Where Every Page Inspires - Sunbeam School Ballia

Photo from John Martyn Memorial School, only for representation 

The Sunday reading sessions taught me that books are not just stories—they are windows to new ideas, emotions, and experiences. Through these readings, I learned the importance of observation, family values, gratitude, and finding joy in life’s simple moments. Every page opened a new perspective and inspired me to become a better learner and reader. 📚✨

Azam Khan

PRT Teacher

The online reading session was a truly enriching and inspiring experience. What You Are Looking For Is in the Library taught us that guidance, learning, and self-belief can help us discover our true path, no matter how difficult life seems. The story of Hiroya reminded us that developing our skills and never giving up is the key to growth. My Family and Other Animals filled the session with warmth, humor, and a deep appreciation for nature and family.

Shamli Mein Thahara Waqt Aur Anya Kahaniyan beautifully reflected human emotions and the richness of everyday life through Hindi literature. The discussions by Jugjiv Sir, Brinda Ma'am, and Manisha Khanna Ma'am made every book more meaningful and engaging.

I learned that books are not just stories—they are companions, teachers, and sources of inspiration.

These sessions encouraged me to read more, think deeply, and appreciate different cultures and perspectives.

Grateful to all the mentors for making reading an enjoyable and memorable journey. 📚✨

  

Riya Yadav

TGT English

My Thoughts and Lessons Learned

Photo courtesy of Shweta Morolia

As a teacher, I found this webinar to be a valuable and enriching learning experience. The session went beyond simply reading My Family and Other Animals and encouraged participants to engage with the text through observation, interpretation, and reflection. 

I particularly appreciated how the discussion highlighted the beauty of descriptive writing, the relationship between humans and nature, and the author's use of humour to make everyday experiences meaningful. 

The pace of the session allowed participants to absorb the text thoughtfully, while the shared reading created a collaborative learning environment. Such sessions remind us that literature is not only about understanding words on a page but also about developing empathy, imagination, and critical thinking. 

I am grateful to Sandeep Dutt Sir, Jugjiv Sir, Kunal Sir, Brinda Ma'am, and Manisha Ma'am for their dedication to fostering a culture of reading and meaningful dialogue. Their efforts made the webinar engaging, reflective, and professionally enriching for educators and learners alike.

Rekha Sharma, Teacher, Sunbeam School Mau

Importance of kindness and encouragement

In today’s My Good School session, Jugjiv Sir read the story What You Are Looking for Is in the Library. We learned how Natsumi’s life improved when her husband began supporting her more, helping with their daughter and prioritising family. We also saw Kiriyama’s kindness when he encouraged Natsumi after her rejection by Cherry Peach Editorial Publication and guided her towards Maple Publications, even recommending her to the editor-in-chief. When Natsumi asked why he was helping her, he explained that he simply wanted more good books in the world, revealing his selflessness and belief in her talent. 

The story also highlighted the welcoming environment at Maple Publications, where children were warmly accepted, helping Natsumi realise that her child was not a barrier to her career. The Sunday School session taught me the importance of kindness, encouragement, family support, and a positive outlook towards both work and family life.

Ishika Singh, 10th B, Sunbeam School Ballia

Reading Makes Our Minds Healthy - Maira Jalan

Reading is one of the best habits for keeping our minds healthy and active. It improves our concentration, increases knowledge, and helps us think more clearly. Reading good books reduces stress, boosts creativity, and fosters empathy by helping us understand different people and perspectives. Just as exercise keeps our body fit, reading keeps our brain sharp and strong. A few minutes of reading every day can help us learn new ideas, build confidence, and maintain a positive mindset.

Maira Jalan

A Meaningful Sunday Reading Session - Sunbeam School, Ballia

Today's session of My Good School was very insightful and engaging. Jugjiv Singh Sir read the story What You Are Looking For Is in the Library. The story revolved around Natsumi, a working mother who was struggling to balance childcare, household responsibilities, and her career. When her daughter, Futaba, fell ill with a fever, it became even more challenging for Natsumi to manage everything on her own. She often had to sacrifice her own needs while caring for her family.

The story highlighted the issue of unequal sharing of responsibilities within a family. Natsumi reminded her husband, Shuji, that they had promised to raise their child together, but he remained largely focused on his work. During an argument between them, Futaba overheard their conversation, which made Natsumi feel deeply guilty. She hugged her daughter and realised that none of the difficulties was her child's fault.

Later, Natsumi had lunch with her colleague, Madam Mizue. Their conversation helped her feel lighter and more hopeful. Madam Mizue's words, “The playground is big, have fun,” remained in Natsumi's mind and encouraged her to view life from a more positive perspective.

Through this story, we learned the importance of support, understanding, shared responsibilities, and hope during difficult times. Overall, the session was meaningful and inspiring, offering valuable lessons about empathy, family relationships, and maintaining a positive outlook in challenging situations.

– Ishika Singh, X-B

In today's session, we first discussed the book What You Are Looking For Is in the Library, which was read by Jugjiv Singh Sir. The story focused on Natsumi, a working mother who was struggling to balance childcare and her career. When her daughter, Futaba, developed a fever, Natsumi became even more stressed as she was managing everything on her own and carrying the major responsibility of caring for her family.

As the story progressed, Natsumi reminded her husband, Shuji, of their promise to raise their daughter together. However, he remained largely occupied with his work. During an argument between them, Futaba overheard their conversation, which made Natsumi feel deeply guilty. Realising her daughter's emotional distress, she hugged Futaba and reflected on the situation.

Later, Natsumi had a meal with her colleague, Madam Mizue. Their conversation brought her comfort and encouragement. Madam Mizue's words were so meaningful and inspiring that Natsumi carried them in her heart and began to view her circumstances more positively.

The story taught us valuable lessons about empathy, trust, shared responsibilities, and maintaining hope during challenging situations.

Thank you.

- Talat Bano

Learning Through Literature: Reflections on Nature, Empathy, and Personal Growth -Ms. Rekha Sharma

The book reading sessions of My Family and Other Animals with Brinda Ma’am and शामली में ठहरा वक़्त और अन्य कहानियाँ with Manisha Ma’am were highly engaging and intellectually enriching.

My Family and Other Animals introduced me to a world where curiosity, observation, and a deep connection with nature become important sources of learning. Gerald Durrell’s experiences demonstrate how children learn best when they are encouraged to explore their surroundings and develop a sense of wonder about the natural world. The book highlights the value of experiential learning, observation, and respect for all living beings, reminding teachers that education extends far beyond textbooks and classrooms. The work is widely recognised for its celebration of nature, childhood curiosity, and learning through real-life experiences. The reading from शामली में ठहरा वक़्त और अन्य कहानियाँ offered a different yet equally meaningful perspective. From the excerpts shared, the narrative reflects the complexities of human emotions, personal responsibilities, and the difficult choices individuals face as they balance professional commitments with family obligations. The protagonist’s inner conflict over caring for a child prompted me to reflect on empathy, accountability, and the importance of human relationships. As a teacher, I felt that such stories help readers understand real-life situations, develop emotional intelligence, and appreciate the moral dimensions of everyday decisions. Literature of this kind encourages self-reflection and nurtures sensitivity toward others.

Overall, both sessions reinforced my belief that reading literature is a powerful educational experience. While one book inspired curiosity, environmental awareness, and a love for learning, the other deepened my understanding of human emotions and social responsibilities. As a teacher, I found these readings particularly valuable because they promote critical thinking, empathy, and holistic development. They reminded me that good literature not only informs but also shapes attitudes, values, and perspectives, making it an essential tool for meaningful learning and personal growth.

Regards,

Ms. Rekha Sharma

Teacher

Sunbeam School, Mau

Exploring Nature, Literature, and Learning Through My Good School Sessions - Sunbeam School, Ballia

Today’s session began with the Good School Alliance Anthem, followed by a brief review of reflections from previous sessions.

Session by Brinda Ma’am

In the first session, we explored the book My Family and Other Animals. Brinda Ma’am read the story beautifully, explained unfamiliar words, and clarified our doubts. One of the most exciting parts was when Roger tried to catch an owl, but the owl attacked him. Frightened, Roger shook the bird off and hid under the table, refusing to come out until Ulysses was safely back in his basket. The story was adventurous, engaging, and enjoyable.

Session by Jugiv Sir

Jugiv Sir’s session was both informative and enjoyable. He first introduced the My Good School Alliance platform to the new students. He then continued reading from his book, What Are You Looking For Is in the Library. Sir discussed the previous chapters before moving ahead with the story, making it easy for everyone to connect with the narrative. The session was very interesting and interactive.

Session by Manisha Ma’am

In this session, we discussed Surang (सुरंग), a chapter written by Ruskin Bond. Manisha Ma’am explained that the story revolves around a boy who observes a tunnel and appreciates the beauty of the surrounding nature. Her explanation helped us understand the deeper connection between the character and his surroundings. The session was insightful and enriching.

At the end of the programme, Ma’am shared some valuable thoughts on reflection and learning.

Thank you. 😊

Talat Bano

Today’s My Good School session was very interesting and informative.

Brinda Ma’am read an excerpt from My Family and Other Animals by Gerald Durrell. In the story, Gerald found a tiny owlet that was the size of a teacup. At first, the owlet remained distant and did not show much affection. Gerald’s dog tried to befriend it, and gradually, the owlet also became attached to Gerald. It would go out hunting at night and return shortly afterwards, showing its growing trust in him.

During the session, we learned many new and challenging words that helped improve our vocabulary. We also came across the names of different flowers and animals, which made the story more interesting and educational. We learned about porpoises and discovered that they are similar to dolphins. Brinda Ma’am also introduced us to the famous Tintin books and encouraged us to read them.

The session helped us learn more about nature, animals, and literature in an enjoyable way. Overall, it was an engaging, enriching, and memorable learning experience.

Ishika Singh

Class 10-B

Inspiration from the Sunday Reading Sessions - Akanksha Rai

Reflection Sunday School

Instead of reflecting on the stories themselves, I would like to share a few things from the three readings that stayed with me.

From Brinda Ma’am’s session, the thing that caught my attention was the owl. Growing up, I have heard many myths about owls—that they bring bad luck, should not be seen at night, or are connected with death. Because of these stories, owls have always seemed mysterious to me. At the same time, I find them fascinating and even cute. The reading made me curious to learn more about them and understand the truth behind these beliefs. It reminded me that nature becomes more interesting when we observe it with curiosity rather than assumptions.

From Jugjiv Sir’s session, I would like to reflect on the moon. Since childhood, I have loved looking at it and feeling as if it were following me wherever I went. For me, the moon brings back happy memories and reminds me of people who are important to me. Whenever I look at it, I feel calm and connected, even to those who are far away.

From Manisha Ma’am’s session, the image of a tunnel stayed with me. It reminded me of the movie Train to Busan and made me think about how tunnels often represent mystery and uncertainty. Yet they also remind us that after every dark passage, there is light ahead.

These three simple things—an owl, the moon, and a tunnel—made the readings memorable for me because they connected the stories with my own experiences and thoughts.

Akanksha Rai