Take a bright sunny day, a cool blue swimming pool and scores of kids splashing around - and what you get is a smashing SWIM GALA organized by the Physical Education Department of NISV. On 8th of May,'08, a swimming gala was organized for Grades 3 to 12 at the NISV swimming pool, which consisted of 50m Free Stlye, TT Ball Collection and Obstacle race for Boys & Girls separately. The Gala started with a demonstration of Padma Asana in water by Mr. Nagin, the lifeguard at NISV, followed by the competition and the prize distribution. Principal, Mrs. Manju Gupta was very impressed by the efforts of all involved and encouraged the PE department to have more such events with staff and parent participation. Mr. Shiv Kumar Sen, Dy. Director, Sports gave the Vote of Thanks and promised to organise more such Galas, after the summer break!

The expressions of NISV Art Students were put on display, as the school opened an exhibition - 'Treadings' - to encourage Art and talent within the school. This exhibition was inaugurated by H.H. Shri Ranjitsinh Gaekwad, an Art Connoisseur himself, amid the NISV community and visitors and remains open from 7th to 11th April at Welcome Hotel, Vadodara.

The exhibition mainly showcases the Art work of IB DP Year 2 Visual Art students - Ms. Ektaa Patel, Ms. Athika Karolia, Ms. Prima Shah and also exhibits the art of other school students from the 10th April. The students have used various mediums like acrylic and oil, plaster of paris, watercolor, and mixed mediums on canvas to convey various themes.

The Art work sure left all agape and enthralled at the versatility and the intensity of the Artists!

Graduation Day
Celebrations at 'Expressions'
on NISV campus

As the academic year 2007-08 came to an end, and the students graduated to the higher grade, we celebrated their 'Graduation Day' with much fervor and excitement!

Delivered by a consortium of the British Council, Cambridge Education Foundation (CEF), UK One World Linking Association (UKOWLA) and Voluntary Service Overseas (VSO), the DGSP programme promotes partnerships between schools in the UK and schools in Africa, Asia, Latin America and the Caribbean. The aim is to increase young people's awareness of global development issues. The benefits to the schools are:
... A global dimension in the curriculum
... Exciting and innovative ways to motivate learning
... Opportunities to the schools and their students to participate as global citizens

As part of the first exchange visit from its partner, Ms Caroline Yuill of Begbrook Primary School in Bristol is Visiting NISV.

Says Ms. Sangita Mathur, DP Co-ordinator, "It all began as an e-link of the French teachers and students and blossomed into this exchange." Ms. Caroline, obviously excited, says, "Though the contrast between the two places could not be greater, I have fallen in love with India. The little taste that I have got from this visit has surely opened new doors we would like to explore. The common project we had identified was water. So here, I have been interviewing villagers and studying the water requirements, problems and irrigation styles and also the modern facilities that the school has. I have also noted the differences in water facilities available to people within the same city. I have brought from Bristol our programmes on water preservation. I will take back so much from here and so we will mutually help each other in developing Water as a part of the Global Curriculum. I am also exploring and sharing our common environment issues in classes. Since I teach French and Global citizenship, I am giving my inputs for the same. Well, I am also discovering the amazing art and culture of this country and of course the cuisine! The other day I visited Jambugoda and devoured on Makke Ki Roti and onion! I am learning some dance steps and also trying some cooking. It's been fantastic!"

Mrs. Manju Gupta, Principal, feels that "Education needs to be relevant. It should take into consideration the current as well as future needs and the communities and environments of the future. These partnerships bring the 'global dimension' in education and bring the world to the school, changing perceptions."

A reciprocal visit from NISV will follow later this year funded by the DGSP, with the possibility of the two schools entering into a Global Curriculum Project. This is called opening new doors to learning and understanding and broadening horizons.

The 26th and 27th of March 2008 saw a workshop on Asset Assessment for PYP (Primary Years Programme) and MYP (Middle Years Programme) teachers by Ms. Urmila Oza, Educationist & Teacher Trainer from Educational Initiatives - Ahmedabad.

 This was basically for:
... Assessing the performances of students of NISV in Asset Assessment programme in English, Math and Science and to find out where they stand in National Performance.
... Analysing the Results, that is, the possible reasons for selecting correct and incorrect options like the ability to apply knowledge in unfamiliar situations and ability to comprehend questions in restricted time.
... Using the Analysis to modify teaching strategies and designing Assessment Tasks.

The importance of Rubrics and Descriptors was emphasized as they tell us what has been achieved and what needs to be achieved.

Overall, the purpose of the workshop was met as all teachers felt that it helped them
... To understand the importance of standardized assessment
... To enrich and modify their teaching strategies
... To recognize the importance of sharing experiences
... To find solutions for behavioral problems in students
... To modify or strengthen their assessment plans
So, kudos to all of us for keeping abreast and in pace with world trends!

Soul Food
Thoughts and reflections, inspired by life, situations and experiences.

The storm will pass. The spring will come.

Anonymous


At Day's End

The Bamboo Tree & GOD
(The following has been forwarded by Ms. Mary Chacko, Physics Tutor)

One day I decided to quit...
Quit my job, my relationship, my spirituality...
I wanted to quit my life.
I went to the woods to have one last talk with God.
"God", I said. "Can you give me one good reason not to quit?"
His answer surprised me!
"Look around", He said. "Do you see the Fern and the Bamboo?"
"Yes", I replied.
"When I planted the fern and the bamboo seeds, I took very good care of them. I gave them light. I gave them water.
The fern quickly grew from the earth. Its brilliant green covered the floor. Yet nothing came from the bamboo seed. But I did not quit on the bamboo.

In the second year the Fern grew more vibrant and plentiful. And again, nothing came from the bamboo seed. But I did not quit on the bamboo."
He said. "In year three there was still nothing from the bamboo seed. But I would not quit. In year four, again, there was nothing from the bamboo seed. I would not quit."
He said. "Then in the fifth year a tiny sprout emerged from the earth.
Compared to the fern it was seemingly small and insignificant...But just 6 months later the bamboo rose to over 10 feet tall.

It had spent the five years growing roots. Those roots made it strong and gave it what it needed to survive. I would not give any of my creations a challenge it could not handle."

He said to me, "Did you know, my child, that all this time you have been struggling, you have actually been growing roots?"
"I would not quit on the bamboo. I will never quit on you."

"Don't compare yourself to others." He said. "The bamboo had a different purpose than the fern. Yet they both make the forest beautiful."

"Your time will come", God said to me. "You will rise high"
"How high should I rise?" I asked.
"How high will the bamboo rise?" He asked in return.
"As high as it can?" I questioned.
"Yes." He said, "Give me glory by rising as high as you can."

I left the forest and brought back this story.

I hope these words can help you see that God will never give up on you.

When we have our thoughts very high,
Even the fate will fear to cast its shadow near by!!!