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!