Wowzers!

The Club Meet at DRSIS, presented a wonderful spectacle of aesthetic creativity of committed club mates who spent their time sharing their interests with other students and learned more about it by working with each other.

Our talented and creative Literary Club learners prepared beautiful ‘Book Jackets’ whereas, the Visual Arts Club showed their creative skills by making ‘Paper Mache Birds’ for the Annual Sports Day Celebrations. While the Performing Arts Club performed Garba & practiced hip-hop at beginners level, the Music Club did pitch practicing and voice testing by singing solo songs.

ECO Sustainability Club had an excellent experience of speaking on topics like ‘How to Save Energy’ and participating in a quick-quiz and jumbled words competition. The DRS Community & Humane Society Club prepared hand-made stuffs like tiaras, face masks, key chains, scented candles, origami gift boxes, flower bouquets, table mats, thread bangles, earrings & decorative diyas to be displayed at the stalls for sale on the Children’s Day Fiesta.

Design and Technology club students learned how to install and uninstall softwares like VLC Media Player etc and how to create users in a computer, setting parental controls and passwords ,manage hardware, software, etc. They found it very useful and easy and were happy to understand the topic about ‘How to Install Software’. The Cuisine Club introduced the recipe ‘Oatmeal Banana Bits’ to their club mates. They discussed about the recipe and divided the work as to who has to get what ingredients for the next class of cuisine club. MUN Club discussed about ‘Rules of Procedure’ and learned how to raise ‘Points’ and ‘Motions’. Overall, the club mates enjoyed pursuing their interests with their participation, preparation, practice and performance to learn and get better at the activities and hobbies they enjoy.

Children’s Day

Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru’s birthday is special to all the children of the school, we at DRS International School celebrated Children’s Day with a fun filled morning assembly followed by a grand Children’s Day FIESTA. An entertainment program by the teachers for the students was the highlight of the day.The IBDP Coordinator Ms. Abha spoke about the influence of love, care and compassion for fellow-beings particularly, for children. She reminded the children of the love and clear vision that Jawaharlal Nehru had for a modern India. The morning assembly and fiesta with challenging games yummy food and the icing on the cake was the DJ who had everyone at DRSIS tapping their feet. The young philanthropic hearts gave away whole heartedly many gifts in charity. Grade V of IB PYP at DRSIS hosted a group of children from orphanage as a part of Taking Action on their ongoing inquiry, the children from the orphanage were guided by the Grade V students personally and ensured that the children had fun. What a wonderful way to celebrate Children’s Day!

Enviro-Surveyors

As a part of Conserve My Planet- Session 4, students visited nearby fuel station located in Gundla Pochampally. They explained about the importance of controlling pollution and the need of taking a ‘Pollution Under Control’ certificate.

To bring awareness in society, students interviewed people visiting the fuel station. They inquired various details from the vehicle owners about pollution levels of their vehicles, whether they have PUC for their vehicle, what kind of fuel they use for their vehicles etc. They even tried to explain about the need of reducing pollution and vehicle owners were given ‘Green’ or ‘Red’ tags depending on their vehicle condition.

This activity really motivated our young minds and they contributed their best to bring awareness to reduce pollution.

One Moment From the Day of a Preschool Teacher.Thoughts About Sensibility and Modern Children.

“I’m talking to you and you are not listening to me” said Pranav, almost crying, while I was trying to resolve unexpected conflict between Rajesh and Amal who were in a second away to use a physical strength for a toy and while the other one was scribbling on the wall, where it’s not supposed to be.

This is the ordinary day of a kindergarten teacher: to solve all the conflicts in a peaceful and fair way, to make them understand what’s a good manner, give a paper to a child if it’s needed and be a good listener-friend. And everything at the same moment. Not a minute later.

Pranav accepted my apologies and request to get back to him, I asked two kids to have turns, explained and give a paper to Nimra. Pranav patiently waited for me and told me what he was doing yesterday.

“I came back home, ate nice food and go to sleep. Then I woke up, watched Youtube on Apple and ride a bicycle. I have a new one and it’s a blue color. I like cycling. After dinner, I was playing and then went to sleep on mat on the floor, because it’s very hot to sleep on the bed. I fell asleep with my Mommy.”

So descriptive and so precious, but to be priveleged to listen to this you need to gain the trust, be serious to their questions of exploring the world and don’t dare to laugh at this moment.

He is so small and so curious, his questions and the way he talks, what me feel like he is much older and mature in some way, than his peers. I’m just thinking aloud but what if he didn’t express his sadness and say that request. I could lose his trust and what about others who can’t express such words, did i lose their trust?!

We have so many things to do and manage in the class/home, that sometimes we don’t have time to just listen to our kids. To get to know them: what they like or don’t, what their favourite toy or what did they do in their free time.

I remember recently, one teacher told to one shiny smart girl “Are you an old woman, why are you still sitting?” The teacher didn’t mean to hurt her, she just tried to engage children. But it’s not even about the thing which you are telling to a baby of 4 years, but they way and intonation she used. You better see her, you can’t imagine that child’s face full of pain.

Please try to understand that children are tend to be sensitive. Each and everyone has its own personality. And I feel that teacher should first have some training, at least observe them, understand what and why they are doing that and then teach them whatever he/she wants.

I came, hugged her and sat next to her. Because I just simply knew her: she is a shiny full of energy and curiosity girl.She shared that she is just feeling tired, which is essential to the last period of class, especially after physical activities.

New generation children, they are different. They live in a completely new media environment than you or even your parents were living in. From 3 years old they differentiate between Panasonic and Samsung, even not being aware how to read. From 3.5 years they look for their “Apple” and watch Youtube with cartoons and podcasts. From 4 years old, they know who is Spiderman, Batman, Flash and believe in superpower. From 5 years they invent a game playing with keyboard to learn to differentiate letters.

Time flies and changes. You should try to learn the art of being teacher/parent, to change and be flexible too, in case you don’t want to hurt your most precious people in the world. Your children.

-Lunara

Pinktober!

On the 8th of October, 2017, a huge collective of people from all walks of life participated in the ninth edition of the Pink Ribbon Walk held at KBR Park, Hyderabad by Ushalakshmi Breast Cancer Foundation, in association with KIMS Hospitals, to spread awareness about early detection of breast cancer.

Our IBDP-1 and IBDP-2 students helped bolster support and create awareness about the prevention of Breast Cancer by actively taking part in the Pink Ribbon Walk. The students walked for 4 km at Banjara Hills and helped bring about awareness by raising powerful slogans and banners that emphasized that ‘prevention is better than cure’. They listened to those who raised their voices to give testimonials of how prevention can save the lives of many.

This campaign helped our students realize the urgency for the call to action in response to the issue at hand and helped them demonstrate their commitment to staunchly supporting causes with potential large-scale impact.

Whiz-Kids

The Club Meet at DRSIS, brought our creative enthusiasts together to explore some exciting activities. The students of the Literary Club made hand-made brochures on a topic of their choice. Most of the students interestingly, chose the topic ‘school’ and wrote beautiful brochures for the school.

The Visual Arts Club crafted lovely photo frames designed to preserve memories. While the Performing Arts Club practiced some amazing western moves for an English song titled ‘King-Kong’, the classical dance team danced away for ‘Dandiya’.

The students of the Music Club listened to a few selected songs for the upcoming ‘Sports Day Celebrations’ and also initiated planning for the singing and orchestra performances for the much-anticipated day. Under the campaign ‘Conserve My Planet’, our Eco-Sustainability Club members along with other students took a pledge to protect our natural surroundings and preserve the environment.

The Community & Humane Club members prepared paper roses as a token of appreciation for their upcoming visit to the Blue Cross Foundation. The Design & Technology students learned about disk cleaning & drive creation and further explored the software ‘Audacity’.

Our budding chefs of the Cuisine Club made Dahi-Wada with bread, curd, tamarind chutney and a few secret Indian spices. The DRSMUN Club members had a heated discussion about climate change and its impact on the global environment, besides disucssing the stance each country has for dealing with the extreme climatic changes poised to occur.

This club-meet was certainly a happening one with our students tapping into their creative sides to create magic!

Let’s Talk about Mental Health!

The secondary wing of DRS International School organised a special assembly to observe ‘World Mental Health Day’ in the school premises. The students of Grade-XI A presented a skit based on day to day classroom behavior, portraying how it affects an individual besides depicting ways to tackle it.

As part of observing the day, a poster-display highlighted the difference between poor and healthy mental well-being & shed light on ways to maintain psychological, social and emotional well-being. The display is also set to feature a week-long series of tasks for the whole-school to mark Mental Health Week. These ‘Tasks for the Day’ include simple challenges such as appreciating, thanking and relating to people, that are sure to go a long way in making positive difference in the school culture in the long run.

World United Nations Day

The Secondary School assembly celebrated United Nations Day in its true spirit. The students delivered a poster-speech presentation and spoke in turns about the United Nations Organisation by depicting its inception, importance, influence and impact on the whole world through its recommendations, resolutions and ratifications. It also helped the students understand the significance of the emblem of the UN flag such as the two olive branches and its official colors.

They also came forward and eloquently spoke about pressing global issues as well as raised awareness of how the United Nations Organisation works with the help of its member-bodies to solve economic, social, cultural, humanitarian and international problems, etc through its global community programmes, campaigns, Sustainable Development Goals and Millenium Development Goals etc.

Following this, a mini question and answer session was conducted on the topic ‘United Nations’ to enrich our students’ general knowledge of this organization.

Furthermore, our Principal shared his thoughts to commemorate the importance of this day by referring to the ‘Achievements of the United Nations Organisation’ and highlighting the importance of having interactive assemblies to help develop the spirit of preparation, participation and public speaking skills in students.

UBS at DRS

On the 13th of October, 2017 DRSIS was host to Ms Salma Nasr from Universal Business School. Commerce students from grades XI, XII, IBDP 1 and IBDP 2 were introduced to the education system and the admission process at UBS.

Ms Nasr explained in great detail, the numerous opportunities the students potentially have at Universal Business School to polish their skills and grow in their respective fields of interest. Individual interaction with interested students helped them in gaining a clearer understanding of the eligibility criteria for admission to the integrated BBA + MBA course as well.

Hands-on Learning!

The students of grade X and XI Science were taken for a workshop called ‘UnBlur’, Secunderabad, where a young engineer turned entrepreneur Mr Mustafa Khambaty led a 3 hour long hands-on workshop on the basics of Automobile Engineering.

At UnBlur, our students understood real life engineering applications by making use of the science concepts taught to them in school as a part of their syllabus.

In the workshop, students learned the basics of Mechanical/Automobile Engineering on a working ATV (All Terrain Vehicle). They were first taught the construction and working of a 4 stroke engine where application of concepts such as work, energy, force were explored. In addition to this, the students got to see the parts of a disassembled bike engine as well.

Next, students understood the working of a simple transmission where they learnt the concepts of speed, gear ratio, torque etc as well as different types of transmission (Gear, Chain, Belt). After this, students used basic concepts such as AC – DC current, rectification, electromagnetic induction etc to understand the working and construction of an Alternator. Finally, students learnt about the different types of brakes (Disc, Drum) and the various methods for their actuation (Mechanical, Hydraulic ,Pneumatic).

For teaching all of the above concepts, disassembled parts of vehicles were used for demonstration.

Once done with these topics, the students proceeded to the ATV where they answered basic questions about the vehicle based on the concepts explored through the workshop. Hands-on learning indeed!

Perfect Prefects!

Leadership opportunities have a unique way of acting as a spring-board for student growth. On Saturday, the 14th of October, our Student Council convened to discuss the problems, concerns and solutions to a series of school matters. They identified eight areas and responsibilities they could take initiative for. To be able to take up these responsibilities and fulfill them, they defined tasks through an action plan. They were also able to identify many other service activities that were linked to their responsibilities. Our student leaders are certainly off to a great start!

Feasting Away!

DRS International School opened its doors to the wider school community to let everyone indulge their taste buds with delicious food, live music, good company and vibes at the IB PYP International Food Festival held today.

Our PYP students had the opportunity to prepare, present and share with others a variety of exotic cuisines from different countries such as India, China, Sweden, Kenya, Brazil, Thailand, Mexico, Italy, USA, Australia and much more besides dressing up for the event with native costumes of the country represented by them at the Festival!

Numerous food stalls were displayed with an assortment of tasty treats ranging from desserts, pies, pastas, pizzas, pancakes, twinkies, cookies, fries, fillets etc. The festival had a relaxed ambience, to which the theme and decor added an extra zing. The creative arrangement and presentation of the dishes the thought-out table lay-outs and menus etc by the students, were however, the centre of attraction today, besides the dishes themselves.

The International Food Festival has been a firm favourite in DRSIS, ever since it has been introduced. It is a unique platform to celebrate the school’s ethos of internationalism as well as an excellent opportunity for everyone, especially our students, to savour a slice of authentic cultures from around the world and explore them through the medium of food.

In the Pink of health!

DRS International School firmly believes that a healthy school community is a happy one. As a step towards affirming its commitment to promoting student health and welfare, the school conducted a medical check-up camp for its students, in association with Dr Rao’s ENT Hospital.

The team of doctors and medical experts conducted a general check of the students’ Body Mass Index, as well as ensured their health through a close examination of each individual child’s ear, nose and throat. Reports of the check-up, including remarks containing necessary medical advice and precautionary measures, were shared with the parents of the students at the Parent Teacher Meet held today, to keep the parents informed of their student’s well-being.

The World is our Stage

Our Secondary Students put on quite the show when they took to the stage for the Inter House One Act Play and Dance Competitions. The audience was entertained with power-packed performances and impressive acting chops as our houses battled it out on stage. While some plays were adaptations of classics, a few had original in-house scripts, much to everyone’s delight. The dance performances, on the other hand, brilliantly showcased our students training, finesse and natural flair for the art.