Congratulations to Elliot M in 5th class who won the Sanskrit Recitation finals for his year grade. Elliot only joined JCS on our Scholarship program last year, so a remarkable achievement by him to master the sounds and inflections of this language so quickly.
Elliot is pictured below with other class winners Felicty V (4th class) and Luke B (3rd class) with our guest for the occasion Mr Harjeet Singh Sethi– Vice-Consul to the Consulate General of India.
Sanskrit is the ancient language associated with India. It is considered to be the oldest language in the world, being at least 6,000 years old, and probably much older. In total the language has 49 letters including vowels, consonants, semivowels, etc. and each letter has a particular vibration. The students are judged on their enunciation and inflection and the shade and tone of the piece they are reciting, among other criteria.
John Colet School teaches Sanskrit to all students from Kindergarten to 6th class optional continuers level. The school, since its inception in 1985, has always offered Sanskrit as part of its commitment to a classical education for Infants and Primary students.
Well done to all the finalists.
