Subeam Varuna Newsletter December 2024

Enjoy your holidays, read the reflections and share #JoyOfLearning!

Wrap-Up from Sunbeam School Varuna

SUNBEAM VARUNA by Learning Forward India Foundation

Sunbeam School and Hostel Varuna share a Wrap-Up for 2024!

The love the Sunday School and contribute their reflections to the Joy Of Learning Diaries regularly. Today, the celebrate Christmas Eve with us!

GSA Calendar December 2024

My Good School every Sunday

1st December 

Lina Ashar

Dreamtime Learning
- My Name Is Cinnamon reading by Jugjiv Singh

8th December

Amardeep Singh

Screening of Episode 12
Allegory: A Tapestry of Guru Nanak's Travels
- The Inner Life Of Animals - reading by Sandeep Dutt

Sunbeam Schools #JoyOfLearning

Varanasi YES Workshop for students and Joy Of Giving for teachers from 12th December to 16th December.

15th December

My Name Is Cinnamon - Jugjiv Singh

The Inner Life Of Animals - Sandeep Dutt

22nd December

Meeting with Anika Singh of VOYCE, a Social Artist.

https://www.voyce.in

The Inner Life Of Animals - Sandeep Dutt

28th December 

The Impact Team Meeting at 7:00 pm

WhatsApp Group Call

29th December
My Name Is Cinnamon - Jugjiv Singh
The Inner Life Of Animals - Sandeep Dutt
Reflections for 2024 - learning outcomes from the YES Workshops at Varanasi.

Good Schools India Journal

2nd December

Reading for a Living

Sandeep Dutt
15th December
2 Girls 1 Mic - Oshi and Simar 
27th December 
Where Passion Meets Education

The Teacher's Academy

Masterclass every Saturday at 5:30 pm
7th, 14th, 21st and 28th December

Book reading:

Shomie Das, The Man Who Saw Tomorrow

Masterclass by Sandeep Dutt

Joy Of Giving

My Good School Retreat 2024, from 13th to 16th November 2024. 

Don't miss out—scroll down to discover how you can be a part of something amazing! 

 

 JOY OF GIVING by Learning Forward India Foundation

**JOY OF GIVING with Learning Forward India Foundation**

Kunal Rajpurohit has crafted an incredible roadmap for the Joy Of Giving initiative under the Good Schools Alliance. Join us in making a difference and lend a helping hand to the students and community at the Arthur Foot Academy. Together, we can spark joy and create brighter futures! Let's do this!

Birthday Message from GSA Principal

Dear My Good School, 

I wish you a very Happy Birthday. I hope you have an amazing year and the happiest of birthdays. The time spent with you is akin to discovering oneself and connecting it to one's potential. All it takes to make any of us smile is your presence. We appreciate you being here and motivating us.

On this special day, I would like to express my sincere gratitude for the participation of our beloved GSA member schools. School leaders, parents, and my dear students. Last but not least our beloved Sandeep sir, for his motivation and passion towards bringing all of us together and igniting the spark of light towards a common goal #Joy of Learning. 

Your presence contributed immensely to our success story, and we truly appreciate your support. We truly appreciate your thoughts and recommendations as we think about and anticipate improving our upcoming experiences.

On behalf of GSA, I would like to thank each one of you, and invite you to the GSA retreat from 13th to 16thNovember. It's going to be a memorable experience for all of us. Our vision is to create #JoyofLearning focusing on reading, reflection, and building relationships.

Once again, a very Happy Birthday. Continue to rise and shine.

Warmly

Manisha Khanna

GSA Principal

Thank you, Good School Alliance!

Happy Birthday 

Our dear GSA

On behalf of the entire Sunbeam School and Hostel, Lahartara, we wish Good School Alliance a very Happy Birthday!

Thank you for making our Sundays both interesting and full of values, with a touch of fun. To be honest, we thoroughly enjoy our Sundays thanks to your efforts.

You have truly made a great impact on our lives, and we are grateful to have you.

Thank you, Good School Alliance!

Warm regards,

Sunbeam School and Hostel

Lahartara

My Good School Retreat 2024

My Good School Retreat 2023

Reflections 

“ Like every chapter in the book has its own ending, our Retreat also ended with memorable experiences and friendly relations. But the chapter containing our memories will be the best I have read and experienced.” Tenzin Nyingsel

“Seeing all the teachers and friends leaving with whom I spent an excellent time for four days, I almost cried. After spending four days together, I felt like we had been together for a very long period, and during this time, I became very close with them; I suppose that we all became so close that we were much more than best friends and because of this bond I emotional when everyone was leaving, the only thing which  I could say was " goodbye " and " best wishes ahead " I wanted to say many things, but the words were not coming from my mouth, one after one everyone started leaving and only HPS (Hyderabad Public School) group were left, for few minutes we talked and after a while, they were also nowhere to be seen.” - Tenzin Jambey

‘I have got many great opportunities in my life. The excellent My Good School Retreat is one of the best opportunities, giving me many life lessons. This will be an unforgettable part of my life. I had never been so excited about many things, but this was the opposite. I have described below my experiences and what I learned during this retreat” Nishan Karki

—-

Dear Teachers,

Hope you had a nice day.

When I got a chance to attend the My Good School Retreat in the Doon Girls School, first l was very excited to see the people from various parts of India whom I had only heard or seen on the screen. On the other hand, I needed clarification about interacting with them. But who knew that I would talk to everyone and enjoy with them. 

On the first day, we walked to Khalanga War Memorial, Nalapani, accompanied by Col Vikram Thapa and two more people. One of them was around the 70s and was very kind and friendly. We learnt many things from him, like about the Khalanga War etc. After the walk, we returned to The Doon Girls School, where we had the Icebreaking session, held after the tasty lunch in the school. In the evening, we had presentations by various schools which were knowledgeable, but at the same time, I was scared too, as it was my first presentation in public.

            

We left for The Doon School the next day, which was a great life opportunity for me. There we had our breakfast, and I liked the school system as it was different from regular schools; all the activities done in the school were looked after by the students and even the school assembly. After the walk in the school, we went forward to Khan Farm, Biharigarh. We had a nature walk and played many games, including the talent show, team building and leadership activity. Through those games, we learned how a leader should act.

It was the second last day when we returned from Biharigarh. Then back in school, we had to reflect on our two-day journey. And I had many things to say, but couldn't I be nervous to say things in front of others. When it was my turn to speak, I said something funny, which made everyone laugh. After that, we had our friendly basketball match between the retreat team and the Doon Girls School. Fortunately, we won the game by one point. There was a situation when I snatched the ball from a girl, but later in the game, she took revenge, which was fun.

On the last day, it was Earth Day celebrations in which many schools came and sang songs based on nature, and we also sang the song "Somewhere In The World".

I am very thankful to the Director of Pesstalozzi for giving us such a great opportunity, Shelja Ma'am, and Minaxi Ma'am for supporting us.

Thanking you 

Yours faithfully,

Monika Singh Pundir 

Pestalozzi India Children’s Village

Check out the Retreat 2023 Album

https://photos.retreat.2023

Note-taking and Reflections - What is the difference?

Notes Vs Reflections

Recording your thoughts and spreading your insights are unique tasks, each with its intentions and outcomes.

Note-taking: - Involves recording information, ideas, or insights from a lesson, lecture, or reading.

• Focuses on capturing facts, concepts, and details.
• Helps with memory retention, review, and reference.
• Often done individually.

Sharing reflections: - Involves sharing thoughts, opinions, or insights about what has been learned.

• Focuses on making connections, analysing, and evaluating information.
• Encourages critical thinking, synthesis, and application.
• Often done collaboratively or publicly, such as in a discussion or blog post.

While note-taking is primarily about capturing information, sharing reflections is about processing, interpreting, and sharing perspectives. 

Sharing reflections

#JoyOfLearning

Help us ignite the #JoyOfLearning! We are dedicated to empowering passionate educators, teachers, and students by equipping them with the essential skills of reading, reflection, and fostering strong relationships. Your candid reflections are invaluable and contribute to the cultivation of a culture rooted in trust and continuous learning. Embrace the #HappyTeachers movement and witness the positive impact it will have on your own professional image. Let's spread the joy of learning together!

Sunbeam Varuna #JoyOfLearning

 We love ❤️ Sunday School

We are reading

Jataka Tales by Francis & Thomas

The Hidden Life of Trees by Peter Wohlleben

Why are we here?

GOOD SCHOOLS ALLIANCE

Transforming Education  Discover our cutting-edge Curriculum and join our online school community. Open to everyone from 9 to 90+ #JoyOfLearning. 

• Curriculum
• Pedagogy 
• The Impact - Assessment

We are the Good Schools Alliance (GSA)

1. The 6 C's Curriculum
2. Pedagogy - the method of teaching - My Good School (includes Internship), The Teacher's Academy (includes Fellowship), YouTube Channel (learning resources), and Book Cafe - champions our core message #ReadToLead
3. Our focus is on promoting GSA and working with 25 Schools year-on-year. With limited schools, we will be able to ensure the personal and social development of every individual.
4. Partners are not our Pedagogy or part of our Curriculum. They work with us on pilot programs—their own—and if the schools wish to connect with them, they are most welcome.

Please ask questions and give your feedback. We want to make GSA a leading school transformation agency in India. If you require assistance, please email Atom at LF@ebd.in. You may message us by SMS, Telegram, or WhatsApp at +91 9811133900.

Sandeep Dutt
Founder Good Schools Alliance
www.SchoolEducation.com

JOL Diaries Newsletter - June 2024

Newsletter June 2024 by Rishona Chopra

“My Good School is not just a school; it's a place that offers many opportunities to learn and grow. Whether making posters or writing blogs, these activities have enhanced my writing and creative skills and instilled essential life values like compassion, giving, and resilience.” Arav Arav, Class 5 

The JOL Diaries newsletter is published on the 14th day of every month, and it captures the joy of learning we experience working together nationwide. 


Links For Back issues:
May 2024 
April 2024  
March 2024 
February 2024 
January 2024

Swan Song - Sandeep Dutt

#JoyOfLearning #MyGoodSchool #HappyTeachers #SchoolsCanChange #WherePassionMeetsEducation #DilJeeto #BrewingKnowledge and all the hashtags of my life!

The Jai Hind Project - Vineet KKN 'Panchi'

Streaming Worldwide

The Interns of My Good School produce podcasts with élan. Listen to heartwarming stories about schools, schooling and their passion for education. Check out the Learning Forward Podcast on Spotify, Apple, Google, or your favourite podcast application.

In Season 13, Episode 5 of Learning Forward, Vineet KKN 'Panchhi' converses with Anvesha Rana and Saikiran Sahu, leaving a lasting impression on listeners with his unconventional introduction. While most guests are introduced by their educational qualifications, Vineet urged audiences to focus on his passions instead. From cars and bikes to travel and communication, music, outdoor films, voice acting, writing, leadership coaching, and Urdu poetry, Vineet is a dynamic individual with diverse interests. He describes himself as a "rolling stone" and has pursued his passions relentlessly. From being a teenage musician in a band to a filmmaker, communication expert, and Urdu poet, Vineet has done it all. He is also the founder of The Jai Hind Project and Word of Mouth Media. By showcasing his unique perspective, Vineet's approach inspires viewers to embrace and pursue their passions with the same dedication and commitment.

Reflections for 2023 - Tenzin Jambey

The Sunday School Session on the 31st of December by My Good School was an exciting session for students and teachers as they spent time reading, reflecting, and looking back on how their relationships deepened in 2023. They focused on improving their reading, writing, and speaking skills. Tenzin Jambey, a dedicated student who attended every Sunday School session in 2023, is eager to share how it has transformed his life, what he has learned, and his plans for the future. Be sure to tune in and listen.

Do it for yourself - Rishona Chopra

PC. VectorStock

Often, we find ourselves doing things to please someone else. To get appreciation. We all are like that, even I. It makes me feel happy when one appreciates me. But there is one more thing to the appreciation - the pressure. 

When one appreciates you, you feel burdened to always do well, be an achiever and keep striving but when you fall in that cycle, you lose the joy of doing the task in the very first place. You now don't do it for self-pleasure but to please someone else.

When we do that, the task eventually becomes a burden and all happiness is replaced by fear and nervousness. Whatever we do, we should be doing it just for ourselves. Not for seeking prestige and glory. 

Why are we here in this world? What is our purpose? To do our part in the world and be kind. That is our purpose. And the key to fulfilling that purpose is to be happy and content with ourselves. To do all our tasks for mere joy and happiness.

I write because it gives me joy. I read because it takes me to another world. I play the piano because it makes my heart soar with happiness. If I did all these things for someone else then it wouldn't give me the same joy that it gave me before.

There are two meanings that come out when we say “ Do it for yourself”. One is that we do something because it gives us happiness. Because we love that task. The second is to help out someone else yet enjoy the task and not lose the joy in doing it.

Helping out someone is fantastic but everything we must do must be done with passion and happiness. If no joy, the beauty of the work itself disappears.

When you eat the food at a restaurant and when you eat something homemade, there is a humongous difference! The food at home is made with love and you can feel that while eating the food.  The joy and passion in work are shown similarly no matter how it may look or be.

When we say "Joy of learning" the keyword isn't "Learning", it is "Joy". We learn for our own joy and happiness. 

As said, live your life for you, not for anyone else.

Rishona Chopra

Grade VII

Gyanshree School

Celebrating the work and life of Brinda Ghosh

Please play the podcast

Learning for life

Season 12, Episode 7 A teacher is a compass that activates the magnets of curiosity, knowledge and wisdom in the pupils. The most immense joy a teacher experiences is witnessing the success of their students. They pave the path for us and bring us back on the right track if we ever begin to deviate. Teachers are the lamps that light up the most tedious journeys we may experience. However, what makes them unique is that they instil the joy of learning in us! 

Tune into 2 Girls 1 mic as Simar and Oshi delve into another beautiful and hearty conversation with the teacher, guide and mentor who never fails to inspire everyone around her. Joining them on ‘Away with the Chalkboard Blues’ is Ms. Brinda Ghosh. The love she brings forward for her students and her passion for teaching is like no other. Her method of teaching truly encapsulates the students in the subject. 

Feel free to leave comments as you join us in this hearty and engaging discussion. Please leave us comments in the comment section! We would love to read them. 

JOL Diaries November 23

Newsletter by My Good School

"This Children's Day of the year 2023, we are most delighted to bring you the first issue of our monthly newsletter, and we look forward to the middle of every month to get into the middle of your heart and mind with #JoyOfLearning".
Rishona Chopra, School Captain

My First 'Venture' to 'My Good School'...- Unnati Dabral

Did I call it a 'venture'?

Indeed yes.

You might be thinking, "Why I wrote venture instead of putting 'visit'?" Of course, to make my readers wonder why? And to make them curious.

I was a creative and rough-tough kid since I first started schooling. But that doesn't mean I was confident back then. When it comes to vivas, although my 'Know it All' attitude used to kick in, I used to get nervous. I still do.

So, the first fellow to join 'My Good School' happened to be my friend, Geetankshi. She told me about this opportunity at 'The English Book Depot'. She told me to write about 'What it takes to spread the joy of learning at schools?', mail it, and then wait for the reply. At first, I procrastinated on the task for a few days. My friend told me to visit the place and meet the founder. I thought it was a good idea. I wrote a mail to the head body before leaving for the visit.

The moment I reached there, I fell in love with the place.

I pondered, "What a wonder it would be to work in such a peaceful and calming environment!"

I went straight ahead towards our founder to greet him. With the intention of an intellectual chit-chat as I go. Alas! I end up giving an interview for the post. I was in bewilderment. Sandeep Sir asked me about learning; how do children learn?; what is the joy of learning; what can we do to spread it in our schools?

Amidst answering a few of them, I went blank for a few minutes. Firstly, I had no clue that I would be at the trigger point for the interview. Geetankshi told me otherwise. Secondly, It was an interview. Jeez, my heart was palpating. I was feeling so nervous. One could have seen my arm-hair twitch. 

The interview was over. I felt the sluggishness under my skin. Sir told me about 'My Good School', its vision, Learning Forward India, etc. And soon after, I found my heartbeats slowing down and healing. It was Sandeep Sir, and what he said at the end, "So, this is what we do. Now you are a Fellow at My Good School. Welcome. अब तो मुझसे डर नहीं लग रहा, ना?"

I called the visit 'A Venture'. 

And what a venture it was!

Have you ever 'Bungee Jumped'?

The nervousness and the feeling of hollowness in your stomach you get before jumping off the cliff is what I felt during the interview. And the power you have felt in your gut after accomplishing the task, that same power I felt after his words. And thus, I felt at home at that moment. The acceptance I got as an individual on my own was so pure. I was so happy, felt so content and thankful to god. The feeling was unforgettable.

I have always thought of being a part of such a generous vision. And getting an opportunity to work for 'Joy Of Learning' at 'My Good School' with such a fabulous team is the most 'beatific feeling' I had in so long.

I feel I am in the right place. 

Thank you so much, Sir. 🙏

~Unnati Dabral 🌻

(Fellow at My Good School)