A QUARTERLY e-MAGAZINE PRIMARY WING April - July (YEAR 2023-24) Issue: LVG-18/1st Quarter/2023-24
PREFACE… Dear Reader, Warm greetings to you! It is with great pleasure that we introduce the inaugural edition of our quarterly digital magazine, 'Different Strokes,' for the Academic Session 2023-24. This emagazine stands as one among the numerous sincere initiatives undertaken by the school to keep parents well-informed about the wide array of school activities spanning across all Grades and innovative instructional approaches. Our school proudly stands as a beacon of academic excellence, providing diverse platforms for our learners to unveil their innate talents, potential, and capabilities. We firmly believe in the significance of recognizing and nurturing the unique qualities of each child, thus fostering their very best. The remarkable achievements of our learners in board examinations serve as a testament to their unwavering dedication towards their goals. Their active involvement in various social campaigns, coupled with their triumphant journeys in competitive examinations, Olympiads, interschool competitions and workshops, contribute towards shaping them into confident, enlightened, and socially-conscious citizens. The 15th of August encapsulates the very essence of our nation, our rich heritage, and the spirit of our people. Our learners, who represent the youth of our country and its future citizens, stand as the torchbearers of our legacy. This edition of the e-magazine aptly showcases the accomplishments of our learners across a myriad of events. It offers insights into our Reading Programs, Skill Education Clubs, Safety Awareness sessions, Special Days, and Academic Research Projects, among other initiatives that collectively contribute to the comprehensive growth of each learner. We extend our heartfelt gratitude to our Director-Principal, Ms. Anita Malhotra, whose steadfast guidance has been an unwavering source of inspiration. Her exceptional support and leadership have played a pivotal role in conceiving and successfully publishing this quarterly e-magazine. Our appreciation also goes out to our invaluable parent community for their resolute commitment and unwavering trust. We hold the utmost confidence that with our persistent efforts and their unflinching support, our learners will continue to scale new heights of achievement. May your journey through the pages of this magazine bring you as much delight as we experienced in curating it! JAI HIND!
FRom ouR PAtRon… DR. SHAYAMA CHONA Padma Shri, Padma Bhushan Awardee India’s history is a tapestry woven with threads of bravery, resilience, and determination. It brings me immense joy to witness our Lotusians emerge as future leaders, thinkers, and change-makers of India. A dream that was once envisioned has materialized into a resounding reality in such a short span of time! The remarkable leadership and unwavering dedication of the Director-Principal Ms. Anita Malhotra, have led to the adoption of innovative teaching methodologies and the seamless integration of technology in education. I also extend a warm welcome to the new learners who have now become part of this expansive and remarkable family. May you flourish and thrive under the nurturing guidance of an affectionate Principal. I commend the imaginative, passionate, and committed team behind this magazine. May this publication stand as a tribute to the exceptional potential that resides within each learner, showcasing remarkable talents across diverse fields of academics, sports, arts, and community service. May they continue to explore, innovate, and embrace knowledge with open minds and compassionate hearts. With my Love and Blessings… Education fosters self-assurance, which in turn breeds optimism, and this optimism paves the way for tranquility. I offer my heartfelt congratulations to the learners, educators, and parents of Lotus Valley International School Gurugram for yet another year of impressive achievements. The school has consistently upheld the pursuit of excellence, not just in academics, but also in character and values. The supportive community within the school strives to guide each learner to imbibe the qualities of empathy and compassion, which serve as the building blocks of a harmonious society. As we commemorate the spirit of freedom, we also embrace the responsibility of being conscientious citizens who positively contribute to the nation.
From THE DESK OF DIRECTOR - PRInCIPAL … Ms ANITA MALHOTRA Delhi State & CBSE Awardee Education is not the learning of facts, but the training of the mind to THINK. I am delighted to extend my Congratulations and Best Wishes to the learners of Grades X and XII, Batch 2022-23, for their exceptional performance in the CBSE Board exams. This achievement fills me with immense pride and underscores the collective dedication of the school, learners as well as the parents. Our institution, since its establishment, has consistently met the needs and aspirations of the society at large. Through meticulously planned events and activities, each learner is guided to evolve as a critical thinker and a responsible global citizens. In line with this, the first quarter of this academic year witnessed enthusiastic participation from learners in various Inter and Intra-school events. These included Inter-House competitions, Skill Education Clubs, research-driven Class Assemblies, Levelled Reading and FITKID programmes, Scholar Badge Ceremonies, Udayan - an initiative of the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI). Our learners also exhibited remarkable zeal during the two Intra-School Model United Nations Conferences, LOTUSMUN'23 and AIKYAM: Uniting Minds, Reshaping the Future, engaging in thought-provoking discussions and debates. I extend my heartfelt gratitude to our esteemed management, dedicated teachers, diligent learners, and the supportive parent community of Lotus Valley. Your steadfast support forms a robust foundation for our endeavours. I am confident that our learners will continue to make us proud by consistently striving to become future leaders and exemplary figures in our value-driven society. With this, I present the inaugural edition of our quarterly e-Magazine for the Academic Session 2023-24. I eagerly anticipate our continued connection, where we can share more achievements and accolades. Together, let us persistently nurture our children with the right principles and values. Happy Reading!
WHAt’S In StoRE… ACADEMICS… ➢ Admissions in IIT ➢ Grade X Board Results: 2022-23 ➢ Grade XII Board Results: 2022-23 ➢ Commencement of Academic Session 2023-24 ➢ Bonding/Reflection Time – Grades Pre Nursery – III ➢ Enriching Workshops for Mentors SCHOLASTIC FEATS… ➢ The Investiture Ceremony AWARDS & ACHIEVEMENTS… ➢ Outstanding Education Leadership Award 2023 by EGN India ➢ Education Leaders Conclave & Awards 2023 ➢ Young Author- Siyona Bakshi, Grade IX ➢ Young Author- Shivangi Talwar, Grade IX ➢ Young Author- Rabjot Singh Guliani, Grade III ➢ Young Author- Naisha Sawhney, Grade IX ➢ Young Author- Parinika, Grade II ➢ Young Author- Ayanna Vaidya, Grade XI ➢ Young Author- Vanshika Gupta & Aashvi Rao Sharma, Grade IV ➢ Young Author- Aarav Khandpur, Grade VI ➢ Young Author- Ishika Agarwal, Grade VI ➢ NSTSE Olympiads 2023- Ivana Agarwal, Grade V ➢ Laurels in Hindi Olympiad ➢ Hindustan Times Quizverse Section – Anav Shah, Grade X ➢ All India Dance Competition – Tamanna Anand, Grade VII ➢ KAMP NASTA – CSIR Initiative 2023 ➢ Achievements in Sports Championships ➢ Lego Enthusiast- Aryav Mathur, Grade IX ➢ Black Belt Test – Sanay Jain, Grade III RENDEZVOUS… ➢ Entree Program Grades Pre Nursery - III ➢ Parent Teacher Conference - Grades Pre Nursery - III ➢ Parent Participation Programme – Grade II ➢ Enriching Workshops for Parents Grades Pre Nursery - III BRAIN TRAIN ➢ Inter-school Competitions - Grades Pre Nursery – III TREADING TOWARDS BIGGER GOALS… ➢ Udayan: Empowering Plates and Enriching Lives ➢ ATL LVISG Agro Vision
WHAt’S In StoRE… BEYOND CLASSROOMS… ➢ Last day before the Summer Break ➢ Summer Enrichment Work - Grades Pre Nursery – III ➢ Skill Education Clubs - Grades I – III ➢National Technology Day - Grades Pre Nursery – III ➢ Wow Dad – Grades Pre Nurery - Prep ➢Third language Sessions – Grade III ➢ Art Integration ➢ Shin Programme ➢Class Assemblies ➢ Movie Excursions – Grades Prep – III ➢ Innovative Explorations in Labs - Grades Pre Nursery – III ➢ Reading Programme - Grades Pre Nursery – III ➢ Safet & Self Awareness Programme ➢ Research Based Activities - Grades Pre Nursery – III ➢ Arney’s Fitkid Nutrition Programme ➢ Mogly Gurukul Vallue Education Programme ➢ Spic Macay TEEN VOGUE ➢ Lotus Blooms – The Alumni Connect Program ➢ Lotus MUN 2023 ➢ Noor - e- Quafila – Farewell, Grade XII 2023 ➢ IGrassp CRUISING THE WORLD… ➢ Director – Principal’s visit to Vietnam Embassy ➢ Celebrating International Days - Grades Pre Nursery – III ➢ Korean Experience Programme TRACK & FIELD ➢ Keeping fit with Physical Education and Skill Based Games, YOUNG MINDS AT WORK ➢ Creative Work by our Young Learners - Grades Pre Nursery – III NOTICE BOARD ➢ Events Planned for the Next Quarter - Grades Pre Nursery – III FROM THE MAILBOX ➢ Appreciation Messages from Parents THE MINDFULNESS ROOM CREDITS
Academics
With immense pride Lotus Valley family heartily congratulates Suchit Srivastava, Class of 2023 on his phenomenal performance in JEE Examination and being accepted to the India’s most premier Engineering Institute, IIT Guwahati. You’ve proved that dedication and learning end at excellent outcome. May this success lead to greater achievements in the years to come. ADMISSION IN IIT GUWAHATI Suchit Srivastava (Class of 2023) ADMISSION IN IIT BOMBAY Bhakti Bansal (Class of 2023) With great joy and pride, we share the outstanding achievement of our learner, Bhakti Bansal, Class of 2023 on securing admission in India’s most prestigious Engineering Institute, IIT Bombay. Lotus Valley family wishes her the best for her future academics and all the strength to pursue her dreams. Congratulations on your well-deserved success, Bhakti! You are an inspiration! 'The destiny of hard work is always success.'
Lotus Valley International School, Gurugram, congratulates the hard work, dedication, and perseverance of its learners who have made their parents and mentors proud. Their outstanding result is a testament to their exceptional abilities and their unwavering commitment to excellence. It is with the blessings of the Almighty that we celebrate their achievements today. The leadership and vision provided by our Director-Principal, Ms. Anita Malhotra, have been instrumental in shaping their academic journey and preparing them for future endeavours. Our deepest gratitude and appreciation to our DirectorPrincipal, the School Management, the School Patron, Dr. Shayama Chona for their unwavering support, guidance, and belief in the learners’ potential. We wish the learners the very best for their future and pray for their success, accomplishment, and happiness in every aspect of their lives. LOTUSIANS SHINE AT THE BOARDS Grade X RESULTS, 2022-23
LOTUSIANS SHINE AT THE BOARDS Grade XII RESULTS, 2022-23
COMMENCEMENT OF ACADEMIC SESSION 2023-24 “The magic in new beginnings is truly the most powerful of them all.” – Josiyah Martin New Beginnings are always mystical! Lotus Valley International School started the new academic session 2023-24 on the 5 th April 2023. Educators along with Scholastic and Co-scholastic mentors assiduously planned the metamorphosis of education as our learners embarked upon their illustrious journey of joyful learning. An actionpacked day full of fun activities, laughter and warmth was planned to welcome learners. The day began with ice-breaking session with learner's introduction followed by dance, music, games, craft and storytelling sessions. As the day progressed, learners showcased their ease in their new classes. Children expressed their comfort in the new environment as they bonded with mentors and expressed their love with love and hugs while the younger lot showcased their belongingness in the environment with story enactment, sharing of interests, likes and dislikes and talking endlessly about themselves with peers and mentors. The first day started with a feeling of trepidation but ended with joy, excitement and laughter in the warm and welcoming classrooms.
BONDING AND REFLECTION TIME Grades Pre Nursery - III We do not learn from experience… we learn from reflecting on experience. Bonding and Reflection Time have seamlessly been integrated into the daily timetable of Grades Pre-Nursery – III based on our firm belief that the bond between mentors and learners is a crucial aspect of the educational experience. This provides learners an opportunity to connect with both peers and mentors, bolstering their social skills and fostering a sense of community. This connect with each other as well as the mentor plays a significant role in the overall academic, emotional, and social development of learners. Each day at school commences with Bonding Time, during which learners pray together, share experiences, preview the day's agenda and participate in activities that stimulate critical thinking, creative writing and problem-solving skills. Similarly, the concluding session of the day, Reflection Time, allows learners to pause, contemplate the day's activities, evaluate their learning and engage in discussions about the acquired knowledge. Bonding and Reflection periods have strengthened the multifaceted and dynamic bond between mentors and learners, thus contributing significantly to the overall educational experience, learners' personal growth, and their journey toward becoming well-rounded individuals.
WORKSHOP FOR MENTORS Shin Programme “Education is learning and training of the mind to think” Thinking out of the box and embracing opportunities that appear, is the key to excel. Lotus Valley International School, Gurugram in collaboration with Shin Edu Power organised a workshop for mentors in order to provide them with knowledge of the Japanese style experiential group learning programme. The Shin Programme provides continuous growth opportunities as learners strive to reach their optimum potential. The programme inculcates a love for learning amongst our leaners and has been introduced for Grade I to IV for the academic year 2023-24. It is an exclusive program thoughtfully integrated in the curriculum that aims at developing the soft skills and essential cognitive abilities of learners that are essential to excel in all spheres of life. To foster creative and critical thinking at the forefront of learning, Mr. Takehiro Nakamura conducted a Teacher Training Programme for our mentors on 24th March 2023. This program offers a plethora of activities that aim to boost our learners’ spatial understanding, motor and problem-solving skills. Mentors had an impactful experience and earnestly look forward for the successful implementation of this innovative programme with zest in this academic session.
WORKSHOP FOR MENTORS Decoding NCF 2023 “Learning is not attained by chance, it must be sought for with ardor and attended to with diligence” – Abigail Adams As it is rightly said that ‘Curriculum’ is an experience learners ought to have, to become what they ought to become. Curriculum framework is a plan of educational aims and learning experiences that the school should provide to a child. It is up to the creativity of the mentors to carve a curriculum design as per the learning needs and styles of its learners that will cultivate them and help in their holistic development. To create awareness and to highlight the salient features of NCF2023, a workshop on ‘Decoding National curriculum Framework – 2023’ was organized in association with Macmillan Education India at Lotus Valley International School, Gurgaon on Saturday, April 29’2023. Ms. Manju Sehgal, Director and member of Educational Research, Design and Training Team provided a comprehensive overview of the guiding principles of the framework to all the faculty members of the school. The workshop aimed to updated the participants about the changes in NCF and identify different strategies for teaching practices which are crucial for ensuring quality education. Ms Sehgal briefed about the importance of learner-centric approach and focus on experiential learning which is essential for developing critical thinking, problem-solving, collaboration, and communication skills among learners. The active participation of the teachers in discussions and Q&A session further facilitated a deeper understanding of NCF and its application. Overall, it was a valuable learning experience for all participants, and the insights gained was beneficial to further enhance teaching pedagogies and effectiveness of the learning imparted to enable learners develop the right knowledge, skill and attitude.
‘Technology can become the wings that will allow the educational world to fly farther and faster than ever before-if we allow it’- Jenny Arledge As the world extends to the new heights of Innovation and advancing technologies, education and learning collaboratively paves the way towards tremendous success in future. We at Lotus Valley strongly believe that technology alone is not going to improve student achievement. The best combination is great teachers working with technology to engage students in the pursuit of the learning they need. To further the cause and empower our teachers to do the same, a two day online workshop was organized for the mentors of our school on 23rd and 24th May 2024 by the Microsoft Innovative Expert Educator team. It was a 180 mins comprehensive workshop that familiarised all the participants about various Microsoft tools that can enhance effectiveness of teaching and learning methodologies. The session was live streamed by Ms. Meenakshi Uberoi who acquainted the participants with the multi-step process which included applying for the program, completing a training course, and submitting an educator-created research to become an MIEE expert. The workshop enabled our mentors to use various innovative and technological teaching pedagogies in the classroom and enable our learners to carve a niche in the field of education and research. WORKSHOP FOR MENTORS Microsoft Innovative Educator Expert 2024
CREATIVE WRITING WORKSHOP From Imagination to Words 20th May, 23 CREATIVE WRITING WORKSHOP From Imagination to Words 20th May, 23 ‘Words are a lens to focus one’s mind’ The Creative Writing Workshop hosted by Lotus Valley International School in partnership with Collins on Saturday, 20th May 2023 was a truly inspiring event. The focus of the workshop was on nurturing imagination and fostering the joy of storytelling, making it a unique and enriching experience for the participants. The workshop was led by Ms. Komal Narwani, a talented author, storyteller, and workshop mentor. With her guidance, the learners were taken through the process of crafting captivating stories. They learned the art of creating well-rounded characters, constructing immersive and engaging story worlds, and effectively expressing their ideas through words. Beyond merely honing their writing skills, the workshop also provided a platform for the participants to improve their communication and self-expression abilities. It encouraged them to step out of their comfort zones and explore their individual writing styles, thus enabling them to embrace and showcase their creativity in its purest form. The participants left the workshop with a sense of fulfilment, having experienced a rewarding journey of self-discovery through writing. The event was an opportunity for the learners to nurture their creativity, enhance their storytelling talents, and gain a deeper understanding of the power of words and expression. Overall, the collaborative efforts of Lotus Valley International School and Collins in organizing this creative writing workshop, along with the expert guidance of Ms. Komal Narwani, contributed to a memorable and enlightening experience for all the participants.
SCHOLASTIC FEATS
THE INVESTITURE CEREMONY 18th May, 2023 "The function of leadership is to produce more leaders, not more followers." -Ralph Nader Lotus Valley International School, Gurgaon felicitated and celebrated the achievements of its extraordinary learners who made their mark through their hard work, commitment and became the true champions of the legacy of joyful learning in the grand Investiture Ceremony held on 18th May 2023 The occasion was graced by our esteemed school patron Dr Shayama Chona, Member of the Managing Committee ,Ms. Sureena Uppal and The DirectorPrincipal, Ms. Anita Malhotra . The Director-Principal, Ms. Anita Malhotra enlivened the gathering with her insightful address and shared the school’s outstanding Board Results for the academic session 2022-23 with the school average of 86.5% in Grade 12 and 90% in Grade 10 with 52 students making it to the 100 marks club. She congratulated the newly nominated members and asked them to be responsible, loving and respectful towards one and all and create a healthy and conducive environment by finding inspiration and become better versions of themselves every day. She beautifully encouraged non badge leadership inspired by the Father of the Nation Mahatama Gandhi who rose high without designation and became a true karm yogi. Aryaman Bisht, the Former Head-Boy and Mahak Datta, the Former Head-Girl for the academic session 2022-23 shared their experiences as the torchbearers for the newly commissioned student body. Dr. Shayama Chona,Ms. Sureena Uppal and Ms.Anita Malhotra along with VicePrincipals conferred badges and sashes upon the newly elected Student Body. It was a truly proud moment to have our dearest School Patron, Shayama Chona administer the oath to our new members of the Student Council Body. Dr. Shayama Chona shared the most inspiring message of love and joy and that learners have limitless possibilities ahead of them. They could be the Prime Minster, Mahatama Gandhi or Churchill but they must remain joyful. She also encouraged them to be grateful to parents, school, and society. She shared that Love makes everything grow and that it can create a peaceful and harmonious world. She congratulated the nominated council members and urged them to be Captains of their ships whilst remaining humble. She also advised that I be replaced with We to create a strong Team. Our sprightly learners raised the exultation by presenting Cadence, a musical harmony of beats. Jaanvi Paande, President and Anirudh Govindan, Vice President of the Student Council 23-24 to shared their grand vision followed by Shaurya Agarwal and Kaina Malik, the Head Boy and Head Girl 23-24 encouraged the most competent Student Council Body to embody a balanced unification of positive attitude, critical thinking, willingness to learn, team spirit and leadership. The event was brought to a befitting closure with the National Anthem.
AWARDS & ACCOLADES