Hand-in-Hand!

The PYP exhibition is the culmination of the students’ learning over all the years of his or her journey in the Primary Years Programme. Facilitators as well as Parents play a vital role in shaping this learning as fellow learners in the learning community. We believe that involving parents in the child’s learning creates a strong bond between a parent and a child and invites collective reflection and engagement. By keeping this in mind, our student, Sriman of IB PYP Grade-V made a model of Thermal Power Plant with the help of his parent, D Vijay Kumar. The model was related to the topic ‘Use of Technology in Industries’. The parent was enthusiastically involved in making the model and presenting it to the other students. 

It was a great pleasure for having the involvement of parents in the upcoming IB PYP Exhibition.

The CAS Journey!

Our students of IBDP-2 gave their CAS Final Presentations recently. The Creativity, Activity, Service Programme (CAS) is an integral part of the Diploma core that requires students to actively pursue a range of activities parallel to their academic endeavors. These purposeful activities and projects correspond to the three strands and are expected to challenge students into a journey of self-discovery and meaningful growth through experiential, hands-on learning.

The Presentations saw our students trace their CAS journeys and their transformation through their CAS projects and activities. Students described how experiences in CAS shaped them by giving them opportunities for collaboration and reflection, and pushing them to persevere through challenges. From volunteering in hospitals, to sky-diving and gardening, our DP 2 students have certainly come a long way in the last two years.

The session was attended by IBDP staff and IBDP-1 students, who were all enthused to see the DP 2 students conclude and reflect on their CAS journeys. The presentations were followed by individual student interviews with faculty members.

Trip to Fire station!

Our young PYP learners of Grade-IV went on a Field Trip to the ‘Fire Station’, Begumpet as a part of their exploration of disaster management operations. This trip was a part of their inquiry, ‘Interventions lead to change’. The students interacted with the fire fighters working in the organization to understand how to take safety measures in emergencies and also to observe the usage of different types of fire extinguishers.

The students were keen inquirers and great communicators as they interacted very confidently with the Fire Officers and Fire Fighters. They become knowledgeable about Fire Safety rules and equipped themselves with tips to stay vigilant in the face of fire-related accidents.

Word of the Day!

The Indian Dance performed by our students at 15th Annual Celebrations at DRS International School.

How to teach my child to read ? Our top ten tips for reading!

Every parent asks this question at some point in their parenting journey- how do I teach my child to read? As a parent, you can make a big difference in your child’s love for learning and reading- read on to find out how DRS International School thinks you can add on to our DEAR (Drop Everything and Read) program at home…

• Create an atmosphere for reading

Are there open and accessible bookshelves in your home? Are books beyond the reach of your child? Are they piled together or are they placed neatly, with room for movement and shuffling? When it comes to reading, seating and lighting also play a part. Having a designated reading chair, mat or a cozy bean bag for your child could inspire him to read.

• Be a reading role-model

Let’s face it- there’s no one who inspires your child as much as you. Children learn by mimicking and imitating what they see around them. Seeing you huddle up with a book every evening, or seeing you completely engrossed in a novel, can get your child curious about reading.

• Read to your child

Spend quality time with your child by reading to them. Bed-time is a wonderful time to pick up a book and read aloud to your child, but when it comes to reading, any time is a good time. Don’t shy away from slipping into a storybook character- being the Big Bad Wolf or adding a little intonation to growl like the Good Dinosaur will not just entertain your child, and help with bonding, it will develop his/her love for stories.

• Surround them with stories

Skip the Play-station for your child’s birthday this year and buy him/her a box-set of Dr. Seuss books. Trust us, your child will thank you for it. Use every opportunity you get to narrate a story- from your childhood, for example, real or imagined. Or better still, ask your child to tell you a story. Create some sock puppets or use a marker to draw up some finger puppets to make your storytelling sessions more interesting. Our storytelling sessions in the International Kindergarten in the IB PYP, for instance has probably already made your child an ace storyteller!

• Listen to them read

Too many children are shy to read because they have been corrected too often or laughed at, or humiliated in some little way or the other when they try to read aloud. The best thing you can do for your child is to provide a loving, interested and supportive ear when your child tries to read aloud. Resist the urge to correct every mispronounced word and let your child gather his/her confidence first. You can always read the story aloud later again to demonstrate the right way to pronounce. Support your child by helping him/her trace words with his finger, break up big words into smaller words etc.

Happy Reading! If you’re looking for good books for your child, or other parenting tips, feel free to get in touch with us at smart.p@drsinternational.com!

Collective Collaboration!

The IB PYP students work collaboratively for their PYP Exhibition in the final year of Grade-V at DRSIS on the 10th of March 2018.

The planning, preparation and presentations for the exhibition projects provides a unique and significant opportunity for the students in their respective groups by sharing ideas and preparing charts, brainstorming on framing the central idea, collaborating with IBDP students, teachers assessing the student understanding and mentoring them in enhancing their presentation skills. They collectively combine all of the essential elements of the PYP in ways that can be shared with the whole school community.

Word of the Day!

Arty Attire!

Curricular and co-curricular activities have equal importance in the school program for all round development of our students, keeping this in view, we at DRSIS organized a Fancy Dress Competition ‘Arty Attire’ for the International Kindergarten students.

The purpose of conducting the competition was not only to blend learning with fun but also to develop confidence in the students by giving them an opportunity to enhance communication and presentation skills.

The theme of the competition was, ‘Animals from far and beyond’ (Ex: dragon, dinosaur, mermaid & merman, unicorn etc). The children wore appropriate costumes of their favorite character and spoke a few lines on the chosen character. The judgment parameters of the competition were presentation, creativity, expressions and selection of costume. Parents of the children were invited for the competition to encourage the children and to cheer for them.

It was a feast to the eyes to watch the little ones come up on stage with enthusiasm and confidence.

Tech-Trip!

The students of Grade-V of DRS International School went on a field trip to Microsun Bioplant, Medchal. This trip is a part of their inquiry, ‘Human intelligence and technology continue to evolve and influence our lives’. The students interacted with the specialist and inquired about the advanced techniques used in agriculture.

The field trip helped the students understand how technology is used in farming. Mr. Hari Krishna, MD of Microsun Bioplant, explained to our students about tissue culture and multiplication of plants using technology with proper care for 30 days. The information gathered made the students curious to know more about the technology used and the budget and expenditure made in farming.

The students also got to know that the Bioplant provides women empowerment for the nearby villagers and give them training on how to use the latest technology and techniques for farming.

Word of the Day!

CAS Chronicles!

As part of the CAS activity, on 12th February 2018 the students of DP-1 and DP-2 visited Jagisa Industries that manufactures hand-made paper bags which are later distributed through various distribution channels. This reciprocal engagement that was direct with the employees of the company had helped the students understand and experience the norms and ways in which a business is to be run. Additionally, the students of DP-1 and DP-2 learnt how to make these eco friendly handbags themselves. The students were able to understand that using paper bags is eco friendly because the resources used are all recycled from waste. The students of DP-1 and DP-2 also learnt about the problems faced and benefits when starting up a business and this was done by associating what the students have learnt in class to a real-life example.

Aerial View as DRS International School lights up for the 15th Annual Celebrations.

The Grand Finale- 15th Annual Celebrations at DRS International School.

What is the IB Core?

The Diploma Programme of the International Baccalaureate is one of the most popular international curriculum of choice for high school students around the world. The core the of the Diploma Programme is one of the elements that makes the Programme truly unique and challenging. Yet, what the IB Core is, still remains a mystery to many parents and prospective students.

The Extended Essay (EE), Theory of Knowledge (TOK) and Creativity, Activity, Service (popularly known as CAS), are the three elements that together make the core of the Diploma. They are the elements that add breadth of understanding and rigour to the course. Here’s an overview of each of the three elements:

• The Extended Essay

The Extended Essay is a 4000 word essay that students seeking the IB Diploma must complete. The essay may focus on any research topic that is of particular interest to the student, and can be from across his/her Diploma subject electives. The Extended Essay is very research oriented and encourages students to develop their academic and analytical writing skills, by investigating a research question (RQ) of their choice. At DRS International School, students complete the EE under the guidance of a supervisor from the faculty over approximately 40 hours in the duration of their programme.

• Theory of Knowledge

Theory of Knowledge (TOK) is a course that requires students to critically examine the larger questions ‘how do we know?’. As a highly interdisciplinary course, it encourages students to examine questions about the validity, reliability and accuracy of the knowledge we acquire and produce through the lens of Areas of Knowledge (AOK) and Ways of Knowing (WOK). Students are expected to complete a 1600 essay on a prescribed title as well as deliver a rigorously analytical presentation to complete the TOK Course. At DRS International School, we have a range of analytical thinking challenges, thought-experiments and discussions that bring the TOK course to life.

• Creativity, Activity, Service (CAS)

The Creativity, Activity, Service Programme (CAS) is an integral part of the Diploma core that requires students to actively pursue a range of activities parallel to their academic endeavours. These purposeful activities and projects correspond to the three strands and are expected to challenge students into a journey of self-discovery and meaningful growth through experential, hands-on learning.

Central to the realization of the IB Vision and its philosophy, the three components work in tandem with each other as well as other subject electives within the programme to enrich and strengthen it from within. The Core is compulsory for students who wish to complete the IB Diploma Programme successfully.

If you have further questions about the IB Diploma Programme or the core, please write to us @ int.school@drsinternational.com.

Road Safety!

Our IB PYP students of Grade-II went on a field trip to the Traffic Training Institute, Begumpet, Hyderabad. This trip was a part of their inquiry ‘Symbolic representations make life simpler’ which helped them understand the different road signs and symbols.

The students were guided by a resource person, Mr. Ganesh Raj who guided the students and showed them videos of traffic and also gave a PowerPoint presentation to our students. He also took the students to Traffic Park and showed them road signs.

The students interacted with the policemen who explained to them about road safety and signs. The students gained knowledge about the safety rules of the road and interacted with the traffic policeman.

How to make sure my child is safe online?

Here at DRS International School, we share your concern for your child’s safety- both online and offline. The Internet is an extension of the real world, and the dangers its presents are as real as the ones in the physical world. So in a technology enabled world where our kids are often more tech-savvy than us, how do we keep our kids safe online? Read on for our top six tips to keep your child safe online.

• Keep the lines of communication open

Trust is key when it comes to cyber safety and its only possible when there is open and transparent communication between parents and children. If you listen to your child without judgement, he or she is more likely to open up to you about his or her life online. Ask open-ended questions wherever possible and share tidbits from your online activities as well to keep the conversation going. It is important to stay connected to your child on any social media platforms he or she uses including Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Snapchat etc as well instant messaging services such as Whatsapp and IMO.

• Educate yourself first

Would you let your child physically go to a place you haven’t visited yourself? The same goes for the online world. If you want to keep your child safe online, its imperative to keep up to date with the latest apps, platforms and internet trends even if they don’t personally interest you much. This can also help strengthen the bond between you and your kid as you will have more in common to talk about. Children learn how to use ICT early on in the IB PYP, Cambridge Curriculum and CBSE, so it becomes important to keep pace with them.

• Establish essential agreements

It is important to decide on and agree to some common ground rules for browsing along with your kids and what these rules are will depend on your parenting styles. While some parents may want their child to share all their passwords until they reach a certain age in exchange for the wifi password, other parents may opt for a more independent approach. Some parents may want to clearly list out restricted sites, while others may want their kids to only browse while accompanied or monitored by an adult. You can also ask your child to suggest some rules and then draw up a mutual contract. You can check out websites like safekids.com for examples. It is a good idea to print out these rules and display them near the home PC or any ‘gadget hotspot’.

• Keep regular tabs

It’s a good idea to check in on the list of downloaded apps, your child’s friend’s list, browsing history and activity on social media in general. As ‘snooping’ may create trust issues, it is better to let your child know that this is something he or she can expect you to do as long as he or she is a minor. Your ISP, browsers, firewalls and search engines also offer many parental control options and settings you can make the most of.

• Teach netiquette

One golden rule for internet safety is ‘never do anything online that you wouldn’t do offline‘. The values we teach children apply online as well. Teach your child early on it is important to not to talk to strangers online, just as you wouldn’t offline. Sharing passwords, sending or receiving images, opening attachments etc to and from strangers is a definite NO. Explain to your child that nothing ever gets deleted online and that it is important to never post or share anything online they wouldn’t be comfortable with you seeing.

• Partner with the School

At DRS International School, we believe that keeping your child safe online is important in school as well and we have several measures in place to ensure that. As an international school, DRS International School’s Student Wellness Program also focuses on cyber safety. If you have any concerns about your child’s online safety, you can always contact us or get in touch with your child’s Homeroom Facilitators, or write to us at smart.p@drsinternational.com for more parenting tips.

The Circle of Seasons!

“Winter is an etching, spring a watercolor, summer an oil painting and autumn a mosaic of them all.”

– Stanley Horowitz

The students of IB PYP wing from Grades I-V had an Inter-House Fancy Dress Competition for which the theme was Seasons. The children dressed up in fancy attire representing the seasons- Summer, Monsoon, Autumn, Winter and Spring. The students were colorfully dressed according to their favorite seasons and carried appropriate props to make their performance the best one.

The criteria for judging the competition were costume, confidence, creativity and expression. The colourful competition was fun one to behold with witty dialogues and impressive costumes.

Blessed for Life!

On 10th February, 2018, DRSIS witnessed the most awaited occasion of the year, the Blessing Ceremony which signifies the shower of blessings by the teachers on the outgoing batches of Grade- X & XII.

The Day started with invoking the blessings of the Almighty with a prayer song sung by the teachers. The song mesmerized everyone. It was an obeisance to the Goddess of Learning. The students of Grade X & XII reminisced about their days of schooling and shared their memories about the school and how school has transformed them from a tiny tot to the responsible and growing citizens. It created moments of nostalgia among teachers, students and their parents.

The students were then called upon to light a candle of hope and walk on to the stage to collect their mementos from their teachers and guides.

Our Principal, Dr Muradia, spoke about the importance of being self organized and blessed the students and gave them the school’s best wishes. The students solemnly made a promise to keep in touch with the school and each other for life.

How can I do well in my exams? Top Ten tips to Study Smart!

This is the question on every student’s mind with the exam season around the corner. It’s normal to feel anxious or nervous as the exams approach, but here at DRS International School we believe that assessments are nothing to worry about- they are a part of learning. With the right approach and support, and our top ten tips to do well in exams, you can get through the exams with confidence:

Here are our top ten tips for preparing well your exams:

Break it down

Studying can seem daunting when you don’t know where to start. It’s a good idea to clearly identify the syllabus, the chapters being tested and the notes you need to prepare well. You can look at our Year Plan and Revision Plans for each class for examples. Once you do this, break down the material into smaller, more manageable chunks.

Schedule

Grab a chart and a marker or even your Google Calendar and just distribute these smaller chunks over the days you have left. Schedule more to study on Sundays and holidays, and less when you have lighter days. Are you night owl or a morning bird? It can be helpful to have blocks of study-time when your concentration level is at its best. Try to schedule more difficult topics to tackle when you are at your best.

Mind Maps

If a particular unit or chapter is too long or difficult, it’s a good idea to get a grip on it by making a large overview of the lesson by creating a mind map of its most important aspects. Mind-mapping helps you make connections between the different elements of the lesson and will give you the big picture in a matter of minutes. This works especially well for subjects like History, Economics, Biology, Geography, Entrepreneurship etc.

SQ3R

Too many students waste time reading their text books over and over again, only to have poor understanding and recall. Effective reading skills are important if you want to do well in your exams. SQ3R stands for Survey, Question, Read, Recite & Review. You can read more about the technique here.

Memory Techniques

While learning at DRS International School is about inquiry and understanding, there are some things you do need to remember. Memory techniques like the Memory Palace, Mnemonics and Acronyms, Flash Cards etc help you remember better, by tapping into the power of visual thinking.

Buddy System

Two heads are always better than one! If you have a group of friends with whom you can study, it can be a good idea to divide chapters amongst yourselves and teach it to each other. Alternatively, you can also have study sessions to quiz each other or develop some fun acronyms together. Your weakness could be your friend’s strength!

Take breaks

This might sound too good to be true, but research suggests that the human mind focuses better when it gets a break every 50 minutes or so. Ensure you take a ten minute break for every 50 minutes of study. Breaks can refresh you and be the reward that can help motivate you to get through each session. Meditate, do some jumping jacks or go for a brisk walk! If you have a favourite sport, ten minutes a good time to let go of steam!

Movement

Studying can literally be a pain if you ‘sit and study’. Try and vary where you study and how for every study session. Make the most of natural light, definitely avoid your bed and wherever possible, try to incorporate movement into your study sessions. Recap as you walk or try to dance to the tune of the periodic table!

Sleep

Psychologists believe that getting enough sleep is the key to performing well. The human brain processes information from the day and codes it into the long-term memory when you get enough rest. Staying up all night can lower your chances of being able to remember what you learned the day before.

Visualization

Research also indicates that people who visualize successful outcomes and results are better motivated and therefore tend to perform better than those who don’t. So what are you waiting for? Close your eyes and see yourself handing in that answer sheet with a big smile!

Still feeling nervous? Need more support? Meet or get in touch with our counsellors at career.counsellor@drsinternational.com or make the most of our Student Wellness Programme.

Creative Careers!

The students of DRS International School had a workshop on career counseling by Mr. Varun, representative of Annapurna International School of Film & Media (AISFM) for pursuing bachelors and masters in areas like Film Making, Photography, Graphic Designing, Animation, Advertising and Digital Marketing.

He came up with new concepts like Anthromorphism- which fascinated the students to pursue a career in the world of entertainment industry and explained about the usage of smart phones and technology for creative purpose.

He explained the concepts through case studies. He also shared statistics about India’s production. He spoke about the demand of creativity in the field of cartoon making, gaming, architecture, etc.

Mr. Varun also told the students about the career growth in the entertainment industry and also shared few top industries names that are into entertainment. He told the students that industries depend on creative talent in which creativity is required in addition to technology especially in terms of problem-solving and thinking ‘out of the box’. He also shared few tips on how to prepare for a future in creative fields along with degree programs, visual effects, and graphics behind movie scenes.

Mr. Nitin from AISFM spoke about the Art of Acting, communication of stories and how is acting related to animation. He also shared his experiences in the entertainment industry.

This workshop conducted by AISFM helped students broaden their career and educational prospects and provoked them into considering alternative and creative paths.

Idealizing Truth!

An interesting and inspiring dream interview was enacted by the secondary students of Grade-IX at DRS International School by playing roles of legendary personalities such as Mother Teresa, Marie Curie, Swami Vivekananda, etc, in a form of a skit.

Through this skit the students learned about the life teachings of these famous personalities. The students also sang patriotic songs giving tribute to Indian Army. Ms. Shivani, DRSIS Facilitator, gave a sensitizing speech on the attack on Indian Army Quarters. The assembly was based on the Theme of the month- TRUTHFULNESS in relation with the personalities who followed the path of truth.

Career Crossroads!

A Parent Orientation Seminar was conducted for the parents of our current Grade X students regarding choice of curricula, subjects, and universities as well as to explain how the school will be supporting students through the decision making process.

The module on the different choice of curricula was led by Vice Principal, Mr Rudolf Noronha and the IBDP Coordinator, Ms. Abha for the curriculum and subject choices offered in CBSE & IBDP in Grade XI at DRS International School. The module shared how the two curricula would prepare students for their future and the range of subject electives and co-curricular activities each curriculum offers.

The session also shared with parents how the school is partnering with Aakash Institute to help the students prepare for IIT-JEE and competitive exams depending on their career paths.

The orientation session also shared with students the services offered by our University Placements Cell. The module was concluded by Mr. Karthik who gave a presentation regarding the factors which play an integral role while selecting majors, universities and also elaborated on the process that help students secure admissions in top universities world-wide.

The World of Science

The students of IB PYP at DRS International School observed the beginning of Science Week today by conducting a special assembly. In the assembly the students showcased an educational cum entertainment presentation on various principles, laws and facts about Science.

The students of Grade- I presented a performance on the evolution of science and technology beginning with the invention of wheels whereas Grade- II students demonstrated a range of fun filled experiments on the fascinating properties of air, water, etc.

Our Grade- III students performed a dance on the theme of the five food groups like proteins, vitamins, fats, carbohydrates and minerals to educate the students on nutritious balanced diet for healthy living. The students of Grade- IV gave a message on ‘Save the Planet Earth’ through a skit and explained about the 4 R’s- Reduce, Reuse, Recycle, Refuse.

The Grade-V students gave a presentation on the ‘Solar System’. They explained each of the inner, outer and dwarf planets with a help of a colourful poster.

The Science Week will help the students develop their passion for the sciences and learn the importance and value of science in one’s life.

Worlds within Worlds- Redefining Internationalism in Schools

The last decade has seen the rise of the ‘international’ school in India. At the heart of ‘internationalism’ is the the spirit of transcending our fragmented identities and differences to embrace similarities we all share at our core. What does this mean for international schools?

It means that we need to build learning communities wherein children not only ‘tolerate’ or ‘accept’ pluralism, but in which they actively seek and celebrate differences and then truly appreciate the strength of their similarities.

Progress in learning of any kind is deeply connected with this celebration of differences and similarities. Perspectives different from our own have a great deal to offer us- they stimulate and provoke, and challenge us to broaden what we know. Engagement with other perspectives, especially from cultural contexts different from our own, ultimately help us discover our commonalities.

At DRS International School, our students of the IB Primary Years Programme explore everything through the lens of commonalities- the International Baccalaureate’s ‘transdisciplinary themes’. These themes powerfully anchor learning in the context of shared, human experience. The curriculum itself ideally forms the bedrock of internationalism in an international school.

Internationalism begins in the classroom. Every step of the learning journey in an international school fosters internationalism. In DRS International School, the spirit of inquiry that the International Baccalaureate programme advocates inspires our students to identify themselves as global citizens. The globally oriented classroom encourages students to think of issues and solutions in multiple dimensions- the local, the national and the global.

Nothing fosters inter-cultural understanding like a climate of robust dialogue and debate. International schools participate in international forums and platforms to promote global engagement and inter-cultural understanding. At DRS International School, for instance, our students use video-conferencing to dialogue with students from schools from across the globe about world-issues.

Schools are microcosms of the wider world. They are worlds within worlds- they mirror the conflicts and undercurrents of society at large. International schools, in which students thrive on diversity and difference as well as appreciate commonalities, are little ‘worlds’ that give us hope.

Dr Gaurav Muradia is a progressive educator who is passionate about transformational education. He is the Head of School at DRS International School, an international curriculum school (IB, CAIE).

What is the difference between IB, Cambridge CIE & IGCSE, and CBSE?

IB vs Cambridge vs CBSE? Spoilt for choice? Given the choice that exists in international schools in Hyderabad, choosing between different curriculum can be quite a dilemma. We break down the basic differences for you:

1.International Baccalaureate

The International Baccalaureate, is the curriculum of choice for more than one million studentsworld-wide. The IB is based in Geneva, Switzerland and has been one of the most popular and recognized international curricula since 1968. The curriculum places a strong emphasis on students’ personal development.

The IB offers four programmes for students of various ages:

PYP- Primary Years Programme (3-12 years)

MYP- Middle Years Programme (11-16 years)

DP- Diploma Programme (16-19 years)

CP- Career-related Programme (16-19 years)

DRS International School is one of the few schools in Hyderabad that offer both the Primary Years Programme (PYP) as well as the Diploma Programme (DP). We are one of the oldest IB schools in the city. What makes the IB curriculum unique and effective, in our opinion is its:

Research proves that in many cases IB students outperform students pursuing other programmes

Emphasis on inquiry-based learning

Learner-centric or student centric approach

Transdisciplinary approach to learning & teaching

Emphasis on developing international-mindedness in students

The IB learner profile that emphasizes developing a set of attributes in every child

Action-orientedness: all learning eventually encourages students to take action

Focus on play-based learning in the early or formative years

Focus on research and critical thinking in the Diploma Programme

Recognition by top-universities and world-wide such as Oxford, Harvard & Yale.

2. The Cambridge Curriculum

Equally recognized and popular, across the world is Cambridge Assessment International Education(CAIE, formerly known as CIE). Part of the University of Cambridge, the CAIE’s approach to education is best defined by intellectual rigour.

Cambridge Assessment International Education offers the following programmes and qualifications, called the Cambridge Pathway, for students of various ages:

Cambridge Primary

Cambridge Lower Secondary

Cambridge Upper Secondary

Cambridge Advanced

At DRS International School, we offer the Cambridge Lower Secondary and Cambridge Upper Secondary programmes, preparing students to qualify for the Cambridge International General Certificate of Secondary Education (IGCSE), an internationally recognized qualification. The Cambridge Curriculum is known for its:

International Curriculum

Focus on Teaching & Learning practices

Reliable and rigorous assessments

International recognition by top universities and employers

Global learning communities of teachers and learners

Focus on developing creative thinking and problem solving

3. The CBSE Curriculum

The Central Board for Secondary Education is the national curriculum of choice for most Indian students. It provides robust and holistic education for students that aligns with the objective of the National Curriculum Framework (NCF) of India. What makes it a popular choice is its:

Focus on holistic development of the child

Focus on stress-free learning

Emphasis on skill-based education

Inclusion of local issues, history and culture along with global ones

Close alignment with National Curriculum Framework

Foundation for competitive exams in India such as the IIT-JEE, NEET, UPSC, CLAT etc.

Here at DRS International School, we offer the C.B.S.E. curriculum at the middle school, secondary school and senior secondary school levels.

The PYP Panorama

The IB PYP Wing at DRS International School conducted a special orientation program for the parents of Grade-V students preparing for their last stage of their Unit of Inquiry; ‘The IB PYP Exhibition’. The facilitators gave a detailed description about the culmination of the PYP Program, understanding of the students, parents and facilitators role towards the success of the Exhibition, engagement, collaboration and involvement of secondary teachers, IBDP students, Parent Community, knowledge of previous years, etc. They also gave in-depth information about the exhibition, its role , features, making connection with other subject areas like Math, Science, Social Studies, and integration of languages, Sports , Arts like Dance, Drama, Music etc as part of the IB PYP Exhibition.

By taking them through the journey of the previous PYP Exhibitions, they explained in depth about the advantages the Exhibition offers each child right from research work, Units of Inquiry, Lines of Inquiry, Trans-Disciplinary Themes, Revelation of the Central Idea and how the assessments, planning, preparation, participation, presentation incorporates all the essential elements, attitudes and learner profiles of the IB PYP in the students and their successful transition in the end from PYP to Secondary Level with the help of a short and brief slide show.

Many parents showed their enthusiasm in helping their children in process by playing the role of resource parents, mentors, guides, facilitators, planning, preparing, presenting of the working models and non-working models, provision of feedbacks and suggestions.

Ultimately, the seminar also helped the parents come to the conclusion that the PYP Exhibition not only serves the purpose of gaining knowledge but for a purpose of developing learning outcomes like problem solving skills in the child both at local and global level.

The Next Step!

Our Vice Principal Mr Rudolf Noronha gave a curriculum orientation session for the parents of IB PYP Grade-V students at DRS International School on the whole question of CBSE or CAIE to help them discuss and decide with their children a suitable curriculum for the Secondary Level Education at DRS International School.

The counseling of the curriculums on the basis of Bloom’s Taxonomy brought out the broad differences between CBSE or CAIE in terms of learning style applied by the students and the interactive session helped the students and parents get a clarity on their divided opinions, clear the questions, myths and assumptions that remained unanswered about curriculums.

With the help of a PPT on CBSE and a short and brief intro video on CAIE, clearly showed the advantages of studying CBSE or CAIE in its own way and gave a clear picture to all for selecting the appropriate curriculum based on the student’s present priorities and future career interests irrespective of the curriculum choices made at the primary level or senior secondary level.

He also brought to light the crucial points that distinguish these curriculums from each other and also the changes made by CBSE over the recent years, its present structure and semister system, current features, syllabus, prescribed publications, assessments, grading system, etc. Similarly, in case of CAIE, the programs offered, qualifications, levels and stages, attributes of Cambridge learners, value-added exams and feel-good certifications like Check Point etc.

In general, he discussed about the examination patterns and evaluations, division of internal/external marks, subjects offered and language options, facts and stastistics of both the curriculums.

He highlighted the extra talent and skill developing programs offered at DRSIS for the holistic growth of the students by naming a few such as Clubs, Beyond Classroom programs, workshops, activities and events for both day scholar and residential students.

Overall, the detailed discussion on curriculums not only made the program successful but also helped the parents figure out which curriculum would fit best for their young ones.

Healthy & Happy

“Let food be thy medicine and medicine be thy food…” -Hippocrates

Hippocrates’ famous quote about letting food be your medicine and your medicine your food took on new meaning for our students. A guest lecture on nutrition and healthy lifeby Dr. Ashok created much curiosity among the students. To have a happy and healthy life we need to eat right food. Dr. Ashok, an Endocrinologist practicing in Yashoda Hospital, said many diseases which were observed in old age such as diabetes and blood pressure have now become the worry of the young. He emphasized on nutrition, exercise and right habits to avoid many food related diseases which are prevalent among youth these days.

Explorers of Heritage!

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IB PYP Grade 1 students visited the Rail museum at Kacheguda to explore the theme “Where we are in place and time”. The field trip was a tour down the history of “Railways”. This Rail Museum showcases the origin and growth of Railways in India. The museum has prototypes of signaling equipment’s, railway bridges, locomotives – steam and electric, few working models, visuals and photographs of Nizam era railways, history of transportation. Children examined the first line of Inquiry – Explore the past and present means of transport. They analyzed how railways have changed (Key concept – Change) over time. The visit was a spectacle for Grade 1!