Showing posts with label sport. Show all posts
Showing posts with label sport. Show all posts

Sunday, September 6, 2026

GSA Learning Forward Retreat for Teachers

Good evening, Team!

This is my very first - and more to come - Retreat that has taken me back to my childhood, when I missed the opportunity to explore reading and to create a global persona and identity in me, as my parents only focused on me following the curriculum books, and reading books outside the syllabus was considered neglecting our studies by both parents and school (schools giving just one session in a week which hardly create an environment to read or develop curosity).


In my adult life, many times the thought came to me that now is the time to go back to the books and start nurturing my inner self, who wants to gather knowledge about everything, but again, the responsibility and nature of neglect that we developed as adults made me distance myself from reading books, and that incompleteness in me still follows.


New Perspective


Today, after attending the Retreat, I found a reason to be encouraged and to encourage my students to read at my school.


Keys to unlock yourself so you can become a better facilitator (Teacher). As written on the board at the Learning Forward Foundation office, “You are the one who can fill the world with Sunshine.” 


I want to become a better version of myself as a facilitator who works on 4S: Service and Skill. Sports & Study. Where every school, staff, and student is engaged in the above activities so we can provide equality and passion to the work that we can do as a good school with these elements.


Promoting the Culture of My Good School


A good school brings a platform for students to enter into an ecosystem where students focus on personal and social growth, and we, the school, the teacher, and the community, should provide a pathway for them to achieve it. 


The education system needs to offer students an environment to explore beyond the classroom; no student should be left behind, so we need to create alternative assessment and marking schemes.


Lead to Read


To be an exceptional educator, we have to make sure that our students and we think and process brainstorming in ways that lead to developing understanding and to creating their own versions of thoughts, ideas, and concepts. In the era of AI we are in today, we are all relying on AI to do our intellectual work, and we are all losing originality.


We need to read to better understand complex concepts and strengthen our knowledge. Hence, we perform effectively and become better listeners, providers, and empathetic humans who can accept change and diversity of opinion, and develop an understanding that every child is different. We do not need to try to fit them into a frame of the syllabus or curriculum, so we can create individuals who are better citizens holds their own perception of an identity with spiritual awakening, decision making, which leads them into good health, divers Intelect with reasons, amazing communicator who build solid relations empower others, take care of mother nature and give back to the society in terms of their services.  


My deepest regards and warm thanks to Sandeep Sir, Kunal, and the entire GSA for providing me with an opportunity to unwind, reflect on education, and release my strength as an educator and explore how I can create new, better, and visionary possibilities for myself, the school, and students. 


Thanks


Ritika Chauhan

PYDS Learning Academy

Tuesday, July 21, 2026

Potato Crisps at the Learning Forward Retreat 19-21 July 2026


Kratika and Sakshi from DPS Abu Road joined us for the Learning Forward Retreat, and their imaginary character goes to My Good School and grows up to become a scientist. He finds his way through school, negotiating between Service, Skill, Sport and Study - the 4S framework his school offers him.

Sunday, May 31, 2026

Better Health and Fitness at School


Learning Forward Saturday
May 30, 3:00 pm, 45 min
 
Dhruv Mehrotra from FittGen presented a comprehensive fitness program for schools, emphasising the importance of health and fitness. The program, which includes tests for various parameters like hand-eye coordination and agility, costs ₹1,500 per child per year within Tamil Nadu and ₹2,500 outside Tamil Nadu. Dhruv highlighted a 95% improvement in children's fitness due to the program. He also discussed accommodating children with medical conditions and the importance of gradual fitness improvements. The session concluded with a discussion on the benefits of yoga and daily exercise routines for teachers and students.

Action items
  - Implement the Fit Generation fitness programme at Prateeksha’s school within the next 15–21 days, including providing iPads and the curriculum and ensuring the school follows the structured programme.
  - Share your email ID and phone number with the group so teachers can message or call you with any questions about the Fit Generation programme.
  - Share the nutrition plan that was previously sent with the parents so they can follow it for their children’s health.

Here are the questions asked during the meeting and the answers given (speaker noted where available):

1. Q: Can you share the PPT? (technical/help request)  
   A: Sneha Pundir offered to share the PPT and successfully did so so that Dhruv could present.

2. Q: What are the programme commercials/costs? (Brinda)  
   A: Dhruv — Cost depends on location and school size. For schools within Tamil Nadu and with >1000 students: ₹1,500 per child per year. For schools outside Tamil Nadu: ₹2,500 per child per year (higher due to the possibility of coaches needing to relocate). There is variation (example: a ₹500 increment in some cases) depending on numbers and logistics.

3. Q: Why is the cost less for Tamil Nadu? (Brinda / Speaker)  
   A: Dhruv — Lower because coaches/local support are available; outside Tamil Nadu, extra cost accounts for coach relocation or finding local staff.

4. Q: How do you reach children from different/disadvantaged backgrounds (NGO schools, rural children) who may have different home situations? (Brinda)  
   A: Dhruv — Every child can benefit from basic daily movement; the programme uses simple exercises and technology for tracking so teachers can monitor progress. Even minimal, regular basic movements produce improvement. Fittgen adapts the curriculum to the school context.

5. Q: Can the programme work in schools that cannot spare daily timetable slots? Can children follow routines from home? (Brinda)  
   A: Dhruv — Yes. The programme is flexible; there are app-based sessions and routines that children (and parents) can follow at home if school time is constrained.

6. Q: Are there accommodations for students with medical conditions (e.g., diabetes)? (Minakshi Prasad)  
   A: Dhruv — The first step is medical identification by a doctor. Most conditions (including many cases of diabetes related to obesity) can be helped with gradual diet control and basic movement. Exercise plans must be gradual and tailored; severe conditions (e.g., certain heart conditions) may need medical clearance. FittGen also refers nutritionists (with discounts) and can work with medical partners (Apollo Shine Foundation mentioned for non-invasive tests).

7. Q: How to motivate or give tips to adult teachers for maintaining fitness/energy? (Brinda)  
   A: Dhruv — Daily 30 minutes of basic yoga/pranayama/walking and a modest diet change can yield large benefits. He shared personal/family examples (his parents’ improved health) and recommended making fitness a daily habit.

8. Q: Do you tie the programme into the school timetable and ensure mandatory participation? (Brinda / re: Vellumal school example)  
   A: Dhruv — The programme is designed to be integrated into school schedules; FittGen works with schools to make it mandatory and slot it into timetables. If schools can’t provide daily slots, app/home routines are an alternative.

9. Q: For Prateeksha’s school: Will you implement Fit Gen there soon? (implied by Dharma/Prateeksha)  
   A: Dhruv — Yes; he confirmed a visit/implementation in about 15–21 days, and provided iPads and curriculum, asking the school to follow the programme.

10. Q: How are students’ fitness parameters tracked and reported? (implied from presentation/teacher queries)  
    A: Dhruv — FittGen tests multiple parameters (height, weight, speed, endurance, flexibility, agility, reaction, coordination, balance, strength), provides dashboards and individually measured report cards, and gives teachers analysis to focus training where students lack skills.

11. Q: Can parents be involved, and are there nutrition plans? (Minakshi / others)  
    A: Minakshi — She had shared a nutrition plan with parents.  
    A: Dhruv — FittGen provides nutrition charts at the beginning of the year and refers nutritionists (with discounts) to support families.

12. Q: Are there medical/health partners for testing? (implied)  
    A: Dhruv — Yes; Apollo Shine Foundation was mentioned as a medical partner for non-invasive tests when needed.

Notes courtesy of Otter AI

Friday, August 30, 2024

SGEF 2024 - My Story

My Second Life by Sandeep Dutt

Miles to go before I sleep

Read on Substack
I tried hard to explain the brand philosophy at #SGEF2024; maybe I fumbled up as Ravi Santlani of ScooNews was brandishing my weapon, the Time-Out sign. The allotted ten minutes were running out, and a flashback of one day in this time capsule and how we fit in our mission was brutal!

#SGEF2024 
The words and phrases that we heard at the ScooNews Global Edfest:
1. Mindset - step one for any change creation system.
2. Real-world learning.
3. Transformation.
4. Capacity Building.
5. Child Development.
6. Invest in early childhood learning.
7. Project-based learning.
8. All In (AI), we must be all in.
9. Innovative learning.
10. Teachers alone matter.
11. Fun - even fundamental begins with fun.
12. India Tour - need to travel and learn.
13. Vocational skills.
14. Entrepreneurship.
15. Jobs for the future.
16. Play is essential.
17. Exponential growth - change is faster than we can imagine.
18. Be Humble.

The 18 points summarise the two-day conference #JoyOfLearning.

At Good Schools Alliance, we are working to revolutionise education, driven by our passion for delivering top-notch learning opportunities to all. Our journey started with a vision to make education available to all, no matter where they come from. Good schools offer equal opportunity to every individual, focusing on the 4S—Service, Skill, Sport, and Study. See the order. The dictionary, too, lists Service first; the rest follows. Our main goal is to cultivate an environment of trust and continual growth.

Behold the 6C’s (Competencies) #curriculum
1. Critical Thinking
2. Creativity
3. Collaboration
4. Communication
5. Character
6. Citizenship

The 3R’s (Methodology) #pedagogy
1 Reading
2 Reflection
3 Relationships
#MyGoodSchool 

GSA Member Schools offer equal opportunity to every individual:
The 4S’s - Service, Skill, Sport and Study - personal and social development of every individual, with equal emphasis on the 4S’s, makes every school My Good School.



Wednesday, August 10, 2022

SCOOREVIEW - My Good School, by ScooNews Aug 2022

Does your school empower every individual?
If you are at school, we help you experience the joy of learning; for those who did not enjoy school, it is essential to realise that learning is natural for the brain. Just as the heart keeps beating as long as we live, the brain keeps learning.

The book, podcast, app and much more!
At My Good School, children develop critical thinking and communication skills, preparing them to face the world. They experience values and virtues working with mentors and peers. #JoyOfLearning

Why should you join My Good School?

"Improves confidence in speaking, helps improve listening skills and reading fluency, teaches time management - balancing schoolwork and My Good School. JOL (Joy Of Learning) helps us in academics; we feel more confident while performing in a play or giving a speech. Everyone quickly finds the pleasure and joy of learning in an open, adaptable environment". - Rishona Chopra, Grade 6 Gyanshree School "I love being an intern at My Good School, which gives me a lot of opportunities to learn. I like making posters and writing blogs which helped me enhance my writing skills and creative skills. I learn about life values like compassion, giving, and never giving up hope. I enjoy meeting many interns from other schools, picking up other skills, and being mentored by teachers. As an intern, I can explore so many things which are helping me to find my strengths. I am thankful that I got this internship opportunity at 10".

- Arav Agarwal, Grade 6 Billabong Thane

 

My Good School is Phygital (physical plus digital), a marketing term that combines digital experiences with physical ones. The GSA member schools emphasise service, Skill, Sport and Study. We Focus on the 6 C's: 1 Critical thinking; 2 Creativity; 3 Collaboration; 4 Communication; 5 Character; and 6 Citizenship. The "My Good School" designation shows the school's value on professional learning and student achievement.


Sunday School!

Experience the joy of reading, listening to heartwarming stories and connecting with young people from schools worldwide —every Sunday in English and Hindi on Google Meet. The once-a-week school, 30 minutes open forum; 60 minutes English and 60 minutes Hindi, follow up on the Telegram App. The pure joy of learning, no compulsion to attend!

Joy Of Learning
The Joy Of Learning Program and the Sunday School is a much-loved innovation of the  Learning Forward India Foundation; the foundation also has a well-established Internship Program, Space Program, Well-being Program, Sports Program and a Happy Teachers Program.

Good Schools Alliance

Schools and stakeholders empower young people. Programs Partners and Members Schools collaborate for service, skill, sport and study; add value to the school curriculum and spread the joy of learning.

  • Empower every individual at your school

  • Encourages students to become involved in activities beyond just study; this helps develop confidence, knowledge and networks.

  • Experiential learning is a critical factor in progressing successfully through adolescence.

  • Education empowers students by creating an environment for their personal and social development.


The story of My Good School started with the need for a balanced curriculum that ensured diversity, inclusion and belonging for every child at The Fabindia School; the school emphasises a holistic approach to education, offering extensive extra-curricular programs along with comprehensive academic courses. Our focus on happy teachers and the joy of learning became a story in itself!


My Good School - the book, podcast, App and school - give us a reason to celebrate the joy of learning and help us look at learning from every child's perspective. Today, the learning process has become far more democratic, and the role of the teacher has evolved from one who provides knowledge to a person who co-creates learning for every individual, with the child at the epicentre. The philosophy of My Good School gained global recognition with the publication of the book.

 

My Good School Where Passion Meets Education was published amid the pandemic by Rupa Publications 2021. This perhaps helped us all to look at a deeper understanding of a school, as the NEP 2022 has challenged the old style of teaching and learning. This book will help educators, school administrators and management and will change the future of learning.

 

A BOOK FOR ANYONE AND EVERYONE ASSOCIATED WITH SCHOOLS AND SCHOOLING.

The book is for parents to select the school for their child, as the choice can have a lifelong impact on the child's growth and personality.

 

A guide for you to look beyond that high-rise building and those perfectly manicured lawns—to go deeper in your search for your good school. It will encourage you to observe, question, evaluate, and choose a school that will truly prepare your child for a life beyond the campus, a life beyond theory.

 

This book will help educators, school administrators, and management build and rebuild such institutions and change the future of learning.

 

Enriched with the knowledge, experience and, most importantly, the wisdom of The Doon School alumnus and school improvement coach Sandeep Dutt, this book will encourage conversations around our education system and help shape the future of education.


"Sandeep is a passionate educator. He has dedicated his life to making the greatest impact on the greatest number of people." - William Nanda Bissell, Chairman of the Board, Fabindia.

 

"This book is almost like a conversation where a concerned parent, a well-intentioned teacher, and an entrepreneur who is aware of the reality of education today discuss everything from the what, the why and the how of teaching to what it will take to redefine education and learning." - Arvind Passey, Blogger and columnist The Education Post.

 

Listed in Top 10 Non-Fiction Bestsellers for 2021 by Booknerds.

 

Amazon lists the book in the top 100 non-fiction books.

 

At the Learning Forward India Foundation, passionate educators love to help schools deliver better, focusing on community learning programs for students and teachers to help take learning forward. You, too, can experience the joy of learning simply by enrolling at My Good School! #JoyOfLearning #HappyTeachers #MyGoodSchool Find out more at www.SchoolEducation.com. 

This post is courtesy the ScooNews Magazine, reproduced from page 122 of the August Sixth Anniversary Special Edition.

Sunday, July 24, 2022

Wanted a Primary School Principal!

FOLLOW YOUR HEART
Lady with the lamp, where art thou?

Primary years are your first 💕.

You love a breath of fresh 💨.
Want to settle at Dehradun?
We have a job to involve you for 10+ years, and the school will grow with you from Primary to K12.

Prior experience is welcome; if you want this to be your first shot as a principal, give it a try!


Image courtesy: Primary School Clipart, Png Download - Reading Cartoon, Free clipartkey.com
With passionate educators, EBD is setting up a school at Dehradun. Amidst a legacy campus that opened its doors in 1947 to give newfound freedom to young people. 

This is the new India; we decided to re-invent the wheel, building on a solid foundation with a sense of service to the community and a commitment to values.

Verdant greens, sounds of silence, birds chirping, water body, tree house, blue skies,  amphitheatre, pick-up from home...and even an area for parents to lounge in!

My Good School welcomes you with an open heart! No CV is needed; email LF@ebd.in and tell us why you are best suited.

OFFER CLOSES 31st July 2022

#mygoodschool #education #job #experience #love #jobalert #school #email #email #art #sing #dance #explore #walk #woods #magic

https://www.linkedin.com/posts/sandeepdutt_mygoodschool-education-job-activity-6956834170148913152-3bDp?utm_source=linkedin_share&utm_medium=member_desktop_web

Monday, June 28, 2021

'स्कूल सिर्फ़ स्कूल नहीं होते।' - Lakshmi Ghosh

औपचारिक शिक्षा की शुरुआत शायद लिखने की शुरुआत के तुरंत बाद लगभग 2000 ईसा पूर्व के मिस्र में हुई थी, कि लिख पाना इज़ाद करने के बाद उसे अगली पीढ़ियों तक पहुँचाया जाना सबसे ज़्यादा ज़रूरी था।

कहा जाता है कि स्कूल अपने आधुनिक रूप को सबसे पहले 1635 में अमरीका के बॉस्टन लैटिन स्कूल के द्वारा प्राप्त हुए। हालांकि विभिन्न देशों के इतिहास अलग अलग बात कहते हैं।


शुरुआती स्कूल केवल शासकों और उनके वंशजों को शिक्षित करने के लिए बने थे मगर धीरे धीरे वह सर्व सामान्य के हाथ आ सके। 


औपचारिक, अनौपचारिक, गुरुकुल पद्धति या अन्तर्राष्ट्रीय प्रणाली से संचालित, रॉयल या पब्लिक, ग्लोबल या नेशनल, ऑफ लाइन या ऑन लाइन स्कूल हमेशा से भविष्य संचालित करने वाली पीढ़ी के सबसे करीब रहे हैं और इसलिए उनका स्वरूप भी विकसित होता आया है।


स्कूल पढ़ने-पढ़ाने व सीखने-सिखाने को ज़रूर बने हैं, मगर वह कदापि पढ़ने-पढ़ाने व सीखने-सिखाने तक सीमित नहीं हैं, स्कूल सिर्फ़ स्कूल नहीं हैं!


'स्कूल सिर्फ़ स्कूल नहीं होते।'


एक वह जो चुप चुप रहता था

एक वह जो सबसे ज़्यादा बोलता था

वह भी जो रोज़ हेरबैंड्स के लिए डाँट सुनती थी

और वह जो सब टीचर्स की फेवरेट थी

सब हैं घरों में बंद

सब हैं इंतज़ार के दस्तयाब

कि इनसे पूछें तो पाएँगे

स्कूल सिर्फ़ स्कूल नहीं होते


वह जिसे कहीं भी बिठा दो चुप न होता था

वह जिसे इनफर्मरी में बैठे रहना पसंद था

वह जो लंच में खाना खाए बिना खेलने दौड़ पड़ता था

वह जो पी ई टीचर को देखकर छुप जाती थी

सब हैं एक पर्दे के पीछे

सबकी आँखों में वही सवाल

कि हमें कब आज़ाद करोगे

हमारा आसमान, हमारा स्कूल कब लौटाओगे


वह जो साइन्स प्रॅक्टिकल्स डे का इंतज़ार करते थे

वह भी जो सबमिशन्स के दिन क्लास बंक करते थे

वह जो कल्चरल्स के रॉकस्टार्स थे

वह जो एडिटर्स क्लब की शोभा बढ़ाते थे

सबकी हैं अपनी अपनी इच्छाएँ, अपने अपने कारण

स्कूल तक लौटने के

कि स्कूल कब सिर्फ़ स्कूल होते हैं


वह जो एक्टिवीटीज़ को प्राथमिकता देते हैं

वह जो पब्लिक स्पीकिंग को सुधारना चाहते हैं

वह जो अकैडमिक्स से आगे कुछ नहीं सोच पाते

वह जो खेल जगत में मुकाम बनाना चाहते हैं

वह तुम हो मैं हूँ या आज की अबरकूल जनरेशन ज़ी या अल्फा हो

स्कूल के चार्म से कब कोई छूटा है

कि स्कूल चाहे कोई भी हों कैसे भी हों

मगर वह सिर्फ़ स्कूल नहीं होते


किसी की ज़िंदगी का सबसे बड़ा टर्निंग पॉइंट,

किसी के बचपन के पहले प्यार के गवाह

किसी की दोस्ती की सौगातों के देनदार

किसी के सबसे यादगार क्षणों के साक्षी

स्कूल कभी सिर्फ़ स्कूल नहीं होते! 

स्कूल सिर्फ़ स्कूल नहीं होते


Lakshmi Tahiliani Ghosh, MPhil Chemistry, a post-graduate in Education and, an APS-CSB and CTET qualified teacher, TGT Science at Hyderabad for the last 6 years, worked as a lecturer for 2 years, and as a translator, content developer and editor in the Hindi language for 5 years.



Listen to the poem in Lakshmi's voice

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