A Roaring Good Time for XSN Kinder and Grade 1 Students

Article and Photos from Mrs. Jill Tumbaga

With the support of Xavier School Nuvali, it has become a yearly tradition for XSPAN (Xavier School Parent Auxiliary-Nuvali) to host a gathering — fondly called fellowship — for students and families of Kindergarten and Grade 1 levels. The objective of this get together is to help students and their parents get to know each other in a more informal and casual way. It also aims to help unify  and bond old and new students.

For this year’s Fellowship, the committee started planning as early as June. Made up of dedicated, hardworking moms – who are also the class and assistant representatives from both Kindergarten and Grade 1 – the committee’s first agenda was to come up with a theme that would be age appropriate, yet fun for the kids. Some of the theme choices were Barnyard, Jurassic and Safari. Ultimately, the Safari theme won everyone’s vote  & with that,  planning was full steam ahead. Having one theme for both fellowship events of Kinder and Grade 1 proved to be more cost efficient and practical since the organizers were working on a very tight budget.

Like any big event, planning for the Fellowship was not an easy one. The committee faced plenty challenges. From venue availability, budget constraints, to DepEd’s recent food restrictions for school sanctioned events. In the end, everything panned out well, thanks to the amazing team effort of the committee and volunteer parents. Finally, on Aug. 25, 2018, after more than 2 months of planning, meeting and coordinating, the Fellowship for Kindergarten and Grade 1 pushed through. With the help of parent volunteers, the John Tiu Ka Cho Multipurpose Center was transformed into an indoor jungle. Complete with hand cut paper foliage,  animal standees and a jungle Safari Jeep.

Kindergarten’s Fellowship entitled “It’s Going to Be a Roarsome Year!” was held in the morning of Aug. 25, 2018, while the Fellowship of Grade 1 entitled “We are the Wild Ones” was held in the afternoon of the same date. Both events were an astounding success having almost 100% attendees in both levels. Campus minister Fr. Xave Olin, school principal Mrs. Arlene Choo, assistant principal Mr. Frederick Perez, team lead for Primary Mrs. Nereyda Garcia, & all class advisers were also present in the festivities.

The Students and their parents had a blast participating in the activities prepared for them. Classic games such as calamansi relay, “boat is sinking” and newspaper dance were a hit among everyone. Some highlights from the day were the story telling session by one of Adarna House’s professional story tellers; the class parade and oath taking of the Kindegarten kids in the morning; the adorable song and dance number of Grade 1 students — wearing matching personalized shirts with their parents — in the afternoon; and everyone dancing with McDonald’s mascots Hamburglar, Grimace & Birdie. There was also a face painting & photo booth wherein magnetic pictures served as give aways.

By the end of each fellowship, no one went home empty handed. Thanks to the generous sponsors of the event, there was a surplus of prizes and goodies that was shared among the students and their extended families. Everyone went home happy & excited, knowing that they made new friends they will grow up with in Xavier School Nuvali.