Good anchoring is the thread that holds a school annual function together. Below is a reusable flow plus sample lines you can adapt.
Annual day program flow (run-of-show)
- Welcome & anchors’ introduction
- Lamp lighting / Saraswati Vandana
- Welcome speech
- Chief guest felicitation
- Performances (dance, drama, music) — linked by anchors
- Annual report by the Principal
- Prize distribution
- Vote of thanks
- National anthem
Sample welcome speech (adapt freely)
“Good evening, respected Chief Guest, Principal, teachers, proud parents and my dear friends. On behalf of [School Name], it is my honour to welcome you to our Annual Day — an evening where months of effort turn into a few unforgettable hours. Tonight our students will take you on a journey through [theme]. So sit back, cheer loudly, and let the celebration begin!”
Sample anchoring links between performances
- “They say the body speaks louder than words — let’s watch our Class 6 dancers prove it. Please welcome them!”
- “From laughter to lessons, our next act carries a message worth hearing. Presenting a play by Class 9.”
- “Every celebration deserves a grand finale — and ours is here. Let’s bring the whole school together on stage!”
Anchoring tips
- Prepare a written cue sheet; never wing the order.
- Keep links to 2–3 sentences — the performances are the star.
- Have a backup line ready for gaps between acts.
- Speak slowly, smile, and project to the last row.
Planning the whole evening? See our 12-step annual day checklist and 40+ theme ideas. KalaManch produces full school annual functions end-to-end — see our productions.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do you start an annual day anchoring script?
Open with a warm welcome to the chief guest, principal, teachers and parents, introduce the anchors, and set the evening's theme in 60-90 seconds before moving to lamp lighting and the welcome speech.
What is the correct order of a school annual day program?
Welcome, lamp lighting, welcome speech, chief-guest felicitation, performances, the Principal's annual report, prize distribution, vote of thanks and the national anthem.
How long should a welcome speech for annual day be?
Keep the welcome speech to about 60-90 seconds - warm, thematic and short, so the performances remain the focus of the evening.
Planning your school annual function or event?
KalaManch handles theme, script, stage, lights, sound, costumes & choreography end-to-end — directed by NSD professionals.
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