FRIENDSHIP DAY

31/07/2026

“A friend is someone who makes every moment brighter and every journey happier.”

Friendship Day is celebrated across the world on the first Sunday of August to cherish the beautiful bonds of love, trust, care, and togetherness. IES Orion Kindergarten celebrated this special occasion on Friday, 31^st July 2026, with great joy and enthusiasm. The celebration provided our young learners with an opportunity to understand the true meaning and importance of friendship in their everyday lives.

The value of “Sharing is Caring” was beautifully conveyed to the children through meaningful and enjoyable activities. The teachers of Nursery, Jr.KG, and Sr.KG engaged the little ones through heart-warming videos depicting the unforgettable friendship between Lord Krishna and Sudama, along with cheerful songs celebrating the spirit of friendship.

Through stories, songs, and interactive discussions, the children learnt that a true friend is someone who stands beside us during happy as well as difficult moments. They understood that good friends share, care for one another, help each other, guide us when we make mistakes, and accept us with love and kindness.

The celebration was filled with innocent smiles, warm hugs, laughter, and joyful moments as the children expressed their affection for their friends. The day created many beautiful memories and reminded our tiny Orionites that friendship makes life more meaningful and joyful.

The celebration truly highlighted the message that a good friend is one of life’s most precious gifts.

“Together we share, together we care — true friendship is a joy beyond compare!”

LOKMANYA BAL GANGADHAR TILAK PUNYATITHI

31/07/2026

IES Orion Kindergarten solemnly observed the Punyatithi of Lokmanya Bal Gangadhar Tilak, paying a heartfelt tribute to one of India’s most courageous and inspiring freedom fighters. A great nationalist and a strong advocate of Poorna Swaraj (complete self-rule), Lokmanya Tilak dedicated his life to awakening the spirit of patriotism and unity among the people of India. Though he passed away on 1^st August 1920, his remarkable contribution to the nation and his fearless ideals continue to inspire generations.

To help the young learners understand the life and contributions of this great national leader, the teachers conducted an engaging and informative session supported by a PowerPoint presentation. Through simple narration, pictures, and storytelling, the children were introduced to significant events from Tilak’s life and his unwavering commitment to India’s freedom struggle.

Sr.KG students enthusiastically participated by sharing their thoughts about Lokmanya Tilak and his contribution to the nation. They spoke confidently about his famous words, “Swaraj is my birthright and I shall have it,” and learnt how he used celebrations such as Ganesh Utsav and Shivaji Jayanti to bring people together and strengthen the spirit of unity and nationalism during the freedom movement.

A meaningful incident from Tilak’s childhood was also narrated, helping the children understand the importance of honesty, courage, confidence, and fearlessness. The session encouraged the tiny Orionites to admire the values and determination of this great leader and develop a deep sense of respect and love for their motherland.

The observance concluded with a heartfelt tribute to Lokmanya Bal Gangadhar Tilak, whose life remains a shining example of courage, leadership, and patriotism.

“Swaraj was his dream, courage was his way Lokmanya Tilak inspires us every day!”

PUPPET SHOW ON CLEANLINESS

31/07/2026

“A clean little habit every day, keeps germs and dirt far away!”

IES Orion Kindergarten organised an entertaining and educational Puppet Show on Cleanliness on Friday, 31^st July 2026. The programme was planned to introduce young children to the importance of cleanliness and encourage them to adopt healthy hygiene practices in their daily lives.

The show featured attractive puppets and lively characters that immediately drew the attention of the little learners. With their amusing conversations, expressive actions, cheerful songs, and funny moments, the puppets created a joyful learning experience for the children. The tiny tots watched the performance with great excitement and actively responded with smiles, laughter, claps, and enthusiasm.

As the story unfolded, the puppets shared valuable lessons about keeping both ourselves and our surroundings clean. The children were reminded to use dustbins for waste, avoid littering, wash their hands at the right time, and follow good personal hygiene habits. These important messages were presented in a simple and enjoyable manner, making them easy for the children to understand and remember.

The puppet show beautifully demonstrated that learning good habits can be both interesting and fun. It was an enjoyable experience that combined entertainment with meaningful learning and encouraged the young Orionites to take small steps towards keeping their homes, classrooms, and surroundings neat and clean.

The programme concluded with the children carrying home an important message cleanliness begins with each one of us!

GURU PURNIMA

29/07/2026

"A Guru lights the lamp of wisdom, guiding every child towards knowledge, values, and a brighter future."

Guru Purnima was celebrated with great reverence and devotion at IES Orion Kindergarten on Wednesday, 29^th July 2026. The celebration aimed to help the young learners understand the importance of respecting and expressing gratitude towards their teachers, who guide them with love, wisdom, and care.

The programme began with an engaging storytelling session, where the inspiring tale of Aruni, the devoted disciple of Guru Dhomya Rishi, was narrated. Through this timeless story, the children learnt valuable life lessons about obedience, dedication, sincerity, and respect for one's Guru.

To further enrich their understanding, the students were introduced to the concept of the Gurukul, the ancient Indian system of education, through a thoughtfully displayed project. The teachers explained how learning in a Gurukul differed from present-day schools, helping the children appreciate the evolution of education while understanding that the bond between a Guru and a disciple remains timeless.

The celebration concluded on a devotional note as the students respectfully recited the sacred Guru Shloka and sought the blessings of their teachers as a mark of love, gratitude, and respect.

गुरुर्ब्रह्मा गुरुर्विष्णुः गुरुर्देवो महेश्वरः।
गुरुः साक्षात् परब्रह्म तस्मै श्रीगुरवे नमः॥

The Guru Purnima celebration was a meaningful experience that instilled in the young learners the timeless values of gratitude, humility, and respect for their teachers, leaving them inspired to become sincere and responsible students.

WORLD NATURE CONSERVATION DAY

28/07/2026

"Little Hands, Big Responsibility – Together We Protect Nature for a Greener Tomorrow!"

IES Orion Kindergarten celebrated World Nature Conservation Day on Tuesday, 28^th July 2026 with great enthusiasm and a strong commitment to fostering environmental awareness among its young learners. The celebration aimed to help children understand the importance of protecting nature, conserving natural resources, and caring for the plants and animals that make our planet a beautiful place to live.

The teachers explained the significance of World Nature Conservation Day through simple and interactive discussions, encouraging the children to become responsible caretakers of the environment. The young learners were introduced to the concept of the 3Rs – Reduce, Reuse, and Recycle and learnt how small everyday actions can make a big difference. They were encouraged to conserve water and electricity by switching off lights, fans, and air conditioners when not in use, using reusable water bottles, and reducing the use of plastic. The children also understood that adopting simple, eco-friendly habits today will help create a cleaner, greener, and healthier world for tomorrow.

To reinforce these valuable lessons, the students enthusiastically participated in creative art activities. The Nursery students created beautiful palm-print trees using brown sponge dabbing for the tree trunks, while the teachers wrote the message "Save Trees" to complement their artwork. The little artists of Jr.KG showcased their creativity through earbud painting, decorating Earth and tree cut-outs, drawing clouds, and colouring the planet with bright hues. The Sr.KG students expressed their love and concern for nature through thoughtful drawings on art sheets, reflecting their understanding of the importance of protecting and preserving our environment.

The celebration was a delightful blend of learning and creativity, inspiring the young learners to appreciate the beauty of nature and recognise their role in protecting it. The activities encouraged them to become environmentally conscious citizens and take small yet meaningful steps towards conserving our precious natural resources.

"Every leaf we protect, every drop we save, and every tree we nurture brings us closer to a greener tomorrow."

ASHADHI EKADASHI

24/07/2026

"Tiny Feet, Deep Devotion – Celebrating Our Traditions with Joy and Faith!"

Ashadhi Ekadashi, one of the most revered festivals, was celebrated with immense joy, devotion, and cultural fervour at IES Orion Kindergarten on Friday, 24^th July 2026. The celebration was thoughtfully organised to introduce the young learners to the rich cultural heritage and spiritual significance of this auspicious occasion while instilling the values of faith, devotion, kindness, and selfless service.

The students arrived dressed in beautiful traditional attire, creating a vibrant and festive atmosphere across the campus. Many children enthusiastically portrayed Lord Vitthal, Goddess Rakhumai, and Varkaris, adding colour and authenticity to the celebration.

The programme began with an informative PowerPoint presentation (PPT), through which the teachers explained the significance of Ashadhi Ekadashi in a simple and child-friendly manner. The inspiring story of Pundalik, the great devotee of Lord Vitthal, was shared to help children understand the values of devotion, determination, truthfulness, and selfless service.

The young learners then gathered in the stilt area, where they joyfully sang melodious Vitthal bhajans, creating a serene and devotional atmosphere. As traditional music filled the air, the children enthusiastically played Fugdi and danced with great excitement, celebrating the festival in its true spirit.

A symbolic Dindi procession was organised on the school ground, where the children, dressed as little Varkaris, carried saffron flags and a sacred Tulsi plant while chanting "Vitthal Vitthal Jai Hari Vitthal!" and "Gyanoba Mauli Tukaram!" The procession beautifully recreated the spirit of the traditional Wari, allowing the children to experience Maharashtra's rich devotional heritage in a joyful and meaningful way.

The Ashadhi Ekadashi celebration was a wonderful blend of culture, spirituality, music, and joyful learning. The event left the young learners with cherished memories while fostering an appreciation for Indian traditions and reinforcing the values of unity, devotion, and respect for our rich cultural heritage;

WORLD EMOJI DAY

17/07/2026

"Every Emoji Tells a Feeling, Every Smile Tells a Story!"

At IES Orion Kindergarten, World Emoji Day was celebrated with great excitement on Friday, 17^th July 2026, giving our young learners a wonderful opportunity to explore emotions, creativity, and self-expression through fun-filled activities. The celebration encouraged children to understand that every feeling is important and that emotions can be expressed in healthy and meaningful ways.

Emoji’s have become an integral part of everyday communication, helping people convey thoughts and emotions quickly and effectively. Recognizing their growing role in modern interactions, World Emoji Day is observed every year on 17^th July to celebrate these expressive digital symbols. Introduced in 2014 by Jeremy Burge, the founder of Emojipedia, the day highlights how emoji’s have transformed the way people communicate across cultures and languages.

To begin the celebration, teachers conducted an engaging PowerPoint Presentation explaining the importance of emoji’s and the different emotions they represent. Through interactive discussions, children learned how emoji are used to express feelings in digital communication while also understanding the importance of expressing emotions confidently in their everyday lives through facial expressions, words, and actions.

The celebration featured age-appropriate activities specially planned for each class:

• Nursery students created delightful smiley emoji’s by dabbing yellow paint onto paper plates and decorating them with heart-shaped eyes. This colourful sensory activity enhanced their creativity while strengthening their fine motor skills.

• Jr.KG students were given circular cut-outs and guided to draw different smiley faces by observing examples demonstrated by their teachers. This activity encouraged observation, imagination, and artistic expression.

• Sr.KG students observed a variety of emoticons displayed on the board and were invited to draw the emoji that best represented how they were feeling that day. This thoughtful activity promoted emotional awareness, self-reflection, and confidence in expressing personal feelings.

Each activity was carefully designed to nurture creativity, develop emotional intelligence, and encourage children to recognize and communicate their emotions in a positive manner. The joyful atmosphere throughout the day reflected the enthusiasm and excitement of every young learner as they explored the colourful world of emoji’s.

The celebration concluded on a happy note as the children proudly carried home their beautifully crafted emoji creations. World Emoji Day proved to be a delightful blend of learning and fun, leaving our little learners with bright smiles, expressive hearts, and a deeper understanding that every emotion deserves to be acknowledged and expressed with confidence.

CISCE Zone 'A' Chess Championship (Boys) 2026–27

16/07/2026 - 17/07/2026

Venue: IES ORION School

IES ORION School had the distinct honour of hosting the CISCE Zone 'A' Chess Championship (Boys) 2026–27 on 16^th and 17^th July 2026. The prestigious championship brought together talented young chess players from across Mumbai, providing them with a platform to showcase their strategic thinking, discipline, and sportsmanship.

The championship witnessed the enthusiastic participation of 38 CISCE schools, with 268 players competing in the Under-14, Under-17, and Under-19 Boys categories. The tournament was conducted in a highly organized and professional manner under the rules and regulations of the Council for the Indian School Certificate Examinations (CISCE).

The Opening Ceremony was graced by Hon. Secretary & CEO of IES, Shri Shailendra Gharse, and Vice President of IES, Shri Ramesh S. Rao, who formally inaugurated the championship. They welcomed all the participants, coaches, and officials and encouraged the young players to compete with determination, integrity, and true sportsmanship.

After two days of intense and intellectually stimulating competition, the championship concluded with the Prize Distribution Ceremony, which was graced by Padma Shri and Arjuna Awardee, Smt. Anupama Gokhale, India's most celebrated chess player. She was accompanied by IES OSD, Shri Ravi Gadiyar. Their inspiring presence added immense prestige to the event as they felicitated the winners and appreciated the efforts of all the participants.

The winners of the championship are as follows:

Standing Under 14 Boys

Rank	Name of the Student	DOB	School Name	School Code	Standard
1	Aditya Shardul Kadam	04-09-2013	Prime Academy	MA099	VII
2	Gaurang Bhandari	14-10-2013	Bombay Scottish School	MA053	VII
3	Agastya Singh Khanka	16-11-2013	Hiranandani Foundation School	MA061	VII
4	Ayush Yadav	11-10-2013	Arya Viday Mandir, Bandra (W)	MA025	VII
5	Lakshya Pankaj Agrawal	16-07-2014	Hiranandani Foundation School	MA041	VII

Standing Under 17 Boys

Rank	Name of the Student	DOB	School Name	School Code	Standard
1	Hriday Maniar	02-04-2012	Vasudev C. Wadhwa Arya Vidya Mandir	MA062	IX
2	Om Rajeevkumar Sagar	17-06-2011	Hiranandani Foundation School	MA061	X
3	Neemay Mayur Bhanushali	08-05-2012	The Green Acres Academy	MA236	IX
4	Shourya Swapnil Khadilkar	29-01-2011	Pawar Public School	MA170	X
5	Rayan Arshan Merchant	06-06-2012	Chatrabhuj Narsee Memorial School	MA058	IX

Standing Under 19 Boys

Rank	Name of the Student	DOB	School Name	School Code	Standard
1	Shlok Choudhury	19-06-2009	Cathedral & John Connon School	MA006	XII
2	Arhan Bhandari	22-01-2009	Cathedral & John Connon School	MA006	XII
3	Rehan Mehernosh Printer	07-08-2008	Cathedral & John Connon School	MA006	XII
4	Rishi Manish Rele	03-11-2008	Cathedral & John Connon School	MA006	XII
5	Samar Joy Surana	05-03-2009	Cathedral & John Connon School	MA006	XII

The successful organization of this prestigious championship once again reflects IES ORION's unwavering commitment to promoting excellence in sports and nurturing young talent through healthy competition and holistic education.

BEFRIEND PLANTS WEEK

08/07/2026 - 10/07/2026

"Plant a Seed Today, Grow a Greener Tomorrow!"

At IES Orion Kindergarten, we believe that every child should develop a meaningful connection with nature from an early age. Encouraging children to care for plants helps cultivate responsibility, empathy, and environmental awareness values that remain with them throughout life. With this vision, Befriend Plants Week was celebrated from Wednesday, 8^th July 2026 to Friday, 10^th July 2026, offering our young learners an enriching journey into the wonderful world of plants.

The celebration began with an interactive introduction to plants through engaging discussions, demonstrations, and hands-on learning experiences. Children were introduced to the different parts of a plant and discovered the essential elements required for healthy growth—sunlight, water, air, and soil. Storytelling sessions highlighting the importance of plants, along with lively songs about nature and the environment, created an atmosphere of excitement and curiosity while deepening their appreciation for the green world around them.

One of the most memorable highlights was the plantation activity, where the Jr.KG and Sr.KG students eagerly participated in sowing their own seeds. Every child brought a pot or container, soil, and seeds from home. Under the careful guidance of their teachers, they filled their pots with soil, planted the seeds, watered them gently, and placed them near windows where they could receive ample sunlight and fresh air. This meaningful activity introduced children to the life cycle of plants while fostering a sense of ownership, care, and responsibility. Each day, during their lunch break, they enthusiastically observed and nurtured their little plants, eagerly waiting to witness the first signs of new life.

To reinforce their understanding of plant growth, children later explored the fascinating process of germination through a creative art activity. They first practised drawing the stages on slates using chalk before illustrating them on art sheets. Through colourful drawings, they depicted the transformation of a tiny seed into a sprout, a seedling, and finally a young plant. This artistic expression enabled them to visualize and understand the stages of growth while encouraging creativity and observation skills.

The celebration beautifully combined experiential learning with environmental education, allowing children to explore nature through observation, creativity, and hands-on participation. Their enthusiasm while caring for their plants and watching them grow reflected the joy of learning through real-life experiences.

The event concluded on Friday, 10^th July 2026, with the delightful celebration of Sprouts Day. Teachers served a wholesome and nutritious sprout usal, which the children relished with great enthusiasm. This healthy treat perfectly complemented the theme of the celebration, reinforcing the importance of nutritious food and the value of plants in our daily lives.

Befriend Plants Week proved to be a meaningful and memorable celebration that inspired children to respect, nurture, and protect nature. Through every seed planted and every sprout observed, our little learners took their first steps towards becoming environmentally conscious and responsible citizens, carrying with them the invaluable lesson that even the smallest act of care can help create a greener and healthier future.

NURSERY COLOR WEEK

08/07/2026 - 14/07/2026

"A Rainbow of Learning, A World of Wonder!"

The early years of childhood are filled with discovery, and colours provide children with endless opportunities to observe, explore, and express themselves. To make colour recognition an exciting and joyful experience, Colour Week was celebrated with great enthusiasm in the Nursery section of IES Orion Kindergarten from Wednesday, 8^th July 2026 to Tuesday, 14^th July 2026.

The classrooms came alive with vibrant decorations, colourful flashcards, themed displays, toys, and real-life objects that reflected the colour of the day. Beautifully decorated blackboards added warmth and excitement to the learning environment. Dressed in the designated colour and carrying matching toys from home, the little learners transformed the school into a delightful rainbow of smiles, creativity, and cheerful energy.

Highlights of the Celebration

Yellow Day – Wednesday, 8^th July 2026
The celebration began with a delightful kite paper tearing and sticking activity on a duck cut-out. As children carefully tore and pasted the yellow kite paper, they developed their fine motor skills, finger strength, and hand-eye coordination while joyfully exploring the vibrant colour yellow.

Green Day – Thursday, 9^th July 2026
Children enthusiastically participated in a newspaper dabbing activity on a capsicum cut-out. Using crumpled newspaper dipped in green paint, they created beautiful textured artwork that enhanced their creativity, sensory exploration, and recognition of the colour green.

Black & White Day – Friday, 10^th July 2026
The little artists enjoyed a marble paper tearing and pasting activity on a duck cut-out. This engaging art experience strengthened their pincer grip, improved concentration, and helped them appreciate the striking contrast of black and white through creative expression.

Red Day – Monday, 13^th July 2026
The excitement continued with a marble paper tearing and sticking activity on an apple cut-out. While decorating the apple with bright red paper, children reinforced their understanding of the colour red and further developed their creativity and fine motor coordination.

Blue Day – Tuesday, 14^th July 2026
The colourful celebration concluded with an enjoyable sponge dabbing activity on a blue whale cut-out. Dabbing the sponge in blue paint and stamping it onto the artwork gave children a rich sensory experience while enhancing their hand control, imagination, and familiarity with the colour blue. Throughout the celebration, every activity was thoughtfully planned to make colour learning interactive, engaging, and meaningful. The hands-on experiences enabled children to identify and relate colours to familiar objects while simultaneously enhancing their sensory awareness, creativity, hand-eye coordination, and fine motor development. Their enthusiastic participation reflected the joy of learning through exploration and play.

Colour Week filled the classrooms with vibrant colours, laughter, and excitement, creating an enriching environment where learning came alive through creativity. The celebration not only strengthened the children's understanding of colours but also nurtured their confidence, imagination, and love for experiential learning, leaving them with beautiful memories to cherish.

NURSERY PARENT–CHILD BAZAAR

04/07/2026

"The greatest lessons are learned not only in classrooms but through experiences that inspire confidence, creativity, and collaboration."

The Nursery Parent–Child Bazaar at IES Orion Kindergarten, held on Saturday, 4^th July 2026, was a vibrant celebration of experiential learning, creativity, and togetherness. The event transformed the school into a lively marketplace where our little learners, hand in hand with their parents, explored the exciting world of buying, selling, and teamwork through an engaging real-life experience.

The bazaar showcased beautifully decorated stalls, each thoughtfully designed around a unique colour theme—Red, Blue, Yellow, Green, Brown, Black, White, and the colourful Rainbow. Every stall displayed an attractive assortment of colour-coordinated products, creating a visually delightful shopping experience that reflected imagination, planning, and creativity.

Adding warmth and excitement to the event, our Nursery children confidently stepped into the roles of enthusiastic shopkeepers, fruit and vegetable vendors, and cheerful little entrepreneurs. Dressed in colourful costumes, they welcomed visitors with bright smiles, interacted politely with customers, handled their miniature cash boxes with great enthusiasm, and experienced the joy of selling their products. Their confidence, excitement, and sense of responsibility made the marketplace come alive.

The event witnessed overwhelming participation from Nursery students and their families, while Jr.KG and Sr.KG students, Primary and Secondary students, parents, teaching and non-teaching staff enthusiastically visited the stalls as buyers, making the atmosphere lively and festive. Their encouragement and appreciation motivated the young entrepreneurs and made the experience even more meaningful.

A special highlight of the day was the gracious visit of Mr. Sagar Sule, President of IES & Chairman of IES Orion, who interacted warmly with the children, appreciated their remarkable efforts, and visited the colourful stalls. His words of encouragement and appreciation boosted the confidence and morale of the little vendors, making the occasion even more memorable for the students and their families.

The Parent–Child Bazaar beautifully achieved its objective of promoting learning through experience. It nurtured communication skills, confidence, creativity, cooperation, and early financial awareness while strengthening the bond between parents and children through active participation. Every smile, every interaction, and every successful transaction reflected the enthusiasm and sense of accomplishment experienced by our tiny Orionites.

Filled with laughter, learning, and colourful memories, the Nursery Parent–Child Bazaar proved to be a delightful celebration of partnership, innovation, and joyful discovery. It was an unforgettable experience that encouraged children to dream big, explore fearlessly, and learn valuable life skills through meaningful participation.

"When little hands work together with loving hearts, every experience becomes a lesson for life."