FROM THE PRINCIPAL’S DESK

May 2020 Newsletter

Primary Years Programme (PYP):

Academics:

Online Learning

Online learning has been a fun and exciting journey for PYP eagles as they have

had the opportunity to dress up, attend guest speaker sessions on various

topics like storytelling, origami, aero modelling and dining etiquette. Our

learners have been enthusiastic participants and have demonstrated excellent

self-management skills throughout this journey during the COVID-19 lockdown.

Celebrations:

Science and Numeracy day was celebrated with gusto as our learners from

Grade 1 to Grade 4 conducted various experiments online and demonstrated

their understanding of scientific principles to their peers. While Grade 3 and

Grade 4 had a fun challenge, Grades 1 and 2 had an engaging experience

conducting the experiments. Students and facilitators bonded over some fun

math challenges and there was much laughter in our fun filled virtual

classrooms.

Grade 3 Science Day Winners

Name Place

Avyaay Rathi First

Vivan Jangle First Adhrit Rane First

Rishi Eashwar Second Vidhi Karva Second

Abeer Rana Third Miran Bakshi Third

Grade 4 Science Day Winners

Name Placce

Indira Bhat Frist

Arhaan Syed First Agam Singh Mundra Second

Aryan Soniminde Second

Arjun Morey Second

Sehee Han Third

Ram Gohil Third

Pari Rao Third

Science Experiments and Fun with Numbers

PYP Exhibition

The PYP Exhibition is the culmination of the learning journey of our PYP5 students. They demonstrated their in-depth understanding of the inquiry process through our virtual exhibition. Students chose to explore their passions under the transdisciplinary theme ‘How we express ourselves’. Our learners exhibited excellent presentation skills as they took our visitors through their learning journey which culminated in meaningful action. Learning never stops at IISP and we are very proud of our facilitators and students who did not let the lockdown get in the way of celebrating their learning! The PYP exhibition is an excellent opportunity to showcase student agency and action. While action can take many forms like participation, advocacy, social justice to a name few, we might wonder how this is possible during a lockdown. Our leaners demonstrated grit and resilience as they pursued not only their passions but also took meaningful action, advocating for climate change, creating awareness videos, publishing e-books and taking oaths to make a difference!

Graduation Ceremony (Prep 2 and Grade 5):

Leadership Curriculum

PYP Learners showcased their learning under the leadership curriculum during

the first virtual leadership summit. I LEAD speakers showcased their goals they

set for themselves with an action plan to achieve the same. They also

articulated the challenges they have overcome and inspired our listeners to

always persevere and have a vision for themselves.

Creativity, Activity and Service (CAS):

The PYP exhibition is an excellent opportunity to showcase student agency and

action. While action can take many forms like participation, advocacy, social

justice to a name few, we might wonder how this is possible during a

lockdown. Our leaners demonstrated grit and resilience as they pursued not

only their passions but also took meaningful action, advocating for climate

change, creating awareness videos, publishing e-books and taking oaths to

make a difference!

Professional Development in PYP:

Ms Rachel Srinivasan in collaboration with Ms Pratima Talekar and Ms Rimjhim Roy conducted an information session on the Design Thinking Process. Our facilitators brainstormed for ideas on how to make this more effective and incorporate the same seamlessly into the virtual learning world. We have also had sessions with the principal on how to be effective online war time teachers during the lockdown, the areas we need to focus on and the reskilling we need to do.

Our special message during the lockdown: Art conveys important messages and can be the window to a culture. Our Eagles didn’t let the lockdown dampen their spirits. They not only spread awareness through art, they also brought a little bit of sunshine in to their homes through the same!

Origami Workshop by Ms Bindal

Fine Dining etiquette session by Ms Jagwani

A Fun Tongue Twister session by Ms Sandhya Rathi

Middle Years Programme (MYP):

Academics:

Online Learning

Innovative and explorative Digitalization- With teaching and learning having

shifted to the total online model teachers have started exploring more

dynamic and non-linear tools to engage the students in the classroom.

Teachers are using simulation tools for Chemistry, live mapping and graphing

tools for Math and Geography, Padlets, Miro’s, Quizzes etc for other subjects.

Even with the IB MYP E-assessments being cancelled IISP successfully

conducted a final assessment using AssessPrep to harness the months of hard

work put in by the students.

Ensuring a right balance between online medium of teaching and offline

mode tasks

Promotes self directed learning and collaboration

Online tools such as padlet, miro and whiteboard has helped sharing of

ideas in this no wall classroom

Students and teachers have re-skilled and adapted well to this new

teaching-learning environment. Combination of Managebac, Assessprep

and Microsoft teams has enabled us to take care of all aspects from

teaching, resources and assessments

Mindfulness Session:

Our mornings begin with mindfulness practice. The first fifteen minutes is dedicated to build mindfulness among our learners. These activities range from focusing on the breath to becoming aware of your emotions. Using different activities has created enthusiasm among our learners to participate and practice This has helped our learner’s to focus in the online set up and also has helped them to remain calm during the lockdown. Above all, they displayed gratitude and a sense of being thankful no matter what the situation. Watching them express themselves and rise beyond adversity inspired all teachers and staff. We are so very proud of them and thankful for them! Leadership Curriculum We focused on building Psychological immunity through focusing on personal strengths. Goal setting was used as a tool to build on this. We also focused our discussion on growth mindset, gratitude, living in the present and positivity Deep reading being an integral part of our leadership curriculum, students read and discussed the concepts from the book Ichigo Ichie.

Design Thinking Workshop:

The topic of this workshop was uncertain situations lead to a change in decision making processes, lifestyle choices and body clock patterns. With the current situation this topic became very relevant and students were able to empathise with the topic Through this process students were introduced to Phenomena based teaching through DTP. Students collaboratively came up with solutions to this situations and shared their strategy. All the ideas put together created a list of solutions students could refer to overcome this pandemic Innovation is the vaccine to COVID 19. All Grades from 6 to 9 along with the

teachers underwent a DTP workshop where a phenomenon was posed as a

problem and plausible solutions and the detailed process that outlines the

solution was to be found.

Virtual Parent Teacher Meetings: A digitalized attempt, to connect the teacher and parent to discuss the students’ academic and non- academic status, proved successful with over 100 meetings scheduled between parents from 6 to 9.

Diploma Programme (DP):

Academics:

Online Learning

The first online Pre DP classes began on 4th May and was received well by both parents and students (35) who joined in the first week.

The wellness and Leadership Curriculum programs led by our teachers and staff gave a boost to the program in the first week.

The children found Physics and English classes very interesting. The theme in the DP for Pre DP was personalized learning. And the DP team lived up to it…providing support to student’s one-one based on doubts and queries about subjects.

The new students living in different time zones were also provided support. Through evening sessions for select subjects as well as by sending recordings of lessons conducted in Pre DP.

In the meantime, our current Gr 11 going to 12- had their first online assessments on Assess prep.

The last few weeks focused on introduction of IAs and Extended essays for students.

Leadership Curriculum:

The Leadership Curriculum in both Grade 11 and Pre DP focused on Tikkun Olam, Goal setting, Deep reading, Hygge, and Probabilistic thinking.

There was a session organized for students in Pre DP on IKIGAI by Mr Manoj Anchan and Major Anil who addressed the students and this was followed by a question answer session The IKIGAI session was followed up with activities and Assignments in the Leadership class.

Creativity, Activity and Service (CAS):

Grade 11 going to 12 had their CAS interviews – an IB requirement on 29th May. The Pre DP did various CAS activities online, like creating awareness programs through various media on COVID 19.

Apart from that, activities were organized to showcase ideas related to World Environment Day (June 5th)

Whole education:

The first online DP inter house talent competition led by the Student Council saw students from all grades including the graduating batch as well the Pre DP students participating enthusiastically. From songs, duets, slam poetry, Band performances and Magic show, the participants mesmerized the audience and judges alike.

SPORTS:

PYP: Online PE classes for Grades 1 to 5 continued in full swing during this month. Students, along with the practical fitness sessions, also learnt the basics and fundamentals of various exercises like upper body & lower body strengthening, core muscle strengthening and basic aerobics, balance and stability. It is amazing to see the little kids so active and enthusiastic throughout during the online classes.

MYP and DP1: MYP and DP1 students were well engaged and enthusiastically participating in the Sports hour fitness sessions during this month. The PHE classes saw the students involved in resource pack, summative assessments and revision classes to prepare them well for their Final examinations.

Inter house fitness competition was organised by Sports Captains of the school for Grades 6 to 12 and it was completely a student led initiative.

BOARDING:

While the students in the boarding prepared for the final examinations, they also participated in the extra-curricular activities which is a substantial part of the educational experience. Right from community kitchen to community garden, the students contributed towards the society with fervour. They outings involved, visit to meet the Thai Education Minister, a movie outing and a sumptuous meal on account of Eid. The students are played a friendly match between the Junior and the Senior Boys.

Meeting with Thai Education Minister

Community Kitchen

Movie Outing

Community Garden

Eid Outing

Friendly match between Junior and Senior Boys

Thanks and warm regards Preeti G. Prabhu Principal Indus International School Pune principal@indusschoolpune.com preeti.prabhu@indusschoolpune.com +91 8390905891 www.indusschoolpune.com