Participating in my school’s after-hours Garba Fest was a vibrant and enjoyable experience. Since Garba is a cultural dance from Gujarat and something I’ve always enjoyed, the steps felt familiar and natural to me. However, attending the event right after a long school day made staying active and energetic a real challenge. Even with that, the atmosphere, music, and my friends’ enthusiasm kept me motivated.
LO 1 : Identifying own strengths and develop areas for growth
My familiarity with Garba helped me recognise strengths such as rhythm, coordination, and confidence in performing cultural dance. At the same time, I realised that I need to work on maintaining energy and focus even when I’m mentally tired, especially during after-school activities.
LO 2: Demonstrate that challenges have been undertaken, developing new skills in the process.
The biggest challenge wasn’t the dance but the environment, the crowd was huge, music was loud, and everyone danced at different speeds. This forced me to develop spatial awareness, quick adjustment skills, and the ability to maintain rhythm even when the group kept shifting formations.
I also developed a new skill: leading without dominating. I had to guide friends subtly without breaking the natural flow of the circle.
LO 3 :Demonstrate how to initiate and plan a CAS experience.
Although the school organised the fest, I still took an active role in planning my participation. My friends and I coordinated our outfits, decided which group we wanted to dance with, discussed how long we planned to stay, figured out how to keep our belongings safe, and even chose a spot to meet in case anyone got lost in the crowd. All these small preparations made the experience feel much more organised, enjoyable, and stress-free.
LO 4: Show commitment to, and perseverance in, CAS experiences.
The event started immediately after a long academic day, when I was mentally drained. A huge part of this CAS experience was pushing myself to stay energized, positive, and active despite feeling tired.
I didn’t walk out, sit down, or zone out, I kept dancing, laughing, and participating fully. This perseverance helped me realise that motivation doesn’t always come naturally; sometimes you have to create it.
LO 5 : Demonstrate the skills and recognize the benefits of working collaboratively.
Garba Fest was a fun and energising experience, even though it took place right after a long school day and I was already tired. Since Garba is a dance form I’m familiar with, the steps were easy, but adapting to everyone’s different speeds and the crowded circle helped me improve my patience, awareness, and ability to adjust quickly. My friends and I planned our outfits and where to dance, which made the event smoother, and I stayed committed to participating fully despite low energy. Dancing together strengthened my teamwork as I matched steps, guided beginners, and kept the circle coordinated. Being part of this cultural celebration reminded me of the importance of preserving traditions, staying respectful, and creating a positive environment for others. Overall, it was a short but meaningful experience that combined culture, collaboration, and personal growth.
LO 6 : Demonstrate engagement with issues of global significance.
By participating in Garba Fest, I engaged with a cultural tradition that represents heritage preservation, community bonding, and celebration of diversity. In today’s globalised world where cultural traditions sometimes fade, taking part in events like this helps keep them alive. It made me realise how important it is to participate in cultural activities to maintain identity, connection, and belonging, not just for myself but for the wider school community.
LO 7 : Recognise and consider the ethics of choices and actions.
Garba Fest was a fun and energising experience, even though it took place right after a long and tiring school day. Because Garba is a dance style I’m familiar with, the steps felt natural, but adapting to everyone’s different speeds and the crowded circle helped me improve my patience, spatial awareness, and ability to adjust quickly. My friends and I planned our outfits, where to dance, and how to stay together, which made the event smoother. Even when I felt exhausted, I stayed committed and kept dancing, reminding myself to stay present and enjoy the moment. Dancing closely with others strengthened my teamwork as I matched steps with peers, guided beginners, and maintained the circle without bumping into anyone. I also made sure to behave responsibly by keeping a safe distance, being respectful to those new to Garba, encouraging others, and following school rules. Overall, Garba Fest was a short but meaningful experience that helped me stay motivated, collaborate well, and appreciate the cultural tradition that brought everyone together.
