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CHRIST SCHOOL Kengeri, K.Gollahalli, Kumbalgodu,January - 2022 | Vol - 2 | Issue - 2Focus means to concentrate or centering your whole attention to an interesting, important or strongly highlighted stimulus. If we focus, we can think about it, analyze it, deal with it and see a purpose in it.Focusing empowers the learner in each of us. When we focus our senses are stimulated, our brain becomes more alert and we are better able to direct and uphold ourselves, even if something happens that we didn’t expect or in a different way than expected. We will be able to take it in a wonderful sense of surprise rather than a shock and will find better ways to deal it. Focus helps our working memory to keep its information in our mind. Keep eye on our target,or else it is a opportunity which is lost.Let me bring out a story back from the memory –In Mahabharatha, Guru Dronacharya was responsible to teach the Pandavas and the Kauravas the art of warfare. Guru Dronacharya had mastered military arts. However, Guru Dronacharya was blamed to be biased towards Arjuna. Over hearing these accusations Guru Dronacharya decided to put them in a test. Guru Dronacharya placed a wooden bird on a branch of a tree and asked his pupils to strike the eye of that bird with their arrows. Just before they did, he asked each one a question – “What do you see there?” Yudhistir being the first, answered “I see the wooden bird, the branches, the tree, the leaves moving and few other birds on other branches”. Everyone who followed answered more or less the same until it was Arjuna’s turn. Guru Dronacharya asked Arjuna the same question to which Arjuna answered confidently “the eye of the bird”. Yes, Arjuna’s arrow pierced the eye of the bird whereas others had failed. Arjuna’s eyes were focused on his target. He did not allow himself to be distracted or divert his attention other than his target. He achieved success with his focus.Concentration allows us to keep away the chaos surrounding our objective. With determination and strong will power we can FOCUS.THE ART OF FOCUSKarisma Santhosh Kumar - 3B

The entire world has fought indecisive battle as it faced the loss of lives, health, and wealth in pandemic for over a year now. ‘Focus’ is the theme we reflect on and try to articulate in the issue of School Newsletter. The Latin phrase “cura personalis,” or “care for entire person,” has to recapture the need to attend one’s mind, body, spirit and emotions in this present time. We live with a lot of imperfections in life yet here we are slowly recovering from pandemic. It is very much fitting to reflect on the term ‘Focus’ as we wish to attach ‘focus in everything we do’. If we give sufficient amount of focus and priority to any of our sincere efforts invariably, we will find its results. Focus on the quality of life promotes healthy habits during the COVID - 19 pandemic. Practices such as physical distancing and restrictions on social gatherings have limited interactions and ability to engage in physical meetings and activities. The biggest losers of this pandemic era are the students because pandemic has brought disruption to schooling with education taking place virtually sitting at home. In addition, children and adolescents are utilising their time with increased glancing at the screen.Efforts to stay connected to family, friends and neighbours has to be given enough focus and it has to be intensified purposefully.Until we overcome this pandemic COVID-19 and the new variant of concern named Omicron, increased screen time is expected from students and people who work from home. However, a focus on real time communication should be prioritized over lockdown after lockdown. Alternative indoor activities to reduce screen time should be encouraged such as arts and crafts, puzzles and family games. We need to redesign our focus on eating habits, participating in physical activity, limits to screen time and socialization with friends have to be given priority. Children and adolescents find themselves confined to their homes with less of previously utilized outlets of socialization and physical activity.Focus is all about giving a particular attention to studies, career, social and family relationships. Focus helps one to e m p h a s i s o n c a p t u r i n g d a i l y accomplishments. Fatigue and idleness have been identified as a factor affecting focus in life. Focus leads to broadening our horizons, mental, physical and social well-being. The New year is a time for making resolutions to motivate ourselves. Let us refocus on our goals for both life and health. While each individual’s goal is unique let our common goal be the focus on quality of our life.Focus on Quality of lifeFr. Nijo Pallaty CMI01

EAGLEBy Alok Kumar - 3A Eagle, why are you flyingVery high in the sky?I want to fly very High, In the sky like you.How beautiful are your eyes!How long distance you see!Take me to fly,Show me the sky.I want to see the earth; In between the clouds. Give me the focus power,Eagle, how beautiful you are!KEEP GOING Deetya T S - 5BIf you want to grow,then you have to show.When you want to change your life,think before saying and think twice.If you want to do something new,Stand on truth to get good view.When you start to focus on yourself,the achievement will come by itself.People start to notice your face,They see you growing with pace.If you do all things right,Stagnant in you will run in fright. Focus, is a thread of wool,Tiny but knowledge pool.Look in someone’s eyes, who is really nice and wise.Waiting for the final day,let’s be together and stay.Keep smiling like the sun, never missing life’s fun.Show your new version,by being a good person.Be focus on your dreams,do something that’s supreme.02

Focus By Stephin - 6Focus, focus, focus...It is a sparkle that will start in the mind,when one is in decisional line.To follow one’s dream in life,Focus is a need to keep you alive,The mouth speaks of various adventure,allowing the insights to bloom and nurture.Days will come and days will go,And before the realization and lo..Reached the goal without surrendering, To distraction that hovered, tempting.For the sake of touching the sky,one must not stop thinking high.Focus, focus, focus…03Online learning evaluation of the First Unit TestBy Lucy THFailure is success if we learn from it.-Malcolm Forbes Wonderfully adapting to the new system of education and becoming at home with the new way of teaching and learning, the Christites of Kengeri campus successfully completed the 1st online unit test 2021 which was held on 24th July 2021 to 03rd August 2021.Despite the challenges like internet issue for many students and long hours of waiting for students and parents in the class to conduct exam, the teachers faced the challenges as an opportunity to discipline self, evaluate learning and look forward to know the level of knowledge of a student in order to take the learner to where their level of knowledge should be.No learning is complete learning unless there is an assessment. The test result was declared on 20th August 2021. It was the best fair judgment from the viewpoint of every teacher. This assessment has scaled the learner’s learning progress and brought to the teacher’s knowledge the area to be focused on.Let the learning be not the preparation for life but the life itself.

The gateway to all thinkingVishwajeet Aloor Vijayaraj – 5AFocus is a luxury few can afford these days. Many people complain about losing focus and having difficulty in concentrating from time to time. Digital distraction is so pervasive that it has become a way of life. Very few can resist the lure of not answering the WhatsApp message or turn off those Twitter feeds. Experts define focus as the act of concentrating our interest or activity on something. It’s a thinking skill that allows people to begin a task without delay and then maintain attention. Focus helps people pay attention in the midst of distractions and setbacks and to sustain the effort and energy needed to reach a goal. It can also refer to adjustment for distinct vision. Focus is so important because it is the gateway to all thinking: perception, memory, learning, reasoning, problem solving, and decision making. Without good focus, all aspects of our ability to think will suffer.Steve Jobs says “People think focus means saying yes to the thing you’ve got to focus on. But that’s not what it means at all. It means saying no to the hundred other good ideas that there are. You have to pick carefully. I’m actually as proud of the things we haven’t done as the things I have done”.Steve’s words indicate he is man of “Selective focus” ignoring unwanted thoughts and distractions which made him successful in his career. Kids constantly have trouble staying focused, and it can cause problems in school and in everyday life. I would like to share my experience during the initial days of Covid Pandemic which created trouble concentrating my studies and interfered my brain’s ability to focus. Being a kid, it was hard for me to pay attention during online classes. With all the distractions that came through the text messages of my friends and my younger sister playing around, I had trouble concentrating from time to time. Sometimes, because of excitement over television shows and mobile/video games, I easily got distracted and likely made more errors in mathematics. My father helped me with some quick tips. He asked me to repeat what he said then he followed up to make sure that I remember it. He made me to go to a quiet area, sit away from a window and other people who are talking during my online classes. Mindfulness exercises and deep breathing helped me to keep my thoughts from drifting – before or during my tasks. A recent study published by Microsoft revealed that humans now have shorter attention spans than a goldfish. The average human attention span in 2000 was 12 seconds, but by 2013 it was only 8 seconds (1 second shorter than a goldfish!). There are different types of focus that one uses during their daily activities:• Sustained Focus – Is the ability to focus on one specific task for a continuous amount of time without getting distracted.04

• Sustained Focus – Is the ability to focus on one specific task for a continuous amount of time without getting distracted.• Selective Focus – Enables a person to "select" what he wants to pay attention to while ignoring both internal (thoughts) and external (noise) distractions.• Alternating Focus – Ability to alternate attention back and forth between two different tasks that use different areas of brain (like reading a recipe and cooking).• Divided Focus - Ability to respond simultaneously to multiple tasks. Unlike alternating focus, one does not change from one task to another completely different task. Instead, one attempts to perform them at the same time.Depending on the urgency of the task and one's need, an individual will resort to one of the four types. Research has proven that people remember uncompleted or interrupted tasks better than completed tasks. In other words, incomplete tasks will stay on our mind until we finish them. All of us are different. Some of us have a harder time focusing, while others have a harder time filtering out distractions. In order to best utilize our day and boost productivity, do a little introspection and get to know if I am someone who.• Can stay on a task for long periods of time, or• Is able to ignore distractions, or• Can multitaskMultitasking is hardwired in our daily life and is pretty much seen as an important attribute to succeed. Balance is one of the most important universal principles in all aspects of life. It’s doing something in just the right amount or dosage. Not too much of it, but sufficient so that something can actually flourish.When we combine balance and focus in a systematic way, this can generate a very powerful impact in our life which would lead to sustained effort and reach the objective. 05

RISING STRONGVaishnavi S Shetty – 5A06Jennie, a young girl of 22 was a budding artist. Life was about to teach her lessons. She was enthusiastic to learn them but twist in a tale would make her life more interesting. She, with her friend Eva started their own studio and sold their paintings. Their neighbor, Tom was an old artist whose life time goal was to paint a masterpiece. He was a role model to the grooming artists in their locality.Life would be boring if everything goes normal. Even in ECG if the waves are above and below isoelectric line you are alive or else if there is a straight line it means you are dead. Suddenly an uninvited problem knocked the door. Jennie’s and Eva's parents started to oppose the work and their profession as they thought it would not fetch them a good sum of money. Their studio didn’t run good as well. There was a huge turmoil within them. They became insane, didn’t know what to do. However not even in the corner of their heart, they felt to drop their profession and run behind money. They decided not to give up and thought to chase their dream. They believed that money will automatically come in due time. Eventually they were chucked out by their own mom and dad. Still, they did not leave their focus. Other than painting they worked outside in a company as a part time job to meet their daily expenses. Life was not a cakewalk for them. It was very cold and bitter, but still they chased it like a hungry lion on it’s prey. Even when the whole world opposed them, they supported each other. They never gave up, they 'focused' and ‘worked’ to grab success. The ‘World Art Exhibition’ was about to put up and Jennie’s and Eva’s paintings were selected for that big day. The proud movement was when their paintings were displayed. Tears rolled down their eyes. It was the result of their hard struggle. When the winner of the show was to be announced beads of perspiration was rolling down, there was a fear in the air. No matter what everyone wanted to in to win the title. The winner’s name was announced. It was ‘Eva’ and more than Eva who felt happy was Jennie who was over the to moon. This showed how their friendship was.Every flower has its own fragrance. Every spice has its own aroma. Likewise, every one of you has your own potential. Cherish it.

Begin AnewAditya Praveen Kumar -5BBeing focused is very important in today’s world. Why is it so important? What are the benefits of being focused? Being focused on our goal or task allows us to do better quality of work and tasks. It helps us to complete our work more easily and makes us less stressful with our creative ideas. Catherine Pulsifer, a Canadian Author says “You must stay focused on the end result to achieve your goals.” Focus means the center of attraction; it is consisted of memory, problem solving, and decision making. Focus will help us to expand our knowledge. If we focus on our work, we will be completing our tasks faster and they are free from mistakes. Students need focus when they are doing their work, so that they can achieve their goal. Focus can change our lives, if we use it correctly. Focus gives us more opportunities and helps us achieve our goal. We might get many examples in our life which taught us that focus is an essential part of our life and it can bring changes in our life. Aniket is a bright student in his class. He has multiple skills, he has interest in sports, dance and studies. He had never thought about what he want to become in future, he never focused on his studies nor progressed in his other skills, so, he gradually started losing his confidence and staying away from all his friends. Observing this, his teacher helped him on how one can have focus and determination towards the goal. So, Aniket started focusing on his studies and also practiced dance and played sports in his free time. Today Aniket is topper in his studies, and has won multiple trophies in sports and dance. A vegetable vendor dreams of being successful and establish a stable business. He plans to establish the business giving focus on a specific time keeping in mind the quality and patience. He focuses on quality of the vegetables that he buys from the market, and does not compromise on quality of the vegetables even though he had the option of competitive prices. He never lost his patience, he continuously focused on the quality of the products, he gained customers trust and today his business is running successfully.So, to achieve our goal we must focus on every bit of the tasks by waiting patiently and giving enough time. The goal without a time and patience will end as a dream. Let’s focus, wait patiently and all the obstacles will move away and we can defeat the challenges and failures. “The man who moves a mountain begins by carrying away small stones.” –Confucius, Chinese philosopher. 07

A Route to SuccessSneha Shanbhogue - 7 stdThe concentration of attention or energy on something is called the focus. Focus can be clearly defined as a route to success.A famous quote:• “You don’t get result by focusing on results. You get results by focusing on actions that produce results” -Mark Hawkins Why focus is important?• It helps us to change our lives: focusing while working or studying can give you fruitful results which can change your life.• It expands our knowledge: when you start being focused you will start to learn new things each day, this makes you intelligent and knowledgeable person.• It makes you productive: when you give proper attention on studying or working, you produce more and good results.• It makes you achieve your goals: when you focus on achieving your goal by hardworking, you will surely achieve it.• It helps you to become successful faster: when you focus, no one can distract you or stop you to become a successful person.A few characters of a focused person:• They love and follow routines• They tend to avoid distractions• They are compassionate with themselves• They take advantage of inspiration but do not really rely on it• They have clear values How to become a focused human?• Get rid of distractions: give attention to the work or study which you are doing.• Avoid use of gadgets for a long time• Keep a good diet plan: eat healthy food and do not skip your meals.• Get enough sleep: follow the “early to bed, early torise” routine and avoid working late night• Set a SMART goal: your goal should be SMART, which Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Time-based (SMART)• Make a to-do list and keep a deadline for completing it. Be focused, avoid distractions, work hard on achieving goals and get sweet and juicy results!08

My Mind Is Like My Internet ExplorerFocus Masks Distractions By Elysha Sarah Fernandes - 7This is an article of how focus masks distraction. Distraction is the extreme agitation of the mind which prevents someone from concentrating on something else. Distractions like noises, gadgets, people etc. distract us from doing our work. But if we focus and concentrate, we wouldn’t even notice if someone calls our name. Focus is defined as to concentrate on something in particular. It is one of the most important thing which is essential while we do our work. We focus more in what we are interested to do and easily get distracted in something that we don’t want to do. We pay more attention to things we like. Any distraction is an obstacle in our work.How to get focused?The more we train our minds to be focused, the easier the job gets. For example, students on Friday leave their homework for Saturday. Instead, we can focus and finish it the same day and do something productive the next day. Things you do every day are having an effect — both good and bad — on your brain right now. Knowing more about them can help you sharpen your ability to focus, concentrate and pay attention. Good focus depends on your brain getting what it needs every day. Sometimes we completely get involved in tasks that we forget of what is happening in our surroundings. We should be focused but also know of what is happening around us. For example, when we are playing any game, when it’s an easy level, we can hear other noises at the same time, but when it gets harder, we don’t think of what is happening around us. There are a lot of ways to improve our focus and concentration. How to improve the ability to focus?• Light a candle and stare at it for some time. You will not hear things around you. This shows that your ability to focus it improving.• Keep all gadgets away while doing your homework. Make sure you are in a quiet room.• Play chess or other games that help to improve ability to focus.• Sleep well. The amount you sleep decides your mood for the day.• Meditate in your free time. The meaning of meditate is to spend time in quiet thought for religious purposes or relaxation.It is easier to focus on certain things that you like to do whereas it is so difficult to focus on something that you don’t like. So the best way to focus is to improve your interest and by doing things with enthusiasm. CONCLUSIONFocusing is just a mind-set. If you want, you will definitely focus. Focus masks distractions because your mind becomes steadier thus allowing you to do your work with concentration.09

A Change in TimeBy Sugandh SL - 6Focus meaning: concentration.There was a boy whose name was Rakesh. One day, in the school, when a teacher was teaching, he was distracted as he was not interested in the subject. He was unable to focus on the lesson being taught. When the teacher called out his name and asked a question, he was unable to answer. This made the teacher furious and she gave him punishment for his deed.This was not just an unusual incident. In every period, he would get punishment for not paying attention in the class. But the serious aspect was, there was no difference in his level of focus in the playground, during his time with friends or his time in the school bus. This pushed him into a lot of troubles. Finally, the teacher could make out the reason for it and thus informed this matter to his parents.He had good parents who were ready to understand him and they were ready to find solutions for it. They gave him drills and activities to improve his focus. As the boy understood the need of it and the seriousness of the effort taken by his parents to improve his concentration, he decided to follow the instructions devotedly.After a course of time, he started to focus well on all the activities of the school as well as on the matters of studies. He got interested in studies and was able to perform well in his exams. Proper understanding of his serious matter by his teachers and parents lifted up Rakesh to become an extraordinary student. Moral: Focus well to grab your aim.10

The Boy who didn’t focusBy Joshuaa - 6Once there lived a boy, his name was Austen. He had a goal in life, to be a scientist. But he was very bad in studies. Hewas unable to focus on his studies. Although, he was going to the school, he was not interested in studies. He used to get up, go to school, made to stand outside the class for his bad behaviour, come home, watch television, eat and sleep. This was all he used to do. His parents were worried that he may fail in his classes and lack behind in studies and not get a good position in the society. They tried sending him for tuitions, but Austen’s marks didn’t improve. Once they heard about a school where they teach so good that students who used to get 5% to 10% marks, scored up to 95% in the exams. When they checked the fees, it was affordable. So, they sent their child to that school. He was not at all interested in studies, played in class and even broke the school rules, he indeed was a very naughty boy. So, the teachers and the principal had a meeting to solve this issue and help the boy to focus in the class. Hence, they were checking what he did, what his interest was on. After a few days, they started teaching the way he liked, although he was not interested in everything, he learnt some things. For example, he was interested in football, hence they taught him angles, if you aim here, it will be 90 degrees, hence it will be right angle. After a week or so, he developed an interest in studies. Well yes, he was getting good grades, he scored 45% in his annual exam. He, his parents even his teachers were very happy and proud. He practised studying very hard and if you believe it or not, he had got 93% in 10th standard. After PUC, he focused on becoming a scientist. He indeed became a scientist after 4 years of learning. After about 7 years he invented a teleporter. He was now recognised by the whole world for his new invention. He called it the Austen-time travel. He earned a lot of money for his work. He was now very smart and rich. One day he sat and thought about his life and found out that he was helped by his teachers and family. Hence, he gave them each 1 million dollars and spent 10 million dollars for poor people, built houses, donated to orphanages and schools for children like him, who were poor at studies, who did not have much money for schools and he provided the student with the best teachers he could ever find. Hence, if you focus on studies, you will get better marks and if you focus on anything like a goal, you can achieve it. You have the calibre to do it, you just need to focus.11

Know Yourself, Be YourselfBy Vaishnavi Pentakota -6It was a lazy Sunday afternoon. Two school- going friends in a small town had a crazy idea. They rounded up three goats from a farm close by and painted the numbers 1,2 and 4 on their sides. That night they let the goats lose inside the school building. The next morning when the teachers, staff and children entered the school, they could literally feel like something was wrong.They saw goats’ droppings all over that place and concluded that goats had entered the building. A team was assigned to look for the goats. Very soon, the three goats with the numbers 1,2 and 4 painted on them were found and the school authorities were relived but simultaneously worried. “We have found 1,2 and 4. Where was the goat number 3?”The search team spent the rest of the day looking for the goat number 3. There was panic and frustration. The school declared a holiday for the students only unto their joy. The teachers, helpers, canteen boys; everybody was looking for goat number 3, which of course was never found. You know why? Because, it simply did not exist.Aren’t we all like the search team in the school? We have our goats right in front of us. We all have unique ability that no one in the world can replicate! But instead of making the most of what we have, instead of focusing on our gifts, our strengths, our potential, we often continue to look for the elusive, missing, non – existent goat number 3. We keep worrying about and chasing the missing piece – what we lack, what we have tried hard for and never found what doesn’t exist in us. And I am not saying we shouldn’t try. We have to try our best before knowing something is not meant for us. But after trying hard for long and still not being able to reach even the basic success in doing something, I guess it’s time to ask ourselves this question: Wouldn’t it be better to focus on goats 1, 2 and 4 that I have and do something with them rather than chasing goat number 3, which simply doesn’t exist in me?12

A Valley of GemsBy Deshell D’costa - 8In today’s world where the entire system is automatic and computerized, we can observe that students and kids tend to lose their interest in studies and get more into gaming or social media. With time social media and mobile phones are creating distance between children and their family or studies. If we look at the need of time for kids, we find that they require a large amount of motivation and parental support.The keep of emotional, physical and cordial development is “FOCUS “. Focus is not just a word but a valley of gems! If a person focuses on health, the person gets a great stamina to survive.If a person focuses on family, it results in a strong bond and relationship between friends, parents and siblings. If a person focuses on studies, it results in a greater increment in societal status as well as knowledge, leading to a brighter and practical generation.Now the question is, how the word “FOCUS” can be brought into practice and lead a healthy life. The answer is, by choosing some good ways which can eliminate the negative aspects that trigger the flaws and problems. Reading, meditation, yoga, exercise, arts, time with parents and friends are some of the ways that help us to develop a sense of focus in us. There are certain applications like “lucky tree” which helps in minimizing the social media usage, thereby, stimulating the capacity to focus. If a person spends much time on television, there are educational channels which can divert them to some productive programs, which in turn improves their level of focus. So there are innumerable possibilities available for making all of us focused. Ultimately, the development of the quality of focus in a person can have numerous positive effects which can minimize negativity from life, leading to a healthier and successful future.13

Focus the success mantra By Eva Oliver - 8 What is focus? Focus is the ability to set one’s mind and attention on a particular course until the desired result is obtained. It is a challenge for your energy and concentration on doing a specific task. The reason we all are living a sustainable life is because of many people who have focused on their goals in the past and had discovered and developed things that are useful for us today. Distractions are just a part of our daily lives. We must still learn to keep our eyes on the goal and be focused. There is a quote saying, “don't wait to be motivated, give initiative, be self-motivated, be resourceful and have all the drive and passion to accomplish your tasks."These are some practical ways to be focused• Write a list of what is to be done and set a time for it.• Try to stay away from distractions.• Choose the important things that you want to do and complete them first.• Manage your energy not your time.Distraction may frequently interfere with us in our day-to-day activities. We can’t stop distractions from coming to us, but we can easily overcome those distractions if we are truly focused on our endeavours. This is the only way to achieve something great in our lives. All great people who are known to us today with their specialties have once overcome the problems and distractions in their lives. Lastly I would say, "you must remain focused on your journey to greatness". Never refrain from following your dreams and never allow set backs to stop you. "Focus is the key to success".14

Book Review by teachers and studentsBy Swetha ThurthiReading books plays a pivotal role in shaping our overall personality. Reading is the most enlightening exercise that moulds one into an enthusiastic learner, a confident reader, talented writer, fine orator, and a great leader as well. Reading books hones the imagination skills of the young, spurs their curiosity further about the subject of the book and thus helps them broaden their perspectives. As teachers, we are not only duty-bound to inculcate the habit of book reading in children from their young age but also to ensure that they are wedded to the reading habit for life.Reading books helps us to:• Enhance our knowledge as well as our writing skills• In the current pandemic situation, one can adopt it as a new habit and stick to it for a lifetime• Provides motivation and helps readers present their thoughts, ideas and imagination more lucidly, artfully and in style• Reading a variety of books exposes children to a wide range of language features, usages, phrases, idioms and styles, enhances vocabulary, and helps them understand concepts beyond the classroomTo develop reading habits in children, Christ School, Kengeri, had initiated a ‘Book Reading Campaign’ for primary and middle school in all subjects for the current academic year.As part of the above initiative, teachers had been asked to present their reviews on any suitable book selected according to their relevant subject and class.To catch hold of qualitative and interesting books, critical research had to be done. A book hunt was done by teachers wherein each teacher had to present their book review in 3 sessions. For better understanding few criteria was placed before them. Keeping in mind the following important points the book review sessions went on smoothly.15

1. Introduce the Book's name and author. (No. of pages)2. Source – To read the book (Library/ PDF/ online E-book/ App)3. Recommendation of Class & Subject support4. Reason to choose the book.5. Content gist6. Teacher’s opinion on the book.7. Continuation of further reading – recommendation of related booksOnce the teachers were convinced of the books’ content and information, the book were then ready to be given to the students to read. Hence, Students from each class were divided into six groups in the primary section and eight groups in the middle school section. Books were then distributed to them accordingly.Once the students had finished reading the books, every teacher of the respective subject has to ask them to reflect on the book by writing a review of whatever they had read in any form they felt fit to present. For instance, the pros and cons of the book or summarize the book in an essay form and so on. Reading the book is made compulsion so that students could imbibe in themselves the habit of reading and understand them well enough to write a review.Reader reviews should tend to be more personal, focusing mainly on the reader’s experience as an individual. Finally, at the end of the academic year, students would be separately graded according to the book review received by the subject teachers and the marks would be given in their final marks card.As far as children are concerned, reading as a habit is dying out due to the digital revolution on the one hand and the accessibility of gadgets along with internet on the other. Hence, kids are more drawn into online content that’s unedited, hardly vetted by the experts and hence pedestrian, mediocre, ephemeral and mostly ungrammatical with no regard to syntax and quality of language. In contrast, the content found in books is sacred, time-tested and eternal and hence quite valuable and enlightening. Books, the treasure trove of knowledge and key to learning new skills, take us to a world that’s as new as never-ending. Whatever corpus of knowledge has been acquired, and documented on any subject ever since civilization you find that in books. So there can be no end to an exercise as noble as reading books. Now the onus is on us to revive the habit of book reading that’s dying out fast among the new generation. 16

Another candle on your cake.By Nithin MathewWilliam Barclay says “There are two great days in a person’s life—the day we are born and the day we discover why.”Birthdays are the time where one is thankful to God and parents for giving beautiful life. It reminds all of us that we are growing and at the same time it also helps us to recollect how far we have come. It is also a time a person experiences how much those around him/her love him/her. We were privileged to celebrate the Birthday of our Principal Rev. Fr. Augustine Paimpallil on 18th August 2021. Fr. Augustine is a person who influences and still ignites many lives by his creative, innovative and critical leadership skills. He makes his community to believe, act, and work with perseverance to meet the greater good.We celebrate the birthdays of people important to us because of the joy and well-being they bring to our life. Hence, in Christ school we had the opportunity to celebrate the birthday of Fr. Augustine for the joy and wellbeing he brings to each one of us. To make the celebration more colourful, we had a virtual celebration by the students of Christ school Kengeri campus through different cultural programs followed by the offline celebration by the presence of teachers and staffs. With much preparation and hard work students of Christ school from Kindergarten to middle school came out with dances, songs, wishing videos and felicitation. Offline teachers program also had singing, felicitation, cake cutting, poetry reading and wishing video. We all were happy to celebrate fr’s birthday as the day was filled with joy and happiness. We all are happy to work under the leadership of Fr. Augustine, because he really supports us, guides us and stands with us in all the challenging situations. We are really thankful to the parents of Fr. Augustine as they gave him to impact many lives. We are grateful to the CMI community as they gave us the great leader who can guide us and take care of the welfare of each one of us and he has made the work place one of the sources for all of us to grow.We pray and wish that let you have many more birthdays. Because time itself is like a spiral, something special happens on your birthday each year: The same energy that God invested in you at birth is present once again. — Menachem Mendel Schneerson 17

School Ki Baatby HemavathyOur school has implemented an excellent programme called "School Ki Baat" to help kids improve their oratory skills and increase their social confidence.School ki baat is a programme that is broadcasted to help our kids enhance their skills. It is broadcasted in order to help our children improve their natural abilities. Students in this programme have given presentations about the school's festivals and important days. This is an excellent platform for the student community.Students who are interested in this programme have the option to express their excitement and emotional feelings through a video presentation.Parents and students could view the videos demonstrating such incredible talent on the school's website and YouTube page.So far, we've delivered speeches and provided news updates on the teachers' in-service development programme in all of the episodes.Celebrations for Environment Day, International Yoga Day, Tips for Staying Active in Online Classes, and Principal birthday celebrationsDue to the sheer support, we received from parents, this initiative was a huge success.They helped their wards and took care of all the required details.Without the support of our dear Principal Fr., this programme would not have been a triumph. We appreciate everyone's continued support in order to keep this programme active and achieve its pinnacle of accomplishment.18

Principal’s Day CelebrationBy Sanal“I choose you and appointed you that you should go and bear fruit, and that your fruit should abide.” (John 15:16) On August 28th, the Catholic Church celebrates the feast of St. Augustine. On the same day Principal’s Day was celebrated virtually through MS teams app honoring our beloved Principal, Rev. Dr. Augustine Paimpallil CMI. The event began with a prayer service in which the extra ordinary faith and courage of St. Augustine was reminded. There was live telecast of Cake cutting arranged by Office staff. The campus teachers, Ms. Charen had read the greeting card before handing it over to the principal and Ms. Yashawini K had Presented sapling on behalf of the entire Christ fraternity. Our Vice Principal Fr. Nijo, Ms. Hemalatha, and Ms. Sudha felicitated our principal Rev. Dr. Fr. Augustine paimpallil CMI with words of appreciation, flowers and gifts. After this, Fr. Augustine addressed the gathering by explaining about the life of St. Augustine who was Passionate about his dreams. It is said that St. Augustine lived his early life seeking pleasures of the world, valued materialism never once thought of God’s existence. However, later miraculously he was converted to become Bishop and after his death he was canonized as one of the saints of the Catholic Church. Fr. Augustine expressed also his love and gratitude to all the teaching and non-teaching staffs who worked behind the screen to make this event so wonderful. The Celebration came to an end with a vote of thanks by Ms. Lucy19

The Independence day- 2021By Charen Lowang 15th August is a red-letter day in the history of India which is celebrated with great enthusiasm and patriotic fervor. Christ School Kengeri Campus seized the opportunity to celebrate our country’s Independence through an online mode. Teachers, students as well as parents participated with great interest. The gamut of celebration activities held in the school through online consists of hoisting of flag, national anthem, patriotic song and speeches. Mr. Jerin was the master of ceremony who led the programme smoothly and with great enthusiasm. To commemorate the sovereignty of our nation, to pay homage and gratitude to the brave young men who gave up their lives to liberate India from the thralldom, the tricolour flag was unfurled by the principal Rev. Dr. Augustine Paimpallil with the singing our national anthem. This was followed by the cultural programme performed by our students. The programme comprised of enaction of freedom fighters from Kindergarten and Primary section, a dance from middle school. Speeches and patriotic songs in different languages namely English, Kannada and Hindi from kindergarten, primary and middle school sections were presented. The program was digitally mixed and compiled to convey the significance of the historic day. Towards the end the principal addressed the virtual gathering appealing to our nationalistic spirit and urging us to take pride in being an Indian and fulfilling one’s duty with responsibility. He told the students about the supreme sacrifice of the great martyrs who gave their lives for the sake of freedom. He also pointed up that a family is the first school of children and parents the first teachers. He emphasized on the important role of parents today, in nurturing and bringing up their children to be a responsible and true citizen of the nation. He further explained the 4 teachers we come across in our lives and the contribution and lessons they teach. They are parents, siblings, spouse, educating teachers. The Independence Day has a great importance in every citizen’s life. This day reminds us every year that freedom is sacred and citizens must do everything to ensure that it shall not be endangered. In the words of Mahatma Gandhi, “The future depends on what we do in the present!” So, let’s pledge to make ourselves fair- minded, fearless and faithful. Jai Hind!The programme ended with a vote of thanks by Ma’am Yashaswini H L.20

The Online School Cinema trainingBy Yashaswini HLAn online training “School Cinema Implementing Training” was conducted to convey the new features of School Cinema on 26th June 2021 from 11 am to 12: 30 pm which was attended by all the teachers of primary grade along with primary grade co-ordinator Ms. Sheela. This training was led by Prominent educator, Multiple National award winner and MD Mr. Arivazhagan of LxL Ideas- School Cinema. For the beginners, School Cinema is a brand of LxL Ideas. School Cinema uses cinematic storytelling, and thought-provoking workbooks to address life’s challenges which are displayed to the students in Value education class. This provokes the kids to think and analyze the moralities and rationalities of the situation. When they see the movie, they connect their real-life situation and compare their behaviour to the behaviour of the character seen in the movie. They also understand the dimension of their real situation and adopt the appropriate strategies to handle the situation in real life as well. Thus, the seminar was conducted to give the nice guidance to the educators and teachers so that they can have an effective outcome in a classroom. The session was conducted by trainer Mr. Arivazhagan on Zoom Meeting. This was an interacting session where Mr. Arivazhagan introduced some new features of School Cinema which is designed well as per the present day requirements. We were informed that ‘The School Cinema’ has introduced some new movies along with the new workbook. Due to pandemic, classes are held online, therefore, online availability of movies, lesson plans and student’s worksheet are also enabled along with the physical copies. The age-appropriate topics are aptly covered in 10 movies which can be shown to students over a year. Lesson plan includes the summary of the story, questions to be asked and also the topics to be discussed in the class with the students. Along with the movies for students, movies for parents and teachers are made available online. After the session, login id and password was provided to all those teachers who are handling Value Education Subject So that they can easily access to the movies and lesson plans. This training session in all boosted the confidence of all the teachers.“Values are like light houses; they are signals giving us direction, meaning and purpose”. Hope that the values imparted in the classes through these cinemas guide our Christites throughout the life in the morally right path.21

Possibilities lead to opportunitiesBy Roseline Rozario KanchiWhen your focus is aligned with your actions, it will produce great results.The capacity to focus is one of the strongest indicators of whether a person will be successful later in life. Staying focused helps you succeed in your career and accomplish more. The power to focus can lead to a richer, happier personal life. Our ability to focus has huge implications. Learning how to focus and keeping your eye on the prize in a world of distractions is paramount. It’s the secret ingredient taking charge of your life and shaping your future. Our ability to follow a focused strategy is the path of reaching our full potential. Based on the powerful word “Focus” Staff meetings becomes professional development opportunities of the school year. A successful staff meeting is a function of the purpose, the planning, and the pace of those meetings. Establishing a plan and an agenda for a meeting is essential to its success. It is a time to share and be social. It is a time to establish the goals for the year. "For me, the best staff meetings are those in which there is active participation, a lot of give and take, and a consensus".Christ school Kengeri, is conducting monthly virtual staff meeting since the pandemic year from 2020 continued till date. The meetings are attended by all the teaching and office administrative staffs in the presence of Principal and Vice Principal. The meeting is usually anchored by academic Coordinator. It begins always by invoking God’s presence followed by reading the previous meeting report then the brief updates and concerns shared by the coordinators. The staff meeting provides a good discussion and communication regarding each and every matter concerning the academic and other important issues like upcoming events, exams, new admissions, online teaching challenges, book reviews, and the use of technology and many more issues related to Parent, child and teacher relationship and learning as well. There is also a part of "Your Turn” in which the meeting is opened up to anybody who has concern/ issues to bring up. The principal remains the central source of leadership influence of each staff meeting by always sharing insightful talks. Everyone looks forward to hear from him who inspires and whose wise sharing adds great value in the Christ fraternity. A central part of being a great leader is cultivating leadership in others. Principal plays a major role in developing a “professional community” of teachers who guide one another in improving their career. Dr.Fr. Augustine always mentions-The war against the pandemic Coronavirus will continue. It’s a time to retrospect all that happened in the ‘Virtual School’ during the academic year 2020- 2021. Although the year had given us fewer opportunities to celebrate, it did not dissuade us. He cheers all his staff members with inspiring words like “So let this be a great family, a great journey, a great journey of success. We teachers should see that we always contribute much better to the students and much to the society, and our names will be inscribed in the hearts and 22

minds of everyone in this Christ family.” Father would take us all through a shift of new learning to boost us with sessions like “My days in pandemic”. Sessions help us reflect on the current situation like what has happened to us and how things are happening now and how it is changing our life. Any adversities that does not destroy you, has made you stronger. If we look into our professions we are surprised at how well we are teaching, and how well we are managing technologies and overall development of our greatness. On Human Happiness the 4 important Hormones produced in our body that Is Endorphin, Dopamine, Serotonin, Oxytocin brings happiness. It is up to us to create this hormone in our body and make our life happier and more enchanting.The Staff meeting also becomes more insightful by the inputs of our Vice Principal for his hard work and continuous involvement by sharing his ideas for big events and for its success, leading all the administrative and other financial matters in a well-structured way. “Let them know that they can expect me to be here every day to support them wherever and in whatever ways needed.”23

24Inauguration of Bishop Jonas ParkBy Charen LowangWe all like spending time in a park, which is just a perk of a great neighborhood as well as a place for people to be able to interact with nature. Park serves humanity inconceivably. I believe it is a quiet and safest place after any religious prayer house. A park can be compared to lung that offers green space and fresh, clean air to people. It is like a power house where you can elicit positive vibration and appreciate all that you see and feel around; the fresh air that soothes, the mental state is boosted, the serenity is felt within. The unknown energy forces us to experience divinity in nature.What can be more esteemed as well as peaceful place to be built than a park in memory of someone close to our heart! One such park was inaugurated at St. Mary’s Farm and Christ School Kengeri campus on 8th December 2021. It is named as “Bishop Jonas Park”. This name is given in memory of Bishop Jonas to recall the indomitable human spirit, incredible religious decorum and the legendary vision he had for the Indian church. The inauguration was done at the backdrop of the 7th year of the canonization of St. Kuriakose Elias Chavara. A great, selfless as Bishop Jonas’s soul and the social reformer can never be forgotten. He is an elephantine role model to serve and contribute to the human society.On the auspicious day of 8th December 2021, Christ family came together to celebrate the noteworthy occasion; priests, religious brothers and sisters, teachers from Christ group of schools, teaching and non- teaching staff of Christ school Kengeri, workers, friends and neighbours had come to witness the blessing of the Bishop Jonas park. The school choir under the guidance of Fr. Joshi led the songs creating an atmosphere of tranquility.The inauguration ceremony started at 4: 45 pm with mass gathered at the entrance gate. Rev. Dr. Augustine Paimpallil, principal of Christ school Kengeri campus, addressed the gathering with warm words of welcome. Soon after that, Rev. Fr. Babu Mattathil, general auditor cut the ribbon followed by unveiling of plaque by Rev. Dr. Paul Achandy. It is believed that light brings warmth of love and it diminishes darkness. Rev. Dr. Paul Achandy, Fr. Mani Kadaplakkal, Fr. Abraham Vettiyankal, Fr. Sebastian Elenjickal, Fr. Paul Chakkanikunnel and Fr. Reji Koodapattu lighted the lamp while students of Christ school Kengeri campus melodiously sang a bhajan. Following which Rev. Dr. Paul Achandy the rector, led the blessing prayer ritual with a short message on Bishop Jonas’s contribution to the Indian Church. Next, Fr. Sebastian Elenjickal spoke in brief on the relevance of park. Finally, Fr. Nijo Palatty proposed vote of thanks, appreciating, felicitating and thanking all the people for their generous contributions in completing the park as well as for the success of the inauguration ceremony.

Published by Principal Christ School Kengeri Campus K.Gollahalli, Kumbalgodu, Bengaluru, Karnataka - 560 074 for private circulation onlyThe programme concluded with light refreshment provided for everyone present in the park. Bishop Jonas park is a unique park where people can walk in to pray at Marian Grotto, relax, exercise, play some light games and spend some quality time. A stage is raised to perform recreational activities with friends and family, that could tangibly reduce stress. There is a section included where birds like ostrich and emu are kept. These huge mesmerizing birds are rarely to be found even in zoos. As for kids, there is a play area allotted especially for them. It can also be used as learning area. Learning to play in nature improves hand- eye coordination. Here, it provides great opportunities for parents to bond with children. The burbling sound of Stream gives the park a sight to behold. Besides that, the fountain, flowers, plants, tress, resting park hut, tree trunk bench, footpath and every single equipment and thing in the park witness its own beauty. The breathtaking night scene of the Jonas park is no less than a fulgent night; indeed a treat to the eyes. In a nutshell, this park serves as a place of divinity and healing.The setting up a park at St. Mary’s campus Kengeri is a blessing and we salute the people who have worked tirelessly in order to give it an awesome shape.25Editorial boardMs. Sheela BorgesMs. Rincy RajMs. HemalathaPentakotaMs. Charen LowangMr. Nithin MathewMr. Jerin T.