The biggest mistake that a school and its teachers can make
is to think that we are the most significant sources of education in the life
of a growing mind. Schools and teachers
are of course crucial but an equally important role they play is to bring in and
channelize other sources of learning, other experiences to widen the horizons
of students. In this newsletter therefore, I would like to focus on the some of
the external experiences which we bring to our students at Pathways Noida,
which extend the walls of our classrooms.
IAYP & INTERACT
The International Award for Young People was first
introduced in the UK as The Duke of Edinburgh Award and is open to people
between 14 – 25.. The Award is an exciting self-development programme available
to all young people worldwide, equipping them with life skills to make a
difference to themselves, their communities and the world. Anyone aged between
14 and 25 can experience challenge and adventure, acquire new skills and make
new friends. The Award has a presence in over 130 countries and currently has
over 785,000 participants. The basic structure of the Award consists of 4
mandatory sections Service, Adventurous Journey, Skills and Physical
Recreation. There are 3 levels of the Award – Bronze, Silver & Gold. It is
open to senior school students and we look forward to many students meeting its
requirements and gaining a medal.
Interact is the Rotary Club’s leadership and responsibility
programme for young people.
President, INTERACT
It encourages community work, social responsibility
and leadership. A number of senior school students have already signed up for
it and we will be formally launching the club at a ceremony later this month.
Model United Nations
The Model UN gives young people a unique opportunity to take
on the role of delegates from different countries and present their nation’s
perspective at the United Nations. In the process they write position papers
and learn the conventions of this body. Students from Form 7 up will get
experience of this in an in-school MUN early in September. This will be
followed by participation in various inter-school MUNs later in the year.
IPads in School
As part of our programme to use technology in learning, we
have introduced a pilot programme using IPads this year. In the first semester
this is targeted at the Primary school and we are initially focusing on the
Early Years group from KG up. The programme teaches careful handling of
equipment and focuses on problem solving in Maths and language. In this way
even our youngest children become comfortable with the use of this tool which
has become commonplace in the world today.
Founders Day
We will soon be beginning rehearsals for our Founders Day
which is on 20th October. All students
except Form 12 will be involved in some way. We are structuring practices so
that teaching and learning continues alongside. Accordingly we will be
scheduling rehearsals on Thursday afternoons which is normally an early release
day for students. Please note that starting
Thursday 6th September, school on Thursdays will continue till 3.40. I will be
writing to you separately with other details as we proceed. Meanwhile please do
earmark Founders Day 20th October in your calendar.
Shalini
Advani
School
Director
