“A parent is a teacher at home and a teacher is a parent in school and the child is the centre of our universe.” Under the able guidance of our Vice-Principal, Dr. (Mrs) Rupashree Aher, an Orientation Programme was organized from 24th June to 3rd July, 2017 at Vatsalya International School, Borsad, for all the mothers of the girls from Classes V – XII. The aim was to familiarize the parents as ‘partners in progress’ with the curriculum, rules and regulations of the school. It was an interactive session for Mothers and Teachers as well. To reach the parents more effectively the session was conducted in Gujarati by Bhatt Vidhi , Patel Jhanvi & Patel Hrutvi of class XII. Main Objectives: ? To create awareness among the teachers about the need of guiding the adolescent girls at the time of their physical and psychological changes. ? To help the adolescent girls to understand the physical and psychological changes they are undergoing and the scientific reasons behind the changes. ? To create awareness on various issues like child rights, trafficking of children, child abuse etc. Main themes covered during the Orientation Programme: 1. Life Skills and Personal development 2. Child Rights 3. Health, Hygiene and Nutrients 4. Gender equality 5. Parts of the Human Body, Changes due to adolescent stage, Menstrual Hygiene, Reproductive process in Human. 6. Sexual abuse and child trafficking 7. Social awareness The orientation programme proved to be a sincere effort made by the school in educating the parents to look after and guide their children in a proper manner. It also helped in evolving a common teaching strategy and helped the parents in identifying suitable follow up methods to reinforce the learning process of their children. Overall, the session ended with a positive dialogue with the parents who were in high spirits after attending the orientation programme. All the parents shared their perspectives on different aspects of their children’s behaviour, strength and weaknesses.

Roma Sharma

Handwriting is a very important academic skill – part of our heritage. The loss of this skill is like the loss of a language. Bearing this in mind, handwriting competition was organized among the students from classes I to X on 22nd June. Every student was encouraged to apply his/her calligraphy skills and present the best handwriting. The judgment was based on some specific criteria like neatness, clarity, spacing between words, correct formation of letters etc. All the participants had done a very good job and four winners were chosen from each category. The competition was very useful since developing a neat handwriting would help in clarity of thought and jotting them down in an organized manner. The students were highly motivated and enjoyed the competition.

Tezinder Kaur Wariah

The International Yoga Day was celebrated on 21st June to bring peace, harmony, happiness and success to every soul in the world. This was a great opportunity to imbibe the value of discipline in students. Yoga is a mental, physical and spiritual practice that needs to be carried every day. Children got the chance to know how yoga embodies unity of mind and body. The students of classes VI – XII with the teachers performed Yoga between 8 am to 9:00 am. Different yoga postures like Vrikshasana, Uttaanaasana, Trikonaasana, Bhadrasana, Shashankaasana, Bhujangasana, Pawana Muktaasana, finally ended with Pranayama and meditation. Prayers were recited before and after the programme. The Principal reckoned many benefits of early rising and practicing yoga every day. Speaking to the assembly he also pointed out the contribution of yoga in maintaining fitness and good health and how it helps students to memorize something and understand a concept and its context. Our revered Swamiji apprised the students about the importance of yoga to serve the brain with spiritual knowledge and practices as one cannot apply the knowledge gained from education without the right sense of mind. He also added that yoga is the scientific way of living healthy and increasing life expectancy. Heartfelt thanks to our Prime Minister, Mr. Narendra Modi for giving an opportunity to schools to celebrate the International Yoga Day. The school is also thankful to CBSE for initiating this under them, also for inculcating Yoga as a part of the syllabus.

Tezinder Kaur Wariah

A three-day regional level science exhibition on the theme Science, Technology and Mathematics for Nation Building was organized in Navrachna School, Sama Vadodara from 15th -17th December 2016. We presented our exhibits on two subthemes. Our first exhibit “Ecofriendly Burial Site” under the subtheme, ‘Innovation in Food Production and Security’ and second exhibit “Optimization Technology” under the sub theme “Mathematical Solution In Everyday Life”. Experts assessed our exhibits for two days. Last day the exhibition was open for school visit. Many students had come to view the projects, which in turn proved to be a great learning experience for them. In the valedictory function the eminent judges gave their judgment after inspecting each project. The best 18 exhibits were selected and now they would be competing at New Delhi in January for the National level. Vatsalya’s exhibit on Eco friendly Burial Site has been selected for the National Level. Congratulations to the team!

Roma Sharma