Parent & Me by Meher Khan, KG Coordinator & Form Tutor Gr KG C

Parental involvement in the child’s education builds a strong foundation for their overall learning and growth.

Our early learners – Pre Nursery, Nursery and Kindergarten students and teachers invited parents to share their daily experience at school on the eve of ‘Parent and Me.’

The day began with welcoming parents into their respective classrooms with Form Tutors and Assistant Teachers briefing them on the day’s schedule. The day unfolded with our specialist’s magic and interactive story session with the Form Tutor/Assistant Teacher.

Our excited parents

accompanied their wards to the specialist’s sessions. Physical Education teachers warmed up the parents with a few stretching exercises, which was followed by teaming the parent- student for ball games. Kindergarten enjoyed mindboggling math and letter games.

In the Indian Music session, the classroom echoed with harmony and rhythm lessons that ended with percussion instrument play with the song. This was a truly amazing experience with melody.

Western Music session was equally energetic and had everyone singing together to the rhythm with the instruments.

Drama was our next venue and it was time to participate in the Cinderella act out ….Whoosh!

Everyone was thrilled to transform into the famous story characters and enact roles with loads of enthusiasm.

Our last specialist session was dancing to the brilliant beat of the song – Jai Ho!

 A variety of story sessions were conducted in the classrooms that were enthralling and engaging for the audience and the storyteller.

Pre - Nursery enjoyed the story with puppets and dolls– “There was an Old Lady Who Swallowed a Fly by Simms Taback. This was followed by coloring, cutting and pasting story characters on paper.

Nursery read a sing along story, “We are going on a bear hunt.” Children performed the story with action and movements and engaged the parents with their confidence and excitement.

Kindergarten A enacted a story by Julia Donaldson titled “A Squash and a Squeeze “supported by headgears which they had worked upon before the performance. The parents enthusiastically participated in the act. The children enjoyed making animal noises. The act out ended with dancing on the Squash and Squeeze Song.

Kindergarten B presented “The Very Hungry Caterpillar” by Eric Carle as the story feature for “Parent and me” day and had the children and parents “hungry” for more! The parents and children then pretended to be caterpillars and walked around the class looking for food. All in all, a fun session!

Kindergarten C welcomed the parents with a few songs – Hurtle turtle, The Mice are Nice. The session centered on the story “If You Give a Mouse a Cookie” by Laura Joffe Numeroff.  The students created a story circle with the story objects. A treasure hunt to locate the story objects was carried out by the parent- student team, culminating in creating interesting snacks with cookies, cornflakes, jam, peanut butter and confetti…yum!

The day was a huge success and surely helped in strengthening the bond between home and school.

A Visit to Doll’s Museum on 23rd August 2013 by - Sania Arora, Form Tutor 2A

Public Spaces are best explored when they are visited, with that thought in mind, on a hot Friday morning, the children of Form 2 were all geared up to go to the Doll’s museum, a place where none of them had been before. On being asked what are you going to do there? One of the students replied, “It’s my first experience of interviewing different people, just waiting to be there!” With all the bubbling energy and enthusiasm, they set out for their learning experience.

The visit was an experience full of fun and frolic. The children interviewed different people at the Doll’s Museum to inquire into the purpose of the public space and list its characteristics. They identified and analyzed the role of various people working in that public space.

Not only did they understand the need of a public space but also its importance in terms of being an inseparable part of society.

Students have now started discussing about the importance of hygiene in public washrooms as they described the washrooms at the museum as “Not So

Clean”. They have been discussing about the ways in which they can create awareness for the same.

This is exactly the kind of inquiry we look forward to as it compels our students to take action and think out of the box. An educational trip in the first unit of inquiry made it all the 

more special and exciting.  

Our students interviewed Mrs. Shanta Srinivasan who       

manages  the museum. She is also the daughter  of 

Mr. K. Shankar Pillai who  is the  founder of the Doll’s Museum  

                                                                                                

Metro Ride by Ms. Aneesha Sahni, Early Years Coordinator & Form Tutor Grade 1 B

Form 1 went for a metro ride from Noida City Centre to the Mayur Vihar Extn. Station on 4th September,

as their current unit of inquiry is on transportation. It was a wonderful learning opportunity for them as they were able to observe the system for this mode of transport. They experienced travelling as a group through a group booking and also as an individual with a token.  Students were quite observant and questioned the teachers regarding the speed of the train and the various signs on the station. They were reading everything inside the train and listening to all the announcements carefully. At the Mayur Vihar Extn. Station, each student was given a route map and a brochure by the Metro Staff. Safety of all the students was the first priority. Arrangements were made in advance with the Metro staff ensuring a safe boarding and disembarking. Students were not allowed to take photographs because of security measures at the metro station.

Teachers Day Celebrations

Smiling Faces

Primary School Song Presentation

                 Secondary School Music group presentation

Dance Performances

 

                                                                                                     Skit by Secondary School

                            Quiz Master

                                                                                                                     On the ramp

From the Director’s Desk

A very warm welcome to the first news update of the new academic year. I would like to extend a special welcome to all those families who have joined us this year. This communication comes once a fortnight and gives you an overview of the school in many voices –  in addition to myself, from students and teachers. It enables us to make announcements, alert you about upcoming plans and share areas of concern. Essential to the successful development of our children is a shared understanding between families and the school about what we are seeking to achieve. 

Results

We have been happy with the results both for the IB Diploma students and the Form 10 IGCSE students. At the IB, Partha Sharma was the top scoring student with 42 points. At the IGCSE,

whose results have just come out, we are delighted that our highest scoring student Supriya Ganesh (pic. attached) achieved 5 A* and 3 A grades. Sameera Khurana achieved 3 A* and 4 A grades and Tavishi Gupta achieved 2 A* and 6 A grades.

In a very different type of result, we cogratulate Ansh Anand of Gr 4  for getting two silver medals in the Inter School Swimming Competition at Cambridge School, Noida.

  
 Events In School

Although school has been open only two weeks and there have been an unusual number of holidays this month, there have been very many events already. The orientations for new students

and parents, the day-long orientation to  the IB Diploma for Form 11 students,  the welcome assembly helped new students to get important information.

Groups of senior school students have had exciting and challenging experiences at Model United Nations 
events and student conferences              MUN Training at Pathways Aravali 

A group has gone to participate in the Doon School Model UN. Another group of students accompanied by the IB Diploma Coordinator Ms Geeta Verma travelled to Warwick University for the IB Student Conference.  We were the only school from India amongst Schools from     

    IB Student Conference, Warwick University

South Africa, various countries in Europe, Australia, Singapore, China. Another group attended a MUN training at Pathways Aravali.

To commemorate peace and remember the destruction of nuclearization senior school students were fortunate to host the noted writer and speaker Professor Achin Vanaik who was inspirational in his analysis of the reason countries opt for nuclear weapons. 

                               

Prof. Achin Vanaik, the founder member of the "Coalition for Nuclear Disarmament" 

This followed after an assembly on this theme conducted by the students.

Upcoming Events

Please do earmark the Academic Awards ceremony for Primary and Secondary school – 27th August for secondary awards and 30th August for Primary school.

Shalini Advani
School Director

From the Senior School Principal

I write down this my first letter to you there are myriads of thoughts that flood my mind and already the one month that I have been here has allowed me to connect so much with the family here at Pathways.

April 2013, was when I first came down to Pathways Noida to interact with management, staff and students and I must confess that the first morning, 22nd April to be precise, was one of the most memorable that I have had. I had barely been in Dr. Advani’s office when in came the then entire 11th Form (the present 12th Form), just to see who was going to be the new Senior School Principal. They were so effusive and vocal in their affection that there was an instant connect and I must acknowledge that in my 2 decades of teaching I have never been welcomed in such a warm and affectionate manner.

Over the last one month I have been working to ascertain the systems and areas of strengths and some aspects which we need to work more on. I must share that the parents I have interacted with have been very understanding and excellent in their support to the school and clearly understand what the Pathways philosophy is. However, I wish to once again reiterate that the upbringing of a child is a partnership which we engage in and even the best of schools can only succeed when we work together with parents to bring out the best that we all so desire and know our children can aspire and become!

It has already been a fortnight since school has started and it’s been an action packed two weeks with IGCSE results coming in, students busy with new forms, new form tutors and co form tutors, a new time for Assembly (yes! We now have our assembly on Tuesday and Wednesday in Lesson 2), the Crazy hair day

when we had some absolutely creative hair-dos and special assembly for Independence Day, which was an excellent amalgamation of the modern and the traditional India. 8 of our students also went to Pathways Aravali for MUN training together with two of our staff and have returned with very good ideas on how to make the MUN spread over even more at our school.

Interactive Session with CND Team

So when I look forward to very exciting times ahead at Pathways Noida, I do see that this school is special because of its ethos! Because of its sensibilities that each child is unique and special. Of course this may sound clichéd, because it is one that so many educational institutions may announce as its USP. However, the very fact that all children are accepted as they are and the fact that so many testify to the fact that their being here has changed them and helped them discover abilities and gifts which they never knew they had and all in an environment where they are really happy is truly the ultimate testimony to a Happy and Happening school!

I believe it is the Pathways philosophy that has made it a force to reckon with in the education world in India! I am reminded here of a story. Probably you have heard it before, but I still would like to share it for the simple fact that it resonates so much with what we believe here at Pathways!

An old man was walking down the beach and saw a young man throwing a Starfish back into the ocean. He observed that there were hundreds along the shore and the young man ran along the beach and tossed them in, one by one! Cynical as older people can be, he asked the young man why was he trying since there were too many and it would make no difference! The young man paused for just a moment and tossed another one back into the ocean and said with a smile, “But it made a difference to that one!”

While a cynical world may not comprehend the value of the effort, we believe that it is worth all the while to go all the distance to make a difference to each child. To see the smiles and happy faces of our children and the growing achievements of our school, truly is something that will spur us on in the days to come.

                                                                    

Alexandar Abraham

Senior School Principal

New Staff at Pathways School, Noida

Primary School :  

Dr Aarti Bakshi- SEN, Monica Garg - Primary Teacher, Kamal Preet - Primary Art Teacher, Sonia Singh - Primary Teacher, Sukirti Misra  - Primary Asst Teacher, Deepa Nanda  - Primary Teacher, Aastha Luthra Part-Time Music Teacher, Mousumi Rai Part-Time Dance Teacher, Jyoti Rawat Bhagirath  - Primary Teacher, Himi Dayal - Primary Assistant Teacher, Kaajal Pahwa - Primary Asst. Teacher

Secondary School:

Sonal Rawat - Math Teacher, Sheeba Abraham - Physics Teacher, Deblina Chakraborty - College Counsellor, Divyaa Verma - Hindi Teacher, Pilar Cinca  - Spanish Teacher, Mohit Singh - Geography and Resource Teacher, Akanksha Singh - School Counsellor, Arti Gupta - ICT, Abdul Hannan HOD, Design & Technology, Smita Mittal - Hindi Teacher, Preeti Panwar - Psychology Teacher, Khusboo Khandelwal - Business Management and Economics, Geeta Sachdeva - Maths Teacher

Schoolwide: Animesh Jha - EAL Teacher, Himani Puri - PE Swimming Teacher, Rajesh Sahu - P.E. Teacher, Basketball, Shrichand Gupta - P.E. Teacher, Golf

Model United Nations Training at Pathways World School Aravali by Shreya Biswal Grade 11

Twelve students from Pathways Noida attended the MUN workshop, held at Pathways World School Aravali on the 9th and 10th of August. It was a wonderful training simulation for the students of Pathways who were interested to learn more about the works of a Model UN.

The first day was full of sessions on the procedures and operations of MUN which were given by trainers from Wordz, Delhi. The trainers had extensive experience and knowledge of the MUN and made sessions incredibly insightful. The students acquired a lot of new skills from these sessions and gave in their best to participate among the discussions. On the second day, a ‘mock’ MUN was held to practice as well as demonstrate their learnings from the previous day. The experience was educating and fun at the same time. 

Independence Day Assembly by Aliya Pal Gr 8B

“At the stroke of midnight India will see a new dawn….” said Jawaharlal Nehru on the night of 14th August, 1947.So, once again, exactly after 67 years, we assembled in our school hall to celebrate the spirit of Independence which was quite evident in primary school children, as they were all dressed in traditional Indian clothing. I think an assembly is a great way to pay homage to our saviors because of whom we are breathing an air of freedom. 

The assembly began with a melodious patriotic song by the junior

school choir followed by senior school student Natasha (the host) interviewing three freedom fighters: Mangal Pandey, Sarojini Naidu, Bhagat Singh. That was an excellent way to provide the audience with the forgotten facts about these great personalities. The junior school play showed the modern

perspective of Independence and added fervor by finishing off their play with dancing on the song ‘Vande Mataram.’ The best part was children waving with their palms colored with the three colors of our national flag.

Excitement and anxiety started building up in the air, when the ‘Quiz’, hosted by Sanya Sharma (8B),

was introduced for the houses. The four teams, as well as the audience, were asked a series of questions based on the journey of Indian Independence. Lots of brainstorming came in motion. All the four teams performed well, but Water House took it away by scoring 37 points. Cheers erupted like an active volcano from the crowd, expressing their appreciation and happiness. This quiz provided us with the information, we all should know, about Indian Independence. Subsequently, Dr Advani expressed her delight over the clever and brilliant concept of today’s assembly.

 The assembly came to an end with Dr. Advani hoisting the flag and distribution of sweets to the whole school. It was   really a thought provoking and fun filled assembly.

Pathways School Noida -DP Orientation - Class of 2015 by Saharsh Arora Grade 12

New beginnings are always exciting affairs, bringing with them an earnest sense of adventure. However, they also bring with them a number of questions. Accordingly; an orientation program was conducted on the 30th of July.

This was to acquaint the new parents and soon-to-be form 11 students with the IBDP, and to assure them of the high academic and co-curricular standards of the school.

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.