Balancing Disruption with Ease feat. Mrs. Anju Wal, Principal
Indus Vox Media (IVM) podcast, India's leading podcast network published an interview of our Principal, Mrs Anju Wal with the host of the show Zarina Poonawala today.
The topic of the podcast is “Balancing Disruption with Ease feat. Mrs. Anju Wal, Principal - Shiv Nadar School, Faridabad”. The discussion revolves around how schools are coping with the pandemic and challenges teachers/parents/students are facing during these unprecedented times. Ms. Wal also shares how Shiv Nadar School, Faridabad is focused on innovative methodologies, teaching techniques and the use of digitalization effectively.
The link to the podcast is : https://ivm.today/TES-86
73 Years of Freedom
The Shiv Nadar School family at the Faridabad campus ensured that the fervour of patriotism lives on, and hence the Independence Day celebrations went virtual for parents and children.
Sharing a glimpse, of the celebration: https://youtu.be/cxKTVSg8hR4
Another glimpse of the Nationl Anthem by students of Grade 9 and 10 - Aha! Indian Classical Music. https://youtu.be/FcqnA-R0U0g
Source: https://youtu.be/FcqnA-R0U0g
Gift of Love
Sharing a small video of a beautiful song by students of Grade 1 and 2 in AHA! Western Music
A Gift of Lovehttps://youtu.be/HIivOtRBtyc
Joy of Sharing
We, at Shiv Nadar School, have always believed in imparting everlasting learning to our students, and what better premise to do so than the birthday of our founder, Mr. Shiv Nadar. Every year, the school celebrates the ‘Joy of Sharing’ week around the special day, 14th July, wherein we all come together like tributaries forming a river of knowledge that is based on ‘sharing’. We intend each member of the school, students and staff, to partake in the revelry of joyous sharing and take a leaf out of the book of life of a legendry person, who has tirelessly worked to give thousands a better future. We wish each child to embrace and contribute to the unflinching belief that forms one of our greatest strengths – knowledge grows by sharing.
This year not only enhanced our celebrations by extending them to the entire month, it also cemented our belief further, thanks to the honest undertakings of our innocent young learners! Be it gardening or cooking, craft or music, exploring age-friendly apps or authoring their own stories – our students proved their mettle across a plethora of fields. Here’s how their endeavors at sharing their knowledge with their peers became our privileged opportunity to gather a sea of timeless memories!
Summer Project - Co-Scholastic
This summer, when so many of our students found themselves trying to adjust to new realities brought by these trying times, the Co Scholastic Arts team of Shiv Nadar School, Faridabad, mindful of these challenges, worked towards letting the arts find new ways to permeate children's lives.
The team felt like this was the right time to effectively articulate the value of arts in as many ways as possible for our children.
The Music, Visual Arts, Theater and Dance department worked towards enabling and inspiring children by designing various Workshop - based modules for engaging children in summer vacation, so that creativity, beauty and goodness could be fostered and children find their expression. Several online sessions were conducted, children from Grades 3 to 10 came up with initiatives and displayed a great sense of immersion through their beautiful renditions in various Aha baskets. Some projects culminated into performances, while some are still ongoing and seamlessly mixed with their regular learning.
Teaching children on an online platform provided us with connecting with them in a whole new context. Children learnt to derive creative solutions to the challenges posed by the online platforms, learnt some new tricks and got artistically stimulated and productively occupied.
Arts truly proved to be a fundamental component to children's health and well-being this summer of 2020.
Links attached.
BHARATANATYAM NATRAJA (AHA! 3 - 5) : https://youtu.be/1L6D7r4Lyig
KATHAK - SHIV THANDAV–(AHA! GRADE 9): https://youtu.be/gTNcus8V4kc
PAITNING SUMMER PROJECT (AHA! 6 to 8) : https://youtu.be/0hoGx7SVQ1M
I WON'T GIVE UP - WESTERN MUSIC (AHA! GRADES 3 TO 5) : https://youtu.be/gHo1jVzLHqY
LOVE ME LIKE YOU DO - WESTERN MUSIC (AHA! GRADES 6 TO 8): https://youtu.be/Iet6Tjf0OlU
INDIAN MUSIC PROJECT - SWARGEET RAAG BILAWAL (AHA! GRADES 3 TO 5): https://youtu.be/9db2yiHKnnk
PAINTING PROJECT :https://youtu.be/bgBQIyz4h9I
From the Principal's Desk - 16th July
I am reminded of the beautiful song by Simon and Garfunkel- 'Bridge over Troubled Waters',as I reflect over our roles in the present situation.
We strive to be the bridge of love, care, and connection for our children in these trying times, and do our best to ease their distress or be that iridescent ray of hope.
Do listen to the song, it remains the iconic soulful rendition of hope.
Let me sum up for you how the last few weeks have been.
Board Results 2020
I am delighted to share with you the superlative results of our Gurgaon and Noida campus.
Grade 12 (2 nd Batch)
Noida Campus Topper 99.75%
Class Average Noida 90.2%
Gurgaon Campus Topper 98.75%
Class Average Gurgaon 88.19%
Grade 10 (3 rd Batch)
Noida Campus Topper 98.2%
Class Average 89.4%
Gurgaon Campus Topper 97.6%
Class Average 87.47%
We are immensely proud of our diligent, hardworking teams in the twin schools.
Pastoral Care
We have created two Pastoral Care Groups, one for Primary and the other for Middle and Senior School.
Teachers who comprise both groups have been thoughtfully selected and coached to enable and support the 2 counsellors in the school.
These two different groups of teachers will be the first point of contact for the children seeking help, a conversation, expression of stress or low moods and such like. They are what I would like to call the Psychological First Aid Group. They will report into the Counsellors who report into me.
The Pastoral Groups will be headed by the Counsellors, Tatiana Atreyeva (Primary), Manisha Massey (Middle/Senior).
That does not in any way mean that if a child/parent wants to reach out to the counsellor directly, they cannot. Yes, they can when the problem/concern is serious.
Please know that the Pastoral Group is not to address academic or curriculum/online time table related concerns. As the name suggests they are for care and comfort.
The home teachers will soon be sharing the concept note of their roles and responsibilities along with their names and ids with you.
Joy of Sharing Weeks
Each Year in the week of 14th July we start the Joy of Sharing Week. It is an unmissable date for us, the Birthday of our Founder, Mr Shiv Nadar. The week is celebrated to instil in our children the essence and significance of Sharing.
Sharing a service, sharing knowledge, sharing in abundance, sharing unconditionally and experiencing the sense of joy that fills the heart.
The date, 14th July, also reminds each child that he proudly carries the name of his Founder, the person whose life story is the stuff that legends are made of, an inspiration for the children, teachers, parents for many lifetimes to come.
You must have received the schedule of the JOS week from the home teachers. Join in the webinars of dance, music, stories, Dastan e Gohi, mental health and more.
Assessments
We are in the midst of Assessments for grades 6 to 10. I am glad that we have a more refined online model in the second round of assessments this year. Our children are nothing short of heroic, adapting to innumerable changes, coping with uncertainty, anxiety, and displaying unmatchable resilience and grit to get past the challenges.
My best wishes to you.
Stay Safe, Stay Healthy and Stay Afloat.
Best Regards
Anju Wal
Principal
Shiv Nadar School
Faridabad
Safeguarding our Mental Health in Covid times - Webinar Series
Shiv Nadar School, Faridabad hosted the first of its 3-Series Webinar on _Safeguarding Mental Health in Covid Times_ on the 4th of June, 2020.
The first episode of the webianr was held for the parents of our students ranging from grades 7-10.
Our three panelists- Mrs. Anju Wal (Principal, SNS-F), Mrs. Mamta Sharma (Parent partner, Mental Health Coach), and Ms. Manisha Massey (Senior School Counsellor, SNS-F), with Mrs. Geetika Jatta as the moderator, answered pre-received questions thematized under "Academics, Behavioral, and Emotional" aspects, as well as live questions that we received during the 90 minutes of the webinar."
The panellists spoke about accepting and adapting to the the new normal.
The new realities of working from home, temporary unemployment, online-schooling of children, and lack of physical contact with other family members, friends and colleagues take time to get used to. Adapting to lifestyle changes such as these, and managing the fear of contracting the virus and worry about people close to us who are particularly vulnerable, are challenging for all of us.
They spoke about the important that a routine at home both on weekdays and weekend. Mrs. Anju Wal stressed on the fact we need to mind shift to know what is in our control - Exercise our circle of influence. Children our observing us 24x7, hence Role modeling as parents is important. It is important that we acknowledge the feelings but not mandatory to provide solutions. Talking to the children about facts of Corona virus is good but we should make sure that it is not only talking the virus- It should be controlled information. For our mind to relax, it is vital that we should cut off from screen at least two hours to prior to bed time. A very interesting activity was shared by our counsellor called - Jar of Activity.
These activity jars are packed full of simple, easy to prepare ideas to help kids make their own choices, direct their own play and keep them busy.
The webinar focused on few strategies to deal to mental well-being. Our purpose is to stay connected while distanced.
Silver Fiesta - 2020
Films depict raw emotions and often show our daily lives, through a cinematic lens. Movies have helped us all escape from our daily lives when we need to and thus films are an indispensable part of our lives.
Three students of our school, Arshia Jaitli, Arnav Sachdeva and Rehat Kaur participated in GD Goenka World School's ‘Silver Fiesta - 2020’, a film critiquing competition, a way to look at movies with one’s own perspective.The event was held on 30th May 2020. The motive was not to criticize, but to understand better the perspective of filmmakers and film critics and develop a sense of direction towards the art of movie-making.Keeping in mind the lockdown and online format, the event attracted 8 schools. 9 teams including the host school team enthusiastically participated in the event. The judges appreciated the hard work of the teams and based on the set criteria declared the winners. Our students did us proud by bagging the third position in the competition. Our Principal, Mrs Anju Wal, met the children virtually and congratulated the students. She also had a coversation about their experience and learnings from the competition.
From the Principal's Desk
When we closed school in March, we had a reasonable belief, like many others that we will return to our physical building in June sometime. That has not happened but what has happened is a tremendous amount of upskilling and relearning by all educators in the system.
The Shiv Nadar School leadership has met more frequently than ever before to take stock of the situation and strengthen our collective vision to ensure that the Standard and Quality of Shiv Nadar School Education will remain uncompromised.
This one hiccup year in the legacy of our school, is just that, a hiccup.
I promise you that we are here to re imagine school education, even before Covid-19, and build tenacious, robust children, with lifelong learning skills, adaptability, emotional resilience and a combativeness that will stand the test of time.
To find the synergy between technology, curriculum and pedagogy has been our key area of focus in these past weeks. Much of the training has centred around striking that harmony in teaching online.
As we progress ahead, I would like you to notice the connected learning thread that we weave across different subjects so our children can make real time connections, make meaning of the body of knowledge and process concepts, experiences, online discussions and more.
Our People, Our Strength
Turbulent times test the bedrock of relationships. I would like to share with you that in our institution each one works doggedly with an unflinching assurance that their jobs are safe.
No one has been dismissed or sent away on half salary, leave without pay and such like, which is the trend of the times at present. We are flowing against the tide because to flow with it, is radically against our values and ethics.
On Another Note
The entire Faridabad team raised money to provide dry rations to our 130 strong support staff, the bhaiyyas, didis, conductors, guards, janitors and more. I attach a few pictures in case you missed seeing them. We plan to support them for the next 3 months, each one of those families and then see how to raise more money to take it till the end of the year for sure.
We are the World
I hope you enjoyed the symphony of over a 100 children, teachers and parents singing the iconic song together. In case you haven't heard this in house production of Faridabad School, its time you did. It will fill you up with surging optimism and love.
Hiring for Talent
I have inducted more than 20 teachers in the Faridabad team, in the recent weeks, all talented, competent and aligned to our philosophy. This trend to hire is clearly different, you would agree. But we believe that great teachers make great learners. And we will make no compromise to continue to provide the cutting edge education to our children in these unprecedented times.
Technology
The Institution has made massive investment in upgrading the technological frontiers of the school. Veracross, is one example of the same. This deep and incredible learning Management System is now embedded across grades 1 to 10. It will soon be populated in Early Years too. The pathway to understand and use it will be steady and staggered and we will keep you informed of the continued progress and availability of new functions.
Webinar on Mental Health and Wellbeing of Parents
We launched our first in the series of the said webinar on Thursday,4th June. Parents of grades 7 to 10 were the invitees and we addressed several questions on how to cope with the stress, children's whimsical behaviour, family and work pressures and such like. The panellists comprised, Manisha Massey, our senior school counsellor, Mamta Sharma, our parent and certified psychologist, and myself.
Or next is in the series is round the bend and we will let you know of the date and the year group. Our plan is to cover all age groups and offer this opportunity to all parents.
Assessments in Middle School
We conducted our first marked assessments with the novel use of technology for grades 6 to 10 before the summer break. The children did us proud. I believe when we assume the best intentions of people they rise to their best. Our children conducted themselves with honesty and sincerity to do the tests remotely. My gratitude to all the parents too who were our co invigilators in this process.
My Conversations with You
I have met almost 500 parents in the last 2 weeks. It was wonderful for me to see you and converse with you. I do hope that you felt equally good to connect and hear what we are doing and thinking. I certainly will meet all our parents in the days to come. It is my fortune to see the tremendous attendance for our conversations. Let’s keep it going.
Online Classes Resume Today (15h June)
As we stand at the intersection of uncertainty and strong resolve, we are luminously clear that a shut school building will not shut out the learning of our children. If anything, it will only incrementally raise it to adapt to phenomenal change, increase the reservoir of empathy and compassion in their hearts and embrace reimagined processes, skills and knowledge.
Enjoy the Experience. Feel free to connect with me to share your thoughts.
Stay Safe Stay healthy and Stay Indoors as we fight this together.
Best Regards
Anju Wal
Principal
Shiv Nadar School
Faridabad
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