newsletter- holistic education
TRANSCRIPT
“From the very beginning of his education, the child should experience the joy
of discovery.” (Alfred North Whitehead)
Ours is a fast-paced world, constantly changing. This makes it essential for educa-
tors to draw out the best in children and adults, by developing the powers of head,
heart, and hands. We ensure that our education goes beyond classrooms and is
aligned towards project-, activity- and community-based learning. This helps re-
lease varied, untapped, limitless potentialities of the human spirit, as Plato stated.
Year 2014 – 2015
Located at Gattahalli, the school brings together diverse children from surrounding
villages, educating them, so they in turn can uplift their communities. At Nirmala
Vidyalaya, we emphasise values and wisdom. What good is education if it cannot
equip our children to live harmoniously and to make a difference in our society?
As a subsidiary of ACTS Group of Institutions, we strongly believe in Integrated
Holistic Education, which helps us achieve the overall wellbeing of a child.
Compassion, Commitment, Competence
Independence Day
Singing Competition
Teachers Day
PEAS
Village Theatre
Nirmala Vidyalaya
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We were on the verge of our Unit Tests and
yet, despite a tight schedule, we managed
to produce a colorful event that celebrated
our freedom.
It was wonderful to see our principal John
Prakash Kumar setting an example of self
confidence, as he sang at the singing com-
petition. He and his team have experienced
many transformations this year and through
it all, they have been able to strengthen
discipline, build character, and uplift social
and emotional skills of individuals.
Compassion, Commitment, Competence
Independence Day
Teacher’s Day Morning assembly
In Frames of Mind: The Theory of Multiple Intelligence, author Howard E. Gardner talks about the
Greeks and their belief that their artistic and athletic activities would develop a body that is perfectly
proportioned and graceful in movement, balance and tone. They sought a harmony between mind and
body, with the mind trained to use the body properly and the body trained to respond to the expressive
powers of the mind.
Did You Know
Nirmala Vidyalaya
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UKG students posing as national leaders Discipline and order: A key to morality
Singing competition
Rebecca from Std III
Year 2014 – 2015
Compassion, Commitment, Competence
Programme for Environmental Awareness in Schools is a nationwide environ-
ment awareness programme aiming to motivate children into environmental action.
Hundreds of schools are involved in various activities that create awareness as well as
action to protect the environment. With its launch at our school, came a hope and a
dream to stand out as a model school and set an example for other institutions in the
village. Reduce, Recycle and Reuse were emphasised via activities and videos. Basic
compost making and waste management techniques were introduced to our students
and our own compost pit stood as a fine example.
Nirmala Vidyalaya
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Encouraging waste segregation Depositing dry leaves for compost
Reduce — Reuse — Recycle
Year 2014 – 2015
Compassion, Commitment, Competence
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Enthusiasm was outpouring, as we rallied across the village expressing
our love for nature, as part of our second PEAS programme. We en-
thralled the Government Primary School and Anganwadi children who
joined us in sharing the message of Reduce, Reuse and Recycle. Our chil-
dren took part in an exciting drama that portrayed care for flora and
fauna. With sheer joy and a sense of achievement, we returned to our
school, carrying real life experiences to integrate with our education.
Education can be delivered in many forms, but the most efficient is that
which relates and connects to a real life environment. In future, we want
to thrive as a system that is interactive and character-based and which
produces self-reliant individuals who will transform our society.
It is an overwhelming experience to be part of a holistic educational system. The writing and works are not of my own and are
purely inspired by the book Learning in an Integrated Environment by Dr Ken Gnanakan. It collates works of well-known educa-
tors across the world such as Whitehead, Pestalozzi, Montessori, Gardner, Gandhi, Confucius, Dewey, Tagore, Mandela and
others. I am thankful to the team we have at Nirmala Vidyalaya whose efforts have produced such fruitful results. Their teamwork
and support has made it possible for us to make a curriculum that imparts both classroom knowledge and a blend of skills and atti-
tudes through varied practicalities.— Azam Nathaniel — Project Development Coordinator.
Nirmala Vidyalaya
4 Year 2014 – 2015