PIONEER DECEMBER FINAL

07th The Monthly Newsletter Mussafah, Sector 9, Shabiya, P.B. No: 39972 Abu Dhabi – UAE Issue Tel: +971 25591777 Volume - VIII [email protected] December - 2019 Editor : Geetha Chandran Design - L Liju M lal Total Pages 5 PRIVATE INTERNATIONAL ENGLISH SCHOOL BHARATIYA VIDYA BHAVAN - ABU DHABI December to Remember PAGE 01 Achievements of Fine Arts PAGE 01 Worthy Wordless Poem PAGE 01 ‘Open Studio’ PAGE 02 Singing CFormepnechtition 2019 PAGE 02 Love for the Language PAGE 02 Campus on a Clean Up Camp 02PAGEVigilance Awareness WeekPAGE 02 Bhavans Natura PAGE 03 2019 My Identity Programme 03PAGE Interschool PAGE 03 Qudwa to Innovate PAGE 03 The UAE Forum PAGE 04 Young Innovators PAGE 04 Twinning Programme 04 PAGE Green School PAGE 04 Dubai Expo – 2020 PAGE 05 Kids to Kidzania PAGE 05 Quiz Competition Audit Workshop December To Remember Achievements of FineArts Geetha Chandran Every month has its own charm! So does the month of December - from the multiple colourful celebra- tions to the cozy winter holidays, December o ers a lot for us to rejoice and celebrate, devoid of all the stress we would have gone through until then. Bhavans Abu Dhabi too o ers its sta innumerable reasons to celebrate the last month of the year with colleagues dear to build memories to carry with absolutely no barrier. Worthy Wordless Poem Report by Janarajani Malalagama Report by David Ebenezer The Department of Fine Arts played an important role in organising the month with activities for students as well as sta , including Christmas Celebrations. Team Fine Arts stands proud for conducting an array of events Eight students of Bhavans Abu Dhabi made us as well as in participating in very many programmes held at various venues in and around Abu Dhabi, includ- proud by bagging three awards in the Interschool ing: Drawing & Painting Competition on 6th November 2019, wherein more than 120 students from 23 - Inter school Art Competition (Abu Dhabi Zone), where Trun Vishal of Grade 9C bagged the Champion schools participated. The competition, for students Award, Shubhankar Narendra Natu of Grade 7F was the 1st Runner-up and Divyesh Narshi Kanzariya from Grades 4 to 12, was organised by Sunrise of Grade 10 E bagged the 3rd runner-up. English Private School, Abu Dhabi. - ISC Youth Festival 2019, when our Folk Dance - Junior & Senior teams won the 1st and 2nd Places respectively, and Bhavans Abu Dhabi bagged the Best Arts and Cultural School (Runner-up) 2019 Award. It was a wonderful opportunity for the students to - In 'You Fest 2019', we were recognised for the following: think out of the box, where the competition not - 1st Place in Group Song (Sub Junior) only served its sole purpose but also gave our - 1st Place in Group Song (Junior) students a platform to display their vivid ideas and - 2nd Place in Folk Dance (Junior) learn more by interacting with others. It also helped - 2nd Place in Cinematic Dance (Senior) students understand the importance of art in edu- cation. In \"Celebrating Emirati Identity Values and Honoring the Ancestors\", an event held in Abu Dhabi, our students won the 3rd Place in Flower Carpet competition organized by the Higher College of Technology, Abu Dhabi. I would like to acknowledge the hard work of our students who untiringly worked with determination. The Championship Award was bagged by Trun Vishal of Grade 9, Shubhankar of Grade 7 won the 1st Place and Divyesh of Grade 9 grabbed the 3rd. Issue - 07 Volume 08 December 2019 Copyright @ Private International English School - Abu Dhabi Page 01

The Monthly Newsletter Issue - 07 Volume 08 December 2019 Page 02 ‘Open Studio’ Love for the Language Report by David Ebenezer Report by Babita Chhetri Being able to communicate in English is not just about being able to Eighteen students from Bhavans Abu Dhabi communicate with the native English speakers. We need practice to attended ‘Open Studio’ held in New York University hone our skills in the language, to aid in better communication. More- Abu Dhabi Arts Centre, on 14th November 2019. Our over, learning English is important as it enables us communicate easily trip began with an initial visit to the art gallery that with our fellow global citizens. displayed the exquisite works of eleven NYUAD faculty members of Art. The gallery consisted of a Having this in mind, the Bookers Club conducted the following activi- diverse collection of works varying from abstract ties in the second term, to enhance the love for the language: art to landscape photography as well as inkjet archival prints. - ‘Handwriting Skill Test’ for our Primary students to boost fine motor skills. It also enhances correct and consistent pencil grip, pos- The next phase of our trip consisted of a multime- ture while writing, and also the right formation of letters. It also helps in dia concert by visionary guitarist - Kaki King, titled practicing with the right spacing between words. - 'Data Not Found'. Hailed by Rolling Stone as “a - ‘Public Speaking’ for Grade-5 was held to help our students genre unto herself”, guitarist, composer, and per- eliminate stage fear. It also provided a platform to maintain eye-con- formance artist Kaki King's Data Not Found is an tact and share their thoughts to an audience with confidence. It was audiovisual journey combining new music, spoken amazing to note that every participant came prepared to perform text, projection mapping, and other performative beyond our expectations. technology to explore a broad range of contem- porary issues, including “big data”, artificial intelli- Concours de chant Français 2019 gence, digital afterlife, and personal empower- (French Singing Competition 2019) ment in the context of human history and our place in the natural world. Report by Fidele Furtado The French Singing Competition held in Bhavans Abu Dhabi on 20th After this exhilarating performance we visited the October 2019 was aimed to enhance the language skills of our NYUAD Arts Gallery where we witnessed an exhibi- students learning French. They had a chance to showcase their tion titled 'Speculative Landscapes'. Curated by linguistic skills combined with musical skills. The young singers touched Executive Director of the NYUAD Art Gallery and the hearts of the audience and their confidence level was remarkable. the University’s Chief Curator, Maya Allison, that also featured four new installations by UAE-based Using music to learn languages is not only fun but also an e ective artists – Areej Kaoud, Ayman Zedani, Jumairy, and method to help students understand phrases and expressions. It also Raja’a Khalid. Each of these artists have an estab- helps them master the right pronunciation and oral comprehension. lished reputation in the UAE and are gaining inter- Almost 120 students from Grade 5 to Grade 9 participated, both in national attention. groups as well as solo categories. Overall it was a mesmerizing trip that gave us In Group category Grade 5 B, 6 A, 7 A, 8A and 9 D were judged the best deep insight into the mystical yet beautiful world of by the judges, Ms. Merisha Susan (Dept. of Mathematics) and Mr. art and music. It broadened our perspectives and Charith Perera (Dept. of Fine Arts) along with four students of French encouraged us to think of art and music from a from Grade 10. di erent perspective. In the solo category, the 1st place was bagged by Sara (Grade 8 A), the 2nd place by Ahana (Grade 7A) and the 3rd by Juana (Grade 6 A). Campus on a Clean Up Camp cleanup campaign, done by the programme coordi- nator, Ms. Suman.K. Vigilance Awareness Week 2019 Report by Usha Kumari An enthusiastic team of parents, teachers and Report by Vanitha Walter “When there is both inner and outer cleanliness, it students cleaned the surrounding of the school pick- The CBSE in accordance with the Central Vigilance approaches Godliness” - Mahatma Gandhi ing the plastic bags, containers, wrappers and bottle Commission announced that the Vigilance Aware- necks thrown on the ground. The collage made out of ness Week be observed from 28th October to 2nd On the special occasion of the 150th birth anniversary pictures of our children helping their parents at home November 2019, with the theme 'Integrity - A Way of of Mahatma Gandhi, the Father of our Nation, keep- in cleaning the utensils, laying the bed, and mopping Life’ (ईमानदारी - एक जीवन शलै ी). ing abreast the mission of our school to de-clutter the the floor was another centre of attraction on the day. environment, instill healthy habits in the young minds The Department of Humanities conducted activi- and maintain hygienic well-being, the Swachh Bharat Usha Kumari, the Eco Club Coordinator, proposed the ties, clearly reflecting the theme, such as Integrity Mission was held in Bhavans Abu Dhabi with immense vote of thanks. Pledge taken by students and teachers, Walk- involvement of our teachers, children and parents. athon, Marathon and formation of human chain, The school surroundings were cleaned collectively poster-making, slogans, special assembly and with great enthusiasm by all our energetic volunteers. awareness of the ill e ects of corruption. The activi- The colour code chosen was ‘green’, to be one with ties were conducted to ensure ethical values be nature. permanently ingrained in the minds of the younger generation. The mission of cleaning the surroundings was o cially declared open by Principal Ms. Girija Baiju, who cheered the team with all enthusiasm and reiterated the importance of being true to our words and action. She also requested children to be with their parents and help them in maintaining cleanliness at home. Our Vice Principal Mr. Suresh Balakrishnan delivered the welcome speech which was followed by instruc- tion to parents, teachers and students regarding the Issue - 07 Volume 08 December 2019 Copyright @ Private International English School - Abu Dhabi Page 02

The Monthly Newsletter Issue - 07 Volume 08 Dectember 2019 Page 03 Bhavans Natura –Saturday Fete My Identity Programme 2019-2020 Report by Usha Kumari to name a few. Report by Vanitha Walter “MY JOURNAL” created by the students of Bhavans Abu Dhabi, on the YEAR “Save the Earth, Weave a Better Com- Another unique product was the organic OF TOLERANCE, was released in the month of October 2019. It emulated the munity” was the tag line of the ‘Eco Fete’, manure that our students sold, which hope and enthusiasm in our children in following the path of the great lead- an exhibition cum awareness campaign was generated out of food waste in ers of UAE, to be a true human being. Such work enables our students to on 19th October in Bhavans Abu Dhabi, ‘Smart Cara’ the machines specially understand the Emirati culture and the dreams and dedication of the lead- organised by ‘Bhavans Natura’, the eco installed in our canteen, to decompose ers to make UAE one of the best countries in the world. club of Bhavans Abu Dhabi. The inaugu- materials. The best part was that the ration of the fete was carried out by the parents had no trouble in purchasing Principal, Ms. Girija Baiju, to spread the and carrying these products, thanks to message “Save Mother Earth For Our the reusable jute and cloth bags which Future Generations”. The objective of were also on sale. Our sta members Ms. this event was not just to create aware- Pushpa Joyce and Ms. Anila Abhilash ness on the usage of eco-friendly prod- actively participated by helping the ucts but also to build marketing and students conduct the fete in a friendly entrepreneurial skills in our students as and organized manner. well as to instill a sense of financial responsibility in them. The fete witnessed students manning The fete was possible due to the active various stalls where eco-friendly, recy- participation of student volunteers, cled and upcycled hand-made items teachers and parents who were pas- were on display. We witnessed a wide sionate in contributing their bit towards collection such as wheat-straw based the society. paper, pens and pencils made of paper, Qudwa to Innovate Report by Padmaja Menon & Usha Kumari Interschool Quiz Competition ‘Qudwa’, a platform for teachers of Education and Knowledge, the organized on 6th October, 2019, at Knowledge and Human Develop- Report by Parthiban Chandrasekar The following students secured the 2nd Manarat Al Saadiyat, by the Edu- ment Authority of Dubai, and the position in the competition: cation A airs O ce of the Crown Organisation for Economic Co-op- An interschool quiz competition was Prince Court of Abu Dhabi, with the eration and Development, Knowl- conducted on 06th and 7th of Novem- GIRLS TEAM theme “Teaching for Global Com- edge Partners, Teach For All, and ber 2019 for Senior Secondary students · Ayman Yusufkhan Pathan (Grade 11-A) petence”, was well attended by the Centre for Global Education at Asia at Islamia English School, Abu Dhabi. · Sana Seera Valappil (Grade 11-A) key o cials of the Government of Society. The competition aimed at improving · Syeda Nishat Fatma (Grade 11-A) UAE. Bhavans Abu Dhabi was general awareness among school represented by Padmaja Menon Workshops were simultaneously students. The event witnessed enthusi- BOYS TEAM (HoD-Mathematics-Secondary) conducted in about forty venues by astic preparation and participation of · Mohammed Aaquel (Grade 11-B) and Usha Kumari (Dept. of Human- nearly seventy eminent leaders. students from various schools in and · Rishan Abdul (Grade 11-B) ities). The forum was attended by close around the emirate. · Eshwar. H (Grade 11-B) to 600 teaching professionals from Qudwa, a forum ‘for the teachers - across the nation, as well as Each team consisted of three students, The Quiz Club expresses its gratitude to by the teachers’, aims at elevating high-profile experts and deci- moving forward to several rounds. Mazes our Vice Chairman Mr. Sooraj Ramach- the teaching profession in the UAE. sion-makers. of intuited and interesting questions andran Menon, Principal Ms. Girija Baiju, It connected teachers and educa- were asked to the students, testing each Vice Principal Mr.Suresh Balakrishnan, tion leaders to share ideas on the The sessions on ‘Creating Simulat- aspect of the educational knowl- HoD – Humanities Mr. Jojo Martin and very many innovative teaching ing Lesson Plans’, ‘Education for edge-base like current a airs, famous Mr. Abdul Vadood (Department of Islam- methods and classroom practices Sustainable Development’ and quotes, science and technology. ic Education) for their able guidance. that will shape education in the 21st ‘Educators Without Borders’ were century. quite informative. The closing plenary session was highlighted It was supported by strategic part- with the distribution of the presti- ners including the Ministry of Edu- gious Mohamed Bin Zayed Award cation, the Abu Dhabi Department for the Best GCC Teacher. Issue - 07 Volume 08 December 2019 Copyright @ Private International English School - Abu Dhabi Page 03

The Monthly Newsletter Issue - 07 Volume 08 December 2019 Page 04 The UAE Forum Young Innovators – IIT Kharagpur Report by Asha Varughese Report by Firdaus Fatma to 10th of November and had participa- tion from over 4500 schools from 6 coun- The UAE Social Science Forum was held in Dunes International School, It was a memorable experience for the tries, engaging about 2500 students. Musa ah, on 6th November 2019, where Bhavans Abu Dhabi was represent- teenage trio from Grade 9 of Bhavans ed by Ms. Bindu Benny and Asha Varughese. Abu Dhabi at the IIT Kharagpur Young The project “iKiok De-light” aims to save Innovators Program (YIP) 2019, to rub energy used for street lighting using Pas- Each school had to present one Innovative Pedagogy to promote UAE shoulders with the other young innova- sive Infrared Sensors to detect move- Culture and Civics Studies and the Use of Assessment Data to enhance tors from around the world. ment on the road. During the o -peak learning outcomes. Asha Varughese shared the innovative pedagogy hours, the street lights will switch to sleep practiced in Bhavans Abu Dhabi and Ms. Bindu Benny spoke about the Divya Sreenivas (Grade 9 D), Trun Vishal mode, thereby saving 40% of energy Assessment Strategies that we follow. (Grade 9 C) and Vivek Menon (Grade 9 spent which amounts to a whopping 237 C), who prefer to call themselves “The GWh per year, enough energy to light up It was an amazing platform , to interact with teachers from di erent schools Precocious Pioneers” were the innovators 110 million rural households in India annu- and discuss on many academic objectives. The presentation by other of the project, ‘iKiok De-light’, a smart ally. This was one of the shortlisted proj- schools helped us gather new ideas and methods that can be implement- street-lighting system to save energy. ects among the top 33 semifinalists ed in PIES for a better learning. The team’s mentor Firdaus Fatma pro- selected after two rigorous rounds of vided the guidance and encourage- on-line assessments. The team, along ment, synergizing their e orts, stupen- with the mentor, was invited to present dously supported by Ms. Suma Pramod their innovation at the Young Innovator’s (HoD-Science, Secondary), Mr. Suresh Program at the IIT campus in Kharagpur. Balakrishnan (Vice Principal), Ms.Girija Truly a proud moment for Bharathiya Baiju (Principal) and Mr. Sooraj Ramach- Vidya Bhavan, Abu Dhabi! andran (Vice Chairman-Bhavans Middle East). Roots and Shoots Twinning Programme IIT Kharagpur Young Innovators Program Our team proved again that they were was launched in 2017 with the aim to at par with the crème la cream of their Report by Usha Kumari insight on sustainable development encourage innovation among school global peers when they bagged the 3rd The Twinning Programme inititated which is also planning global forums children so as to motivate them to con- position in the Science Quiz, which was a by Roots and Shoots, held in Dunes and conferences for students to tribute towards saving the eco system as part of the event. International School on 1st October, update themselves on the need to well as conserve energy. 2019, was attended by Usha Kumari plant more trees. To quote Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam, “You along with six students. The Director The event has received rave reviews have to dream before the dream comes of Programmes, Ms. Tara Golshan, The programme concluded with a including words of appreciation from the true”. The future belongs to those who delivered a lecture on the topic ‘Our video ‘Heal the World’, animated by honourable President of India. This year believe in the beauty of their dreams. Planet Can Be Saved’. Steve Cutts the brilliant British artist the grand finale of YIP was held from 8th and animator. The brief narration on Dr. Jane Goodall, the eminent primatologist We believe that our tiny actions and anthropologist and Robert would make a huge di erence and Swan’s mission to save Antarctica together we can surely save Mother were the eye-openers to all of us. Earth from further destruction. The forum provided us with a better Green School Audit Workshop Bhavans Abu Dhabi was repre- sented by Ms. Manjusha Vipin As a part of the “Sustainable Schools 2019, and at Abu Dhabi International (Dept. of Science), Initiative” for the academic session School on 6th November 2019 .The Ms. Shijina (Dept. of Physical Edu- 2019-2020, the Environment Agency Green School Audit programme is cation), Ms. Praseedha Menon – Abu Dhabi organized a workshop held once in two years and this time (Dept. of Computer Science), Ms. on “Green Audits in schools” and it was led by Mr. Sadiq Amin from Deepthi Takate (Dept. of Hindi), “Matching SSI Outcomes with UAE’s Shaikh Khalifa Bin Zayed Bangla- Ms. Pushpa Joyce (Dept. of SDG Goals” in partnership with the desh Islamia Private School, Abu Science) and Ms. Suma Jibin council of Abu Dhabi Education and Dhabi. The other training workshop (Dept. of Computer Science). Knowledge. This workshop was held was led by Ms.Gayatri Raghwa, a at Al Manhal International School- passionate educator. The session started with an intro- Abu Dhabi from 15th to 17th October duction on the Green School Audit and continued with the explanation of all tasks per- formed. It also discussed about the Sustainability and Environ- ment Vision 2030 of UAE, created as a part of UN Global Agenda 2030. Issue - 07 Volume 08 December 2019 Copyright @ Private International English School - Abu Dhabi Page 04

The Monthly Newsletter Issue - 07 Volume 08 December 2019 Page 05 Dubai Expo – 2020 – School Leaders Forum Report by Parthiban Chandrasekar well as government entities and o cials, The Expo School Leaders Forum is a to discuss how schools can make the bi-annual event specifically tailored for most of the exciting educational oppor- the school leadership community of the tunities on o er at the world's greatest UAE. It gathers school leaders, members show, running between 20 October 2020 from private school-owning entities, and and 10 April 2021. government educational entities from across the UAE to get firsthand updates Bhavans Abu Dhabi represented by Mr. about Expo 2020 Dubai, Expo School Jojo Martin (HoD-Humanities) & Programme, and our preparations for Parthiban Chandrasekar (Dept.of school visits and involvements during the Humanities), visited the event, where six months of the event. school trips and exciting and inspiring educational experiences awaiting The forum, held on 04th Nov 2019, invited students were also highlighted. public and private school leadership, as Kids to Kidzania Report by Ritaanshi Sanhotra “Education is not the learning of facts, but the training of the mind to think.” Albert Einstein The objective of education is to prepare the young ones for their holistic development. With this view in mind, a day-long excursion to ‘Kidzania’ was organised by Bhavans Abu Dhabi, for the students of Grade-4, on 30th October, 2019. The students, along with their in-charge teachers were filled with excitement and enthusiasm throughout the day. There were various workstations where children could learn by earning money (in the form of tokens) and spend them frugally. Each workstation taught a life skill mandatory for the holistic development – confidence, self –respect, respect for others, team work, value for money and critical thinking to name a few. Students earned a good amount of money by working at di erent workstations, which they exchanged to buy souvenirs for themselves and their families. The trip wrapped up being fun, adventurous, thrilling and a memorable day for all Bha- vanites. All in all, it was an experience to relish and cherish. Indeed it was a great day for all the students and teachers, as it strengthened the bond between them. All thanks to the Management for organising such a wonderful picnic! Issue - 07 Volume 08 December 2019 Copyright @ Private International English School - Abu Dhabi Page 05