My Good School 15th March 2026

Sunday School 

To discuss student reflections and read from two books, focusing on character decisions.

Key Takeaways

• The Power of Reflection: Reading student reflections on past sessions (e.g., Kartik’s review writing) demonstrated how writing solidifies learning and inspires others (e.g., interest in Atomic Habits).

• Principle vs. Pragmatism: A 10-yen expense dispute in What You’re Looking For... highlighted a conflict between Ryo’s strict adherence to principle and Ms Yoshitaka’s pragmatic view of a minor error.

• Managing Stress: Ryo’s failure to communicate his work stress to Hina led to a personal conflict. The group discussed strategies for separating professional and personal life, such as making a plan to tackle problems.

• School Environment: A discussion on The Whistling School Boy concluded that a mix of indoor and outdoor learning is ideal for holistic development, combining academic focus with nature-based exploration.

Topics

Reflection Review & Program Overview

• Student reflections from previous sessions were read to illustrate the program’s value in reinforcing learning and improving written communication.

• Key Themes:

  • Curiosity and observation in nature.

  • The impact of small, consistent habits (Atomic Habits).

  • Essential elements of review writing.

  • Communication skills (body language, listening, confidence).

• Program Pillars: Reading, Reflection, and Relationship Building.

• YES Program: Monthly Youth Engaging Society sessions on communication skills.

  • Next sessions: March 29 and April 12.

Book 1: What You’re Looking For Is in the Library

• Context: Ryo, an accounts clerk, dreams of opening an antique shop but feels stuck in a job he dislikes.

• Conflict 1: Principle vs. Pragmatism

  • Ryo found a 10-yen discrepancy on an expense report.

  • Ms Yoshitaka dismissed it as an "easy” amount not worth the trouble.

  • Ryo insisted on accuracy, regardless of the sum.

  • Outcome: Ms Yoshitaka filed a false power-harassment complaint, threatening RRyo’s job.

• Conflict 2: Professional Stress Affects Personal Life

  • Ryo, overwhelmed by the complaint, failed to communicate his stress to Hina.

  • He lashed out at her for her successful online shop, dismissing it as a “hobby.”

  • Outcome: Hina left, leaving Ryo feeling “so low.”

• Group Discussion → Managing Stress

  • Problem: Carrying work stress home.

  • Solutions:

    • Talk to a trusted person (e.g., Hina).

    • Divert the mind temporarily to allow logic to take over.

    • Make a concrete plan to tackle the issue.

    • Focus on the present moment.

Book 2: The Whistling School Boy and Anir Kahania

• Context: A school in a remote, hilly village.

• Discussion → Ideal School Environment

  • Question: Should school be indoors or outdoors?

  • Conclusion: A mix of both is ideal for holistic development.

    • Indoors: Academic focus, protection from weather, and technology.

    • Outdoors: Connection to nature, fresh air, exploration, fun.

• Plot Summary:

  • The village is abuzz with news of a leopard sighting.

  • A teacher, Shri Man Mani, goes missing, causing panic.

  • Resolution: Shri Man Mani returns, having simply gotten lost. The “leopard attack” was a false assumption, a key example of irony.

  • Subplot: Shri Man Mani is stressed by a new, younger teacher (Tania Romola) being assigned to a senior class. This stress manifests as forgetfulness and “stress eating.”

  • Climax: On the walk home, the children are warned by the postman to hurry because of the leopard. This fear causes Sonu to forget his foot pain, highlighting the power of external threats to override personal discomfort.

Next Steps

• All Students:

  • Write and submit reflections on today’s session.

  • Consider presenting a book review or a creative work (drawing or interview) in a future session.

• PYDS Students:

  • Send a group photo to Manisha Khanna.

• Jugjiv Singh:

  • Continue reading What You’re Looking For Is in the Library next week.

• Manisha Khanna:

  • Continue reading The Whistling School Boy and Anir Kahania next week.

    
    

    FATHOM-AI-generated content, please read with care.

Curiosity, Habits, and Learning: Reflections from the Good School Session - Sunbeam School Ballia

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.

Overall, today’s session was not just about reading a chapter, but about learning how curiosity, habits, and physical well-being together shape a better lifestyle and a stronger personality.
Akanksha Rai

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.

Overall, the session was amazing and very interesting.
Ishika Singh

Learning Through Curiosity and Reflection - PYDS Learning Academy

 

MGS Reflection 

Students participated in an engaging Good School session that combined reading, discussion, and reflection. The session encouraged students to observe nature closely and understand how curiosity and patience can turn small discoveries into meaningful learning experiences. Students also shared different superstitions they had heard, which made the discussion lively and interactive. The session also included a thoughtful book review highlighting how small, consistent habits can lead to positive changes in life. A short quiz and an interesting story added to the excitement and kept everyone actively involved. Overall, the session inspired students to value curiosity, develop good habits, and maintain a healthy and disciplined lifestyle.

Exploring Nature and Beliefs: Reflections on “Sweet Spring” My Godd School Session- Lotus Petal Foundation

Today’s session was very educational and engaging. We read Chapter 6, “Sweet Spring”, from Gerald Durrell’s book, focusing on the meeting of Theodore Stefanides, his second important teacher after George.

Today’s session mainly focused on the following:

1. We discovered the fascinating trapdoor spider (Teniza) and learned how it creates silk-lined burrows with camouflage doors to catch its prey.

2. We understood that Theodore’s character is calm, patient, and knowledgeable. He treated young Gerald with respect and spoke to him as an equal despite the age difference.

Also, Bindra Ma’am asked us all to collect some superstitions:

1. Sneezing twice before leaving the house is considered bad luck.

2. An itchy left palm signifies losing money, while an itchy right palm means you will receive money.

3. Crows cawing near a house is believed to indicate that guests will arrive soon.

Special thanks go to all the teachers who gave us their precious time. I am grateful for today’s session and am looking forward to the next one.
Yuvraj Negi – Grade 5

Today’s session was very engaging. Today we dived into Chapter 6, “Sweet Spring”, from Gerald Durrell’s book and met Theodore Stefanides, Gerald’s teacher.

Highlights:

1. We discovered the interesting trapdoor spider (Teniza) and its amazing silk-lined burrows.

2. Theodore’s calm, patient, and knowledgeable nature was inspiring. He treated Gerald like an equal.

Bindra Ma’am also asked us to collect some superstitions, which made the session more interesting.

Examples include:

• Sneezing twice before leaving the house is considered bad luck.

• An itchy left palm means losing money, while an itchy right palm means gaining money.

• Crows cawing near the house means guests may arrive.

A big thank you to all the teachers for organising the session. I am grateful for today’s class and look forward to the next one.
Thank you.
Disha, 5A

Today’s session was truly amazing and full of excitement. We explored Chapter 6, “Sweet Spring”, from the book My Family and Other Animals by Gerald Durrell. In this chapter, we met the wonderful teacher Theodore Stefanides, who guided Gerald with patience and kindness. His calm nature and deep knowledge were truly inspiring. What made him special was the way he treated Gerald like an equal and encouraged his curiosity about nature.

One of the most fascinating things we learned about was the trapdoor spider (Teniza). It was incredible to discover how it builds a silk-lined burrow with a hidden trapdoor and patiently waits for its prey. Nature is truly full of wonders.

Another interesting part of the session was when Bindra Ma’am asked us to share different superstitions we know. That made the discussion enjoyable. Some examples were:

• Sneezing twice means bad luck.

• An itchy left palm means losing money, while an itchy right palm means getting money.

• When crows start cawing, it means guests might be arriving.

Overall, the session was engaging, fun, and full of learning. A big thank you to all our teachers for making the class lively and enjoyable. I am truly grateful for today’s session and already excited for the next one.
Thank you.
Aditya Yadav – 5/C 

"Sunday School" concept, emphasising curiosity and creativity without exams

My Good School Mar 8, 10:20 am, 1 hr 42 min

The discussion centred on the impact of exam-focused education systems, highlighting the stress and reduced instructional time they cause. Brinda and Jugjiv Singh shared experiences of residential school environments and the benefits of continuous assessment. The conversation shifted to the "Sunday School" concept, emphasizing curiosity and creativity without exams. They read a chapter from "The Treasure of the Spiders," discussing Gerald's interactions with Theodore, a biologist, and his fascination with trapdoor spiders. The session concluded with a quiz on reading habits and a presentation on "Atomic Habits," stressing the importance of small, consistent changes for building good habits. Manisha read a chapter in Hindi from Ruskin Bond’s The Whistling Schoolboy.

What You’re Looking For in the Library, and a Hindi story from, “The Whistling Schoolboy”

Sunday School of 1st March 2026

To read and discuss two books, focusing on themes of ambition and school life.

Key Takeaways

• Low Attendance Due to Exams: Final exams for classes 9 & 11 (home) and 10 & 12 (board) significantly reduced student attendance.

• Dual-Book Format: The session featured two books: a Japanese novel, What You’re Looking For in the Library, and a Hindi story, “The Whistling Schoolboy” from Kabhi Kabhi School Masti Ka Adda Lagta Tha.

• Core Themes: The English novel explored ambition vs. responsibility through protagonist Ryo’s dream of opening an antique shop. The Hindi story used humour to highlight the fun, non-academic parts of school life, like plays and food.

• “Parallel Career” Concept: A key idea from the English novel, a “parallel career” (coined by Peter Drucker), was introduced as a way to pursue two complementary careers without one being secondary.

Topics

Context: Low Attendance & New Participant

• Low student attendance was attributed to ongoing final exams across many schools.

• Shailaja from Holi Sai International School (Chennai, IGCSE) joined for the first time to observe the session.

• Jugjiv Singh provided an overview of the program’s goal: using books to spark dialogues on life skills and socio-emotional learning.

English Book: What You’re Looking For in the Library

• Recap: The session began by reading student blog reflections to recap the story.

  • Plot: Ryo, stuck in a finance job, dreams of opening an antique shop.

  • Librarian’s Role: Ms Komachi gives Ryo a book on worms and a felted cat, prompting him to discover a cat-themed bookshop, “Cats Now Books.”

• Reading & Discussion:

  • Ryo’s Work Stress: Ryo is burdened by his boss’s lack of software skills and an unmotivated assistant.

  • Hina’s Family Pressure: Hina’s parents see Ryo as a “steady chap” and hint at marriage, creating pressure that conflicts with his dream of running an antique shop.

  • “Parallel Career” Concept: Ryo learns this term from Peter Drucker, defined as two complementary careers in which neither is secondary.

Hindi Book: Ekanki Swang - Natak

• Pre-Reading Quiz: A quiz on “fun school moments” served as a warm-up, with students identifying activities like sharing jokes and playing during free periods as key to enjoyment.

• Reading: The story, read by Manisha Khanna, used humour to describe the author’s experiences at boarding school.

  • Plays: Rehearsals were a fun escape from mandatory study.

  • Food: The author would intentionally finish last in races to stop at a tikki/samosa stall, highlighting the importance of food in school life.

  • Library: The library was a favourite place, made lively by the senior master, Mr Knight.

• Discussion: The story sparked a discussion on the importance of food in boarding schools, with participants sharing anecdotes about hunger and the quality of school meals.

Program Calendar & Logistics

• Manisha Khanna shared the March calendar to provide context for new participants.

• Weekly Schedule:

  • Sundays: Dual book readings (English & Hindi).

  • Saturdays: Professional learning for teachers and a masterclass for students.

  • Fridays: “Brewing Knowledge” meet-and-greets with published authors.

• Upcoming Event: A retreat is scheduled for April 10–14 at Mayoor School Jaipur.

Next Steps

• Students: Write and submit reflections on the stories.

• Manisha Khanna: Publish student reflections on the program blog.

Learning to Write Book Reviews - Lotus Petal Foundation

In today’s session, Kartik Sir taught us how to write a book review. He explained that a good review should clearly explain what the book is about, including both facts (what actually happened in the book) and opinions (what we think about it). Sir told us that a review should not leave the reader confused and that it should help the reader understand the story better. We learned that facts and opinions are different, and our opinions should be expressed clearly without being mistaken for facts. This session helped me understand how to write my thoughts more confidently and clearly. I enjoyed learning and will use these tips in future writing.

Thank you 😊
Akrit Tiwari – 5C

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Today’s session with Kartik Sir was very interesting. He taught us how to write a book review. We learned that while writing a review, we should be careful that the reader does not get confused about what is fact and what is our opinion. Sir told us that a good review contains both a clear summary of the book and our honest views about it. We also learned how to confidently express our opinions without confusing them with facts. This session was very helpful and enjoyable, and I learned how to write better feedback on stories.

Thanks ✨
Disha – 5A

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In today’s session, Kartik Sir explained how to write a book review correctly. He told us that when writing a review, we should be clear so that the reader does not misunderstand our writing. We learned the difference between fact and opinion — facts are information from the book, and opinions are our personal ideas about it. Sir also encouraged us to express our thoughts confidently in the review. The session was fun and useful, and it helped me understand how to think and write more clearly.

Thanks 😊
Vansh – 5C

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Today’s session with Kartik Sir was very informative. He explained how to write a proper book review. I learned that a book review is not just about saying whether we liked the book or not, but also about explaining why. Sir told us that we must clearly separate facts from opinions so that the reader does not get confused. Facts are true details from the book, while opinions are our personal thoughts. This session helped me understand how to think carefully before writing. I really enjoyed learning this new skill.

Aditya Yadav – 5C

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In today’s session, we learned about writing book reviews. Kartik Sir guided us step by step and told us that a good review should have a short summary of the story and our honest opinion about it. He also explained that there should not be any ambiguity in our writing. Readers should clearly understand what fact is and what opinion is. I learned that expressing opinions confidently is important, but we should not present them as facts. This session improved my writing skills and confidence.

Adarsh – 5B

GSA Reflections – 15th Feb

Today’s session was very knowledgeable and interesting. Brinda Ma’am read a chapter from My Family and Other Animals titled “A Treasure of Spiders.” The story is about a boy named Gerald who lives in Corfu, Greece. He goes swimming with his dog Roger in a beautiful bay. After swimming, he feels hungry and decides to visit Yanni, an old shepherd. Gerald cleverly wakes Yanni by making his dog bark.

Yanni warmly welcomes him and offers him food and wine. He shows Gerald a scorpion preserved in olive oil and explains that the oil can be used as a remedy for scorpion stings. He also shares a frightening story about a shepherd who died due to a scorpion sting in his ear. The chapter encourages critical thinking as Gerald observes nature and reflects on Yanni’s traditional beliefs about scorpions.

After that, Manisha Ma’am read a Hindi story titled “Shimla Mein Khel Ka Maidan.” The story is about a boy’s experiences in a boarding school in Shimla. It describes the house system and mentions a character named Moni Baba. The narrator talks about his school life and playing football as a goalkeeper.

Thank you 😊
Aditya Yadav – 5C

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Today’s session was very knowledgeable and engaging. Brinda Ma’am read a chapter from My Family and Other Animals titled “A Treasure of Spiders.” The story describes Gerald’s life in Corfu. After swimming with his dog, Roger, he visits an old shepherd named Yanni, who warmly welcomes him and offers him food. Yanni shows Gerald a preserved scorpion in olive oil and explains its medicinal uses. The story also promotes critical thinking, as Gerald balances folklore with observation and reasoning.

Later, Manisha Ma’am read the Hindi story “Shimla Mein Khel Ka Maidan.” It talks about a boy’s boarding school life in Shimla, the house system, and his experience as a football goalkeeper. The story highlights teamwork and discipline.

Thank you 😊
Disha – 5A

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Today’s session was very interesting and enjoyable. Brinda Ma’am read the chapter “A Treasure of Spiders.” Gerald explores life in Corfu, Greece. After swimming with his dog Roger, he visits Yanni, an old shepherd, who warmly welcomes him. Yanni shows him a scorpion preserved in olive oil and explains how it is used as a remedy. He also shares a frightening story that made the chapter memorable.

Later, Manisha Ma’am read the Hindi story “Shimla Mein Khel Ka Maidan.” It described a boy’s boarding school life in Shimla, the house system, and his experience playing football as a goalkeeper. The story highlighted teamwork and discipline.
Overall, the session was fun and helped us learn through stories. 

😊
Adarsh – 5B

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Today’s session was very interesting and enjoyable. Brinda Ma’am read the chapter “A Treasure of Spiders.” After swimming with his dog Roger, Gerald visits an old shepherd named Yanni, who warmly welcomes him. Yanni shows him a scorpion preserved in olive oil and explains how it is used as a remedy. He also shares a frightening story that made the chapter memorable.

Then Manisha Ma’am read the Hindi story “Shimla Mein Khel Ka Maidan.” It discusses life in a boarding school in Shimla, the house system, and the narrator’s experience playing football as a goalkeeper. The story emphasised teamwork and discipline.
Thank you 😊

Akrit Tiwari – 5C

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Today’s session was very interesting and enjoyable. Brinda Ma’am read the chapter “A Treasure of Spiders.” After swimming with his dog Roger, Gerald visits an old shepherd named Yanni, who warmly welcomes him. Yanni shows him a scorpion preserved in olive oil and explains how it is used as a remedy. He also shares a frightening story, which made the chapter memorable.

Then Manisha Ma’am read the Hindi story “Shimla Mein Khel Ka Maidan,” which is about life in a boarding school in Shimla.

Thank you.
Vansh – 5C

Reflections on Dreams, Learning, and Meaningful Teaching- Sunbeam School Ballia

This write-up thoughtfully presents the narrator's inner feelings and struggles in a simple yet meaningful way. It shows how he feels stressed while dealing with people at his office job, even though he was lucky to get his first-choice posting. His true dream is to open his own antique shop, where he can live peacefully and do what he loves. However, due to financial problems and lack of time, he feels stuck in his present situation. This part beautifully reflects the reality of many people who have dreams but feel trapped by responsibilities.

The second part introduces Hina, his girlfriend, and shows a warm family interaction. When he visits her house, her mother welcomes him kindly and invites him for dinner. This shows respect, hospitality, and family values. It also contrasts his stressful office life with a more caring and homely environment.

Overall, this write-up teaches us about ambition, responsibility, and the importance of human relationships. It reminds us that while life may feel difficult at times, kindness and support from loved ones give comfort and hope.

Chirag, Class V

Today I attended a session at my school where Sir read the story "What You Are Searching For Is in the Library." We had a thoughtful discussion inspired by the story, touching on ideas from Japanese culture and the concept of minimalism. It wasn’t only about lifestyles, but about reflecting on choices, perspectives, and the meaning behind everyday actions.

The session was engaging and enjoyable, and listening to different viewpoints made it even more interesting. Overall, it was a meaningful experience that gave me something new to think about.

Ishika Singh, 9th A

In today’s session, Mr Jugiv Singh Sir first introduced a very famous personality, Mr Kartik Sir. He told us about communication. Some of the important points about communication are:

1. Balance

2. Honesty

He wants to teach us the format of writing. He always shares information in a fun way, which helps both students and teachers.

This session with Mr Kartik Sir was very interactive and interesting, and I enjoyed it a lot.

The next session with Mr Jugiv Singh Sir was also interactive and enjoyable, as he read the story "What You Are Searching For Is in the Library." It was a very curious and suspenseful story. This session was very knowledgeable and informative.

Remember, this class is not just about reading; it is more about learning informative things in a fun and beautiful way.

Thank you

Talat Bano, 5C