The orientation commenced with a
speech by the Student Council President, Sonal Chawla, who talked about how the
IB is a rigorous course. She also stressed upon the fact that it is interesting
and engaging as well. Sonal was followed by our School Director; Dr. Shalini
Advani, who brought forth the multifaceted nature of the DP, ranging from the
intense academic requirement to the Community Action Service required as part
of CAS which not only prepares students for their careers, but also makes them
open-minded world citizens. After Dr. Advani, the Senior School Principal;Mr.
Alexander Abraham raised some very pertinent points and compared the IB to a
marathon (“the key requirements are the same; resilience, efficiency,
consistency, and the ability to move neither too slow nor too fast.”). He also
warned the students about the zero-tolerance policy the IBO has towards
plagiarism and academic dishonesty. He was followed by the IBDP Coordinator,
Ms. Geeta Verma, who, tackled the pragmatic aspect stressing on how it was
imperative to give importance to all the components of the IB; be it academics, CAS, Extended Essay or TOK. She
also emphasized the importance of working everyday and meeting deadlines.
The second session was with the
students of grade 11 and it began with the IB Learner Profile,
International-mindedness. This was an interactive session facilitated by Mr
Sudripta Tagore HOD English/SLC. Vivek Verma; a Grade 12 student highlighted
the importance of inculcating the LP/ International Mindedness
through various
subject areas.They were followed by Ms. Jyotsna, HOD Economics and B&M who
explained the Extended Essay, warning the students to not take it lightly, and
work in a consistent manner while
regularly meeting deadlines. After her, Saumya Joshi, a student of form
12, described her experience with the Extended Essay, Ms. Smita addressed
Theory Of Knowledge and told students about the Essay and Presentation that are
the part of the assessment. Ritika
Sharma discussed the profound questions chanced upon in her TOK classes, and
how it makes students question everything.
The post lunch session saw Ms.
Geeta explain the importance of CAS and how it needs to be a balance of
Creativity, Action and Community Service. The Interact President and Grade 12
student;
Ashira Singh shared her CAS experience next. What followed was a very
interesting presentation on how technology is incorporated into the teaching
system at Pathways by Computer Science and ITGS HOD; Ms. Geetanjali Dewan and
student Shivin Moza. Finally, the School’s College Counselor, Ms. Puja Rao,
explained the process of college application. The orientation ended with an
introduction of the DP Faculty. The new students left considerably
better-equipped to deal with the IB with a good understanding about the Diploma
programme.
