Senapathy of grade IV successfully completed the beginners’ course in chess. He also participated in the SOF – National Science Olympiad securing an international and regional rank.
Senapathy of grade IV successfully completed the beginners’ course in chess. He also participated in the SOF – National Science Olympiad securing an international and regional rank.
Smritha of grade IV won the Second prize in the shloka competition conducted by Gokula Bhajana Sabha.
With the help of a voting system, we have chosen our leaders for the current academic year and we stand by them as we approach the year ahead. The elected student body was sworn in in the presence of Naval officer, Capt. Maghesh Gerald. They pledged to represent their fellow students, accept responsibility, respond with courage and to always think of others first.
The Middle School students signed up to participate in a Talkathon competition, which proved to be a huge success. Talkathons have always helped our students build confidence in their language skills. Apart from honing their public speaking, students gained a better understanding on topics unrelated to academics and it helped build confidence in expressing themselves. The topics given for each grade level were different, thought-provoking and allowed students to explore and express their imaginative and informative takes on them. Some of the topics were “Why apologising when you are wrong is important” and “Manners Matter”.
Teaching is a unique profession – one of the most challenging and demanding in terms of hard and soft skills. A teacher is expected to be an expert in her subject and also have the ability to thrive amidst the many stakeholders of the school ecosystem.
What are the important soft skills that would make one a star-teacher?
Essential both inside and outside the classroom, this soft skill will distinguish the stars from the rest of the community. Given the varied responsibilities and interactions vested in the role, almost every situation demands leadership at a significant level. For starters, classroom management alone requires authenticity, cultural intelligence and trust to create a positive and pleasant learning environment.
Confidence, active listening and constructive feedback are the driving forces for effective communication in a classroom. All these were put to test for both the teacher and the student in the virtual classrooms during the pandemic. Meeting the students where they are can be the bedrock to evolve a successful communication strategy.
Teaching can be lonely at times. A teacher is always surrounded by people, but most of her work is done solo. Striving to be a team player herself will help alleviate some of the stress as well as make the journey fun and value adding.
The more subtle and hence, the less obvious aspect of this is how a teacher ‘connects’ with the kids. How well the kids relate to her, to each other and to what’s to be learned will determine the extent of success in achieving the learning objectives within the constraints of time, priority and participation.
With machine learning and AI taking over most of the world’s work, creativity and innovation are assuming precedence over any other soft skill. Technology has taken over the repetitive aspect(s) of teaching through pre-recorded lectures, simulation videos, online tests etc. Infusing new or out-of-box thinking, identifying synergies and making hard things seem simple are some pointers to thrive on.
Positive, productive and persuasive style is key to the success of a teacher, and all these have to do with soft skills alone. Would you agree?
Acharyas from Middle and High school compiled a melodious track of Indian and Western music to mark the World Music Day celebrations. The recorded video was played for the students in class.
A video recording by students was played in class for students and acharyas to practice different asanas to commemorate International Yoga Day. It was a great opportunity for the whole school to come together on this day and continue their journey toward mindfulness and bring equilibrium in their bodies.
The students of grade XI gave a fitting farewell for the outgoing batch of grade XII. Food, celebrations and games made this day unforgettable. The decorations and the photo booth added to the joyful spirit. Mementos were distributed to the outgoing students, as a token of remembrance of their alma mater.
Hari Shree organized orientation sessions for every grade level of students and parents, to provide an insight into the upcoming academic year. These gave parents an idea of the curriculum and the hands-on learning activities planned for the year and the assessment patterns for the same through the presentations made by acharyas. The session also gave an overview of the extra-curricular activities which would be undertaken in the year ahead that will not only give our students a medium to fully utilize their creative talents and energies, but also help them in their all-round development.
Neil K N of grade VI participated in a Triathlon conducted by Team Vibrant Velachery; a chapter affiliated to Chennai Runners. He was successfully able to complete 375 meters swimming, 10kms cycling and 2kms running and received his first Triathlon award.
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