A Day to Remember
April 9th, 2025, will forever be remembered as the day All Nations International School exploded with color, culture, laughter, and a healthy dose of chaos—all in the best way possible! Our Sinhala and Tamil New Year celebration was nothing short of magical (and slightly hilarious), filled with beauty, tradition, fierce competition, and, of course, lots and lots of food.
Dancing into the Celebration
To kick things off, we began with a dazzling dance performance by our graceful girls. Their movements were so elegant and mesmerizing that some of the boys in the crowd forgot to blink—and a few teachers may or may not have pulled muscles trying to imitate the moves later in the staffroom. As a result, eyes were glued, jaws were dropped, and one parent even whispered, “I think I saw angels dancing.” We don’t disagree.
A Taste of Tradition
Following the performance, we dove into a series of beloved Sri Lankan traditions. Our pretend neighborhood—complete with Tamil and Sinhala-style huts (built with the help of some awesome parents)—transformed into a vibrant cultural mini-village. There, we had everything: drumming, firecrackers, food exchanges, and the grand coconut milk boiling ceremony. When the milk finally boiled over (as it should), everyone cheered. According to tradition, it’s a sign of prosperity. So, if your child suddenly starts getting A’s in math—now you know why!
Let the Games Begin
After the cultural segment, the games began—and oh boy, did things get competitive.
Teachers Take the Stage
First up, the teachers tackled the Musical Hat. The rule was simple: if the music stopped and you were wearing the hat, you were out. However, the chaos? Imagine teachers frantically tossing hats like hot potatoes while trying to appear graceful. In the end, our champion was none other than Ms. Piyamini, who showed off some serious strategy—or just luck. We’re still not sure.
Management on the Move
Next, the management team took the spotlight in the Book Balance Battle. The mission? Walk the runway with a book on your head and try not to look like a confused flamingo. Impressively, Mr. David nailed it like a boss, gracefully strutting to victory. Rumor has it, he’s now considering a part-time career as a catwalk model.
Supporting Staff Steal the Spotlight
Not to be outdone, the supporting staff entered the Lime-on-Spoon Marathon. Picture this: grown adults, spoons clenched in their teeth, eyes narrowed with laser focus, and limes wobbling like jelly on a rollercoaster. Ultimately, Mr. Raja took home the crown—though we suspect he’s been training in secret.
Students in Festival Mode
Meanwhile, the students were in full festival mode. From blindfolded pot-breaking (no children were harmed, we promise), to drawing the elephant’s eye (blindfolded again—because apparently, we love chaos), to the ever-popular musical chairs, they were unstoppable. But without a doubt, the crowd favorite was the Yoghurt Feeding Game—where blindfolded students attempted to feed their friends yoghurt with all the precision of a squirrel using chopsticks. The laughter? Unstoppable. The yoghurt? Absolutely everywhere.
Cuteness Overload: Kumara & Kumariya
Additionally, we had the sweet pageantry of our mini Mr. and Miss All Nations—Kumara and Kumariya selections for each grade. Truly, we almost died from the adorableness.
Sweet Endings and Sugar Highs
Finally, after all the dancing, shouting, cheering, and yoghurt-splattering, the students retreated to their classrooms to feast on New Year sweets and traditional delicacies. From kiribath to kokis to kavum—they devoured it all. Best of all, there was no homework, no tests, just sugar highs and dreams of vacation. As they licked the last bits of jaggery from their fingers, the realization set in: it was the last day before April break. The joy was very, very real.
Until Next Year…
So here’s to a new year full of blessings, belly laughs, and maybe a little less yoghurt on our uniforms. Happy Sinhala and Tamil New Year from all of us at All Nations International School—where even the traditions come with a twist of fun and faith!