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.....

  

Oakridgers at Seattle....

Nestled among towering trees and beautiful mountains that is Seattle..the group from Oakridge landed on the 7 to a bright and sunny day the kind of weather that one does not experience here. My first observation about Seattle was unlike the weather that is damp and cold I found the Seattelites to be extremely warm and friendly people. The interactions with the host families and their hospitality only proved my point that we were just one big family.

A trip to the University of Washington was scheduled on the first day of the programme. It was both an exciting and informative trip as our tour guide took us around the campus showing us the lecture halls, the library , the sports complex to name a few. I am sure the children got to learn a lot from the experience of seeing students from all over the globe, the clubs and organizations they were volunteering for which I was given to understand is very much a part of the campus life. The permeating aroma of Thai food and a good lunch at one of the Thai restaurants completed our tour for the day.

The downtown tour was equally exciting which included a visit to the Pike place market, the Starbucks store and an underground tour of the city with an interesting story on how Seattle developed providing good insights into the history of the city.

Beginning & Ending Year Reflections!!!

After a successful academic year 2011-2012 ,it was time for rewards and recognition of teachers who went that extra mile to do their bit for this remarkable organization whose vision and values they share as a member. It was time for our teachers to let their hair loose and have fun. The academic year has been a roller coaster ride for everyone involved, with a fantastic beginning, turbulent midyear and a smooth sailing end. The amazing feedback of our ever supportive parents have motivated the teachers to take this further the next year .The entire school has come together as a team to make this year a memorable one. Be it the Phased induction, regional workshops, innumerable events ,PAT,CCEP ,innovative and creative classroom transactions ,everyone shared their ideas ,collaborated and ensured that each and every child gets the best .

Together we emerged as a team during our turbulent times and overcame our challenges. Every good deed has to be recognized, every effort has to be appreciated and this is exactly what we did on the beautiful morning ,of 23 April ...

What a fun day it was ..The teachers were nominated for best classroom, best learner, role model , most hardworking and regular attendance categories . A few teachers won hands down for the kind of commitment and dedication they had shown and continue to show .It was indeed a memorable morning with tears of joy, gratitude flowing....

Kudos to the organization for supporting and Kudos to the team for their persistent efforts and passion in taking the vision of this outstanding organization forward. Every teacher went home with a smile and extremely happy for being acknowledged and appreciated as all of them love being an ‘OAKRIDGER’