1

SCIS BUZZ

FEBRUARY 2019

Volume 11, Issue 11

In This Issue

From the Principal’s Desk Page 1

Ilead Scope – Youth Film and

Photography Competition

French Workshop (Formation)

Visit to Birla Industrial and

Technological Museum

SCIS Celebrates National

Integrity Day

Page 2

Dealing with Failures –

‘Developing Resilience in

School Children’

Page 3

Primary Assemblies and

Activities Page 4

Editorial Team

Ms. Dolly Chowdhury

Ms. Manisha Pandey

Ms. Mondira Sarkar

Mr. Abhishek Guha

Ms. Deepti Bhattacharya

Ms. Sawandipa Banerjee

Ms. Asmita Kapoor

FROM THE PRINCIPAL’S DESK

Dear Students,

February is the month of examinations. ICSE ,ISC and the Annual Examinations

bring along plenty of anxiety. More than half of this fear can be attributed to

psychological factors. The rest springs from our own inability to prepare for these

occasions. Once we realize this, a partial causative factor of our anxiety will be

eliminated. It is therefore relevant to understand the methods we can use to prepare

for examination.

As you all are aware that each academic year is split into terms. Each term concludes

with an examination. The syllabus is graded in scientific manner. The process is

gradual and nothing is thrust upon suddenly. The objective is to evaluate students

frequently and also to keep them in continuous state of preparedness.

All that the students are required to do is, attend the classes and observe with

concentration so as to comprehend all that is being discussed. All doubts should be

cleared forthwith. A little practice daily as a matter of routine and revision of previous

topics regularly will go a long way in keeping the thought process active. Once the

routine is established it becomes a habit. Habits require less effort and time. This will

also prevent pre examination stress.

Psychological factors can be eliminated through self-belief. Often the roots lie in

expectation and ego. Striving for excellence creates its own problem unless it is

accompanied by a great degree of belief and confidence, as also an attitude to accept

any situation which is not at par with the desired result. It is not about staying ahead

of everyone that matters. It is the knowledge you have accumulated in your quest for

excellence that actually matters. You are in the examination hall to evaluate yourself.

Once you realize this, examinations will look like a thrilling challenge.

All should also lay emphasis on physical fitness. Our mental faculties can withstand

only if we physically fit and have the ability to cope with stress.

All the Best!

Warm regards,

John A Bagul

2

ILEAD SCOPE – YOUTH FILM AND PHOTOGRAPHY COMPETITION Today Ahan Roy and Madhura Bhattacharjee had attended a wonderful ILEAD Photography

competition also named ILEAD SCOPE. On 31st January they had submitted their photographs for

Ilead scope competition.

The programme started at 11:00 a.m and was followed by lamp lighting. After the lamp lighting, the

chairman of Ilead, Mr. Pradip Chopra delivered address which was followed by the chief guest’s ad-

dress. At 12:30 p.m the presentation of the PHOTOGRAPHY-STUDENTS (MOBILE/DSLR) group

presented in front of the judges and the audience which consisted of the other participants and the

staffs and students of Ilead. The presentation ended within an hour and was followed by the presenta-

tion of PHOTOGRAPHY-COLLEGE (MOBILE/DSLR) group. At around 1:30 p.m the presentation

ended and we were given an hour for lunch. At around 2:30 p.m everyone was seated in the auditorium

and the VIDEOGRAPHY-STUDENTS (MOBILE/DSLR) round began. It also ended within an hour

and was then followed by the VIDEOGRAPHY-COLLEGE (MOBILE/DSLR) round. They first got selected from total 113 students from which they se-

lected 50 students and then 20 and then to 6 (through screening process). After all the rounds there was a promotional event and the trailer of the Bengali

movie “HACKER” was shown. The results of the competition was declared at 4:30 p.m which was followed by the vote of thanks. Our school, South City

International School, took part in the PHOTOGRAPHY-STUDENTS (MOBILE/DSLR) group. Our school was declared as the winner of the PHOTOG-

RAPHY-STUDENTS (MOBILE/DSLR) group. They were given a trophy, a tripod, a certificate and two bags full of coupons.

FRENCH WORKSHOP (FORMATION)

A three-day `Formation` was organised in South City International School for French teachers by Institut Francais en Inde. The workshop saw the participa-

tion of French teachers from all around the country and even teachers from France working in India. It was three days full of learning and fun, as we learnt

innovative classroom teaching techniques starting with use of technology in the classroom to the methods recommended for improving writing and com-

prehension skills. There was also a very interesting session on how to correct errors and proper ways of correction. The sessions were conducted by Mlle.

Laetitia Lompech, M. Emmanuel Samson and Mlle. Veronika Vasileska. The sessions saw the eager and enthusiastic participation of all the teachers.

Our school`s facilities were praised by all the participants. Our French department has been extremely enriched by the experience and our sincere thanks to

our Principal, Mr. Bagul for having taken the pains to host this event.

VISIT TO BIRLA INDUSTRIAL AND TECHNOLOGICAL MUSEUM

On Thusrday, 28th February 2019, Classes 9A and 9B were taken to Birla Industrial and Technological Museum for a Science

show by Mr. Stuart Kohlhagen from the National Science and Technology Centre, Australia, on the occasion of National Science

Day. He started with a short speech introducing us to the concept of computative thinking, referring to it as an exercise for the brain.

He said that computative thinking is the understanding and solving of problems. He then proceeded to give us examples of this

method of thinking, such as covering all the squares on an Australian chess board with the 'Knight' piece, or taking off a vest while

handcuffed. He used such fun, interesting and witty puzzles to show the students the importance of computative thinking. "Problems

can be solved by taking it apart," he stated. The students had fun and were interested in the talk. It was an enriching experience for

all present at the talk.

-Hiya Bhattacharjee and Teesta Ghosh, 9A

SCIS CELEBRATES NATIONAL INTEGRITY DAY

To celebrate the quality of honesty and the morality upright in our own lives, three enterprising ladies associated with JCI Kolkata,

visited South City International School on 1st February 2019 to conduct the morning assembly on Integrity Day.

Ms. Anju Saini, the founder of "Alternative Healing Center”, Ms. Neena Agarwal Co -vice president of JCI and Entrepre-

neur and Ms. ReshmaNarwani , a freelance counselor, NLP practitioner and graphologist . Program director of JCI, passed on the

messages of integrity to the students through a beautifully crafted Integrity oath and a motivating video. Ms. ReshmaNarwani spoke

at length sharing her days of association with JCI.

What has influenced you to join this organization?

I always wanted to do something for the society. JCI, Kolkata, provides me with that platform. Association with JCI has helped me

grow as an individual.

How would you describe the environment of your organization?

JCI, Kolkata, is an international organization with vibrant members between 18-40 years. We are a global movement who inspire

young people to recognize their responsibility to create a better world and empower them to drive change.

Can you share with us the kind of activities that take place in your organization?

It has various activities relating to leadership, community projects, trainings and business.

What are the challenging facets especially when you work in rural areas?

The greatest challenge of working in rural areas is mainly related tofunds. With mammoth jobs that remain to be completed, we are faced with fund crunch.

What kind of support do you receive in terms of people and finances?

Yes, we have full support of all the members. In terms of finances, we have to restrict most of our projects on sponsors and donations.

What significant growth do you foresee in the coming year?

Well the society is changing and it will definitely change for better. More people have become aware, looking after self and society, be it women, education

or cleanliness .There is a remarkable change.

Personally I feel in the coming years, women will gain more power to bring a tangible change in the society.

3

DEALING WITH FAILURES – ‘DEVELOPING RESILIENCE IN SCHOOL CHILDREN’

The Regional Summit of School Principals (under Project Paradigm) held on February 13, 2019, focused on Dealing with Failures – ‘Developing

Resilience in School Children’. It was organized by the Institute of Counsellor Training Research and Consultancy (ICTRC) at Hotel Hindusthan

International, Kolkata.

A gathering of over 100 delegates were present on the occasion which included Principals and Vice Principals, Head mistresses, Coordinators and

Teachers of various leading schools of West Bengal, Bihar and Jharkhand.

Participating teachers of SCIS- Moumita Chatterjee and Dolly Chowdhury

The main objective of this summit was to help School Principals and Counselors develop a comprehensive understanding of the concept of resilience

so that they can lead and direct the School Resilience Program and integrate it in their school guidance program.

Dr. V.S. Ravindran, Director General of ICTRC, began with the question,” How many people sitting in this hall have never faced failure till date?

Please raise your hands.”

He was relieved to see not a single hand going up and continued that this programme is not for the people who have never failed in their lives. In

recent times, how are the happy people living? It is towards positive psychology that they have moved on to. Today, it is not to prevent failures but

how to cope and deal with failures.

What is resilience?

Resilience is being able to bounce back from stress, challenge, tragedy, trauma or adversity. When children are resilient, they are braver, more

curious, more adaptable, and more able to extend their reach into the world.

The great news is that resilience is something that can be nurtured in all children.

Dr. Ravindran, through inspiring real-life examples and stories told us how to develop resilience skills in school children.

The summit also included an orientation on developing ‘right attitudes’ in children and teaching them not to let the three Ps lives-of personalistion,

pervasiveness and Permanence affect them. The mantra of life should be ‘temporariness’ and accepting failures as temporary things in life and not

as the final one. Dr. Ravindran also mentioned methods to train parents on nurturing children at young age for developing resilient skills. As early

childhood experiences have a great impact in human life, if children are taught to delay gratification and learn to wait for rewards, these processes

will help them be more resilient. Giving the example of marshmallows experiment and stressing on the phase of children from Pre-primary years

and primary years as important phases for children.

Failures are like vaccination, inoculation. They help in immunizing. “Failure” is Failure only when we feel it is a final stop.

Next, Professor Keshav oriented the gathering on ‘The road to resilience’ and shared tips on identifying high risk children in school in the fast

changing world. To cope with constant change, the students need to adapt themselves to the failures

by developing tools and skills.

He discussed about the wheel of resilience.

The domains of Resilience –Where can it be developed?

a) Through Education- talk, discuss with teachers, parents and students

b) Social competence- being with right people, friends, strong social support group

c) Having good friends

d)Developing talent and hobbies

e) Secure base-functional families –avoid corporal punishment- the children then start treating failure as final

f) Positive values- trust, opinions, thoughts…

Who are the children at risk and need intervention?

The Aggressive, withdrawn, anxious, addicted, truants, poor academic performers, jealous, irritable, those suffering from sexual related problems

need immediate intervention.

Factors affecting this risk are- community violence, sexual abuse, and insecure attachment, poor social skills, peer rejection, school bullying, family

conflicts, lack of supervision.

It is the protective and preventive measures that would develop resilient individuals.

1) Positive physical development

2) Academic achievement

3) Problem solving skills

4) Connectedness

5) Physical and psychological safety

6) Presence of a caring adult and

7) Healthy Belief system

Overall this summit gave personal and professional insights about the process of resilience. It has inspired us to inculcate the same through the

teaching and learning process.

4

PRIMARY