Icebreakers - A Warm Start of the Year

On the first day of the new Academic Year, a group of Grade 12 students led sessions of icebreaker for all Senior School students in Grades 6 to 11. Observed by their form tutors, the sessions helped pull down walls and building relationships between students, as well as students and teachers – both old and new ones. We got in touch with Head Girl, Shrishti and other students involved in the initiative, to learn more about the activities and how they may have helped to shape the relationships for the coming year.  

Grade 12 students have stepped in at the right moment to help their juniors and they were good role models for their juniors – Mr Naveen, Deputy Principal, Senior School 

Because of distance learning and the online platform that students and teachers have met on over the past years, it has been more difficult for students to get to know each other – especially new students. Deputy Principal, Mr Naveen, initiated the idea of icebreaker sessions, as part of TISB’s system of integration and pastoral care. The main purpose and focus of the icebreaker sessions was to give a platform for students to get to know each other, and to build friendships right at the beginning of the new Academic Year. “These icebreakers will also help new students who have joined us this year to settle down and integrate quickly into the TISB family”, says Mr Naveen, who is thankful of the work that the Grade 12 students and form tutors put into organising the sessions.

Many students find it difficult to get to know other students outside of their classes. “I think it's extremely important that every student in the school has a strong support system, and peers form a large part of that. I also just want everyone to have fun and make new friends before they dive into schoolwork”, says Shrishti, who believes that an icebreaker session is a perfect start for this to happen. She hopes that students have found out more about each others' interests and personalities during the sessions, and that this will be the start of long-lasting friendships over the coming years. 

As Head Girl, Shrishti believes that the icebreaker sessions have offered her, and the other Grade 12 students involved, a link to students in the younger Grades. “I think the best thing for us as volunteers was getting to see the enthusiasm of our juniors and getting to know them better”, says Shrishti, whose favourite icebreaker was the ‘2 Truths and 1 Lie’. In the activity, each person gave three statements, and the others had to guess which one was a lie. “This was very interesting because everyone learnt some very eclectic facts about each other, and also found some common interests!”

Here are a few other examples of icebreakers that took place during the first day back at school. 

“My favourite ice breaker would have to be the introductions. Even though we didn't expect anything unique or different from the students, they surely surprised us with their binder of controversial opinions. From Minecraft to pineapple on pizza, all stirred heated debates and we too felt like engaging after seeing their passion!” – Devarya, Grade 12 

 “Our Grade 6 group did a round of show and tell during the icebreaker session. Seeing all of the students’ distinct interests was exciting, and it gave them opportunities to connect with one another through their shared passions for Xbox One, music, Roblox and theatre” – Aira, Grade 12 

“My favourite ice breaker was probably the one where we asked the students to come up with memes based on school, IB, and other related experiences. They came up with some very creative and funny ones, which provided a light, humorous take on some of the more mundane aspects of our academic life. It was also a great way for us to get to know them and for them to get acquainted with each other” – Pranav, Grade 12 

“We had each of them choose a picture from their phones and tell us the story behind it. I don't think my partner and I have laughed that much in a while, and it was lovely to see the entire class open up and engage with their experiences! Some were funny, some were embarrassing, some were heart-warming, but all these stories allowed everyone to share a small slice of their lives, hopefully allowing them to 'melt the ice' and reach out” – Anvita, Grade 12  

“I personally think the ‘Hot Takes’ icebreaker we did as a big group in class was one of the best ones, because we engaged nearly all students and were able to sustain their attention and enthusiasm in discussing unpopular opinions for a such an enjoyable time!” – Neha, Grade 12