Principal Desk Update April 2023
- 11 April 2023
PRINCIPAL LETTER – APRIL 2023
March bustles in on windy feet – a little savage, a little severe, a little serene
Balancing academic excellence with opportunities to discover unique talents and passions was the motto of the month of March. A roller coaster ride, indeed! We are thrilled to share that we have been designated as a Nord Anglia Social Impact School and have received the prestigious Social Impact Bronze accreditation. As we reap in more laurels- two of our young learners’ bilingual stories were among the top 6 shortlisted stories in this year’s Global Campus writing competition. And certainly, passion is the driving force behind achievements.
A big thank you to our parent community for your constant support and encouragement. I appreciate the ways in which you all have indeed been very supportive and instrumental in the success we’ve achieved. All the support and accolades from you were so great to see. In our togetherness as a team, we will certainly build castles of accomplishments.
Accomplishment- story of a beginning, a struggle, a victory
Oakridge Bachupally is awarded the Social Impact distinction, bronze accreditation. This recognition is a testament to our unwavering dedication to upholding UN Rights and Objectives. We encourage them to participate in community projects aligned with the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals, empowering them to become active agents of change.
A $3,000 research and development grant was awarded to each of the student-led initiatives -“Nutrify the Needful” and “Eleos” by Nord Anglia Education. Both initiatives are completely led by students of Grade 11.
Nutrify the Needful aims at providing healthy meals to those in need and attaining SDG-2. Eleos will undoubtedly contribute to bridging the gap in educational opportunities and advancing a more equitable and just society.
Global Campus – Wall of fame
We are extremely delighted and proud to share that two of our young learners’ bilingual stories were among the top 6 shortlisted stories in this year’s Global Campus writing competition.
A.Rishi Bharadwaj’s [IB-PYP] and Tiara Ghosh’s [Cambridge Primary] stories were the two shortlisted stories from 118 entries from 43 countries. A.Rishi Bharadwaj was announced as the winner for this year in the Junior category.
A special assembly was organized to felicitate the winners and the participants of the writing competition. On this happy occasion, Global Campus wall was also unveiled by our MD, Mr. Christopher Short. On this note, I would encourage students to read Tiara Ghosh’s and A.Rishi Bharadwaj’s story on Global Campus. I urge our youngsters to ruffle their curious minds and explore the plethora of activities and engaging events catered for on this platform during the summer break.
Expert and Peer Discourse
April 18: Earth Day Talks
April 19: UNICEF Talk
UNICEF and Mental Health
Request all Oakridge students and staff to login to Global campus- GC Core-Social Impact with UNICEF-Peer Talks and be part of the sessions.
The live webinars are hosted by social impact student leaders about the action they are taking within their community. These talks will be aligned with opportunities for students to connect with their peers across the globe and with the UN International Days.
Optimism is the faith that leads to achievement.
On March 4 and 5, a regional SEAME&I conference took place at The Themaid campus in Doha, Qatar.
It was a good opportunity for the Bachupally campus to directly contribute to the conference with a presentation on Revolve, Reflect and Radiate: Enculturate student agency. The conference provided an opportunity to connect with educators and visionaries from across the NAE regions and take part in discussions about topics like Staff Student Well-Being, Transition to Continuous Provision, Inquiry-Based Teaching and Lifelong Learners, Young Leaders Program, and Amplifying Student Voice through Social Impact. It was indeed a rewarding and enriching experience.
Breaking Through – IWD – Embrace Equity
In celebration of International Women’s Day (IWD) on the 8th of March,2023, it was a great privilege to be a panelist and consider the theme “Embrace Equity” through the lens of the challenges facing girls and young women in schools, the workplace and wider society.
I also had the privilege to attend the India today’s conclave on 17 & 18 of March where may renowned politicians, sportsmen, film stars, scientists, and educators share their thoughts and views on the India moment – the present and future of India in various fields. It was truly a memorable experience to listen Narendra Modi, Prime Minister of India, about his vision of progressive India at the conclave.
Art evokes mystery – and the mind loves the unknown
The creative process is one of the most complex and beautiful parts of being human. It’s messy, frustrating, enjoyable, and different for everyone. Being creative helps us understand ourselves and the world. It’s a natural part of human expression that we should all value and cultivate.
Check out Yasheeta Singhi’s stunning Visual Art exhibition! Her body of work explores the theme of Nature and its elements, using unique perspectives to connect it to human experiences. With a variety of techniques and materials, Yasheeta’s works are visually striking and encourage viewers to appreciate and understand the world around us. As an IBDP student, Yasheeta’s growth as an IB learner is showcased in this exhibition.
Sustainable development requires Human Genuity – People are the most important resource.
Our DP1 students explored various ideas on sustainability for their IBDP Group 4 Project. After months of planning and designing, these first-year International Baccalaureate Diploma Program students developed five products with a theme in mind: “The Sustainable Cities” as part of their Group 4 project.
The projects ranged from Bio-wraps- a naturally made plastic that is one hundred percent biodegradable, Sustainablock – sustainably made cement, manufactured through recycling coconuts to making organic batteries with aloe vera through their product EcoCel, AquaGenie – a grey water recycling irrigation system using a moisture sensor and Solarsprout – an integrated solar irrigation system.
Group 4 was more than just a project; it was a truly rewarding journey.
Evaluation is creation: hear it, you creators!
DP assessment procedures measure the extent to which students have mastered advanced academic skills in fulfilling the goals: being able to analyze and present information, evaluate and construct arguments and solve problems creatively. Oakridge Bachupally is conducting its first DP examination this academic year. We are glad to have our kids on board and rigorously gearing up for the assessment.
We wish them abundant good luck!
Our kids have received multiple offers from prestigious universities like Rutgers University, Penn State University, University of California-San Diego, Virginia Tech. Their commitment to a well-rounded education and exceptional performance is a proof to this achievement.
We congratulate them on their exciting adventure ahead!
Kids are the kind of people who make things happen – explore, play and learn!
Cambridge Primary Affinity Clubs enabled us to dive into a diverse set of interests and experiences. The students gained hands-on management experience by sharing ideas, stories and doing experiments with those who reciprocate the interest. The kids were guided to make sure they were minding the gap between enjoyment and meaning. This type of learning allowed students to take risks, experiment with creativity, deal with hurdles and drive success. Finding purpose made students feel their work matters and makes a difference and thus they feel more valued and work in the direction of their purpose.
Sometimes the tiniest voice has the biggest things to say
Our tiny tots of Early years invited their parents to Student Led Conference to provide an insight into their learning activities. SLC is a wonderful opportunity for our young learners to pause and reflect. It was bliss to see them presenting with confidence and zeal. Reflection is indeed one of the most powerful tools to succeed.
As we prep up for the Academic Year 2023-2024
Book Cart
We are happy to inform you that the Book Cart sales for the new academic year 2023-24 have started from 14th March 2023 for CBSE Grades 10 & 12, 20th March 2023 for Grade 11, 1st May 2023 for other grades across Early Years to Grade 12 IBDP. Uniforms, Shoes, Textbooks and Stationery can be purchased through stores. Trial Rooms for uniform size checks will be set up from 19 April 2023 at school. We expect all our students to come to school in complete uniform in the ensuing academic year.
Organization Announcement
Continuing with our efforts to strengthen the growth of our school, we are looking to appoint the Head of International curriculum in AY23-24 who will take complete charge of the implementation of CAIE & IBDP programme in school.
Please be informed that Ms. Prasanti Manda, Head of IGCSE has decided to move because of personal reasons. We wish her all the very best in her future endeavors.
Seeking out the right person to solve any query is the need of the hour
To get a quick and efficient solution for every query please save the following contacts:
Lunch – Mr. Bhargav – (fnb.bachupally@oakridge.in)
Stores & Book cart – Mr. Praveen – (stores.bachupally@oakridge.in)
Transport – Ms. Rijuta – (transport.bachupally@oakridge.in)
Lost & Found – Ms. Triveni – (triveni@oakridge.in)
ICT – Mr. Amruth – (ict.bachupally@oakridge.in)
Cashier – Ms. Shamini (accounts.bachupally@oakridge.in )
As we gear up for the upcoming academic year 2023-24, we would take this opportunity to inform you about the fee structure. The fee structure for the new academic year has been rolled out. By reserving the place for your child, we can be transparent with our vacancies list and give opportunities to other aspirants.
A humble mention – the transport and lunch to be opted for all three terms.
We understand that financial planning is crucial for families, and we want to ensure that our academic plans are flawless.
A peek into what’s in store:
What are you doing this summer? Summer fun has just begun!
Much awaited summer camp – Choose your own adventure
Pls block your dates for the most exciting camp of the year! It is from 8th May to 20th May for all grade levels from 9am –3pm.
Till we meet again
Studying in a cohesive environment has nurtured leadership qualities among the kids who have created a legacy of adventurous undertakings and plentiful accolades. Our commitment is to empower our students to become responsible global citizens who will make a meaningful difference in their communities and beyond.
While individuals can make a difference on their own, collective effort can produce even greater impact. My sincere gratitude to the parents for their unwavering support.
March is a culminating event when students share the product or result of their investigation, undergo evaluation, receive feedback, and celebrate their learning.
Evaluation is creation-creation of valuable learning- learning that turns mirrors into windows – and as our kids equip themselves for the upcoming assessments, I wish them immense luck.
You belong to champions; There’s no stopping you; Yes, you can! We believe in you; You will surely succeed in anything you put your mind to!
All the best for the final assessments!
