Good Schools of India
Joy of Learning Weekly | Wednesday #16
Syed Junaid Altaf Bukhari, President DSOBS
" The Doon School Old Boys' Society partners with the Good Schools Alliance. The Society envisions building a meritocratic India and champions an aristocracy of service, not privilege and entitlement. We strive to provide our students with the best possible education by creating an environment that fosters learning, growth, and personal development." #JoyOfGiving
Special Projects
#JoyOfGiving
GSA Special Projects fosters a vibrant atmosphere of service and generosity in our partner schools. The Doon School Old Boys’ Society, along with the Good Schools Alliance, is deeply committed to enhancing education, healthcare, and community well-being. By supporting organisations that promote positive change, we aim to uplift and empower those in need. Together, we can create a transformative impact that genuinely inspires meaningful growth!
Lotus Petal Foundation has over 11 years of grassroots-level expertise in addressing challenges faced by underprivileged children and transforming their lives through education, nutrition, skill development, and livelihood support. The Foundation focuses on the holistic development of children, thereby preparing them to integrate into mainstream society and have a lasting impact on the lives of both students and their families.
My Good School
On Sunday the 8th of June 2025, we began with discussions about solitude, community, and lifelong learning, drawing on insights from a masterclass on activation and retention, as well as personal experiences of growth and development during the holidays. The group explored various books and characters, discussing themes of vulnerability, time management, and the impact of death on personal reflection. This included a session on learning approaches and the importance of spreading happiness through various activities and experiences.
Manisha discussed the importance of spreading happiness and motivated others by sharing stories about Walt Disney and his significant contributions to animation and the amusement park industry. She emphasised the role of joy in boosting energy levels and recovery chances, especially in hospitals. The group also discussed the benefits of picnics and school excursions in fostering togetherness and happiness among students.
Chaplin's Modern Times Discussion The meeting focused on a discussion about Charlie Chaplin's film "Modern Times," which was shown and explained by Jugjiv. Manisha emphasised the importance of reflecting on the session and requested attendees to send their takeaways to her.
It was announced that next week, there will be a meet-and-greet with Karthik Bajorya, followed by a TED Talk, as a follow-up to the previous session on iKigai Workshop. The conversation ended with Manisha reminding everyone to join the next session at 10:30 sharp.
The Power of Retention
Book Discussion | Masterclass with Sandeep Dutt Chapter 3 – Activation From Productive Failure by Manu Kapur. Is all activation equally effective?
In our previous session, we explored the power of activating relevant prior knowledge—a key to making learning more effective and lasting. This Saturday, we dive deeper to understand why not all forms of activation are equal and how thoughtful activation can shape powerful learning experiences. The session was centred on reviewing educational research findings and experimental studies related to learning strategies. Key discussions included concepts such as productive failure, the generation effect, and desirable difficulties in the learning process. Sandeep presented various experiments and examples illustrating how different learning approaches and conditions can influence student performance and memory retention, particularly through hands-on activities and pre-testing methods. The session concluded with conversations about professional development for teachers, highlighting the importance of ongoing reading and continuous learning through various educational resources and weekly activities.
Decision-Making in Education and Life
Brewing Knowledge Fridays (06/06/2025): The group explored the importance of decision-making in education and personal growth, emphasising that good education empowers individuals to make their own choices while considering various factors. The session concluded with discussions about school leadership, governance, and the "My Good School" curriculum, including the evolution of educational content delivery and the importance of building trust and relationships. Sandeep discusses the importance of decision-making in education and personal growth. He emphasises that the ability to make decisions is best developed through experience and taking risks, and that individuals should listen to their inner voice rather than relying solely on external advice. He states that good education should empower people to make their own decisions, considering both pros and cons, and recognising that each moment is unique for every individual.
Journeys in Nature and Life
Thoughtful Thursdays, June 5, 2025: The group then explored poetry, watercolour samples, and music related to primitivism. The session concluded with presentations about the nature of poetry and art composition, followed by discussions on primitivism in art and music, and it ended with a poem interpreted as a metaphor for their artistic journey.
Books of The Week
Wafadari Imaandari Zimmedari (A must-read for anyone navigating life’s challenges, striving to succeed in their work or seeking to overcome difficulties in their daily lives): War-room to Board-room by Lt. Gen. K J S 'Tiny' Dhillon
Joy of Learning Timetable
Joy of Learning Weekly releases on Wednesday at 7:00 AM.
Weekly Staff Meeting on Wednesday at 5:30 PM.
The Teacher's Academy on Zoom from 5:30 PM to 6.15 PM
Brewing Knowledge Friday: Book Reading Session.
Saturday Masterclass for Professional Learning Program for Teachers
My Good School on Zoom from 10:30 AM to 12.30 PM
Sunday: Open to students and teachers.