Journeying Together October 2018 Vol. 26

In this Issue:

Celebrations and Festivities Global Citizenship Project Based Learning

Guest Lectures Junior Campus Events Students’ Corner

Beyond the Classroom

‘Bommai golu’ time for the tiny tots of the junior campus

Celebrations and Festivities

Navrathri and Ayudha Pooja

Vijayadashami marks the end of Durga Puja, remembering goddess Durga's victory over the

buffalo demon Mahishasura to restore and protect dharma. It is considered an auspicious day to

start new ventures. This year, to celebrate Vijayadashami, the teachers and the Student Council

members attended a pooja in school.

- Ruta Ranjan Khuntia, grade VIII

Adventure Cove - Hyderabad

For the class 11 outbound trip, we went to a camp near Hyderabad. It was a fun-filled trip. I can

honestly say that it involved more exercise than I have done in quite some time. From the day that

we arrived, until the day we left, our days were filled with a variety of activities. From zip-lining to

a game of minesweeper, there were definitely no dull moments.

It wasn’t just activities though. We got a dose of history and scenery on our visit to the Salar Jung

museum, Bonghir and Golconda forts. We also learned quite a bit about saree weaving on our visit

to Puttapakka, a weaving village. Our trip concluded with a visit to the Charminar, where we were

allowed to shop to our hearts content. The walls of the shops were filled with colourful bangles and

sparkling jewellery, beautiful statues and a whole variety of items. The boys went looking for board

games and souvenirs of their interest. The whole experience, from the tiring bus journey to the fun

activities and shopping, was amazing.

- Devnanda Kurup, grade XI

Beyond the Classroom

Intuitive Waste Segregation

A few students from grade X have designed and constructed an intuitive, human centered waste bin

during a workshop by Reap Benefit. The students had earlier conducted a waste audit in the

classrooms. They designed their bins to enable the intuitive segregation of paper, pencil shavings,

plastic pens etc.

Students of grade X working on literacy and education as part of their global citizenship

project, have designed a project plan for setting up a literacy club. The students have designed

a logo, vision and mission statement, enrolment forms, certificates and a hand book with

guidelines, rules and regulations. They presented their work to the Principal.

Global Citizenship

Literacy Club - A Proposal

Grade VIII upcycling students have decided

to substitute fevicol with maida flour as an

eco friendly alternative. They plan to reduce

the use of fevicol in all art and craft projects

in school.

Daan Utsav

‘Daan Utsav’, India’s festival of giving, is celebrated across India from October 2-8.

The students of grade X who are working on projects related to ‘Hunger and Poverty’, helped

organize the arrangements for honouring and serving conservancy workers.

Kitchen Science

Project Based Learning

The Art of Telling Time

Our Art teacher taught us how to make paper clocks in the art class. We used material like foam

sheets, paper, glue, markers, paper plates, decorations and much more. We first drew how the

clock looks on sheets. Then we made designs and decorated it, We stuck these sheets on top of

paper plates. We learnt how to tell time. We really enjoyed this activity.

- Kia Kataria, Tithi Kothari R, Tanuja P, Yashasvi, Grade III

Students of grade III participated in an interactive session on sign language with Mr.Edwin

from ‘Mira’ foundation. He was a great inspiration to students on the topic ‘Accepting

Differences’, himself being hearing and speech impaired. This was a part of grade III

social studies initiative.

Guest Lectures

Students from grades IX to XII attended a Brain Power workout facilitated by Ms.Sushma Saldanah.

Brain Yoga

Ms. Mridula, a graduate from Ashoka University, had come to brief us on the various

undergraduate courses available at her alma mater. The session was for classes 11 and 12 and it

was quite informative. It was an eye opener for all of us, as the university works with an entirely

new approach. One can experiment with the subjects and even change courses between semesters

so that we get exposed to various subject areas. It even offers combined courses like philosophy

and physics, psychology and history, and many such other options. This university is located in

Haryana. It was a very descriptive and enlightening session.

- Javvaji Swati Gowri Shrikha, grade XI

Undergraduate Options

Friendship is priceless - Grade VIII Pavazham assembly.

I can’t live with her,

Neither can I live without,

She is the best sister,

I can say that without a doubt!

When she’s around,

It feels as though a monkey is

Outside its cage,

She annoys me with her words,

And I burst out with rage.

Usually, we are great rivals,

We fight a lot,

Most of the time,

Violence plays a part.

When the noise goes high,

Our mom interrupts the fight,

And there comes a debate,

On who is right.

When my friends are home,

She’ll always stick with us,

If I tell her to leave us alone,

She will make a huge fuss.

For being so messy,

For sure she will win a prize,

Once she finishes lunch,

The floor will be covered with rice.

The house becomes gloomy,

When she is not around,

But still, noise pollution exists,

Just because of her noise.

She will fool around,

Until her energy drains,

But still,

I love her more than the monsoon rains !

- Kayal Kamal Nathan, grade VII

Frenemies

Red to me is a beautiful Hibiscus,

Totally the opposite of a dull, grey discus.

Orange to me is the hot, burning sun,

But when it comes falling down, home I better run.

Yellow to me is a luscious, scrumptious mango,

But I won’t steal any, or I’ll be caught in a tango.

Green to me is lush, pointy, fresh grass,

But if we keep littering, long it will not last.

Blue to me is life giving water,

What colour do you think comes after?

Indigo to me is the deep blue sky,

I really wish I could float up there and fly.

Violet to me is juicy, sour grapes,

It is as mesmerizing and dark as Dracula’s cape.

Pink to me is the slow, setting sun,

And I just want to let you know that we’re all done.

- T K Kadambari, grade V

The Rainbow

Students’ Corner

The Animal Kingdom

Sanskrit Riddle

सीमन्तिनीषु का शातिा - Among the chaste women who is the best?

राजा कोऽभूि ्गुणोत्िमः॥ - Who is the king who is the greatest in good qualities?

विदषुा का सदा ित्या - What is always respected by the learned people?

अत्रिैोक्िं न बुध्यि।े - You can find the answer in the sloka itself.

Take a guess …

- Niharika S, grade VI

All the festivals that we celebrate have a special meaning behind them. There are many important

lessons which they impart. Navaratri is no exception. Its significance should not be forgotten.

Traditionally, Navaratri is the symbol of good triumphing over evil. The festival is celebrated for nine

days and gives us a break from the monotonous routines of our daily life. It is one of the festivals that

celebrates the power of women. It revolves around Durga Devi and her nine forms. The way Durga

Devi slays the demon Mahishasura, all women kill their insecurities and inner fears.

In another story, Lord Rama takes the Devi’s blessings before he goes to Lanka to face Ravana.

She, the creator, protector and destroyer, is revered and worshipped in all her forms. The way

Goddess Durga takes nine forms to protect humanity, a woman takes many forms – a mother, a

daughter, a wife or a sister – sometimes more than one at once, to protect those around her. She is

like a superhero without a cape. Every single woman is a creator, a preserver and a protector of her

family. I believe that every woman should be treated with respect and dignity.

- G Hamsini, grade IX

The forests, ruled by the animal kingdom,

Filled with animals full of wisdom.

But when these poachers come along,

The animals know there is something wrong.

As the night comes out of the light,

The poachers hunt, thinking they are right.

But what the poachers don’t know,

Is the feeling of the animals’ woe.

The lion, being the king of the jungle,

Was held responsible..

But he didn’t cause the problem,

Oh! They will never understand.

- Ahalya Chandrashekar, grade V

Celebrating Shakti

A 2nd grader’s experience

Growing a plant from the seeds that came with the school diary:

First day, I put some seeds in my pot. I watered it every morning. A small shoot came.

Then leaves grew on them. Finally, to my surprise, it was a ladies finger plant.

- J Krish, grade II

Answers to the Sanskrit Riddles

The first letter and last letters of the each line is the answer for each riddle.

The answers are:

1.सी...िा (Sitaa)

2. रा....मः (Raama)

3. वि...्या (Vidyaa)

Holidays

During my Navrathri holidays, my mother, sister and I put up Golu. It was so much fun. We

made a model of a village and decorated the golu steps with idols and dolls. Everyone liked

our village the most. My grandparents came to stay with us. We visited our friends and

relatives and saw different kinds of golu. We also attended a pooja in our apartment.

- Nishta Subramanian, grade III

I went to the Himalayas for 10 days. There I saw a Himalayan wolf and an Asiatic lion. I also

rode an ATV bike, went para-gliding and trekking.

- S Manan Bafna, grade II

For my term holidays, I went to Kolkata with my brother and mother. I stayed in my uncle’s

house. It was very nice and cool. I visited lots of places. I went pandal hopping and enjoyed

the decorations of Goddess Durga. It was very crowded. I had lots of fun in the metro and

tram ride. We visited Belur Mut, Kali temple, Victoria museum, Howrah bridge, Eden garden

stadium and Birla Science Center. It was a great trip.

- Shravan Kumar Ganesh, grade II

Teacher Editors - Ms. Hemamalini Sivakumar, Ms. Yoshida Menon and Ms. Thara Mohan

Student Editors - Ms. Gayathri and Ms. G M Lavanya

Design and Technical Support - Ms. Preethi E

Photography - Mr. Ganesan and Mr. Sugumar

In November …

November 3 - Grade XII Pradarshan

November 5 to 7 - Diwali Holidays

CA/SA– Please refer to our website for dates of examinations.

Unveiling skills and talents...