DON BOSCO FOR EXCELLENCE
GOOD PRACTICES IN DON BOSCO SCHOOL, ALAKNANDA
Don Bosco School, Alaknanda, New Delhi is proud to offer students from various communities of India the best possible opportunities to become confident, thoughtful and sensitive young people who are prepared for future challenges.
We take special care of the economically and socially weaker sections of the society through inclusive education and through outreach programmes like Ankur-Don Bosco, Ashalayam and Evening coaching centers.
We are very proud of our caring, inclusive ethos where we set high standards and expectations for our students to achieve and become their very best.
Our students feel a sense of happiness and belonging, which is essential for their future success. The students are educated in an environment that is intimate, friendly and attuned to every specific educational need.
We have created an atmosphere where one feels safe, secure, spontaneous and happy.
Every student has the right to be safe in school, be treated with compassion & the right to hear and be heard.
We would like to share with you a few of the many good practices which enabled us to create a safe and happy learning environment in the schools of our Province.
Don Bosco School, Alaknanda aims at the holistic development of the pupils and gives importance to the formation of habits of discipline, study, self reliance and moral values, so as to make the students worthy citizens of the country.
The qualified & committed staff caters to the various needs of the students. The dedication and sincerity by which they work every day is commendable. The regular training and updating they undergo in and out the school premises make them sharper in their vision in dealing with the students.
The practice of Don Bosco’s Preventive system of education, with it’s three pillars namely reason, religion and kindness has improved the effectiveness of the educators. The understanding of ‘Salesian Accompaniment’, a lively participation in the world of the young and a personal interest shown in each one has brought in efficiency. The teachers therefore, accompany the young, relates empathetically with them, stresses the interiorization of values, educates to responsibility in daily life and seeks ever-new ways of being present.
Timely incentives make people work with enthusiasm and vigour. The amount of hard work the staff put in is recognized in all possible ways. The WOW cards, ‘Employee of The Year Award’ and ‘Star Performer of the Year Award’ were introduced to appreciate the star performers among the staff.
In practice, we operate an open-door policy of communication whereby an intervention is urgent, it can be done immediately.
Hazard Vulnerability Capacity & Risk Assessment has been done by an external agency. The CCTV system with sufficient Cameras, Public address system, Fire Safety Systems in the School campus are all functional and maintained regularly. Personal details of students, staff, parents, Alumni, drivers & conductors of contract buses and private vans have been collected and Identity cards have been issued to all.
Thus we have ensured that the school is indeed a safe space and as far as possible, a happy place for each child.
Our Discipline Policy aims to create a safe and happy learning environment for the children while they are in school, teaching them appropriate behaviour and helping them become independent and responsible people.
Under the POCSO Act and DBA’s own ‘ CHILD PROTECTION POLICY’ we ensure that every student has the right to be safe in school, be treated with compassion and to hear and be heard. Therefore, any action by any student or adult that infringes upon the rights will result in serious consequences.
While there are clear consequences for not following rules, appreciation for following rules, is just as, if not more important. Hence, along with the negative remarks page, a PAGE FOR POSITIVE FEEDBACK is incorporated in the school diary also. Teachers throughout the year put in positive remarks for students that show respect and regard for rules or even improvement in any aspect of their behaviour. Awarding of various Badges to students was introduced to encourage better performance.
THE DISCIPLINARY COMMITTEE of the school comprises of staff members that ensure student discipline at all levels. The teachers maintain a record in the student’s diary and oversee lower level issues that disrupt classroom learning. The Disciplinary Committee members deal with serious issues whenever a student is found to consistently disrespect the rules of the school.
An ANECDOTAL RECORD of the student in the computer database stores a factual account of the incident in which the student was involved. The name of the observer/staff member, suggestions by the same, Principal’s Comments and actions taken are also noted.
For serious issues, the Disciplinary Committee meets with the School Principal and Vice Principal to address the issue. If need be, the parents are called and informed of the issue and a joint decision is taken for the welfare of the student. This new system has greatly helped to reduce behavioural problems among students.
The SCHOOL COUNSELLOR and SPECIAL EDUCATOR meet the students on the recommendation of the Principal/staff to counsel them and take sessions to animate the students.
There is one TEACHER CO-ORDINATOR assigned at the Junior, Middle and Senior School level to co-ordinate personal attention and care of the students, scholastic needs and Leadership is the capacity to transform vision into reality.
Our teachers are all leaders.
They walk beside, they elicit greatness in others, they harness courage in themselves and in others, they innovate, they empower and they care deeply.
We are indebted to all our teaching and support staff for their dedication and the selfless investment of themselves in educating our students and in bringing our vision into a reality.
Every pupil is expected to work hard and excel in academics. Weak students are supported to get back on track. Every class teacher sets targets accordingly for their pupils.
We now have in place CAMPUSCARE, a data tracking system from KG to class XII whereby we can assess the progress of each of the students regularly.
PERIODIC TESTS are held for students four times a year. Each teacher can then ascertain whether a pupil is progressing satisfactorily, or whether someone requires extra support or monitoring. Parent Teacher meetings & Report days help the interaction between parents and teachers.
The Alumni too support the school through special classes and career guidance sessions.
REMEDIAL CLASSES are taken by subject teachers regularly assisted by gifted students.
In-house publications in the form of compiled worksheets, question papers, crosswords, quizzes, etc. ensure an in-depth testing of the student’s knowledge throughout the year.
We all work together to guide and educate and foster the Bosconians in our care. Studies have shown that the most successful students are those who have good family support as well as school support throughout their time in school.
Nothing ventured, nothing gained.
These words have a great deal in common with what we hope that our students will achieve in the schools of our province. Ultimately, we want our students to develop the confidence to challenge themselves and take healthy risks.
Stepping outside one’s comfort zone is where true growth takes place. The desire to take this risk comes from knowing that they have supportive teachers and staff.
Health and Physical Education (HPE)
Health is often a state of physical, mental, emotional, social and spiritual well-being and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity. Health and Physical Education (HPE) has been introduced with the aim of holistic development of the child, leading to a well-balanced individual in all walks of life. Daily a period is allotted for coaching in games or physical fitness or social service. A ‘Health and Activity Card’ is maintained to keep the record of all activities of health and physical education of each student.
The Subject Enrichment activity conducted for each subject makes every student give a challenge to their potentials and excel in all possible ways. They are very well distributed throughout the calendar year, giving ample time for preparations and performance. The school focuses on the overall development of the students by conducting various competitions at regular intervals. Dancing Super Stars, Voice of Don Bosco, Speech Competitions in English and Hindi, Sanskrit Shloka Competition, Spelling Bee, Creative Writing in Hindi and English, Drawing and Painting, Fancy Dress Competition are to name a few. The active participation in these competitions make the students soar high in their confidence and thereby achieve success in these little challenges.
For the spiritual development of the Staff and students, there is a PRAYER ROOM which is open throughout the day for anyone who wishes to devote a few moments with God.
Regular breathing exercises, Yoga and Meditations calm and energize the staff and students. They also help to deal with stress-related health problems.
Various clubs have been formed to enable students develop their skills. The students are enthusiastic about the Science Club, Technology Club, Maths Club, Drama Club, Music and Dance Club, Literary Club and Chess Club.
Besides this, the ANALYTIX CLUB is a students’ initiative for social research and scientific innovation.
We offer many Sports & Games Facilities to students such as football, Volleyball, Cricket, Table Tennis, Badminton and Basketball.
Besides this, training sessions in YOGA, KARATE AND DANCE are also organized on a regular basis.
For the musically talented we boast of different CHOIRS, THE SCHOOL BAND, TRADITIONAL GROUP AND FOLK GROUPS.
Service to the school and its surrounding community, as well as the development of our students as Global Citizens, is high on our list of priorities and for this reason. The school organises many fundraising campaigns for many local, state and national causes. We support Tree Plantation drives, Charity works and presently the Flood Relief work in Kerala. Great emphasis is also given to Gender sensitivity. ANKUR SCHOOL is ‘a journey with a purpose’, a scheme whereby students of classes IX – XII get an opportunity to teach children from marginalised sections of society in a different educational setting. These initiatives give the Bosconians a glimpse into world of the poor, sensitizes them and helps them to develop a sense of gratitude towards the Almighty.
Like all great Don Bosco Schools in India, we too have our dreams, ambitions and aspirations. We hope to convert these goals into tangible realities in the days to come.
Conclusion
Shirley Bassey, one of the most popular female vocalists in Britain, is famous for saying
“you don’t get older, you get better”.
Don Bosco School, Alaknanda has achieved significant milestones in the past years.
We have not done it alone. Nor has progress been achieved by a few.
We acknowledge the Management, staff and students who have pushed the boundaries of their comfort zones and in doing so have motivated others to do the same.