10 Testaments for Acing the New Academic Year

Yes! It’s June! The beginning of every school academic year is special and eagerly looked forward to by everyone. Students are eager to meet up with their friends, start classes, read their new books, get their fresh set of uniforms, begin their extracurricular activities etc. Teachers and other staff members are keen to commence their new sessions, incorporate new learning styles and meet their new batch of students. In all, it is a completely charged up and exciting time, heralding a new set of opportunities, challenges and experiences.

For me, this year, it is extra special. Heading Billabong High International School, Santacruz as the Principal is an incredible privilege. The last nine months as principal itself has been an amazing learning experience. And if I am certain of any thing is that my students will continue to amaze me.  And so, as I look forward to the unfolding of another academic year with them, I humbly pen time-tested ten testaments that should hold them in good stead –

1.       Be Present – Not just attendance wise! No matter what it is that you do, be ‘present’ in that task. Give it your best shot. Do it with all the wakefulness and mindfulness that you ought to accord it. For, not doing so would mean you do not respect your time enough. And anyone who does that is one’s own worst enemy.

2.       Work towards a goal – Be outcome-oriented. Always think of the goal. Be committed to it with a zeal that should be unparalleled. This includes from doing the smallest tasks to the biggest assignments. Being mindful of working towards a set goal persistently, on a daily basis, gives amazing results. If the goal or outcome is too huge, break it down into smaller steps and results; work towards it conscientiously.

3.       Results don’t define you – Remember that while results at best are the closest measurable indicator of the level of skills you have mastered and are yet to; it doesn’t define you. Nor can it ever do. So, don’t let that limit your own expectations of yourself or let it define your self-worth. There are ample number of real-time success stories of brilliant successful individuals who ‘made it’ even when they failed earlier on, in their academic or early professional years.

4.       Work hard but have fun - There is hardly any substitute for hard (and smart) work. But there is no panacea like having fun in what you do, so it doesn’t feel like hard work. Studies have proved that individuals who enjoyed their time didn’t feel the work to be ‘hard’. Work too doesn’t seem like work then. Join extracurricular activities apart from just focussing on studies.

5.       Know whom to let in- Select you circle carefully and take time to know whom you include in your circle. Be discerning. Understand that real friendships take time to form and that if you even have 5 friends in your lifetime whom you can count as among your true friends, you are wealthy.

6.       Receive and give with equal tenacity – Both are two sides of the same coin. Unless you learn how to receive you won’t learn to give; and unless you give you won’t be able to learn.

7.       Always question -  Even the answers given to you.. Seek them yourself. And allow others around you the same liberty.

8.       Freedom comes with responsibility – While we all crave for freedom, it comes with a huge responsibility – to use the freedom wisely, conscientiously. Remember, often the consequences of one’s actions can have far reaching effects, and not just on an individual basis but collectively too.

9.       Do one new thing every week – It could be the simplest of tasks to commencing your poetry journal or tasting/making an exotic recipie, always learn and do something new.

10.   Celebrate your uniqueness; believe in it – Saved this for the last! Always remember, there is no one quite like you. So celebrate it and be around people who will celebrate it. Believe in your capabilities and know the areas you want to work upon. Be your own biggest competition.

Of Jammu and its SuperHeroes

Have you imagined, how it would feel to sing our national anthem at the LoC at dawn? Or how it would be to gaze at the stars across that ‘border’? Walk across what perhaps seems like just a piece of terrain and yet feel a palpable connection with it that leaves you teary-eyed? These are just some of the amazing moments I had the privilege of experiencing with my Billlabongers last week.

Billabong High International (Santacruz) was among the nine schools in Mumbai that had participated in a first-of-its-kind, seven-day national integration trip on ‘Know your Army’, based on the theme of “Kashmir: The crown of India – Paradise of India”. Conducted by Nagrota based White Knight Corps, the tour was sponsored by the Indian Army under its Sadbhavana Project to showcase the sacrifice and commitment undertaken by its soldiers in the state.  It saw 186 students from Grade VI to X, teachers and Principals participating and witnessing a series of planned activities aimed at motivating students to join the Armed Forces and displaying the humanitarian efforts of the Army in uniting people.

In-line with the theme, students from diverse schools across the city were randomly segregated into various contingents, bonding as a team. We watched spellbound, as the army showcased combat power, slithering, various technical aspects and air mobility capabilities of the Armed Forces. Students not only had the privilege of interacting with their counterparts from schools at Rajgouri, but also witnessed the spirit of camaraderie and Espirit de Corps of our gallant forces on the border. They got to witness first-hand the importance of having your buddy’s back through the camaraderie, trust, faith every soldier shared with the other.

In fact our learnings began even before we reached Jammu, right from the train journey we undertook - for all students it was the first one; learning about each state as they passed through - it was like a field experience, crossing many states and seeing so many different types of people, cultures, dresses, food, dialect etc. referring to maps and charting their journey!

We reached Jammu station in the dark wee hours of the morning and yet were given such a warm welcome by the soldiers who were there to escort us in a 'convoy' to our first base camp about two hours away. We felt extremely secure. Watching our jawans leading from the front showed how important it was to not only 'overcoming your own fears and demons but also a life lesson to students that as a leader you first assess and experience before you ask others to take the plunge.. of course after safely considering the calculated risks!

The tour was a spectacular experience for us. We were mesmerised by the various addresses and orientations by the different commanding officers. Every army personnel had the same passion, vigour, core values and one couldn't differentiate between their commitments. This speaks truly of the Army culture that we took back with us - every student, teacher, parent aligning to the same vision, goal & philosophy of any school thus defining A ' School culture' with its attitudes! 

Personally, I take with me a moment that will stay with me forever. I had almost quit in the last 500 meters of a 9000-feet trek. My legs hurt so much that I couldn’t think of taking another step. A soldier approached me, lent me his hand and said, "the Goal seems visible, so why would you give it up? this is just like winning at the end of it; your students look up to you for this kind of Inspiration!!”. His words motivated me to plod on and the feeling of having completed the trek, it is indescribable. I shall always be indebted to that young soldier.

I was also amazed and humbled to see the depth of character and perspectives that all students displayed during this trip. From helping each other, leading teams, eagerly soaking up all experiences, interacting with the jawans etc., our Billabongers made us proud. I am certain that just as we left a bit of our hearts at the various places we went to, each of us had brought in that much more to dwell in our hearts as well, experiences that will last for a lifetime.  My personal

For any educator, there’s nothing more rewarding than knowing our students have gotten wealthier with such invaluable experiences. 

While it was fascinating to hear them tell you as to how being a principal is an equivalent of being the Army Commanding Officer or have them approach you with some conscientious work they would like to do at school, a particular remark will stay with me forever. A young one remarked profoundly that if only control for power, greed and biasedness of some people across the world could be done away with, we wouldn’t have to send so many of our men patrolling the borders, away from their families, anticipating war and brutality. Rather, we would have hundreds of such dedicated personnel focussed on building solutions to make lives better, safer. Throughout the world! I marvelled at its profundity, and wished it true upon a star that fell…even if it was one across that border. 

Where Virtual Will Trend..

A while ago, I had visited the Nehru Planetarium and I was enthralled with it. Yet again. It is amazing how every visit extends fresh perspectives --- one that you are sure you couldn’t have missed earlier! I fondly reminisce the visits with my children. Their small eyes would expand with wonder, especially during the ‘shows’. Why! Even adults gasp at the spectacular presentation. The audio-visuals are simply outstanding and take us on a realistic space tour. I would often wonder if there will ever come a time when we could utilise technology to transform the dreary walls of our classrooms and liberate students from the verbose texts they need to mug without being able to experience or understand the concept.

Well, at long last, with the dawn of the digital age we are surely moving a step towards that direction!  Virtual classrooms, virtual field trips are being increasingly encompassed within the curriculum framework. Virtual learning as an industry itself is booming and has significantly changed learning outcome metrics. Now, it isn’t to say that traditional classroom teaching is outdated; that is required too! Similarly, virtual learning has dawned with its own sets of benefits and challenges. In the long run though, most academicians believe without a doubt, that it is set to revolutionise the way quality education is disseminated and accessed by millions of students across the world, from schools to high schools and colleges.

Imagine sophisticated computer terminals streaming some of the most engaging and curated lessons, demarcated to suit every learner profile, mapped to suitable learning outcomes! A student could choose his course session and set the pace as he would like to! Likewise virtual field trips, which could take you inside volcanoes, or on the International Space Station or visit Anne Frank’s home or go to Antartica, are a reality now with an increasing number of American schools weaving this into the curriculum. In India, we have a long way of course, to really integrate technology into our curriculum for challenges in terms of resources, training and curriculum integration. However, many leading private schools have embarked on this journey, even if they remain a handful.

The benefits are enormous for students – sessions are more interactive, flexibly suited to learner profiles, enables more eclectic options for choosing electives, integrates children with learning or physical disabilities enabling inclusion and challenges learners through a medium they are instinctively inclined to use. Our biggest challenge though will be to integrate the public education system and with it the thousands of government schools, which will stand to benefit magnanimously in terms of quality education being disseminated, cost effectively. However, we need governments to realise the importance of investing in the vision from the primary level, along with the will and intent to committing to it.

Quality education continues to be an elusive, aspirational term since Independence for over 90% schools and the millions of students that study in the country. Virtual classrooms give us that ideal platform to get all the students on a single page, giving them the reigns to proceed through the session at a pace comfortable to them. Yes, there will be challenges in terms of curriculum rehaul, developing the new-role of session facilitators vs. teachers, resources in setting up infrastructure and training, calibration of learning outcomes and alignment of vision with curriculum dissemination. However the benefits make it worth wading through some initial choppiness for our children, who will take to this like fish to water; it’s the mindset change among the education community, parents and the government that needs a paradigm shift.

Reflecting What We Choose to Reflect

There is hardly any school event that matches the splendour of annual concerts for the multitude of emotions it evokes. In both - parents and academicians. . It is difficult to articulate the feeling of getting to watch each one of your students work as a team while expressing themselves individually on the stage. It is also an immensely proud moment experiencing the moments crafted tirelessly by your teams with the minutest of planning and attention to detail. To watch your teachers and students transform magically into directors, choreographers, light & sound technicians, videographers, digital engineers, script and dialogue writers AND turning an auditorium lobby into a business studies zone with marketing, branding & accounting and so on..

 I was enraptured by the performances put up by my students of Billabong High International School (BHIS) Santacruz recently. This year’s theme was ‘Reflections’. It entailed the journey of the story’s protagonist, an extraordinary boy Johnny, who is thrown head first into a land he has no desire to be. Johnny is one of a kind but doesn’t realise his potential. He is plagued by his insecurities and doesn’t believe in himself even though other characters in the play consider him as their saviour. He encounters the story’s antagonist the wicked witch Elphaba who feeds on negativity and fear and uses Johnny’s negative opinion of himself as the source of her power. At the end, we reflect the essence of a true ‘hero’ – how actions and intent override physical strength as the pre-requisite.

I believe this story has a powerful message. Its theme presupposes empathy and understanding of people and events in their life, which lies at the core of great performances impacting them not only as a person but also preparing them for the real world tomorrow. 

Undoubtedly, the paradigm shift in skills required for the success in 21st century warrants a change in how we educators, facilitate learning. We strive to provide a stimulating culture to our children; aspiring to foster a sense of reasoning, a desire to learn, grow & evolve. We must acknowledge though that while as educators and parents we remain the facilitators, ultimately it is children who are the makers of their own lives.

We need to have them believe in themselves right from when they are children. And at time it may also mean believing in them first before they get to believe in themselves. However, it wouldn’t mean pushing one to be a replica of the other. We need to understand what our child loves, what he is all about. Both parents and educators,  we accept all their little individualities, the embarrassments, and all the wonderful and magnificent things they do so well and a few that they may not do so well, accepting the whole package of our children with love - Unconditionally.

It isn’t just about academics or topping an exam, it is the values we exhibit and that they derive from. We have a huge responsibility as academia, as parents, as policy makers. We need to be at par – ideologically, purposefully - to be an indomitable community. The main pillar of this community being Inclusion. One that safeguards the interests and future of every child regardless of the community s/he may belong to. That each child believes in self and is able to charter his/her course even if he may have to challenge a few status-quos. So that through strife, we progress much further than we would have. So that we create, share, live fearlessly with joy. So that no negative forces may derive power from the insecurities of a young mind, battered by societal inadequacies and inequalities and use it as ammunition to burn any university,  community, society or nation.

It will do much good if we take some time to reflect upon what and how we choose to reflect what defines us – our ideology, our values, our actions, our intent – to the world around us.

Celebrating Vis-à-Vis ‘Tolerating’ Differences

It isn’t every day that you have the honour of watching your students marching in a republic day parade alongside 4000 other students from 25 city schools in the esteemed presence of a Vice Admiral, Commanding Officer and  other high ranking officials from the Indian Army, Navy and the AirForce;  And that is the reason this Republic Day shall remain one of my most spectacular experiences as a Principal and an Educator. One hundred students from grade 3 to 9 of Billabong High International School (BHIS), Santacruz marched from Bandstand towards Taj Lands End at 7 a.m. The entire parade was cheered on by parents, teachers and onlookers; the atmosphere, rife with patriotic fervour reminiscent of the Delhi Republic Day parade. (Read more here)

The entire concept captivated me when it was first presented by BIRD (Brihanmumbai Inter-school Republic Day) Committee, which has been organising the parade since the past two years. This year, the floats made by schools, represented the Indian culture, Unity In diversity, Save the Environment, Make in India theme and Compassion towards Animals. There were spectacular displays of Fire Brigade equipment, Natural Disaster Response Force Equipment and kiosks with Defence artillery. It was the first time that BHIS had participated. Singling out any particular standout moment will be difficult but I was mesmerised with the display of missiles by air defence unit of army, the fire brigade display, truck floats which carried messages of animals and habitats and not being cruel to animal. There were horse riders, cyclists, marchers, bands and cultural float teams spreading eco-friendly messages as a synchronised team. Stalls from army, navy, air forces, were set up to showcase armed forces of the country.

Along with army and other series the NCC boys and girls inspired our students. For the first time, they were reviewed by a 3 star admiral. They went to INS Hamla for watching their parade, arranged by the BIRD committee to inspire them and one man, the convenor, Mr. Peter D'souza, needs a special mention, who was tireless and on the move, bringing this mammoth event its grand finale! Our students had one of the most enriching experiences with the long marching practices by Army (NCC wing) officers collaborating with other school children from 24 schools and playing the band. We showcased unity in diversity through our cultural float. Varied dance forms from diverse regions of the wonderful kaleidoscope of colours that is India were showcased with fusion of Kashmiri, Marathi, Punjabi, Rajasthani, Manipuri, Bengali and Mohini Aattam dances, culminating in joyous tribute to motherland.

The objective of this parade was to create a sense of patriotism amongst all students and to create an awareness of our Armed Forces, the ultimate protectors of our Nation.

This year’s focus was also on being resolute citizens standing up to evil forces that intend to disrupt the progress and peace of our country. 

The theme of the parade was aptly coined ‘Proud to be an awakened Indian’. Never before has it been so imperative to stress the importance of being an ‘awakened citizen’. To acknowledge our shortfalls, work together at resolving them and to strive together in raising a generation that celebrates differences as much as it tolerates them! That is when we will truly bring about Unity in Diversity – when each is groomed to lead conscientiously across communities. We need to start young and use as many such opportunities to celebrate aberrations, our peculiarities to not only give the confidence to our youth to stay true to themselves but also reciprocate empathetically when they go on to lead in the future.

NEARLY ALL MEN CAN STAND ADVERSITY, BUT IF YOU WANT TO TEST A MAN"S CHARACTER, GIVE HIM POWER - Abraham Lincoln