Why Relationships Matter? - Chandrani Singh

                                     

Relationships are the cornerstone of human existence, shaping our emotional, psychological, and even physical well-being. Whether they be familial, romantic, platonic, or professional, the connections we forge with others profoundly impact our lives in myriad ways.

Emotional Fulfillment
At the heart of any relationship lies emotional fulfilment. Through bonds with loved ones, we experience joy, love, and companionship, which serve as pillars of support during life's trials and triumphs. Sharing our innermost thoughts, fears, and dreams with trusted confidants fosters a sense of belonging and validates our experiences.

Mental Well-being

Healthy relationships contribute to our mental well-being by providing a sense of security and stability. Knowing that we have someone to turn to in times of distress alleviates feelings of loneliness and isolation. Moreover, engaging in meaningful conversations and activities with others stimulates our minds, broadens our perspectives, and fosters personal growth.

Physical Health Surprisingly, the quality of our relationships can also impact our physical health. Research has shown that individuals with strong social ties tend to live longer, experience fewer chronic illnesses, and recover more quickly from ailments. The emotional support provided by loved ones can bolster our immune systems and lower stress levels, thereby enhancing overall health and longevity.

Personal Development Beyond the immediate benefits of emotional support and companionship, relationships play a pivotal role in our personal development. Interacting with others exposes us to diverse viewpoints, challenges our assumptions, and encourages empathy and understanding. Through conflict resolution and compromise, we refine our communication skills and learn invaluable lessons about cooperation and mutual respect.

Professional Success In the realm of work and career, relationships are equally crucial. Building a network of professional contacts and mentors can open doors to new opportunities, provide invaluable guidance, and enhance job satisfaction. Moreover, fostering positive relationships with colleagues fosters teamwork, boosts morale, and ultimately contributes to a more productive and harmonious work environment.

Conclusion

In essence, relationships are the fabric of human existence, enriching our lives in profound ways. By nurturing meaningful connections with others, we cultivate a sense of belonging, foster emotional well-being, and pave the way for personal and professional growth. As we navigate the complexities of life, let us cherish and prioritize the relationships that bring us joy, fulfilment, and a sense of purpose.

Chandrani Singh

Sunbeam Indiranagar

Masterclass 2024 Reflections

Why Relationships Matter? - Mizan Ali

A relationship is the plinth of life. It is mandatory for everyone from the womb to the tomb. A fetus has a relationship with the womb, a teacher has a relationship with his/her students, a cloud has a relationship with rain, a plant has a relationship with soil, a devotee has a relationship with deity ...and they hear the innocent and innermost thoughts and feeling of each other which are often not expressed or only hinted at, through their actions.

A healthy relationship shields not only in fair weather but equally in sickness. Standing in tranquillity even the Laburnum tree finds itself lonely as the goldfinches transform the tree and make it alive, without the goldfinch and the chicks the Laburnum is just like any other tree. 

Overall what can be deduced out of this is that if one wants to live a dynamic life one has to have healthy relationships in all possible ways. Relationships are essential to humans. It is difficult to express what is a perfect relationship but it's quite easy to be one of those perfect people who carry relationships with love, care, trust, respect and honesty. 

It always adds meaning to life and gives purpose to live life to the fullest. The success of a student depends on the relationship he or she has with his or her teacher, how much they value each other and how they develop a connection among themselves based on mutual understanding. The same goes for other relationships too. 

It's a must to maintain relationships, to keep them healthy forever, & this applies to all relationships. But if it doesn't, the sugar coating recedes with the passing of time and the relationship ends in a broken, lost situation. Only verbal commitments do not work; one needs to express his/her love, through caregiving, and gratitude, through his her body language, gestures and the way they interact.

For example, if we see a perfect classroom it means that somewhere there is a strong relationship between the teacher and the student's communication and it plays a major role in building a strong relationship whether it is verbal, visual, nonverbal or any other way. Humans can't live alone; we need healthy relationships, which is crucial for healthy and meaningful survival. 

To conclude, I must state that relationships are eternal, infinite and pure and we must contribute to them through honesty, compromise individuality communication, control and purity of heart and soul.

Mizan Ali 

Sunbeam School, Indiranagar

Why Relationship Matter? - Annie Mahajan

Relationships are like the magic that makes life feel special. They're the people who stand by you when things are tough and share the happy moments with you. 

Imagine them as your favourite song, always playing in the background, making everything better. Think of relationships as your safe haven, a place where you can be yourself without any worries. It's like having a bunch of friends or family who understand you, cheer you up when you're sad, and celebrate your victories. These connections turn ordinary days into extraordinary adventures.

When life gets confusing, relationships are like a guide, showing you the way. They're the friends you share secrets with and the ones who make you feel less alone. It's not just about having someone around; it's about having people who make your life richer, more colourful, and full of love. Relationships are the heartbeats that make your journey through life truly meaningful.

Annie Mahajan
Sunbeam Lahartara

What Makes A School? - Reflection January 2024

List 5 words that come to your mind when hearing the word "School"?

 

The Teacher's Academy

The five words that come to my mind when I hear the word School -

 Learning, teachers, friends, activities & bell. "Building a relationship with children is by far the most important thing a teacher can do. Without a solid foundation & relationships built on trust & respect, no quality learning will happen." The role of school in building social skills is vital as it will ensure that students develop the ability to interact with people from different backgrounds and understand them better. The role of school cannot be stressed enough when it comes to building interpersonal and communication skills among kids. It not only helps them find new friends and expand their social circle but also helps build close ties with teachers through class discussions, activities, group work, celebrating festivals together etc.

- Carol Henrick, Sunbeam School


I see school as a place where a community comes together to learn, collaborate and experience growth. It's like a mini-world where everyone plays a unique role. The admin and rules act as the bones, providing structure, while teachers and students bring it to life, like flesh and blood. If we view the school as a place of work, learning, sharing, and conscious engagement, it becomes a dynamic space resembling the play of life. 

Each person's role in this play is in their hands, shaping the overall experience. Considering this, I feel a sense of responsibility and excitement. It's like having a part to play in this mini version of life, contributing to the collective journey of knowledge and growth.
- Shivangi Gupta

Five words that come to my mind when I hear the word 'School' are -

1. Learning
2. Community
3. Knowledge
4. Growth
5. Interaction


In a nutshell, for me a school is a vibrant ecosystem where minds intertwine, creating a dynamic blend of community, workplace, and a stage for lifelong learning. Indeed, the school mirrors a microcosm of life, with administrators, buildings, rules, teachers, students, and others contributing to a symphony of shared experiences. And, yes, the lead of each person's role in the school is similar to a delicate dance, influenced by their unique steps and rhythms, ultimately shaping the collective narrative. Reflecting on this, there's a sense of being part of a complex mosaic, where every thread woven by individuals contributes to the rich and diverse fabric of the school, leaving me intrigued and curious.

- Shreyanshi Agrahari

School life - "The leaves of memory make a mournful rustle in the dark"... School life is filled with its unique share of joys and sorrows. Even if one is at the pinnacle of success, School memories are an inseparable part of the journey. I have had some amazing Angels in the form of Teachers helping, and guiding me. Just like our heroic character 'Roma' in the book, I have had Teachers who made me a beautiful individual irrespective of the caste, religion or gender that I belonged to; and that has made all the difference. Maybe that is the reason why I chose Teaching as my "calling" (it would be sacrilege to call it a 'profession'). My School, my Alma Mater... forever and ever etched in my memories and soul.
- Kapila Yadav


Reflections by Carol Henrick, Shivangi Gupta, Shreyanshi Agrahari, Kapila Yadav

Freedom & Peace - Super7 BHIS

Rabindranath Tagore as drawn by
Janhavi Chitnis.

‘The best road to progress is freedom’s road.’

- John F. Kennedy.

Freedom is an innate right which humans have since birth. Freedom is not something that can be touched, seen, felt or reached. Freedom is the choice to live one’s life doing what one wants. It truly means giving equal opportunity to everyone for liberty and pursuit of happiness.

Freedom is something everyone strives to have, no matter who they are or where they are from. However, freedom is not always so easily granted or obtained. Throughout history, there have been many people who have used a variety of tactics in order to achieve their freedoms. Specifically, I would argue the most effective ways to achieve freedom are educating oneself and nonviolent protests. Freedom for the students means freedom from fear, greed, weaknesses and truly attention on developing long-term. It approaches their students freely, can think rationally without fear of future or greed of some kind.

The principle of academic freedom is derived from the notion of freedom of thoughts, which is a basic human right. It implies the freedom to teach and the freedom to learn, both of which are central to the proper functioning and purpose of higher education.

There is a common misconception that to be most effective at classroom management you have to be controlling. Without liberty, students aren’t truly learning or being educated, they are being conformed to a certain mode. 

Education gives you the tools to be able to think and learn, liberty gives you the ability to find the truth. Liberty is basically freedom from restraint. However, it is not the freedom to do whatever you want, being irresponsible and denying basic truths and morals.

Abraham Lincoln, the president of the United States, once said, "Freedom is not the right to do what we want, but what we ought." Liberty gives you the ability to seek truth and progress in life. 
   

Looking at today’s scenario of locked down, one of my students commented
“I feel free “
No school
No homework
No rules
Wow I’m so free
I feel like a bird in the sky
This gave me thought when the school bell rings for break time is it the break bell or the freedom bell??


Freedom is something that we hold very dear to our hearts.
Then I thought I should remove fear from my classroom
May be children are having fear of homework assignment or tests or maybe anything.

The hardest thing about increasing freedom your students have is releasing some of your control as a teacher. By building relationships with my students will give both of us a healthy environment in the classroom. Giving them a free hand to do their work.

It is often said, "give your child roots of responsibility and wings of freedom". This will help with peace among all of us. So the next time that school bell rings what will be in the child’s mind is our responsibility and their freedom.

Freedom and peace are interconnected. Only a free mind can work in peace and create magic! We have various examples where when a child is freed from the necessary restrictions, he designs wonders. We can take the example of the great Nobel laureate Rabindranath Tagore who refused the traditional way of education. Little Rabi felt suffocated within the various limitations of a school. He consciously avoided classroom schooling and preferred to receive education from nature, from wise people and from circumstances. He went on to establish his own university Shantiniketan where he attempted to break barriers of Language, Culture, Race, Religion and Politics. 

Inspired by the great poet one of our teammates tried to practice this in her classroom to the extent possible. Krishna was a dyslexic kid. He was special in more ways than one. He was a wonderful painter, musician and could create magic with technology. However, he hated examinations. The teacher decided to evaluate him in a different way. Instead of the regular examinations, she asked him to make a project on 'Wonders'. The child created a 4-minute video comprising of his paintings and added a background score composed by him. He did have some difficulty with vocabulary which he could easily overcome with the help of his teacher. The child's birthday was near and the teacher played it on that day in front of the entire class. His classmates were ecstatic. They felt so proud to have their own 'Ishaan Awasthi'. The child was overwhelmed with myriad emotions and discovered newfound confidence. The video was later played on the Annual Day and the boy received a standing ovation from the parents. 

Our present system of education does not allow us to cultivate the power of thought and imagination. But we have to try to break boundaries within our limited means. The visionary in Rabindranath and the great educationist in him solved some of the present educational problems as far back as one hundred years. Some of the problems of modern education are attendance, copying or use of other unfair means and discipline. Tagore solved these problems in a noble way. Freedom in the class solved the problem of attendance, absence of invigilator solved the copying or use of unfair means. Thus Tagore's educational system is a great feat.

 

In a poem that expresses Tagore’s goals for unrestricted education, he writes:

Where the mind is without fear

 and the head is held high,

 Where knowledge is free;

Where the world has not been broken 

up into fragments by narrow domestic 

walls;

 Where words come out from the

depth of truth;

 Where tireless striving

 stretches its arms towards

 perfection; 

 Where the clear stream of reason

 has not lost its way into the

 dreary desert sand of dead habit;

 Where the mind is led forward

 by thee into ever-widening

 thought and action–

 Into that heaven of freedom,

 my Father,

Let my country awake.

Promoting peace in the classroom is one of the most important things that we as teachers can do. By promoting peace, children will feel safe, adored, nurtured, and ready to learn. They will have the freedom to make mistakes and to try things that they did not think they were capable of. Peace teaches children to accept others, it teaches children to respect the work of their peers, and it teaches them to look beyond themselves and to think about others. A four-year study in schools situated in high crime neighbourhoods showed that focusing on creating an environment that felt safe and “violence-free” had significant impacts on behaviour incidents, school attendance, grades, graduation rates and perception of positive school climate.

We can create a peaceful environment by explicitly teaching positive communication strategies to build a collection of easily accessible skills. Create a space and emotional environment that will have a universal impact. And last but not the least, we can make them engage in activities that integrate strategies and develop peaceful habits of mind.

Super 7 @ Billabong High International School, Thane

- Sayantani Mukherjee, Dimple Awasthi, Ritu Chitnis, Manjusha Saji, Jyoti Ramdhave, Vijayalaxmi Ramesh & Sumati Muthukumar