Annual Report

Valiants Academy Campus, with all the infrastructure, welcomed the children in the month of June, 2022.  

 

The campus is complete with all the facilities , spaces for learning, including laboratories and library.  Children were back at school after two years of online sessions.We could see happiness on their faces, full of energy to be all the time in the play area, chatting with their friends.  It was natural that they missed all this during online sessions and learning from home. 

 

Truly, as educators , we were very well aware of the challenges how to bring the children into class room setting to follow a time schedule. We at Valiants Academy have always followed the child, keeping in mind the developmental needs of a child and as our vision says, “Child is our purpose.”

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Children in the first plane of development explore their world through their senses to construct themselves physically, socially and intellectually. In this way, they absorb all aspects of the surrounding culture, including language, social conventions and cultural knowledge. Montessori environments for the first plane provide children with opportunities for self-chosen purposeful work aligned to sensory exploration, and the interests of the absorbent mind. 

This year we started our first pre-primary environment with 17 children. With adult support, Mrs. Anuradha, Mrs. Krupa and an assistant, Mrs. Jayashree.

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Children in the second plane of development explore ideas, abstract concepts and the reasons for things. They strive to expand the limits of their world to encompass the whole of human society, planet Earth and the universe beyond. They are also intensely interested in justice, the difference between right and wrong. Montessori environments at Valiants for the second plane provide children with opportunities for self-chosen purposeful work aligned to conceptual and ethical exploration, an exploration that utilize the power of the imagination, of abstraction and the interests of the reasoning mind.

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Building on this foundation, during the adolescent years,children explore their place in human society and ways they might contribute to society. One of the central roles of the our environment prepared for adolescents(grade 7 to 9) is to initiate these young people into the world of adult work. The environment prepared for adolescent community incorporates two types of working environments: 

 

- an environment that relates to nature and the earth 

- an environment that relates to the work of humans 

 

Mr. Sujay, our Founder, proposed to set up an environment for children to feel at home, express themselves with freedom and also to learn at their own pace and style. We had thought about the physical, psychological and emotional needs development of children.

 

This innovative thought led to organizing various programs for them to explore their creative skills. We include in our regular schedule a variety of activities like Arts and Craft, Land-care, Pottery, Vocal, Tabla, Theater and Yoga. We included physical fitness and also group games like basketball, football. These programme are ongoing now from the month of June, 2022 to March 23

 

Grade 8 and 9 followed the CBSE curriculum as required to prepare the children for board exams.  The programme above mentioned for other grades were also included systematically. This is the broad outline of the programme accomplished and in progress from the beginning of this academic year.  Staff members of different subjects were given the innovative pedagogy  and implemented the goals set during this Term I. ( June to September).    The challenges  of psychological needs of adolescents were addressed by Mr. Sujay to support  the learning process.  Mrs. Prabhavathy, our Principal,working in tandem with a blend of an innovative approach of our founder’s vision has been a rich experience for all us , parents, adults and children. 

 

The transition environment between grade 6 and 7 was regularly observed and academic skill development was implemented in the form research work, follow-up work, group work, quizzes, informal assessments and regular feed back was given to children about their learning and scope for improvement in presence of their parents.

 

The elementary environment opened with bridging activities and Great Stories followed by key lessons and presentations. Children consolidate the concepts by working on the follow-up activities and research work.

 

Community  Interactions with Parents and Children in the form of celebrations, events and parents' discussions.

 

We celebrated our school birthday on July 2, 2022, planned  and organized by the children.  As  guests, we had parents, grandparents attending the function and there were around 800 people participating. The highlights were the handcrafted pandal decorations with coconut palm leaves, banana stems.  The children prepared products like savouries, cakes and sold them branding them “ Deep Roots”. The whole event was showcased by the children and their creative ideas reflected their potential.

 

In the month of August, Independence Day was celebrated with a patriotic flavor. Parents were invited for the occasion. Children of grade 6 and 7 presented songs and plays on freedom struggle and equality. The plays were were written and directed by the children.

 

In our Show and Tell assembly, children put up various programs of the concepts learnt in Kannda and Hindi. Children presented plays, songs, models and art work. On the occasion of Hindi divas, children presented songs, interesting facts and riddles, performed a Kannada play on Abhimanyu and a fusion of classical dance choreographed by the children themselves was presented with grace. Children presented various classical music and this led to internal peace in the community. Show and Tell is a space created to make children feel comfortable and express their creativity without being judged. It is the first step for children to show their talent at what ever level they are at.

 

Valiants’ Silent Journey and Discovery is an event dedicated to parents to provide the meaningful experience of visiting each of our programs from Pte-primary through Upper Elementary and the Transitional Environment.

 

Mr. Sujay’s innovative thought led us to present a redefined “Silent Journey” to all the parents of Grade 4 and 5. Generally, the silent journey has been conducted every year for all parents of all grades. In this process of learning journey parents get to experience the scientific way of offering the concept to children. To explain the same, it is an event for all parents to come to school, work in the environment like children and engage themselves in the learning process.    This academic year, the parents were presented with the concepts  by our adults to the parents.Parents were amazed at this opportunity and shared their reflections on the same day.   The core philosophy of sharing , involving parents, was also fulfilled.  

 

One innovative thought ,  a success story led to another .  Mr. Sujay proposed a plan redefined silent journey  for Grades  6 & 7.   Children presented all the concepts learnt, research done to all their parents.  We could see the confidence, articulation , interest, effort. Furthermore, it defined how children want to “learn by doing “  These presentations had all of it, experiential learning, art integration, collaborative learning,  including all the skills: communication , critical thinking,articulation, presentation that promote self-esteem, confidence.   

 

Mr. Sujay keeps sharing his insights with all the age group children on how to learn and the circle time that we have once a week. These interactions are thought provoking for both children and adults equally.

 

We say “FOLLOW THE CHILD”, this is possible only when the school and parents are meandering  on the same path along with the child. This aspect of keeping the child in mind, Mr. Sujay consistently we are educating and discussing with parents how to bring up our children. To have a holistic children in our life, we as individuals, need to transform first, because adults and parents are the role models for children. Children do or practice in their later life for what has manifested over a period of time. 

 

To make this thought or the idea  to be understood, Mr. Sujay presents them to  parents in the form of stories, shares experience, with deeper concepts of conscious and subconscious mind. When should parents help our children.., what is the environment which helps my child to develop.., concept of freedom with discipline, about relationships, work habits at home for children, parents were encouraged to exchange gratitude in meetings. Topics like  trusting child and expressing our love  and emotions,  and anger management 

 

We organized a basketball tournament for Grades 6, 7, 8 & 9.  Children enjoyed it and we were enthralled in witnessing their sportsmanship and spirit.  Every event is a community entertainment and all of us participate, contribute to the same. Group dynamics is considered at all stages in every environment.The basketball tournament concluded with our Sports day event. It was a special sports day for us this year, because this was our first sports event in our field with our school flag being hoisted. The senior student of the Valiants lit the torch and opened the event. Our event always begins with a Sun Salutation and the display of our pyramids and various balancing poses. We at school always keep our parents in mind and involve them. We  had a 3K and 5K marathon . Interestingly, many parents and children participated. It motivates parents and for the younger children to watch their parents participate in the event. There were many sports activities for all age groups .  The event was successful with our sports adult in-charge, Mr. Someshekar and supporting staff.

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At school we want our children and parents to experience all the space which is specially designed to express. One of them is our amphitheater. We organized a musical evening in the month of November. It was a wonderful evening that opened up with pleasant songs and graceful twirls and turns of from our girls for our Indian music. It was taken over by our music teacher, Mr. Lakshminaryan Bhatt, Hindustani vocalist and Mr. Santhosh Hegde on tabla. They mesmerised the evening with melodious ragas.

 

Outbound Activity

 

Grade1

The first year children stay back in school for one night  to experience the stay with friends, planning for their evening snacks , dinner and helping in the kitchen. Children plan their other activities like games, story time and movie time. The intent of having children stay back in school is to make them feel comfortable staying with adults whom they are working with and also stay away from their parents.

 

Grade2

This year, children went to Isiri farm with a packed lunch and snacks. They experienced how a dairy farm works, watching the milking and some of them drank fresh cow's milk, returned to school and stayed back for one night.

 

Grade3 - Kaigal Trip

Visited Kaigal, eco education and visiting sanctuary school. Tribal school run by KFI. Children experience their first outing from school for three days, which includes carrying backpacks, traveling on a train, taking a local bus to Kaigal, walking to Shantham cottage on an unpaved path. We settle down in the cottage with our baggage and later head for a short walk near the Shivalingnu. Returning to the dining space for our lunch. Children lay the mats, wash plates and clean the dining area in turns. Post lunch, they rest for sometime and do nursery work. They had snacks and went back  to Shantham take some  rest and have a shower. Every evening before dinner we had reflection time. Next morning, visited the sanctuary school and it was a learning exchange program. The last day is the long trek, crossing the river and having a fun time in the lobby’s pool. 

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Grade 4 and 5 -  Butterfly Park Butterfly Conservation Forest

Educational trip  to Butterfly park at Belavi near Udapi. Mr. Sammilan Shetty helped us to identify a few butterflies and spoke about his project.  Children were keen on listening to and understanding the interesting facts about butterflies and how they migrate and how each species of butterfly  feed on a particular flower for nectar. Mr. Sammilan an expert on butterflies, shared the interesting facts about the wings and patterns. For follow up work, children did research on butterflies. They were excited about identifying the butterflies in our school environment.

 

Grade 6 and 7 - Western Ghat

Trekking is an activity  which helps children  take multi-day hiking trips through rural, often rugged territory. Children were taken with the specific purpose of exploring and enjoying the scenery. We walked on trails in areas of relatively unspoiled wilderness. It helped children keep moving on in a lot of different ways with long and challenging trail. Children experienced different terrains. It was a kind of realization that nothing is meaningful is easy. Positive attitude and problem solving among children helped them to complete the trek with fun and enthusiasm. Children were prepared to experience every day as a new beginning.Few of the children took time to trek through the step elevation at their own pace without giving up, and others waited patiently for them and cheered them as they climbed up and they mentioned “continue walking, just a few more steps to reach the summit and get to experience beautiful view, the moment children reached the summit they clapped for them.”

 

It was social transformation for children, some of them were introvert, some of them extrovert and some were go getters and some took their time to do things. Children interacted with their peers and teamed up during the trek. They contributed towards each other’s learning and supported each other to complete the trek.

Trekking is not about passive learning; children learn by doing things and not by hearing or talking about them. It is a real-life skill. “Children held each other’s hand, asked to be careful of the thorny bushes ahead and made way for the person ahead by holding the branches, carrying bags for otherswhen they were really not able to.”

The best way to learn about nature is to experience it. Trekking offered unlimited opportunities to teach children about science and nature. Plants, animals and insects abound. It kindled the curiosity minds of children to explore. It has helped the children to grow as individuals.

 

Children were away from the digital world and learnt to live in the midst of nature with minimal facilities and had simple and healthy food. From the past experiences, children have become responsible enough to manage their belongings, eat without wasting food and wash their plates and boxes. A special characteristic in the second plane of development is demonstrating flexibility and this skill was truly put to the test! Some of the challenges were predictable, while many others could not have been foreseen; yet all required that each person make choices to best address the challenge at hand. The children were so successful! Planning, packing, practicing, playing, working, and exploring – they did it all.

 

Grade 8- Dandeli Visit

The intent of organizing the outdoor activity is to create a bonding amongst children and accept the individual as they are. It was a much needed outing for children, since the time of Covid they had gone out with their peers. It was the time to reunite with each other. They had their own personal time to vent out their concerns. Children just relaxed and enjoyed every bit of their personal conversation with friends. They just didn’t want to do  anything  which was routine.

Children wanted to do activities which were thrilling and exciting. Hence, they experienced Kayaing, zip lining, open jeep driving.

 

Grade 9 - Dayara Bugyal Trek to Himalaya

This is a special trek which is organized and well planned for our children when they are entering their grade 10. This trek is given to them for the final preparation from the school which is focusing on their life skills, adaptability, being strong like mountains, state grounded, connected to nature, having gratitude for the things they are blessed with , interdependence, trust and love the people around them as they are.With all this, bring their attention and focus to academics, which is also important for them to achieve what each individual has planned ahead in their life.

Each individual had a different take away from this trek. For some, it was getting connected to nature, reflecting upon their own life and learning. They listened to the stories of others. Maybe it had an impact,  it was moving away from their comfort zone, accepting nature as it was with grace and gratitude. They just lived that moment in the midst of nature, wanted to have a personal silent walk, pushed their limits and perhaps liberation from their routine.

In this trek, nature allowed us to experience and feel how mountains respond differently and we got to enjoy the rain-sleet, drop in temperature and freezing cold, trek between the pines, walking in the snow and  all of it was memorable. Children and adults will cherish this moment for their life.

 

Grade 7 - Market Visit

Children of grade 7 visited Krishnarajendra Market as part of their lessons in civics, bringing an awareness of how markets work and different types of markets are in society. They visited the KR market early in the morning to see how the flowers are sold, which are used for decoration purposes in weddings, other ceremonies and by florists, and after a certain time, the market is closed. Children got to experience another type of  whole-sale flower market, where loose flowers like roses, chrysanthemum jasmine, marigold, jasmine and moogra were sold on an auction. They visited the vegetable market which were sold in a whole- sale as well as the retail and banana whole-sale market. Children had the opportunity to see how the loads of trucks with bananas and vegetables came to the market and were offloaded in the shops. They interviewed a few sellers and shop keepers.

 

Grade 8 - Visit to the  High Court and Vidhana Soudha 

Lawyers visited the school to share their understanding of how the Judiciary system functions.

Visit to the High Court and Vidhana Soudha

Children were keen on learning how the judiciary system works in our country and its impact on society. Two young lawyers Ms. Yashmitha and Ms. Sanjuktha explained how the system functions and the various aspects of law and order. Children had came prepared with a wide variety of questions. Grade 7 children also participated. In continuation of this, we took permission from the Highcourt and visited the court. Children were part of court proceedings, visited the library and museum. We had the opportunity to visit the Vidhana Soudha and got to see the legislative assembly, which is the landmark of our state.

 

Grade 8 and 9

Children have been introduced to economics and they were keen to know how the economy of the country its role and functions and how development takes place. To have a better understanding of market shares and the economy, Mr.Anil P. Dev was invited to school to share his understanding of the  share market. He introduced the topic to them through various activities and interactive sessions. This gave children good insight into economic factors for the development of the country.

 

To encompass their learning and reflect their understanding, timely reviews were conducted from grade 6 to grade 9. Once the papers were reviewed, round table was conducted and allowed the children to reflect upon preparation to write the review paper. Feedback given during the Parents’ Teachers’ interactive session, helps children to work and was implemented in their academics.

 

Circle Time Interaction

 

The philosophy of the school is to have holistic development in the child’s learning. Education is an aid to life. To prepare the child for the outside world, we have circle time which allows children to express their understanding and what they feel about.For the lower elementary the circle time is conducted by reading the virtue cards and they reflect upon their understanding, e.g. Time, Friendship, Loving,  Honest etc. Children are asked to observe these abstract emotions in the environment and, at a later date, it is discussed about their experiences. Upper elementary children make their plans for the circle time well in advance and execute them. They have discussion on virtue cards, collect interesting facts, quizzes, riddles, proverbs etc. In the Transition environment  children choose certain topics related to  issues exciting in the society or concerns in the environment or to execute any plan ect. High school students have entered the adolescent phase of development. Their needs and interests are different. The child in this phase wants to be socially independent. To get them prepared for this, we chose various topics to discuss, like

 

• As a personal journey, how do you want to contribute to humanity…

• What is that you want to contribute…

• How are you going to contribute to society…

• What do you need to learn to achieve your goal that you have chosen…

• Who is a friend..

• Aspects of discipline…

• Questions asked should also mature over a period of time…asking right questions leads to innovation, new discoveries and internal maturity…

• The process of expression…

• Use of Left and Right brain 

• The Elephant and the rat story…taking necessary help

 

 

The closing of the academic year is completed with the OPEN HOUSE AND ART EXHIBITION followed by the PTI for the elementary children. The work exhibited is the consolidation of his/ her work for the concepts offered which were presented in the form of models, charts, write up,  art work and booklets and the art exhibition was children's creative work displayed. Parents had the opportunity to observe and appreciate the work of the children, see how, as children grow up, there is maturity and precise in the work. Space was created for everyone to appreciate other children’s work and learn.

 

Excited and open to embrace the new academic year with children and adults to make learning enjoyable.

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Prepared by

Mrs.Prabhavathy

Principal Valiants Academy