Turning Ideas into Action : Student Council Elections 2020
As educators, it is always incumbent upon us to nurture the seeds of leadership and empowerment that have been sowed and ensure that they bloom despite the challenges of the new normal. It was thus decided that we continue with the process of formation of the New Student Council (Phase II- Vice Council Elections).
A platform of the students, for the students and by the students, the Student Council is nothing short of a laboratory of leadership. Built on the premise of empowerment, agency, teamwork, consensus building and self-exploration, it enables the students to come out of their comfort zones and hone their abilities to be future leaders.
Beginning on 8th May 2020, the process included an online orientation of Year 11 students, followed by an application round (with a statement of purpose), clearing up rounds of Group Discussions and Personal Interviews. The candidates are now slated for digital campaigning.
Our Student Leaders - Council Heads and Electoral Literacy Representatives from Grade XII have also conceptualized and built a comprehensive website designated for this purpose, containing all details related to this election and providing a genuine platform for the candidates enabling the larger student community to know their prospective leaders better.
Continuing with the school’s philosophy of life-long learning and standing true to the core value of ‘sense of purpose and responsibility’, our student leaders have set themselves as good role models. Truly exemplifying student-led learning, they have taken up the challenges whole-heartedly, with a positive attitude and an encouraging smile. And in this whole process, they themselves have, unknowingly, started on the path of self-discovery.
We are proud to share with you the link of the website: SNS elections 2020
Anandam Baithak 2019-20 Grades 3 and 4
Anandam is a time when we get together to celebrate our children's learning in the Aha Arts program. It is a beautiful process of the child discovering an interest in an art form, finding appreciation from their peers and looking for the 'Aha' moment. Students of Grades 3 and 4 put together the Anandam Baithak with performances that captivated the audience completely!
Visual Arts
Students explored various mediums and materials in Visual Arts. Based on the theme ‘Relationship,’ they tried to capture family photos through painting and created photo frames using cardboard and handmade paper. Students designed an advertisement on their favorite toy using wet and dry colors on paper and learned 3D writing. This was a project related to the UN Sustainable Development Goals. Some of the students' works were selected for display at the Kiran Nadar Museum of Art, Noida through an exhibition based on the same topic. Students created paper casting 3D sculptures using old plastic bottles with tissue paper and glue. They also explored papercraft design with paints and dry colours.
Theatre
Creative drama is a form of process drama that focuses on the use of story dramatization techniques. It has been used extensively to promote language and literature skills as well as creative and critical thinking.
In the theatre play ‘The Journey’, students picked up the themes ‘Mission Mars’ and ‘Do not litter’ for their culmination showcasing. Their performance was well appreciated by the audience.
An original story ‘A True Patron’ was put together that centered around a girl who, to prove to the adults around her, starts practicing what they say. When she is grounded for not sharing her things, she turns the table around and starts sharing generously.
‘Looking for a Change,’ was an attempt to draw attention to difficulties in sustaining our lives and functioning towards their betterment. The play highlighted solutions by seeking immediate redressal to these issues within our social boundaries.
Dance
The Odissi students demonstrated the results of their first forays into Odissi, such as standing & sitting postures, sculpturesque stances, footwork, hand movements and rhythmic patterns along with the padhant (sound rhymes that are spoken).
The Kathak students demonstrated their first forays into Kathak by way of spins, footwork, hand-movements and basic rhythmic patterns along with padhant (sound rhymes that are spoken). The Kathak and Odissi students presented these elements of their dance forms in a jugalbandi set to our National Song, ‘Vande Mataram’.
The Chhau learning showcase consisted of basic steps of Chhau Dance, such as Chali, Ufli and basic sitting and standing postures.
In Bharatanatyam, students explored various types of body movements with the use of the Pada Bhedas (different feet positions). They focused on sustaining the position of Araimandi - which is the basic position of Bharatanatyam and practiced adavus in this position. In order to do this, students were exposed to different warm-ups to train the body. The Bharatanatyam and Chhau students presented a jugalbandi on our National Song – ‘Vande Mataram’ where they presented expressional sequences interspersed with pure dance movements or bol in their respective dance styles.
Music
Students in Hindustani Classical Vocals, presented the swarmalika, followed by the bandish ‘Tore Jaun Re’ in Yaman-Kalyan in Teen Taal and concluded with a beautiful Sufi qawwali ‘Nit Khair Manga’ by Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan.
Western Vocals students presented ‘Happier’ a song by Marshmello, ‘Something just like this’ by Coldplay, and Un Poco Loco from the animated movie Coco. The foot-tapping numbers received loud applause from the audience.
The Orchestra students presented their learning of the basics of music followed by the melody ‘Ode to Joy’, by Beethoven. The students also presented a medley of instrumental folk music from the states of Assam, Gujarat and Jammu and Kashmir.
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Author on Campus - Ms. Tanu Shree Singh
It was an honour to felicitate our homespun author Ms. Tanu Shree Singh at Shiv Nadar School, Faridabad. With her dainty demeanour she was able to deliberate a cogent issue, whose undercurrents are fast rising and reaching our homes. The book named ‘Darkless’ was an introspection on to how our children deal with the darkness of their fears and how it clouds their whole persona. The book simply reminds us, that all our little bearing need-is our bare hands and ears to brave such an engulfed emotion. The book was a nudge, well taken by our faculty and parents.
The author, Ms. Tanu Shree had encapsulated a 30min session with vivid articulation and humble humour for the children of Grade2 and 3 separately. They were delighted to have themselves clicked with the author and the prize was a duly signed copy of the said book. The event was significantly applauded by all.
Origami Session
Two artists from Chennai regaled the students of Shiv Nadar School, Faridabad with the beauty of Origami.
The students were impressed with the economy of movement and the beauty of creation.
They kept the students engaged through various paper crafts. The innocence of the artists were appreciated by all.
Anandam Grades V & VI, 14 February 2020
Anandam (2019-20) – Grades 5 and 6
The yearlong odyssey of Grades 5 and 6 students’ learning in the field of AHA Arts culminated on 14 February ,2020 through ‘Anandam’.
AHA Visual Arts students explored water based mediums, acrylic on canvas, painting glass surfaces with reverse painting technique and used paper craft and mixed media like wool, thread and paint to create artwork. Students also learned pulp-making and paper making, and created textured paper using a starch coating. It was a delight to see the polygonal patterns and shapes in two dimensions to create pieces of art.
In sculpture making, students used wire sculpture to understand the importance of armature and explored clay modelling, paper casting both relief, standing sculpture and using foil paper as a medium. Most of the relief sculptures were based on animal studies, which helped them to enhance their understanding of animal anatomies.
The AHA Instrumental music students performed an arrangement in Raga 'Yaman', presented a melody called 'Waltz in A minor' by Frederic Chopin and an orchestra piece 'Santorini' taken from Yanni's album 'Live at Acropolis. The Western Vocals students presented the songs ‘A Million Dreams’ from The Greatest Showman, ‘Believer’ by Imagine Dragons and ‘Don't Give Up on Me’ by Andy Grammar. Students in Hindustani Classical Vocals showcased their talent by presenting Raga Kedar.
The AHA Odissi students presented a mythical story ‘Mahakaali Mangalacharan’ through a splendid performance. Chhau students showcased the concept of Abhyaas highlighting how a soldier uses body line and movements and the correct technique to spin in the air while taking high jumps. The Bharatanatyam students showcased various adavus and identified the process of combining the adavus with music and rhythm while coordinating with movements of different body parts. Students also showcased their journey through a presentation titled Shivoham. Kathak students explored a major aspect of Classical Dance called ‘Jugalbandi’ which is a medium of conversation in the form of questions and answers between dancers, musicians and also the audience.
In the Theatre play ‘Kaamchor’, students used satire to bring out the idea of being a kaamchor depicting with the help of examples from their own lives in order to build an association with the form and idea. A Street Theatre ‘What is a Good Day to Save the Earth?’ was presented to understand and investigate climate emergency as it exists today. The play also traces the difficult journey of the environmental activist Greta Thunberg and her fight against the people/ institutions responsible for the plight of billions. The Comedy play ‘A City of Heroes’ highlighted a series of vignettes that sheds light upon the multiple questions revolving around the term ‘Superhero’. Students picked up characters from a fictional world who face conflicts that are valid in our real lives. ‘Dog-napped’ was an adventure play that showcased the team’s attempts to play with the basic elements of adventure/ mystery fiction. One could see clearly students’ understanding of different elements of the genre through the play.
Citation Ceremony, 31 January 2020
The Citation Ceremony for the graduating batch of 2019-20 was held on 31st January 2020. The batch, who have been christened 'Ardent 61' received citations and best wishes for their journey forward, in front of their parents
The theme for this year's citation was 'Integration' - a coming together of the many cultures, colours and communities which make our nation great. Our Guest of Honour, Mr. Pawan Gupta, educator and co-founder Society for Integrated Development of Himalayas(SIDH), graced the occasion and shared his vast knowledge and depth of understanding on “What education needs to be in the 21st century”.
The ceremony began with a ‘Guard of Honour’ with the students being accompanied by their mentors and teachers as they marched to the Wild Cats Hall.
The highlight of the ceremony was the Citation awarded to each student, with a student profile and a crystal Lotus momento, representing our school's logo. Students received some books towards continuing our learner's journey of Education for Life. Their Batch photograph, framed together with a beautiful poem ‘Roots & Wings” by Denis Waitely was also presented to them. The ceremony was a celebration of their years at Shiv Nadar School, becoming young adults who will be engaged and aware members of society. The ceremony concluded with our teachers serenading the students with a song wishing them the very best, followed by High Tea for parents and guests.
In keeping with our school's values, the citation ceremony was eco-sensitive and minimal, with the focus on celebrating each student for the unique, indomitable souls they are, ready to be change makers of the world.
We are sure our ARDENT 61 will be the torch bearers of change………
Fitzania 19-20
Fitness is not just how we feel, it is a mindset, that’s how we came up with our Grade 2 Sports Day theme ‘Fitzania’ for the session 2019-20.
Sports rejuvenates the heart, mind and body of everyone involved in it. At Shiv Nadar School, sports is an integral part of the curriculum and we believe that physical activity through games and sports is essential for the overall development of each child. As it is rightly said, physical fitness is not only one of the most important keys to a healthy body, it is the basis of a creative and dynamic intellectual activity.
Ms. Soniya Mawani, the Head of Primary Years declared the meet open and welcomed the guests of honour, Jaideep Sethi an avid squash player and Ishika Chaudhary, a budding basketballer. Both are alumni of Shiv Nadar School, Noida and were equally enthusiastic to encourage and motivate their young friends. The guests shared their sports journey at school and how they continue to include it in their daily routine and follow it passionately.
Our wildcats from Panther and Leopard house stunned the audience with their exuberant performance while the Tigers and Lions left us in awe of their zesty presentation. The loud cheering from the parents echoed the entire premise and the never ending applause ignited the spirit of sportsmanship in all our wildcats.
New Parent Orientation 2020
The new Nursery Parents for Academic Session 2020-21 were invited for a Post-Admission Orientation Session on November 8, 2019. It was aimed at building a shared understanding of our vision, values and establishing a lasting connect with the child's alma mater.
The orientation began by welcoming the new parents, providing them a platform to interact with the Senior Leadership and to know each other. It was followed by sharing the journey of the foundation, its philosophy, ethos and about all the initiatives taken by the foundation.
The Parent partnership program was shared with the parents, which basically emphasized on the strong connect between the school and the parents wherein the parents are valued as ambassador and spokesperson through belief in the shared vision and also provide feedback towards continuous and comprehensive School health and happiness.
Book Launch- Constitution of India for children
Ms. Subhadra Sen Gupta launched her new book 'Constitution of India for children' on 7th February 2020 in Shiv Nadar School, Faridabad.
The occasion was extra special since it coincided with the 70th anniversary of India being a republic.
The book was welcomed with open arms by students of all 7 school which were present for the launch. The children loved the book for its easy language and colourful illustrations. Ms. Gupta's discussion made the constitution come alive and the session reached its zenith by deep and detailed questions asked by students.
VISIT TO PRAKASHDEEP SCHOOL, SECTOR 21A FARIDABAD
On Friday the 7th of Feb, some Students of Grade IV and V visited PrakashDeep School in Sector 21 Faridabad.
Prakash Deep School is a non-profit organization for the underprivileged operating from a park in Sector 21-A Faridabad for the past six years. The current strength of the school is 250 children which have been divided into ten groups according to their age and capabilities. There are 15 teachers who impart education to them. Three of these are volunteers. The school imparts free education, a mid day meal and basic health care. Children are exposed to Art and Crafts, Classical and Folk Dances and vocational training apart from academics. In order to inculcate a sense of responsibility towards the society, the children are encouraged to perform Random Acts of Service to the Community" on a regular basis.
Our students very enthusiastically did the Mindful Chants blended with some well-known English inspirational songs which helped in creating an aura for everyone. This session was led by a guest from Australia, Mr. Steve. Our students felt the positive vibes which were strengthening their Mind, Body and Soul in a powerful way. Later we watched few performances presented by the Students of Prakash Deep School which was a feast for the eyes. They also got some snacks provided by the organisers.
At the end our Students danced on some good songs and got some pictures clicked with the Chief Functionary Mrs Savita Datt and with the Guest. Our Students found this visit very fruitful. The memories from this trip will remain with the children and aid their academic learnings in varied ways.
