Our Schools

ccacoordinator / July 28, 2020 Posted by : editor

  I joined Ekya 5 years back when I was 5 years old.  Now all of 10, when I look back I realize what wonderful years they have been. There were ups and downs but I think the ups outnumber the downs. 

I remember when I first joined Ekya I was terrified. Till then I had only been to a playschool. The school was big and new to me, but the warmth of my teachers, friends, and the school itself slowly helped me fit in and I started enjoying going to school. Every new day was so exciting for me. 

Fast forward to 2020 before the lockdown. The lockdown came unannounced, and that was scary at least the first week or so. Everything came to a grinding halt; I hadn’t had a chance to say bye to my teachers and friends in fourth grade. There was no sharing of notes with my friends on how we would spend our summer vacations nor was there the excitement of packing bags and going to my grandparents’. One day seemed to stretch into another; punctuated with only the fear of the unknown-COVID 19

 And then Ekya did something marvelous, the Community Connect programs that were held, kept us engaged and we enjoyed it!! That went for a good part of what would have been our summer holidays and then we all had a surprise for us in-store. The school was starting online!

I was excited even though there were quite a few online activities I was involved in, there was something still amiss. School online was a definite break from the 3 monotonous months of being cooped up at home.  But once online classes started the teachers just really radiated positivity and gave me a sense of purpose. Once online reopening was announced there was great excitement in me to know who my classmates would be, who the class teacher/ other subject teachers would be, which division I would be in. Then there was the excitement of connecting with new teachers and a bit of sadness that some of my old teachers wouldn’t be associating with us daily. 

This online schedule partially made for not being able to go to school physically and meet all my teachers and friends in person. I still miss rushing into school, dropping my bags, and going to play with my friends before assembly time. I miss running up to our huge library and asking my librarian if I could borrow a book from the library. I miss sharing food with my friends during breakfast and lunch. I miss the birthday celebrations and stuffing my pockets with a few extra sweets!

However, this new system has taught me some great things. Initially, it was a challenge to get into a “home -school” routine, but now I feel that it has made me more responsible, inculcated the skill of listening even more attentively to teachers, making sure assignments are done and submitted on time, making use of free time more effectively like the SWT slot, which in turn helps me have enough free time to pursue other activities. I also have a definite schedule for weekdays and weekends and it makes sleeping late on weekends and waking up late so much more special. 

It has given me something to look forward to every day, especially the Saturday breakfast meetings with my friends and teacher. I could go on and on, for me it’s Ekya forever!! 

By

Nayanatara

Grade 5

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ccacoordinator / April 03, 2024

The Power of Learning with Intent: A Guide to Purposeful Education

In a world brimming with information, the art of learning has evolved beyond the mere acquisition of facts. Learning with intent, a deliberate approach to education emphasises quality over quantity, depth over breadth, and purpose over passive absorption. It’s about cultivating a mindset that transforms knowledge into meaningful action and empowers individuals to navigate the complexities of the modern age effectively.

At its core, learning with intent involves setting clear objectives and actively engaging with the subject matter. Whether exploring a new language, delving into scientific principles, or honing a creative skill, intentionality infuses each learning endeavour with purpose and direction. As Albert Einstein aptly said, "The only source of knowledge is experience." This quote amplifies the importance of active participation and hands-on learning, highlighting that true understanding arises from deliberate engagement with the material.

Furthermore, engaging actively with the material is paramount. Embrace challenges and embrace mistakes as opportunities for growth. This proactive approach not only deepens your understanding but also cultivates critical thinking and problem-solving skills essential for success in any field.

Moreover, learning with intent emphasises relevance and applicability. Seek out opportunities to apply newfound knowledge in real-world scenarios, bridging the gap between theory and practice. By contextualising learning within your personal or professional sphere, you enhance its significance and utility, making it more likely to stick.

In conclusion, learning with intent is a transformative approach that transcends traditional notions of education. By setting clear objectives, engaging actively, prioritising relevance, and fostering a growth mindset, individuals can harness the full potential of learning to achieve their goals and thrive in an ever-changing world. So, embark on your learning journey with purpose, and let each lesson propel you towards a brighter, more fulfilling future.

By Sweta Pradeep Rao

Senior English Educator

Ekya School JP Nagar

ccacoordinator / April 02, 2024

Gadget-free Summer Break

With summer vacation around, I urge parents to explore various ways to facilitate children to make healthy choices during their vacation time.

Last week, when we asked our Early Years to visualise their characters and create a story, most of them came up with stories about ghosts and monsters attacking others.  When we had conversations about what gave them this idea, we understood that these story ideas emanated from their online games. While gaming per se develops specific skills and requires focus, it also stifles the imagination of young children. Since it is visually appealing, children tend to remember those images in their heads all the time.

I often see parents providing very young children (1 year to 3 year olds)  with gadgets as the means to keep children engaged and entertained. I see children watching phones in the waiting areas of clinics, hospitals, school lobbies and banks.

This brings us to a fundamental question “ Should children be engaged by parents all the time?” Not necessarily. What is likely to happen if children were not handed over gadgets at the waiting lounges? What would they do? Some of them may cry, some may throw a loud tantrum, and some may crib. If parents show resilience and allow children to settle down themselves, they will soon find ways to keep themselves engaged. Likewise, during summer vacation. What if this is a “no gadget” vacation and parents do not take up the responsibility to engage their children? What would children do? How can parents show resilience here and facilitate children to make healthy choices? I leave the readers with this thought for this summer vacation.

Mathangi R,

Head of School,

Ekya NICE Road.

ccacoordinator / April 02, 2024

The Eye of the Storm

In the hushed embrace of an Indian evening, our journey began, a symphony of anticipation orchestrated by the hum of jet engines and the flutter of boarding passes. The promise of adventure beckoned from distant shores as we boarded our flight bound for the United Kingdom, our hearts aflutter with dreams of far-off lands and newfound horizons. But as we soared through the velvet sky, a foreboding shadow loomed on the horizon, a harbinger of the chaos that was soon to unfold. In the blink of an eye, the tranquil serenity of our airborne sanctuary was shattered by a deafening crack, a burst of purple lightning that danced across the heavens with an otherworldly fervour. The air crackled with electricity as the plane shuddered beneath the force of the storm, its metal frame quivering in defiance against the tempestuous onslaught. And then, in a heart-stopping moment of sheer terror, the heavens unleashed their fury upon us, casting our fragile vessel into a maelstrom of chaos and uncertainty. The sky darkened to a shade of ominous charcoal as the winds howled with a primal ferocity, tearing at the wings of our faltering craft with savage intent. The cabin was awash with panicked cries and frantic prayers as we clung to our seats with white-knuckled desperation, each passing moment stretching into eternity.

And then, as if mocking our feeble attempts at control, the plane tilted almost 180 degrees, its nose plummeting towards the earth with a sickening lurch. Time seemed to stand still as we hurtled towards the ground, our fate hanging in the balance as the world spun wildly out of control. But just when all hope seemed lost, a glimmer of salvation emerged from the chaos, a beacon of light amidst the encroaching darkness. With a mighty roar, the engines surged to life once more, their thunderous symphony drowning out the cacophony of the storm as we clawed our way back from the brink of oblivion. As the storm clouds parted and the sun cast its golden rays upon the horizon, we emerged battered but unbroken, our spirits buoyed by the triumph of the human spirit in the face of adversity. And though our journey had been fraught with peril and uncertainty, we emerged from the crucible of the skies stronger and more resilient than ever before. For in the crucible of adversity, we discovered the true measure of our strength, our courage, and our unwavering determination to defy the odds and chart our course through the tempestuous seas of life. As we touched down on solid ground once more, I couldn't help but marvel at the beauty of the world around us, a testament to the indomitable spirit of the human soul.

Arjun Narasimhan Kuppuswamy

Grade 8C

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#ParentWorkshop: Islands of Love: Coping During Quarantine

With the city going into its most recent lockdown, our ever-curious children are now feeling the impact of prolonged quarantine.  They have been remarkable in their adaptability, be it online classes or not being able to meet their friends as often as before.
Our Wellbeing Team consists of counselors Ms. Anushree, Ms. Priya, and Ms. Anika. They conducted workshops to support the parent community by sharing some strategies through "Islands of love: Coping during quarantine" to help improve the morale and mental well being of our student family.
The sessions were in 3 parts - addressing our Pre-primary and Primary parents, followed by Middle school, and lastly our parents from Senior school. Parents were given insight on what to expect for each age group, along with signs to look out for.  As the title implies - the aim of the session was to create safe spaces or islands of love at a time that was full of uncertainty. The importance of communicating with our children, using love languages to let them know they are cherished and wanted was addressed.
A.S.K - Acknowledge fears, feelings, and worries, hold Space for thoughts and worries - irrespective of positive or negative and Keep calm - our children model our behavior - strategies were shared on how to handle the many changes that are being handled by the students and caregivers. The session concluded by emphasizing on the importance of our children's mental and physical wellbeing and the availability of the counselors to help with the same

#Hearfromourtopper: Approach the exams the right way by Jahnavi Rajesh

10th grade can be stressful for a lot of students. They are subject to a lot of pressure from their peers and their families. If approached the right way the board exams can easily be tackled.
My teachers helped me a lot in terms of understanding concepts and guiding me every step of the way. I studied for every exam with the same seriousness as I studied for the boards.
Some advice I'd like to give my juniors:
  • I've never been to tuitions and I feel this allowed me to try out my own tactics to crack even the hardest of subjects. Use simple things like mnemonics to help you remember points.
  • Everyone tells you to study hard. Yes, this is important but studying smart can take you a long way. Don't waste time studying the redundant text in your books.
  • Competitiveness is actually good up to a certain point. It helps motivate you and enables you to strive to succeed.
  • Understand what you study. Don't just learn for the sake of it, pay attention in class
  • Lastly, a lot of students aren't able to finish papers on time. This costs them several marks. Being able to write exactly as much as the question and the allotted marks ask for is key.
By Jahnavi Rajesh, Topper of ICSE Grade X 2020 Batch GRADE 10 (ICSE) - 98.00% Centum - History&Civics, Geography, Computer Applications

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