The Tribune, Chandigarh, India - Chandigarh Stories

EDUCATION

HAMARA SCHOOL
Wheatland Convent School
Taking students back to nature for brighter future
Monica Sharma

The road to education is not full of obstacles at least for the young innocent students learning nursery rhymes, and solving sums, in Wheatland Convent School. Every morning, they travel on a path surrounded by lush green wheat fields before reaching the school situated on the Zirakupur — Patiala Highway about 12 km away from Chandigarh.

For the students, going to the school is not a boring routine. The reason is not hard to see. Commuting in cars or even buses, they get an opportunity of "being close to nature" and to admire the greenery, before reaching the institute. Little wonder, "back to nature" — is how one Class V student describes his journey.

The location is strategic, no doubt about it. That is why the parents prefer admitting their little ones to the institute conducting classes till Class V. But this is not the only reason, the school authorities assert. The school makes learning a fun for the students. How? Lessons are illustrated through playful activities by reference to topics having a real significance for them.

They count ducks to learn about numbers, arranging blocks, make play house for dolls and animals, mix and separate colours. Children are also given sheets, crayons and books for self expression all under the active supervision of qualified teaching staff to ensure proper upbringing.

If you have any doubts, go to the school on any working day. In one corner, you will find the children enthusiastically solving puzzles. In another corner, you will hear them reciting nursery rhymes one after another. In the courtyard, you will find them playing, and learning, in the process. Constructive play is essential for learning during the formative years and for a strong base, explain the school authorities.

This is not all. Equipped with a computer lab and an audio visual section, the school provides the latest educational kits to teach the children, allowing them to acquire basic skills in science, mathematics and social sciences.

The main effort of the school authorities is to provide quality education to the children. The study at the school has been designed to delight, intrigue and inspire the young learner's mind. Being activity oriented, the curriculum for children includes not only indoor, but also outdoor activities in order to bring out the best in them. That is why when the routine becomes boring, the children are taken out, are introduced to the joy of travelling in a bus or a toy train in the hills. Besides entertainment, the outings help the little ones to get acquainted with "informative places".

The school provides a conducive environment for the intellectual, emotional, social and physical growth of the child. Considerable attention is paid to the aesthetic education of the children. Besides other things, they are also taught music, singing, drawing and dancing.

The classrooms are decorated with cheerful posters. Designs are traced on the walls with multi coloured chalks. Even the furniture and the toys for the little ones are cheerfully painted .Children also learn the elementary skills. They help the teachers by carrying out assignments, including taking care of the plants and animals, putting things back in order and to keep books neat and clean.

In order to inculcate a spirit of friendship among the children, group games, reading of folk tales and singing of chorus is done regularly. Different festivals including Divali, Dussehra, Christmas and Gurpurb is celebrated with religious fervor.

The school was established in December 2000 with just a few students. Till now, the school is holding classes up to Class V but classes are being upgraded with each successive year. The institute also provides day boarding facility for the children.

“Learning should be combined with fun”

She is a teacher with bright, innovative ideas. That is why Ms Arvind Kaur Chadha believes in "changing the old order for new". Instead of sitting behind an impressive table in her office, or spanking the children for breaking the rules of discipline, like so many other teachers do, headmistress of Wheatland Convent School is constantly engaged in introducing the latest techniques of education.

She does this by reading not just magazines, but educational journals from all over the country. Little wonder, you can see her reading most of the times, besides encouraging the teachers and the students to "move ahead in life".

Education system:

Education should be imparted to the little ones in a playful manner. The very joy of childhood suffers due to the overburden of home work given to the kids these days. We should break the monotonous trend of heavy bags with not so important books in it. Maximum work should be done in the school, letting the child be with a relaxed mind at home.

Tuition menace:

The menace should be curbed immediately with a firm hand. There is no need for the children to attend tuition classes if the teachers deliver informative and interesting lectures.

Need for career counselling:

The students should be made aware of the various options before them so that they know what they want in life and how to achieve their goals.

8On main aim of the school:

Our objective is to develop the overall personality of a child. We want to produce versatile and active students who would grow up to be conscious pillars of the society.

Strength of the school:

A team of devoted teachers willing to experiment with new ideas, that is our real strength. They lay stress not just on making the child good in academics, but also in sports. Besides this, we ensure that our products are full of confidence, ready to face challenges. This is done by giving individual attention to the kids.

My school

Wheatland Convent School makes schooling fun for us — the little ones. We enjoy the serene atmosphere and a location far away from the maddening city crowd. The lush green fields around makes the environment fresh.

This is not all. The teachers make sure that learning does not become a boring routine for all of us. Instead of just delivering the dull lectures after standing behind the stand, the teachers take us out and combine learning with play and fun.

They also take us out for picnics, not just to nearby places, but also uphill where we can enjoy being close to mother nature. So much do I enjoy my school that I hate holidays.

Jaspreet Kaur, class IV

Poems by students

Pollution

Pollution, Pollution, Pollution,

the problem with no solution.

Lots of cars and dusty roads,

not in number, but in lots.

How will we ever mend,

this leakage of pollution, with no end.

I myself have to think of a solution,

how to end the world's pollution.

Prabhjot, class V

My Mother

When I am worried,

she gives me a smile,

and tells me to be happy all the while.

When I am sad, she wipes my tears,

and tells me to be brave,

and fight the fears.

When I am nervous,

she holds my hand,

and tells me to be steady on sinking sand.

When I am broken,

I think of her charms,

for she comforts me with open arms,

I talk of no other,

I talk of her inspiration,

my beautiful mother.

Gagandeep, class IV

My Cartoons

I saw some cartoons one night,

every thing was still and quiet,

Micky and Mini had a fight,

Goofy gave them a fright.

Superman was flying high,

Cinderella peeped down the sky,

Popeyed chased a dangerous thief,

Donald gave him a big leap.

Uncle Scrooge had a swollen eye,

and they all wished me 'Good Bye'.

For now the sun is shining bright,

Wasn't it a beautiful night.

Harjit Singh, class V