Going Down Memory Lane-Ms.Preet Aarons.

Back in late 2004, I was looking for a job change and happened upon an ad. in the newspaper that described the perfect school. Nothing ventured, nothing gained, they say – so I shot off my resume, bit my nails through Christmas and waited. Was rewarded with a call for an interview which got me so nervous and excited that I was ‘yes ma’am-ming’every 3 seconds in response. That is, till The Voice told me not to call her Ma’am. Wow! I thought, this sounds different.

I presented myself the next day – and was early for a change! The door to 305 Copper Arch was firmly shut and just when I had convinced myself that I was in the wrong building – a tall young female rushed in juggling laptop cell phone and bag, apologizing for being late etc etc. Bemused, I followed her in, was seated and realized belatedly that his was Nooraine Fazal!!! Not quite a match to the picture of the interviewer I had in my mind – elderly, with the requisite white haired bun, crisp saree and complementary attitude.

What followed was an easy exciting exchange of her dream for the school and what education should rightly be and my passionate views on how school should be about the kids: fun, compassionate, meaningful and balanced. In retrospect it seemed like a perfect fit. I was so thrilled to meet a kindred soul, someone who believed in the same things and when I accepted the offer, it just felt right!! That was in January 2005. It was not till February that it dawned on me that there was no actual school building yet. Never thought to ask!!!

Those were exhilarating times – coordinating faculty recruitment with the Teacher Foundation, meetings with the school consultants, architects etc. I was charged with energy and ideas and contributed passionately at meetings which usually ended with vehement arguments and much laughter. The atmosphere was informal, but intense; easy but highly professional. There was no time for slacking off and very soon we were off on a whirlwind tour of apartment buildings and clubs – conducting workshops showcasing the proposed teaching approach of the school. Even today people remember and mention that innovative and invigorating method of launching the school. Even in retrospect, I can feel the pain of the slog it took – but that was Inventure Academy: different, daring and dynamic!

By far the most interesting part of my job was interacting with parents and potential students. The common denominator was that they were looking for a change, looking for meaningful challenge, looking for a school that would take their children into the next century. Given that there was not even a building to show – it is absolutely amazing that 25 families took the plunge, gave us their children’s lives to nurture, educate and develop. Their confidence and faith in the concept, in the people behind Inventure Academy and their ability to deliver confirmed that it was an idea whose time had come.

I have this vivid memory of a group of us – potential student, mother, father and grandmother! - sitting in a tin shack at ‘the site’, sipping Mirinda from plastic cups while all around us was the dust, the clanging and drones of an extremely busy construction site and they were not fazed by it at all. They did not seem to think it an odd way of introducing the school. They were excited, they were infected by our enthusiasm!

Teacher recruitment was different and meaningful too. The Teacher Foundation had candidates go through a rigorous 5 step process. Needless to say, it was the firm believers and the truly committed that stayed the course of a written statement of purpose, group discussion, subject interviews, management interviews and a whole day outbound experience where groups of hopefuls had to (amongst other challenges) put up a tent while all but one were blindfolded – a lively exercise in team work – which did not work with all the groups. A humbling exercise that proved that teachers aren’t perfect after all! However, the determined of spirit and strong of heart made it through and 15th May 2005 saw a chattering group of fresh recruits invade our offices, while they went about their business of bonding and setting up the academics.

By now it was fairly clear to me that what Nooraine said, Nooraine did! Not one for empty promises, her sheer drive, energy and focus was infectious and just what we needed to get the school on track in a matter of months. Come June – and it was apparent that the building would not be ready. So, we started on a farm!! Xplore, spearheaded by Shaheen Shafi of iDiscoveri, was originally intended to give our new recruits a taste of nature, adventure, creativity, and bonding – but extended into a few months as the builders hit glitches like bedrock and sand truckers strikes.

The kids were as happy as the pigs on the farm. Their learning was immense – about their surroundings, about themselves. For their projects, a group decided to build a tree house. Only 2 bravehearts saw the project through to completion. Learning no1: it is difficult to work as a team. Learning no2: hard work is difficult. Learning no. 3: I have great ideas too. The group that constructed a real pond was more cohesive and successful. Everyday, they were sent home by nervous teachers, covered in mud. But the next morning they were back and ready for more!!!Even the youngest group who dug, tilled and planted rajma seeds were triumphant about their experience and learnings. The real triumph was for experiential learning – nothing works like hands- on- activity! Happier were their parents when they saw what their kids had achieved – how they had grown in confidence, in their ability to learn.

July 14th was a landmark day – our first visit to the school as a community. The rain and squelchy mud could not dampen spirits and everyone – students, parents, teachers and stakeholders - were jubilant as they explored the site and left their palm prints for posterity. We have been partners in it since then – walking hand in hand.

For me personally, the beauty of Inventure Academy lies in its total commitment to a vision of education that is relevant, child centric and nurturing. Beyond this – the can-do attitude, the fun and energy, the willingness to go the extra bit, and the joy of watching children experience sheer delight in the learning experience have made the last 4 years whizz by during which one utilized every talent possible, acquired other skills and ended each day with a thirst for more and the conviction that the best was yet to come!!!
Preet Benjamin Aarons
Head of Admissions and Client Relations