Yeh Dil Maange More….

VIBGYOR High Marathahalli gave us a fantastic opportunity to host one of the Dutch students for one week. Initially even the thought of accepting a foreign student was a bit scary.

Concerns, concerns – Will she be comfortable, what will she eat, what if she feels home sick, and would we be good hosts? Eventually, we set all the worries aside and embraced the adventurous route. Nevertheless, it was rewarding.

Not just us as host family, I am sure each of the participants had a truly rewarding experience from this student exchange programme and it will have an everlasting long-term effect on their life. Friends, even brand new friends, make all the difference in the world, literally.

Meticulously planned and executed daily events for different interest groups by the school management and parents created a strong connection. We formed an inclusive family and had the sweetest of lifetime memories.

With satisfying our inquisitiveness about the foreign culture, languages, the food, weather and the endless conversations, the week just flew by.

The pleasant experience is difficult to encapsulate in words- truly overwhelming.

I firmly believe it’s off to a great start and not the end. Looking forward to it.

Yeh Dil Maange More….

M. Gupta

Father of Kanishka Gupta,VIII ‘B’

VIBGYOR High, Marathahalli

Dot—Distillation of Thoughts

The first step towards manifestation of your intention is to distil your random thoughts.Thoughts which are aligned towards a common outcome are said to be coherent.They have much more energy than the thoughts which contradict each other. Manifestation requires energy.

Thoughts which focus upon negative outcomes deplete your vital brain energy.They are a waste of precious time and energy. How to alter these random thoughts and get used to coherent thinking? By being aware of them.

The process through which we nurture thoughts that facilitate manifestation is known as DOT technique.

Exercise 1) Is it what you really want?

For eg: If you say- I want a promotion. THINK.

Is it a promotion you want? An increment? Or more opportunities? More devotion? More challenges? More responsibilities? The more clarity you have about what you want, the easier it is to manifest.

Exercise 2) Let your thoughts run loose for about 15 minutes. After that write down as many thoughts as you remember. Some thoughts may be cancelling or contradicting each other. Some may be doubtful or fearful.

Exercise 3) Sleeping with the intent- The subconscious mind is bigger and more powerful. It has a huge resource available to it. At times you wake up with a powerful solution that seems to come from out of the box.

Teaching, Technology and Education

Many a times we are coerced and cajoled into a profession we may be least interested in. But somewhere down the line, this abominable profession becomes our passion and one learns to excel in it.

What was once considered as a housewife’s profession has resurrected itself as the most challenging and demanding job. From coping up with the needs of the family and delivering classroom instructions, teachers have embellished way beyond one’s apprehension.

Apart from this, teachers and teaching have flourished incorporating technology into teaching. Teachers’ secrets to success have been in planning and implementing these instructions into their teaching which has paved a path for prosperity for the learners.

This unreasonable and impossible job of igniting the young minds of the learners lies on the delicate, yet sturdy shoulders of teachers. The whole and sole ambition of teachers lies in the aim to spark the lamp of learning and quench the thirst of gaining knowledge.

Thus, teachers have turned to the aid of technology. Technology is a FORCE MULTIPLIER for the teacher. Instead of the teacher who at a point of time was the only source of help in a classroom is no longer the sole bearer of the burden of teaching and learning. Technology is equated to a TEACHER LIBERATOR. But before this, the novice (teachers) have to master their skills (technology). In fact to re-establish the role of teacher, inculcating values within and outside the classroom, teachers and technology have to formulate a collaboration, a partnership which helps to create a community which nurtures, encourages and supports the learning and teaching process.
Technology makes the classroom, learner-centered. It strongly encompasses methods of teaching that shifts the focus of instruction from the teacher to the student. Keeping in mind the multiple intelligences present in a classroom situation, technology unfolds many new methods of learning. Be it linguistic, spatial, bodily-kinesthetic, logical, mathematical –technology has an appropriate response to all.

Technology has the ability to enhance the relationship between teachers and students. Teachers effectively integrate technology into subject. Teachers grow into roles of advisors, content experts, and coaches. Technology helps make teaching and learning more meaningful and fun.

Technology stimulates the Teaching and Learning process. Technology provides the teacher with numerous tools that they can use. Technology also has the power to transform teaching by ushering in a new generation of teaching skills. Technology links teachers to their students and to professional content, resources, available in various forms to help them improve their own instruction and personalise learning in and out of the classroom. Technology augments student learning process which is the key to success.

The role of educational technology in teaching is of great importance because of the vast and immense information and communication technologies present with the ever evolving technology which is adamantine. Distance education, satellite classrooms is also made possible due to technology. The Internet teachers and the internet students have opened doors to the inaccessible class and mass of learners.

The VIBGYOR Group of Schools has always believed in providing the best to the best. Under the aegis of our dynamic and vivacious Chairman Mr Rustom Kerawalla and the relentless efforts of our very own irrefutable and indubitable Vice Chairperson Ms Kavita Sahay, and the entire intransigent VIBGYOR family, the group like technology is ever evolving with time and experience. We have implemented the latest, state of the art technology in all spheres of our work. Without a doubt, technology has been the scaffolding to the success of VIBGYOR Group of Schools and we wish to transfer this success to our future – the learners at VIBGYOR.

Moves of the Champions

VIBGYOR High, Haralur road, hosted a Rapid Chess tournament for the first time, to provide a platform for students to improve on logical thinking, analytical reasoning and problem solving. Students in the age group of 6 to 16 years participated in this mega event held on 28 October, 2017 in the school from 8:30 am to 6:30 pm.

It all started when Master Prithvi Rajan an enthusiastic, international chess player of our tenth grade had a dazzling idea of conducting a tournament for the school children. He has participated in numerous national and international chess tournaments and wanted to provide a similar platform for the students of his school. Since he has been playing chess from a very young age, he knew the game and was confident of organising such a tournament. Under his initiative and the support of the school staff, a team was built, duties assigned and preparations were in full swing. Brochure, registration forms were created by Prithvi himself and uploaded on various chess-related websites.

As the day of the tournament approached, the registrations went up significantly! There was an overwhelming response of 350 entries out of which 308 participants with valid documents were shortlisted. There were groups of participants from various schools, individual entries as well as outstation participation from the cities of Chennai, Mandya and Mysore.

The day began with the enthusiastic outstation participants arriving as early as 6.30 am. Registrations started at 8:00 am and by 9.15 am all participants were in the big hall for the players meet. After a brief talk about the rules and regulations by the Chief Arbiter, the first round of the tournament commenced.

It was heart-warming to see the age group of 6 to 8 years children (95 participants) playing their moves like stalwarts with rapt concentration and collected demeanour. There were seven rounds in all lasting up to 6.30 pm. It was a wonder to see the children finishing all the rounds calmly and the accompanying parents waiting patiently.

Prize distribution started at 7.00 pm and there was huge applause for the participants winning the cash prizes. The youngest participant and most-promising player were also felicitated. A surprise award was given to Prithvi in recognition of his initiative and efforts to conduct the meticulously planned event. A special mention must go out to his parents who were equally and tirelessly involved the entire day.

All in all, it was a great experience for the team and students got a good opportunity to display their skills. It has assured us that chess is a game wherein children learn to be responsible for their actions.

An international School with India in its Heart

Adorable Pre-Primary toddlers smear paper badges with the familiar hues of the tricolour, our National Flag. Their endearing smiles and giggles captivate me as I walk past the art room. This sparkling glimpse is one of the many magical moments captured in my mind’s eye whenever I visit any of our VIBGYOR schools.

Observing another group, this time those of the Primary Section, rehearsing for their group folk song performance in a forthcoming Inter House Competition, my own face lit up with a bright smile of satisfaction at their efforts. I am touched by the earnestness and purposefulness displayed by the Middle school learners who are discussing a poster based on the life of our great leaders. Topping it all is the naughty twinkle in the eyes of the High school students who are sitting comfortably in circles and painting diyas which will be sold, the proceeds to be given to charity.

Much as we move towards a more globalised education pedagogy, adopting the best educational practices from across the world, VIBGYOR has always remained true to its commitment to the children of India. And one of the most crucial aspects of quality education is to develop in our students, pride for our country and concern for its progress.

As nation builders, we know we have the humongous responsibility of moulding the future of today’s youth. We believe in imbibing in our students, love for the motherland and pride in its diverse cultural and traditional customs and practices. Our students respect all religions and regions of our vast country. We provide many opportunities to our students to bring India alive in the classrooms and even beyond. In our hearts, India rules.

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!



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