Student Spotlight: Virika Shines on the Global Stage

At [School Name], we take immense pride in our students' pursuits beyond the classroom. Today, we are thrilled to celebrate the recent achievements of Virika, who has demonstrated exceptional leadership and academic rigor on both national and international platforms.

Leading the Conversation: Girl Up India

On May 4th, Virika represented the school at the Girl Up India (a UN-affiliated organization) event, "Our Future, Her Voice," held at the Hyatt Regency, New Delhi. As one of the youngest members of the Girl Up Squad, Virika was invited to serve as an Emcee and Host for the prestigious gathering.

Her role went far beyond the microphone. Leading up to the event, Virika collaborated with other young leaders to:

• Conduct in-depth research on a panel of global experts.
• Develop a cohesive storyline and event flow.
• Draft professional scripts for a live audience of over 200 educators, parents, and students.

Virika’s performance earned phenomenal feedback from the Director of Girl Up India. During the event, she had the unique opportunity to interact with distinguished guests, including Shobi Sharp (United Nations Resident Coordinator for India) and Meaghan Blight (President of Wesleyan College, USA). Her ability to navigate such a high-profile environment with confidence is a testament to her growing leadership skills.

A Global Academic Honor: John Locke Institute

In addition to her advocacy work, Virika has achieved significant success in the academic sphere. We are proud to announce that she is a recipient of a "High Commendation" from the John Locke Institute’s 2025 Global Essay Prize in Economics.

The John Locke competition is renowned for its rigor, inviting students from around the world to tackle complex global issues through critical thinking and persuasive writing. This commendation places Virika among a select group of high-achieving students globally, showcasing her deep understanding of economic principles and her talent for academic inquiry.

Inspiring the Community

Virika’s achievements in both community leadership and academics embody the spirit of excellence we strive for at our school. She has shown that with dedication and a voice, young students can engage meaningfully with global organizations and contribute to important international dialogues.

Please join us in congratulating Virika on these incredible milestones!

Download PDF

Educator Achievement - The Tejasvini Award 2025

With immense pride we would like to share an Educator's achievement. 

Ms Anubha Singh, the HOD- Hindi (IC curriculum) and the Student Welfare Advisor, is a lady who rode the path often undriven. She channeled her passion for adventure and travel into biking. What started as a hobby to challenge herself is now a lifestyle for Anubha Ma'am.

We share her achievemnet in her own words:

"I’m honoured to receive the Tejasvini Award for being “Unremitting in Adventure.” With 60,000+ km across terrains like Badrinath, Ladakh, Zanskar, Adi Kailash, Om Parvat, Rajasthan and many more, every journey has shaped me just as much as I shaped it.

As a rider and an educator, I’ve always believed that adventure isn’t just about the road—it’s about courage, resilience, and choosing to live life unapologetically.

I stand by the belief that progression matters more than perfection. One brave step at a time, on the saddle and in the classroom, creates transformations that truly count.

This recognition is a gentle reminder that our stories, no matter how small they may seem, hold the power to inspire and move others."

We congratulate Anubha Ma'am and wish her more power to keep us inspired.

Bridging Home and School: The Magic of Shabadshala

Why do we do what we do at Shabadshala? We believe the best way for parents to understand the impact of this program is to experience its magic themselves. This term, our school halls were filled with the voices of three generations—students, parents, and grandparents—all participating in our special Shabadshala sessions.

The Highlights:

• A Musical Awakening: We were honored to host Om Prakash Nayak ji and his ensemble. Their folk melodies didn't just fill the room; they sparked a deep connection to our roots. One parent noted they were "pleasantly surprised" by the depth and richness this program adds to the curriculum.
• Learning Through Play: Day 2 got everyone on their feet! Before the music began, families participated in a rammat activity. Engaging with the themes of Ramta Jogi and Behta Paani, parents rediscovered the joy of traditional rhythms and movement.

It was heartening to see parents recognize the "why" behind Shabadshala. The interest from parents of even our youngest learners suggests that our community is eager to build stronger cultural foundations together. We look forward to carrying this momentum into next year!

Creative Expression at the Vasant Valley Drama Festival Workshop

Our Grade 5 students participated in an immersive theatre workshop organized by Vasant Valley School, New Delhi. Designed to foster creative expression through drama, the workshop centered on the thought-provoking theme: "Bas ek aur din" (Just One More Day).

Students actively engaged in various theatre games alongside peers from other schools. These interactive sessions were crucial not only for exploring acting techniques but also for honing essential life skills such as collaboration, teamwork, and commitment.

The theme sparked immense creativity among the participants. Students brainstormed and presented innovative interpretations, including moving concepts such as "Bas ek aur din childhood ka" (Just one more day of childhood) and "Bas ek aur din War khatam hone ka" (Just one more day until war ends).

Looking Ahead: Building on the skills and ideas developed during this workshop, students will now collaboratively write and perform original plays based on the "Bas ek aur din" theme. These performances will be showcased at the upcoming Vasant Valley Drama Festival in February. We look forward to witnessing their creative endeavors on stage.

HCL concert in collabration with Spic-Macay

Ustad Shahid Parvez Khan is widely recognized as one of the greatest sitar players in the world from the Imdadkhani gharana, representing the seventh generation of this prestigious musical lineage. The recipient of numerous prestigious awards, including the Government of India's Padma Shri and the Sangeet Natak Academy Award, he was trained by his father, Ustad Aziz Khan, and his uncle, Hafeez
Khan, a prominent singer and surbahar/sitar player.

Ustadji enthralls his audiences everywhere, his music is characterized by its unique blend of traditional and innovative elements,
showcasing his exceptional technical skill and artistic expression. He is particularly known for his
mastery of the "Gayaki Ang" style, which emphasizes vocalistic phrasing and quality of raga
improvisations.
Throughout his illustrious career, Ustad Shahid Parvez has performed extensively across India and
globally, including notable performances at the Festival of India in the US, Europe, USSR, Canada, the
Middle East, Africa, and Australia. He has received numerous prestigious awards, including the
Padma Shri and the Sangeet Natak Academy Award. He has performed Alaap, Jod, Jhala in Raag
bhairvi and later on he played Shuddh Saarang framed Taal Rupak 7-beats and Jhala in Drut
Teentaal 16 beats.

Accompanying Ustadji was Pt. Mithilesh Kumar Jha, a renowned Indian tabla maestro, celebrated for his exceptional mastery, tonal clarity, and deep understanding of rhythm. He belongs to the rich Benaras Gharana tradition and has accompanied many of India's legendary classical musicians and dancers with unmatched sensitivity and precision.
Born in Patna, Panditji began his tabla training at the age of six under the guidance of his father, Shri Gopikant Jha. He further refined his skills with the esteemed Guru Pandit Bulbul Maharaj of the Benaras Gharana. He won the first prize in the All India Music competition in 1986 and the second prize in the Youth Festival organized by the Government of Bihar in 1985.

The Parent Story | A Five-Day Therapeutic Pilot Group for the Parent Community to Reflect on the Parent-Child Relationship

The Parent Story was a small pilot program, rooted in the principles of child and developmental psychology and narrative therapy. The 5 days were experiential in nature. The sessions were designed as a reflective space and were meant for participants and the facilitator to co-discover the various stories we have of ourselves: as individuals, as parents, and as family members. We explored the many stories of happy and unhappy families, where the ideas of happiness and unhappiness come from, and how that impacts our own parenting styles.

Day 1: The focus for day 1 was 'The Many Stories of a Family.' Here are the goals we set to achieve:

• To understand that ideas of “functional” and “dysfunctional” families are socially and culturally constructed and not defined by a single story.
• To explore dominant cultural and personal parenting stories, and open space for alternative ones.
• The explore the many nuances of violence and what it means to be violent towards a family member

Day 2: The focus for day 2 was 'The Many Stories of a Child and Me.' Here are the goals we set to achieve:

• Explore how the parent–child relationship and family stories have evolved over time.
• Introduce mirroring and the Window of Tolerance through lived experience, story, and reflection.
• Reflect on how one person’s Window of Tolerance impacts the others’ in the family.

Day 3: The focus for day 3 was 'The Parenting Club.' Here are the goals we set to achieve:

• Reflect on your own childhood stories and create your own club of life. 
• Identify all the little actions and roles that make up parenting, represent them in the club of parenting, and assess each relationship carefully.

Day 4: The focus for day 4 was 'Authoring My Future Parent Story.' Here are the goals we set to achieve:

• Thinking about how Positive Childhood Experiences (PCEs) and Benevolent Childhood Experiences (BCEs) impact our Club of Parenting
• Thinking about how we want to use this knowledge to author our Parent Story.

Day 5: The focus of day 5 was 'The Relationship Certificate.' Here are the goals we set to achieve:

• Revisit the conversations from the last 4 days
• Reimagine and plan our Life Certificate
• Reimagine and author our Parent Story by writing our Parent-Child Relationship Certificate

Student presentation on "Think Design Sustain", a link to the interdisciplinary learning at the DIDAC 2025

Students from Shiv Nadar School, Gurgaon proudly represented the IB Middle Years Programme at DIDAC 2025 under the theme “Think • Sustain • Design.” 

• The MYP 1 learners, Semhar Kohli and Shrenik Prabu showcased their Science–Language & Literature IDU inspired by their OLE to Jaipur, connecting light and shadows from Jantar Mantar with storytelling, puppet-making, and the narratives of Amer Fort.
• The MYP 2 students, Riyansha Arora and Raghav Srivastava presented their Math–Visual Arts IDU, demonstrating how ratios and one-point perspective guide architectural design, supported by insights gained during their OLE to Rishikesh.
• The MYP 3 students, Mohisha Bharti and Shivang Saraf highlighted their integration of algebraic linear graphs and design through a simulation game, also linking pollution to its impact on plant reproduction through their AQI investigations. 

The students received immense appreciation from visitors for their confidence and depth of understanding, including special acknowledgement from Ms. Suman Sethi, IB World School Manager, who commended their clarity of thought and interdisciplinary approach.

Understanding Child Safety

As part of the school’s Continuous Learning Programme for Support Staff, a critical training session was recently conducted for our bus drivers, conductors, and helpers. The primary objective was to reinforce our commitment to safe, respectful, and child-friendly transportation.

The comprehensive session addressed key aspects of student welfare and professional responsibility, including:

• defining "child safety" specifically within the school and transport setting.
• understanding the legal framework of Child Safety Laws (POCSO and JJ Acts).
• identifying inappropriate behaviours and what constitutes abuse.
• establishing clear professional protocols regarding boundaries and safe physical contact guidelines.
• emphasizing the use of respectful language, tone, and appropriate behaviour at all times.

Outcome: This session has equipped our transport team with a deeper understanding of their legal and ethical responsibilities, ensuring a higher standard of professional conduct and vigilance on our routes.

Author Visit | Grade XI (NC & IC)

In a world where success is often measured by promotions and financial stability, Sauraj Jhingan and Samir Patham left their secure corporate careers to follow their passion for adventure and mountaineering. Their journey was anything but easy.

Over four long years, they made multiple harrowing attempts to conquer Mount Everest. Their hopes were dashed first by a deadly avalanche and then by hurricane-force winds in the perilous Death Zone forcing them to turn back just 900 metres from the summit. Finally, on their third attempt, they reached the summit of Mount Everest, realising a vision that had once seemed impossible.

What's Your Everest? is a story of true courage, self-discovery and the relentless pursuit of passion, urging you to ignite the spark within and conquer the metaphorical Everest in your life.