Sunbeam My Good School Retreat 2025 - Opening Ceremony and Highlights

 

My Good School Retreat 2025 opened today at Sunbeam Gramin School, Varanasi, in the presence of distinguished members of the Sunbeam Group of Educational Institutions, the Good Schools Alliance, and other esteemed guests. With 117 students and mentors from 16 outstation and core Sunbeam branches, the grand opening set the tone for four inspiring days of learning, reflection, and collaboration — where students from diverse and marginalized backgrounds come together to learn, share, and grow through experiential and value-driven education.

Anchored gracefully by Sunbeam Gramin School students, the day witnessed soulful chanting, music, dance, and dialogue — beautifully capturing the spirit of education beyond classrooms, one that nurtures empathy, equality, and real-world understanding.

The GSA Retreat 2025 an enriching confluence of learning, leadership, and culture! 🌟 Over five remarkable days, participants explored new ideas, engaged in reflective workshops, and experienced the spiritual and cultural essence of Varanasi. From teamwork to self-discovery, every moment inspired growth, connection, and purpose — truly embodying the spirit of the Good Schools Alliance. 💫

Honesty: A Timeless Value from the Good School Session- Sunbeam School, Ballia

Today's Reflection on Good School Session

Today's session was truly inspiring and encouraging. In our reading session with Manisha Ma’am and Jugjiv Sir, we explored the book “ईमानदारी” (Honesty) through the exemplary lives of Lal Bahadur Shastri, Abraham Lincoln, and others. We learned about the significance of honesty in a student’s life and how parents and teachers can instill this value in young minds.

One key takeaway that resonated with me was: “We should always be honest and follow the right path, regardless of what others think about us.” This lesson has left a lasting impact on me, and I am grateful for the opportunity to reflect on it.

Thank you to Manisha Ma’am and Jugjiv Sir for such a thought-provoking session.

Ifra Wahid, IX-F
Sunbeam School, Ballia

Jai Hind, dear readers

I am Aayush Kumar Singh, writing this reflection on the session taken by Manisha Khanna Ma’am.

In today’s session, Manisha Ma’am shared how people still carry deep faith and honesty. She told us how, during namaz, shopkeepers leave their shops open and go for prayer. Customers come, take what they need, and leave the money there before going.

This really touched me because it shows that even in today’s world, where we often hear about dishonesty and selfishness, there are still places and people where trust is alive. It is inspiring to see that values like honesty, responsibility, and respect are still being practiced today.

The session reminded me that trust is not just an old value but something we can live by even now. If we act truthfully and responsibly, we can also strengthen this culture of faith and honesty in our surroundings.

Aayush Kumar Singh, X-A
Sunbeam School, Ballia

The Gala Time Paradox: Fun Now, Panic Later - Manisha Khanna

Coach or Control? The Classroom Tug of War

It’s 2025, and students have unlocked a superpower: selective hearing.

• Homework? “Oh… that was just a suggestion, right?”

• Deadlines? “But sir/ma’am… time is a social construct.”

• Writing assignments? “Pens are so last century, can’t we just send emojis?”

Meanwhile, Netflix, gaming, memes, and reels enjoy full attendance and 100% completion rates.

Motivation—the old fairy godmother of education—seems to have retired. “Follow your passion” has been upgraded to “Follow whatever is fun right now.” Result? Balance and time management are missing in action, probably lying somewhere between a half-finished essay and a three-hour YouTube binge on “10 ways cats secretly rule the world.”

Why do students hate writing anyway?

• “My hand hurts!” – after writing exactly three lines.

• “Why write when AI/Google can?”

• “The page looks so scary… all that white space judging me.”

• “Typing is faster, duh.”

• “Do I really need to write an essay when I can just make a reel about it?”

Writing, for many, feels like running a marathon… barefoot… uphill… in the snow.

Control or Coach?

• Control Approach: Strict rules, constant monitoring, and punishments given out like free Wi-Fi passwords. Effective for a bit—until students start treating you like the router itself: only noticed when you block their connection.

• Coach Approach: Gentle nudges, guiding questions, and life lessons. Teaching that freedom without responsibility is like a pizza without cheese—fun for one bite, but regret forever. Coaching is slower, but it builds habits, self-awareness, and the ability to manage life (and deadlines) without panic attacks.

The Secret Recipe 🍲

In today’s world, pure control sparks rebellion, while pure coaching can feel too “chill.” The magic is in mixing the two—a coach with a pinch of control. Like adding just enough salt to pasta: too much ruins it, too little makes it bland.

Because while gala time is great, learning to balance fun with goals isn’t just a school requirement—it’s a life superpower. And that, dear students, is as non-negotiable as exam dates.

A Question Back to You ✍️

If writing feels like a burden, why did every great thinker, leader, and creator—from poets to inventors—still turn to pen and paper to capture their thoughts?
Maybe writing isn’t about the homework at all—it’s about discovering your own mind on paper.

Now it’s your turn: What do you think writing gives us that no screen or shortcut can? 

Write back—because your thoughts matter.

Manisha Khanna

Hearts That Share & Minds That Grow - Lotus Petals Foundation

Hearts That Share & Minds That Grow by Lotus Petal Foundation (Special Project of the Good Schools Alliance)

The students of Lotus Petals Foundation eagerly look forward to Sundays, as it's their special time for reflection and joy. They cherish this quiet moment where thoughts are shared, feelings are expressed, and learnings are celebrated. For them, Sunday reflections are not just about looking back, but also about dreaming ahead. They love the warmth, the stories, and the sense of togetherness it brings, making it the most awaited part of their week.

My Good School, first-ever Webinar

📚 Session Summary – Book Reading Webinar

Date: 13th July 2025
Platform: We moved from Zoom Meetings to Webinars
Occasion: Weekly Reading Session

Special Mention: Ms. Manisha Khanna has completed one year with My Good School. Congratulations on this achievement!

🎯 Meeting Purpose

• Promote emotional literacy, giving mindset, and expression through reading and reflection.

• Provide upcoming creative platforms to nurture student writing and publishing skills.

📘 Books Discussed

1. The Inner Life of Animals
   Chapter: Something Special in the Air

   • Highlighted animals' emotional sensitivity and how they use droplets like perfume to express themselves.

2. क्या आपका बच्चा दुनिया का सामना करने के लिए तैयार है?
   Chapter: देने का जज़्बा

   • Focused on the joy of giving—not only financially, but through acts of time, care, and compassion.

🗝️ Key Takeaways

• Emotional Communication in Nature: Understanding that animals also feel and communicate in invisible but powerful ways.

• Giving with Heart: Students related to the broader meaning of generosity and contribution.

• Reflections Shared: Students participated by reading and discussing their blogs, despite initial technical challenges.

• Gratitude and Confidence: The webinar format initially posed challenges, but students appreciated the opportunity to speak and be heard.

ℹ️ Information Shared with Students

• The session was converted into a webinar due to attendance exceeding 100, as Zoom meetings have a participant limit.

• Students were informed in advance to prepare accordingly.

✍️ Upcoming Opportunities 

1. Story Writing Competition

   • Last Date for Submission: 19th July

   • Registration Required: https://dreamtimelearningcommunity.com/the-friendship-story-challenge/

   • Winners Announcement: On Friendship Day via the My Good School community website

2. Publishing Course

   • Start Date: 9th August

   • Duration: 10 weeks

   • Schedule: Every Saturday, 11:00 AM – 12:30 PM

   • Mode: Zoom (link shared after registration)

   • If unable to register online, centre coordinators can share school-wise lists with names and ages of interested students.

⚠️ Things to Work On

• Equip students for smooth webinar interaction.

• Introduce more speaking opportunities in large groups.

• Streamline future communication about technical and platform changes.

My Good School, Sunday the 8th June 2025

Watch a recording of the session on YouTube

https://youtu.be/MyGoodSchool

Critical thinking question. 

Focus on values such as kindness, uncertainty, responsibility, fairness, and choice.

🌱 1. The Umbrella and the Smile

 Anaya gave an extra umbrella to an old woman in the rain. She felt good but worried, "What if I need it later?"

अनाया ने बारिश में अपनी एक अतिरिक्त छतरी एक बुज़ुर्ग महिला को दे दी। उसे अच्छा लगा, लेकिन सोचा, "अगर बाद में मुझे इसकी ज़रूरत पड़ी तो?"

Q: Why do you think people help others even when they're unsure about the future?

प्रश्न: लोग दूसरों की मदद क्यों करते हैं, जब वे भविष्य को लेकर अनिश्चित होते हैं?

🧃 2. The Last Juice Box

 Aarav had only one juice box in his bag. His friend was tired and thirsty, so Aarav gave it to him.

आरव के पास बैग में केवल एक जूस था। उसका दोस्त थका हुआ था और प्यासा भी, इसलिए आरव ने उसे दे दिया।

Q: Was Aarav’s choice wise? Why or why not?

प्रश्न: क्या आरव का निर्णय सही था? क्यों या क्यों नहीं?

⏰ 3. The Group Project

Riya did all the work for the group project because her teammates didn't help. They all got the same grade.

रिया ने ग्रुप प्रोजेक्ट का सारा काम अकेले किया क्योंकि उसके साथी मदद नहीं कर रहे थे। फिर भी सभी को समान अंक मिले।

Q: Do you think it's fair when everyone gets credit for one person's effort?

प्रश्न: जब एक व्यक्ति का काम सबको समान रूप से सराहा जाता है, तो क्या यह उचित है?

💧 4. The Forgotten Bottle

 Rahul forgot his water bottle. His classmate offered to share, even though she had little left.

 राहुल अपनी पानी की बोतल भूल गया। उसकी सहपाठी ने थोड़ा ही पानी होने पर भी उसे साझा किया।

Q: What does this tell you about sharing during difficult times?

प्रश्न: यह कठिन समय में साझा करने के बारे में आपको क्या सिखाता है?

🖍️ 5. The Broken Crayon

Meera accidentally broke another student's crayon. She felt bad and gave her a replacement crayon.

मीरा ने गलती से किसी और की क्रेयॉन तोड़ दी। उसे बुरा लगा और उसने अपनी क्रेयॉन उसे दे दी।

Q: Why is it important to take responsibility for our mistakes?

प्रश्न: अपनी गलती की जिम्मेदारी लेना क्यों ज़रूरी है?

🕊️ 6. The Bird on the Window

A bird sat quietly on the classroom window. Everyone wanted to scare it away, but Ishaan said, "Let's just watch it."

एक चिड़िया चुपचाप कक्षा की खिड़की पर बैठी थी। सब उसे उड़ाना चाहते थे, लेकिन ईशान ने कहा, "आओ, बस इसे देखें।"

Q: What does this moment teach us about patience and respect for life?

प्रश्न: यह पल हमें धैर्य और जीवन के प्रति सम्मान के बारे में क्या सिखाता है?

Echoes of Experience: Student Insights from the Retreat

Peer Learning in Action: Reflections from the My Good School Retreat 2025

We all learn best through shared experiences—with peers who walk alongside us and mentors who guide us thoughtfully. From April 11 to 14, 2025, students from various schools gathered for the My Good School Retreat at the serene and lush Khan Farm, located near Rajaji National Park in Haridwar.

Set against the backdrop of nature, this Retreat was a celebration of fun, friendship, learning, and a lifetime of memories. Over four days, students engaged in enriching conversations, collaborative tasks, reflective journaling, and soulful moments that nurtured not just their intellect but also their hearts.

More than just an event, the Retreat was a journey of self-discovery, shared values, and meaningful connection. With this experience, learning flowed freely, not through textbooks, but through dialogue, activities, and quiet moments under the open sky.

Let us now hear directly from those who experienced it—the students themselves. Their journal entries, carefully penned and compiled into a digital folder, offer a glimpse into their minds and hearts. Through their reflections, we see the impact of learning beyond the classroom, shaped by empathy, understanding, and inspiration.

Step into their stories and experience the magic of the My Good School Retreat 2025—through the voices that matter most.

Students united in nature, discovering joy, learning, and lifelong bonds at the My Good School Retreat.
Visit www.inyouth.in for more details. Keep following us for Reading, Reflection, and building Relationships.

"As mentors, we don't just teach—we listen, guide, and grow alongside our students."

The YES Way (TYW) - Service, Skill, Sport and Study - our log books for the My Good School Retreat.

The students and teachers from the participating schools formed teams to cherish the #JoyOfLearning at the Retreat. The groups shared their journey of learning in four presentations, the first, The Fastest Cheetah, is followed by three more in the following posts:

• The Fastest Cheetah - TYW 1

• The Lion King - TYW 2

• Black Cat Group - TYW 3

• The Brave Dog - TYW 4

Manisha Khanna
GSA Ambassador

The YES Way: The Fastest Cheetah - TYW 1

TYW 1

PYDS Learning Academy.pdf by Learning Forward India Foundation

AI vs. Teacher: The Perfect Pairing for Student Success! 🤖👩‍🏫✨_ Adya Agrawal

AI and teachers each play unique roles in a student's life. 🤖 AI offers instant access to information and personalized lessons 📚, available 24/7 ⏰ without tiring. It can quickly assist with homework and research 📝, providing quick answers and resources 🌐. However, it lacks the human touch 💔, and its understanding of emotional needs and personal challenges is limited. On the other hand, teachers 👩‍🏫 bring emotional intelligence 💖, guiding students not only in academics but also in their personal and social development 👫. They create a supportive, motivating environment 🏫, adapt to each student's learning style 🎨, and offer real-world experiences 🧠 and encouragement 🌟. While AI is an incredible tool for instant assistance, teachers nurture students' overall growth and well-being in ways AI cannot replicate. ✨

Adya Agrawal
Sunbeam Suncity Hostel

Through Young Eyes - Shubhangi, Sunbeam Lahartara

Reading: A Gateway to Knowledge ✨

Reading is more than just deciphering words on a page; it’s an adventure for the mind and soul. 📖✨ It opens doors to new worlds, expands horizons, and enriches our understanding of life.

Why Read? ❓

1. Boosts Imagination 🎨

   • Books transport us to magical lands, historical events, and futuristic realms. Every word paints a picture in our minds.

2. Enhances Knowledge 📚

   • Whether it’s science, history, or art, reading is a treasure trove of information.

3. Improves Focus and Concentration 🔮

   • Reading requires undivided attention, training our minds to concentrate better.

4. Builds Empathy ❤️

   • By stepping into characters’ shoes, we learn to understand and share others’ feelings.

5. Strengthens Language Skills 🌍✌️

   • The more we read, the better our vocabulary and comprehension skills become.

Shubhangi
Sunbeam 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

Happy Teacher's Day 2024

On Teacher's Day, Tanmay Gupta, a seventh-grader from Sunbeam Suncity School, and Naitik, a seventh-grade student at the same school, both express their gratitude to their teachers. They believe that teachers play a crucial role in shaping their lives and want to genuinely thank them for their patience and the knowledge they have shared. They also acknowledge their teachers' countless hours in helping them grow. They urge everyone to take a moment to remember their teachers' impact and express gratitude by genuinely thanking them. 

Yashraj, the Head Boy of the High School at Gyanshree Noida, is an intern at My Good School.

#HappyTeachersDay

Learning Forward with Dr Niti Rana

Coming Soon Learning Forward Podcast

with Dr Niti Rana, in conversation with Anvesha and Rishona

Dr Niti Rana is the founder of Rakshya Nepal, an organisation established in 2008 to address the issue of school bullying. Through her work, Dr Rana has significantly contributed to raising awareness about and combating school bullying in Nepal. Her organisation, Rakshya Nepal, works towards creating safe and inclusive learning environments for students by implementing anti-bullying programs and providing support to victims of bullying. Dr. Niti Rana's dedication and efforts have positively impacted the lives of many students in Nepal.

Read more in the book School Bullying: Peer Victimisation and How to Deal with It.

My visit to SchoolEducation.com - Tenzin Jambey

After visiting the website, I found that the focus on the development of the thinking abilities of the students is the priority of My Good School, and it also focuses on the improvement of reading, writing and speaking skills of children. 

My Good School gives us a platform for sound learning, and its teaching is among the top schools. Instead, it teaches many life lessons and excellent morals, which would be helpful to till our last breath. 

On the website there is a picture of a book named My Good School which is a great book written by Sandeep Sir the book tells about the ways of making a good school better, a place where everyone can enjoy the teachings and learning. 

I think My Good School is teaching us many many lessons and gives messages that would prove productive in our future.

Tenzin Jambey

Pestalozzi Children’s Village India

My Graduation Day Experience - Tenzin Jambey

Middle School Khremeteng Tawang is located in a lovely place in Tawng district in Arunachal Pradesh, and it was a government school still; I never felt it like some people say about government schools. My old school was one-tenth of my Ann Mary School at Dehradun.

Middle School Khremeteng is a small school with a playing ground in the middle; during assembly hours, the rising sun scene used to be much like Paradise. The total strength of the students there was less than 100, and here in one class, students exceeded more than 100. I was so attached to my school, the teachers, friends, seniors, peon aunty and other staff. My love for my old school can not be expressed in words, people love thinking of the future, but it makes me feel good when I think of my past time. The school here at Dehradun is different from my old school in the way of teaching, the school environment, people's way of speaking, rules and regulations, and almost everything else. After seeing this week's reflection topic, the happy memories of my childhood in my old school flashed back. The name of my school is Govt. 

I hated the word Sunday and holiday then, but now I wait for Sunday; it proves everything changes with time. The starting time of school was 8:30, but I would reach at 7:00 and wait for everyone to come; it used to be fun spending time alone at school in the winter morning, and the cold breeze would make my body shiver. I would often take a page from my notebook and make an aeroplane out of it and watch it flying into the air; I still remember my math teacher, Rai sir, who would pull my ears till they turned red in colour for taring pages he would tell me the value of paper. Yes, it was a valuable lesson for me. 

The total strength of students at my new school is 1000+, and it is difficult to know and make everyone my friend, but I still remember the names and qualities of each student of my old school. Sometimes I feel like hugging my childhood friends and shedding happy tears. It was them who made my childhood days Wonderland. I will never forget the games we used to play marbles, matchbox cards, coins, 7 stamps, gilli danda, chor police, cock fight, hopscotch, hoop rolling and many more. At that time, we knew very little about mobile games and entertainment. We would entertain ourselves by saying filmy dialogues. It was a government school, as I said, that's why we used to get lunch meals on Monday, Wednesday and Friday and eat food with friends on the same plate friends in the same plate with raw chilli and chips packet was what I enjoyment really meant for me. 

Every teachers and peon aunty had a great love for us, and I loved the way they used to love and care for us. During those time, time really flew like a kite in the sky, and I didn't even realise that I had reached class 5 after the finals were over; one of my teachers told us that we needed to give a test and the students who will pass in an exam would be taken for a trip to Shillong, but this wasn't the actual case it was actually the selection test, the selection of students for Pestalozzi. After one month or two, I got a message that I got selected and had to say goodbye to my friends. 

On the last day, they all hugged me with all their power and strength as nobody knew whether we would meet again or not, and yes, it did happen; I still didn't get to contact my few friends. 

Their last word was, " Jambey make a cut in my hand, and it would serve as a friendship mark", and I told them ", it's not always necessary to let the world know how much you love somebody " I told them I would miss them and promised to never forget them.

This is the story of my graduation day experience at my old school. On the last day of school, all these memories kept distributing me till late at night; even now, when I see the word friends, their faces come back to my mind.

Tenzin Jambey, Pestalozzi Children's Villiage India