The Tiger Newsletter - Stonehill International School, Bangalore

Head of School Message

First of all, let me wish everybody a Happy New Year for 2024.

I hope the school holiday was enjoyable and that all had the chance to do the things you and your children enjoy doing when not in school.

All of our students seem happy to be back on campus and they have jumped right back into the learning experiences (and exams in Secondary School) in all areas of the school.

So what will 2024 bring? Obviously there will be the usual events and activities that Stonehill provides for the community every academic year. We will be hosting various PTA events, IB workshops will take place on campus, students will visit a variety of destinations on class trips, sports tournaments will happen, students will perform in drama and music productions and share their artwork in exhibitions, our D2’s will graduate, and all of our learners will hopefully be engaged in valuable learning activities on a daily basis.

But as educators and leaders in education, we also have to think about how schools are changing and what the future holds for our field of work. These, in my opinion, are the big challenges and questions for the coming years:

As people’s lives become more complicated and transitions between schools become more frequent (for students and teachers), how do we ensure continuity and stability for our learners and teachers?
How can we use the huge amount of data that we have in a more meaningful way to support students and teachers?
How can we unleash the potential of the technology tools that we have available to give our learners and teachers an edge over peers around the world?
How do we effectively commit to environmental sustainability both in our educational programmes and in our school operations in a manageable way?
How can we partner with more external organisations to help provide our students with worthwhile opportunities outside school?
How do we measure the impact of our programmes and events in a meaningful, reliable way to ensure that we continually improve in everything we do?

Schools obviously have to move with the times, and most of the points listed above require responses to what I would call ‘disruptors’. We need to find a way to harness all of the exciting developments in the technology and corporate world and make sure that our responses to these issues are always aligned with the best interests and learning potential of our students and teachers.

It should be an exciting time. I hope to see as many of you as possible on campus over the coming months to share the journey with us.

Joe Lumsden

Head of School

Whole School News

Academic Calendar 2024-2025

Congratulations to our budding golfers!

Ryan, P6, won first place at the Prestige Augusta Golf Championship held on the 14th of January 2024 in Bangalore.

Aashna, P5, won third place in Copper Division – Girls while representing India in the Sri Lanka Junior Open Golf Championship 2023 held between the 20th and 22nd of December 2023 at the Royal Colombo Golf Club, Sri Lanka.

PTA News

The International Food Fair is Here!

On behalf of the PTA, we would like to wish you all the very best for the New Year and a warm welcome to our new families.

To kickstart the year, one of our first events is the International Food Festival on Saturday, February 10th.

This event will be held at school and promises to be a wonderful evening, celebrating this amazingly diverse community of ours. Various stalls by families with food from different parts of the world, performances, and more, all guaranteed to provide an amazing cultural experience.

Take a look at the previous year's food fair:

Primary School

Dear Parents and Caregivers,

I hope you all enjoyed the winter holiday. I wish you and your family a happy, safe and prosperous 2024.

As we start the new year, I would like to express our excitement for the opportunities and learning experiences that lie ahead for your child within the Primary faculty.

As you know, we are dedicated to providing a supportive and enriching environment for your children's education. To ensure a smooth and successful start to the new school year, I would like to highlight the importance of instilling good routines in our students, your child, and indeed in all of us as a learning community. The routines I have highlighted play a crucial role in promoting a positive and productive learning experience, and in keeping your child safe.

There are six key areas I would like to emphasise, three for your child, and three for you as a parent:

Your Child

Adequate Sleep

As a Primary division, we recognise the importance of a good night's sleep in supporting your child's overall well-being and academic performance. Establishing a consistent bedtime routine can greatly contribute to your child having improved focus and energy levels during school hours. I encourage you to work together with your child to establish a bedtime routine that ensures they get the recommended amount of sleep for their age group.

The research-based recommended amount of sleep for your child depends on your child’s age. Both the American Academy of Sleep Medicine and Great Ormond Street Hospital (GOSH) agree that your child needs the amount of sleep as shown below:

Children 3 to 5 years of age should sleep 10 to 13 hours per 24 hours (including naps) on a regular basis to promote optimal health.
Children 6 to 12 years of age should sleep 9 to 12 hours per 24 hours on a regular basis to promote optimal health.

Paruthi, S. (2016). Recommended Amount of Sleep for Pediatric Populations: A Consensus Statement of the American Academy of Sleep Medicine. Journal of Clinical Sleep Medicine, [online] 12(06), pp.785–786. doi:https://doi.org/10.5664/jcsm.5866.

I have attached a short article from GOSH, ‘Getting a good night’s sleep’ that you and your child could perhaps read together. The other GOSH article, ‘Paediatric Sleep - Helping your child get a good night’s sleep’ is an interesting and far more in depth read.

Organising School Bags

An organised school bag contributes to a stress-free and efficient school day. Please assist your child in organising their school bag, ensuring that they have all the necessary materials for their classes. Additionally, as swimming is a part of our curriculum, please remind your child to pack their swimming kit on the designated days to facilitate a smooth transition to and from swimming lessons.

Healthy Snacks and Lunch

As a Primary division, we understand that nutrition plays a vital role in your child's ability to learn and thrive. While we provide balanced meal options at school, we respect individual preferences. If your child prefers to bring a snack or lunch from home, we encourage you to pack nutritious nut-free options. A healthy meal helps maintain energy levels and supports concentration throughout the day.

You as a Parent

Drop-off and Pick-up Times

Please drop off your children between 07:30 am and 07:45 am to ensure a smooth start to the school day. Please only allow your child to get out of the car at the curb, in the drop-off bay, outside the Primary entrance. Please do not double park. It is important to pick up your children promptly at 15:00 pm to maintain an organised dismissal process. My sincere thanks to all of you who already do this.

After-School Visits

Whilst we encourage physical activity, walks around the school premises by parents, perhaps with visiting relatives, should only take place after school hours. This ensures the safety and well-being of all students during school operational hours. If you wish to do this, please write to Ms. Shivani Raje, our Primary PYP Secretary, at shivani.raje@stonehill.in. Please provide the full names of everyone who would like to visit the site, and include the day and date and the time you would like to visit.

Birthday Celebrations

You are welcome to provide small, simple snacks for a birthday celebration. However, kindly limit the snacks to items that are nut free and are easy to distribute. Please deliver the snacks to the Primary school entrance, where our security team will receive them from you. Parents are not allowed to enter the classrooms or school site during lesson time. We appreciate your cooperation in following these guidelines, as they contribute to the smooth functioning of our school and the well-being of all students. If you have any questions or concerns, please feel free to contact Ms. Shivani Raje, our Primary PYP Secretary, at shivani.raje@stonehill.in.

I believe that by working together to establish these routines, we can create a positive learning environment for all our students. Please know, your support and involvement in your child's daily routines contribute significantly to their success in and out of the classroom.

Finally, I would like to invite you all to our first parent workshop of 2024, ‘Nurturing Literacy: Reading & Writing - A Workshop for Parents’ the details are below:

Nurturing Literacy: Reading & Writing - A Workshop for Parents

Date: Wednesday the 14th February

Venue - The Primary Hall

Time - 14:00 pm to 15:00 pm

Agenda

Welcome and Introduction (5 minutes)
The Importance of Literacy (10 minutes)
Reading Development (15 minutes)
Writing Development (10 minutes)
Supporting Literacy at Home (5 minutes)
Questions and Answers and Closing Remarks (5 minutes)

Thank you for reading this far, and for your cooperation. I look forward to a fantastic school year filled with growth, learning, and memorable experiences, and to seeing you all on Wednesday the 14th of February.

Peter Spratling

Primary School Principal

PYP Coordinator

The IB PYP Exhibition Journey

In the past few weeks you may have heard about the PYP Exhibition on multiple occasions.

Our P8 learners have been hard at work inquiring into how “global citizens look for opportunities to put empathy into action”.

The International Baccalaureate Primary Years Programme (IB PYP) Exhibition serves as a culminating and transformative experience for learners in the final year of their primary education. The main purpose of the PYP exhibition is to provide learners with an opportunity to showcase their understanding of the essential elements of the PYP - knowledge, conceptual understanding, skills, learner profile, and action - while addressing a real-world issue. This transdisciplinary project encourages learners to inquire into a topic of personal interest, fostering a sense of agency and independence. The process involves extensive research, collaboration, critical thinking, reflection, planning, taking action, and finally, presenting their findings to the wider community.

The PYP Exhibition not only celebrates students' academic achievements but also nurtures their growth as socially responsible, compassionate individuals prepared to make a positive impact on the world. We eagerly anticipate this year’s presentation days between the 23rd and 24th of January, during which the P8 learners will showcase their in-depth inquiries and discoveries.

PYP Counsellor

Helpful Hints to Keep your Child Motivated

As we embrace the arrival of a new year, the familiar pressure to set resolutions looms large, often with limited follow-through. However, the concept of goal-setting remains a valuable one, extending its benefits to children as well, providing essential motivation.

To assist your child in maintaining enthusiasm through the second half of the academic year, consider implementing the following strategies:

Reflect and Adapt

Invest quality time with your child, revisiting the goals they established at the academic year's commencement. Encourage them to share both triumphs and challenges, expressing pride in their efforts. Collaborate on the creation or adjustment of short-term goals, ensuring they adhere to the SMART criteria (specific, measurable, attainable, realistic, and timely) so they truly feel successful in their learning journey.

Co-create a Roadmap

Beyond goal-setting, engage your child in discussions about the strategies they intend to employ in achieving these objectives. Explore the resources required, whether it involves your support, teacher assistance, or re-evaluating screen time to accommodate more time for reading or research or even play.

Instil Confidence

Reassure your child of your pride in their accomplishments and convey your belief in their ability to overcome setbacks. Offering specific/labelled praise can significantly boost their confidence, emphasising that setbacks are merely stepping stones to success.

Embrace the Joy of Milestones

Express genuine excitement for your child's goals, becoming their cheerleader and celebrating their smallest victories. Remind them that progress, not perfection, is the ultimate aim.

Neeti Sarkar

PYP Counsellor

Primary News

P3 - An Inquiry Into How the World Works

In the unit of inquiry, "How the World Works", our P3 learners showed great research skills.

They studied the properties of materials and how we use them. They started by closely looking at everyday materials. This led to learning to categorise and classify matter based on what we see and feel.

The learners understood basic science ideas and studied how matter can be liquids, solids or gases. They worked in teams and collaborated well with their classmates.

The learners were curious and keen on understanding their reactions. They also studied gases, and participated in various learning experiences such as blowing bubbles, making kites, mixing baking soda with vinegar, and clay-modeling.

When exploring the properties of water, they found that water could flow and take the shape of its container. They compared the solids to water, noting that solids keep their shape. They grouped materials by their properties like hard, soft, transparent, and smooth.

At the end of the unit, the P3 learners put together what they learnt about changing the properties of material to meet different needs. Using the Design Thinking process, they identified problems and came up with new solutions, showing practical use of what they learnt.

P1/P2 Art

In the recent Arts Fest, our P1/P2 learners embarked on an exciting journey that not only fostered creativity but also strengthened their sense of unity and teamwork. The students explored into the world of land art, where they created their piece of art as a shared project with their classmates.

The journey began with a leisurely walk around the art space, turning the learning environment into a space of inspiration. With their curious and wondrous hearts and minds, the young artists gathered items that caught their attention—pencils, erasers, paint palettes, crayons, brushes, sticks, sponges, pipe clearers, etc. The simple act of exploring and selecting items became an engaging game, transforming the learning space into a canvas of possibilities.

Secondary School

Trips Week

This new year starts with discovering newer avenues to learn and explore.

Discussions are on with Trips Week planning and the trip leaders are diligently planning the smallest details to ensure a safe and smooth experience for all students.

Trips Week will provide students with experiential learning opportunities, broaden perspectives, and develop cultural awareness and experiences that complement and enrich classroom instruction. Whether it's the crystal clear waters in the Andamans, coastal areas in Trivandrum, or the wilderness in Wayanad, we are certain the students will have a great time bonding with their friends, learning in a completely different way, and engaging in activities that will rejuvenate their mind and body.

Embracing Diverse Cultures: Language Department

Embracing diverse cultural backgrounds at Stonehill, our Language Department actively connects us to our cultural roots through the host language. In the pursuit of nurturing a sense of belonging, the department recently commemorated World Hindi Day.

The D1 students are busy with semester exams.

MUN plays a crucial role in the holistic development of students by providing them with practical skills, global awareness, and a deeper understanding of international relations. It prepares them for future academic and professional endeavours, fostering a sense of responsibility as global citizens. A group of enthusiastic students have revived the MUN club and are participating in various events across India, the recent one being the Yale MUN hosted by Shiv Nadar School, Gurgaon.

Secondary News

Secondary News

Secondary PHE

Movement Composition Unit

The Movement Composition unit focuses on the artistic and creative aspects of movement, allowing students to explore choreography, spatial awareness, and self-expression. The focus is different for all grades and the range of activities includes gymnastics, aerobics, Zumba, and western dance.

The students choreographed movement sequences in small groups (3-5 students per group), outlining and explaining their plans based on music and movement choices. They performed, applying knowledge of choreographic elements such as synchronisation, formations, and rhythm to suitable music.

Assessment criteria included the effective selection and application of dance and aerobic steps, movement concepts, and identification of different aerobic dance moves. The process provided a holistic view of their creative sequence, complemented by engaging reflection questions for the movement composition unit.

Health-related Fitness Unit & Tiger Trail Cross-Country

Within the Health-related Fitness unit, the emphasis is on physical well-being, encompassing components such as cardiovascular endurance, strength, flexibility, speed, and body composition.

Under the Miles for Smiles Tiger Trail Cross Country, students concluded the Health-related Physical Fitness Unit by participating in cross-country races, promoting endurance and vitality.

Athletics Unit: Track & Field Events

In the Athletics (track and field) unit, the students are involved in various athletic competitions, including 100m, 200m, 400m, and 800m races, long jump, high jump, and shot put, showcasing a diverse range of athletic skills.

House competitions are exciting events for the entire school community. The students compete in various sports and activities throughout the year, fostering teamwork and school spirit. The first part of the year featured thrilling football and basketball events within the house sports competitions. A major upcoming event is Sports Day, where students from M1 to D2 will participate in Athletics competitions during the first week of February 2024.

House Basketball

Team Chawla is the overall Basketball House Champion for this academic year.

Personal Social Development

Stress and Anxiety…What’s the difference?

Everyone knows just how important it is for us to support our mental well-being. Unfortunately, sometimes no matter how knowledgeable we may be on topics and strategies related to supporting our mental health, we still may find ourselves feeling overwhelmed, stressed, or full of anxiety.

This past week our MYP students participated in Personal Social Development (PSD) lessons on the topic of Mental Health. In one of our M5 PSD lessons, students took a deeper look into understanding what stress is, what stressors they have in their lives, how they feel when they are stressed, and what they can do to manage their stress levels. As students navigated through this topic to better understand stress, they also came across the topic of anxiety and how stress and anxiety differ.

Boarding News

Welcome back, everyone! We trust you had a restful and rejuvenating winter break. It brings us joy to see the familiar faces of our students returning with enthusiasm, making it evident that there truly is no place like Stonehill boarding.

The month of January is a busy period for students due to IA and EE submissions, semester exams, and the approaching experiential learning or Trips Week.

Our D2 students have been putting in considerable effort, engaging in numerous group study sessions to prepare for the upcoming mock exams at the end of the month.

In our ongoing commitment to the well-being and support of our boarding students, the following staffing arrangements have been put in place for the remainder of the academic year. A warm welcome to Ms. Rizwana, Secondary PE Teacher and Ms. Neirilu, PYP Teaching Assistant. They are valuable additions to the boarding team and will be contributing to the nurturing environment in the girls' boarding house. Additionally, Mr. Elvis, our Events Coordinator joins Mr. Wayne to ensure the well-being and development of our M1-M5 boys.

Despite the academic rigour, our boarders remain actively engaged in extracurricular activities, participating in football, basketball, and badminton after school and on weekends. These moments of recreation and teamwork contribute to a holistic boarding experience.

On Monday, the boarders enjoyed a delightful time flying kites to celebrate Makar Sankranti. The traditional festival not only marked the beginning of the harvest season but also created cherished memories for the students.

As we welcome the new year, it’s time to celebrate the remarkable achievements of two outstanding boarders, Rignesh, M4, and Sumair, D1, who displayed exceptional sporting skills during the winter break.

Rignesh made it to the quarterfinals at the 2023 Ontario US Open table tennis tournament. Reflecting on his experience, he shared, "the tournament reflected the spirit of competitive table tennis—a never-ending, high-stakes arena where skill, strategy, and split-second decision-making characterise the thrilling competition.”

Sumair represented his club, Alchemy IFA, at the U17 - All India Football Federation Youth League in Chennai. Our heartfelt congratulations to both athletes. We are truly proud of their accomplishments!

Lastly, a warm welcome to three new students joining our boarding family in Semester 2. May your time with us be filled with enriching experiences and meaningful connections.

Enjoy the weekend!

The Tiger, January 19th, 2024