International Dimension in Schools (IDS)
The British Council IDS is a benchmarking scheme that accredits schools for nurturing global citizenship in young learners and widening the horizons of learning. It fosters collaborations, research and creativity. Under the robust leadership of the school principal, Mrs. Swapna Nair, IDS was initiated. Seven projects namely Dancing Toes, Festivals, Reduce Reuse and Recycle, Camaraderie, Pride of Nation – National Animals, Impact of Industrialization on our Environment and Zero Hunger were taken up by different classes after intensive brainstorming involving all the departments and grades. Since integration has been our strength since the very inception. The same philosophy came into play where all the stakeholders worked in collaboration to achieve the shared vision. We collaborated with our international partner schools in Nepal, Kenya and japan. The volume of work and student teacher involvement was commendable. The evidence based 250 page dossier was submitted for accreditation. Arwachin International School has been awarded with the British Council IDS award for the period 2020-23. We are proud of our achievement.
1) Dancing Toes – The students of classes 6 to 8 gained knowledge about the dance forms of countries like Japan, France, Kenya and India. They researched about them on internet. They were even shown videos related to them in the class. Based on their learning, students prepared display boards. They attempted creatively designed worksheets. This was followed by an inter house dance competition in which the students of each house danced to the tunes of Can Can, Bouree, Fan and Umbrella dance. Morning assembly was also prepared showcasing the, dance and music of the partner school. Arwachinians studying Japanese has an interaction with their Japanese counterparts. They witnessed the Japanese dance forms and provided the feedback to us. This activity enabled our students to be well versed with the international dance forms as well as explore their own roots.
2) Festivals – The students of primary classes acquired knowledge about the different festivals celebrated in countries like America, China, Spain, India and Nepal. They were shown related videos. Activities like Fancy dress competition and inter house debate competition were organized. Students explored their IT skill. They used Tux paint and blended their creativity to showcase their representation of the festivals like Halloween, Chinese New Year and La Tomatina. They could draw the similarity between La Tomatina and Holi. Creative worksheets were provided to document their understanding. Our partner school celebrated Holi in its campus and our students presented morning assembly based on a Nepalese religious festival. Students were taught a Nepalese devotional song. Its video was shared with the partner school which was much appreciated. This way our children got to know the culture of other countries and developed mutual respect for each other.
3) Reduce Reuse and Recycle – Arwachinians gained knowledge of the various ways to save the planet. They felt the urgency to put everything else to rest and place the Earth first in order to save the living beings. They researched various best practices of waste management adopted in countries like Australia, China, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh. Fancy dress competition, Visit, best out of waste exhibition were organised to give an insight to the students as to how even waste can be turned in to useful things. Street play and morning assembly were conducted to spread the awareness to the other members of the society. Activities like composting and recycling of paper were scheduled to give real life experience to the young learners. The students realized that every small step counts and it is never too late to think about the environment.
4 ) Camaraderie – The main aim of this activity was to highlight the friendship has no barriers of boundaries. The students researched about the bonding between the cricket players of countries like UK, Australia, West Indies, India and South Africa. They prepared the PPTs and shared their research with others. They utilised their library periods to read the folk tales of these countries and could know their culture. They wrote and received letters and prepared friendship cards for their pen pals of their partner school. They were overwhelmed when a Skype session was organized and they came face to face with their pen pals. Many Nepalese students shared that they were a big fan of Hindi cinema and sang a couple of popular Bollywood numbers. They were taught the synonyms of the word ‘friend’ in Hindi and Sanskrit. Students were trained for Rugby right from the beginning of the session and an Inter house Rugby match was held. Inter house play competition was also organised to highlight the importance of friendship. Students understood the importance of friends in their life.
5) Pride of Nation – National Animals - The students of pre primary gained knowledge about the national animals of Greece, Thailand, Sri Lanka, China, Australia and India. The tiny tots were shown videos related to the national animals of these countries which infused excitement in them. Mask making activity was conducted to adorn the display boards. Interesting worksheets were created to ingrain the concept. Storytelling and elocution competition not only enhanced their language and expression but also consolidated their knowledge. They participated with zeal and their enthusiasm was contagious. Our little ones even tried their hand in Tux paint to create the animals on the screen. All these activities enhanced their learning about the National animals of various countries.
6) Impact of Industrialization on our Environment – The aim of this activity was to help the students understand the impact of industrialization on the environment. A thorough research was conducted followed by the comparative analysis of the impact on the water bodies and air and also the steps taken by Japan, France, UK, US and India to improve the situation. Slogan writing was conducted in the class. These slogans were used in the street play and rally to spread awareness to the community. MUN helped the students to develop leadership skill, research skill, public speaking and problem-solving skill. Students enacted plays and morning assembly to send the message loud and clear that it is an alarming situation and it is high time we need to take charge to improve the quality of our life.
7) Zero Hunger – The aim of this activity was to sensitize the students about the needs of underprivileged of the society. Students researched about the condition prevailing in developed, under developed and developing countries to make a comparative study. PPTs were made in order to register their findings. Students of the whole school participated and contributed wholeheartedly in the food distribution activity. Research on the qualitative and quantitative value of the food was also conducted. Students undertook tests to check food adulteration. They documented their observation. Morning assembly and street play were organized to make the students aware of the need to stand together to face the challenge.