9 years and below
My new class
I am in Grade 1 at Ladies’ College, Colombo. My new class is in a big building. There are 29 girls in my class. Each girl has a desk and a chair. I go to my new class in my school uniform. My uniform is a white t-shirt and a red skort.
There is a TV screen in my class. My teacher shows us stories on this screen. My class teacher is Miss. Amanda. Miss. Gunadarshini is also in charge of my class. Liyara, my good friend from the nursery is in my class this year too. I am very happy about this. My friend from church, Reyha is also in my class.
I learn English, Sinhala, Tamil and Maths in my new class. We have swimming classes on Wednesdays. We learn to operate computers too. I like to learn Maths very much. I love my new teachers and my new class.
Nemiah Thambimuttu (5 years)
Ladies’ College, Colombo
10 – 12 years
Looking forward to a new school year
After enjoying an entire year together, departing from classmates and beloved class teacher is sorrowful. Yet, the excitement about the new class gradually increases.
For a strong kick-start, I shall look back to identify my drawbacks and make room for improvement. I have planned to involve myself in extra-curricular activities along with academics. Facing the prefect audition is one goal. Prefectship develops leadership skills and brings a sense of responsibility. Also, I am waiting to join the school Media Unit and become a Girl Guide also. To shine better as a member of the school band, I shall practice more tunes.
Regarding studies, I will work hard and achieve a higher rank in class. I want to hear my name at the next prize-giving, amidst applause and cheers. What will my parents feel? It will be a positive change in my life.
My next aim is to develop social skills including teamwork, patience, endurance and flexibility. These will count for a complete citizen. I will be taking the maximum advantage of school’s educational facilities to achieve my goals. Hence, I shall obviously spend my upcoming year in a productive way.
Lisathma Munasinghe (12 years)
Sujatha Vidyalaya, Nugegoda
13 – 15 years
My hopes and aspirations for 2026
A new year isn’t just the change of a calendar. It is a chance for new beginnings, fresh starts and new hopes. As 2026 has already begun, it’s time for new goals and greater ambitions.
This year is a new chance to grow, improve and work hard towards becoming a greater version of myself. A new year reminds me that every year is a chance to reflect on the past, learn from my past mistakes and work towards improvement.
One of my main hopes for 2026 is to improve academically. I hope to be more focused in my studies, manage my time efficiently and stay consistent in my efforts. I want to aim for good exam results and develop a deeper understanding of what I learn this year.
Another one of my main aspirations for 2026 is personal growth. I hope to build more confidence and positivity in me and develop both mentally and socially.
Another one of my main aspirations for 2026 is to set clear goals in my life and stay disciplined in everything that I do. By planning ahead and staying resilient, I hope to make better use of each day and work steadily towards my life goals. This will help me both academically and personally as the year goes on.
I also hope to develop a positive mindset in failure instead of being discourages and heartbroken. I hope to learn from my failures and use them as stepping stones towards success. I aspire to improve myself in character by developing good qualities that will help me grow into the more balanced and confident person I dream to be.
Last but certainly not least, I hope to explore new skills and interests this year, whether it’s through hobbies, creative projects or trying out something new, that I’ve never dared to do before. By stepping out of my comfort zone, I can discover my strengths and passions and make life more exciting and purposeful.
Overall, I hope 2026 would be a year of adventure, full of opportunities to grow, learn and just be myself. I may face challenges along the way but with a positive and clear mindset I believe that I would be able to overcome each obstacle efficiently, learning valuable lessons from each experience. With each lesson learnt, I aim to make 2026 a year full of growth, joy and unforgettable achievements.
Seneli Perera (13 years)
St. Bridget’s Convent, Colombo
