Sports Day St.Mary’s School Mount Abu

The 81st Annual Sports Day at St. Mary's School, Mount Abu, was a sporting spectacle.

On April 1, 2010, St. Mary's School Mount Abu broke with tradition by celebrating its 81st Annual Sports Day on a day that was not to be mistaken with April Fool's Day. This change surprised many former students, as they were familiar with sports activities after the Annual School Concert in September or the first week of October.

The timetable change was not a whim, but a required modification because of the severe water deficit. The school year began on February 15, 2010, with a month-long summer vacation beginning on May 15, 2010. This year, the Sports Break coincided with the Easter Holidays; hence, Maundy Thursday or Holy Thursday was chosen as the day for the sports spectacular.

The mood at St. Mary's School, Mount Abu, was fraught with expectation despite the unusual circumstances. They carefully placed white canopies to offer shade from the sun during the athletics celebration.

They did not limit the sports enthusiasm to the youngsters; parents were also an important part of the day's events. Jennifer, a proud mom, was looking forward to the celebration and had entrusted the duty of collecting memories to another parent. She wanted images of Junior at Keith's debut sports event, eager to participate in remembering her child's first sports day at St. Mary's.

For those familiar with the school's traditions, there was an evident sense of nostalgia mixed with apprehension. Will there be the usual passionate gathering of ex-students on this unusual occasion? The attraction of the sports day, which is usually held later in the academic year, may have taken many past attendees by surprise.

As the day unfolded, the St. Mary's community warmly embraced the change in tradition. The 81st Annual Sports Day proved the school's capacity to face obstacles elegantly and inventively. The beautiful white canopies provided shade and symbolised unity and tradition.

St. Mary's School Mount Abu acknowledges the qualities of determination, flexibility, and resilience that unite students, parents, and teachers across generations. They will remember the 81st Annual Sports Day as a one-of-a-kind chapter in the school's rich history, when tradition met innovation and fair play won despite all obstacles.

The School on Sports Day Maundy Thursday

They organized the programme well. The boys and the staff did a remarkable job of getting the place into top shape. The dashes, novelty events, drills, and relays entertained us immensely.

 To view, the dashes and relays click on the links below

The Final Dashes 50m,75m and 100m

Inter House Relays

Open Challenge Relay

To watch the drill display, click on these links

The Club Drill displays Senior Boys' class 9 and X

Cricket Drill classes 7 and 8

Aerobics Drill classes 5 and 6

To watch some photographs taken on Sports Day click on the link

http://picasaweb.google.com/ainsleyster/SportsDayStMarysSchoolThe81stAnnualSchoolSports#

Or click on the link below to watch it on Facebook

http://www.facebook.com/album.php?id=607486053&aid=197957#!/photos.php?id=607486053

SPORTS DAY [ 29th SEPTEMBER,2008 ] ST.MARY'S MOUNT ABU

 ST.MARY'S MOUNT ABU

Bruno, one of the school dogs

Clicked Plummy on the way to school

The field is prepared for sports rehearsal

11 feet yet to go, Lower Kodra Dam

What a day.

 Drove up the winding, misty road to school this afternoon. Fog everywhere, water on my lashes, hair wet with spray. By the time I crossed the chapel gates, I was already drowning in memories. Feels like yesterday.

 I can still see myself sneaking out, bunking limits, dodging that dreaded one-way ticket home. Once skipped lunch, ran like a madman to the lake for Bird of Paradise eggs. Brother Keane caught me on the wall behind the bogs. Thought I was dead. Couldn’t even talk, so I pulled the two eggs out of my mouth and showed him. He just shook his head and waved me off. Another ticket earned, never crashed. Lucky me.

 Met Mr James at the refectory. Discussed the poor monsoon. Water supply has already dwindled to once every three days, two hours only. Two baths a week—Thursday, Sunday. Three minutes flat. Funny thing, those quick scrubs were heaven. Came out brand new. Some lads even tried sneaking in extras. Mad times.

 Walked to the primary field—servants were busy marking lanes, fixing everything for tomorrow. Sports Day. Anticipation already fills the air.

 September always brings it—the Concert one day, Sports Day the next. Our own Olympics, only louder, crazier, better. The thrill of winning Cock House, the pride, the sweat, the noise. Nothing like it.

 And the relay… no outsider has ever beaten us. Not once. I’d like to see an Olympian try on our soil.

 Snapped a few photos. Looking at them now, they’re more than just pictures. Their voices. Shouts, whistles, drums, the entire school roaring.

 Do you remember? The butterflies before your race? The mad rush down the track? That mix of exhaustion and glory at the finish line? Close your eyes—you’ll hear it.

 Sports Day was never just about running. It was about us. About belonging. About spirit. And standing here today, I feel it all over again.