Wanakha Central School

SITP Experience Seminar

On June 11, following regular instructional hours, our conference hall hosted an inspiring and insightful seminar led by six SITP Teaching Practitioners from Samtse and Paro Colleges of Education. 🎓✨

​As part of their SITP mandates, these future educators shared their firsthand teaching experiences, the real-world challenges they faced, and valuable strategies for promoting inclusive learning within our classrooms.

​Key Takeaways from the Seminar:

​💡 Concept Over Content: A strong emphasis on ensuring students truly grasp concepts rather than just rushing to cover the syllabus.

​🌱 Emotional Well-being: Highlighting that a happy, emotionally supported student is a successful learner.

​🏃‍♂️ Active Leadership: The TPs reflected on how taking on diverse roles and responsibilities during their practice helped them grow into more dynamic, active educators.

​We thank our TPs for sharing their fresh perspectives and passion, and our dedicated staff for their continuous commitment to professional growth! Together, we keep learning, growing, and building a more supportive environment for our students. 💻📚

🎈 Happy International Day of Play from Wanakha! 🎈

Under the meaningful theme "Protect Play. Protect Childhood," our little stars from Wanakha ECCD and classes PP-3 had an unforgettable day filled with laughter, movement, and pure joy! 🌟

Physical activity and play are central to our students' well-being. Today, they celebrated with everything from high-energy aerobics to interactive group games, proving that the best learning happens when we're having fun! 🤸‍♀️✨
📸 Check out some of the brightest moments from our celebration below!

Scout Investiture and Badge Awarding Ceremony

​On Thursday, 4th June, our school campus buzzed with a profound sense of pride and honor as we hosted the annual Scout Investiture and Proficiency Badge Awarding Ceremony right after instructional hours. Spearheaded by our dedicated Scout Focal Person, the event was a beautiful celebration of commitment, discipline, and community spirit.

The ceremony kicked off with a heartwarming milestone as our Class PP students were officially welcomed into the Scouting fold. They were pinned with their very first Chey Chey membership badges, marking their proud inclusion into our school’s growing Scouting Family. Watching our youngest learners take their first steps toward leadership was truly a moment to cherish!

Hard work and dedication never go unnoticed. A major highlight of the evening was the presentation of Proficiency Badges and Certificates to our deserving scouts. These awards recognize the diverse skills, survival techniques, and community values our students have mastered over the past months.

We were also treated to an inspiring guest speech by one of our own scouts, who recently returned from the Scout Jamboree. He captivated the audience by sharing his thrilling adventures, the friendships he forged, and the invaluable life lessons he gathered from the global scouting community.

To ensure a smooth and vibrant transition between the formal procedures, our talented students graced the stage with spectacular cultural dances. These performances, entirely prepared and rehearsed by the students themselves, added a wonderful layer of joy and energy to the event.

As tradition dictates, this memorable day concluded on a high note of unity. Staff and students joined hands on the ground to perform the Trashi-Leybay, invoking blessings, gratitude, and happiness for the entire school community.
A huge shoutout to our Scout Focal Person, the coordinating teachers, and all our amazing scouts for making this event a grand success!

“Once a Scout, always a Scout.” 🤝🏕️

The staff and students of Wanakha Central School offer their heartiest felicitations to Her Majesty Queen Jetsun Pema Wangchuck on the auspicious occasion of Her Majesty's Birthday. We humbly pray for Her Majesty's good health, eternal happiness, and long life.

Days Scholars' Parents Orientation

After lunch, the orientation program commenced with a profound sense of community and reverence as parents, faculty, and staff joined voices to recite the Zhabtoen (Long-Life Prayer) for His Majesty the King, invoking blessings for his longevity, well-being, and the continued prosperity of the Kingdom. Following this auspicious start, a comprehensive orientation session was conducted by the school team—comprising the Principal, Academic Head, Head of Student Support Services (SSS), School Counselor, and the Disaster Management Focal—to align home and school environments for the holistic development of day scholar students.

​1. Cultivating Student Behavior and Discipline
​The Head of Student Support Services (SSS) opened the core session by emphasizing that character building is a collaborative bridge between home and school.

​The Foundation of Discipline: While the school enforces a structured environment, true manners, respect, and self-discipline are rooted in early home upbringing.

​The Primary Directive: Parents were reminded that a student’s primary responsibility is to invest genuine effort into their academic and personal growth.

​Actionable Strategy: The SSS Head urged parents to establish consistent daily routines at home, ensuring that the virtues of punctuality, respect for elders, and a strong work ethic are mutually reinforced by both teachers and guardians.

​2. Holistic Parenting: HAT (Helping Adolescent Thrive) and Care Giver Support Program
​Addressing the crucial psychological shifts in modern youth, the School Counselor provided an insightful briefing on progressive parenting methodologies, specifically focusing on mitigating academic and social anxieties.

​Creating a Safe Haven: Parents were encouraged to cultivate an atmosphere of open communication and unconditional love, ensuring students feel safe sharing their struggles without the fear of immediate judgment.

​Preventative Mental Health: The counselor detailed the warning signs of academic demotivation, school refusal, and early-stage depression.

​The Power of Dialogue: By replacing aggressive reprimands with supportive guidance and active listening, parents can shield their children from severe psychological distress and stress-induced physical ailments.

​3. Academic Diagnostics: Spring Unit Test Performance
​The Academic Head presented a data-driven analysis of the recently concluded Spring Unit Tests, offering a comparative look at the academic performances of boarders versus day scholars.

​Key Takeaway: The data revealed distinct gaps in consistent study hours, with boarders benefiting from structured evening supervised studies.

​To bridge this gap for day scholars, the Academic Head emphasized the urgent need to establish a "learning culture" at home. Parents were asked to designate a quiet, well-lit study corner, eliminate household distractions during study hours, and actively monitor daily homework completion to elevate academic outcomes.

​4. Navigation of the Digital Age: Media and Information Literacy (MIL)
​In an era dominated by digital connectivity, the Counselor returned to address the critical issue of Media and Information Literacy, utilizing recent statistics from the Bhutan Media Foundation regarding youth social media consumption.

In addressing the digital challenges of the modern era, the counselor highlighted the dual importance of managing screen time and developing critical information habits. First, regarding screen time management, the school emphasized that excessive device use directly contributes to physical and psychological issues such as eye strain, disrupted sleep cycles, and smartphone addiction. To combat these risks, parents must take active steps at home, such as setting strict daily screen time limits and enforcing entirely device-free zones during family meals and bedtime.

Second, the session focused on critical media consumption to protect students from the vulnerabilities of the digital world, including fake news, cyberbullying, and online manipulation. Parents were urged to intervene by teaching their children to actively fact-check information before sharing it on social media platforms, while also maintaining open, regular discussions regarding general online safety.

5. Disaster Management, Seasonal Preparedness, and Public Safety

Given the unique geographical terrain of Wanakha, situated atop a prominent hill, the Principal and the Disaster Management Focal Person co-facilitated an intensive safety briefing tailored to both household and commuting hazards.

Emergency Response Techniques
The focal person drilled the audience on immediate, life-saving physical responses to sudden emergencies:

Earthquakes: Master the "Drop, Cover, and Hold" technique.

Fire Hazards: Implement "Stop, Drop, and Roll" if clothing catches fire.

Localized Climate & Environmental Mitigation
High-Wind Management: Due to Wanakha’s high-altitude exposure to severe seasonal windstorms, parents were strongly advised to de-branch tall, overhanging trees near their homes to prevent structural damage and injury.

Monsoon & Landslide Readiness: With the arrival of the monsoon season, the risk of flash floods and landslides escalates. Parents were cautioned against planning non-essential, long-distance travel through known landslide corridors during heavy downpours.

The Principal concluded this segment with a live demonstration of a fire extinguisher utilizing the PASS method, ensuring parents walked away with practical, hands-on knowledge of fire suppression.

​Road and Highway Safety: ​Transitioning to traffic safety, the administration highlighted the dangers of the highway running near student commuting routes. Parents—especially those who drive—were strictly reminded to adhere to speed limits, exercise extreme caution near pedestrian crossings, and respect the Zebra Cross. Concurrently, they were asked to educate their children to always use designated crossings and look both ways before stepping onto the tarmac.

The orientation concluded on a highly interactive note. The floor was opened to an engaging Q&A session where parents actively shared personal parenting triumphs and challenges, seeking targeted advice from the counselor and school management. This collaborative dialogue successfully solidified a unified front between Wanakha Central School and the community, collectively dedicated to nurturing safe, disciplined, and academically thriving students.

Mid-Term Exam Briefing

On 27th May, the schools' exam committee conducted Mid-Term Exam Briefing to the students (IV to XII) after school in the MPH. The students were briefed on Do's and Don'ts during examination. The students were also informed about the new examination structure, which they need to write aligning with the standard of Cambridge Curriculum.

Celebrating International Menstrual Hygiene Day

The Health In-Charge (Matron) and her team collaboratively celebrated International Menstrual Hygiene Day in the MPH right after the morning SUPW. The gents staff brought Sanitary pads as a reserve for students to use as informed by the schools' UNESCO coordinator. The program sought to collectively eliminate social stigma regarding women experiencing menstruation 🩸 through the day's theme “ ” by organising interactive dramatisation of a girl student experiencing menstruation at school and the belief related to it in traditional Bhutanese society. The drama was well received and applauded by students and staff alike.

Inter-House Junior Quiz Competition

After the school hours, the Literary Committee conducted Inter-House Junior Quiz Competition in the MPH. The participants were students from classes IV-VI. The questions were formulated from Science, DTI, English, Mathematics subjects and general knowledge, focusing mainly on Bhutan. The participants enthusiastically participated and audience were actively engaged.

Under 19 Inter-School Cricket Winner

The girls of Wanakha CS won the under 19 Inter-School Cricket Tournament, which was held in Khangkhu Middle Secondary School, Paro. The tournament was held between mid-April till mid-May. The certificates and medals for their achievements were provided to the players during the morning assembly by the officiating Vice Principal. The staff, and rest of the students celebrates their victory.

Keep Up, dear students. Keep-On Shinning.

HAPPY TEACHERS’ DAY

Coinciding with the auspicious Birth Anniversary of His Majesty The Third Druk Gyalpo, the Father of Modern Bhutan, our school proudly celebrated Teachers’ Day in the Multi-Purpose Hall (MPH) with great joy and reverence. The celebration brought together all staff members, students from classes PP–XII, ECCD learners, and parents, making it a truly vibrant and inclusive occasion.

The programme commenced with the solemn singing of the National Anthem, followed by the offering of butter lamps and a cake-cutting ceremony in honour of the day. The event then unfolded with a series of colourful cultural performances presented by students, including delightful dance items by our young ECCD learners, which added warmth and charm to the celebration.

To infuse fun and excitement, engaging games were organised for teachers and students alike. A lively Pani-Puru eating competition between lady teachers and captains brought cheer and laughter, while the musical chairs game for male teachers created a spirited and entertaining atmosphere. The hall echoed with joy as students and teachers came together to sing songs, strengthening the bond of unity and appreciation.

A significant highlight of the celebration was the recognition of teachers for their unwavering dedication and commitment. Certificates were awarded to teachers who demonstrated excellence in enhancing academic performance and achieving commendable mean scores and pass percentages in their respective subjects for the academic year 2025.

The celebration served as a meaningful reminder of the invaluable role teachers play in shaping the future of our nation. It was a day filled with gratitude, joy, and inspiration—honouring not just the profession, but the passion and perseverance that define every educator.

“Teaching is the one profession that creates all other professions.”