More Than Just a Language: My Journey with German Classes

Sometimes, a class becomes much more than a subject—it becomes a beautiful memory. My German classes at school are one such experience that I will always cherish.

It all began one day when we were informed about German language lessons and were invited to give our names if we were interested. I was immediately excited and wrote my name without a second thought. I never imagined how special this decision would turn out to be.

Our German classes were held during the 5th and 6th lessons, and they were taken by Mr Joachim Keferstein, a teacher who made learning truly enjoyable.

Mr Joachim Keferstein, former Head of Department in the NRW Ministry of Education, Germany, where he was responsible for secondary schools, European schools, and UNESCO schools. Despite his vast experience and international stature, Sir was extremely humble, warm, and friendly with all of us, which made learning German a joyful experience.

Although I missed the first class and found it difficult to understand the second one, Sir’s patience, encouragement, and positive attitude motivated me to keep trying. He never made us feel afraid of making mistakes and always inspired us to do better.

With regular practice and Sir’s constant guidance, we gradually became more confident. One day, Sir announced that we would prepare a skit in German. He selected five students and trusted me with the role of a teacher. His belief in me gave me immense confidence. We practised several times, and even when Sir had to travel to Shimla, he made sure we were well prepared by sending us voice messages to help improve our pronunciation. This showed how deeply he cared about our learning.

On the day of the skit, I was nervous but determined to give my best. After the performance, Sir announced that he would award the titles of 'Best Girl’ and ‘Best Boy’ in front of our respected Principal Sir and HM Sir. I had no expectations, so when Sir announced my name as the 'Best Girl in the German Class', I was overjoyed and proud. To make the moment even more special, Sir gifted me a sports jersey of the famous German footballer Müller, which I will always treasure.

Mr. Keferstein did not just teach us a language; he shared stories about his family, culture, and life, making every class lively and meaningful. Learning from him was a truly mesmerising experience. As a warm farewell, he even arranged a small party for all the German students in the school mess, which showed his affection and connection with us.

I am very sure that I will miss him a lot. Mr. Keferstein has left a lasting impact on me and has inspired me to continue learning German. I hope that one day I will visit Germany and meet him again. This journey has taught me that a great teacher can turn learning into a lifelong memory.

Aaliya Saifi

Class 7

My Experience at the 37th Celebration of Excellence

 

The 37th Celebration of Excellence in our school was one of the most enticing events I have ever been part of. This year felt even more special because the Chief Guest was Ambassador Dr Deepak Vohra, and everyone in the school was talking about how important this day would be. I was happier because I gave a trial for the dance performance, and to my surprise, I got selected.

When my teacher told me that I had been chosen as the main lead dancer, I felt a mixture of emotions at the same time. I had never led a group before, and I kept wondering if I would be able to remember all the steps. Our practice started in school first. Every day, after classes, we would gather in the assembly area and practise. My teacher guided me with a lot of patience. She corrected my steps gently and encouraged me even though I made mistakes. Her words gave me confidence and comfort. At home too, I practised daily. I stood in front of the mirror, repeated the expressions, checked my hand movements, and tried to make each step look perfect. Sometimes I felt tired, and sometimes I felt scared that I might forget everything on the final day. But each time, I reminded myself that I had worked very hard and that my teachers believed in me. Slowly, practising in front of the mirror became something I enjoyed. I could see myself getting better every day, and that made me smile.

When the day finally arrived, I felt very nervous. My hands were cold, and my heart was beating so fast. Standing backstage, I kept telling myself, “You can do this.” When the music started, and the lights came on, something changed inside me. All my fears disappeared, and I danced with confidence. I could feel the energy of my team, and it made me even stronger. When the performance ended, there was loud applause. I saw my teachers clapping proudly and my friends cheering for me. At that moment, I felt truly happy.

After the event, many teachers and students came to appreciate me. They said the dance looked beautiful and that I had done a wonderful job as the lead. Hearing that made all my hard work worth it. I felt proud of myself, not only because I danced well, but because I faced my fear and enjoyed every part of the journey. Taking part in the 37th Celebration of Excellence taught me that practice, courage, and self-belief can help you achieve anything. I will always remember this experience as one of the happiest moments of my school life.

Angel

Class 5