Ambassador Subrashini's remarks on garlanding of Tagore's bust- AlphaMax Academy

In a short but moving ceremony the ICC and the AlphaMax community honored Rabindranath Tagore by garlanding his bust in the school compound.

Students and staff did school assembly around the bust. The school's anthem prayer " Where the head is held  high " - a poem from Tagore's Gitangali was said. Two hymns were sung then the bust was garlanded by Ambassador of India in Suriname Ms. Subrashini, Senior teachers, Members of ICC and the youngest students in the school.

Ambassador Subrashini of India

Mr. Taylor, Mr. Drepaul, Mr. Kraak, other teachers, staff and students.
A very good morning to all of you.
Once again I am happy to be here to celebrate Rabindranath Tagore’s 154th birth anniversary in the esteemed institution of Alpha Max Academy.

We all know Tagore as a great poet, playwright and educationist. Tagore’s belief in scientific knowledge and his concept of humanism which transcended nationalism and patriotism into universal brotherhood makes him a visionary who anticipated the global village in which we live today.

His thoughts on these issues are of great relevance even today and I quote “  to accept the truth of our own age it will be necessary to establish a new education on the basis, not of nationalism but of a wider relationship of humanity”.

He believed that education should be comprehensive to teach us different aspects of life including the mundane and the spiritual. As a visionary his views on environment and women’s rights make him relevant to our existence today. Strong sense of aesthetics, freedom and dignity of human beings were some of the themes of his works.
Tagore saw the world as a vast give-and-take of ideas and innovations. He insisted that “whatever we understand and enjoy in human products instantly becomes ours, wherever they might have their origin.” He went on to proclaim, “I am proud of my humanity when I can acknowledge the poets and artists of other countries as my own. Let me feel with unalloyed gladness that all the great glories of man are mine.” The importance of such ideas has not diminished in the divisive world in which we now live.

It is imperative that we deliberate on these modern thoughts and ideas of Tagore and derive benefits to better our lives Thank you.

My Journey to a place at SCAD

My name is Alain Soekhlal, I am 18 year of age, and I am a recent graduate from the AlphaMax Academy.  My dream is to become a famous architect, and I hope that Savannah College of Art and Design (SCAD) can lead me there.

Alain with Jamiel

Two years ago, I visited SCAD in Georgia, and I was fascinated with the school.  I immediately knew that this was the place I wanted to be.  The school is filled with people from all across the globe. In addition, it is a very quiet place.

SCAD

At the time I was there, I gathered all the information I needed to know about how to apply, the various costs - housing fees, and meal plans.  A year ago, I started to apply online.  There were a number of different fields that were required for acceptance.  I needed a certain amount of money that would support me throughout the course years, I needed a score of 6.5 or higher in the IELTS test, and I needed to fill out a series of different sheets with my information about myself.

Approximately two months ago, I did the IELTS test, and got a score of 7.  I immediately sent my scores to the admissions office where Mrs. Ana Velez was responsible for my work.  I frequently emailed her with different questions and her requests for information.  After I sent my scores, Mrs. Velez had them checked.

 On May 19, 2015, I received an email from Mrs. Velez stating that I was accepted to SCAD.  I was overwhelmed with joy.  I was now another step closer to my dreams.  I then waited a few days for my i20 to arrive.  The i20 is a form that the school sends for the students to take to the American embassy when applying for a student visa.

 After I received the files, I had to report to the American embassy to request a student visa.  My request was approved.  On August 24, 2015, I will go to SCAD in Georgia and start my journey of becoming a well known Architect.

Alain Soekhlal – GAC and AlphaMax Academy 2015 graduate

Alphamax lower school - Job Day

The Nature Encounters Class (N.E.C) in the primary department at the AlphaMax Academy had their most inspiring event on Friday 29th May, 2015. They displayed costumes of the job they desired the most when they grew up. The young Doctors; Nurses; Scientists; Farmer; Policemen; Soldiers; Tour Guides; etc. They all did a fantastic job!

Mrs. Polly Carmichael organzied the day. Ms. Isadora Barrow was the MC.
Both the rest of the lower school, intermediate level and high school turned out to see the students.

Rabindra Mala at AlphaMax Academy on Thrursday May 7th.

“RABINDRA MALA:

CELEBRATING THE SUPREME ARTIST & SAGE”

An Evening of

Rabindranath Tagore’s

Poetry with Music & Dance

Date: THURSDAY, May 7^th, 2015

Time:   7.00 – 8.00 p.m. (1900 – 2000 hrs)

Place:   AlphaMax Academy

Stanvastestraat 18-24 (Zorg en hoop)

AlphaMax Academy

in collaboration with

Indian Cultural Center

Embassy of India

AlphaMax Academy wins English Spelling Bee for third time.

AlphaMax Academy won the first prize for Suriname English language schools or the third time in succession in the English Spelling Bee Contest. The contest was held on Saturday 18th August in the Congreshal in Paramaribo.This also means that the Academy is now the proud owner of the challenge trophy!

Photo: de Ware Tijd

There also was an English Spelling Bee contest for schools in which Dutch is the medium of instruction.

 In a separate round in this year's contest students had to give the meaning of English words.

“By going bigger, we want to realize a long-term goal, which is participating in the foreign Spelling Bee”, says Ms. Monique Brown, director of Stichting Leren voor een goede toekomst (Foundation of Learning for a good future). (Quote from article in de Ware Tijd Daily 20 April, 2015.)

One of the goals of the organization is promoting English language education in schools. She said that she was surprised that the children were so good.

This year AlphaMax Academy was the only participant in the category of schools in which English is the medium of instruction. Other English Language schools did not participate for a variety of reasons.

Since AlphaMax was the only school contestant,  AlphaMax students had to compete with each other. The overall winner was Archana Mangal. In second place was Joanna Daher and Sheetal Anroedh came  third . They got prizes; Archana Mangal got a trophy to keep and a laptop.

Archana Mangal said: “I not only wanted to participate but to broaden my knowledge, I also wanted to prove myself. And it is very important to be able to communicate in the English language.”

The students were prepared by AlphaMax Academy English instructors Kawita Thani,  Sharon Hoppie, Simone Griffith and  Cheryylyn Cambridge .

Carinlangs students -Kawita Thani,Vishal Ramjiawan and Gina Persaud were members of the jury  AlphaMax put  a lot of effort into preparing its students and helping to to organize the contest.

AlphaMax, and Archana, Joanna, Sheetal in particular, Congratulations!
 Source:  de Ware Tijd
Mr. Atma Jagbandhan,

Science instructor -AlphaMax Academy

AlphamAx Academy students in English Speeling Bee Competition

AlphaMax Academy students will be participating in the Spelling Bee Competition at 5pm on Saturday 18th April, 2015, at Congreshal.

Tamia Hoppie 2014 Champion Queen Bee

Lower Level:      Jonathan Persaud
                            Ava Hussain

Middle Level:     Isabella Sughrue
                            Shemaiah Johnson
                             
                            Sheetal Anroedh
                            Sheray Sporkslede

                            Joanna Daher
                            Archana Mangal

                            Chevay Despo
                           Alonzo Ferdinand

High School:       Kevin Loh
                            Adrian Persaud

AlphaMax Academy 2014 speeling bee team members.

IELTS Examination on 23-25 April

The IELTS Examination will take place at the AlphaMax Academy from April 23 to 25.

The IELTS  session is scheduled as follows:

-       23rd April –
                   IELTS speaking at 2:30 p.m. to 5:10 p.m. approx. (8 candidates)

-       24th April – IELTS speaking from 9 a.m. to 12 m (8 candidates)

      IELTS speaking from 1:30 p.m. to 4:50 p.m. (9 candidates)

-       25th April – IELTS written session from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. (25 candidates) All candidates must show up at 12 noon.

Chinese New Year in Suriname

Chinese New Year is the most important time of the year for all Chinese around the world. In Suriname this is no exception.  Each year three Chinese associations, Kong Ngie Tong Sang, Chung Fa Foei Kong and Fa Tjauw Foei Song, usually organize their own Chinese New Year celebration.  2015 was the first year where all three associations gathered and celebrated this special day together.

Hongbao

There are some traditions that Chinese cultures observe during New Year.  The red envelope, also known as Hongbao, is money wrapped in red paper given to kids from their parents, grandparents and others as New Year gifts.

 A Red envelope is used because the color red symbols energy, happiness and good luck.  Sending red packets is a channel for sending good wishes and luck.  The significant thing is the red envelope and not the money inside it. In Chinese tradition it is impolite to open the envelope in front of the giver.

The dragon dance is another tradition that Chinese observe during New Year.  This dance is done to scare away evil spirits.  The Chinese culture thinks of dragons as helpful, friendly creatures which are linked to good luck, long life and wisdom.  Chinese Dragons are associated with storm clouds and life-giving rain.  So, they have special powers to fly in the air, swim in the sea and walk on land.

Dragon Dance

This celebration lasts a few days and it is an important time for families to meet and have delicious meals together. Our celebration in Suriname links us to Chinese across the world.  It is also an important way in which we let the other ethnic groups in Suriname society know about our culture. We try to attract all the energies needed for success at Chinese New Year.

                               ----- Michelle Chow & Tianshu Zhang
                From the AlphaMax Academy GAC Class 2015

PTA Meetings and Long Weekend Break

• Parent-Teachers’ Meetings:

There has been a change of the scheduled dates for the Long Week-End Break & the PTA Meetings this term due to Thursday, 19th February (Chinese New Year) being declared a public holiday by the Government.

Parents you are therefore, cordially invited to attend the PTA meeting on the respective dates stated below. We look forward to your presence and active participation.

Tuesday, 17th February at 6.00 pm - Lower and Middle school.

Tuesday, 24th February at 6.00 pm - High school and GAC.

• Long Weekend Break:

To coincide with the Chinese New Year National holiday on Thursday 19th, we will have our long weekend break on Friday 20th February to Sunday 22nd February.

NOTE:  School resumes on Monday, 23rd February, 2015.

Assembly at AlphaMax Academy

Alphamax Academy is one of the few schools in Suriname which has an Assembly every day. When I came to this school in 2014 I found Assembly unusual because in my last school we didn't have Assembly.

AlphaMax students, teachers and distinguished guests

I was told that the purpose of Assembly at Alphamax was to get the students together, so that they could focus their thoughts and feelings on positive ideals. The school wanted students to concentrate on the purpose of schoolwork and to approach the day's  activities in a organized fashion.

Every morning in Alphamax Academy all students gather  in the Assembly hall. Assembly begins at 7:15 am and usually takes about 15 minutes. We begin with two prayers. Then we sing a hymn, say an Affirmation and also sing another hymn. The Affirmation that we say at Assembly is also said at the end of our school day.

Winning AlphaMax Spelling Bee team 2014

Sometimes the director of the deputy director speaks to us about something important, or some topic to inspire us. He also makes announcements. On Mondays and Fridays, we also sing the national anthem before Assembly is dismissed. At Christmas time we sing Christmas songs instead of the usual hymns.

Being at Assembly has helped me to appreciate the importance of silence, the value of singing and the power of affirmations. 

Nomi Vriesde
Grade 9 -AlphaMax Academy