As we come to the end of another
semester and year, we are going through that most important exercise in the
life of a school – stock-taking. At different levels we have been asking
ourselves – how are we doing? What are the goals which we need to set ourselves
going ahead? It is a crucial process
because in education if we stand still, we wither away. To review honestly is a
challenge but also a cause for satisfaction. All the areas we are considering
are too numerous to summarise especially since it is an ongoing process but
here are some;
Some Successes:
• Extending
students interests and talents, giving opportunities for them to discover
things they didn’t know they could do: Whether it is in the performing arts
through music performances in school, the mega Founders Day, the development of
inter-school teams in sports, participation in Model UNs etc we provide
multiple opportunities for the development of confidence and the consolidation
of talent.
• Creating
digital citizens for the 21st century: Technology is both the enabler and the
challenge for education. The multiple ways in which students and teachers use
technology from the use of online resources, writing of blogs, using IPad apps,
• Creating
responsible citizens: Our community service and action programme extends right
across the school. Whether it is in making students understand our planet’s
depleting resources and the importance of responsible action, fund raising for
Uttaranchal or for a neighbourhood school, teaching children from economically
deprived backgrounds or growing plants for sale,
our students learn to think
about their responsibility for improving their world. Next week’s Day of
Sharing where our support staff will put up a show for students followed by a
langar lunch for all, served by senior
school students, is a good example of creating an understanding of the dignity
of all work and the sense of community within the school.
• Involving
parents in the education of children: Our strong belief that education is too
important to leave out the entire community takes many shapes. Over the
semester parents have come in to run language stalls in the primary
, arranged
interesting guest speakers, been involved in academic goal setting in the
student-led conferences, helped with Founders Day. The semester is culminating
in the Christmas carnival where parents are taking on the huge role of cooking
a variety of food, creating interesting activities and working with the student
interact club to organize the day.
• Our
teachers: For any school today the biggest challenge is to find the right staff
to teach both the academic programme as well as the larger area of student
development which is the heart of true education. We are fortunate to have a
group of dedicated, impassioned teachers. In addition we have been committed to
a strong professional development programme where teachers attend dozens of
IB-run and other workshops each semester, there are in-school discussion
sessions and invited workshop leaders in school.
Our Goals Ahead
Many of our goals involve doing
better what we have already started. The goal posts need to constantly shift
for a school to continue to improve the quality of the education we deliver.
These are some of the areas we are considering :
• Advanced
Learners: While we have in place a differentiated education programme which
aims to meet the learning needs of different levels within the same classroom,
there is more to be done to truly stretch and challenge our most able students.
Our teachers have been working on strategies for this but there is much to be
done.
• Our
Programme Calendar: While all events are
in themselves beneficial for students we need to review which students should
be involved in which programme to protect learning.
We have been taking steps
such as keeping Form 12 out of Founders Day or keeping the entire senior school
out of the International Film Festival. While we are also clear that as in
life, students need to learn to balance multiple activities with academics
through self-discipline, we need to find a balance.
• Technology
Use: Although this is a challenge for
21st century schools around the world, we struggle with students who post
online irresponsibly or get distracted with the access given by laptops in
learning. There are no easy solutions but we need to continue working on this.
• New
Teachers: We have succeeded in enabling a happy working environment and are
fortunate that teachers do not leave for other schools. However personal
reasons have seen teachers move away from the NCR or the country. When this
happens mid-semester it poses a challenge. Although we have support and
guidance systems and a mentor programme, we need to continue to strengthen the
settling in processes of new teachers.
Reminders
• Christmas
Carnival: This is the first year when we combine the student-run Interact fun
fair and the parent food festival into one day which is open to all parents. I
do hope you will be there between 10.30 – 1.30 on Thursday 19th.
• Christmas
Break: Is from 20th December to 14th January. The PTM for Form 10 & 12 is
on 20th. Please ensure that your child
is back in school on 15th January. No child may be away later without
permission being granted by the Principal.
• Late
Start in January – Do remember that as always for the month of January we begin
school late. From 15th January school will begin at 9.30 am.
Finally all good wishes to you
and your loved ones for the festive season. I hope happiness and success await
you in 2014.
Shalini Advani
School Director
