Anchoring script for a school Annual Day

For two student anchors (A and B). 9 parts, about 415 words of anchor lines.

This script is for two anchors who speak in turn. It covers the full flow of a school Annual Day: opening, lamp lighting, welcome, the annual report, cultural items, prize distribution, the Chief Guest's address and the vote of thanks. Replace everything in square brackets. Add one linking line of your own before each item, written after you have watched its rehearsal.

Words in [square brackets] are for you to replace. Lines in (round brackets) are directions, not to be read aloud.

The script

Opening

A: Good evening, ladies and gentlemen. B: A very warm welcome to the Annual Day celebration of [School Name]. A: I am [Name A]. B: And I am [Name B]. We are your hosts for this evening. A: They say a school is a garden and its children are the flowers. Tonight the garden is in full bloom. B: So sit back, relax and enjoy an evening of music, dance and achievement.

Welcoming the Chief Guest

A: We are honoured to have with us our Chief Guest, [Name], [designation]. B: May we request our Principal, [Name], to welcome the Chief Guest with a bouquet. A big round of applause, please.

Lighting the lamp

B: Every good beginning in our culture starts with light. A: We request our Chief Guest, our Principal and the members of the management to come on to the stage and light the lamp. B: As the lamp is lit, let it remove the darkness of ignorance and fill this evening with the light of knowledge. (Pause while the lamp is lit.) Thank you.

Welcome song or prayer

A: We begin by seeking blessings. Please welcome the school choir with [name of the prayer or welcome song]. (After the item) B: Thank you, choir. That was a beautiful start.

Annual report

B: A year is a long time in the life of a school. A: To tell us what [School Name] achieved this year, we invite our Principal to present the annual report.

Introducing a cultural item (repeat for each)

A: Now it is time for some colour and rhythm. B: The students of class [class] bring you [name of the dance, play or song]. They have practised for weeks. A: Put your hands together for them! (After the item) B: What energy! Thank you, class [class].

Prize distribution

A: Hard work deserves a reward. B: We now come to the prize distribution. We request our Chief Guest to give away the prizes. A: I shall read the names. Winners, please come up from the left of the stage.

Chief Guest's address

B: We have all been waiting for this moment. A: May we now request our Chief Guest, [Name], to say a few words to the students. (After the address) B: Thank you, Sir/Ma'am, for your inspiring words. We will remember them.

Vote of thanks and close

A: All good things come to an end. B: We invite [Name] to propose the vote of thanks. (After the vote of thanks) A: Thank you all for being a wonderful audience. B: We request everyone to stand for the National Anthem. (After the anthem) A and B: Good night, and travel home safely!

Tips for the day

Stand still, smile and share the lines equally. Never both speak at once.
Keep a printed running order with timings in your hand, and a pencil for last-minute changes.
If something goes wrong on stage, say "A short pause while we set up the next item" and stay calm.
Print two copies in large type. Paper does not run out of battery.

How to adapt this script

No two functions have the same items. Treat each part above as a block: remove the blocks you do not need, repeat the "introducing an item" block for each performance, and put them in the order of your running sheet. Then write one fresh linking sentence for each item after you have seen its rehearsal; a line that fits the actual performance is worth more than any ready line. The guide how to anchor a function explains running orders, links and what to do when something goes wrong, and opening and closing lines has more lines to choose from.