Assembly by Grade 6E

It was a rare privilege for Grade 6E students to conduct the morning assembly on June 19, being the “world happy day”. 

The assembly started with a prayer requesting the almighty to shower happiness all around and bestow peace in this world. This was followed by a thought, which made the students put on their thinking caps and ponder on an important message. 

The children presented a wonderful song to which the entire assembly joined the chorus. Thereafter, few children from the class shared their experiences, elucidated the rationale and the need to smile, which has become a rare phenomenon these days. 

The assembly fostered students an opportunity to open up and share their thoughts with their peers. Further, it instilled in them a sense of pride and confidence to be able to speak in front of a large gathering.

All in all, it was a well conducted assembly.                

Information Day for the Students

The Grade VI batch of 2012-13 had an information day on the PYP Exhibition. They were informed about the purpose, process of exhibition and their role in the PYP Exhibition. 

It started with humming and tapping the feet to the tunes of classic ‘Heal the world’ where after students were asked if the world needed the healing. Most of them answered ‘Yes’. Further they were asked why and they came up saying the world is facing a lot of problems which needed to be solved. On asking if they thought they could heal the world we were astonished at their confident yes to the answer. After this short conversation they were taken through a presentation on the purpose and process of the PYP Exhibition. 

Finally they were asked to reflect upon the presentation with the following prompt: What is interesting about the PYP Exhibition? What may be difficult about the PYP Exhibition? Students were thrilled upon getting an opportunity to do the PYP Exhibition and we are looking forward to a great Exhibition this year.

Congratulations!!!

Vishal Namala of IBDP was awarded a scholarship by the University of Cincinnati in acknowledgement of outstanding academic and leadership achievements. He will be pursuing Bio Medical Engineering at Case Western University, Cleveland Ohio. Vishal has also received a scholarship from the Case Western University.

We extend our heartiest congratulations to Vishal and wish him success in all his endeavors.

Learning to Learn Week - Grade 6

The feeling of coming back to school after the summer vacation carries with it mixed feelings for children – the reality that the vacations have come to an end and it is time to start yet another academic year. Also, the joy of catching up with their class mates and their dear teachers is a unique experience in itself.

Therefore, the school took special efforts to welcome children back after their long vacation and got them started on a new and exciting session with the introduction of ‘Learning to Learn Week’.

The process of tuning in was done through a series of activities filled with fun and frolic, wherein the students were encouraged to participate and express their opinion without any inhibitions. The objective of these activities was to break the ice between the teachers and students, recapitulate what had been learnt in the previous year and above all it helped teachers to understand the strengths and challenges to be worked upon in the ensuing academic year.

It suffices to mention that the objective was comprehensively met and the children were found engaged in learning.

Science Summer Camp

A Science Summer Camp was organized by the National University of Singapore inviting a group of select students from the best schools across Asia. The objective of the camp was to foster inquiry and inculcate a lifelong fascination for Science at the undergraduate level. In addition to the regular sessions on Nanotechnology, DNA Analysis and Animal Classification, new sessions were introduced on Biofuels, DIY-Toys and Jellies.

Pratik Kunda one of our students from the Grade 12 IBDP was a part of the camp and his group won the first place in the Quiz conducted at the camp. This is what Pratik has to say…

‘I have just returned from the NUS science camp . I would like to say that it was an amazing experience. It was a very educational camp and I have gained a lot of insight into many fascinating science theories through practical lab work. I would also like to inform you that we were divided into about 50 groups of 3 people each for the final quiz competition and my group won first place. It was a very interesting and rewarding experience and has helped me learn a lot about myself and make many new friends. So I would recommend that more people join this camp next year and I would like to thank the school for giving me an opportunity to go for this summer camp.’

Congratulations Pratik!!! We do hope to have a representation of more students from Oakridge for the camp in the coming years.

Creating a positive school culture....

Attitude is a little thing that makes a big difference. In his address to the staff Capt. Bajaj spoke about 'attitude' as a prerequisite to promoting positive culture in school. It was inspiring and motivating to learn how attitudes can build or mar relationships be it personal or professional.

Learning does become an enjoyable experience in an atmosphere where students are valued and are given opportunities to feel empowered enough to make decisions and contribute in a productive way. As educators it is imperative that we provide them the right impetus to realize these goals. A little thing as making a classroom more visible and inviting to a student can kindle in him the spark to ‘learn’. In an age where children are susceptible to pressures it is a matter of significance that we create a positive climate that enhances a child’s self esteem.   

We may face challenges in life as adults but that  must only go to reinforce our values of respect and tolerance so that we as teachers are able to demonstrate and show the children the right path of mutual trust and acceptance to make them morally strong citizens.

One Earth, One Life, One Chance....

As part of the World Environment Day celebrations a poster making competition was organized at Oakridge and the entries were judged and given certificates as a token of appreciation and encouragement to the students. Advocating the message of conserving the environment some of the senior students of Grade XII also conducted classes for the Grade IV  on recycling waste. It was a very interactive session and the Juniors enjoyed being tutored by their peer group.  There was also a talk in the morning Assembly and the students spoke on the water crisis facing Hyderabad. It was good to see the awareness among the young crusaders and inspiring to hear them speak and act. 

 

Exploring the world of Film Making

Cinema has always been the most powerful medium of communication. It gives one the edge of exploring different cultures, providing meaningful insights into psychology, history and social changes.  Oakridge has always been a forerunner in providing opportunities for students to explore their creativity and potential to shape them as global citizens.  The film making club in collaboration with the Annapurna International School of Film and Media is yet another initiative by the school in this direction.

There was a presentation by the AISFM faculty at Oakridge for students aspiring to join the film making club. Speaking on the occasion the Principal, Capt.Bajaj said he was very happy that the plans for the film making club have taken off.  Chris the faculty from AISFM spoke to the students about what it means to be a Director and the nuances of film making. The comprehensive course aims at training students not only in film direction but also Script Writing, Advertising, directing music videos and short films.. It was an interactive session and there was a good response from the students who found it an enjoyable experience. 

Building relationships……

It is the language of reflection that deepens our knowledge of who we are in relation to others in a community of learners.

With the Seattle exchange programme coming to an end I think it is time to reflect on the learning and what we got to take back from our experiences. Being a part of an Exchange Programme has been a very enriching experience for me personally and I realized and observed that one just does not get to study a new culture but also build relationships that can last a lifetime.

My observation has been that I see the students more confident and expressive in their communication now. Their interactions and their relationship with their host families has been particularly good and one can see from the pictures how much at home the students were during the stay.

I would like to share some of the messages that I received from the host parents on the evening of my departure from Seattle and these again only prove my point that an Exchange Programme is also about ‘building relationships’……

‘We miss you already please stay in touch and know how enriched our lives are as a result of our Oakridge partnership’ – Kelly Herrington

‘Have a safe journey home. So wonderful getting to know you as well. We look forward to more wonderful visits..love to everyone at Oakridge’ – Lauren Denton

‘We all miss our new friends from India and feel so enriched by knowing you. Have a safe flight and I will be picturing you happily reuniting with your family’ – Mary Douglass

‘Oh…we already miss you. We were blessed to be able to share our home with you. We all thoroughly enjoyed getting to know you and you were wonderful guest. Our home is your home. As I said on Friday night, it was as if a gem dropped into our lives. Have a safe flight and please do let us know when you have arrived back safely’ – Harriett Phinney.

  

Ms.Mohseena Hussain

Activity Coordinator

Oakridge International School

CBSE Grade X Results 2011-12

 

Click the  link for CBSE Grade X Results -http://www.oakridge.in/Results_of_CBSE_Grade_X___2011_12_99.aspx?ANNOUNCEMENTS

An evening to remember...

The Oakridgers at Seattle were treated to a farewell dinner at one of the host family's place on the evening of their departure. One could see the bonding that had developed between the students and their host families as they got together and had fun. The Global Links faculty from U Prep was also a part of the farewell. There were parting gifts exchanged and it was a very emotional farewell. The fact that the boys bid a tearful farewell to their buddies and their host parents was evidence enough of the warmth and hospitality extended to them during their stay. It was a good interaction for the boys and I am sure they did get to take back a lot from the experience....

The second week of the scheduled visit to Seattle…

The second week of the scheduled visit to Seattle has been pretty busy for the Oakridgers with a visit to the Boeing plant, the Museum of Flight, the Bill Gates Foundation. The visit to the Boeing plant the students feel has by far been the best part of their tour.

The group also got together and gave a presentation to the Middle School at U Prep which was well received by the students and faculty. The students have been attending classes which they find very interesting and the discussions in the classes quite informative and thought provoking. The feedback from the faculty and the students about the group from Oakridge has been very encouraging and the host families have been incredibly warm in their hospitality. Some pictures of the students on their visits to places in Seattle.....