Reflecting Hearts, Growing Minds - PYDS Learning Academy

 

PYDS Reflections.pdf posted by Manisha Khanna, GSA Principal

The children are thrilled to attend Sunday School. Each week, they look forward to the stories and lessons that spark their curiosity and joy. But what they love most is the time they spend in quiet reflection, thinking deeply about what they've learned and how it touches their lives.

This habit of introspection isn't just meaningful—it's powerful. It helps them understand themselves and the world around them. Reflection makes them more thoughtful, responsible, and aware. In fact, it shapes them into better students, not just of books, but of life.

Hearts That Share & Minds That Grow - Lotus Petals Foundation

Hearts That Share & Minds That Grow by Lotus Petal Foundation (Special Project of the Good Schools Alliance)

The students of Lotus Petals Foundation eagerly look forward to Sundays, as it's their special time for reflection and joy. They cherish this quiet moment where thoughts are shared, feelings are expressed, and learnings are celebrated. For them, Sunday reflections are not just about looking back, but also about dreaming ahead. They love the warmth, the stories, and the sense of togetherness it brings, making it the most awaited part of their week.

Guided to Grow: A Journey Through Mentorship and Meaningful Learning - Aayush Kumar Singh

Here’s what Manisha Khanna shared—check it out!

https://www.joyoflearningdiaries.com/2025/07/drive-force-behind-success-manisha.html

This is a truly inspiring reflection, and I’m Aayush Kumar Singh, Class 10 A, Sunbeam School Ballia, writing this after attending the session by Mrs. Manisha Khanna Ma’am!

It all starts with a simple yet profound thought: What truly makes a school good?

Manisha Ma’am’s journey beautifully illustrates that understanding isn’t just about getting answers handed to you—it's about the incredible process of figuring things out for yourself, especially when you have wonderful guides.

Finding Direction with Gentle Nudges

It’s clear how important Neetu Koranga Ma’am was in helping Manisha Ma’am find her initial direction. Instead of just giving answers, she offered “scaffolding”—a beautiful way to describe how a mentor enables you too to build your own understanding step by step. This really hits home: true guidance is about empowering someone to discover their own path, rather than simply telling them where to go. It’s like being given a compass and the confidence to use it, not just a pre-drawn map.

The Spark of a Dream

Then came Sandeep Dutt Sir, who helped Manisha Ma’am tap into her dream. It’s so inspiring to see how a mentor can spark something within you, not just by showing the way, but by truly walking alongside you. Giving Manisha Ma’am the freedom to correct, create, and eventually lead shows immense trust. And that trust is crucial for a dream to truly take root and flourish. It’s about being trusted to grow, to try, and even to stumble, knowing there’s support every step of the way.

Thank you and Jai Hind!

Aayush Kumar Singh

Sunbeam School, Ballia

DRIVE: The Force Behind Success - Manisha Khanna

“From First Steps to Full Circle: A Journey Rooted in DRIVE”

It began with a question: What truly makes a school good?

I didn’t have the answer then, but I had curiosity. And sometimes, that’s enough to begin.

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.

The rest followed like ingredients into a simmering pot:

From designing graphics, writing reflections, to conducting a session in Hindi for students on a Sunday—it wasn't just learning, it was living the learning. Each effort, every retry, every Sunday spent refining my thoughts taught me the value of Dedication.

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.

“When You Dare to Dream, Direction Finds You—And Drive Takes You Further.”

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

Understanding Puberty: Navigating Change with Awareness and Empathy - Vishakha Singh

Good morning & Jai Hind,

Today's session was really very important, especially for our students. It discussed the changes that occur during puberty and their longer-term impact.

Sharing my opinion & reflection related to today's session:

The session on puberty and the changes that occur during it was both informative and eye-opening. It provided a safe space to learn and discuss the physical, emotional, and social changes that occur during this crucial stage of development. Understanding these changes helps reduce confusion and fear, especially as many young people experience them for the first time.

One key takeaway was learning how puberty can affect friendships. As we grow and change, our interests, moods, and the way we relate to others can shift. Sometimes, friends might grow apart or misunderstand each other due to emotional ups and downs or different paces of development. However, learning about these changes can help us become more patient and understanding with our friends, strengthening those relationships instead of losing them.

The session also helped highlight the importance of emotions during puberty. Emotions can become stronger or more unpredictable due to hormonal changes. Learning to recognize and manage emotions, especially through open communication and self-care, is crucial for maintaining mental well-being. It was helpful to know that feeling overwhelmed or confused at times is completely normal.

I also explored the meaning of happy emotions, such as joy, excitement, and contentment. These emotions are important because they help us build positive relationships, motivate us to achieve goals, and give us a sense of purpose and connection. Understanding that it’s okay to experience a range of emotions, including happy and difficult ones, can make this stage of life easier to handle.

Overall, the session was valuable in helping us understand ourselves and each other better during puberty. It reminded us that we are not alone in our experiences and that emotional and social support are essential during this time of growth.

Thank you.

Regards,

Vishakha Singh

Educator

Sunbeam School Ballia

Embracing Change: Understanding Puberty with Confidence and Respect - Astha Mishra

The session on puberty was very informative and eye-opening. It helped me understand the changes that happen in our body and mind as we grow from children into teenagers. It also taught me the importance of involving an adult whenever we make any important decision.

Overall, the session helped me feel more confident and less awkward about this stage of life. It also taught me to be respectful and understanding toward others who are also going through these changes. I now see puberty not as something to be scared or ashamed of, but as a natural and important step in becoming a responsible and mature individual.

~Astha Mishra

Class IX

Sunbeam School, Ballia

Beyond Ordinary: The Century School’s Chronicle of Inner Light

Each person is born with special qualities that make them different from others. The foremost step to discovering one’s uniqueness is self-awareness. One has to observe what they enjoy doing the most—whether it’s a talent, a skill, or a hobby. Feedback also plays a crucial role in discovering one’s uniqueness.

Sometimes, this journey becomes difficult due to fear, lack of awareness, or parental pressure. It may be the fear of judgment or the feeling of not being “good enough.”

In the journey of discovering your uniqueness, don’t forget—never compare yourself with anyone. Be honest, curious, and confident. The real talent lies within, and the key to unlocking it is to believe in yourself and move forward with courage.

Anshika Sharma

The Century School, Karnal

—-

Kartik Bajoria shared how everyone possesses something unique and explained how he discovered his own. He is right in saying that instead of trying to fit in, one must embrace their differences.

His message is a powerful life lesson—that one’s uniqueness is not a flaw but a strength that leads to the true path of life.

Pranit Batra

The Century School, Karnal

Looking Back: Reflecting on the Journey - Sunbeam School Lahartara

At  Sunbeam School, Lahartara, we believe that  true learning begins when students pause to reflect. Reflection transforms experiences into insight, moments into meaning, and interactions into personal growth. Our recent  Meet and Greet session with Mr. Kartik Bajoria—a celebrated  coach and mentor—was not just an event; it was a mirror held up to every student’s thoughts, expressions, and aspirations. His words didn’t merely inform—they inspired, provoked questions, and awakened self-awareness. After the session, students took time to write, discuss, and share their reflections. This deliberate act of looking inward helped them:  Recognise how communication shapes confidence.  Acknowledge their own strengths and fears.  Connect what they heard to who they are becoming. Each reflection was a beam of light—unique, honest, and glowing with possibility. At Sunbeam, we don’t just teach students what to think; we nurture how they think. And through reflection, they grow not just smarter—but wiser, kinder, and more self-aware. 

Shining Through: Sunbeam School Lahartara

 

Through the Sunbeam Lens: My Learning and Growth by Manisha Khanna 

Learning doesn't end when the lesson is over—it continues when we take a moment to pause and reflect. At Sunbeam School, reflection has become a powerful tool in helping us connect with what we've learned, how we've learned, and who we've become through the process. By reflecting on our past experiences, successes, and even failures, we gain clarity, insight, and direction for the future. Reflection allows us to understand not just the what, but the why behind our learning. It turns information into wisdom and routine into purpose. Whether it's a class project, a group activity, or a personal challenge, reflecting helps us recognise our growth and identify where we can improve. In doing so, we become more mindful learners—more thoughtful, confident, and self-aware.

Through Our Eyes: Sunbeam School Lahartara

 

Shining Within: Insights from Sunbeam Learners by Manisha Khanna

At Sunbeam School Lahartara, every reflection is a step toward self-awareness and growth. As our students pause to look back on their experiences, they are not just recounting events—they are learning to understand themselves, their emotions, and their journey. With each thoughtful word, they demonstrate how reflection helps shape responsible, empathetic, and mindful individuals.

It is truly heart-warming to see how wonderfully our students have captured their thoughts, turning everyday moments into meaningful insights. Their reflections speak of curiosity, learning, challenges, and triumphs—woven together with sincerity and depth. This process of thinking, feeling, and expressing is not only helping them grow as learners but also as thoughtful human beings.

My pen's view on nature - Yashraj Sharma

                                                     

A big part of who we are or how we are recognised is the company we stay in, which means the type of people we are surrounded by.  

Mother nature is also filled with examples like this, like this picture I took today at the Pradhan Mantri Sanghralaya. Let me tell you the 2 ideas I came up with when I first saw this picture.

First, I thought that the part of the tree with the concrete wall in its background is the stage in a person's life when they have a fixed, enclosed and rigid mindset. But the part of the tree with the other trees in its background is part of a person's life when they are mixed with people with positive vibes and a "growth" mindset open to new thoughts and suggestions. This thought about the different perspectives of people depicted in this picture came to me from the 'My Guide Inside' session on Friday.

The second utterly different idea I came up with was that when the tree had the concrete wall in its background, it is the stage in a person's life when they sometimes get mixed in "negative" company. But the part of the photo where the tree has other lush green trees in its background. That is the stage when a person slowly progresses to be surrounded by people with positive feelings, thoughts, discussions and ideas.

These precious teachings and skills to live life to the fullest, provided by nature, are everywhere, just sitting in the landscape waiting to be discovered….

Yashraj Sharma

Grade: IX

Gyanshree School, Noida

Honesty - Arav Agarwal

Honesty for me means being authentic and being who I am.

Whenever I feel that I should not tell the truth, I just ask myself, do I want to live peacefully or in fear. If we say a lie, we feel regret, and then our minds cannot live peacefully. Being honest has helped me get many opportunities for my growth because of my teachers, coaches, friends, and parents' trust and confidence in me. I also get a good feeling and calmness in my mind by being honest.

I have listened to many stories on honesty since my childhood and many parents' experiences where being honest has helped them in life. Even my experience of being open and getting appreciation from my teachers and parents has made me more confident and courageous to always be truthful and honest in life.

So, we should always keep in mind that practising honesty will take us ahead in the future. By being honest, we are only being true to ourselves.

Name: Arav Agarwal
Grade: 5C
Billabong High International School, Thane