Thots from our hearts: Group 1
Thots from our hearts : Group 3
Thots from our hearts: Group 4
Thots from our hearts: Group 2
Thots from our hearts: Group 4
Wednesday, September 12, 2012
Monday, September 10, 2012
Ooty Trip @ The Peak (Day 6)
After a wonderful night of sing-a-long session and campfire, we were given the opportunity to interact with our friends while we pack our luggage in preparation for Ooty Trip.
In the morning, we spent some time at Brindavan Public School to interact with the pupils at the school.
We bonded with them through interactive games. At the same time, all of us exchanged contacts with one another.
We had spend another hour travelling further up the mountain in the afternoon. It was a magnificent panoramic view at Doddabetta. It is the highest peak (2634 metres) in the Nilgiris. The name Doddabetta literally means 'big mountain'. It lies at the junction of Western & Eastern Ghats and offers beautiful vistas of the Nilgiri Hill ranges. It is surrounded by dense sholas.
In the morning, we spent some time at Brindavan Public School to interact with the pupils at the school.
We bonded with them through interactive games. At the same time, all of us exchanged contacts with one another.
We had spend another hour travelling further up the mountain in the afternoon. It was a magnificent panoramic view at Doddabetta. It is the highest peak (2634 metres) in the Nilgiris. The name Doddabetta literally means 'big mountain'. It lies at the junction of Western & Eastern Ghats and offers beautiful vistas of the Nilgiri Hill ranges. It is surrounded by dense sholas.
Monday, September 3, 2012
News Update @ Coonoor 3 Sept 2012 – 2300 (India Time)
Dear Parents
Here are the
highlights for today….
High Field Tea
Plantation Visit
Our pupils
learnt more about the processes involved in making tea – withering, CTC –
Crush, Turn & Curl and Roasting. They learn that tea plucking is not an
easy task to do and usually it is done by the ladies. 200 women pluck at least
35 kg of tea leaves every morning and their job starts before dawn.
Our pupils learn
that the tea leaves that are plucked are used for various type of teas – white
tea, black tea, flavoured tea and green tea. They had a chance to sample
various teas – chocolate tea, masala tea, green tea and ginger tea. Chocolate
tea seems to be their favourite!
ACRES Organic
Cheese Making Farm
The rest of the
day was spent at the ACRES farm. The owner of the farm, Mr Mansur, explained to
the children about his self-sustainable farming system. They also visited the
biogas plant where they made use of the methane gas produced by the cow dung
for the fuel for domestic uses. Mr Mansur also explained how they make their
own bricks for the plant using mud, sand and lime.
Before lunch,
Mrs Mansur told the children about a little boy in the Middle East who was
travelling with his bag of milk. From the story, pupils were introduced to the
process of cheese making. Our pupils had the chance to cut the cheese curd
before sampling it. They then proceeded to the cheese cellar where the cheese
is left for three to four months before they are read to be eaten. The children had some cheese biscuits. Every child had an opportunity to milk the
cow and plant lime seed for tree planting. It is definitely an unique
experience for all of them.
Sunday, September 2, 2012
News Update @ Coonoor - 2 Sept @2030 (India Time)
Dear Parents
Kindly take note that we have safely landed at Coimbatore Airport @ 1615 (India time).
We have arrived at MGM Hill Worth Resorts @ 2000 (India time) and the children are having their dinner now.
Due to the limited Internet access in Coonoor, we would be able to post frequent updates each day. We would be posting our progress when once we are back at the hotel at the end of the day or before we set off to our destination in the morning.
For any urgent matters, kindly take note of the contact details (on the right side of the blog page).
Thank you for your patience and kind understanding.
Mdm Sue
Reporting from Coonoor, India
Kindly take note that we have safely landed at Coimbatore Airport @ 1615 (India time).
We have arrived at MGM Hill Worth Resorts @ 2000 (India time) and the children are having their dinner now.
Due to the limited Internet access in Coonoor, we would be able to post frequent updates each day. We would be posting our progress when once we are back at the hotel at the end of the day or before we set off to our destination in the morning.
For any urgent matters, kindly take note of the contact details (on the right side of the blog page).
Thank you for your patience and kind understanding.
Mdm Sue
Reporting from Coonoor, India
Moving off to Coonoor and Ooty
Dear Parents,
We will be departing from Keys Hotel now. Due to the travelling and movement, our updates will be at a later time. Do stay tuned. :)
Mind Mapping Concepts - School Immersion Summary (Group 1)
We will be posting about School Immersion the next few days. Do stay tuned.
Saturday, September 1, 2012
News Update @ Chennai - 1 Sept @ 1159 (India Time)
Dear Parents,
Here's today highlights...
Anderson-Gateway Outdoor Fieldtrip @ Dakshnacitra
Together with Gateway buddies, our pupils learnt more about the culture and lifestyles of the Southern Indians in Dakshnacitra. They participated in a few hands-on craft activities such as pot making and cloth painting. Our pupils also observed how sarees are being weaved traditionally.There are many cultural demonstrations and craft works being showcased at the centre.
To immerse into the culture and lifestyle of the locals here, both Gateway and Anderson pupils played an indoor game to find out more about the languages used by the locals with the use of IT as a tool to facilitate the activity.
Parting with the Gateway buddies was the hardest thing to do... Some of our pupils were sad to bid farewell to their buddies.
Sight-Seeing @ Marina Beach
The pupils were awed by the beauty of Marina Beach. They had fun exploring the beach and watching the activities that were taking place at the scene.
Shopping Spree @ Express Lane & City Centre
We visited the latest shopping mall in town - Express Lane. Most of them purchased lots of things for themselves and their loved ones. We went to KFC Restaurant for dinner before heading to another shopping mall. We went to Landmark - a two-storey bookstore where there are many story books for children.
Here's today highlights...
Anderson-Gateway Outdoor Fieldtrip @ Dakshnacitra
Together with Gateway buddies, our pupils learnt more about the culture and lifestyles of the Southern Indians in Dakshnacitra. They participated in a few hands-on craft activities such as pot making and cloth painting. Our pupils also observed how sarees are being weaved traditionally.There are many cultural demonstrations and craft works being showcased at the centre.
To immerse into the culture and lifestyle of the locals here, both Gateway and Anderson pupils played an indoor game to find out more about the languages used by the locals with the use of IT as a tool to facilitate the activity.
Parting with the Gateway buddies was the hardest thing to do... Some of our pupils were sad to bid farewell to their buddies.
Sight-Seeing @ Marina Beach
The pupils were awed by the beauty of Marina Beach. They had fun exploring the beach and watching the activities that were taking place at the scene.
Shopping Spree @ Express Lane & City Centre
We visited the latest shopping mall in town - Express Lane. Most of them purchased lots of things for themselves and their loved ones. We went to KFC Restaurant for dinner before heading to another shopping mall. We went to Landmark - a two-storey bookstore where there are many story books for children.
DAY 3 @ CHENNAI
We have just ended the Day 3 Immersion and will be busy packing our luggage for tomorrow's journey. So please stay tuned to this space. :)
Friday, August 31, 2012
News Update @ Chennai - 29 August 2300 (India Time)
Dear Parents
Gateway School - A Visit to an International School
The pupils were enjoying themselves in Gateway School, learning more about their buddies and the school culture. Our pupils attended the following classes - English Story Telling Class, Art Class Friendship Garland Making, IT Class Olympics Brochure Making and PE Class Soccer (Boys) & Table Tennis (Girls) Game.
Through these classes, both Gateway and Anderson pupils are able to learn more about each other, exchange their opinions and views and collaborate to complete the tasks together. At the end of the session, the pupils were given opportunities to share their experiences with the rest during the assembly. Jamie, Aniruddha and Wen Zhen shared their learning with fellow friends and teachers.
St Augustine Middle School - A Visit to a Local Government School
We went to St Augustine Middle School, a government school, located in a slum area in the heart of the city. We would like our pupils to have the opportunity to have a complete schooling experience in India. When we arrived at St Augustine Middle School, we were privileged to be able to have a school tour, observing each classroom closely to have a better understanding how the local children in the neighbourhood learn in their respective classrooms. The classrooms are sparingly but neatly furnished. Teaching materials used are rather basic and simple. Our pupils were impressed how a two-storey house could be converted into classrooms, schooling about 200 pupils as they asked a lot of questions throughout the entire school tour.
Our pupils also had an opportunity to have a 5-minute lesson, learning simple Tamil words, conducted by Mrs Mohan in a makeshift classroom, made of zinc. It was an amazing experience for our children.
As we walked back to our back to our bus after that, our pupils had the opportunity to observe the activities by the locals up close and personal. It was an unique experience for them!
Bishop Aelen Home for Children - A Visit to an Orphanage
We proceeded to meet the girls at the home, which is located near St Augustine Middle School. The intent of the visit is to give opportunities for our pupils to interact with the girls and getting to know them by playing with them.
While the pupils were busy interacting and playing with children, some our pupils helped to arrange new library books donated by our school at a library corner @ Bishop Aelen Home that was created by Andersonians last year. Meanwhile have our teachers were busy also busy putting up educational posters around the home for the girls. Before we left the place, our pupils also sang a couple of songs, include a few NDP songs.
Teacher's Day Celebration - A Buffet Dinner @ Savera
After refreshing ourselves at the hotel, we proceeded to a restaurant located in a five-star hotel for a buffet dinner featuring both Northern and Southern Indian cuisine. The children dedicated a song to the teachers and got a teacher's day cake for them. Wen Zhen, Aniq & Jamie also gave a thank you speech for the teachers. It was indeed a pleasant surprise for the teachers.
We reached the hotel @ 2230. It had been a long day but a very enriching one....
Ms Sue
Reporting from Chennai..
Gateway School - A Visit to an International School
The pupils were enjoying themselves in Gateway School, learning more about their buddies and the school culture. Our pupils attended the following classes - English Story Telling Class, Art Class Friendship Garland Making, IT Class Olympics Brochure Making and PE Class Soccer (Boys) & Table Tennis (Girls) Game.
Through these classes, both Gateway and Anderson pupils are able to learn more about each other, exchange their opinions and views and collaborate to complete the tasks together. At the end of the session, the pupils were given opportunities to share their experiences with the rest during the assembly. Jamie, Aniruddha and Wen Zhen shared their learning with fellow friends and teachers.
St Augustine Middle School - A Visit to a Local Government School
We went to St Augustine Middle School, a government school, located in a slum area in the heart of the city. We would like our pupils to have the opportunity to have a complete schooling experience in India. When we arrived at St Augustine Middle School, we were privileged to be able to have a school tour, observing each classroom closely to have a better understanding how the local children in the neighbourhood learn in their respective classrooms. The classrooms are sparingly but neatly furnished. Teaching materials used are rather basic and simple. Our pupils were impressed how a two-storey house could be converted into classrooms, schooling about 200 pupils as they asked a lot of questions throughout the entire school tour.
Our pupils also had an opportunity to have a 5-minute lesson, learning simple Tamil words, conducted by Mrs Mohan in a makeshift classroom, made of zinc. It was an amazing experience for our children.
As we walked back to our back to our bus after that, our pupils had the opportunity to observe the activities by the locals up close and personal. It was an unique experience for them!
Bishop Aelen Home for Children - A Visit to an Orphanage
We proceeded to meet the girls at the home, which is located near St Augustine Middle School. The intent of the visit is to give opportunities for our pupils to interact with the girls and getting to know them by playing with them.
While the pupils were busy interacting and playing with children, some our pupils helped to arrange new library books donated by our school at a library corner @ Bishop Aelen Home that was created by Andersonians last year. Meanwhile have our teachers were busy also busy putting up educational posters around the home for the girls. Before we left the place, our pupils also sang a couple of songs, include a few NDP songs.
Teacher's Day Celebration - A Buffet Dinner @ Savera
After refreshing ourselves at the hotel, we proceeded to a restaurant located in a five-star hotel for a buffet dinner featuring both Northern and Southern Indian cuisine. The children dedicated a song to the teachers and got a teacher's day cake for them. Wen Zhen, Aniq & Jamie also gave a thank you speech for the teachers. It was indeed a pleasant surprise for the teachers.
We reached the hotel @ 2230. It had been a long day but a very enriching one....
Ms Sue
Reporting from Chennai..
Thursday, August 30, 2012
News Update @ Chennai - 28 Aug 1555 (India Time)
Dear Parents
Kindly take note that we have safely arrived at Chennai Airport @ 1105h (India Time).
We had our lunch at Pelita Nasi Kandar Restaurant before heading to Gateway, The Complete School for a welcome reception. The pupils have been introduced to their buddies for the school immersion programme for the subsequent days.
Currently, we are heading to the e-Noah Solution IT Company for a IT company visit before heading for our dinner...
Stay tune for more updates and pictures taken to capture our Day 1 journey... once we have reached the Keys Hotel ...
Mdm Sue- reporting from Chennai....
Wednesday, August 29, 2012
India Immersion 2012 Day 1 - 30 August 2012
Chennai, here we come!!
We are excited to meet our Gateway School buddies later!! Do stay tuned to our updates.
Picture is extracted from http://www.cityhyd.info/wp-content/uploads/2012/06/JetAirwaysFDI.jpg
We are excited to meet our Gateway School buddies later!! Do stay tuned to our updates.
Picture is extracted from http://www.cityhyd.info/wp-content/uploads/2012/06/JetAirwaysFDI.jpg
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