Celebrating Freedom and Values That Endure
This Independence Day, our students filled the campus with music, pride, and patriotism as they sang songs that celebrated the spirit of India. The highlight of the morning was the theatre performance Ali’s Favourite Biryani — a heartwarming skit that had recently won second place at an interschool competition. The young actors once again captivated their audience of parents, teachers, and peers with their moving performance and expressive storytelling.
Our Principal, Ms. Padmini, addressed the gathering with the story of a young boy who chose courage and integrity over surrender during the struggle for independence. She reminded everyone that while we may live in a fast-changing digital world, the timeless values of bravery, honesty, and resilience must continue to guide us.
Adding a special touch to the celebration, our Korean students marked their own Independence Day with a speech delivered in Korean and translated into English by a peer — a powerful gesture of unity in diversity.
The morning was a beautiful reflection of who we are as a community — rooted in values, connected across cultures, and inspired by the enduring idea of freedom.
Let’s Talk Tweens: Bridging Understanding, Building Connection
As children step into their pre-teen years, they begin a journey of self-discovery — one filled with curiosity, change, and sometimes confusion. Recognising the importance of this phase, our school hosted Let’s Talk Tweens, an engaging parent session designed to open conversations about the evolving emotional, social, and cognitive world of children aged 10 to 13.
The session explored how tweens begin to seek independence while still needing the comfort of guidance, how friendships gain new depth, and how emotions grow more layered. Through real-life examples, discussions, and reflective prompts, parents unpacked what it means to raise a tween in today’s fast-paced, hyper-connected world.
The session also focused on practical strategies — listening without judgment, setting boundaries with empathy, and nurturing confidence through trust and communication. It was heartening to see parents share stories, questions, and even laughter as they connected through shared experiences.
At its core, Let’s Talk Tweens celebrated partnership — between home and school, and between parents and children — to ensure that this critical stage becomes one of growth, not growing pains. Because when adults listen, guide, and grow with their tweens, they create a foundation of resilience and understanding that lasts well beyond the middle years.
This initiative is part of our ongoing efforts by the School Counselling Team and the Parent Partnership Office to strengthen collaboration and dialogue between families and educators — fostering a community where every child feels understood, supported, and empowered to thrive.
Anbudan 2025: A Celebration of Gratitude
Every act of kindness strengthens the threads that bind a community. Anbudan — meaning “with love” — is one such moment of togetherness at Shiv Nadar School, Chennai.
Our annual gratitude initiative, Anbudan 2025, was a heartfelt celebration dedicated to the pillars of our school — our support staff, lovingly called Akkas and Annas. These are the individuals who quietly ensure that every classroom is ready for learning, every corridor is safe, and every corner of our campus feels welcoming.
In a touching gesture, students personally handed over thoughtfully prepared bags of goodies to them, sharing smiles, laughter, and words of thanks.
Families contributed generously to this annual initiative, while students expressed their love through handmade notes and warm interactions. The day reflected the compassion, empathy, and sense of belonging that define our school community — reminding us that appreciation, when expressed with love, builds lasting connections.
Anbudan stands as a reminder that compassion is not an event but a way of being. It reflects the very essence of our school culture — one that celebrates empathy, respect, and shared humanity.
Field trip | Grade 2 | Republic of Zoofari
Our Grade 2 students recently embarked on an enriching educational field trip to the Republic of Zoofari. This exciting excursion was thoughtfully designed to provide hands-on learning experiences focused on plants, animals, and their interconnected habitats, directly supporting their curriculum.
During the visit, students observed a diverse array of animals, effectively reinforcing their prior learning from the "Animals including Humans" theme. This immersive experience also served as an engaging introduction to their upcoming unit on plants, as they meticulously explored the area and closely examined a variety of trees and botanical species. Discussions naturally arose regarding the vital role each plant and animal plays within its ecosystem, fostering a deeper understanding of environmental balance.
Beyond academic learning, the children thoroughly enjoyed the expansive open spaces of the park, engaging in joyful play and relishing their snacks amidst the beauty of nature, which undoubtedly enhanced the memorability of the day. The trip significantly encouraged curiosity and prompted insightful questions about the natural world, prompting students to reflect on the profound importance of caring for both plants and animals. This field trip proved to be both highly educational and thoroughly enjoyable, forging a meaningful connection between classroom knowledge and the living environment.
Shiv Nadar School, Gurugram Hosts Umang 2025: A Celebration of Mental Health and Awareness
In observance of World Mental Health Day, traditionally celebrated on October 10th each year, Shiv Nadar School, Gurugram, proudly hosted "Umang 2025: A Celebration of Mental Health" on Friday, October 17th, 2025. This significant inter-school event was dedicated to fostering awareness and dialogue around the crucial themes of adolescent mental health.
Umang 2025 featured two compelling inter-school competitions, inviting students to creatively engage with these vital topics:
- Nukkad Natak Competition (Middle School)
- Film Making Competition (Senior School)
The event garnered enthusiastic participation from a diverse array of esteemed schools across the Delhi-NCR region, providing a powerful platform for students to present their innovative work and perspectives on adolescent mental well-being.
Participating Schools:
- Lancers International School
- Bal Bharti Public School
- Tagore International School
- Rama Krishna Public School
- Shalom Presidency School
- Pathways School, Noida
- Vidyagyaan
- DAV School
- DPS, Sushant Lok
Umang 2025 Winners:
We extend our sincere congratulations to the following schools for their outstanding contributions and winning performances:
Film Making Competition:
- 1st Prize: Tagore International School
- 2nd Prize: Pathways School, Noida
- Honorary Mention: Lancers International School
Nukkad Natak Competition:
- 1st Prize: Bal Bharti Public School, Dwarka
- 2nd Prize: DPS Sushant Lok
Shiv Nadar School, Gurugram, commends all participating students and schools for their dedication to raising awareness on adolescent mental health through creative expression. Events like Umang 2025 are instrumental in fostering a supportive community and encouraging open conversations about well-being.
DJ Workshop - Music with Coding
On October 10th, 2025, four enthusiastic German language learners from Grades 9 and 10 (CBSE cohort) of Shiv Nadar School participated in an innovative DJ workshop hosted by Max Mueller Bhavan, Delhi. Our students joined participants from five other prominent schools across Delhi NCR for this unique educational experience.
The workshop was expertly conducted by Ms. Alexandra Cardena, an internationally acclaimed artist from Berlin, who provided students with a dynamic and creative platform to explore the fascinating intersection of music and technology. Utilizing a user-friendly, browser-based platform, participants were guided through the process of creating intricate beats, rhythms, and sounds through intuitive coding. The session was designed to be accessible, requiring no prior experience with music or musical instruments, though proficiency in language proved beneficial.
Beyond technical instruction, the workshop actively fostered creativity, logical thinking, and collaborative skills, while simultaneously strengthening language comprehension and problem-solving abilities. Students were given ample opportunity to experiment, express themselves freely, and engage in a stimulating, hands-on learning environment. The experience proved profoundly inspiring, offering our students a unique gateway into the exciting realm of digital music production and its vast creative possibilities.
Participating Students:
- Kaavya Harish – Grade 10 Kanha
- Pravar Priyadarshi – Grade 9 Kanha
- Aarav Deep Singh – Grade 9 Sariska
- Reyansh Jaggi – Grade 9 Ranthambore
Accompanying Teacher: Ms. Aparna Kale
Shiv Nadar School extends its appreciation to Max Mueller Bhavan for organizing such a forward-thinking workshop and congratulates our students and Ms. Aparna Kale for their enthusiastic participation in this enriching cultural and technological exchange.
Field Trip | Grade Kindergarten | Heritage Transport Museum
On 16th October 2025, our Kindergarten students embarked on an enriching educational field trip to the Heritage Transport Museum. This insightful visit served as a culminating activity for their ongoing "Materials" theme, providing a tangible platform for practical learning.
Students actively engaged in identifying various materials—such as metal, wood, and rubber—used in the construction of diverse vehicles. They made meaningful connections between raw materials and their application in design. Furthermore, they were fascinated to observe the compelling evolution of transportation throughout history, from traditional bullock carts and vintage bicycles to sophisticated modern automobiles and high-performance racing cars.
This immersive experience proved to be highly enriching and engaging, successfully sparking curiosity and wonder. It allowed our young learners to explore first-hand how the interplay of materials and technology profoundly shapes the dynamic world of transportation.
Field Trip | Grade 4 | Theatre musical
On 16th October 2025, Grade 4 students from Shiv Nadar School had the enriching opportunity to visit Khamani Auditorium for the musical presentation, "Say Cheese Grandpa," directed by Shiv Tandon and Mohit Agarwal. This captivating performance was a seamless blend of imaginative storytelling and impactful educational content, designed to spark empathy, ignite curiosity, and fuel the students' creative faculties.
The central character, Dhani, undertook a heartwarming quest: to bring a smile back to her grandfather's face after many years. The production brilliantly achieved its aim of connecting students across different generations through its engaging humour, melodic compositions, and a shared sense of wonder. Ultimately, "Say Cheese Grandpa" was a vibrant celebration of human connection, demonstrating how shared experiences can bridge divides and foster a deeper appreciation for relationships. The experience provided invaluable emotional learning for our students.
Field trip | Grade Nursery
As an integral part of their "I Love Animals" theme within the My World domain, our Nursery students recently embarked on an exciting and highly educational excursion to the Republic of Zoofari. This eagerly anticipated outing seamlessly blended vibrant learning experiences with delightful adventure and pure enjoyment for our youngest learners.
The students' joy was palpable as they encountered a diverse array of animals, including turkeys, roosters, emus, guinea pigs, and donkeys. Through direct observation, they gained invaluable insights into the unique sounds, appearances, and movements of each species. A particularly cherished moment involved the opportunity to gently feed these animals, fostering a hands-on connection with nature.
To further enrich their day, students delighted in playful exploration within a dedicated sandpit. Adding a vibrant touch of creativity and individual expression, each child received a temporary tattoo of their choice, ranging from adorable animals to their favourite superheroes, sparking endless excitement. The memorable day concluded with everyone sharing a cheerful, packed lunch in the open air, solidifying a truly holistic and engaging experience.
Author visit to Grade 3
Shiv Nadar School proudly hosted an enriching storytelling session for Grade 3 students on October 10, 2025, featuring the distinguished author Ms Divya Anand, known for her thought-provoking books like ‘Misfit Madhu’ and ‘I Hate My Curly Hair’. Ms Anand introduced her newest literary creation, "Agalaya in the Spotlight," a contemporary twist on the classic Rapunzel narrative, exploring poignant themes of friendship, challenges and self-acceptance amidst the experience of alopecia.
Through an evocative reading from the book, Ms Anand sparked the students' imaginations and gently guided them towards understanding diverse experiences. A subsequent creative activity encouraged students to visually represent themselves and identify their inherent skills, thereby promoting self-discovery and confidence. The session concluded with students thoughtfully sharing their reflections, underscoring the profound impact of stories on fostering emotional intelligence and celebrating individual uniqueness.
