The true test of education is to
measure whether it is truly transformational.
How does it change you? How does it get you to see the world
differently? Or your own life and actions differently? How does it get you to see another person or society
differently and to understand it more?
What does it enable you to do better?
These are the questions which have become increasingly pressing in the
21st century. They are the questions which we ask ourselves each year,
questions which are at the heart of an IB school.
Over the past few weeks we have
seen multiple events which encourage students to personalise complex and
abstract ideas.
The grade 5 PYP exhibition was a wonderful showcase of moving from thinking about systems in society
to exploring different systems – NGOs, technology, health, environment and many
others – to looking to see how even young children can change the world. Fund
raisers, awareness drives, posters etc followed. Shared below is a notable
example of a student who reached out to Mr Suresh Narayanan, the Chairman &
MD of Nestle and his amazingly helpful response and encouragement to a little
girl. Take a moment to read the heart warming exchanges. That’s an example of
transformation.
In a similar vein, Our school’s
Interact Club has been part of Responsenet’s drive for collection of food
materials as a part of Delhi NCR Foodbank initiative. They galvanized the whole
school community to contribute We are very proud that our school was the
highest contributor in the Schools’ Category and was awarded at a glittering
function on Saturday night.
This year’s Jharokha succeeded in
being transformational education with its focus on understanding how a common
humanity breaks up into prejudice, discrimination and hostility. Students from
Grade 4-11 re-examined through this idea what they were already learning on
immigration, partition, displacement, racism,
the economic effects of new laws,
literary texts etc. With presentation,
graffiti, drama, music, art they conveyed a strong understanding of
attitudes. Many parents shared that an
understanding of Otherness has extended into the entire family.
In a different way the adventure
camps too are transformative. It begins with the overnight stay in school for
Grade 1 – for many children and parents this is a big step in separation. Other
groups are out seeking adventure in the hills or in villages trying activities
for the first time. For the first time, Grade 11 went to Bhutan to experiene a
new culture in a little explored part of the world. In a departure from
adventure and in continued exploration of their history theme grade 8 goes to
Amritsar.
Guest Faculty from the UK
We were delighted to welcome for
a week Geoff and Anne Readman, two practitioners of Theatre in Education. They
worked with students of Grade 4, 7 & 11 and ran teacher workshops, using
drama to deepen student understanding of their units and literary texts. This
provided powerful learning through a new medium, summed up in one student
comment that “This is the best workshop I have ever attended”.
Examination grades
Grade 12 are preparing for their
final weeks in school before proceeding on prep leave before their IB exams. It
is an emotional time for everyone in school as we see the little children who
entered Pathways many years ago grow into fine young men and women we are all
proud of. We celebrate all the parents of Grade 12 students for whom too this
is a landmark time of transition. We are delighted at the excellent college
placement offers many of them already have and will be sharing details later.
Meanwhile we prepare for Graduation on 6th April.
Grade 10 students too are coming up to
their Board exams – the final IGCSE batch of the school before we switch
completely to the MYP. A first external exam is always nerve-wracking and I
would urge you to ensure that in the time remaining your children work
steadily, get sufficient rest and keep their nerves calm.
Food Council
I must acknowledge the dedication
and focus of the parents who have been giving their time to attend the Food
Council meetings. Together with a group of teachers from across the school,
administration staff and Caterman our catering company, we have had extremely
fruitful discussions, reviewing the menu, suggesting changes. Council members
took the time to understand the challenges of providing menus which will appeal
to both 5 year olds and 17 year olds, different tastes and food cultures and
the constraints of items where a thousand people need to have food within 30
minutes. Health and balance were central to the review and we have had offers
of help with demonstrating cooking of certain items to the chefs. Changes in
the menu will be implemented in April.
Dr Shalini Advani
School Director