Independent Collective School, Sri Lanka’s first modern school, delivering a fully personalised Cambridge Curriculum, celebrated its first anniversary with the Festival of Education 2025 on January 4. Held at the ICS campus in Thalawathugoda, it was a celebration of creativity, innovation, and modern education.
The event featured over 40 diverse activities and welcomed over a 100 families..
The full day of activities permitted children and parents alike to explore the holistic, innovative and future focused educational environment on offer for students aged two to 18 years at ICS, with the founder and principal Yasodhara Pathanjali on hand to speak to parents who had in depth questions.
One of the standout highlights was the collaboration with Oceans Theory Board Games, whose activities brought families together through strategy, fun, and teamwork.
Public speaking sessions
Equally captivating was the “Beyond the Mic” public speaking sessions, which provided children with the confidence to find their voice in a supportive and interactive setting. These sessions exemplified ICS’s emphasis on real-world skills and personal development and provided a taste of the long term sessions at ICS by Beyond the Mic that are expected to launch very soon.
Another long-term session that will be launching at ICS is Calisthenics for families by Fitness for Life, who took the stage with their energetic activities, proving that physical fitness and mental discipline go hand in hand.
ICS Hip-Hop and Kandyan dancing dance classes also show cased their offerings adding a cultural flair, allowing children of all ages to explore their creative side in a relaxed and supportive setting.
Meanwhile, the children’s yoga sessions, which are available to non ICS families, provided a special focus on kids with special needs and created a space of inclusivity and mindfulness, reflecting ICS’s commitment to holistic education.
A literary highlight of the day came from authors associated with Jam Tree Publication, who enthralled young audiences with engaging book readings. The sessions not only sparked a love for literature but also allowed children to connect directly with the authors, making stories come alive in new and meaningful ways.
Brain Gym program
The festival also marked the launch of Sri Lanka’s first-ever Brain Gym program, an innovative initiative designed to enhance focus, attention, and memory through physical movement exercises. The Brain Gym sessions, aimed at both children and adults, which will be available at ICS Thalawathugoda from January for all students, seamlessly integrating physical activity with cognitive development.
The success of the Festival of Education can be attributed not only to the thoughtfully curated activities but also to the school’s serene location and its innovative teaching ethos. Families were deeply impressed by the calm and inspiring environment, where students and staff collaborated seamlessly to deliver a day filled with discovery and joy. Parents praised the talent and dedication of ICS’s educators and students, whose passion was evident in every activity.
