Sunday School shows that meaningful learning can be fun and engaging. Through interactive sessions, students develop vocabulary, confidence, thinking skills, and the habit of reflection. It is a space where children learn together, express themselves freely, and discover that every lesson can bring a new idea, question, or insight.
The reflection beautifully captures the spirit of joyful learning—when children enjoy learning, they learn with greater curiosity, confidence, and purpose.
The story of Natsumi and her journey shows how books can help us understand ourselves and make meaningful choices. A simple visit to the library can open doors to new possibilities and help us find what we may not even know we are looking for.
The story reinforces the importance of reading in our lives. Books connect us with different people, experiences, and perspectives. They encourage curiosity, reflection, and thoughtful decision-making. Most importantly, the story reminds us that when we feel lost or uncertain, the right book may quietly lead us towards what we need.
Reflections -PYDS by Manisha Khanna
Every Sunday School session is an opportunity to discover new ideas, explore inspiring stories, and develop meaningful life skills. Reading is just the beginning—the real learning happens when students pause to reflect on what they have read, connect it with their own experiences, and express their thoughts in their own words.
Through thoughtful reflections, students transform stories into life lessons, strengthen their critical thinking, and build confidence in expressing their ideas. Each reflection is a celebration of curiosity, creativity, and deeper understanding, showing that every book has the power to inspire, every story has a lesson to teach, and every learner has a unique voice worth sharing.
Sunday Reading Session Reflection
From Jugjiv Sir's reading, I became fascinated by the idea of a time capsule—not just for preserving memories, but also for writing about what we would like to become at a certain age or stage of our lives, keeping in mind our current interests and passions. Then, when we reach that age, we can look back and see whether we truly achieved it or at least tried our best. I also thought that doing this with friends would be a really great idea.
Another thing that came to my mind was the awkwardness we often feel when meeting an old friend or someone we haven't talked to for a long time, not knowing whether they would be interested in talking or not. But eventually, we should take the first step and speak.
From Manisha Ma'am's reading, I was reminded of my Maths teacher. She wanted us to be more curious and practise the subject more. She is the teacher I have hated the most but also liked the most because of her way of teaching and motivating us. Sometimes, strictness doesn't always come from dislike; it can also come from wanting students to learn better. The story also reminded me that our deeds eventually come back to us.
Recently, I heard a line from someone that has stayed with me: "Teachers stay with us throughout our lives." Maybe through their teachings, their manners, or simply their thoughts and support.
Akanksha Rai, Class X-B
The session was very meaningful and thought-provoking. The core message—"A teacher should never judge students by their dressing or family background"—was conveyed with clarity and empathy.
It reminded us that empathy is more powerful than judgment. Every child comes from a different background, and our role as teachers is to guide, not to label. The quote, "As you sow, so shall you reap," beautifully explained that good karma leads to good results. The kindness, patience, and positivity we show today will return to us through the growth and success of our students tomorrow.
Thank you for sharing this beautiful moral story.
The session encouraged teachers to build classrooms based on respect, understanding, and a positive mindset. It was a strong reminder that we don't just teach subjects; we shape lives.
Teach with heart. Guide with belief. Because how we treat one student today decides the kind of human they become tomorrow.
Today's reading session, conducted by Jugjiv Sir and Manisha Khanna Ma'am, reminded me that people can have different perspectives in the same situation. It also made me realise that even simple incidents can teach valuable life lessons if we observe them carefully. Overall, the session encouraged me to be more understanding, observant, and appreciative of the lessons hidden in everyday experiences.
Riya Yadav
Educator
Sunday School Reflection
Well, no. But the question that should be pondered upon is: how would a child be able to answer the questions they don’t even comprehend? Reading is not an additional skill to be mastered but the very base on which everything is built. Without being able to read and understand what is asked of them, a child cannot hope to solve a mathematical problem, explain a scientific concept, or come up with an answer at all.
Unfortunately, what we see today is quite alarming. As loving parents, many of them try to show children a new way of learning by giving them a smartphone to hold in their hands. Technology is good, but only when used with care. Otherwise, it can easily turn into a never-ending source of distraction.
Someday, your child will not be complaining that you did not buy him a new gadget. But he or she might wish you had given them a book instead. A smartphone gives you unlimited access to all the information; a good book nurtures imagination, concentration, empathy, curiosity, and critical thinking. All those skills are simply impossible for any computer program to instil.
What is so amazing about books is that they let the child go through different ages, countries, and civilisations right from their bedroom. They offer opportunities to meet great people, hear amazing thoughts, embark on adventurous travels, and learn lessons.
Since my childhood, I’ve been hearing the same wise advice: Life is too short to learn only from your own mistakes. Learn from other people’s experiences by reading. It’s been with me all these years. And each book you open gives you the opportunity to talk to someone who has lived, has made mistakes, has succeeded and has finally learned something. Why shouldn’t our kids have that knowledge too?
The objective of reading is not to earn a few marks. Reading makes the mind earn its marks. It fosters endurance, eloquence, and individual thought processes. In today’s world, with an overload of information, the skill of comprehending through reading and thinking has become invaluable.
Therefore, by all means, embrace technology. But don’t let it take away the stories from the notifications. Fill up your houses with books and read in front of your children, as they observe much more than they listen.
Ultimately, exams will pass. The habit of reading will last a lifetime. And that is an investment that never runs out.
Anurag Khanna, passionate educator at Sunbeam Suncity School
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.
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.
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
In today’s reading session, with Jugjiv Sir and Manisha Ma’am, we read the story What You Are Looking for Is in the Library by Michiko Aoyama. I learned that work stress can affect a person’s emotions and relationships. Ryo’s behaviour shows that when someone is worried or under pressure, they may react badly and unintentionally hurt people close to them. His frustration from the office affected the way he spoke to Hina at home. This made me realise that in such situations, it is important to stay calm, think before reacting, and communicate properly instead of letting stress affect others.
The reading also showed how one person’s mood can influence the people around them. Ryo’s stress from work turned into irritation at home and led to an argument with Hina. During the session, Jugjiv Sir and other students discussed how such situations happen in real life too. Thinking about what we would do in Ryo’s place made the discussion more interesting and helped us understand the lesson better.
In today’s session, we first shared our own written reflections and then interacted with Mr Jugjiv Singh Sir and his thoughtful ideas. He read the story What You Are Looking for Is in the Library. It was an amazing and knowledgeable story, and we read it with great interest. One thing that I like most about the Good School Alliance is that every participant, along with all the members, participates enthusiastically and gives their best to make this class informative.
Many students were new to this wonderful session and were not familiar with the class. Manisha Ma’am explained a lot about the class to them. In the other session, we had Manisha Ma’am, who always takes the initiative for Hindi reading. We started with her quiz and then read a story by Ruskin Bond. This was also a very interesting and informative session.
I thank every member of the Good School Alliance for taking the initiative for this reading class.
In today’s reading session with Brinda Ma’am, we read the chapter “A Treasure of Spiders” from My Family and Other Animals. The chapter beautifully shows how curiosity and close observation of nature can turn even small discoveries into exciting learning experiences. Listening to the discussion made me appreciate how passion and patience can help us understand the world around us more deeply.
Along with the reading, Maira shared her review of the book Atomic Habits. Her explanation about how small habits can lead to big changes really caught my attention and motivated me to read the book myself. It made me realise that improving ourselves does not always require big actions; even small and consistent efforts can make a difference. Further, Jugjiv Sir spoke about the importance of physical movement and the development of good daily habits. His words reminded me that discipline, healthy routines, and staying active are essential for both our mind and body.
Today I attended the Good School session. First, Brinda Ma’am had a brief discussion about superstitions, during which many students shared various superstitions they had heard about. After that, the session with Manisha Ma’am began. It started with Maira’s book review of Atomic Habits. I have already read this book, and I think it is amazing.
Then Manisha Ma’am conducted a short quiz based on reading reflections. After that, she told a very interesting story about a school surrounded by a deep forest. The story was very engaging and enjoyable.
Today’s session was very interesting and informative with Brinda Ma’am and Jugjiv Sir. Brinda Ma’am read a story from “My Family and Other Animals” and explained the character and his interests. Jugjiv Sir read from “What You Are Looking for in the Library” and asked us questions about books and reading habits. We discussed why libraries are important and how books help us learn new things. I liked answering the questions and sharing my thoughts. I learned that reading helps us think more critically and generate new ideas. The session was enjoyable and meaningful.
Disha, Class 5A
Today’s session was very enjoyable with Brinda Ma’am and Jugjiv Sir. We listened to stories from “My Family and Other Animals” and “What You Are Looking for in the Library.” The teachers asked us questions and encouraged us to think about what we enjoy reading. We discussed how libraries help us find books and learn new information. I learned that reading can improve our knowledge and imagination. The session was very helpful and inspiring.
Adarsh Kumar, Class 5B
Today’s session was very interesting and knowledgeable. Brinda Ma’am read a story from “My Family and Other Animals,” and Jugjiv Sir read from “What You Are Looking for in the Library.” We talked about the main ideas of the stories and why reading is important. The teachers asked questions and encouraged us to share our answers. I learned that reading books helps us become smarter and more confident. The session was engaging and meaningful for me.
Vansh, Class 5C
Today’s session was very interesting. Brinda Ma’am read a chapter from “My Family and Other Animals.” George was the main character, and he was interested in History and Geography. Jugjiv Sir read from “What You Are Looking for in the Library,” and we discussed how books help us learn new things. The teachers asked questions, and we shared our opinions. I learned that reading helps us understand the world better. The session was very meaningful.
Akrit Tiwari, Class 5C
Today’s session was very interesting with Brinda Ma’am and Jugjiv Sir. We listened to stories from “My Family and Other Animals” and “What You Are Looking for in the Library.” We discussed why libraries are important and how books help us learn. The teachers encouraged us to think and share our ideas. I learned new things about reading and learning. The session was interesting and meaningful.
Saba, Class 5C
"What is life when you are walking in the garden?" is what a teacher from Sunbeam School, Balia, and I were talking about in our recent Wisdom Mandli session on Saturday, when she used the word 'sukoon' in her response. When some cards kept appearing and disappearing on the screen, with questions that are felt but mostly not asked of each other in everyday conversation, I was asking myself: What interests me in the world now? What am I curious to find out- the chaos, the harmony and the functioning of everything around me.
Sometimes, there is an assumption that learning sessions are online, and they seem slightly disorienting until you attend them with the intention of meeting and hearing the voices of educators and people sharing their conundrums in life and school. Take what speaks to you, and don't beat yourself up for everything that's beyond your head.
Wisdom Mandli was a session that opened my curiosity about the mundane around me! I was aware of what I feel in the kitchen, in the garden, or under the stars (they are hardly visible now), but can I speak about just that to a fellow teacher? We live in different realities, but these are such universal feelings and experiences. We were just coming to a point in the discussion where we were brainstorming how we could bring wisdom to our children and still be able to teach our curriculum when it struck me- Isn't talking about it already a large part of why we would want our children to learn in the first place? We are surrounded by ecology and nature all the time, but we sometimes just bypass it and do not pause to wonder. These sessions with Wisdom Mandli by project Fuel are my gateway for this month to something larger than me, me, me. I'd like my students to tell me how they feel when they walk barefoot on the ground. I am curious about their observations. It is a peek into their inner landscapes, and these questions seem like a torch to go with.
Reflection_Lotus Petals Foundation
The Sunday reading session filled the students with joy, curiosity, and a sense of discovery. As they listened to stories come alive, they felt the excitement of new words, new ideas, and new worlds opening before them. Many shared how reading aloud helped them speak with confidence, imagine more deeply, and understand emotions better. The session reminded them that every story brings its own surprise — a moment of learning, a spark of inspiration, and the happiness of reading together as a community.
Lotus Petal Foundation
Neetu Koranga, my mentor, didn’t hand me the answer—she offered scaffolding. Gentle nudges, reflective pauses, and space to explore helped me see that a good school isn’t defined by buildings or rankings, but by its soul—its people, its purpose, and its practices. She let me climb at my own pace, not rushing the learning, just guiding it. That’s where I found my first ‘D’—Direction.
Then came the voice behind the movement— Sandeep Dutt. A mentor, not in instruction but in inspiration. He didn’t just show the way; he walked with me. From helping shape my first student post to allowing me the space to correct, create, and eventually lead, he helped me tap into my second ‘D’—Dream.
And when I stumbled, as learners often do, it was the fire within—the silent push to continue—that revealed my own Determination.
Together, these four pillars became my foundation. And like any good recipe, it wasn’t just one spice but the perfect blend that brought flavour to my journey.
To everyone who walked beside me in this journey, thank you for the patience, the belief, and the freedom to grow without limits. My Good School didn’t just change how I see education—it changed how I see myself.
Chasing questions, catching sparks — Manisha Khanna
Good morning and Jai Hind dear readers,
I am Aayush Kumar Singh of Class 10-A, and this is my reflection on the session organised by My Good School.
So, last Sunday, June 8th, was an excellent session! We kicked things off by chatting about everyone's holiday plans and catching up on personal matters. Then, we dove into a website called The Joy of Learning, which got us thinking about why it's so great to continue learning throughout our lives.
We spent a considerable amount of time going through a chapter about Carl and Sabine Gruber, really delving into their story and relationship. And to wrap things up, Manisha Khanna Ma'am led this fantastic, interactive session with riddles that got our brains really working!
Essentially, the key takeaways centred on personal growth, continuous learning, and finding happiness in viewing things from diverse perspectives. Everyone was encouraged to try out new skills, pick up some books, and just stay curious over their holidays. It was a really inspiring meeting!
Good day and Jai Hind
