Bodhi International School Newsletter

Newsletter Issue: April 2019 Highlight of the month Good Touch Bad Touch Session Fresh and Green Visit English Recitation Competition Machiya Safari Park Visit Three Way Conference IH Soccer Competition World Health Day Investiture Ceremony Pro Parenting Session Math Quiz Earth Day Continents Quiz IH English Recitation



MESSAGE FROM PRINCIPAL Dear all, Bodhi is born young every year. New academic year is like the rise of a phoenix: uphold the achievements, burn down the fatigue, failures and disappointments and be born younger again from their ashes and rise for new accomplishments built on previous feats. 2018/19 was a busy beehive for Bodhi: careful, planned and definite activities to reap all that were targeted. 2018/19 was also a year of accolades which were made possible by our industrious learners, illustrious parents and conscientious staff. 2019/20 has begun well; well begun is half done. We have raised the bar for more gratifying accomplishments, upscaled student achievement expectations for richer experiences and outstretched ourselves to traverse far and wide. Our combined acuity, acuteness and astuteness will help us achieve more. God Bless Us God Bless Bodhi Brahmam Bodhi Sincerely, Venunadhan B. Pillai Principal 1.

NEWS FROM PYP

PRIMARY YEARS PROGRAMME Dear Bodhians A warm welcome to all new staff members and students. The 2019-20 academic year has got off to a flying start and we are on the verge of completing our first unit of inquiry. Inquiry based learning is a new way of developing understanding and students are encouraged to be more responsible of their learning as they now have a voice, choice and, ownership in whatever we do at school. The beginning of the year is a time for goal-setting; the Three Way Conferences have been conduct that enabled our student to set their goal for this year in partnership with their parents and teachers. They are really enjoying this opportunity to work on themselves and are constantly reminded and encouraged by their teachers. Practice will definitely make all of us better The mission statement of the International Baccalaureate Primary Years Programme is to develop inquiring, knowledgeable and caring teachers, parents and students who help to create a better and more peaceful world through intercultural understanding and respect. To this end, the organization works with schools, governments and international organizations to develop challenging programmes of international education and rigorous assessment. These programmes encourage teachers, parents and students across the world to become active, compassionate and lifelong learners who understand that other people, with their differences, can also be right. As a school, we recognise the importance for teachers and parents to work together and be role models. It is through watching others around us that we, as well as students learn. It is when teachers and parents question, students will learn how to ask questions. It is when teachers and adults model curiosity that students will learn how to inquire and find knowledge. It is when teachers and adults show care towards others that the students will endeavour to do the same. If we, as adults, put into practice our mission, students will become inquirers, they will develop a love of learning and they will learn the skills to become caring lifelong learners. Our entire endeavour, as a team, focuses on growing collaboratively and offering our learners a global platform. We are hopeful that our partnership will pave a concrete path in our child’s learning journey! Mrs Shikha Shrivastava PYP Co-ordinator 3.

HIGHLIGHT OF THE MONTH ETHIC SHOP At Bodhi, we believe that ethical attitude is the best attitude one could have. Students are encouraged to lead themselves ethically so that they could inspire others because of sheer passion for doing the right thing. The influence will be small but strong but will take the students a long way in their lifetime. To apply this learning into actions and, to develop financial literacy, students have been introduced to the ETHICS CORNER - a small room which runs like a shop but without a cash counter and a teller. It is filled with treats which the students are free to explore and purchase. All items are priced and the students are expected to make ethical decisions by paying the right amount by coupons without any monitoring. All collections from this endeavor will be given as charity towards the Sustainable Developmental Goals. Regular visits to the Ethics room will ensure the development of integrity, self-control, ability to differentiate between needs and wants and, financial literacy in the students thus resulting in self- awareness and transformation in the long run. 4.

GOOD TOUCH BAD TOUCH 4th, 5th & 9th April 2019 There is no reason to be unwanted. To educate the behavior” from others. They constantly fear for the safety children about the same a were also given instructions of our child; however, as long session was conducted for the on how should they react or as the likelihood of danger kindergarten phase to Grade respond in an uncomfortable remains, we must educate 5 of the school by Ms. Chetna situation. It was a great our child about the various Sabharwal. She with the help initiative and a step further to kinds of touch they can of videos, pictures, character spread awareness about one experience. An unwanted play, puppets, explained the of the most sensitive issues in touch can appear in any form, students how to differentiate something as mild as a hug or and identify “bad touch” today’s time. caress from a relative might or other “uncomfortable 5.

FRESH & GREEN VISIT 5th April 2019 Experiential learning is the basis of sound education. With IB PYP, the school is encouraging inquiry & research based learning amongst the learners. To facilitate the same, the students of grade 5 went to Fresh & Green to learn how businesses are carried out. The theoretical concept of demand and supply, want and need was supported with the practical learning to foster better understanding. The students, with the individual budget of Rs 50, bought an item for want and need respectively. 6.

ENGLISH RECITATION COMPETITION 23rd April 2019 The students of grades pre primary to 2 were provided a platform to express themselves on various themes based on globally celebrated day in the month of April; the medium of expression was poetry recitation. The enthusiastic students presented beautiful poem on the themes as mentioned under: Seedlings: Earth Day Gd 1: World Book Day Buds: World’s Penguin Day Gd 2: Yuri’s Night (World Space Party) Blossom: World Health Day The judgment criteria for the competition were stage presence & presentation, Intonation, poetic expression & a clear insight into the poet’s intention, clarity of spoken words & Diction, relevance of the poem with the given theme. 7.

MACHIYA SAFARI PARK VISIT 25th April 2019 A field trip to Machia Biological park was organized for the students of Grades 1 and 3 as part of their Unit of inquiry (UOI). The trip was organised to educate children about classification of animals as mammals, reptiles, birds and amphibians. Children saw the natural surroundings in which animals are kept. Artificial Habitat, very close to the natural one, has been created in the park to suit the animals’ needs. Children learnt about the behavior of animals, their eating habits, their sounds and movements, and felt excited. Overall, it was an educational and fun-filled trip, well enjoyed by the children. 8.

THREE WAY CONFERENCES 26th April 2019 Three Way Conferences were held on the 26th April 2019 among student, teacher and parents to discuss student learning and development. It was an opportunity for students to share their strengths, areas of/for growth and to set a learning goal with their parents and teachers and, work towards them in equal partnership. The aims of this conference were as follows: • As an opportunity to encourage students, parents, and teachers to engage in an open and honest discussion and be equally responsible partners in the development of students. • To value the students’ strengths. • To teach them the process of reflection and self-evaluation. • To encourage self-direction in their learning. • To facilitate the development of students’ organizational and oral communication skills. • To increase their self-confidence. • To enhance the development of a mind- set focused on growth in our students. 9.

IH SOCCER COMPETITION 30th April 2019 Physical fitness is one of the primary focus of our school. Regular sports training sessions followed by competitions ensure the process of assessment. The school conducted an Inter House Soccer Match to test the soccer trainees (grades 3-5) of the school. Their physical endurance and mental alertness were worthy of applause and commendation. The players demonstrated all the skills they have learned during the practice sessions. Team Aryabhatta won the tournament; Maan Vyas was awarded the title of star performer. The course of match was a visual treat for the spectators. CHAMPIONS 10.

NEWS FROM SENIOR SCHOOL

WORLD HEALTH DAY 4th April 2019 The first assembly of the academic session 2019-20 celebrated “World Health Day” with a Zumba Session by the students. The students also shared the importance of good health & well being in the assembly. 12.

INVESTITURE CEREMONY 6th April 2019 “Leadership is action, not position.” The making of a leader begins from school. Students with potential to shoulder responsibilities with pride and grace become contenders to hold offices. Bodhi International School conducted its third INVESTITURE of the student council ceremoniously with formal etiquette and protocol. The office bearers of the Senior School solemnly pledged in their offices. The student council comprises Head Boy, Head Girl, Sports Perfect, CCA Prefect, House Captains and their Deputies. 13.

PRO PARENTING SESSION 8th April 2019 “Early bird catches the worm.” The school organized a Pro Parenting Session which was attended by many enthusiastic parents. The session was conducted by Ms Ann George and Ms Nupur who touched various areas that, is taken due care, can strengthen the bond between the parents and their children and also encourage parents to become partners in deciding their children’s future. The session also helped Bodhians to build a holistic profile for college placements and helped parents in understanding the changing world of work. 14.

MATH QUIZ 9th April 2019 The Math Maniacs of the school, both from the Middle & Senior wings, came together to compete in Inter House Math Quiz. The ‘Ignited Minds’, with their exceptional reasoning and logical thinking, calculation skills and time management, surprised the audience many time during the course of the event. The proud participants enthused the spectators and reinstated the fact the Mathematics is a mental exercise; the more you practice, the better you become. 15.

EARTH DAY 22nd April 2019 ‘The Earth does not belong to us, we belong to the Earth.’ A wave of awareness was set by the Bodhians when they commemorated Earth Day by preparing beautiful, sensitive and thought provoking posters. The students, with their imagination and creativity, showed the future of mankind if the Mother Earth is not saved from the brutal hands that strip it of its resources. 16.

CONTINENTS QUIZ 27th April 2019 A global citizen is one who knows the world in its truest details. Bodhians, in the process of being carved into global citizens, participated in Inter- House Continental Quiz. The four teams showed their understanding of the world by answering questions based on locations, physical features and biodiversity. 17.

IH ENGLISH RECITATION 27th April 2019 Since April being the month of the Bard of Avon, it becomes imperative to pay homage to his eternal contributions to English Literature; what best can be done to celebrate the beauty of Literature and commemorate him than poetry recitation by the students. The middle wing and the senior wing of the school witnessed an afternoon of expressions, emotions and nostalgia through the soulful recitation of poems in the Inter House Poetry Recitation Competition. The myriad flavors floated across when participants, with their meticulous preparation, graceful poise and captivating intonation, overwhelmed the audience. The presentations were profound and gained applause of all. 18.

STUDENT’S CORNER BROKEN FRIENDSHIP “Whenever I see you I always remember the old days We used to giggle and laugh like Two best friends. Things that we used to share As if we were one. You are still here, But quite far apart I feel I have lost you for ever Now we do not spend any time together Something must have gone wrong Though I do not know what it is But you’ll be there in my heart for ever I hide my tears from you Smother my sighs before you Beneath that smile there is an aching heart Behind that laughter are my senses falling apart Whenever I close my eyes I see you Whenever I open my eyes I miss you” Harshi Kala Grade X 19.

INNOVATIVE APPROACHES English is not just a subject; it is a language of communication, a skill and an art. At Bodhi, students do not learn English; they practice the skill, bear in mind the nuances and do not hesitate to make mistakes. English has more to do with effective communication and artistic expression. English classes are a hub of creativity. Bodhians are guided to think creatively and critically; this allows them to imagine without bounds and express without hesitation. Creative writing is an integral part of English classes. Learners are enabled to hone their ability to express the thoughts, feelings and ideas in an appealing manner. In one such English class, students prepared travel brochures as a part of their learning. They worked in groups and designed beautiful brochures with a well- researched and thought of content that could persuade the readers and allure them to visit destinations advertised by them. The skills of research, team work and persuasion with effective writing were seen developed in them. Mrs. Rashi Rohatgi HOD English 20.

Page intentionally left blank.

www.bodhijodhpur.com