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Ekya / May 30, 2018 Posted by : administrator

With 97% in the Grade XII CBSE Boards, Abhishek Kumar Singh’s score places him as one of Bangalore’s toppers, coming in a close second at Ekya School ITPL behind Kaavya’s 97.2%. We gave him a ring to learn how he pulled off such an impressive score – here are the excerpts from our conversation.

“I remember refreshing the results page as the servers were down from all the traffic. When I got to see my results, I was in disbelief.  I won’t lie; my emotions got the better of me. I was overwhelmed, I was in tears. I got a grip on myself and broke the news to my parents. They were really happy for me.”

Did he expect it? Was it his plan all along?

“I wasn’t expecting this kind of result. I did aim to better my previous score in Grade X but to score 97%, the feeling is surreal.  When I prepared, I went all in. The only thing I had in mind was to beat the 95% margin. I kept this score on the back of my head as I prepped for the Boards.”

“I was neck deep in preparing for competitive exams as well, so I had to make a choice – to focus on the entrances or giving a 100% focus to CBSE. In October 2017, I realized I had to take a decision.

Pre-boards helped me make this decision. I got a taste of how the board examination would turn out. I got to know where I stood in terms of my preparation for the finals. My results taught me what I missed out, and when January came, I knew exactly what I had to work on to improve.”

There is a marked difference in one’s approach towards competitive exams and board exams, as Abhishek notes,

“When you are preparing for competitive exams and entrances, you tend to focus on the quickest way of solving a question. You are constantly looking to better your approach towards hard topics and big problems.

With CBSE syllabus, even the small markers count. Questions that are for one or two marks can help carry your score over the 90-95 mark. I realized this by the time I finished my first pre-boards. Questions with lower marks threw me off. I had to work on finer details”

Solving previous question papers helped him; an advice that came from his seniors and a hack that helped him ace his boards, as Abhishek remarks,

“I put my time in a lot of question banks and question papers from previous years. Solving those helps you get comfortable with the pattern of questions asked. You begin to identify the format of how topics and portions are asked, and you get well-versed with it.”

The idea here is not only about understanding how the questions are asked, but also getting better at answering,

“You may come across several questions that you don’t have answers to while looking at papers from six to seven years ago. When you go searching for these answers, you’ll end up finding answers for two or three other prospective questions.”

This is exactly how he tackled Physics, a subject he least favored. On being asked if he had any advice for future aspirants and how they could tackle their board exams, Abhishek was quick to note the importance of starting early.

“Be thorough with your topics and concepts by February – includes the NCERT, reference guides and extra questions from here and there. Your study break should be set aside for solving question papers. Scour through every exercise activity at the back of chapters in search for potential small markers. This will come in handy later.

Your preparation in February will give you the confidence in March. Don’t save topics for last minute cramming. Finish as much as you can before you give your pre-boards.

Across the country, the month of March is renowned for the exam stress it brings, so we asked Abhishek what was his stress-buster.

“I played a lot of football and badminton until February. During my exams, I turned to Squash, a game that you can play single-handedly. It helped me take my mind off studies; I’d go every day if I needed to. Come back home refreshed from a game, head straight to the shower and back with the books. That was my routine.”

In the papers

And in the age of digital distractions, we asked if he did away with gadgets for the month,

“My parents didn’t put any kind of pressure on me. I quit a couple of social media platforms in Grade 12 but that was a personal choice. There was no self-imposed ban on technology while I was at home.

I’d attribute much of my success to my group of four friends. We had a WhatsApp group going, over which we have shared around 600 images of questions papers and topics. We would exchange questions, discuss answers at length, solve doubts and help each other before every exam. That brought us so much confidence when we headed into the examination hall.”

How did Ekya make a difference? We asked him for his honest opinion, and Abhishek delivered

“The regular unit tests at school helped keep us on our toes. We were constantly preparing. Our teachers kept us grounded throughout the year. They stressed the importance of going into details of our NCERT textbook and other resource materials – something I understood after I wrote my finals. They would cover important questions that came after every chapter, and that really helped.”

And his classmates?

“A competitive spirit always prevailed in class. It was a conducive environment. Everyone was motivated to do well. Everyone was there to support each other – exchange doubts, solve them together. No room for judgment, we shared everything with each other.”

Staying grounded, Abhishek says that his parents’ happiness trumps over all the media spotlight he has been receiving

With the phone lines ringing and best wishes coming from across the country, we asked the boy in the spotlight if he had any regrets,

“Only slight. I scored 95 in Chemistry when I was expecting a centum score. I searched through the question paper to see where I lost the 5 marks. I have made my peace with it though”

Having appeared for a string of competitive entrance exams, Abhishek has set his sight on a couple of universities in Singapore, to pursue an engineering degree in Computer Science.

“I like how you can pick a book on coding, learn it and implement what you learned right off the bat. Python and Java are my favourites at the moment. Ekya picked Python for Grade 12, and I thoroughly enjoyed studying it”

Here is what Ms. Jyothi Menon and a couple of his teachers from Ekya School ITPL had to say about Abhishek,


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Ekya / March 26, 2024

The Hot Garlic Soup Inspired by ‘The Last Leaf’ by O. Henry

Sue and Johnsy, two young artists, shared a small flat on the third storey of an old house.
Johnsy fell ill in November. She was diagnosed with pneumonia. She would lie in her bed, gazing out of the window. Sue sent for the doctor. The doctor said to Sue, “Johnsy’s condition is not so serious yet. It seems she is unable to recover because she has lost the will to live.”
Sue became extremely worried for Johnsy’s well-being and mental health. She tried to make Johnsy interested in the things around her, but Johnsy never replied with more than a noncommittal hum.
One day, Sue was painting when she heard Johnsy counting backwards. Sue looked out of the window and saw an old ivy creeper climbing on the brick wall. The ivy was shedding its leaves in the strong gust of the wind.
“They are falling faster now,” whispered Johnsy. “Three days ago there were so many leaves. Only five are left now.”
“It is autumn,” said Sue, “and the leaves will fall.”
“When the last leaf falls, I will die” said Johnsy with finality. “I have felt this for the last three days.”
“Oh, that’s nonsense,” replied Sue. “Why do you believe your fate is tied to those old ivy leaves?”
“Human life is fleeting, just like those ivy leaves,” said Johnsy. “I got sick just as the ivy started shedding its leaves. It must be an omen. The last leaf will fall, and I will slip into slumber forever.”
Sue sat on Johnsy’s bed, kissed her and said, “You are not going to die. Plenty of people fall sick in autumn, and they recover soon enough. Do you want some soup?”
“I don’t want any soup. My time is almost up, I’m sure of it,” murmured Johnsy.
Sue decided to change tactics. She was not going to give up on Johnsy.
“It is true that human life is somewhat fleeting, but that’s exactly what makes life valuable. Do you not want to see what life has to offer before you slip into slumber? Will you not miss the cool breeze waking you up, the warm embrace of sunlight? Do you want to give up the feeling of the paintbrush gliding over the canvas?” Sue quavered.
“Look beyond the ivy to that tree over there,” Sue continued. “Even that tree is shedding its leaves, but it is also growing new leaves. It is going to live for many more years, just like you.”
Johnsy contemplated for a while. Then, she looked out of the window and smiled.
“Perhaps I will have some hot garlic soup. You made me realise that life is worth living after all.”
Written by Aahana,
from grade 9A

Ekya / March 22, 2024

Importance of Literature in a Classroom.

"Literature is one of the most interesting and significant expressions of humanity" - P.T.Barnum

We as humans are social beings. We can't imagine our lives to be solitary. Literature facilitates us to understand and communicate with one another in society. It helps us explore the world around us and is a medium to express our views and experiences. So it is of vital importance that the students are introduced to literature at a young age.

Literature is necessary for students as it helps them to develop imagination, improves vocabulary and language skills and even enhances creativity. Literature helps them understand the world outside their home and school.

It is disheartening to see that literature is often not put on the same pedestal as other technical subjects like Math or Science. where it shouldn't be the case.

Literature includes different types of texts like stories and fables, myths

and legends, poetry and drama or even informational texts that help them explore other subjects. It prepares students to read and understand the real world.

There are one too many benefits of including literature at a young age. It is like an exercise for the brain, keeping an individual mentally active and stimulated.

Exposure to cultures from different countries brings in a sense of respect and tolerance, a feat possible through literature. It motivates one to appreciate different lives and their ways and also to graciously disagree with something that may not be right. The different characters the students are introduced to become a source of inspiration. They start to imagine themselves in varied situations. they learn different solutions to problems they come across.

More importantly, reading is fun and literature develops an inclination toward reading and makes them self-learners.

It can be concluded that literature is a gateway to nurturing a child’s life skills more than any assignment or task

can ever do.

Written By:

Shruthi Prakash

English Educator - Primary

Ekya Schools BTM Layout

Ekya / March 22, 2024

A Day to Remember: Juniors Bid Goodbye to Seniors with a Spectacular Farewell Party.

As the academic year draws to a close, emotions run high at our beloved school. The time has come for the juniors to express their gratitude, love, and affection for their departing seniors.

And what better way to do this than by throwing an unforgettable farewell party?

The air was buzzing with excitement as the juniors meticulously planned every detail to make it a night that their seniors would cherish forever.

The audio-visual room was transformed into a place of nostalgia and celebration, adorned with decorations to welcome the seniors. Each performance was filled with energy, enthusiasm, and dedication. Each video played, spoke volumes about the memories shared and the bonds formed throughout their academic journey, blanketing the atmosphere with a mix of joy, laughter, and a hint of bittersweet anticipation.

Our seniors were all dressed up to the nines for the occasion with the girls in a blue and white saree and the boys in black suits.

But how did all of this come to be? I am a grade 11 student and let me take you through behind the scenes of this event and how we prepared for this event.

  • Many girls formed a group and decided to dance to “Paint It Red” and “All Is Well”. Everyone’s efforts are to be appreciated as they come up with new steps and formations. Well-coordinated teamwork led to an amazing performance that got everyone cheering.

  • Meanwhile, my batchmate, Lara,  and a few teachers were preparing to sing songs dedicated to the seniors. Lara sang a melodious rendition of “When You Believe” and the teachers sang a medley of songs which got the seniors singing along as well!

  • The boys planned on dancing to the song “Galti Se Mistake” and their performance was full of creativity and humour. The choreography was inspired by the original music video of the song and they worked hard together and taught each other the steps. This performance got everyone giggling and cheering so loud!

  • It did not end with the students, even the teachers chose to step into this grand celebration. They danced on a variety of songs and each song made the seniors hoot louder. Even though they had a very busy schedule they would still take time and dedicate it to the dance practice during after-school hours. Huge kudos for their coordination and effort!

  • Mohana and Arshia came up with a very engaging script which had the attention of the audience. A small game was organised for the students where they had to write something good about one of their batchmates. Everybody put their hands together and made 32 crowns of appreciation for their seniors. A video of the seniors was made including photos and videos of their dearest memories. Last but not least, our teachers also prepared a video message for the seniors bidding farewell and wishing them the best for their future endeavours.

The day finally came. The 10th of February came. It was the day - the day for which we had been preparing for days. The graduation.

The place was set, the background screen was ready, the mic was ready and the sound system was ready. Our seniors came one by one and the auditorium was filled with chatter until the anchors came in and the event started.

After a few minutes, the head boy gave a heartfelt speech, followed by the chit game of affirmations then Lara’s beautiful performance.

The girls donned black kurtis and sunglasses and danced to “Paint It Red”, which got a round of applause. The seniors loved the “Galti Se Mistake” dance by the boys for its creativity and comedic execution and what made it better was the shorts with shirt and tie combination. The dance finale was to the song “All Is Well” which got the audience cheering for the dancers with lots of enthusiasm.

Then a video filled with the memories of the seniors was shown which made most of them emotional. The dance which everybody was eagerly anticipating started - it was our beloved teachers who completely rocked the stage with their amazing performance.

Then a few teachers gave a very emotional message followed by songs dedicated to their students. The event came to an end with video messages by the teachers,  a crowning ceremony and high tea.

In conclusion, the event was successful, and enjoyed by all the students - juniors, seniors and teachers. It wouldn’t have been possible without everyone’s contribution and teamwork. It was an emotional roller coaster for everyone and a day which will never be forgotten.

Written By:

Stutee Samantray

(Grade 11, Ekya BTM)

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Topping Grade XII CBSE Boards – Kaavya Srikumar, Ekya School ITPL

Securing 97.2% in the Grade XII CBSE Boards, Ms. Kaavya Srikumar not only topped our ITPL campus but is also one of Bangalore’s toppers. Leading the city’s CBSE results is no easy feat, so we got in touch with her, to understand how she pulled it off. Fresh from the day of the results, the emotions haven’t settled with our topper, who admits her disbelief at the numbers that appeared on the computer screen. “I still can’t believe it. I didn’t expect this kind of result. I remember being very nervous when the results were out. I am extremely happy, the excitement hasn’t settled yet. ” Pursuing the PCMC stream, Kaavya’s reputation as a topper precedes her, as she was one of the school’s toppers in Grade X with an impressive score of 95% “I aimed to do my best. I was among the top three students in Grade X - I can say that’s where the ambition came from. I was determined to better my score and I’m proud to have achieved that.” With her record of academic excellence, we just had to know her secret of topping the boards. “I’d say my utilization of time served me well. I started my preparation pretty early, in fact when classes had just begun. I don’t study a lot, usually. I put in four to five hours of study time every day. I’d cover portions that I knew were important or that the teachers had emphasized in class.” Apart from covering the highlighted portions in the textbook, Kaavya also addressed the importance of revision as a tool that helped her with her exams. “Our teachers were very helpful from the beginning. We started our revision in early November. This helped us refine our understanding of basic concepts and revisit areas of doubt. I think I utilized this time well and finished topics well in advance.”
Kaavya Srikumar
“Balancing my sleep routine and topics to study was a challenge because the portions were huge. During the month of March, I cut down my use of gadgets significantly. I was solely focussed on the next examination and my preparation for it. To be honest, I didn’t study my textbooks extensively. I covered the portions stated by my teachers and those I knew were important from the previous years. You should be confident in what you study.” On being asked for advice for juniors and future aspirants of the Grade XII CBSE Boards, Kaavya noted the downside of rote-learning and the importance of being well prepared.
Last minute cramming never works. I prefer a well-planned preparation schedule. I’d also suggest analysing and solving a number of old question papers. This will help shed light on important and frequently asked questions. CBSE questions are application based, so mugging the textbooks won’t be helpful. Making the best use of the study holidays is a must to score well.
“My parents are elated. They were expecting a good rank but they didn’t see this coming. To see my name in the newspaper, to see them happy, it’s a nice feeling. My teachers from school have been messaging me best wishes. My friends and family have been calling in, to congratulate me. I will have to make a list now, for the sheer number of people I have to treat.”
In the papers - Toppers of Grade XII CBSE Boards
With plans to pursue an engineering degree in Electronics and Communications, we asked Kaavya if she had anything to add before starting her new journey in undergrad, “A big, big, big thank you to my friends, teachers, and parents for making this possible. I’d like to say that my effort made just 50% of what I achieved. The rest is because of the support I have received and I am grateful to each one of them.” Here is what Ms. Jyothi Menon, Vice-Principal at Ekya ITPL and a couple of Kaavya’s teachers had to say about her:
Kaavya is not the only Ekya student to top the city at the boards. Devaamsh Rajesh from Ekya School JP Nagar topped the school and city at the ICSE boards - Read his story here.

Are Exams Needed or Not? [ Parents of Ekya Feature ]

Are Exams Needed or Not? By Rajesh Acharya, Parent of Ms. Dhwani and Ms. Dhriti, Montessori, Ekya School JP Nagar
Pedagogy today has undergone a paradigm shift and educational institutions as much as students have adapted themselves to the changing times. While more and more technology is being used to change the way students learn, I have been ruminating on the way the students are being assessed on how much of the content and skills of the course they have actually assimilated. Examinations at the end of the year, is currently how the students are being assessed, which in my opinion needs to undergo a complete overhaul.
Assessments by teachers should be more inclusive instead of sticking to standard answer keys.
Questions asked in a test paper are limited and have always been following a particular structure from times immemorial where multiple choice questions are asked for objective exams and essay questions for subjective examinations. The stress that is created on the students due to these examinations is rather large. The reason is that the students need to memorize the entire year’s curriculum and ensure that they remember everything on the D-day as that is the only chance they’re given to showcase their understanding of the course material and their future depends on how they have performed in those 3 hours. This leads to all the students having a singular line of thought which restricts the thinking capacity. The essence of these examinations, which, should be to assess the learning, is lost. Teachers who mark the answer sheets, more often than less, use standard answer keys and this does not bring out the actual caliber of the students. The radical change which is the need of the hour is to ensure that the students are assessed in a stress-free environment which will bring out the best in them and also help the teachers assess where the student needs to pay more attention to or requires additional focus. A robust form of assessment is to periodically engage with the child as well as the parent to analyze the progress of learning. Creating a healthy environment for learning, both at home and school without a knife dangling on the child’s head will surely lead to more imagination helping the child in retaining the knowledge imparted. Asking the child to prepare a project on the curriculum will help in practical assessment and also stretch the creativity within the child making it easier for the assessment whilst also making the child confident to face the future. Secondly, assessments by teachers should be more inclusive instead of sticking to standard answer keys. In my opinion, creating tough questions does not bring out the best answers from students. Difficulty has a point of diminishing returns. If a student feels that cramming for extra hours is not going to fetch better grades, they may end up skipping a particular module resulting in incomplete learning. A low score cannot be conclusive – i.e, the questions could have been tough or the student could have skipped the module and hence unable to answer. Answers to questions should be thrown open for discussion in class which would lead to healthy debates and exchange of thought processes. This will increase the confidence among the students as they learn something new instead of being told that their understanding is wrong. This will have a huge psychological impact on the child. So to conclude, I believe that examinations should be abolished and instead, in its place, assessments should be made fun, relaxed and more engaging by conducting projects, plays, practical experiments whilst also assessing the soft and behavioural aspects of the students. A student may be polite, aggressive etc. which will be on display when they’re allowed to showcase their skill in a relaxed atmosphere instead of being pitted against each other in the garb of examinations. The resultant strengths and weaknesses can then be assessed and worked upon by the teachers helping students become more confident and strong in taking decisions for the future ensuring that they have learned and mastered the curriculum and retained most of the knowledge imparted to them.
Mr. Rajesh, parent of Ekya, was invited to be our guest writer on the Parents of Ekya feature. Interested parents who would like to write for us can shoot us a mail on communications@ekyaschools.com

Assessment pattern at Ekya

At Ekya, we have various assessment systems that give children multiple opportunities to express what they know and understand. This is crucial because, in the end, final or term end exams require the application of learning rather than a simple reproduction of facts. Hence, Ekya’s assessment pattern is designed to keep track of the learning pulse of each child which helps teachers fortify learning as and when gaps are observed. – click here to know more about our assessment.

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