There is more to it, yes.

A visiting French professor

Our students had a wonderful opportunity to meet and interact with Mrs. Francois Le Bon, a visiting professor of French literature. A native French speaker. Mrs. Le Bon currently resides in Reunion Island. It's a small island located 200 km from Mauritius and a bit further then that from Madagascar  Yes, a tropical island. How can that be a part of France you might ask. Well, it is an overseas department of France - the one that is the most far away from mamma France. Interestingly, it is a part of EU with Euros as currency. It is hard to imagine that knowing it is a volcanic island, right?

Mrs. Le Bon is teaching French literature in Lycee Louis Payen in St. Paul, Reunion Island. She originates from Bretagne, a north west region of France. She is very passionate about the French language and French writers and also history! It was a pleasure listening to her stories and explanations.

The students were able to interact, ask questions and listen. Grade 4 and 5 students were completely fascinated with the speed of a native French language.

Grade 9 and 10 actually prepared with small presentation ahead of her visit - after she heard them she asked questions. The fact that she doesn't speak English at all came really handy as students had to say everything in French.

They struggled a bit for sure but also gained a new understanding of this beautiful foreign language. We learned a lot! Most of us never knew of the existence of the Reunion Island. We also started the process to connect the two schools for future fruitful cooperation maybe even in a form of student exchange.

Struggle..............

The Story of the Butterfly

A man found a cocoon of a butterfly.
One day a small opening appeared.
He sat and watched the butterfly for several hours
as it struggled to squeeze its body through the tiny hole.
Then it stopped, as if it couldn’t go further.

So the man decided to help the butterfly.
He took a pair of scissors and
snipped off the remaining bits of cocoon.
The butterfly emerged easily but
it had a swollen body and shriveled wings.

The man continued to watch it,
expecting that any minute the wings would enlarge
and expand enough to support the body,
Neither happened!
In fact the butterfly spent the rest of its life
crawling around.
It was never able to fly.

What the man in his kindness
and haste did not understand:
The restricting cocoon and the struggle
required by the butterfly to get through the opening
was a way of forcing the fluid from the body
into the wings so that it would be ready
for flight once that was achieved.

Sometimes struggles are exactly
what we need in our lives.
Going through life with no obstacles would cripple us.
We will not be as strong as we could have been
and we would never fly.
 

Hand is warmer
than any other nest
chilling cold when
fingers press into a fist
but when caressing touch
bestows it's power
it opens up to form -
a flower.

by Boris A. Novak
(translated from Slovene by me)

New Year Greetings...

Hamilton Wright Mabie
New Year's eve is like every other night; there is no pause in the march of the universe, no breathless moment of silence among created things that the passage of another twelve months may be noted; and yet no man has quite the same thoughts this evening that come with the coming of darkness on other nights.

Ann Landers
Let this coming year be better than all the others. Vow to do some of the things you've always wanted to do but couldn't find the time. Call up a forgotten friend. Drop an old grudge, and replace it with some pleasant memories. Vow not to make a promise you don't think you can keep. Walk tall, and smile more. You'll look ten years younger. Don't be afraid to say, 'I love you'. Say it again. They are the sweetest words in the world.

Kersti Bergroth
It is difficult not to believe that the next year will be better than the old one! And this illusion is not wrong. Future is always good, no matter what happens. It will always give us what we need and what we want in secret. It will always bless us with right gifts. Thus in a deeper sense our belief in the New Year cannot deceive us.

Oprah Winfrey
Cheers to a New Year and another chance for us to get it right.

Anonymous
Many people look forward to the New Year for a new start on old habits.

Why is climbing trees important?

Today in our french class we were traditionally outside with my smallest class - two students from grade 2B. After revising everything while they were enjoying the swings we moved towards the tree when Satya asked me: "Can we climb the tree?" I enthusiastically replied, that we sure can!

Stuck at the foot of the tree i heard them say: "We can't do it!"
"Of course you can! Let me show you."

After climbing it myself and explaining that it should be even easier for them because i am surely in the "old" category - at least the kids tend to vehemently put me there - they tried. I was there to catch them and encourage them.

Oh, the joy! Oh, the excitement! Oh, the sense of achievement! Why do kids get so excited when they manage to climb a tree?

Riya on her way up.

Satya on his way down.

I think it is because climbing trees falls into the category of basic skills. Basics skills every child should know. Just like reading, writing, singing, counting, cleaning after them self, dressing, washing, firmly shaking a hand when greeting or being congratulated, looking people into the eyes when talking, greeting politely...

Sometimes (most of the time, i must admit) i am strongly convinced that learning beyond academics is almost more important then academics itself. When i make a child climb a tree 5 times in a row and i see the fear go away and the child's face brighten up i feel i did more for him/her then with any French word or phrase we ever learned. Of course we never neglect academics! When they learn to climb a tree they also learn that the tree is called l'arbre in French :)

Night Out 2012 @ Sancta Maria

Both teachers and students gather at the Foyer at the onset of the Camp where they are divided into groups and given instructions.

...and the fun times roll in!!

Fifth Graders tackle a seventh Grader with the help of a teacher.

Instruction given to Third Graders as they learn about Traditional Games. This activity was organized by the Tenth Graders.

An Informative Session was held where students learnt how to build different types of camp fires. They were also shown the various types of things that can be gathered  outdoors to start the fire.

The next day's early Fall-In.

Students were out in the open by 6:15 am for the first activity of the day.

Part of the Traditional Games. Its a teacher verses student establishing of strength.

I wonder who won!!

Students gather up under the Tamarind Tree for an art activity.

The activity was to paint the edges of the sitting area around the Tamarind Tree.

The Creative Sancta Marians are up to the challenge....

This was the Night Talent Show.

Students and teachers came up and did what they do best!

A student performs a belly dance.

Bonfire time when the kids got totally involved in 'The Funky Chicken' an activity conducted by Mr. Vijay Shetty.

An impressive fire built by the campers.

The next day began as the happy campers went for a Nature Walk at the University of Hyderabad as early as 6:00 am.

The sun bursts in all its glory behind the students as they enjoy the view at the Peacock Lake and note the different birds at the lake.

Ms. Shetty exchanges words and experiences with the students.

Campers receive certificates at the summation of the camp.