On the 24th and 26th of November the student docents, a part of the New English School’s museum programme, delivered cultivating tours of the Tareq Rajab museum towards the staff of the New English School.
As a junior docent myself, I felt the experience was uncanny. A true “when the student becomes the master” situation. Interacting with my teachers outside of the classroom allowed a newfound connection to form between us. Not only was the experience incredibly rewarding – allowing us to gain experience in delivering tours in a concise, yet invigorating manner – but furthermore, vehemently amusing.
The lead up to the tours was daunting. I recount me and my fellow docents feeling intimidated by the idea – however once we began the teachers’ passion and great willingness to learn and ascertain the artefacts left the atmosphere relaxed yet salutary.
When asked about her experience at the teachers’ tours, senior docent Hanna Mouihate details: “I felt that personally, I was able to connect with my teacher
s in a way I never imagined. Where, I got to see them outside of the classroom and be their teacher for the evening as I took them through each room.”
She continues by stating that towards the end of the tours, she felt “an odd mixture of relief, pride and most importantly fulfillment” adding on that “seeing all the docents showcase what they are capable of with a high level of dedication and passion is what I think TRDP advocates!”
Senior docents, such as Hanna, were incredibly useful in guiding us beforehand, helping ease our minds and further our work as junior docents. One of the senior docents who helped me the most was head girl Gurpreet Kaur. Not only incredibly eager to help but fervently obliging, Gupreet helped me master touring the Tibetan and Chinese jewellery artefacts – her knowledge paired with her personal experience aiding me along my journey as a junior docent.
Moreover, despite being the “teacher for the evening” as Hanna perfectly articulated – the teachers temporarily returned to their roles as educators every now and then. Particularly, Mrs. Vivian provided us with an incredible account of her own experiences within the museum, and was remarkably able to extend our knowledge on the very artefacts we were touring. Therefore, the tours were an ardent learning experience that amalgamated the experience we gained and the knowledge we obtained from our teachers.
Junior docent of the month, Sami Hamid, narrates that his favourite teacher to tour was Mr Davis as “he was super interested and knowledgeable about the gun room and “asked a lot of interesting questions”.
Personally, my favourite teachers to tour were Ms. Azza Mikkawy and Ms. Macgregor. Journaying them through the jewellery exhibits within the museum, their charismatic and inviting energy eased my mind, leaving it as the perfect depiction of an ideal tour as I was able to fully immerse into (and consequently verse) the sundry world of jewellery.
The Tareq Rajeb docent programme as a whole continues to be one of the most unique and incredible opportunities for us studen
ts. Not only does it allow us the opportunity to learn from our peers, but connect on a ubiquitous interest and willingness to learn about the past. Therefore, all in all, I feel incredibly privileged to have been a part of the teachers’ tours, my knowledge of the museum continuing to augment more and more after each session.
All photos taken by editor of The Print, Sama Arefanian
