the spirit high and promised to bring back the excitement again and again in the coming years. The whole event was successfully led by Mr. Nicart (Head of PE Department) and his whole team and closed to rousing cheers.