School Director, Assistant Directors and student officers at Nalanda Youth Centre.

During the recent school break, eight Nalanda Dharma School (NDS) student officers* participated in a stay-in and training programme at Nalanda Youth Centre from 6 to 8 June. Throughout the 3-day programme, the officers were given opportunities to improve their leadership skills, understand their roles and responsibilities as officers, and to form stronger bonds of friendship with one another.

A workshop on leadership was conducted by Nalandian youth, Sis. Yeoh Min Li, on the first day of the stay-in, where the officers learned about qualities of a good leader and ways to become an effective one.  Assistant Director of NDS Sis. Hui Shien also conducted a workshop on the roles and responsibilities of student officers.

Nalandian youth Sis. Yeoh Min Li conducting a workshop on leadership qualities and effectiveness.

The workshop was followed by group discussion on the roles of officers from the students’ point of view.

On the second day, student officers participated in the monthly educational ‘Pindacāra’ Programme at Sri Petaling and Happy Garden markets.  After the alms-round, Director of Nalanda Dharma School Sis. Sunanda gave a Dhamma sharing about the Second Noble Truth: the cause of suffering – ‘craving’.

On the third day, the students went to Putrajaya Wetlands Park to have a friendly frisbee competition between officers of ‘Naga’ and ‘Garuda’ Houses*.  The officers enjoyed the game as they understand that achievement is not the only goal, but the process in achieving it is often more important.

A frisbee competition was held between 'Naga' and 'Garuda' student officers during their outing.

The stay-in programme concluded with group reflection to summarise their learning throughout the three days.  We thank the programme organising team for enabling the student officers’ holiday to be well-spent at Nalanda!  Sadhu anumodana.

There were many sessions of group sharing and reflection throughout the stay-in programme.

Nalanda President Sis. Evelyn Chow (centre) also dropped in to have a chat with the student officers.

* Students are grouped into two houses – ‘Naga’ and ‘Garuda’ – upon joining Nalanda Dharma School.  Members of each house elect their own leaders every year – a Captain, an Assistant Captain, and two Prefects.  These four elected representatives are known as ‘student officers’.