From the Director's Desk

As everyone knows this has been a period of intense activity in our Classrooms Without Walls programme. Jharokha was followed by

the Adventure Camps, both providing lasting learning experiences in different ways. Jharokha welcomed inventiveness and problem-solving as unusual and ingenious solutions came up to envisioning cities of the future. And the adventure camps which you can read more about in this update taught children how to enjoy adventure as they went on night treks or simply shared a tent with a classmate.

End of Year Academics

As we begin to move to the end of the semester, the focus has shifted again to formal learning. However the final task in their

learning journey has a huge variety. At one end is the formal system which all parents are familiar with.  The external exams for the IGCSE and IB Diploma are looming and students from Grade 10 & 12 have proceeded on extended preparatory leave. The Graduation of Form 12 students which marks this phase is always a moment of both sadness and optimism and you can read more about it below.

In contrast to final examinations, is the Exhibition at the end of Primary school. 

The Grade 5 students had a wonderfully successful PYP Exhibition on the Central Idea of Sharing Spaces Responsibly Can Help Sustain Life on Earth. Whatever grade you are related to, I urge you to view the depth of their learning, the variety of activities and their profound understanding through the website at http://www.pypexhibition2015.weebly.com/ . It would make a senior school teacher happy.

     Meanwhile Grade 8 students are preparing for their end of year Personal Project presentations open to all Middle School parents. While they do also have an end of year exam, the Personal Project presentation is an important part of their learning, usually done in the MYP by Grade 10.  A variety of writings, technology related and performance related products will be on display.

Learning for Adults

 There is a direct correlation between the learning of students and of teachers. In a world of ever-expanding knowledge, all adults need to be learners, to keep pace with new ideas.

The senior school Principal Mr Abraham and I attended the IB annual Conference in Macau. We discussed the new developments and changes being implemented in the IB at all levels and learnt about the exciting new MYP assessment in Grade 10. Equally valuable is the setting up of connections and relationships with schools around the region. As a follow up we conducted a feedback session for all secondary staff.

   

Meanwhile both PYP and MYP teachers have been to a SAIBSA meet in Mumbai, of teachers from IB schools in India. Our teachers were invited to contribute their planning and the MYP Coordinator Anshu Sharma was the leader of a session. A total of 9 teachers attended and have come back with learning and a renewed confidence in how we are planning and teaching.

New Year Schedule

Finally I would like to share in good time the opening date for the new academic year. The first day of school is July 29th so please do make your summer plans to ensure that you are back in school on time.

Dr.  Shalini Advani

School Director