10/11: Those years in Cottons
Fourteen years is a long time, and there are many memories of school life - both good and bad. But the good ones easily outnumber the bad ones. The routine morning assembly, the PT hours, lunch time games, the punishments for various petty mistakes and ofcourse the long classes all linger in memory. And then there were the cottonian shield cricket matches which will hold a special place in the hearts of all cottonians. Its been more than 5 years, since I left Cottons, but I still vividly remember all those splendid days.
And how can one forget sports days. Everyone looked forward to sports day each year with keen interest. The competition among the houses was fierce. Sadly, Pope House (house to which I belonged) came last most of the time (although they improved quite a lot over the years - and finished second when I was in Std XI, if I remember correctly). I did not attend sports day in Std XII and that is a big regret - and that was the only day I absented from school in Std XII.
The inter-house and inter-school chess competitions were exciting. But, the rapid fire games played during lunch hours and free periods will remain the most enjoyable. Also, the anti-chess games that I played. I remember playing anti-chess for long hours - even after school hours!
The Christmas parties were also really special; the whole class bonded very well on that day with games, music and ofcourse some tasty snacks.
The end of term assemblies were really boring, what with long speeches and too many hymns, when every one was looking forward to the holidays.
The games we played in class (especially in Stds XI and XII) were great fun. The one game I fondly remember is GHOST. It was a craze and everyone was playing it everywhere. A whole row of students (in class) used to play the game and the teacher never used to notice.
And, I cannot forget the graduation days (one in Std X and one in XII). Nostalgia had gripped most of us and we became emotional. I remember all of us outgoing students refused to have dinner on graduation day (Std XII) as a mark of protest (we had got some walloping for (SUPPOSED) misbehaviour in one of the practice sessions). Even some of the teachers did not have dinner - for us! The dinner outing after Std XII graduation day was the most memorable - with memories rekindled, jokes, and eating competitions (on who would eat the most number of rotis).
Coming to the teachers, I fondly remember Mrs Furtardo, Mrs.Wessley, Mrs. Ghosh, Mr. Gowda, Mr. Murugesh, Ajax, Mr. James, Mr. Vincent(Pa), Mrs. Neelam Patil and definitely Mr. Brian Highland. The punishments Mr. Brian Highland gave were downright funny - the vitamins table 20 times, diagram of fish 5 times!!
A few special friends I remember are Dr. Sunil, Sandeep S, Vishesh, Rajesh K V, Prasanna, Akshay Shanbhag, Indrayudh, Saif, Varun Hemanth, Gautam, Vijay, Arun and Rohit. I'm sure there were many more.. but my memory fails me here.
Cottons fostered in us a spirit of healthy compeition and most importantly built up our confidence to face the world.
Those were unforgettable years, years of great joy and unparalleled excitement. The many golden moments and a great many incidents and experiences left me better off as a person, and infused life into those years!
And how can one forget sports days. Everyone looked forward to sports day each year with keen interest. The competition among the houses was fierce. Sadly, Pope House (house to which I belonged) came last most of the time (although they improved quite a lot over the years - and finished second when I was in Std XI, if I remember correctly). I did not attend sports day in Std XII and that is a big regret - and that was the only day I absented from school in Std XII.
The inter-house and inter-school chess competitions were exciting. But, the rapid fire games played during lunch hours and free periods will remain the most enjoyable. Also, the anti-chess games that I played. I remember playing anti-chess for long hours - even after school hours!
The Christmas parties were also really special; the whole class bonded very well on that day with games, music and ofcourse some tasty snacks.
The end of term assemblies were really boring, what with long speeches and too many hymns, when every one was looking forward to the holidays.
The games we played in class (especially in Stds XI and XII) were great fun. The one game I fondly remember is GHOST. It was a craze and everyone was playing it everywhere. A whole row of students (in class) used to play the game and the teacher never used to notice.
And, I cannot forget the graduation days (one in Std X and one in XII). Nostalgia had gripped most of us and we became emotional. I remember all of us outgoing students refused to have dinner on graduation day (Std XII) as a mark of protest (we had got some walloping for (SUPPOSED) misbehaviour in one of the practice sessions). Even some of the teachers did not have dinner - for us! The dinner outing after Std XII graduation day was the most memorable - with memories rekindled, jokes, and eating competitions (on who would eat the most number of rotis).
Coming to the teachers, I fondly remember Mrs Furtardo, Mrs.Wessley, Mrs. Ghosh, Mr. Gowda, Mr. Murugesh, Ajax, Mr. James, Mr. Vincent(Pa), Mrs. Neelam Patil and definitely Mr. Brian Highland. The punishments Mr. Brian Highland gave were downright funny - the vitamins table 20 times, diagram of fish 5 times!!
A few special friends I remember are Dr. Sunil, Sandeep S, Vishesh, Rajesh K V, Prasanna, Akshay Shanbhag, Indrayudh, Saif, Varun Hemanth, Gautam, Vijay, Arun and Rohit. I'm sure there were many more.. but my memory fails me here.
Cottons fostered in us a spirit of healthy compeition and most importantly built up our confidence to face the world.
Those were unforgettable years, years of great joy and unparalleled excitement. The many golden moments and a great many incidents and experiences left me better off as a person, and infused life into those years!
