मेहनत और जिम्मेदारी का संदेश -Sunbeam Gramin School

आज हमें GSA class में “Truck Driver Ki Aakhiri Sawari” की कहानी सुनाई गई, जिससे हमें यह सीख मिलती है कि हमें अपने काम के प्रति हमेशा ईमानदार, मेहनती और जिम्मेदार रहना चाहिए। इस कहानी में एक ट्रक ड्राइवर अपने काम को पूरी लगन और ईमानदारी से करता है। वह दिन-रात मेहनत करके सामान को सही जगह पहुँचाने का प्रयास करता है। अपनी आखिरी यात्रा के दौरान भी वह अपने कर्तव्य को नहीं भूलता और पूरी सावधानी से ट्रक चलाता है। रास्ते में आने वाली कठिनाइयों और थकान के बावजूद वह हिम्मत नहीं हारता। कहानी के अंत में उसकी आखिरी सवारी सभी को भावुक कर देती है और यह संदेश देती है कि मेहनती और जिम्मेदार लोगों का सम्मान हमेशा किया जाना चाहिए।

रक्षित कुमार सिंह, कक्षा – 8

Learning Beyond Classrooms: Our Sunday School Experience - Sunbeam School Suncity

Sunday school is a session where students join meetings to read and learn chapters together. A teacher is also present to explain the chapter in detail and help students understand it better. During these sessions, students can improve their thinking skills and vocabulary. We also learn new words, and the teacher helps us understand their meanings and how to use them correctly. Sunday school is very helpful because it improves our knowledge, confidence, and communication skills.

Ujjwal Singh – 6th

There are many benefits of attending Sunday school. In these sessions, chapters are taught or stories are narrated through videos, which makes learning interesting and enjoyable. We also learn many new words that we have never heard before, and this helps improve our vocabulary.

If we do not understand anything, we can ask questions by raising our hands during the meeting. The teacher explains everything clearly, which helps us learn better. I find Sunday school very fun and engaging because the classes are interactive and educational.

I attend Sunday school every Sunday, and it is helping me improve my vocabulary, thinking skills, and confidence in speaking.

Swastika – 7th

Sunday school at Inspired (Boarders’ Resource Centre) is an enriching and interactive learning experience for students from different schools. The sessions are thoughtfully designed with stories, chapter readings, and smart board presentations that make learning both engaging and enjoyable. The teachers explain concepts clearly and encourage students to participate actively by asking questions and sharing their ideas.

Pihu Mishra – 8th

One of the greatest benefits of Sunday school is the improvement of vocabulary, reading ability, and thinking skills. Students are introduced to many new words every week, which helps us communicate more confidently in English. The friendly and disciplined environment also motivates us to pay attention and learn with interest. Overall, Sunday school is a valuable platform that truly inculcates the sense of the 3 Rs.

Anuradha – 7th

Stepping Into New Opportunities - Pushpendra Singh Ranawat

Pushpendra Singh Ranawat is a dedicated and enthusiastic first-year student at Jai Narain Vyas University. Alongside his academic journey, he is also serving as an intern at Good School Alliance, where he is gaining valuable experience in education and leadership initiatives. With a keen interest in learning, collaboration, and personal growth, Pushpendra is steadily building a strong foundation for his future career.

 

What You Are Looking For Is in the Library - Manjula Sagar

यह पाठ हमें पुस्तकों और पुस्तकालय के महत्व को समझाता है, कि जीवन की कई समस्याओं, सवालों और उलझनों का समाधान ज्ञान में छिपा होता है, और ज्ञान प्राप्त करने का सबसे अच्छा स्थान पुस्तकालय है।

 पुस्तकालय केवल किताबों का कमरा नहीं होता, बल्कि यह सीखने, सोचने और आत्मविश्वास बढ़ाने का स्थान है। जब कोई व्यक्ति निराश, भ्रमित या अकेला महसूस करता है, तब अच्छी पुस्तकें उसे नई दिशा और प्रेरणा दे सकती हैं।

कहानी यह भी बताती है कि हर किताब हमें कुछ नया सिखाती है। कुछ किताबें हमें जीवन जीने का तरीका सिखाती हैं, कुछ हमें प्रेरणा देती हैं और कुछ हमारी सोच को सकारात्मक बनाती हैं। पुस्तकालय में हर प्रकार की किताबें होती हैं, इसलिए वहाँ हर व्यक्ति अपनी जरूरत और रुचि के अनुसार ज्ञान प्राप्त कर सकता है।

हमें मोबाइल और समय की बर्बादी से हटकर किताबों से दोस्ती करनी चाहिए। पुस्तक पढ़ने की आदत हमारे विचारों को बेहतर बनाती है, भाषा को मजबूत करती है और आत्मविश्वास बढ़ाती है।

मेरे अनुसार, यह पाठ हमें यह समझाता है कि जीवन में सफलता और सही मार्ग पाने के लिए ज्ञान बहुत आवश्यक है और ज्ञान का सबसे बड़ा स्रोत पुस्तकालय है। इसलिए हमें नियमित रूप से पुस्तकालय जाना चाहिए और अच्छी किताबें पढ़ने की आदत विकसित करनी चाहिए।

Manjula Sagar 
Sunbeam Gramin School

Reading for Awareness - Sunbeam English School, Bhagwanpur

Today, in my Good School session, we went through the story My Family and Other Animals by Gerald Durrell. We began with the adventure of Larry, the author’s brother, who was so scared that he rarely touched the matchbox again. Later, because the author had done this, he was sent to receive more education, as his mother thought that he was not educated enough.

The story also described the Belgian Consul who was teaching him French. While the Consul was teaching, he suddenly took out his air rifle, loaded it, and shot at something outside the window. Instead of continuing the French lesson properly, the Consul became distracted, remained sad for some time, and then returned to the lesson as if nothing had happened.

After that, we discussed the stories written by writers of Jujutsu Kaisen and other authors. Our teacher also gave us notes in our books.

We then moved on to the story What You Are Looking For Is in the Library by Michiko Aoyama. We started with the character Futaba, the baby of the family, and learned how books and strategies can help people become better and positively influence young girls.

We also started working with Madam Mizue. That is all from my side for today.

Shaisti Prasad, VIII A

In today’s Sunday school session, we read the story My Family and Other Animals: The Corfu Trilogy by Gerald Durrell. In this story, we read about a hardworking scorpion mother who carried all the food herself on the special occasion of Mother’s Day. Reading this was a great pleasure.

The most interesting part of the story for me was about the British Consul who loved cats. As an animal lover and a cat lover myself, I really enjoyed this part of the story.

After that, Jugjiv Sir discussed the books we had read and the writers behind them. I also learned how books are published. From the story, I learned many new words, such as “chromium,” “ensemble,” and several others. We also learned about a place called Terisquater, which is known as a place of Zeus.

I loved the way Brinda Madam narrated the story because it helped improve our communication skills and introduced us to many new vocabulary words.

Then Jugjiv Sir read a story from What You Are Looking For Is in the Library by Michiko Aoyama. He asked us why reading in a library feels better and how we honestly feel while reading there. I shared that I feel calm, comfortable, and peaceful in a library because of the silence and quiet atmosphere.

Another amazing part of the session was learning about a room that was around 90–100 feet long. Sir explained that every kind of work has equal value and that anyone can achieve success through effort and dedication.

Today’s session was truly inspiring and a wonderful learning experience for me. I especially enjoyed the way our teachers interacted with us and narrated stories in such an attractive and entertaining manner.

Gauri Agarwal,  IXC

Today, we read a story called “Aakhri Truck Ki Sawari.” The story was about a truck driver who drove on the highway every day. One day, the truck suddenly stopped because there were no trees or greenery around. This made everyone realise how important nature is in our lives.

The story taught us that without trees and greenery, life would become difficult and accidents could happen. Trees and nature help us in many ways, so we should always protect and preserve them.

We should plant more trees and take care of nature. Nature gives us life, fresh air, and beauty. The story also teaches us to be kind, helpful, and caring, just as nature itself is.

The main message of the story was the importance of saving nature and protecting the environment. The story “Aakhri Truck Ki Sawari” was beautifully read and explained by Manisha Ma’am and Jugjiv Sir.

Jayesha Kaur Sarna, VIII

Today, we read a story called “Aakhri Truck Ki Sawari.” The story was read by Manisha Ma’am. It was about a man named Natthu, who looked very young and healthy.

Natthu and his friend were going on a road trip. During the journey, one of his friends asked why he was driving slowly. Natthu explained that pollution and deforestation were harming the environment and making it unsafe.

From this story, I learned that we should not cut trees or harm nature. Instead, we should plant more trees and protect our environment. The story gave us an important message about caring for nature and keeping our surroundings green and clean.

The story was very interesting and meaningful, and it was wonderfully explained by Manisha Ma’am.

Pratyush Agrawal, VII

In today’s school session, we continued reading the book My Family and Other Animals. Today, we read that Larry now has a phobia of matchboxes and never wants to touch them again. This scene was really funny and enjoyable.

In the next scene, we were introduced to the Belgian Consul, who was a representative of the Belgian government and a big cat lover. He owned several Persian cats. I also learned many new words, such as:

● Dolefully

● Amicably

● Quashed

● ...and many more.

We also discussed Napoleon Bonaparte. We learned that Napoleon was a great French military leader and ruler who demonstrated the true nature of a dictatorship. Overall, I really enjoyed the session; it was very informative. I would like to thank Jugjiv Sir and Brinda Ma’am.

In the next Hindi session, we read “Ek Tinke Ki Aakhri Sawari” (एक तिनके की आख़िरी सवारी). In this story, we learned valuable life lessons and understood that we should not cut plants; instead, we should plant more trees and preserve our Mother Earth.

As today was Mother’s Day, Sandeep Sir explained to us the real meaning of motherhood.

In conclusion, I would really like to thank Manisha Ma’am and Sandeep Sir for this interesting session.
Samiksha Jaiswal, VII – G

छोटी चीजों में छिपी बड़ी सीख - सनबीम ग्रामीण स्कूल

आज के सेशन में “My Family and Other Animals” पुस्तक के "दीवार में दुनिया" पाठ से हमें प्रकृति, पशु-पक्षियों और मनुष्य के बीच के गहरे संबंध को समझने का अवसर मिला। इस अध्याय में लेखक ने अपने परिवार और आसपास के जीव-जंतुओं के साथ बिताए गए अनुभवों को रोचक ढंग से प्रस्तुत किया है। यह पाठ केवल मनोरंजन ही नहीं करता, बल्कि संवेदनशीलता, अवलोकन क्षमता और पर्यावरण प्रेम की भावना भी विकसित करता है।

इस अध्याय से हमने यह सीखा कि प्रकृति के प्रत्येक जीव का अपना महत्व है। हमें पशु-पक्षियों के प्रति दया, सहानुभूति और सम्मान रखना चाहिए। लेखक का दृष्टिकोण यह दर्शाता है कि यदि हम प्रकृति के करीब रहें, तो जीवन अधिक आनंदमय और संतुलित बन सकता है।

शिक्षण की दृष्टि से यह अध्याय छात्रों में अवलोकन कौशल, रचनात्मक सोच, भाषाई अभिव्यक्ति और संवेदनशीलता का विकास करता है। विद्यार्थी अपने आसपास के जीव-जंतुओं के बारे में जानने, उनके व्यवहार को समझने और पर्यावरण संरक्षण के प्रति जागरूक होने के लिए प्रेरित होते हैं।

एक शिक्षक के रूप में इस अध्याय से हमने यह जाना कि शिक्षा केवल पुस्तकीय ज्ञान तक सीमित नहीं है, बल्कि जीवन के वास्तविक अनुभवों और प्रकृति से जुड़ी हुई है। इससे बच्चों में समग्र विकास संभव है।

अंततः, यह अध्याय हमें सिखाता है कि मनुष्य और प्रकृति का संबंध प्रेम, समझ और जिम्मेदारी पर आधारित होना चाहिए।

गुलाबी, सनबीम ग्रामीण स्कूल 

हम दीवार को हमेशा रोकने वाली चीज मानते हैं, पर Gerry का चैप्टर सोचने पर मजबूर कर देता है। ईंट और सीमेंट से बनी दीवार को हम बेजान समझते हैं, लेकिन उसमें पूरी दुनिया बसती है — चींटियों का रास्ता, छिपकली का घर, मकड़ी का जाल, सब वहीं चल रहा होता है। हम दीवार से दूरियां बनाते हैं, पर प्रकृति हम सबको उसमें जोड़ देती है।

Larry को हर चीज में डर दिखाई देता है, पर Gerry को हर छोटी चीज में एक नई कहानी मिल जाती है। हम बोर होते हैं और सोचते हैं कि मजा कहीं और है, जबकि Gerry के पास कुछ नहीं था, फिर भी वह खुश था क्योंकि उसने छोटी चीजों को देखना सीख लिया था। शायद दीवार तोड़नी नहीं है, बस उसे देखने का नजरिया बदलना है। वह जगह, जो हमें खाली लगती है, अक्सर वही सबसे ज्यादा भरी हुई होती है और यही बात Gerry हमसे कहना चाहता था।
धन्यवाद

प्रिया पाल, कक्षा – 8

आज की कक्षा में हम लोगों ने एक टॉपिक पढ़ा, जिसका नाम था “सबसे खूबसूरत”। हम लोगों ने “सबसे खूबसूरत” का अर्थ भी जाना। यह टॉपिक एक बच्चे और उसकी मां पर आधारित है। इस टॉपिक में एक छोटा सा बच्चा था, जिसका नाम सुरेश था। वह बहुत कमजोर था और बोल नहीं पाता था।

एक दिन सुरेश को कुछ बच्चे पत्थरों से मार रहे थे। यह सब देखकर एक व्यक्ति उन बच्चों के पास गया। बच्चे उस व्यक्ति को देखकर भाग गए। वह व्यक्ति सुरेश को उसके घर ले गया। घर जाने के बाद वह एक कोने में जाकर बैठ गया। सुरेश की मां ने उस व्यक्ति को चाय दी। तभी सुरेश के पापा आ गए, जो सुरेश को पसंद नहीं करते थे, पर सुरेश की मां उसे बहुत ज्यादा पसंद करती थीं।

अब वह व्यक्ति सुरेश के घर कभी-कभी आता था, जिससे सुरेश बहुत खुश होता था और उसके साथ खेलता था। इससे सुरेश में कुछ बदलाव हुआ। यह सब देखकर उसकी मां बहुत खुश हुई।

शिक्षा अध्याय 9 हमें यह सोचने पर मजबूर करती है कि हमें किसी का मजाक नहीं बनाना चाहिए और हमें कभी भी किसी की मजबूरी का फायदा नहीं उठाना चाहिए। न तो उसे मारना चाहिए। हमें सबकी सहायता करनी चाहिए और उन्हें हमेशा हौसला देना चाहिए।

शिवानी,  कक्षा – 7

Learning Beyond the Pages - Sunbeam School Ballia

Today’s session didn’t feel like just reading—it felt like exploring different worlds through curiosity.

In “The World in a Wall,” what stayed with me was not the scorpions, but the author’s perspective. Something people fear became fascinating to him, making me wonder how many “walls” around us hold unnoticed stories. His curiosity turned the ordinary into something magical.

I also realized how observation can become learning. Quietly noticing and being curious felt more meaningful than just reading facts.

Ms. Sakini’s story stood out for her inner conflict. It made me reflect on how we often link our worth to productivity, and how accepting balance can actually be a form of wisdom.

Along with it, Aradhya’s description of the book “The Colors We Never Named” felt especially captivating—it was as if she gave words to emotions we often feel but rarely express, making the unseen quietly come alive.

“Sabse Khubsurat” stayed with me emotionally, showing how deeply words can affect someone and how little we try to understand others.

Overall, the session taught me that learning is not just about knowledge, but about noticing, thinking, and seeing the world differently.

Deenshah Najam

Today’s session felt different in a nice, quiet way. While reading “The World in a Wall” by Gerald Durrell, I kept thinking about how something most of us would be scared of—like scorpions—could actually become so interesting just because someone chose to observe it closely. It made me pause and wonder how many small things around me I ignore every day.

Ms Sakini’s story felt very real. The way she didn’t want to be treated differently, and how she slowly understood that accepting help doesn’t make you weak—it just makes life a little more balanced—really stayed with me. It also made me feel that sometimes we all need our own personal space, not because we are shy or introverted, but simply because we enjoy being with ourselves.

“Sabse Khubsurat” was simple but touching. It reminded me that people we call “different” are often just misunderstood, and how easily our words can affect someone. It also made me realize that making a mistake isn’t the worst thing—what truly matters is accepting it, acknowledging that it wasn’t right, and making sure we don’t repeat it again. Manisha ma’am explained this so beautifully.

Even small things like learning why the sky is blue—because of Rayleigh scattering—made the world feel a bit more meaningful.

And Arfa’s article honestly felt very real, like thoughts we all have but don’t always say out loud.

Today didn’t feel like just reading. It felt like noticing things a little more deeply.
Akanksha Rai, 10 B

Learning from Nature and Memories - Sunbeam Bhagwanpur

 

Reflections (26.04.26)

In the reading session, Brinda Ma’am read to us the chapter “The Tortoise Hills” from My Family and Other Animals, where we learned about the author’s observations of tortoises on the island of Corfu. He treats them not as slow, dull creatures, but as individuals with distinct personalities and “armoured” lifestyles.

He pays close attention to the architecture of their shells—the dusty, scarred plates that tell a story of years spent navigating the thorny scrub. It was very interesting to read about his interest in tortoises’ movements and actions. I feel that the author had a lot of patience to conduct such detailed observations.

Vankshit, VII G

Sunday’s reading session began with Brinda Ma’am reading a passage from the chapter “The Tortoise Hills” in the novel My Family and Other Animals. However, the most interesting part was when Sandeep Sir and Manisha Ma’am showed us the flipcharts from the GSA Retreat held at Mayoor School, Jaipur. Sir showed the flipchart that I had worked on with my team.

Our team had chosen the chapter “Power of Wellness” from Highway to Swades by Bhairavi Jani. I was proud to show my work to the other Sunday School participants and shared my experience in detail once again. The album, consisting of all the photos, brought back many memories of the retreat. It was a truly amazing learning experience. I extend my gratitude once again to Sandeep Sir and GSA for organising this retreat.

Srishti Prasad, VIII A

I have always considered the tortoise a slow creature and have never been interested in learning about it. However, the chapter we read today filled my mind with many details about a tortoise. So far, most of the chapters include mentions of one animal or another. For a child to take an interest in the natural world and study the intricate details of different creatures is indeed fascinating.

I sometimes feel that, in the busy routine of our urban lives, we miss out on these seemingly small yet profound experiences. Durrell, unlike us, was fortunate to live on an island where he learned through natural observation and his innate curiosity.

Another amazing part of today’s session was revisiting the GSA Retreat memories, as Manisha Ma’am showed us the flipcharts she had uploaded on the Joy of Learning Diaries page. Sandeep Sir explained the importance of the 4S framework and the role of the YES Workshop, encouraging us to understand the value of 4S (Service, Skill, Sports, and Study) in our lives.

Gauri Agrawal, IX C

Observing Nature Through Words- Akanksha Rai

Today’s session was quite insightful. We read a chapter about a tortoise from My Family and Other Animals by Gerald Durrell. The reading helped me understand how a writer can describe a scene authentically by closely observing even the smallest details. The author’s careful depiction of the tortoise’s daily life showed how deeply he observed nature. I also found the description of the surroundings very vivid—green myrtles, heather, and cypress trees covering the hills created a beautiful and lively picture in my mind.

Another interesting part was the introduction of the three guests who visited the author’s house. Each had a unique personality—the artist who came to paint in the orchard, the man who fell ill from an allergy to horses, and the girl who had just recovered from erysipelas. When I researched further, I learned that erysipelas is a bacterial skin infection that causes redness and swelling.

Along with the reading, Sandeep Sir made the session even more engaging by showing different retreat flipchart videos. He also explained the concept of “My Good School” and its vision in a very inspiring way.

Akanksha Rai

Class 10-B

Thank you note from Sunbeam School Ballia

Thank you, Sunbeam School Ballia, for your love and kindness. On behalf of the Host Committee and all of us at the Good Schools Alliance, we express our deep gratitude to Dr Kunwar Arun Singh, the Principal, and the Staff at the school for their deep commitment to spreading the joy of learning.

Literature and meaningful lessons - Sunbeam School Lahartara

Sunbeam School Lahartara

“My Good School session with Brinda Ghosh on My Family and Other Animals by Gerald Durrell was a rich and engaging example of how literature can bring together humour, observation, and meaningful life lessons. The episode of Larry inviting guests without planning highlights a familiar and relatable family conflict: his carefree, impractical attitude contrasts sharply with Mother’s sense of responsibility and concern. This dynamic not only adds humour to the narrative but also reflects how different personalities coexist and adapt within a family.” Samriddhi Banerjee

Read the wonderful reflections from Sunbeam School, Lahartara, where the students share their joy of reading the book My Family and Other Animals with Brinda Ghosh. Literature can bring together humour and lead us with meaningful lessons. 

Building Bonds Beyond Borders: MGS Retreat

 

The retreat was not just about learning, but also about building meaningful relationships. Students from different states came together, bringing with them diverse cultures, languages, and experiences. Initially, everyone was unfamiliar with one another, but through shared activities, conversations, and group discussions, a sense of trust slowly began to grow.

As we spent more time together, we began to understand each other better, respect our differences, and appreciate the uniqueness each person brought. These interactions helped break down barriers and created a warm, friendly environment where everyone felt included.

By the end of the retreat, what began as a gathering of strangers turned into a community of friends. The bonds formed here went beyond the classroom, teaching us the true value of trust, connection, and unity in diversity.

A Journey of Learning and Growth: MGS Retreat

The Retreat is a meaningful journey of learning and personal growth. It provides a space to explore new ideas, interact with inspiring individuals, and gain knowledge beyond textbooks. Through engaging sessions, discussions, and shared experiences, the Retreat encourages us to reflect, develop new perspectives, and grow both intellectually and personally. It is not just about learning facts, but about understanding ourselves and the world around us more deeply and thoughtfully.

A Peaceful Journey into Literature

Today’s session was calm, engaging, and full of learning. Brinda ma’am read from My Family and Other Animals, and the way she explained the story made it easy to understand and enjoyable. She helped us with difficult words and provided a clear summary, which made the chapter more interesting, especially for new students.

The discussion about mummies, animals, swallows, and birds made the session more interactive and broadened my understanding beyond just the text.

In the chapter, we also saw how Larry invited eight of his friends, which created a lively situation and even led to a short argument with his mother. This part showed the family dynamics in a realistic and slightly humorous way.

Overall, the session felt peaceful and informative, and it helped me connect better with the story and its characters.

Ishika Singh
Class 10-B
Sunbeam School, Ballia

A Circle of Reflection - MGS Retreat

 

In the calm and open environment of a retreat, students come together to read, reflect, and truly listen to one another. These shared moments encourage honest expression and deeper understanding. As stories are exchanged and ideas unfold, barriers fade, and connections strengthen, allowing students to build relationships rooted in respect, empathy, and mutual growth.

Learning Life Skills Through Sunday School - Sunbeam School Lahartara

 

Sunday school gives us more than just knowledge—it helps us build important life skills. Through stories, discussions, and reflections, we learn how to think deeply, express ourselves, and connect lessons to real-life situations. It teaches us values like courage, patience, kindness, and gratitude, which guide our everyday actions. Sunday school also strengthens our ability to listen, understand others, and grow as individuals. Each session becomes a step toward becoming more thoughtful, confident, and aware, helping us develop skills that shape both our character and our future.

Learning Beyond Walls - My Good School Retreat

 

A retreat is a special space where students come together to read, reflect, and build meaningful relationships. Away from the routine of daily school life, they find time to pause and connect—with themselves and with others. Through shared readings, thoughtful discussions, and moments of quiet reflection, students begin to understand different perspectives and appreciate each other’s experiences. These interactions foster trust, empathy, and a sense of belonging. As they laugh, learn, and grow together, the retreat becomes more than just an event; it transforms into a journey of connection, self-discovery, and lasting friendships.

Together We Grow - My Good School Retreat

 

Students discovered that when they live together, laugh together, and spend meaningful time with one another, learning goes far beyond the classroom. During the retreat organised by Mayoor School in collaboration with the Good Schools Alliance, they experienced the true value of connection, empathy, and shared growth. The retreat provided them with a purposeful space to interact, reflect, and build lasting friendships. Through group activities, conversations, and quiet moments of reflection, students learned teamwork, respect for diverse perspectives, and the importance of community. It became not just a gathering, but a meaningful journey of self-discovery and collective learning.

My Good School 19th April 2026

PLEASE NOTE, FROM NEXT WEEK WE WILL HOST MY GOOD SCHOOL IN WEBINAR MODE AND THE RECORDING WILL BE SHARED ON YOUTUBE AS ALWAYS.

Sunday School for Reading and Reflection

To read and discuss two books, “My Family and Other Animals” and “Time Stops At Shamli (Hindi).”

Key Takeaways

• “My Family and Other Animals” Reading: The Durrell family moved to the “Daffodil Yellow Villa” to accommodate unexpected guests. Gerald’s observations of swallows and an oil beetle (Melloproscarabeus) highlight the book’s core theme of nature discovery.

• “Antim Sanskar” Reading: A boy processes his father’s death, feeling isolated from the adults. His unique coping mechanism—imagining becoming a flower to help new life grow—was praised for its maturity.

• My Good School Retreat: A recap of the Jaipur retreat showcased its focus on reflection and community building. All future My Good School sessions will be held in webinar mode to increase capacity and improve YouTube recording quality.

Topics

My Good School Retreat Recap

• Manisha Khanna shared photos and a video of the recent Jaipur retreat, which hosted 11 schools.

• Key Activities:

  • An art exhibit where participants turned line drawings into full artworks.

  • “Discovery of India” session based on a book about travelling across the country.

  • Talent night for student performances.

• Reflection Method: Participants used flip charts (“joy of learning diaries”) to document their experiences, prioritising human intelligence over electronic media.

• Resources: All retreat photos and flip charts will be posted on schooleducation.com.

Program Updates

• Webinar Mode: All future My Good School sessions will use webinar mode.

  • Rationale: To increase capacity, reduce interference, and improve recording quality for the My Good School YouTube channel.

• Program Overview: Sandeep Dutt reviewed the My Good School ecosystem.

  • Sunday: My Good School sessions.

  • Saturday: Teachers Academy & Youth Engaging Society (YES) master classes.

  • Retreats: Held twice annually (April & October).

  • Membership: Open to schools and individuals (via a small donation).

Book Reading: “My Family and Other Animals”

• Brinda read from Gerald Durrell’s memoir, set on Corfu Island, Greece.

• Plot Summary:

  • Larry’s unexpected invitation of 7–8 guests forced the family to move from the “Strawberry Pink Villa” to the larger “Daffodil Yellow Villa.”

  • The new villa was a decaying Venetian mansion with an overgrown garden.

  • The new maid, Lugresia, was a hypochondriac who constantly detailed her ailments, causing the family to avoid her.

  • The family was swept into a festival for Saint Spiridion, the island’s patron saint.

    • Ritual: Kissing the mummified saint’s feet.

    • Outcome: Margot kissed the feet and contracted influenza, while Gerald feigned it.

  • Gerald observed swallows nesting under the eaves, noting the distinct personalities of the male birds.

  • He found a flightless oil beetle (Melloproscarabeus) with shrunken wing cases.

    • Life Cycle: Its larvae prey on a specific bee species.

    • Significance: This discovery was identified by Gerald’s biologist mentor, Theodore, who visits weekly to help with specimens.

Book Reading: “Antim Sanskar” (The Last Rites)

• Manisha Khanna read a Hindi story by Ruskin Bond about a boy at his father’s funeral.

• Plot Summary:

  • The boy felt isolated from the adults, who were focused on their own grief and social etiquette.

  • He reflected on his father’s lessons about nature during their walks.

  • Coping Mechanism: He imagined that after death, he would become a flower, and a bird would carry his seeds to help new life grow.

  • Final Thought: He recalled his father’s words, “The strongest person is the one who stands alone,” as he walked home through the fog, feeling alone but determined.

Next Steps

• Manisha Khanna: Post Jaipur retreat photos and flip charts to schooleducation.com.

• My Good School Team: Transition all future sessions to webinar mode, starting next Sunday.

• Participants:

  • Use a notebook to record new vocabulary and concepts from the readings.

  • Join the next session in webinar mode.

Inme: The Art of Becoming

 

Where the outdoors is not an escape, but a return

It begins, as all meaningful journeys do, quietly.

A bus pulls away.
A city fades into the background.
And somewhere between the noise and the stillness, something shifts almost imperceptibly.

No one announces it.
No one points it out.

But it’s there.

A beginning.

The Classroom Without Walls

In a world that has long confined learning to four walls, Inme gently dismantles the idea altogether.

Here, the classroom stretches as far as the horizon allows.

A mountain trail becomes a lesson in persistence—not because someone said so, but because your legs insist on stopping and your will refuses to.
A river crossing becomes an exercise in trust—quietly asking you to rely on strangers who, moments later, no longer feel like strangers.

Even silence has a role to play.

Because in the absence of constant noise, something rare happens:

You begin to listen.

Not to instructions, but to yourself.

Curriculum of the Wild

There are no textbooks here.
And yet, the learning is undeniable.

Leadership is not explained: it emerges.
Confidence is not assigned: it is discovered.
Resilience is not measured: it is lived.

Each experience is carefully designed, yet never feels imposed.
Each challenge is intentional, yet deeply personal.

Inme does not teach lessons.

It creates conditions where learning becomes inevitable.

The Quiet Work Within

Perhaps the most profound transformations are the ones no one sees.

Away from familiar identities—student, friend, sibling—participants encounter a rare kind of space.

Unstructured. Unfiltered. Honest.

And in that space, questions arise:

Am I capable?
Can I lead?
What am I afraid of, and why?

The answers don’t come all at once.

But they come.

In steps. In moments. In quiet realisations that stay long after the journey ends.

Of Strangers and Shared Skies

There is a certain alchemy to shared experience.

What begins as polite introductions soon transforms into something far more meaningful.

A shared struggle becomes a shared story.
A fleeting moment becomes a lasting bond.

Under a sky scattered with stars, conversations deepen.
And somewhere between laughter and silence, a sense of belonging takes root.

Not forced and not manufactured. … found.

The Moment of Realisation

There is no fixed point at which transformation occurs.

No ceremony. No announcement.

And yet, it happens.

In the steady rhythm of a climb.
In the courage to speak.
In the instinct to help someone else before yourself.

A quiet recognition emerges:

I am more capable than I thought.

Beyond the Journey

When participants return, they carry little that is visible.

No grand trophies. No obvious markers.

And yet, everything is different.

A little more confidence in their voice.
A little more clarity in their choices.
A little more belief in their own potential.

Because Inme was never about the mountains or the rivers.

It was about what those places revealed.

Inme

Infinite Me 

Not an escape into the outdoors, but a return to oneself.

Follow us:
Instagram: @inme.in
Website: www.inme.in