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.
Showing posts with label Family. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Family. Show all posts
Saturday, 25 April 2026
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
Sunday, 19 April 2026
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.
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.
Sunday, 8 February 2026
My Good School Sunday the 8th of Feb 2026
I am really grateful for the opportunity to attend this session. It was not just a learning session but an experience that made me think deeply. The story discussed during the session was beautifully explained, and every part of it was simply connected to real life. The way the story moved from nature to human emotions made it very interesting and meaningful for me.
One part that I especially liked was how the speaker explained things using examples like jalapeños and grapes. Though they look similar, they are very different, and this comparison helped me understand how appearances can be misleading. This idea was closely connected to the story, in which observation, understanding, and the proper use of words play essential roles. It helped me realise how important it is to look beyond the surface.
All the essential words from the story were clearly discussed, which helped me understand their meanings in context rather than just memorising them. The story also taught me to be more sensitive towards nature, people and situations. It showed how small details can carry deep meaning and how learning can happen through curiosity and observation.
Overall, this session was very enriching and enjoyable. It helped me understand the story better and taught me life lessons in a gentle, practical way. I truly appreciated the effort put into making learning so interactive and thoughtful, and I would love to attend more such sessions in the future.
Aarinee Tripathi, Sunbeam School Mau
“Thank you for this feedback, Aarinee!”, Brinda Ghosh, coach and mentor at My Good School.
“It was quite refreshing being present at My Good School session this Sunday morning. Both the chapters from “My Family and Other Animals” & “What You’re Looking for in the Library” intrigued the listeners, and there were some fascinating responses from the audience. It was good to see both their excitement and the ability to reciprocate. More such Sundays awaited." Harshita Dalawat, host at My Good School.
Monday, 22 July 2024
Autobiography of an Ant - Aadya Sharma
Image courtesy Canva Magic
My life is like an elite hardcore gym workout where I usually train with weights up to three times my size! The only difference between me and you working out is that you get rest days, and I do not. Yesterday, I saw the most prominent and juiciest apple; it almost felt like I had discovered another planet on the ground. I immediately shouted out to the others. My comrades and I carried the apple to the queen, and she shrieked in awe. She is our leader and also the one who lays the eggs for more ants; you know, the more, the merrier!
Life is short, literally we only live upto a lucky number of a few decades. So we eat dessert first. My life is always exciting. I am snug as a bug in a rug, living in our anthill with my friends and family!
Aadya Sharma
Gyanshree School
V-D
Tuesday, 4 June 2024
Swan Song - Sandeep Dutt
Monday, 15 January 2024
Happiness and Life - Tenzin Jambey
Listen to the Podcast
As humans, we often contemplate the concepts of happiness and life. Our constant desire to improve our circumstances and seek inner peace is universal. In this week's "Reflection," Jambey, a bright student of My Good School, shares his thoughts on happiness, peace, and life. Through his personal experiences, he sheds light on how different perspectives can impact society. Join us as we explore the perspective of a young mind on life's journey, from finding the right path to losing our way. Enjoy the podcast, and if you wish to join us, please visit our website at www.SchoolEducation.com #MyGoodSchool #JoyOfLearning.
Sunday, 7 January 2024
Classics or present-day creations? - Rishona Chopra
Graphic by Rishona Chopra
Are oldies better than the music and movies of today?
That is one of the biggest debates today. Both of them are unique in their own way but I believe that there is something special about classics and oldies. As intriguing and modern the latest creations are, oldies seem to bring family together. As a millennial of Gen Z, I usually watch/listen to the latest creations but watching classics is a refreshment for the mind. It reminds one of the time when things were simpler and life was less hectic.
The past can be a great source of inspiration and old music is a wonderful way to access it. Moreover, old music has stood the test of time. It has been around for decades and even centuries and it popularity is a testament of how great it is. Yes, there are changes in the world but that doesn't mean we forget the past and the old. Old is NOT gold. It's vital to accept and look at latest creations too but immediate dislike for the classics isn't great either.
Labeling classics as "boring" is completely one's choice but often we just neglect it directly without even taking a look at oldies. The most popular songs today are in fact remixes of earlier classics. Popular artists have taken inspiration from several classics such as "These are a few of my favourite things" , "Do re mi fa so la ti" and literature pieces like "The Great Gatsby".
One of my favorite classics is definitely Mary Poppins. I honestly haven't watched that many classics but 1964 Mary Poppins tops for me. It is a fictional story but it indeed has a lot to teach. First of all, it teaches us to live life. Life is a gift and even despite the tough and rough times, it's always good to keep a positive attitude in life. It also teaches us to be kind and not judge people. Mary Poppins did receive a little opposition from the children's father but that didn't bring her down because she was confident and did what was right. One of my favourite parts about it is the unique use of words. "Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious" is that word that brings a smile to my face when I say it. For me, it carries a cheerful vibe all together.
As interesting and full of mystery and excitement the new creations are, I don't believe that they carry some meaningful lessons with them but of course if we are young teenagers who are combating other evil people and plan on saving the world then sure they do have some advice.
To conclude, I would say that its good to sometimes look back and see some interesting and appealing classics like "Mary Poppins" or "Sound Of Music". Their simple stories stirred with a drop of magic are heart warming.
Rishona Chopra
Grade VII
Gyanshree School
Thursday, 17 August 2023
Should Housewives Be Paid? - Oshi Singh
Picture courtesy: https://www.indiatvnews.com/ by Oshi Singh for representation only.
Whenever we receive appreciation always makes us feel cared. It gives us a push. It helps us go on even if times are hard. It makes us feel valued. It makes us feel like our presence matters. But imagine a scenario where you work 24/7 and put your blood and sweat into your work, yet you always go unnoticed.
Well, that’s the case of housewives in almost every household. I believe that housewives SHOULD be paid.
We are way past when daughters were only taught household work like cooking and cleaning. We are living in a world in which humankind has spread the concept of equality to a large extent.
Introducing a new concept doesn’t mean that everyone will accept it immediately. It is a gradual process. The same happened with EQUALITY. While nowadays we see a lot of women working, many still are housewives. A point to be noted is that even though women work, they still work extremely hard in their houses.
As per the 2011 census, nearly 159.85 million women mentioned household work as their primary occupation. It has been observed that urban Indian housewives constitute around 88% of the women population in India. But out of these millions of housewives, I can assure you that not even one is paid for her work.
We all hire help in our household to do tasks like cooking, cleaning etc. The functions an average housewife does daily, but the only difference is that these housewives aren’t paid. Don’t they do the same tasks with more love, affection, and care? Why do people think that since they are housewives or a part of the family, they don’t deserve to be paid or shouldn’t be paid?
The government should pass a law that states that housewives should be paid. This payment will not only guarantee the allowance for housewives but will also make them financially independent. This would also provide excellent security to women, especially single mothers. So if she loses her husband, who was the breadwinner of the family, she would be able to take charge and would be able to take care of her family’s momentary needs. Secondly, this will also provide justice to the hard work, efforts and time they put in the work they do for everyone every day without any break.
If anything in life comes too easy, we must remember its value. The same is true for housewives. Just because someone is doing our work for us for free does not mean we don’t value them and respect them. Housewives are often called a ‘burden’, which is untrue! This is another reason why I believe that housewives should be paid. An income would make sure that housewives aren’t referred to as a burden anymore. Often, a woman stays in a relationship that isn’t working out just because she doesn’t want to cause trouble to her family or is financially dependent on her husband.
Before I end, the husband is often called the pillar of the family, which is incomplete. A housewife is also the pillar of the family. She cooks, cleans, and takes care of the WHOLE family, and the least we can do is show our love and appreciation towards her. Thus to enhance the dignity of housewives and to make them INDEPENDENT, I say housewives should be paid because once they are, no housewife would just be a “normal” housewife.
Oshi Singh
IX C || Gyanshree School
IX C || Gyanshree School
Reference: https://www.indiatvnews.com/business/news-uae-businessman-sohan-roy-aries-group-salary-to-housewives-682686
Friday, 21 July 2023
People are more important than things - Aria Gupta
Reflection from Sunday School
Dear Readers,
From now on, I’ll be writing most blogs through short stories. I took this decision because I believe stories can share a message and captivate the reader at the same time. Feel free to give feedback in the comments.
Here’s the first story:-
Amongst the mountains lived a young girl named Nidhi.
She had heard of a precious stone called 'Diranma'.
It could give powers to the owner and strengthen them in some way. Nidhi had been fascinated with the stone ever since she heard about it. One day, she told her parents, “Mumma, Papa, I want to look for Diranma!”. “Are you out of your mind!” exclaimed her mother. “It’s too dangerous, sweetheart,” said her father.
She didn’t listen to her parents. At midnight, she woke up and packed a sack containing five loaves of bread, two apples, some cashews, some water and a sleeping bag. She ventured out in the dark. After walking for a few hours, still determined to find the stone, she found herself in a forest.
There, she encountered a hunter and asked, “Do you know where Diranma is?” She asked, hoping he’d know the answer. “I do, but I advise you not to look for it. For I once was like you, looking for the precious stone. The consequences make the action hard not to regret,” he stated. “Please, I’m desperate!” begged Nidhi. “Since you want it so bad, I’ll give you a map, but never say I didn’t warn you”, said the hunter as he searched his pocket and gave a folded map leading to the stone. “Thank you so much!” exclaimed Nidhi as she took the map and opened it immediately. She followed the directions and walked for hours before munching on a loaf of bread and drinking some water.
Days went by, and she still hadn’t reached the gate leading to the stone yet. She was almost out of supplies. Soon, all her hard work paid off as she saw a beautiful gate. “Finally!”, she exclaimed at the sight of it. There stood a guard, watching her. He approached her and stated, “You need to pay one-third of your soul to enter. It will be paid back to you if you leave this gate without the precious stone, Diranma.” She thought, "I’m only giving one-third of my soul, not much." “Okay, but how do I give it to you?”, she asked. “We will take it ourselves.” stated the guard as he strangely moved his hands, chanting some prayer. As soon as his ritual ended, Nidhi felt less excited about the stone. “Thank you.”, she said as she went inside the gate and walked for a few minutes.
Soon she saw an overflowing river that was too deep. She didn't know about swimming. Fortunately, she saw a fisherman sitting on his boat with a fishing rod in the middle of the river. “Can you please drop me off the other side?”, she asked. “You’ll have to give me one-third of your soul. I’ll give it back if you come without Diranma.”, the fisherman stated. ‘I’ll still have one-third of my soul left’, she thought and agreed to pay one-third of her soul to the fisherman. “All right”, he said. He rowed to the side where Nidhi was and told her to get on the boat.
Nidhi was feeling less excited about the stone than ever. She hopped on the boat and soon reached the other side of the river. She saw a huge palace. A guard was standing, so she approached him and asked, “Can I enter this palace?” “You will have to pay a quarter of your soul.”, stated the guard. She cared the least at this point and just gave it to him like it was nothing but a piece of wood. The palace doors opened just like that. Nidhi found her curiosity strained about how it opened. She just walked in. There was The Diranma, placed on a huge table. But the remaining part of her soul rejected it. It longed for her parents, her friends, and her family. She thought for a while and headed back without the stone. She got all the pieces of her soul back. And when she reached the guard, he said, “I will teleport you back to your home now!” “Huh?”, Nidhi exclaimed.
But before she knew it, she was home with her parents. She hugged them tight and shrieked, “I missed you. I missed you a lot!” Her parents, eyes filled with tears, replied, “We missed you too!” “I went looking for the stone, but it was not worth it!”, said teared up Nidhi. She learnt that her loved ones were more important than any other stone in the world.
Written by-
Aria Gupta
Grade VI
Gyanshree School
Thursday, 13 July 2023
Appreciation - Januka Basnet
Image from Blogger Archives
𝗔𝗽𝗽𝗿𝗲𝗰𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗶𝘀 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗿𝗲𝗰𝗼𝗴𝗻𝗶𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗼𝗳 𝘁𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝘄𝗵𝗶𝗰𝗵 𝗺𝗮𝗸𝗲𝘀 𝘂𝘀 𝗳𝗲𝗲𝗹 𝗴𝗿a𝘁e𝗳𝘂𝗹 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗰𝗮𝗻 𝗮𝗹𝘀𝗼 𝗯𝗲 𝗲𝘅𝗽𝗿𝗲𝘀𝘀𝗲𝗱 𝗶𝗻𝘁𝗲𝗿𝗻𝗮𝗹𝗹𝘆 𝗼𝐫 𝐞𝐱𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐧𝐚𝐥𝐥𝐲.
𝐀𝐩𝐩𝐫𝐞𝐜𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 makes people feel valued and drives them to do their best. It also helps with well-being and mental health, so it really can make a difference. I 𝐚𝐩𝐩𝐫𝐞𝐜i𝐚𝐭𝐚𝐭𝐞 𝐦𝐲 𝐟𝐚𝐦𝐢𝐥𝐲 𝐦𝐞𝐦𝐛𝐞𝐫s, 𝐡𝐨𝐮𝐬𝐞 𝐦𝐨𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐫𝐬 𝐢𝐧 𝐩𝐞𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐥𝐨𝐳𝐳𝐢, 𝐛𝐫𝐨𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐫𝐬, 𝐬𝐢𝐬𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐬 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐟𝐫𝐢𝐞𝐧𝐝𝐬.
Januka Basnet
Pestalozzi Children's Village India
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