Page 22 - DAIS Insignia 2024-2025
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We have seen DAIS expanding learning for the whole community. We brought parents and experts to the school such
                                                                                SECONDARY                                      as Vibha Bakshi, a parent at the school and renowned documentary filmmaker who delves into important issues of
                                                                                     SCHOOL                                    discrimination and gender equality. As part of our growing commitment to community engagement, the school
                                                                                                                               launched a well-received series of parent workshops on key wellbeing topics. Our goal is to truly be a community of
                                                                                                                               learners. Our alumni and parents and other experts can be part of the learning of our students, and we, in turn can help
                                                                             The  2024-2025  school  year  has  been  a        the learning of our community through workshops like these or the creation of stronger alumni networks.
                                                                             significant milestone in the life of DAIS.         Student involvement in service—highlighting our caring and compassionate community—remains a cornerstone at DAIS.
                                                                             For  the  first  time,  DAIS  is,  in  fact,  only   This year marked a shift in the IBDP CAS program, with students now independently planning and organizing their
                                                                             comprised of the secondary school. This           Creativity, Activity, and Service experiences. While programs like English Vinglish and Aseema Charitable Trust continue,
                                                                             year has marked the start of our journey          students have also pursued new initiatives that reflect their individual passions. This change has deepened engagement
                                                                             to forging a new identity for the school.         and encouraged greater initiative. Signature community-building events like “Kick for a Cause” brought students and
                                                                             Our transition to a new building has also         guests together to raise funds through football, while the CAS Fete once again welcomed NGOs to campus, creating a
                                                                             signified  a  transition  in  teaching  and        vibrant atmosphere of collaboration, generosity, and shared purpose across the entire school community.
                                                                             learning  at  the  school.  As  DAIS
                                                                             secondary  continues  to  grow,  it  also         Student-led Round Square initiatives made a powerful impact, fostering empathy, compassion, and leadership while
                                                                             continues  to  push  towards  innovative          inspiring  broader  participation.  These  efforts  strengthened  our  caring  community  by  engaging  students  in
             Mr. Brian Chanen                    Ms. Sonali Bajaj            practices that will break down the walls          meaningful work with lasting value. Round Square’s influence has grown each year, with more students leading events
            Head of Secondary School       Deputy Head of Secondary School   between  classes  and  between  the               such as Conferences, Postcards, World Food Day, Earth Week, and sustainability campaigns. Members also welcomed
                                                                             school and the wider world. In a sense,           visiting students through exchanges, further reinforcing our spirit of hospitality and inclusion. Their leadership shaped
        the transparency we see in the new school building is a sign of the faith we have in our school values, our approaches to   a culture of global awareness, service, and connection—values that extend beyond campus and reflect the heart of our
        learning and our role as a learning institution in the community.                                                      community’s commitment to responsible, thoughtful citizenship.
        Our results in 2024 board exams indicate the dedication and excellence of our curriculum, instruction, and of course the   Our highly engaging Model United Nations cocurricular activity has nurtured interested students to evolve as matured
        students themselves.  In the 2024 IB Diploma Programme results, Dhirubhai Ambani International School once again       and  skillful  Mun  delegates.  DAIS  delegations  at  renowned  domestic  and  international  conferences  continue  to
        demonstrated outstanding academic achievement. Of the 110 students in the Class of 2024, 108 were awarded the IB       participate with � � benchmark excellence. Students have earned accolades consistently in all conferences. Senior
        Diploma  and  2  were  Certificate  Candidates.  The  cohort  achieved  an  exceptional  average  score  of  39.8  points,  far   students  have  gained  valuable  international  exposure  at  THIMUN  Hague  and  are  set  to  participate  in  THIMUN
        exceeding the global average of 30.32. Ten students attained the perfect score of 45, with 9 scoring 44, 15 scoring 43, and   Singapore later this year. Our students have also had the honor of chairing committees at the prestigious global
        8 scoring 42. In total, 63 students (58%) scored 40 points or above, compared to just 8.9% worldwide, and 88 students   conferences. Preparation towards our own DAIMUN conference scheduled to happen in September is in full swing.
        (81%) scored 36 or higher. Academic excellence was consistent across components: 81% of Higher Level and 85% of        Beyond academics, our students energize the school community through achievements in athletics, activities, and the
        Standard Level papers were graded 7 or 6. In the Extended Essay, 81% of grades were A or B (vs. 37% worldwide), and 78%   arts. Many have excelled in pursuits outside school, reflecting discipline, creativity, and pride in their growth. From
        achieved A or B in Theory of Knowledge (vs. 45.1% worldwide). The average subject grade was 6.24 (vs. 4.9 globally), and   national-level success in swimming, chess, skating, taekwondo, judo, track and field, and soccer through ISSO, to
        students earned an average of 2.31 bonus points (vs. 1.5 worldwide), highlighting the exceptional performance across all   accomplishments  in  math  contests,  coding,  economics,  and  robotics,  their  talents  span  a  wide  spectrum.  These
        areas of the IB Diploma. Our 2024 IGCSE results were the best in our school history! 65 students from Class X achieved   successes highlight not just individual perseverance but also the diversity and depth of our student body. We continue
        outstanding academic success for the nineteenth consecutive year. An impressive 91.3% of all grades were A* or A,      to celebrate these achievements—academic, athletic, and artistic—regularly on our school Instagram, showcasing a
        significantly  surpassing  both  UK  national  averages  (27.6%)  and  UK  independent  schools  (49.4%).  A*  grades  alone   truly well-rounded student community.
        accounted for 62.5% of all results, while A grades made up 28.8% and B grades 5.7%. Notably, 11 students earned 11 A*’s   As always, the student council was a strong presence in the life of the school community. While the student council
        each, and another 10 students earned 10 A*’s. In total, 21 students achieved 10 or more A* grades. Additionally, 5 students   organizes events, the group is even more important as an example for the whole school and as a sign of our values in
        secured 9 A*’s, and 4 earned 8 A*’s. Over half the class (51%) attained 7 or more A* grades, reflecting the school's    action.  The  student  council  exemplifies  “dare  to  dream…learn  to  excel.”  Through  their  organization  of  sports  day,
        continued academic excellence.                                                                                         swimming gala, cricket, football, basketball, art and a primary spelling bee, the student council had a lot of work on its
        Our  commitment  to  excellence  and  the  quality  of  our  students  have  continued  to  bring  us  success  in  university   collective hands. For the heads, the most inspiring sight is seeing council members working with younger students. It is
        admissions. The Class of 2025 had an acceptance rate of 63% of their applications, and more than half of the class     clear that the student council both exemplifies and passes down our school values.
        achieved more than 50% acceptances. 47% of the Class of 2025 were offered a place at their top choice university,      Our school was a lively hive of activity this year. University representatives from around the world visited campus, while
        leading to 70% of the class being offered a place at one of their top two choices. 34% of the class received funding from   students set off on field trips to the Swiss Alps and the Great Indian Outdoors. Co-curricular programs thrived, with visits
        59 scholarships, totaling US$ 3,606,027 over four years.                                                               from embassies, cultural centers, and foreign schools. Language exchange programs allowed students to strengthen

        The teacher workdays at the start of the school year marked an important shift, setting the tone for a changing culture   their language skills and immerse themselves in other cultures—experiences that returned to campus through events
        of learning. With a strong focus on student well-being, the secondary school deepened its commitment to monitoring     like the vibrant “Language Day.” TEDx continued to grow, drawing larger crowds to hear students, teachers, and alumni
        and supporting students through targeted professional development sessions. Faculty also explored the opportunities    share their passions.  And, of course, Annual Day showcased our students’ creativity, collaboration, and courage as they
        offered by our new open, dynamic learning spaces. While some initial uncertainty was natural, the faculty’s energy and   rehearsed  tirelessly  and  took  risks  through  acting,  dancing,  and  singing.  This  year’s  theme—saving  the
        openness quickly fostered a positive and forward-looking environment. Crucially, time was dedicated to collaboration,   environment—captured the spirit of a compassionate, united school community committed to learning beyond the
        allowing teachers to share best practices and imagine new possibilities for teaching and learning. This year we also   classroom. We also shone this year on a more international stage. Our robotics teams fought each other for the World
        implemented dedicated teacher professoinal development time every Thursday afternoon. The sessions allowed us to       championship at the FIRST World Championship in Houston with Team Matrix being crowned the World Champion.
        strengthen collaboration and extend professional learning with topics ranging from the pastoral care of students to our   DAIS is truly a special place. This year has shown us that no matter our physical space, we are still the same school with
        interactions in the workplace. The extended time also allowed for deep conversations in departments about learning.    the same values. In addition, we were able to peek into the future to see that DAIS is ready to be an example of
        Now, because of these initiatives, our departments are planning more collaborative units and pushing to collaborate    innovation and excellence in India and the world. Our sincere gratitude and appreciation must go to our Founder and
        across disciplines.                                                                                                    Chairperson, Mrs. Nita Ambani and Vice Chairperson, Ms. Isha Ambani Piramal for their visionary and inspirational
        Breaking down barriers between classrooms and common areas reinforces our belief that learning is collaborative—not    leadership. This year marks our last as one single entity and also marks the beginning of a new chapter led by our
        isolated. The same applies beyond school walls. Our expanded alumni relations program has connected students to        Chairperson and Vice Chairperson. Of course, we also offer our thanks to our Board of Governors who guide us with
        real-world experiences and inspiring role models. Highlights included a TEDx talk by Dream11 co-founder Harsh Jain, a   wisdom. As always, the smooth operation of the secondary school wouldn’t be possible without our IGCSE and IBDP
        workshop on typography by Supriya Khanna ('08), and webinars with industry leaders via Univariety. Student-led         Coordinators and Assistant Coordinators along with countless coordinators, faculty and staff who work closely with our
        initiatives like a podcast with Vaibhav Agarwal ('07) offered peer insights into career paths. In December, our panel   students. These people are teachers, guides and supporters who make sure that our school does everything it can to
        “India on the Global Stage” showcased alumni shaping global sectors, while January's flagship Career Fair featured      help students “dare to dream and learn to excel.”
        employers like Isprava, Skillmatics, and Cyril Amarchand Mangaldas. Over 40 alumni returned for mentoring, and         Finally, we would like to thank you, our students, parents and alumni. As is evidenced in this report, we truly make up a
        students from Grades 9–12 secured internships. At DAIS, we believe our alumni—once students themselves—offer the       compassionate community. It is no wonder, though, that we are a strong compassionate institution. The values we have
        most authentic and lasting inspiration for those still walking our halls.                                              always had as a school are the foundation for a community that cares.

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