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The one big event that all of us are looking forward to is the verification visit

for the IBDP which will take place on the 19th and 20th of August 2019. We hope

and pray that all the hard work, grit and perspiration of the past few years to

get everything in place may bear bountiful fruit.

We’ve been working on two major issues from the feedback we received last

year. Working as a team and being more disciplined. We have had meetings,

workshops, and orientations. We have set goals we would like to achieve. We

have got students to take ownership for their own behavior. We have put a

discipline and behavior policy in place after consulting all the stakeholders.

There will be regular follow ups too on these two aspects of growth at periodic

time intervals.

As our first batch of 10th graders prepare themselves for the IGCSE

examinations, we wish them all the best in their endeavor and assure them of

our prayers and support.

Wishing you all a joyous and fruitful new academic year ahead.

Regards,

Fr. Crispino D’souza

Director

Director’s Message

Page 01

Newsletter DBIS

Volume: 6 Issue: 1 July 2019

Principal’s Message

Page 02

Investiture Ceremony

Page 05

Raz Article

Page 14

Sports Achievements

Page 10

Upcoming Events

Page 40

Dear Friends,

Welcome to all, specially the new staff,

students and parents. It has been a little

over a month since school re-opened. It

took some time to warm up the engine

and get the school up and moving

smoothly on its tracks, and moving it is,

on well-oiled wheels.

We began the year on a high note, taking “The heart of Holiness is Love” as

the theme that will guide us through this year. The theme was based on the

Strenna 2019, “Holiness for you too” presented by Rector Major Angel

Fernandez Artime to the Don Bosco Community. We have already had a

couple of assemblies based on this theme which received wonderful

plaudits from staff and students. The energy and enthusiasm that the

children bring along with them to school is truly amazing. It is almost

palpable. Here at DBIS, Holiness consists in being active as well as cheerful.

No place for gloom and doom even in inclement weather.

Ashoka University Visit

Page 12

Photogallery

Page 16

A new start in a new class

Page 03

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Message from The Principal’s Desk

QCT – Quality Circle Time, a professional development program was introduced to the students

and staff at DBIS at the beginning of the academic year with a 2-day workshop conducted by Ms.

Maya Menon from Teacher Foundation, Bangalore. In the past two months we have observed

that this program has promoted healthy relationships and positive behavior management. A fun

loving program, albeit serious, the interactions have promoted a better learning approach and a

synergy between students and students and teachers. We intend to introduce the QCT way of life

to our parents, too.

Fr Ian Doulton sdb, former Provincial and currently the Editor of the Don Bosco magazine,

MADONNA, conducted a team building workshop. The workshop was aimed at the leader,

donning the mantle of serving rather than being served as taught by Jesus to his disciples. There

is a humility in leadership that fosters a bond of kinship. The school management has also started

a staff enrichment program, celebrating individual /personal occasions together, as one family.

Since 1950, India has celebrated Van Mahotsav, planting trees in the month of July to increase

area under forest cover. DBIS too, has followed this tradition, but with a difference. We planted

trees with a personal touch, the sapling was adopted by the planter, with a promise to take care

of this new life and see it grow into a sturdy tree. We inducted Ms. Katie Baglie, a prolific author

and children’s story teller, weaving her magic with words, encouraging and motivating our gen-

next, nudging them towards a greener and fresher earth.

ISHA foundation was roped in on World Yoga day to participate along with our children. From

the smiles and relaxed postures, we deduced that Yoga had done a world of good for our children

and staff.

Monsoon requires that touch of letting one’s hair down and lo and behold we had Monsoon Mania

with our children displaying their literary prowess through poems, speeches or just pouring their

thoughts on paper and trekking through hills and dales, some lucky few getting drenched in the

rain others savoring the coolness of rain-drenched slopes and the freshness of a rustic outdoor

life.

Looking forward to a cup of coffee with our parents, in a new circle, the QCT.

Welcome to a new year at Don Bosco International

School, a year with a promise to getting better with

each passing year. Academic Year 2019 /20 is a

milestone year with DBIS stepping on the path to

reaching the first goal post. Our students are

preparing for their grade 10 examination, the first

batch from DBIS. On this backdrop our school is

slowly and steadily setting up the next goal post, the

IBDP program. Our teachers have been attending

workshops and training along with the management

preparing the right environment for an IBDP

verification visit scheduled for mid-August 2019.

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A number of transformations have emerged that have been implemented pedagogically along with

infrastructural changes. We are pleased to share that we have begun making infrastructural changes

starting with Pre-primary classes and made it attractive and conducive for student learning. We hope

you all have welcomed the changes made. IB has also implemented enhancements to the foundational

elements of the PYP to provide greater flexibility, improved clarity and support for schools to make it:

better for students, easier for teachers to implement and more flexible for schools. The concept of

agency will be extremely powerful and a great goal for us all to pursue.

Nelson Mandela said, “Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world.”

We are looking forward to exploring how we can create learners who are innovative and caring

enough to create a better world and how different elements of the programme will work together to

strengthen the transdisciplinary learning experience. We, at DBIS, feel that the opportunity to have

the community involved will deepen and nurture student learning. Let us all look forward to a year

where our contributions will make this year a better year than the last.

-Associate Principal

Ms. Aruna Shetty

A New Start in a New Class…

“The only way that we can live, is if we grow. The only

way that we can grow is if we change. The only way that

we can change is if we learn. The only way we can learn

is if we are exposed. And the only way that we can

become exposed is if we throw ourselves out into the

open”. Our belief in the transformation of self and

society has led us to bringing and supporting changes

that will lend itself in making DBIS a better place.

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MAKING A DIFFERENCE

The Sun seemed to shine brighter. The applause was deafening. I couldn't believe it. The students of DBIS had chosen ME to be their Head Girl. As I stood on the stage, next to my fellow leaders, a feeling of pride and gratitude tingled within me. I gazed at everyone, a smile on my face, as I remembered standing before them, just a few days ago, giving them my word, to be a promising leader. A flashback of the whole experience played in my mind. I reminisced about the whole process which led to that sensational moment. The second date of the council elections was announced, I knew that I wanted to run for the post, not for the role, but for the GOAL. I wanted to do my share and give back to my school. As time progressed, the "election fever" took over DBIS and the excitement was rather overwhelming. Time flew, and before I knew it, all of the other deserving candidates, including me, had sermonized about not only what we had to offer to DBIS, but also to the students and staff. After delivering our speeches with utmost fervor and sincerity, we knew that now everything else was in the hands of the students. We had done everything we could have. I, for one, looked forward in anticipation to the voting day. My heart beat fast and I could feel it pulsate through my chest as I witnessed students pouring out of the ICT Lab and grinning after they had cast their vote. I took a deep breath and reminded myself, that the person who wins is truly worthy of it, and there are no two ways about it. On the 2nd of July, all of us were made to line up in front of the stage as the much awaited results were announced. Some of my friends made it, and some didn't, but that didn't stop those who weren't elected to cheer on the new leaders. Right at the end, my name was called. My heart leaped as pure joy filled it. A smile involuntarily tugged at my lips. I, now opened my eyes, and was brought back to the present. I nodded at the other exemplary council members. And from that moment we knew, WE WERE GOING TO MAKE A DIFFERENCE, not individually, but as a whole. BOSCO BOSCO BOSCO DON BOSCO!

- Aisha Lowe (Head Girl)

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Investiture Ceremony Photo Gallery

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Office Bearers for the Academic Year 2019-2020

Head Girl

Aisha Lowe

Amethyst Captain Manya Bhatia

Amethyst Vice Captain Fioni Gada

Sapphire Captain

Hersh Doshi

Head Boy

Tejas Tagra

Asst. Head Boy

Shivaditya Pandit

Asst. Head Girl

Shalom Mendes

Sapphire Vice Captain

Prisha Jhavery

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Sports Captain - Amethyst

Office Bearers for the Academic Year 2019-2020

Citrine Captain

Darsh Thakkar

Citrine Vice Captain

Kartik Bhatia

Peridot Captain

Sanjna Sridhar

Peridot Vice Captain

Shamika Modi

Sports Captain-Amethyst Manav Sanghvi

Sports Captain – Peridot

Liam Pinheiro

Sports Captain – Citrine

Aditya Gupta

Sports Captain – Sapphire

Francesco Fernandes

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Office Bearers for the Academic Year 2018-2019

Jr. Head Boy Siddhant Ganesh

Jr.Head Girl Dhruvi Chheda

Jr. Captain – Amethyst

Jemimah D'souza

Jr. Captain – Sapphire

Vihaan Kenia

Jr. Captain – Peridot

Diah Tailor

Jr. Captain – Citrine

Akshit Ranka

Junior Student Council

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Sports Achievements: June-July 2019

Palak Dhami: Junior

Nationals Swimming 2019

U14 Girls Category

200 Backstroke: Bronze

200 Freestyle: Bronze

100 Backstroke: Bronze

50 Backstroke: Bronze

4x100 Medley Relay: Gold

4x100 Freestyle Relay: Gold

Krish Shah: Junior Nationals

Swimming 2019

Boys Age group 12 Category

4x50 Freestyle Relay: Bronze

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Shamika Modi:

Mumbai District

Fencing 2019

U14 Girls Category

Gold

Shalom Mendes: Mumbai City

District Amateur Athletics Meet

U14 Girls Category

Shot Put: Bronze

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Ashoka University visit

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Raz Plus Article

Why Raz Plus!

The importance of reading in this day and age of technology cannot be undermined.

To nurture and develop in our students the love of reading and build on

comprehension skills, we at DBIS have implemented RAZ PLUS this academic year,

which is a blended reading platform that combines teacher-led whole-class and

small-group instruction with technology-enabled resources for personalized reading

practice.

What is Raz Plus?

This programme delivers a Personalized Blended Learning Approach to Literacy. All

resources are accessible online and available in printable, projectable, and digital

formats to strengthen the connection between what is being taught and what

students independently practise. It builds on comprehension skills and strategies

with activity sheets, and quizzes that promote close reading and critical thinking.

This platform delivers standard-aligned reading instruction with more than 50,000

resources that develop key 21st century skills and informed instructions with online,

data-driven reports that show individual and class-wide activity and performance.

He that loves reading has everything within his reach. – William Godwin

-Ms. Gladys Gonsalves (PYP Coordinator)

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1st Day of School

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Celebrations On Vanmostav

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Monsoon Mania

MONSOON MANIA

A WEEK WITH ACTIVITIES GALORE

When nature was in all its glory,

Monsoon games and treks were in store,

The children imagined a new story

Everyone kept wanting for more.

8th July 2019:

On Monday, 8th July we had literary events held in all our language subjects. In each language lesson we were asked to write articles, stories, comics, essays, poems and even speeches on monsoon. We were allowed to complete this assignment either individually, in pairs or in groups. In Spanish we made posters on water conservation, while in Hindi we wrote poems. In English, we were allowed to write and express ourselves in any literary style we preferred.

10th July 2019:

On Wednesday, 10th July we had water sports. Since there was a drought in Chennai and Mumbai facing a 40 %

water cut, we decided to save water at our school, by playing eco-friendly games in our daily allotted sports time.

We played various games and enjoyed ourselves immensely!!!

11th July 2019:

On Thursday, 11th July, all of us brought snacks in edible food colours which we all shared and had a potluck. We

were also allowed to dress in the colours of the rainbow. Our school looked like a veritab artist’s palette while the

clouds outside showered the city with rain. Grade 9A conducted a most effective and enlightening assembly on an

issue that needs our dire attention today-water crisis on our planet Earth.

12th July 2019:

On Friday, 12th July we had the most exciting time trekking at Karnala Bird Sanctuary. The bus ride to Karnala was

long but awesome as we all sang songs, played games, and had the time of our life with our peers and teachers. On

our arrival at Karnala, we were given instructions and we soon set off! The climb was gruelling but worth every

second of the strain and struggle to reach the top. We needed a bit of assistance but we managed to get there in the

end! When we did finally reach the top, lo and behold was the most breath-taking view! We were all surprised when

we were told that we had trekked 12 km! A most amazing trek!

Monsoon Mania, to each one of us, was an immensely enjoyable week!

Written on behalf of the Events team by

- Suhaani Jain and Aarush Kamdar - Grade 6B

- Edited by – Ms.Reema Vora

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Wet, set ,go…

Life isn’t about waiting for the storm to pass; it’s about learning to dance in the rain.”

– Vivian Greene

Monsoon Mania, a fun time of the year, where students experience the rains through a plethora of learning engagements

and activities.

The celebration started with a poem recitation in fancy dress. Colourful costumes adorned the stage, while the recitation

made the audience moon over the tiny tots. Some of them surprised the audience with their intonation and clarity of

speech. The little ones exuded confidence while they walked on stage and recited their poems. While it was an endearing

sight, the exposure fostered public speaking skills as well as built learner profile where children learnt to appreciate good

performances.

Day two was celebrated by playing water games. Children enjoying the cool rain drops on their face and hands and some

even tasted them. They had a blast playing games that were organized by the P.E. department. The activity turned out

to be an exhilarating experience for children where they enjoyed and explored the rains. They had a beautiful experience

of expressing their creativity through art activities that were meticulously planned. Students of Sr. Kg expressed their

thoughts by being a part of Art Fun, a painting activity, while Jr. Kg students explored their creativity by making a take

away.

To satisfy their curious scientific minds, students participated in conducting simple water experiments. They

experimented and observed how a few objects sink and float. They wondered, how a lit candle placed in water

extinguishes when covered with glass. Students of Sr. Kg were delighted to create an ‘elephant toothpaste’.

After a week- long celebration, Monsoon Mania came to an end where students dressed according to rainbow colours.

Students had a potluck, where they shared delicious snacks like Corns, Pop-Corns, dry snacks and other simple savouries

with each other. Monsoon Mania whetted the little appetites in more ways than one.

Pre-Primary Fancy Dress

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Blue is the ocean whale,

Blue are berries

blue is the sky

I put in my pie

It was a fun – filled day for our Kindergarten students, as they celebrated ‘Blue

Day’ on 30th July 2019. Blue colour is a symbol of life. Blue represents both the sky and

the sea and is embraced as the colour of heaven. The school campus turned blue to

celebrate the day. From teachers to children, all were dressed in shades of blue. They

were very excited and cheerful to celebrate this special colour day.

This fun filled day was integrated with the shape of the month, Square.

As a part of this celebration, Jr. Kg students made a blue bird using a square shape. Show

and Tell was conducted, where each child got an object from home and spoke a few lines

about it.

Sr. Kg integrated this day with their inquiry (Family), as the colour blue belongs to the

family of cool colours. Sr. Kg A made a photo frame using shades of blue and candy sticks

which was square in shape. The sticks were then decorated by the kids. Sr. Kg B made a

square shaped blue robot. This was then followed by show and tell.

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Karnala Trek

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Yeoor Hills Trek

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Rainy Days are here again

Sweltering April and scorching May

Hot in the night and hotter by day!

Yet, a distant glimmer of hope in June

When will arrive - our glorious monsoon

Water we need, we cannot run out

Or life will start ebbing, without a doubt

So, with joy we welcome showers of rain

Life now looks gleeful – happy, no pain

Till the rainfall turns to a deluge

Raindrops not small, but big and huge

No longer can we see this city of ours

The waters have risen above the reservoirs

Monsoons have now gone out of hand

Unable to cope – infrastructure of the land

But this won’t shatter the hopes in our heart

We pray the next monsoon gets a better start!

Aleiya Rebello – 7B

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Megh Malhar – The dance festival at DBIS

The whole school sat in the Bianchi hall on Friday, 26th of July with bated breath as all of us waited to finally

see the dances the Houses had been preparing for –for weeks. The name of the event, Megh Malhar

complimented the atmosphere outside as the clouds emptied their benevolent offerings on us humans.

The judges arrived as silence blanketed the audience. The room was dark and tranquil until the voice of the

comperes broke the unwanted silence as the hall reverberated with loud cheers from Amethyst House because

they would be performing first.

Bright lights flashed on the stage to welcome the young participants from Amethyst supporters as they danced

to the beats of catchy songs. Next were the secondary section participants who helped to set the mood. The

Amethyst House ended their performance on a comical note which forced laughter to escape from the

audience.

The hall was pitch black and then suddenly small brightly lit up lamps provided the source of light as the

Citrine House participants used ‘diyas ‘ to spice up their graceful performance. They danced in sync to the

tune of instrumental music with umbrellas in their hands and cheerful grins lighting up their joyous faces.. In

between dances, an omniscient narrator told the story of rain. The sound of clapping echoed in the hall as

everyone thoroughly enjoyed the performance.

The Peridot house got us all thinking about -What is monsoon? They performed beautifully and concluded

that monsoon is not only a season but also a mood, an emotion and much more.

Last but not the least was the Sapphire House that threw light on the darker side of rain and through their

magnificent dance, they presented a tableau of the damages it has done in the past. Their performance ended

with all the participants as they gathered on stage to celebrate monsoon and all that comes with it. The dance

was accompanied by perfect cartwheels performed by our own classmates.

The smiles started fading and were replaced by stress lines forming on the faces of all those who were within

the four walls of Bianchi Hall. The time that all of us had waited for -had finally arrived. We crossed our

fingers[and toes also] hoping that the House we belonged to -wins.

Diya Vartak of 9A

Edited by Ms. Vimala Subramanian

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Science In Action – Pre-Primary

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Visit to the fire station- Grade 1

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Staff Enrichment

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Upcoming Events

Declamation Day- 13th August 2019

Interhouse Dramatics- 14th August 2019

Independence day- 15th August 2019

Teachers Day -5th September 2019

Hindi Divas Festival – 13th September 2019

Grand Parents Day – 20th September 2019