From the Director's Desk

Coming back to school in January can be cruel for school students. It was therefore lovely to see the vibrancy with which Pathways students swing back into a new term. The late start certainly helps but the sheer enjoyment our children demonstrated to be back among friends and teachers warmed the building more than any late start can.

Secondary Student Council

The secondary school has plunged into the excitement of the student council election. Nominations were received and all candidates were interviewed. Campaign posters adorned the walls and everyone appreciated the speeches soliciting votes made by the candidates. The entire election process not only develops leadership skills in the senior school students but makes everyone understand how a democracy works. I congratulate our new Council and we all look forward to the great contribution they will make in taking the school forward. The investiture ceremony is on Monday 6^th at 11 am and parents of the elected members will be getting separate invitations to attend. Meanwhile I would like to thank our outgoing council for all their hard work, their positive energy and determination to do what is best for the school. A strong foundation has been laid by them for the character and activity of a Student Council.


Adventure Camps  Green River Valley Camp in Himachal              

 As always, as part of our focus on learning through experience, Adventure Camps for students are scheduled for the end of this month. All students from Form 4 up go out of town. They learn to camp outdoors, interacting with the natural environment and being independent. All our trip organization groups are carefully vetted, providing high standards of safety and hygiene. Each of them has taken out  Pathways groups in the past. Form 4 & 5 will go to Camp Tikkling in the Aravali hills; Form 6 – 8 to the Green River Valley Camp in Himachal Pradesh; and Form 9 & 11 go River Rafting on the Ganga. Each trip is accompanied by our teachers. We will have an open information session conducted by the trip organizers and you are welcome to attend. Principals will send you detailed information on the trip shortly.

 

                                                                  Camp River Wild on the Ganga above Rishikesh

Experiential Learning

Primary school students visited the Red Fort with Itihaas, a group on educational history.

A group of senior school students participated in the Model United Nations hosted by Pathways Aravali. You can read all about their experiences elsewhere in this newsletter.

Staff Development

Our contemporary understanding of how learning happens teaches us that one of the most powerful strategies is to learn from each other. This is the theme for our staff development as well and Pathways Noida is part of a national network of professional development. This week some teachers from Pathways Aravali and Gurgaon spent a day at Noida sharing strategies and resources. Next week we host the PYP Network for schools in the region. And on 25^th February we will once again play host to teachers from across India for the Diploma programme Job Alike – a structured collaborative learning where we will also have representatives from the IBO addressing teachers.

Enabling the professional development of teachers is a crucial element in effective schools and is part of our ongoing programme. This week two teachers from the Primary school attended a Science teaching workshop. We are happy that the number of senior teachers who are now accepted as examiners by the IBO is growing. Four of our teachers have been invited by the IBO.


Upcoming Events & Schedules

We are very happy to be collaborating with the Ishara International Puppet Festival. Our students will watch the Irish Puppetry group Circus Stachamoose and all parents are invited too. As per my previous letter parents please remember to register for this.

On 24^th February at 11 am we have a special show for our Early Learners by London Talents a British theatre and education company. Early Years parents are invited – we will be writing to you separately with more details shortly. 

Please mark your calendar for Sports Day on 17^th February. This will be held during school hours and I hope you will come to support your children’s athletics programme. Also note that the Art, Science, DT & Maths Fair scheduled for 28^th February has now been postponed to Friday 16^th March as state elections have been announced for the 28^th. School will therefore remain closed on that day.

Shalini Advani

School Director