Welcome Letter (Academic Year 2019-20)

Dear Parents,

As we come up to the school opening I am writing to warmly welcome your ward back to the school. The first day of school is Thursday 25th July. As usual school begins at 8 am. I would especially like to welcome again those families who are new to the school.

Do remember that as usual, Thursday is a short day for students so school will end at 2.20 pm.

Teachers have been back for a week, preparing to welcome their students and organising learning materials and classrooms. There have been workshops and discussion sessions on planning for each level of the IB programme. We have also been happy to welcome new faculty to the school who come from India, Mexico and the UK. They will we are sure, continue to strengthen our programme.

NEW CATERING

For those of you who have had concerns about the food, you will be happy to know that we have a new caterer – CESTA. There has been a huge improvement in food quality, as testified by the secondary school students and staff, with a stronger focus on less oil and more light options. We now added an automated dish washing and a roti maker and better bakery products.

NEW EXEAT CARD SYSTEM

We will be issuing new electronic exeat cards. These enable electronic scanning of when a child is taken out. Please be prepared for this process when you are taking your child out – it will strengthen our safety systems. On buses additional cameras are being installed at the doors to record exactly who has picked up a student. The new system also enables a card to be immediately deactivated if you report it lost. With this, it is no longer necessary to provide 4 photographs of those who can pick up a child as EY parents used to do. This was a loose system and open to tampering. Please ensure that in case an exeat card is lost you immediately report this as the student will be permitted to leave with the person carrying the card.

REPORT FROM NEASC & CIS

We have received the inspection reports from our two quality review international agencies - Council of International Schools (CIS) and North England Association of Schools and Colleges (NEASC). We are truly delighted and proud to have been very highly appreciated for our school systems, educators and leaders, and the programme by highly recognised international bodies who inspect schools around the world.

The CIS report has 14 commendations as recognition. They have even changed 7 areas where we rated ourselves as "Meeting Standards" to "Exceeds". There are only 3 suggestions for improvement. Similarly the NEASC report highlights excellent educational practice and has upgraded 3 areas to the equivalent of Exceeds. The overall feedback can be summed up in a wonderful line from the NEASC Report: It would be fair to say that PSN is a joyful, passionate learning community that is always looking for ways to grow.

Please read through a detailed summary of the comments and commendations at the bottom of this mailer. I would also be happy to show the full report to anyone who wishes to read it in school.

SUMMER ACTIVITIES

This has been a busy summer of activities and opportunities for students. A group of Primary school students went to Russia, visiting Moscow and St Petersburg, secondary students went to the US, to NASA, Niagara Falls, New York, another team of students has flown to the Hague to participate in the World Scholars Cup.

In a partnership between PSN and YSCE Cricket enthusiasts had a wonderful opportunity to go to the UK, where they received extensive training and played friendly matches. Another group of Table Tennis players went to Nagpur for a national training camp. Our Yoga students have continued to excel, winning silver medals in Goa at the National Aerobics and Gymnastics Championship for Under 12 & Under 14.

All this was in addition to our customary summer camp Rediscovering Minds, a golf camp and horse riding activities.

INTRODUCING NEW LEARNING APPROACHES

One of the most interesting shifts we are making in this year is to promote self-directed learning by students by freeing up time for them to make choices, seek help, receive special coaching for advance students. We believe that 21st century people must develop greater individualized strengths and the inevitably tight structure of schools do not always allow for this. Therefore one lesson a day will be ILT or Individualized Learning Time where students can work on metacognition and their own learning areas. Additionally it will enhance opportunities for gifted musicians to have individual training and give time for peer learning.

Another new area is the introduction of a teacher for Bharatanatyam. In addition to introducing this in specific grades, it will allow secondary school students to receive training every week if they should wish to do so.

In conclusion I would like to wish you a happy year ahead as your child goes through a year at Pathways. I look forward to working with you to take forward the most important job on the planet - the education of our children. Please find attached a copy of the school calendar of activities for the year. There have been a couple of minor changes from the printed planner so please use this as the final version.

Warm regards,
Dr. Shalini Advani
School Director

REPORT BY CIS

Some areas specifically praised by CIS include:

The students, teachers, and leadership of the school for their enthusiastic application of their definition of international mindedness, which enriches their learning and makes a positive change through action.

The Board for clarity of financial and educational planning in support of the development of the school in line with its mission and vision.
The leadership for efforts in establishing a climate where intercultural competencies, perspectives, and appreciation thrive and enrich relationships between and among all school stakeholders.
The child protection committee for the work undertaken in raising awareness of child protection and welfare issues and the establishment of effective child protection policies at the school.
The school for the effectiveness of its policies and procedures with regard to student health and general welfare.
The careers counselling for expertise and diligence in providing careers and further education guidance to the students and parents.
The school for the comprehensive and effective orientation programme provided for students and their families as they move through the school
The school for the high priority it places on professional development provision for teachers and administrative staff.
The administration for the level of attention directed toward ensuring a consistently high level of effectiveness in the auxiliary services [transport, security, housekeeping etc] in line with the school's guiding statements.
Student voice and leadership opportunities play a big part in the life of the school through formal channels such as the student council and also via class and individual initiatives stemming from class projects that are often related to their units of learning. The students are confident and articulate when talking about their school and their role at PSN.
Student well-being is facilitated by the fact that pastoral care is well structured throughout the school at a variety of levels, involving mentors, class tutors, and Counsellors across all year groups.
The ALS programme and English language support also help in promoting student well-being by ensuring that support is available for those students who need it to enable them to access the curriculum and fully integrate into the school community.
Technology is being integrated across subjects, and students appear comfortable with its use as a learning tool. A laser printer and recording studio for music composition are a few examples where technology is used to enhance learning.

The only recommendations are to include a specific English language cut off in the admission policy, for further education on the UN Rights of the Child, on expanding indoor PE spaces (which is already being looked at).

REPORT BY NEASC

The notion of solving real-world problems is at the heart of the work done in the classroom and extended classrooms
To help them gain understanding of others and be more empathetic members of a global society, learners at PSN have many opportunities to consider multiple perspectives, ideas, peoples, cultures and values, that may be unfamiliar to them
Learner autonomy is front and center in the minds of teachers, learners, parents as well as school leadership and governance. It is a clear value that permeates the culture of PSN.
Parents indicated that one of the aspects of PSN that they appreciate most is their child's growing sense of agency about their learning and who they are as unique individuals
Leadership, governance and management at PSN play a significant role in shaping school culture. Beginning with the Board and Executive Committee, the values that underpin a Pathways education are modelled and supported. Teachers report having frequent access to members of the Board and Executive Committee who show deep interest in the school by attending school events and programs and interacting with teachers, parents and students.
The school leadership is seen as facilitators of learning for teachers, who encourages them to become the best version of themselves. They are described by teachers as approachable, democratic, present in all aspects of school life and eager to support their learning. They are encouraged to become reflective professionals and, as a result, they have a deep sense of being in control of their own learning.

Recommendations include expanding the use of the makerspace, including digital portfolios and ensuring that good practices are distributed across all disciplines and levels.