From the Director's Desk

The old song “There’s no business like show business” seems to be coming alive in the corridors of Pathways as we move toward the school’s second Founders Day. Given the variety of different sequences being rehearsed it is a marvel that students are continuing to study and teachers to teach alongside. Through this process we hope to teach all our children the value of time management, of being able to balance different interests and to do everything seriously. As we did last year, in the last four days before Founders, we will be moving towards evening rehearsals. I will be writing to you separately with details about this.

Alongside the performances our students are preparing for an exhibition on the different performance areas. From Korean dance to Noh theatre, Tarana to Kalaripayat they are researching and writing about the forms they are practicing. Please do plan to spend some time on the 20th at the exhibition of work before you move to the amphitheatre.

Inter School Events

Middle and senior school students have been exposed to a number of inter-school events over the past few weeks. A team participated in the Model UN in Pathways Aravalli. Our middle school Robotics students won second prize at the Pathways Baliawas Robotics competition.                             
                                                                                 
                                                                    Pathways School Noida Vs Woodstock School Mussoorie

The new senior soccer team played matches against Woodstock school, Lotus Valley and are scheduled to play against Step by Step school this weekend. Two students were members of the Yuvraj Academy Pathways touring side which went to South Africa. A junior swim team will participate in an inter-school event in Aravalli.      Pathways School, Noida Vs Lotus Valley

You can read more about the events elsewhere in this newsletter.

Yuvraj Singh Academy, Pathways, team at South Africa

Robotics Event at Pathways School, Baliawas

Parent Teacher Meetings

Most parents attended the parent-teacher meetings held over the last two weeks and were able to get feedback on your children’s progress. It was good for our teachers to receive the strong appreciation which most of you shared for the school’s learning environment and programmes. Overwhelmingly parents commented on the development and progress of their children both academically and personally. Thank you also to those of you who gave suggestions for improvement. I am very aware that there are many areas of development which remain and we welcome your suggestions.

Professional Development

One of the most important areas for a school’s development is the continued professional development of the staff. At Pathways we take very seriously the philosophy that everyone is a learner – from students to teachers to administrative staff and support staff. We spend a great deal of our resources and focus on continuing professional development. Here are some of the recent and upcoming trainings:

•             Along with two teachers I attended the annual conference of the The Association of International Schools in India (TAISI). Speakers came from around the world to develop our understanding of assessment, individualizing learning, expanding the activity programme in schools etc. It was also an opportunity to interact with Heads of other schools and share ideas.

•             Senior school teachers will attend IB workshops on English, Economics, teaching and learning in primary school in Chennai and Mumbai.

•             Our Computer Studies teacher is scheduled to do an IB online workshop.

•             Primary school Form tutors will have a 2 day IB training by Mr Jason Graham an experienced PYP educator. This is on October 28th and 29th. Primary School students will therefore return to school after the break on October 30th and not 29th when school reopens for Secondary School.

•             The DP Coordinator will attend a Coordinators workshop in Kuala Lumpur

Each of these interactions develops a culture of development and growth amongst our teachers.

Shalini Advani

School Director