Page 27 - DAIS Insignia 2024-2025

EARLY YEARS COORDINATOR OUR MYP
JOURNEY
This academic year at the Early Years Campus has been a journey of inquiry, connection, As each new year begins, it brings
and transformation. Drawing inspiration from best practices in early childhood renewed opportunities for growth and
education—our work has been guided by the belief that children learn best through development. The 2024–2025 academic
play, exploration, and meaningful relationships with people, spaces, and materials. year is no exception for our Middle Years
A defining feature of our learning environment is the wall less classroom design. This Programme (MYP) learners. There has
open and fluid space has supported collaboration, autonomy, and mutual respect been a strong sense of excitement
among children and educators. Without physical barriers, learners have had the among students and teachers as they
freedom to navigate their environment thoughtfully, fostering a strong sense of have explored what learning can look like
community and collective responsibility. within the inspiring new environment of
NMAJS.
Central to our pedagogical approach is the image of the child as capable, curious, and
full of potential. Learning emerged through provocations, open-ended materials, and Building on our successful authorization
ongoing dialogue. Educators engaged as researchers—carefully observing, listening, as an IB World School for the MYP, the
and documenting learning to co-construct knowledge alongside children. Ms. Barbara Batchelor Ms. Anushree Sarkar collective dedication of our team has been
instrumental in ensuring the ongoing
The move to our new campus offered a powerful opportunity to reimagine our spaces MYP Coordinator Asst. MYP Coordinator development of a rigorous, three-year
with intention. Natural light, thoughtful materials, and flexible furnishings encouraged Ms. Divya Mohandas c u r r i c u l u m . T h i s i n c l u d e s a
creativity and choice, reinforcing the role of the environment as the third teacher. Early Years Coordinator comprehensive review of the DAIS/NMAJS curriculum handbooks, guaranteeing alignment of standards from Early Years through to the
Throughout the year, families remained integral partners in our journey. From cultural IBDP 2, thereby providing students with a seamless learning experience across all IB programmes, and IGCSE. A key focus has been
celebrations to unit sharings and community events, we celebrated learning together—head, heart, and hands united. leveraging data to support student goal setting and foster greater student agency, empowering learners to identify their next steps and
improve overall outcomes. Furthermore, we are excited to participate in the “Enhancing the IB MYP Beta Trial,” an IB initiative aimed at
As we reflect on the year, we are proud of the growth we have witnessed: not only in foundational skills, but in empathy, refining the existing framework and providing our school with greater scope to ensure MYP meets the needs of our community.
communication, and confidence. We look ahead with deep gratitude and continued commitment to creating learning spaces where
every child feels seen, heard, and valued. Professional development opportunities this year have been extensive, including workshops with renowned facilitators such as Dalbir
Kaur (Literacy), and Tanya Latzanio (Differentiation), alongside a series of IB training sessions held both locally and internationally. This
reflects our commitment to continuous learning and growth for our educators.
The MYP emphasizes the development of the whole child. At NMAJS, this is reflected in our core values and the attributes of the IB Learner
OUR PYP Profile, which guide students’ personal and academic growth. Our students are involved in numerous opportunities, beyond the four
walls of the classroom, designed to foster well-rounded citizenship. The Jamnagar Residential trip exemplifies this, providing students
with the chance to build stronger bonds among their peers and with the local community. Many students returned inspired to make a
JOURNEY positive difference in their environments, expressing a desire to support vulnerable animals and contribute meaningfully to society.
A key aspect of our success has been fostering strong home-school partnerships. Throughout the year, families have had multiple
L ea r n i n g i n A c t i o n : T u r n i n g opportunities to learn about the programme—attending information sessions, curriculum workshops, and school events intended to
Understanding into Impact deepen their understanding and involvement. These initiatives help ensure that parents are active participants in their children’s
learning journeys, supporting the development of confident, responsible learners.
As I reflect on my first year as the PYP
Coordinator at NMAJS, I am filled with As a highlight of their final year, our Class 8 students completed their Community Project—an integral part of the MYP. This culminating
deep pride and gratitude. This year has task requires students to identify community needs, set achievable goals, develop an action plan, and implement their initiatives. Through
reaffirmed my belief in the transformative this process, they apply their knowledge, skills, and understanding to effect meaningful change. With the confidence, competencies, and
power of positive relationships, values they have developed over the past three years, our MYP graduates are well prepared to transition to the next stage of their academic
journey: IGCSE. We congratulate them on their achievements and wish them continued success.
consistency in practice, and an
unwavering commitment to placing
students at the heart of all we do. At
NMAJS, these values are not just
spoken-they are lived. School here is FROM THE
not only a place of learning, but a
community that feels like family. IGCSE DESK
Ms. Poonam Merchant Ms. Chaitaly Shah In our second year as an IB PYP-authorized
PYP Coordinator Assi. PYP Coordinator school, we have confidently deepened This year saw the transition to the new
our implementation of the programme. campus at NMAJS and the IGCSE section
This year's central focus-the transfer and application of learning in real-world contexts-has brought new meaning to our work. Our experienced the excitement of a brand-
goal was clear: to nurture student agency and promote purposeful action. new environment, empowering
A cornerstone of this work was a comprehensive review of our Programme of Inquiry (POI). Each unit was re-examined with the intent students and faculty alike. It was
to strengthen transdisciplinary learning, while maintaining a clear emphasis on science education. By intentionally distributing exhilarating seeing students adapt and
thrive in the new campus with open
science outcomes across the year, we enabled students to engage more consistently and meaningfully with scientific concepts,
fostering cross-disciplinary connections and deepened understanding. classrooms, state of the art facilities and
the collaborative learning spaces
This was complemented by a shift in our assessment philosophy, moving towards authentic, action-based learning. Students are inspiring innovations in pedagogical
now regularly engaging in real-world challenges that require them to apply their understanding in impactful ways. The Class 5 PYP practices and learning styles.
Exhibition under the transdisciplinary theme "How we express ourselves was a true reflection of this shift"-students led their own We welcomed a new student in class
inquiries with creativity, initiative, and a genuine commitment to community impact. 8CD in August- whose easy integration Mr. Nilendu Deb Ms. Pritha Mukherjee Ms. Manisha Nanda
Learning extended far beyond the classroom. Each unit was enhanced through curated field trips and expert interactions, many of which came into the school community and with IGCSE Exam Officer IGCSE Coordinator Assistant IGCSE Coordinator
from our own parent community. Whether as guest speakers, co-learners, or participants in Student-Led Conferences, Three-Way Parent- each other spoke of a high level of
Teacher Meetings, or Learning Walks, our parents played an integral role in co-creating a collaborative and meaningful learning culture. collaboration in the community, effortlessly fostering their social and academic adjustments. It was an incredibly busy year for our
We believe empowering students begins with empowering educators. This year, we hosted several transformative professional students who excelled in every field they ventured into, like Sports, Robotics, Scientific research, Bridge and Essay Writing at national
development sessions. Highlights included: and international levels. Within the campus, innovative initiatives like Career Days, fireside chats with experts and alumni, parent
• Ms. Dalbir Kaur, Literacy Coach, who led Balancing the Beam of Reading, blending the Science of Reading with Balanced workshops responded to the aspirational, social-emotional and wellbeing needs of the community. Students were exposed to
Literacy through Scarborough's Reading Rope; experiential learning through participation in beach clean-up day, Earth Week, World Food Day, MUN and of course the unforgettable
experience of the visits to Vantara, at Jamnagar. Annual Day 2025 programme lived up to its annual promise as students bonded over
• Ms. Tania Lattanzio, Co-founder of Innovative Global Education, who facilitated a workshop on Differentiated Instruction; creative activities, storing these moments as memories for life!
• Mr. Joshua Blue, IBEN Workshop Leader from the Japanese International School, who led sessions on honouring children's IGCSE Batch of 2024 made us proud as Pehr Hara, Tarini Mazumder and Kcavyan Agarwal were awarded at a Outstanding Cambridge
thinking through documentation and assessment. Learner Awards ceremony in Mumbai in January 2025! Overall, the batch of 2024 made us proud by achieving BEST EVER results!
In-house sessions on writing development, project-based learning, and deeper engagement with PYP elements further reinforced It was a collective moment of pride when we won the Sustainable School Award in the Cambridge School Recognition Awards - South
our shared goal of building learner agency and ensuring that action is the natural outcome of understanding. Asia in a ceremony held in April 2025. The award is a recognition of our commitment to sustainability and active promotion of eco-
Looking back, this year has been a journey of collective growth, fuelled by a shared purpose and commitment. The culture of learning friendly practices and integrating green education for students.
through action-among students, educators, and families– is a testament to what we can achieve when we grow and lead together. Overall, this year signified change and continuity as technology, infrastructure and pedagogy remained ever changing, challenging
As we move forward, we remain dedicated to creating a learning environment where thought becomes action and action creates us in positive ways while our values of respect, integrity, resilience and compassion continue to be the guiding light as we dare to
impact–for every learner, every day. dream and learn to excel every day!

24 25