New Hopes for the New Year 2018

With awards galore, the excellent results in each and every VIBGYOR school, the local, city, state and national level achievements of our young learners and the success of Viva 9, our inter school and college Sports and Cultural Fest, in 2017, the cup of life is full.

Having bid adieu to 2017 with a heart full of gratitude, I look forward to 2018 with a sense of renewed hopes and a firm focus on what lies ahead. It is certainly a pleasing thought that the next VHMUN (VIBGYOR High Model United Nations) is going to be held in Bengaluru. After 7 remarkable years, this premier event, which was earlier based in Mumbai, is now going to be the highlight of 2018 down south in the garden city of India. Much has to be imbibed by our team in Bengaluru which is in charge of organising the conference. Certainly a time of immense change and an opportunity for avid MUNers there to participate in one of the most prestigious and much awaited MUNs in the country.

Meanwhile, the flagship school of the new VIBGYOR Roots and Rise chain of niche schools offering the CBSE curriculum became functional in the academic year beginning in 2017. Situated in Malad, the school has received a very good response from parents. I am overwhelmed. Our newest VIBGYOR High in Kharghar too has created waves and has become the most preferred school in the area in its very first year. I look forward to it becoming an established entity.

The VIBGYOR Group has always been in the forefront of innovation in the educational sphere, a leading chain of schools, spread over 4 states in India, spearheading the needful overhauling required in the world today and specifically our nation. Our new initiatives are being implemented and quite a few changes are on the anvil.

With these uplifting thoughts propelling me to work towards the enhancement of the students’ academic and overall welfare, I wish all my readers a very Happy New Year 2018…!

The Dutch Experience

With my passport to new beginnings in hand, and my school friends, Principal and teacher by my side, I set off on what would be one of the most priceless expeditions of my student life at VIBGYOR. One filled with the awe of adventure: the palpable eagerness to board the flight and fly away, for the first time without the protective shadow of my parents; yet, an undercurrent of nervousness crept up my spine and gave me chills, for the very same reason. Fighting my fears, I took my first step on that plane, because travel begins outside your comfort zone. There was no turning back.

After a gruelingly long flight, we finally landed at Schiphol airport, where a grand delegation of teachers and students awaited to welcome us to paradise. The air was unspoiled, the landscape unpolluted; the initial feeling of disorientation and possible homesickness being drowned out by the awe and wonder that I was in another country, on another continent, with other people.

We went as travellers, not as tourists. Globetrotters whose main aim was to ‘experience’ the Dutch culture, rich with the most divine sweets and the most elegant dresses. Every aspect was scrutinised by me. A culture so foreign, so different, yet the warmth and hemlines of my host family bridged the gap and greatly reduced the culture shock I would have experienced if I had travelled as a tourist. It was a much needed respite from the comfort of the LCD screen of my phone and spending frivolous hours in large departmental stores: two of my favourite pastimes. My main aim was not to shop, or to snapchat. It was to document every frivolity of Dutch habits, from dining manners to Dutch “Panakooks” and everything in between. My family always ensured that I had a box of delicious soesjes by my side.

From Goedemorgen to Goedenacht, we learned of the vast differences that were so skillfully bridged in the experience, right down to the absence of paneer makhani (my absolute favourite). Their inability to pronounce “Namaste” left me in stitches, but was balanced by my inability to pronounce basic Dutch words. In fact, they even tried their hand at Bollywood dancing on the culture night organised in school! Nobody wanted to leave, rather, we wanted life to pause in these random moments: the visit to the Middelburg Abbey, the trip to the cheese farm, the football match (where the Dutch beat us 4-0)… Our final goodbyes were the toughest. Hugs, high-fives, promises, the exchange of phone numbers comforted us, and enabled us to come back to the one place I now longed for, HOME.

– Soorya Balasubramanian Grade 9 (IGCSE), VIBGYOR High, Goregaon

Changing Role of Teachers in the 21st Century

Teachers are nation builders and despite the breakneck speed of technological progress impacting today’s classrooms, their presence is of paramount importance to students.

The term facilitator is now becoming more prevalent, and why not? It goes hand in hand with the quantum of work and the job descriptions of teachers around the world. Long gone are the days of only books and chalk and talk methods. In modern schools one sees how, by using dynamic and exciting teaching methodologies, the learners are drawn into the world of self actualisation and realisation of their aims, aspirations, dreams, goals and hopes.
Collaboration, role play, data sharing, using the internet for research and reference, has become quite the norm. Experiential learning and a sense of connectivity through the net has taken the world of education by storm. Hence, the role of the facilitator extends, at times, to beyond the classroom. She/he is a leader, a mentor, a role model, a counsellor, a coach, a therapist, a seeker, a knowledge base, a disciplinarian, a data collector, a curriculum planner, an event manager and an entertainer among many more avatars.

In this context, I have always considered myself blessed to be surrounded by creative, experienced, innovative and fiercely committed teachers at VIBGYOR. The enthusiastic faculty at all the schools of the VIBGYOR Group are self motivated individuals who are passionate about doing their utmost for the students under their care. What excites and satisfies me is the undaunted spirit of learning that each one carries within herself/himself. The childlike curiosity to learn more and more so as to impart that learning to their students is what I appreciate wholeheartedly in my teachers.

The advent of newer means of communication has had a tremendous impact in the education sphere. Undoubtedly it makes things faster and easier. Nonetheless, it also increases the work at hand with the teaching staff shouldering more and more responsibilities. This, they do tirelessly and with keen interest. After all, teachers have always been the face of the schools for the most crucial stakeholders i.e. the students. Their interaction and rapport with their learners is their key to success.

Hats off to all the facilitators of the world who are striving relentlessly to bring about a change. Take a bow, you hardworking beacons of light, life and inspiration.

Happy Teachers’ Day!

A Game Online: A Threat in the Real World

Online games have become quite the rage now. Millions of youngsters, especially teenagers are getting addicted and consequently becoming more and more isolated and aloof from reality.

Recently, as you all must be aware, a game or rather a social media phenomenon known as the Blue Whale or the Blue Whale Challenge has been in the news. Governments and police in many countries have been investigating to gather proof of its links to many cases of teenage suicides. A boy in Mumbai and another in Kerala have been the latest victims. This game has been so devised by its Russian creator that 50 tasks have to be performed in 50 days and photos posted online as proof of completion. Each task is worse than the other and the final challenge is to say goodbye to the world…i.e. commit suicide.

Parents have been warned of the dangers of their children falling victims to this game. Teenagers who are isolated from family and friends and have lost a sense of connect with the world are easy targets. Once caught in the trap, they cannot opt out. Threats of grievous harm to the players and their families prevent gamers from leaving the game before it ends. Watching horror movies and self cutting are among the vile acts that are part of the different levels of this vicious game.

How to identify the victims:

I strongly advise parents to watch out for many or all of these tell tale signs such as a teenager spending too much time isolated and away from company, playing online games excessively, using the internet continuously, being non communicative and secretive, not participating in celebrations and happenings at home, lack of interest in studies, dropping grades, keeping away from outdoor games and trips, mood swings, change in behaviour and habits, irritability…

Parents on the alert:

Parents have an important role to play. It isn’t really easy to wean teenagers away from a game which has an almost hypnotic effect. Warnings, arguments and stern measures such as not talking to the child or cutting off pocket money or grounding her/him could produce a counter effect and may actually see the child rebelling or becoming even more drawn to the game.

How to help:

Approach the issue sensitively, talk to the child, find out which level has been reached, reason it out, have more ‘together’ family time, involve a trained and experienced counsellor for additional support, reassure the child that the entire family is with her/him, some yoga and meditation sessions too might alleviate the matter and once the child’s confidence is gained, approach people (doctors, lawyers, police) who can help.

It may not always be an addiction to the Blue Whale game that may keep children distanced from family and friends. However, there is no substitute for vigilance! It is imperative for the well being of our children.

Students’ Shenanigans

Kavita SahayA school is a mini world by itself and could be the setting of a daily soap opera. I mean, here you will find friendship, drama, comedy, enthusiasm, competitiveness, innovation, ideas… and the list is endless.

All teachers will have their own collection of anecdotes. These are almost mini sagas; while some of them are quite uplifting, others may bring tears in your eyes, yet others may induce uncontrollable laughter.

I still remember the day, a few years back, when one young freshly appointed teacher entered his class to wish his students a good morning. They responded politely. There was a moment of complete silence after which the roomful of teenagers proceeded to create such a ruckus that they could have well resembled a crowd of overexcited frenzied football fans watching a match in a stadium. Ties were removed and thrown away, each one was bellowing to the loudest tone possible, tables were pushed aside and chairs upturned…some books were ignominiously scattered all over the place, leaving the new recruit totally flabbergasted. Alarmed, he fled the scene.

Another colleague told me how a student was so fascinated with the periscope he had newly made in the preceding Physics period that throughout her one hour Geography class he viewed her through it. However, surprisingly, he answered all the questions which she asked him at the end.

In my early days as a teacher, once I had called my students to the school auditorium to rehearse for a choral recitation competition. Much to my exasperation, students sauntered onto the stage at their own sweet pace, each one more reluctant than the other. When the poem was finally recited, it was done in complete silence! While the mouths and lips of the performers were moving, there was absolutely no sound and not a single word could be heard. I realised that no one was actually reciting the poem because no one had learnt it! Each student had thought that she/he would just pretend and lip sync while the others would recite the poem! I don’t know who was more shocked, the students or me!

Such incidences certainly make school an exciting place. The only reward a teacher looks forward to is that special bond which develops between the students and her. Our assessments happen in our classrooms every day. That is what makes it so unique. That is what keeps us going.

Tips To Handle Stress Among Children

With changes in lifestyles and the environment, peer and parental pressure, as well as societal expectations, stress has become a major cause of concern among children from a young age. With every year that passes by, there are changes in the system, advancements in technology, and a lot more that’s expected from children each day which might be overwhelming for them.

As a parent, here’s what you can do to ensure your child is better equipped to deal with stress.

1. Let your child know you are approachable

Every child needs an adult who can understand what they are going through, and can guide them to make better decisions. However, children may not speak out about their problems without a lot of prompting or encouragement. Ask your children about their day, and prompt them to open up by pointing out aspects of their behaviour that indicate their mood with statements such as “You seem to be a little down in the dumps today. Did something happen?”

Let your child know you are approachable

2. Give importance to play

Physical activity stimulates the body and mind, and also helps in the production of endorphins, which are hormones that lift up one’s mood. By encouraging your children to engage in at least half an hour of play can help them deal with stress in a significantly better manner

Give importance to play

3. Space out their schedules

With the level of importance given to grades, competitions, and academic performance, children end up doing a lot more within a day than is healthy for them. The average student goes to school for eight hours, is expected to be completely attentive and at peak performance in class, has tuitions in the evenings, extra-curricular classes, and homework to complete before going to bed. Make sure your child has enough time to rejuvenate each day without having to think of the things they are expected to do.

Space out their schedules

4. Allow mistakes

Kids tend to feel pressurised because of the consequences they would face if they are not living up to expectations. Letting your children know that mistakes are inevitable, and that they won’t face punishment for doing something incorrectly goes a long way in reducing the amount of stress they feel.

Allow mistakes

5. Teach your child how to think calmly and critically

A lot of stress that children feel is due to their feeling of helplessness, or not knowing how to get out of a difficult situation. Teach your children how to think objectively, and help them figure out steps to deal with a stressful circumstance. Getting them acquainted with techniques such as mindfulness and meditation would also help them get in touch with their feelings, and deal with stress in a calmer, more rational manner.

Teach your child how to think calmly and critically

Children just need to know that their parents are on their side, and will support them through any difficulty. Set aside some quality time to spend with your child each day, and equip them with the mindset and confidence required to handle any challenges that life throws at them.