My Good School, Sunday the 6th July 2025

Weekly "My Good School" session focused on reading, reflection, and personal growth for students.

Key Takeaways

1. Discussed the importance of resilience and a positive mindset when facing challenges, using Steve Jobs' life story as an example
2. Explored the value of reflection vs. note-taking for deeper learning and personal growth
3. Introduced internship opportunities for students to gain practical business experience
4. Emphasised the importance of focused reading and listening for developing intelligence and leadership skills

Topics

Book Discussion: "The Door-to-Door Bookstore"

• Continued reading Chapter 5, focusing on characters Carl and Schascha
• Explored themes of friendship, misunderstandings, and helping others overcome challenges
• Discussed how Carl and Mrs Longstocking devised a plan to help Hercules learn to read

Personal Growth and Resilience

• Examined Steve Jobs' life story as an example of overcoming setbacks and persevering
• Discussed the concept of "blessing in disguise" - how apparent setbacks can lead to positive outcomes
• Encouraged students to develop a growth mindset and view challenges as opportunities for learning

Reflection vs. Note-taking

• Explained the difference between taking notes (recording information) and reflection (processing and applying information)
• Encouraged students to practice reflection to deepen their understanding and personal growth
• Introduced the Joy of Learning Diaries as a platform for sharing reflections

Internship Program

• Announced internship opportunities for students to gain practical business experience
• Explained the program structure: weekly meetings, hands-on projects, exposure to business operations
• Discussed fees and scholarship options for eligible schools

Additional Learning Opportunities

• Introduced "Brewing Knowledge" Friday evening book reading sessions
• Highlighted the importance of focused reading and listening for developing intelligence

Next Steps

• Students are encouraged to write reflections on the session and share them on the Joy of Learning Diaries.
• Interested students should explore the internship application process on schooleducation.com
• Participants are invited to join Friday evening "Brewing Knowledge" sessions for additional reading practice.
• Next week's session will follow a similar format, combining reading and reflection. 

Understanding - Arfa Khan

Understanding is something without which you can’t be a better human being. It is the first step to becoming more sympathetic and caring to others. To have better relationships, you need to understand the other person. Understanding the other person’s feelings and perspective is fundamental for developing our emotional intelligence (EQ). It is essential to understand other people because it helps us respond appropriately. 

We have experienced a lack of understanding at some point in our lives and had its effects play on us later, like arguing with our parents, friends, etc. We all want to be understood, but most of the time, our expectations aren’t met; that’s because it’s rare that anyone understands others, and that is mainly because it takes effort and energy to understand people, but that doesn’t mean we shouldn’t. 

If we don’t understand one another, then we continue to have our beliefs as our priority, have regular fights, and have no problems getting solved. Misunderstanding is also very dangerous; it leads to hatred, which is very nasty.

Misunderstandings ruin relationships no matter how strong they are; a relationship that takes time can be destroyed by just one misunderstanding. To avoid that, we simply need to listen and not judge quickly. 

Understanding is vital and sometimes complex if it’s something new to you, but listening is the most straightforward way to start.

Arfa Khan
8-A
Ahlcon Public School
Image source: https://res.cloudinary.com/people-matters/image/upload/q_auto,f_auto/v1503295189/1503295188.jpg