At Little Elephant School, learning goes far beyond the classroom. This year’s Pongal celebration brought together children, teachers, and families in a vibrant expression of gratitude, creativity, and cultural pride. Pongal, the Tamil harvest festival, is a time to honour the sun, nature, and the abundance of the earth. For our pupils, it was also a chance to experience the joy of shared tradition and the values of thankfulness and community that lie at the heart of education.
Observed each January, Pongal marks the beginning of the Tamil month of Thai and symbolises renewal and prosperity. The festival takes its name from the dish Pongal, meaning “to boil over”—a sweet mixture of rice, milk, and jaggery that bubbles over as a sign of abundance and good fortune. At Little Elephant School, this ritual became a living lesson in gratitude, sustainability, and cultural appreciation.
Our classrooms were transformed into colourful spaces filled with palm leaves, rangoli designs, and the aroma of traditional cooking. Children arrived in bright traditional dress, their excitement lighting up the day. Through art, storytelling, and hands-on activities, they learned about Tamil heritage and the importance of giving thanks for the harvest. They created models of Tamil homes, drew the symbolic overflowing pot, and shared reflections on what abundance means in their own lives.
Events like this are made possible through the generosity of individuals and organisations who believe in the power of education to build understanding and connection. By supporting cultural celebrations such as Pongal, sponsors help us nurture empathy, inclusion, and respect among children from diverse backgrounds. Your contribution enables us to provide materials, traditional foods, and creative workshops that make these experiences meaningful and memorable.A donation to Little Elephant School is an investment in cultural learning and community wellbeing. It helps us continue offering enriching programmes that celebrate diversity and teach children the values of gratitude, cooperation, and care for the natural world.
Together, we can ensure that every child has the opportunity to learn not only from books but from the living traditions that shape our shared humanity. To support future cultural events and educational projects, please contact Little Elephant School.
