Integration with Community

Nurturing Global Citizens GIIS BALESTIER YEARBOOK 2014–2015

GIIS BALESTIER CAMPUS, SINGAPORE | Year 2014–2015 27 Integration with Community

On a journey of 29 excellence with Singapore

Sports 30 Highlights Global Schools Foundation (Worldwide) 2014

PRESIDIUM OF PATRONS Dr Justice C S Dharmadhikari Prof MGK Menon Dr Karan Singh Editorial Team Mr N R Narayana Murthy Dr Hari N Harilela ADVISOR Ms Sheela Karia Mr Basdeo Panday LITERARY EDITORS Ms Swagata Chakraborthy FOUNDING PRESIDENT Late Dr L M Singhvi Ms Srividya Thyagarajan Ms Gunjeet Kaur Narang FOUNDING PATRON Late Dr Abid Hussain Ms Jyothi Joshi CO-FOUNDER AND PRESIDENT Mr Chandrakant Borde Ms Jaya Harish Mehta Ms Archana Sharma VICE PRESIDENT Mr Inderjit Singh (MP) Ms Suganthi Angelin Mary

CO-FOUNDER AND CHAIRMAN Mr Atul Temurnikar Photography Ms Sangitha Singh

COO and Regional Director, Mr Kamal Gupta GIIS COMMUNICATIONS Ms Parul Trivedi-Shah Middle East & Africa Ms Sneha Ghosh

Deputy CEO Mr Kaustubh Bodhankar DESIGNER Mr Jiang Ling GOVERNING BOARD Mr Subodh Gore Mr Maneesh Tripathi Mr Sudan Wargantiwar

ADVISORY BOARD – INTERNATIONAL Sir J K Chande Dr F C Kohli Mr Arjun Malhotra Ms Shabana Azmi Mr Ashok Soota Ms Nandini Prasad

ADVISORY BOARD – JAPAN Mr Aftab Seth Mr Masahiko Kaji

ADVISORY BOARD – SINGAPORE Mr Boon Yoon Chiang Mr Karan Singh Thakral Ms Kirtida Mekani

ADVISORY BOARD – INDIA Mr R Sundar Lt Gen (Retd) Sudhir Sharma

ADVISORY BOARD – THAILAND H E Mr Prapat Panyachartrak

ADVISORY BOARD – VIETNAM Mr N Kumar

ADVISORY BOARD – MALAYSIA Tan Sri Dato’ Mohd Hussin Bin Abd Hamid (Chairman) Dato’ Sri Abdul Hamidy Abdul Hafiz Dato’ Derrick Fernandez FCA Datuk Lean Meng Seong Mr Ralph Marshal Datuk Dr Denison Jayasooria

ADVISORY BOARD – ACADEMICS Mr Laurie Ince Prof Marmar Mukhopadhyay Dr M P Chhaya Prof Mukul Asher

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Global Indian International School | CPE Reg No: 200912349N | Validity: 25 Feb 2011 to 24 Feb 2015 Contents Messages 04 Teachers’ Speak 06 Annual Report 09

Students’ Creative Sphere 35 Photo Finish 83

www.giissingapore.org Message

IIS endures to bring quality students’ well-rounded development. education to the students We provided every student an equal around the world. Its broad opportunity to build up on their Geducation landscape strengths and sharpen their abilities and encompasses diverse curricula, skills. aptitudes and cultures for students. With an established educational It is indeed reassuring to see our system of more than 10 years, growing student body, strengthening its GIIS has been recognized with 39 worth year after year, and contributing national and international awards. towards building a stronger community Such significant accreditations, are through educational, entrepreneurial, outstanding accomplishments that and intellectual initiatives, not just at the assure GIIS parents of our, commitment grassroots level but also internationally. to quality education, system that GIIS students worldwide continue stands out and testaments for GIIS to make a mark in their journeys in teachers’ dedication towards continual various fields as they are provided improvement. This new academic with unmatched opportunities to year, GIIS will continue to spearhead Atul Temurnikar interact, learn and deliver in the and execute newer learning initiatives, Chairman & Co-founder highly competitive outside world. The Global Schools Foundation ensuring holistic development to make school’s Nine Gems ™ model lays a every child a winner! strong foundation and ensures our

cademics, at GIIS Singapore is ensure holistic development of each paramount and synonymous child. While at school, teachers make with the school’s learning sure that students, do not forego any Aideology. This year offered opportunity that the school provides prospect for strengthening academics, and produce worthy results. and providing an innovative learning environment. I am happy to share GIIS Singapore works closely that ‘Academics’ continues to be our with academic experts, regulatory strength along with the unmatched enforcement bodies and the parent global learning platforms obtainable at community to build sustainable GIIS that form an integral part of the relationships and map the progress. learning journey of every student. “How are GIIS students and parents benefitting in return for these best Through our regular communication practice processes and how do we channels whether its GIIS news know if it is effective?” portal – Global Schools News or GSN, Rajiv Vasudeva myGIIS, Social Media, or Monthly Assessment has become a major Country Director (Singapore) Newsletters, GIIS has re-established motivation for educators today and is GIIS the fact that our students and widely accepted to determine learning Learning outcome assessment has parents play a key role in the school’s and skill acquisition. Before any become the basis for determining educational development. Redefining meaningful reform can be undertaken, institutional effectiveness. Objective learning outcomes, advancement and there needs to be assurance that the learning tools such as STEM (Science, adaptability in classroom technology present processes in the education Technology, and Engineering & Math) and implementation of learning tools system are not too slack or difficult. programme, HeyMath programme fortify has kept the academic rigour alive at And accreditation is important to the GIIS Nine Gems™ model will be GIIS. create benchmarks and a steadiness some of the new initiatives for the new GIIS believes in empowering teachers. for improvement of our product and academic year in 2015. Our educational Coupled with traditional principles and service. Recently, GIIS East Coast model – ‘Schools that Learn’ transforms equipped with latest technological Campus received the IMC Ramkrishna standardized learning outcomes into advancements, teachers at GIIS Bajaj National Quality Award in the outcomes that make a positive impact distinguish themselves with several Overseas Category, notching a high on the cognitive and social well-being of classroom management initiatives to score of 900/1000. students.

4 FOOTPRINTS | GIIS Balestier Campus s GIIS Balestier Campus GIIS Balestier Campus students are enters into its eighth year happy learners! The incessant and of inception since January irreplaceable efforts of our esteemed A2008, we witness a steady team of teachers and staff, who share sustainable growth across the campus. a bond of friendship, trust and a mutual understanding with their students GIIS Balestier Campus offers the has led the campus to offer a unique specialized Global Montessori Plus learning environment. Students are Program (GMP) and the versatile and comfortable with the level of mutual well-structured CBSE International understanding, and the instinct of (CBSE-i) curriculum from classes 1 to mentorship that they encounter with 6. Imparted by a strong, well-trained teacher. Cohesively bound with the GIIS teaching faculty and staff, both curricula culture, they grow up to be confident are delivered across segments using and interactive communicators who the innovative award-winning tool of have the ability to adapt to diverse Nine Gems™ model which takes care of environs. the holistic development of every child. Sheela Karia This skill based learning is structured Apart from the arduous emphasis on Principal and delivered through techniques like academics, as the focus is on primary GIIS Balestier Campus classroom activities, group or individual levels, the school commands an open, projects and enquiry based learning. creative, affectionate yet disciplined Students are also engaged in ICT environment. This allows our students, programs like Hey Math, Encyclopaedia the freedom to express, enjoy and Britannica and STEM and Detailed learn efficiently at the same time. The Assessments (DA). purpose is to ease any child’s journey of growing up by providing favourable Students have demonstrated excellent classrooms, not just infrastructural but performance in external exams like both experiential and viable. To make Olympiads and UNSW examinations. sense of the bewildering social world Sports also has been a key area of they are growing up in, the school achievement this year, where the school ensures that students learn and act romped home with burnished medals together in social interactions. - Gold, Silvers and Bronzes - in ACSIS league tournaments. With our team of dedicated support staff, teachers powered by the unmatched guidance and experience of the school management, GIIS Balestier Campus continues to move forward with the mission of nurturing Global Citizens! Footprints, our e- year book for 2014-15 places before you a kaleidoscopic view of this journey of teaching and learning at GIIS Balestier Campus.

FOOTPRINTS | GIIS Balestier Campus 5 Teachers’ Speak

Teacher by Kalpana Sairaj “A good teacher is a doctor who great deal of variety.Every year teachers human being.Our students develop love heals ignorance and an artist who get to work with a new group of for learning and they look forward to inspires creativity.” students with the unique personalities, coming to school happily. “A teacher affects eternity; he can ideas.Planning different activities for Making school an enjoyable place never tell where his influence stops.” them, using different teaching methods for learning is a goal to which all of It is the responsibility of teachers to teach is a challenge and gives us are dedicated.We also strongly to mould their students to become immence happiness and satisfaction. believe that aducation should not only responsible citizens.Teachers are It can not be expressed in words ,it can be learning concepts.It should also the role model for their students.We only be felt in heart. be ensuring value based education teachers,apart from giving the subject We the teachers at GIIS,believe that if we want to have good citizens. knowledge also have the responsibility atmosphere within a school contributes In our entire curriculam ,we try to of moulding them as a good human a lot to the success of students.We have ensure that value based education is being. a positive atmosphere in our school. incorporated,activities are done.So that I love the teaching profession Students are free to express their views. children learn it at every step of their and I am very passionate about it.I They are always encouraged.Teachers schooling. get incredible joy in teaching my work hard on each and every student,to “A teacher is like a candle-it students,moulding them into confident bring out the best in them and to mould consumes itself to light the way for individuals.Teaching is a job that offers a them into confident individuals and good others.”

6 FOOTPRINTS | GIIS Balestier Campus Friendship by Meghna Rai Let me start with a very clique age and maturity we realise the yet factual quote for my topic of true essence of the word. Even “Friendship”. ‘A friend in need is a in a marriage or for that matter in friend in deed’, how very true! any relationship, friendship is most This relationship is something we important. Friends tend to play a choose on our own. At the onset crucial role in a person’s life. They of life we come across many kinds comfort when one is sad, entertain of ‘friends’. They at times last for a when one is lonely and they listen when season and some even to make you one has problems. learn a few lessons in life. May be if At the end of life when one is old and you are indeed blessed you will find frail, the memories that you accumulate that ‘someone’ who will walk with you with your loved ones is the most till the end of your journey. She can be precious wealth of life. You rejoice with your soulmate, your BFF (as popularly all the moments spent with your loved addressed by the teens these days) or ones. Stories of love and compassion even someone who turns gradually into flash before your eyes which you may a ‘family member’. have relished with a friend. It is a heart We do not get to choose our family to heart connection which allows this but we do get to choose our ‘friends’. relation to go on till eternity. When we are younger, friendships can I thus conclude that if family is the be based on quite frivolous reasons, foundation of your success and for example: status, appearances, contentment, it is friendship which popularity, etc. But as we grow in stands tall as its pillar.

The Beauty of Madhubani Art by Ms Anubha Mehta

Madhu is honey and ban is forest. Madhuban is beautiful forest area of Bihar [Eastern India]. The natives are pious, religious and as sweet. Their acknowledgement to the almighty for bliss through nature finds many expressions of their Madhubani folk art. It dates back to Ramayana period when King Janak commissioned local women artists to decorate the walls of his palace on the epical theme of Mahabharata at the Swayamwar marriage of his daughter Sita with Lord Ram. The tradition is still alive in Bihar where women folk decorate their house walls on auspicious occasions, festivities and rituals. Madhubani paintings are regarded as the most drapery with colourful print and design cravings. There is immense satisfaction attractive form of legends, rituals, age are eye catching. It is a ‘living art’ that when my completed painting receives old scriptures and epics. depicts living objects. The beauty of rave reviews and critical comments The characteristic of Madhubani art Madhubani art lies in the elements used from friends and family. I enjoy what I is the bold, vibrant colours and contrast which are very close to nature. create with the hope that my art gives patterns. The images are typical of I enjoy creating Madhubani art as pleasure to others as much as I enjoy bulging eyes and jutting nose. The it gives me room to fulfil my artistic creating it.

FOOTPRINTS | GIIS Balestier Campus 7 Teachers’ Speak

Emotion- a Powerful Tool for Knowledge by Srividya Thyagarajan “There can be no knowledge regarded as a medium to earn a living without emotion...until we have felt transforms into boundless energy that is the force of this knowledge, it is not hard to contain. Every ladder of success ours” - Arnold Bennett that brings a sense of achievement Knowledge refers to acquisition becomes the ‘force of knowledge’ to of accurate information obtained be felt by these achievers. Ultimately, through education and/or practical as owners of knowledge, they innovate experiences as a result of which ideas, develop new skills and products there is a performance of task or and even establish an environment for establishment of a fact. Emotions are the knowledge to grow further. Several expressions that arise spontaneously cases of rags-to-riches stories that in a given circumstance. For example, thus making us the ‘owner’ of this we encounter have ‘despair’ as the feelings of ecstasy or jealousy build knowledge. In order to continue to have underlying emotion to drive them higher up in different situations and these ownership over this knowledge, we in life. So even a perceived negative are displayed physiologically too in must not let go of our passion to apply emotion like ‘despair’ releases positive the form of laughter or grumpiness. this knowledge in day-today life. energy to acquire and strengthen Every human being goes through a Evaluation of circumstances knowledge. But these negative gamut of emotions in his everyday and objects can trigger the release emotions must not be allowed to life. Memories are made up of of emotions. The world respects escalate and overwhelm an individual, these everyday expressions. Such entrepreneurs like Steve Jobs, Michael as they can lead to depression which emotions, if channelized in the quest Dell and Bill Gates who have changed is hard to shake off. A depressed of knowledge, become a powerful tool. the way we live. How does their force individual will lose ownership of his Edmund Burke, the statesman once of knowledge prod them to stay in knowledge since he is incompetent to said, ‘The first and simplest emotion complete control of their knowledge? feel the force of knowledge. which we discover in the human mind, In order to reason this, we must link In today’s world, there is no dearth is curiosity.’ This simple but powerful their hunger for knowledge to their of opportunities to acquire knowledge. emotion provides positive energy pre-existing circumstances. Their To what extent does this knowledge get to acquire knowledge. When we knowledge stems from their mental transformed into something tangible is undertake steps to absorb the essential state of helplessness, an emotion that determined by the emotions associated knowledge and unravel the facts behind pervades in the face of basic human with it? It is up to an individual to ensure it, a sense of contentment and awe will needs. Such an emotion compels that he has a continuous feel of the act as the ‘force of knowledge’. Once many courageous individuals to seek force of knowledge through release of this force of knowledge is experienced, knowledge that will be ever-growing and apt emotions. it will stay embedded in minds forever, ever-lasting. Knowledge that is initially

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8 FOOTPRINTS | GIIS Balestier Campus nnual eport Annual Report

SPOTLIGHT: GIIS BALESTIER IN 2014-15 GIIS Balestier became a hub of activities and programs that supported students to deepen their skills and passions as well as encourage them to grow from strength to strength. The academic year that created an impactful learning experience aimed to nurture truly global citizens.

aking ahead the theme of the NEW INITIATIVES DURING School –‘Learning a Delight’, 2014-15 the Happiness Index has been T IT Modular based Teaching and enhanced to Happtitude – An Attitude Learning Patterns for Learning with Delight. ICT infrastructure was given a new The Happtitude is based on the below thrust with the objective to familiarize Objectives: students in using this tool for 1. Delightful learning is ensured with no interactive learning. child left behind • Installation of smart boards as 2. Delivery of contents in creative a medium of learning has proved delightful methods for maximising effective. The process of online voting learning and surveys undertaken by students 3. To fulfil 3 simple dimensions to generated enthusiasm. “Happtitude” • Tie up with Hey Math, an E-learning – Learn, Work & Play in a stress-free program for Math encouraged environment students to hone their mathematical, – Comfortable and trustworthy logical thinking and problem solving relationships with teachers skills. The focus was primarily on – Delightful intellectual stimulation self-learning for students though the through varied learning platforms PARENTS AS PARTNERS e-learning module, e-worksheets at Online Happtitude survey was The Principal hosts the Coffee home for additional reinforcement conducted for all Primary students and morning for the parents of specified and e- assessments for diagnostic the results were tabulated to reflect an classes on scheduled days all testing and identifying students’ overall increase in the index based on through the academic year to gather learning outcomes and gaps. the average scores. The survey was feedback as well as to provide • Encyclopaedia Britannica was yet instrumental in keeping a check on valuable inputs for the coming another tool that introduced students satisfying the emotional needs of the year. Meet and Greet sessions to a rich bank of exceptional content students. and Curriculum Familiarization for exploratory learning. This is Programmes at the start of an yet another step by the school to academic year allow interaction connect students with a repository between the parents and the of reference content and topics to respective teachers. The overview augment their knowledge skills. of the road map for each child in the new academic year in terms of syllabus, teacher information, academic policies, resources and pedagogical patterns are discussed at length. Parent Teacher meetings are conducted at regular intervals of time to provide feedback and tips for the growth of each student.

10 FOOTPRINTS | GIIS Balestier Campus Vertical Mapping of Learning Focused Assessment Patterns Sports excellence with Modules to Learning Outcomes with Individualized Intervention increased opportunities and through Learning Styles in Programmes facilities Classrooms The intended outcomes of modules Good sportsmanship is viewed Learning Outcomes summarize are related to assessment and as a commitment to fair play, various aspects of learning intended, measurable student ethical behaviour and integrity. and articulate what will be achievement. Assessment GIIS Balestier offered training taught and what students are criteria were developed from the and opportunities to nurture expected to learn. By clearly learning outcomes and a teaching sportsmanship spirit in students mapping the Modules to strategy was planned in relation in various sports categories. Outcomes, there has been a to assessment processes so that Participation in interschool greater clarity in determining students could attain the necessary competitions allowed the the extent of learning by proficiency levels indicated in the students to exhibit sportsmanship students. The content of Lesson assessment criteria. This facilitated and win laurels for the school. Plans and Assessment tasks quick and useful feedbacks to Improved sporting facilities on become more specific upon learners seamlessly and Student campus and additional training critically evaluating the learning Improvement Plan (SIP) could be imparted by expert coaches outcomes. Different Learning taken to fill in the gaps in their boosted students' confidence Styles. learning. and winning spirit.

FOOTPRINTS | GIIS Balestier Campus 11 Annual Report

Introduction of NETS FlashPay Small innovations through Card researched based quality circles In order to minimise cash Quality Circles involve finding feasible transactions by students, the school solutions to ongoing problems introduced NETS FlashPay Card and that are encountered in the school. distributed the card free of cost to Students will be guided to carve out all students. The card is used as a solutions that may lead to innovative school Student ID and can also be approaches to tackle the issue. used for purchases at the school canteen, school bookshop, public Introduction of STEM (Science, transport or convenience stores. Technology, Engineering & Maths) The STEM programme, provided by Entecres Labs, is scheduled provide hands-on learning experience in sciences. As a prelude to that, the STEM workshop was conducted on the school premises. Science could be seen in action when students got LEARNING AVENUES FOR down to creating running models TEACHERS of catapults and car balloons. CBSE-i Teacher Empowerment Excitement was palpable when workshop PATH FORWARD 2015-16 students from Classes 4 and 5 learnt Teachers from GIIS Balestier were Academic Excellence by use of to apply scientific principles in their part of the entourage at the 2 -day technology and new methods of models with the help of the provided informative CBSEi Empowerment training materials. Apart from peer learning, workshop which offered training As newer technologies are employed teachers were at hand to guide them to teachers to deepen their skills to enhance learning, faculty will be along. When students succeeded in putting all segments of CBSEi continuously trained to learn how to in their task, whoops of joy mingled curriculum into practice. The integrate these technologies into the with a sense of achievement were workshop, helmed by experienced classroom. Latest methodologies of unmistakable. The activity not only academicians from popular schools teaching will ensure that learning is stimulated scientific interest amidst in India, covered various aspects of indeed a delight. students, it taught them the spirit of teaching like integration of technology team work and to persevere until they in lessons and achieving effective got it right. assessments and evaluation of learners. At the end of it, all teachers felt empowered to implement their learning’s in their classrooms for the benefit of learners.

Creative and Innovative teaching and Discovering Emotional Intelligence for Leadership Effectiveness The training conducted by Calent 3 was open to the entire teaching staff to learn more about creative and Student Improvement Plan (SIP) innovative teaching strategies that Analytics can be adopted in the classrooms. Parameters shall be laid down for The objective of this training was a more comprehensive evaluation to discover and leverage emotional of each student so that the areas Innovation Centre intelligence to form more effective of strengths and weaknesses are In order to encourage the spirit of work relationships and to be identifies without ambiguity. After the innovation and creativity among an effective leader. It provided analysis, an improvement plan shall students, the GIIS Innovation Centre participants with an overview of be rolled out that will be in the best will be set up at GIIS Balestier various creative and innovative interest of the students. Campus. teaching methods.

12 FOOTPRINTS | GIIS Balestier Campus AWARDS AND RECOGNITIONS

Stellar performance at the Scholastic Silver Award at the Central Bagging the Gold at the Community Environment Fund (SEF) Oratory Singapore O.N.E. Awards 2014 in Bloom Award Competition on Environment 2015 O.N.E (Outreach, Nurture and Enable) The Community In Bloom (CIB) GIIS Balestier Campus students Central Singapore Award, aims to movement recognises gardens that put up a great showing at the recognize Grassroots Organisations have consistently been outstanding in 13th Scholastic Environment Fund and Schools in Central Singapore their quality, community involvement, (SEF) Oratory Competition on district that reach Out, Nurture and environmentally friendly practices, Environment 2015, jointly organized Enable their respective communities. and biodiversity. by the Scholastic Environment GIIS Balestier Campus has been GIIS Balestier has long been enjoying Fund (SEF) and Bukit View Primary recognized for being intentionally the fruits of its labour and the green School. At the event, team GIIS eco-wise, being good stewards with pockets it has created in its backyard. Balestier romped home 3 awards – what we’re given, and passing on The school bagged the Gold Award in 2 Silver awards and 1 Bronze award those values to the next generation. the Education category at the biennial in the group category. 3 Individual During the 11th Central Singapore CIB awards for sustaining this garden speakers clinched 3 Silver awards Environmental Regional Workshop, on its own time and expense in an in total. jointly organised by the National impressive way. The Principal, Ms. 3 different themes namely - Environment Agency-Central Sheela Karia, represented the school Managing our Waste, Small Island Regional Office (NEA-CRO) and at the Awards Ceremony held at The and Climate change and Using Central Singapore Community Gardens by the Bay. Energy efficiently were chosen for Development Council (CS CDC), the competition. the school was bestowed the Silver The competition provided a platform Award for meeting the objectives. for young people to identify, The Guest of Honour for the event research and present solutions to was Ms. Densie Phua, Mayor of environmental issues, and to hone Central Singapore District. their advocacy skills. Students Such an award would continue to from Singapore local schools spur the school to reach greater and International schools also heights in spreading environmental participated in the Competition. awareness.

FOOTPRINTS | GIIS Balestier Campus 13 Annual Report

Commonwealth Essay Competition Repulsion. ‘Blue Ribbon Award’ was The Commonwealth Essay awarded to teachers for mentoring Competition gives young people from and inspiring the students. diverse backgrounds a platform to GIIS Balestier also bagged the express their views about the world “Friends of SCSA” award in and their dreams for the future. recognition of its commitment to Run by the Royal Commonwealth science through the successful States, this international schools’ completion of three consecutive writing contest is a highly regarded SCSA (Schools) annual competitions and popular international education from 2012 to 2014. Time and again, project aims to promote literacy, the school has proved that science expression and creativity among can blend with creativity in a holistic young people by celebrating way. excellence and imagination. The theme for this year was ‘Team Remarkable accomplishments by Commonwealth’ touching on both students of Tamil department the XX Commonwealth Games and The Umar Pulavar- Tamil Language the spirit of friendship between Centre motivates students to become Commonwealth nations. GIIS active learners and proficient users Balestier students were exposed to of Tamil language. In this regard, the this topic and encouraged to explore AVVAIYAR Tamil festival was held this theme and its relevance to their to create a greater awareness of lives in fun, academic, witty and Avvaiyar’s teachings among students creative ways. The students were as well as enabling them to hone their encouraged to unleash their writing skills in spoken Tamil. GIIS Balestier prowess under the close guidance of was represented by 18 students the teachers from time to time. across Classes 1 to 6 in three Fifty-six judges spent two months categories namely poem recitation, performance by the school students reading over 9,000 entries. From speech and storytelling. There were bore results when three were selected among the overwhelming entries of more than 800 students from 570 for the second round. Adding feather over 9500 entries for this competition schools participating in this mega to the cap was Class 2 student, worldwide, four students of GIIS event. In Classes 1 and 2 category, Mangai Somasundram who pipped Balestier received awards in the 90 students were eventually selected her peers from other schools to clinch Junior Category for exploring the for the second round from among a the 3rd place. topic ‘United we stand’. pool of 600 students. A spectacular • Namratha Venkatesh - Gold award, • Jaidev Balaji and Sheiladitya Basu - Silver awards • Prithvi Narayan - Bronze award The competition will continue to spur the students of GIIS Balestier to make their voice heard on a global platform and engage with issues important to them apart from encouraging them to nurture their writing abilities.

Creativity sparked at the Sony Creative Science Award The annual Sony Creative Toy Competition took science beyond the classrooms and to spark creativity among the young minds. Yashica Sharma, a student from Class 1, bagged a Merit award in Scizkid Category for her toy – Magnetic

14 FOOTPRINTS | GIIS Balestier Campus Small Change that earned a big comes in the wake of winning the created kindness logs to record their reward through ‘Build it” structures Lotus Sustained Achievement in good deeds in order to make kindness GIIS Balestier was declared winners the School Green Awards, Daisy a habit. Creativity was unleashed of the "Build it "Competition run by Award for Preschool and a Gold through penning beautiful poetry and the Handicap Welfare Association of Award for the 3R Awards. The Prize catchy rap songs based on the theme. Singapore Sponsored by Crimson ceremony was graced by Ms. Grace Not only the school’s bus staff and Logic Ltd . As part of the objective, Fu from Prime Minister’s office, support staff, even strangers in 3 structures related to the School's second minister for Environment and the neighborhood celebrating Hari Teaching and Learning and its VMC Resources. Raya festival became recipients of were painstakingly built with 500 Two of the GIIS Balestier Campus thoughtfully crafted handmade cards coin boxes - the 9 GEMS Model, students made an impactful and by students. Such an act nurtured ‘MAHATMA’ model and the 2 Diyas researched presentation at the GIIS respect for people from other races. representing Happtitude, An Attitude Balestier Campus Booth on Carbon Taking off from last year, the Buddy for Learning with Delight. The coin footprints and Hazards of Plastics system was a wonderful experience boxes were used to collect loose at the School Green Day held on to incoming new students and change from students for donation to November 3, 2014 at the ITE College parents. Poster making and kindness the Handicaps Welfare Association East, Singapore cards exhibited earnest resolutions of (HWA) to fund and support the being kind to others through words various programs for their people with and action. Personal paintings of disabilities. Through this, students students were given as tokens of learnt to cultivate the habit of saving appreciation to all those who render and giving back to the community. service at the food courts every day. As a result, the school won $2000 An impactful street play carried a worth of books as library resources clear message of graciousness to the as a reward. community at large. Being exposed to kind words and compassionate deeds through this project, the students learnt a valuable lesson- Showing kindness does not take a lot of effort. Small acts go a long way. For establishing that truth, the school was GIIS Balestier notches the Gold a deserving recipient of the award. Award from the Singapore Kindness As part of our continued efforts, Movement (SKM) for the second Primary and Kindergarten classes consecutive year were given appreciation certificates A total of 198 schools participated in for Upright Behaviour every month. school-based kindness programmes Classes that displayed best behaviour in 2014, marking the highest level were identified and acknowledged of participation of the Kindness with the ‘Neat and Tidy Class’, ‘Most Awards since the programmes were well-behaved Class’ and ‘Most orderly implemented. Class’. Such recognitions do have GIIS Balestier clinched the prestigious a strong impact in motivating the Gold Award for the second consecutive recipients and the audience. year from the Singapore Kindness Movement (SKM). In tune with the current year’s central theme, “A Wave of Kindness starts with one thoughtful me!” a wave of kindness was generated in Singapore Environment Council the school community through several School Green Awards acts of thoughtfulness. In our continued efforts to play a key As a first step in the right direction, role in improving the environment we Friend of Singa Ambassadors made live in, GIIS Balestier Campus has thought provoking presentations to been bestowed with the Most Holistic emphasize the need and ways of being Award for the 3R Awards. This award a kind and caring community. Students

FOOTPRINTS | GIIS Balestier Campus 15 Annual Report

Green Carpet Award At the 4th Annual Green Carpet awards, GIIS Balestier was the proud winner of the Merit award. This award stands as a testimony to the relentless efforts initiated by the school to educate the students in preserving the environment.

Global School Awards 2014 Global School Awards 2014 was an exclusive felicitation ceremony to honour the exceptional accomplishments of our students in academics, sports and co-curricular activities while staff and faculty were awarded for their commitment and service to the organization.

ACHIEVEMENTS OF STUDENTS IN 2014-2015

ACADEMICS

Social Science Exhibition

First Prize Second prize Third prize • Aarav Rajesh • Arohee Temurikar • Nishant Hedge • Vaibhavi Mayya • Abhinav Chilaveru • Manya Singh

Oratory Competition

Group Category Group Category Individual Category

Silver Award Bronze Award Silver Award Small Island and Climate Change Managing our Waste-Recycling, • Let’s Reap Gold from Waste - Landfill, Waste Collection, Arvind Chandrasekar • Island days Island ways - Avikam Incineration, Packaging Mangala, Sheetal Jindal, Abhijith • Diary of a green Crusader- K.C • How Green Is My Valley - Pranav Rupambika Tripathy Ganesan, Mallika Mohanty and Using Energy Responsibly - Energy • Energy misused cannot be Advik Unni efficiency and conservation, excused - Ishita Bhatia carbon emission, climate change and clean energy • Responsible Energizers - Abhinav Chiluveru, Mahek Mathur, Tanvi Kigga

16 FOOTPRINTS | GIIS Balestier Campus First Prize Second prize Third prize • Aarav Rajesh • Arohee Temurikar • Nishant Hedge • Vaibhavi Mayya • Abhinav Chilaveru • Manya Singh

Spell O Well

Second Prize • Arvind Chandrasekhar • Dhananjay Madhavan

14th SOF National Cyber Olympiad

• Jeenal Agrawal - Gifts Worth Rs 1,000/- + Merit • Darsh Modi - Silver Medal Certificate • Laboni Borkar - Gold Medal • Ananya K M - Silver Medal • Pratyush Bansal - Bronze Medal • Pranav Raghu Anantharam - Gold Medal • Yogansh Phadke -Bronze Medal • Purva J Kumbhar - Silver Medal • Sia Karkhanis - Bronze Medal • Radheya Salunkhe - Gold Medal • Sudarshanagopal - Gold Medal • Yash Dusankar - Bronze Medal • Vihaan Hampihallikar - Silver Medal • Rupambika Tripathy - Gold Medal • Aayush Garg - Medal Of Excellence + Certificate Of Excellence • Shaveen Gajaananan - Medal Of Excellence + Certificate Of Excellence • Kush Borkar - Medal Of Excellence + Certificate Of Excellence

8th SOF International Mathematics Olympiad

• Intyan Uthaya Sankar - Silver Medal • Shrusti Doshi - Bronze Medal • Swetha Raj - Gold Medal • Advik Unni - Gold Medal Of Excellence + • Shrish Shetty - Bronze Medal Certificate Of Excellence • Max Patel - Gold Medal • Eeshan Sengupta - Silver Medal • Thejas Rajesh - Rs 25,000 + Silver Medal + Gifts Worth Rs 1,000/- + Merit Certificate • Sakthivel Meyyappan Muthu - Bronze Medal • Jeenal Agrawal - Bronze Medal • Megha Pusti - Gold Medal • Kanaye Varma -Silver Medal • Avikam Mangla - Gold Medal Of Excellence + • Ahaan Dhar - Gold Medal Of Excellence + Certificate Of Excellence Certificate Of Excellence • Devansh Shah - Gold Medal Of Excellence + • Siddhartha Mehta - Bronze Medal Certificate Of Excellence • Abraham Shery Ponodath - Gold Medal • Sheetal Jindal - Gold Medal • Aditya Atul Dongre - Gold Medal Of Excellence + Certificate Of Excellence • Aaryan Gupta -Bronze Medal • Sudarshanagopal -Gold Medal Of Excellence + • Dhruv Gupta - Gold Medal Of Excellence + Certificate Of Excellence Certificate Of Excellence • Vihaan Hampihallikar - Silver Medal • Jay Shah - Gold Medal • Kush Borkar - Silver Medal • Laboni Borkar - Silver Medal • Pratyush Bansal - Gold Medal Of Excellence + Certificate Of Excellence “Gold Medal of Excellence” & “Certificate of Excellence” are awarded to students achieving top 10 ranks in their respective State/Zones.

FOOTPRINTS | GIIS Balestier Campus 17 Annual Report

17th SOF National Science Olympiad

• Surya Narayan - Rs. 5,000 + Gold Medal + Gifts • Darsh modi - silver medal Worth Rs. 1,000/- + Merit Certificate • Laboni borkar - gold medal of excellence + • Suhani Krishnan - Bronze Medal certificate of excellence • Palak Khetan - Medal Of Excellence + Gifts • Pratyush bansal - gold medal of excellence + Worth Rs 1,000/- + Merit Certificate certificate of excellence • Intyan Uthaya Sankar - Medal Of Excellence + • Sanjana meenakshi yogesh - gold medal Gifts Worth Rs 1,000/- + Merit Certificate • Tristan denzil d’souza - bronze medal • Sarthak Wanjari - Gold Medal • Prithvi narayan - gold medal • Prinaka Basu - Silver Medal • Advik unni - gold medal of excellence + • Jeenal Agrawal - Silver Medal certificate of excellence • Bhavika Gupta - Bronze Medal • Ishita gupta - bronze medal • Tanisha Madan Prabhu - Gold Medal • Arshiya - gold medal of excellence + certificate of excellence • Ahaan Dhar - Silver Medal • Megha pusti - silver medal • Anurag Rajeev Thakur - Gold Medal • Sanjana raghunath - bronze medal • Vaidehi Bodhankar - Bronze Medal • Avikam mangla - bronze medal • Sudarshanagopal - Gold Medal Of Excellence + Certificate Of Excellence • Devansh shah - gold medal • Aayush Garg - Gold Medal Of Excellence + • Rupambika tripathy - silver medal Certificate Of Excellence • Nishant jayaram hegde - gold medal of • Kush Borkar -Gold Medal Of Excellence + excellence + certificate of excellence Certificate Of Excellence “Gold Medal of Excellence” & “Certificate of Excellence” are awarded to students achieving top 10 ranks in their respective State/Zones.

Third Prize in HiQ Interschool Quiz competition

• Megha Pushti • Max

Green wave Souvenir and in the Green Wave Environment Competition 2014

• Endangered and Wild Species - by Tejbir Singh, Gurbir Singh, Arya Bhatia and Thirruvvallur Thattai Abhijay • Water Pollution - by SriyaKummamuru and Sanjoli Gupta • Find mangrove forests and suggest schemes to conserve them in Singapore - by Arumugam Thrisa and Udita Kalita

Global School Awards 2014

• Akashdeep Bhattacherjee Academic Proficiency from Class 6 2013-14 • Vikrant Prakash GSF President’s Award for All Round Excellence • Manasi Goregaonkar 2013-14 • Surabhi Bansal

18 FOOTPRINTS | GIIS Balestier Campus Fine Arts and Performing Arts

Art Competition That Promoted Universal Values

Grade 1 Grade 4 • Iniyan UthayaSankar -1st position • Srushti Doshi -1st position • Dhruv Mundra – 2nd position • Tansha Surendra- 2nd position • Syna Gandhi– 3rd Position • Sachin Ramanathan - 3rd position Grade 2 Grade 5 • Suniksha Sriram -1st position • Riya Rao -1st position • Barhunishree Manikhandan - 2nd position • Sharon Evangeline - 2nd position • Sri Neela & Akshita Gothankar -3rd position • Nidhi Katwe - 3rd position Grade 3 Grade 6 • Shreya Balasubramaniam -1st position • Vaibhavi C Maya -1st position • Nishanth Aditya - 2nd position • Anushika Joshi - 2nd position • Kalyani Pandey -3rd position • Aryan Gupta - 3rd position

Winners of competitions held on Earth Day 2014

Dance – Second Place Puppet Show- Second Place • Sindhu Shree • Nishitha Mujeeb Rahiman • Abhinav Chiluvelu • Veda Bhat • Avanitika Sreeraman • Advik Unni • Diya Nair • Manya Singh Chauhan • Neha Ravi • Nikhita Sajeev • Sneha Vijaykumar Trash to Treasure Forum – First Place • Nikita Sajeev - First • Pratyush Bansal • Surya Narayan- Third • Rupambika Tripathy Earth Day Mascot Parade • Mallika Mohanty Saloni Samel –First

Global School Awards 2014- Justice C S Dharmadhikari GIIS Awards for Co-curricular Excellence 2013-14

Performing Arts Literary • Sainath • Abhinav Chiluveru • Prithvi Narayan- Literary • Surabhi Bansal • Ananya Narendranath

Real World Convention 2014

Art Competition (Category 1B)- Winners Green Rhythms (Category 1C) – First Runner up • Shreya Balasubramaninam • Advik Unni • Prithvi Narayan • Suhani Tiwari • Abhinav Chiluveru • Shraddha Sriram Fashion Show (Category 1A) – Second Runner up • Pratyush Bansal • Ancika Peruvel • Ganesan Swaroop Quality Circle for Teachers - Winners • Nameh Singh Gulati • Vaishvi • Ms. Gunjeet Kaur • Sakthivel Heamish Kanha • Ms. Aditi Bandopadhyay Fashion Show (Category 1B) – Winners • Ms. Anubha Mehta • Radhika Agarwal • Sunishka Sriram • Ms. Kalpana Sairaj • Bharunishree Manikandan • Ms. Lalithambika Ramakrishnan • Swetha Raj • Iniyan UthayaSankar

FOOTPRINTS | GIIS Balestier Campus 19 Annual Report

Weave-A-Tale Competition

Class 1 Class 4 • Krithika Tripathy- First • Arohee Termunikar- Third • Swetha Raj -Third Class 5 Class 2 • Advik Unni- First • Aishwarya Bhargava - First • Abhinav Chiluveru- Third • Harsimar Kaur Chhatwal- Third Class 3 • Jaidev Balaji- First • Vaidehi Bodhankar- Second

SPORTS

Global School Awards 2014 -Mr Chandu Borde Award for Sports Excellence 2013-14

• Arya Bhatia - Badminton • Poorva Joshi - Fencing • Sahil Samel – Athletics

Silver Trophy for Boys Under -12 in Cricket

• Prithvi Narayan • Siddharth Sagar • Aadith Sheth • Arya Bhatia • Neil Karthik • Rahil Ahmed Khan • Dhananjay Madhavan • Saaram Nazeer • Aaron Joseph • Shubh Jha • Gurbir Singh

Bronze at the ACSIS Badminton Under-11 Boys Tournament (Division 1)

• Devansh Shah • Yash Dushankar • Aadit Sheth • Abhijay T T • Vihaan Hampihallikar • Radheye • Aarya Bhatia • Shaveen

Bronze at the ACSIS Badminton Under-11 Boys Tournament (Division 3)

• Reyaansh Patil • Anant • Lokansh Jhalani • Mityish • Vineet • Darsh Modi • Jaithra Mallipeddi

Gold in Under-10 Boys in Shot Put

• Dhananjay Madhavan

20 FOOTPRINTS | GIIS Balestier Campus ACTIVE LEARNING

Field Trips Summer Fiesta 2014 GIIS Balestier successfully organized LOCATION DESCRIPTION its fifth exciting Summer Fiesta Kindergarten 2014 during the school vacation. Central Public Library Kindergarten students undertook An extended range of fun filled library visits that inevitably led to activities were conducted by a more reading. Students listened team of dedicated and professional to story narration which helped instructors specially designed to suit to enhance their listening skills. the minds of each age group. The They also learnt essential skills participants had a great time learning like sharing, taking care of books, Puppet Making, Mosaic Art, Mask maintaining silence and arranging the making, Hip hop dance, Speed tag books in respective shelves. and Touch Rugby. A panorama of Ahoy Maritime Gallery The visit by the Kindergarteners gave the artwork done by the children them a new experience of watching was displayed with the videos of the models of ships and boats that outdoor games and a memorable carry people and cargo in the port. dance performance was presented to The experience of the ship bridge the parents. It was a delightful learning simulator, video and photo gallery of for all the participants. The interactive the ship as well as a play area where fun activities conducted in a relaxed there was a coloring corner and environment has helped in creating a bricks of blocks was cherished by all. special bonding within the participants Land Transport Authority Classes 1 and 2 learnt about and the skills learnt are lifelong. transportation that has evolved over the years in Singapore. The students were spellbound at the display of models of vehicles. Videos that reinforced the necessity to maintain pollution free roads imparted important lessons on keeping our environment safe and clean.

FOOTPRINTS | GIIS Balestier Campus 21 Annual Report

Air Force Museum Students of Class 5 paid a visit to the Air Force Museum to glean interesting facts and information on the various models of airplanes used in military. The museum had a collection of all kinds of airplanes that included even those used during World War and by Hitler. The use of technology to improve the performance of airplanes was an eye opener to all. Interactive videos combined with interesting activities, attractive pictures and displays created the perfect ambience for the students who eventually carried back precious memories of the trip.

Navy Museum Class 3 students experienced a stunning display of naval equipment like submarines and patrol aircrafts provided a wealth of information to the students on the operations involved in the navy field. Apart from introducing a fun element, interactive games like ‘virtual’ wars against enemy ships stimulated a real time scenario.

Road Safety Community Park Students comprehended the safely rules to abide by on roads. Officers at the park showed informative videos that revealed the “Do’s and Don’ts” to be adhered to for pedestrian safety. After the videos, students applied the learnt safety rules when encountering simulated road structures with crossings and signals. The learning journey was an eye opener as it conveyed important guidelines to navigate the roads safely at all times.

Kin Yan Agrotech farm The farm is engaged in agro-food related activities in Singapore. The children learnt how the farm deals with ornamental plant production & supply and trading of organic compost. They also got an insight into the tropical health/herb food industry and the goods delivered to the super markets and health food stores in Singapore.

22 FOOTPRINTS | GIIS Balestier Campus 9 GEMS – AN EDUCATIONAL PRACTICE

The GIIS 9 GEMSTM concept is today acknowledged as among the best educational practices worldwide, for its integrated and unique learning spheres that inculcate comprehensive learning. The GIIS 9 GEMS model is a proprietary tool which is an integrated holistic approach to learning.

Gem 1 – Academic Excellence, Collaboration and Project Based Learning

Academic excellence is a pursuit that GIIS Balestier undertakes all through the year. New teaching strategies are analysed from time to time to communicate concepts. Project based learning finds a strong place to do research-based learning. Topics like ‘Electricity’ and ‘Magnetism’ are learnt hands on through demonstrations and presentations by groups of students, thus adding value to their learning.

Formative and Summative Assessments are held at regular intervals of time to assess the learnings of the students. After the results are plotted for each student, individual work plan is worked out for annually to benefit students in every Science, Science, Math and English those students who need additional way. The main objective of this exam for which several were awarded support to come on par with their is to develop the answering skill of medals, Certificates of Excellence for peers. factual and inferential questions. The their performances. Apart from school assessments, critical thinking, logical thinking, and A sharp increase in the performance Primary students get a yearly their reasoning power of students are of the students is seen to be opportunity to assess their also honed in the process. growing over the course of time. performances in examinations held Olympiad examinations are also This is indicative of the fact that by external bodies. The UNSW conducted by the Science Olympiad GIIS Balestier students are able to examinations falling under the Foundation on a yearly basis. The uphold high academic standards Australian University are conducted subjects assessed are Computer internationally.

FOOTPRINTS | GIIS Balestier Campus 23 Annual Report

Gem 2 – Entrepreneurship & • Prefects- They are groomed to Weave a Tale Competition Leadership Development maintain discipline and take charge in The weave-a-tale inter school story times of need. telling competition wove its magic This aspect of the Nine Gems through riveting tales narrated with model focuses on instilling decision- poise and eloquence by young story making, critical thinking, effective tellers. Impressive costumes and communication and problem-solving props added flavour to the narration skills in students, which enables them of stories. The participants’ mastery to undertake responsibilities and in the art of storytelling was evident enhance their interpersonal skills. from the entertaining manner in which stories were delivered to capture Investiture Ceremony the attention of the audience. The GIIS Balestier Campus held a solemn competition saw students from the and well defined Investiture ceremony sister campuses, GIIS Queenstown to honour and invest the newly Gem 3 – Personality and East Coast trying to match their elected student council members Development, Speech & Drama skills against one another during this with badges of responsibility. Each This aspect of the Nine Gems model contest. parent of the newly elected members focuses on different aspects of had the proud privilege of pinning personality building through creative the badges on to their ward. It was thinking, empathy and confidence a cherished moment for all. The building. Various activities in this introduction of online voting was a sphere provide students with ample novel experience for all involved. opportunities to hone their written The process for election was itself a and verbal skills through theatrical learning journey for the candidates activities such as scripting and role which had desirous students filling play. in the application forms. All forms The school conducts weekly were scrutinized; canvassing for Speech and Drama sessions which votes was conducted with posters encourage the students to develop HiQ Quiz Competition creating an excited atmosphere all their personality. Dramatics club The HiQ inter school Quiz competition around. All candidates used the offers a comprehensive programme for classes 3 to 5 was back with assembly platform to introduce wherein students learn to emote a bang at GIIS Balestier Campus. themselves and seek votes. The different characters confidently. Contestants from GIIS Queenstown prospective candidates who faced Apart from all these, the school and East Coast joined in the contest a panel of Interviewers consisting offers ample opportunities to nurture that sparked the quest for knowledge of senior faculty members faced personalities through interschool in students. The quiz tested the decisive questions on value systems competitions. general knowledge of the contestants and leadership qualities. The Student Spell-O-Well in diverse topics encompassing Council Body for 2014-15 numbering Literature, Singapore, Celestial fifty three members were led by Head world and current affairs in the Boy, Kavish Wali and Head Girl, sporting arena and political field. The Nicole Bout. The prefectorial council competition proved be a fine platform is made up of the following heads: in encouraging all students to broaden • Sports Captain and Assistant their sense of perceiving the outer Sports Captain – They represent the world in a fun and engaging way. sports fraternity in the school. • Discipline Monitors – They are responsible for maintaining the code of discipline when it comes to grooming and orderly dispersal of classes. • House Captains and Assistant House Captains- They represent their houses during important school events.

24 FOOTPRINTS | GIIS Balestier Campus The Spell-O-Well Impactful Skit on Environmental Gem 4 – Creativity, Innovation & The Spell-O-Well competition, Friendly Transportation Problem Solving an annual property event of GIIS GIIS Balestier was given the special The GIIS Comprehensive Creativity Balestier Campus, fired up the honour by LTA (Land and Transport Development Programme (CCDP) students by testing the proficiency Authority) to produce a skit called seeks to nurture creativity and of spellings and vocabulary while ‘Transportation N' The Environment.’ innovation in students by mapping injecting adrenaline-pumping The main goal of this skit was to their interest areas and hobbies, fun. Each round of the carefully teach, show and make aware to the identifying their competencies, and researched competition was keenly audience, the connection between developing them further. contested and all participants making different transportation maintained team spirit and kinship choices and the effects of these Social Science Exhibition when they scrambled to form words. choices on the environment in Creative models and projects made GIIS Balestier secured the second the form of carbon emission. The from eco-friendly recycled materials place in the keenly contested opportunity provided by LTA served came under limelight at the Social competition. its purpose when students of Class 5 Science exhibition held at GIIS portrayed the message effectively in Balestier. The allocated topics enabled the well-crafted skit. students to appreciate the essence of togetherness between Human and Nature Keeping in line with the main theme of the exhibition, different grades were assigned different elements of nature to create models. Shortlisted projects and models were entered into the contest at GIIS Queenstown during the Social Science Exhibition themed ‘Encouraging environmental Kindergarten Talent Show Week stewardship: a harmony with nature’ Each child is unique and endowed with Conveying Profound Messages organized on the occasion of the different talents. In order to showcase Through Morning Assembly International Day of Non-violence, these inherent talents, the Kindergarten Presentations showcased chosen models from GIIS organized a ‘Talent Week”. School campaigns and important East Coast and Queenstown. A panel Children from Nursery to K2 came occasions are marked by special of judges made up of experienced dressed in vibrant costumes to suit assembly, stage performances teachers selected the final winners. the character they were portraying. by individual classes. Interesting All the models portrayed stimulating Amazing props pepped up the skits, thought provoking messages, ideas to save nature. Use of windmills performances to a great deal. The tiny dazzling dances, foot tapping music as an alternate use of energy for tots amazed the audience with their and informative videos add vibrancy conserving resources, pollution control confidence and talent. Fairy tales and to the presentation. The exercise with minimum usage of cars, abundant Panchatantra fables were narrated builds team work, portrays diverse greenery and smoke-free environment by children of K1 while Nursery kids talents in children and exposes them to save the depleting ozone layer, rain presented their rhymes and shlokas to stage management within given water harvesting and recycling of rain to the best of their abilities. The event time frame. water, innovative industrial models provided an outlet for displaying the depicting the collection of water in creative streak of children. underground tanks was an enriching learning experience indeed.

FOOTPRINTS | GIIS Balestier Campus 25 Annual Report

Quality Circles In an effort to strive towards excellence, immediate problems that necessitate enduring solutions are undertaken by students and teachers in their projects for Quality Circles. Every class took up a set of problems that need to be addressed. List of possible solutions were also brainstormed at the end of which students vote and decide on the best possible solution. The solutions are then implemented to ensure tangible and intangible benefits for all. Problem solving skills are Annual Day with poise in spectacular costumes. boosted as an end consequence. Colourful, vibrant, zesty and crisp Children demonstrated oratory skills Teachers of GIIS Balestier presented are the words that best describe along the way. The event brought two Quality Circles that provided the Annual Day Celebrations 2014. smiles and moments of glory for the solutions for the reduction of use of Combined with feet tapping music participants. resources and changing our habits and synchronized to graceful in order to increase the carbon movements, the event showcased the footprint, reducing deforestation and little energetic dancers from Nursery preventing depletion of fossil fuel to class 2. Aptly titled “Dreams at various levels of the hierarchy – Unlimited” the show highlighted the World – Country – School – Family/ simple dreams of little children as Individual. The art competition saw they express their dream of being a a splash of green strokes for a Blue robot, a pixie , a fairy , chocolates, Planet. pop divas, musicians, mermaids or cowboys , fairy tale characters- to Real World Convention Challenge name a few .It provided a platform Kindergarten Puppet Show (RWCC) for the students to express their Plastic pollution affects every The theme for the event was happiness in epitomizing childhood- waterway, sea and ocean in the ‘GREENOVATION for a BLUE innocent and carefree . world. When we damage our water PLANET‘. In line with that, a myriad As a sequel, the show titled Potpourri systems, we’re putting our own well- of activities were staged. A fashion of Rhythm and Dances captivated being at risk. To create awareness show witnessed a parade of the audience as students in brilliantly among children on the impact dazzling costumes made of recycled coloured costumes performed of plastic pollution, Kindergarten materials by Kindergarten, Class 1 to blended music, from slow and Teachers put up a puppet show and 2 students. The outfits depicted lilting to the fast beats and rising to on “Plastic monster”. Puppets are the manner in which different a crescendo. Ably choreographed excellent medium to entertain the elements of nature live harmoniously. performances included a carnival, children and at the same time to Green Rhythms brought out the acrobats, the five elements, convey a message effectively. The musical talents of students. Musical significance of colours in our lives show made an earnest effort to compositions flowed freely from and finally Victory. introduce the new green mantra, 5Rs, musical instruments that were The colourful backdrops for each namely Reduce, Reuse, Recycle, created from recycled materials presentation added to the richness Rethink and Recreate. made of bottles, piggy banks and of the show. Each performance was cans. ably supported by team of compeers Performance-based arts, be it music who threaded the performance into or dance, help students explore creating a huge colourful canvas. their creativity. They also help keep artistic passions alive through formal Kindergarten Fancy Dress training. The rigor of performing Fancy Dress presentation witnessed arts also inculcates discipline in the Kindergarteners walking the ramp students.

26 FOOTPRINTS | GIIS Balestier Campus Gem 5 – Digital and Visual Arts Spreading the Eco-message Keeping in mind the increased focus Through Green Carnival on visual and digital communication, In our vision to be a progressive exposure to visual and digital arts green School, basically working take place for children from an early on the three principles of 3Rs age to build appreciation for myriad (reduce, reuse and recycle) towards creative forms. Video conferencing environment sustainability, the with peers from schools around the school endeavors to engage our world has not only helped students budding environmentalists in various hone their IT skills, but also kept innovative activities and projects. them ahead in the technology The annual Green Carnival had 5 curve. Students incorporate new National Agencies participating this Project E.A.R.T.H Day 2014 software like Moviemaker and year with NEA, PUB, NPARKS, SPF The National Environment Agency- Scratch animation to present topics and AVA. The information booths Central Regional Office (NEA-CRO), like carbon emissions, importance and the valuable presentations together with National Library of trees and dangers of plastics to from them helped in reiterating the Board and Global Lamp Recyclers, environment in external forums. Green messages in students and collaborated on a roadshow. The aim HTML website construction is promoting environmental awareness, of the roadshow was to introduce yet another interesting topic for activism, stewardship. This year, a new aspect in 3Rs– Books Reuse discussion for students. students of classes 3, 4, 5 and 6 put & Light bulbs/Lamps Recycling, in up innovative projects on Greening conjunction with Earth month this the planet. The three projects on the year. GIIS Balestier Campus students exhibition were recycling well, paper of classes 5 and 6 participated in made from nature fibres and self- the event to cultivate in individuals, watering plants. Few students from a sense of community ownership Class 5 presented a meaningful skit towards sustainable living. on Land Transportation to awaken Wallet making from tetra pak and and emphasize the importance magazine holder from cereal boxes of controlling Carbon Emission demonstrated innovative methods when making choices in the mode of recycling. All kinds of creative of transport. It also conveyed work was showcased to the mall how students can make informed residents. Solidarity for the Project decisions based on this knowledge. Earth Day 2014 event was reinforced The second presentation–an Gem 6 – Community Connection, with a workshop booth on Best out Instrumental Choir – was presented Care and Connect of Waste activity. The objective of the in a different flavor. By mixing event was to reach out to as many This sphere of the Nine Gems Science with music, recycled plastic individuals as possible. Students model aims to nurture children materials, drinking glasses, tiles and were exposed to an experiential as socially responsible citizens. plastic chairs became a source of learning from other booths thus Through various green initiatives, musical instruments to accompany enabling them to demonstrate a children are sensitized towards the the rhythm of tabla beats for variety of new skills during the need to protect and nurture the producing foot tapping music. The process of learning. environment. Towards this, students music composition sent home the are encouraged to undertake various message that creativity need not be activities and projects, within the compromised while taking care of school and the community at large, the environment. to raise awareness, and contribute towards reducing the carbon footprint. Students avail opportunities to participate in community initiatives, especially those focusing on the needs of the underprivileged. This, while developing empathy also helps them evolve into responsible social citizens.

FOOTPRINTS | GIIS Balestier Campus 27 Annual Report

Generating Environmental creatively, parents were invited a book review with personal words of Awareness Through Workshops to participate in the ‘Best out of encouragement to the readers. GIIS Balestier Campus, in tie up Waste competition’. The parents In conjunction with this, the annual with NEA, Tetra Pak conducted an and students used their latent talent book donation drive, an outreach informative workshop on Tetra pak and imagination by creating creative programme, received an enthusiastic Recycle. The workshop outlined vases/ pots with recyclable items. response from the students. More the need for saving our precious This annual event is held every year than 400 books were collected from resources for sustainability for our to promote environment awareness students and contributed towards future. among the stakeholders. this cause. Students from Class 5 attending the With the help of Parent Volunteers, workshop learnt that the beverage the eye catching exhibits were cartons are mainly made up of displayed at the school’s premises to recyclable materials like paperboard, reach out to a wider audience. plastic and aluminum foil, all of which In order to make students aware of can be recycled if managed with the challenges faced by the local and care. The workshop imparted lessons international communities and nurture on the method of recycling these them as socially responsible citizens, cartons through rinsing, flipping, this sphere of the Nine Gems™ flapping and flattening used beverage provides students with opportunities cartons before disposing them in to interact within and outside the the bins provided for this purpose. school community with members of The fact that Tetra pak can be the society at large. Recycle Drive recycled into many useful items like As part of our endeavour to be handmade paper, photo frame, lamp environmentally friendly, the shade etc. was emphasized for their Greenville team of the school, in a understanding. joint effort with NEA, arranged the The school took part in the launch of Recycle drive to accept all kinds Yeo’s National Day 2014 Recycling of recyclable items accumulated at Project. home. Designated bins were placed As many as 48 schools in Singapore outside the school reception to be took part in the project. collected finally by the NEA from the The students of Global Indian Donate Blood Save Lives campus. International School Kindergarten In collaboration with the Singapore Exchange of best Practices segment, under the guidance of the Red Cross, the school organized a In a show of integration with the teachers, built an HDB block model blood donation drive during which mainstream, the Prefectorial council of 1960’s and was awarded the parents, teachers, and school helpers of GIIS Balestier visited the Kong Hwa appreciation prize for their efforts. came forward to donate blood and School. A school tour enlightened make a difference in someone’s life. the students on the growth of the school over the years since 1951. The Book Donation Drive students were familiarised with the Upon invitation from Sony Electronics various amenities. A wushu martial art in Singapore, the school participated session at the school hall displayed in the South Africa Mobile Library basic techniques and weapons used Project 2014. South Africa Mobile in this art. A calligraphy session of Library Project is an initiative by panda drawing awaited the students SAPESI (South Africa Primary whose interest translated into fine Education Support Initiative), a NPO pieces of artwork eventually. Best out of Waste - Parent (Non-Profit Organization) based Engagement Activity in South Africa and supported by The Parent Engagement Activity the South African Department of - Making of Creative vases from Education and Sony Corporation in a recyclable items- for the Garden bid to improve literacy levels. In order proved to be a hit. In order to to increase the engagement factor of reiterate the message of transforming the donor, students of Classes 5 and waste materials into useful products 6 were encouraged to write and paste

28 FOOTPRINTS | GIIS Balestier Campus Challenge 20/20 Project In collaboration with NAIS (National Association of Independent Schools) students of Classes 3, 4 and 5 undertake an Exchange Programme with American schools to study Global Issues relating to Environment. As a continuing trend, this year, the school team’s global problem was identified as “Global Water Deficit”. During the course of preliminary studies and discussions, students Participation in SG50 Celebrations worked on few alarming situations As part of recognition of the school’s of water deficiency in Singapore. environmental efforts, the School They made an individual study on the Green Awards team invited GIIS causes, prevention and solutions of Balestier Campus to be part of these situations and provided their their Launch Mechanism for the inputs to the Project. programme in 2015. Motivational Workshop In view of Singapore’s 50th birthday, As a part of continuous efforts by the the SGA team put together a video school to encourage Tamil students that portrays the voices of the to give their best, 24 students from students, more specifically, their Classes 4 to 6 participated in a hopes and ideas for Singapore’s encourages students across all motivational workshop organised environment. This video was shown schools in Singapore to submit by the Youth Wing of Tamils during the Launch of the SGA 2015 projects that are developed through Representative Council on 30th programme at Minds Fernvale innovative ideas, processes and August. The Motivational Workshop School. equipment for the betterment of for Indian students delved into A handful of students from the the environment. GIIS Balestier the topic, ‘Gearing for the Future GreenVille Team represented the students from Class 6 were part 2014’ and explored key techniques school in this video that involved of the Green Wave Environmental to unleash their full potential and answers to one or two of the Care competition 2014 that aims to achieve success at school and in following: encourage young environmentalists life. They were trained to challenge • 50 tips for going green in schools to further create, sustain and limiting beliefs and acquire a new • 50 ideas for Singapore’s implement ideas on environmental mindset; a mindset that would environment issues for the improvement and help them to achieve success in • 50 reasons you love going green sustainability of its planet. The their study and personal life. The The school’s representation clearly students used this opportunity to workshop equipped them with all the emphasized the extent of integration probe deeper into the ways and necessary strategies to maximize with the mainstream on issues means of solving the green challenge. their personal effectiveness, manage affecting the country. ‘Real world learning programme’ their time effectively and inculcate a Sembawang Shipyard Project came to life through interesting success mindset. Every year, Sembawang shipyard projects.

Club Rainbow the space to set up stalls manned An overwhelming response and by Dunman High School students participation was evoked when who are working on this initiative. GIIS Balestier students had a The interaction with parents and session with Citi -YMCA initiative students to create awareness and for Club Rainbow Team. In order raise funds through sale of goods to create awareness about Club is just the right beginning for the Rainbow and raise funds whose school to embark on this journey beneficiaries are the terminally which supports the activities of ill children, the school provided Club Rainbow for a noble cause.

FOOTPRINTS | GIIS Balestier Campus 29 Annual Report

Gem 7 – Sports, Health & Fitness Bronze at the ACSIS Badminton their respective categories. Their Excellence Under-11 Boys (Division 1 and 2) demonstration of martial arts skills Sport develops a sense of discipline, League spoke volumes about their durable team spirit, and ethics. It also The school’s Boys badminton team physical energy and high self-discipline contributes towards ideals punctuality, put up a brave fight against their and confidence. reliability, co-operation and leadership. opponents from NPS, OFS and UWC One of the key aspects of the Nine (Dover) at the ACSIS Badminton GIIS Badminton Open Gems™ model is to shape and hone League tournament. Their two wins The annual GIIS Open Badminton 2014 sporting talents in students and provide from the three matches placed them drew a large number of badminton them a platform to display their skills in the third position to win the bronze enthusiasts and players who are while promoting their mental and trophy. The winners demonstrated that students and parents from across the physical growth. sky is the limit when it came to realizing three GIIS campuses in Singapore. Competing in the Athletic Conference their dreams. After a real hard fought match, of Singapore International Schools Rupambika Tripathy won the 1st Known as ACSIS, GIIS Balestier Runner Up title in the U-11 category. students romped home with several trophies in their winning spree against Sports Day different International Schools. Students of GIIS Balestier Campus exhibited the true spirit of sportsmanship at their annual Sports Meet under the theme ‘Fitness for Joy’. True to its theme, the students rapturously undertook a journey that was the culmination of what they had Silver Trophy for Boys Under -12 in been learning all along the year –a Cricket display of team spirit, coordination, The school’s cricket team bagged discipline and skills. The Sports Day silver for their outstanding wins against provided ample opportunities to all 8 teams from different International children, irrespective of their age, to Schools. The ‘fight to finish’ matches prove their mettle. The Meet that was proclaimed the existence of tough declared open witnessed the passing team spirit amidst the boys. Silver Trophy in Badminton at the of the torch to outstanding sports Gold in Under-10 Boys in Shot put ACSIS Badminton Under-11 Girls achievers of the school as soon as GIIS Balestier student, Dhananjay (Division 1) League the oath was taken by all. An array of Madhavan, charged its way to the The school’s Girls badminton team activities in the form of track and field top position in the Under-10 Boys played 8 matches against UWC East, races, perfectly synchronized aerobic and notched the Gold Award in Shot UWC Dover, OFS, GIIS East Coast, drills, mind soothing yoga forms of Put. The victory was the end result of GIIS Queenstown and Chatsworth and exercises, martial arts like taekwondo hard work coupled with steely grit and romped home with the Silver trophy in and karate, challenging fun games was resilience. Badminton. It was an incredible effort a testimony to not only the physical which produced well-deserved wins. prowess but also to the resilience and perseverance of the students.. Relay races for Classes 1 to 3 made a debut this year and proved to be a grand success with nail biting finishes. Parents sportingly took part in games specially hosted for them to prove that they were no less an athlete. Esteemed dignitaries and the Guest of Honour, Mr. Bernard Williams, a professional Under 11 Karate Championship basketball player and coach for children Trophy and youngsters, lent their support all Karthik Narayan and Soumya brought through the event. Indeed, the success laurels to the school by clinching of the Sports Meet was reflected on the the Karate Championship trophy in beaming faces of the students.

30 FOOTPRINTS | GIIS Balestier Campus Gem 8 – Universal Values, Ethics A Stirring Tribute to Mahatma & Discipline Gandhi In order to nurture children not India’s great leader, Mahatma Gandhi, just as good leaders, but also as was fondly remembered by the good human beings, the Global students of GIIS Balestier on the Schools Foundation launched the occasion of his birthday. Marked Global Indian Mahatma Gandhi worldwide as the ‘International Day Centre for Universal Values across of Non-violence’ a special assembly GIIS campuses worldwide. The captured the life and glory of this great centre gives students insights into leader. An Audio video presentation the experiences and teachings of traced the life story of Mahatma Mahatma Gandhi, as values and Gandhi and set the mood. A popular beliefs of the great leader on non- song was dedicated to this great soul violence are more relevant than ever by a group of talented singers. Few before in the world today. students narrated inspiring anecdotes Fun and Frolic at Kindergarten from the life of this freedom fighter. The annual ‘Fun and Frolic’ day Character-building in Focus A special skit offered glimpses of was back in full form. It is specially Several activities were conducted the united struggle put up by India’s organized keeping the little ones’ lively at GIIS Balestier Campus on 9th illustrious freedom fighters alongside and carefree spirit in mind. The nursery January to mark 100 years of Mahatma Gandhi. This remarkable and kindergarten students experienced Gandhiji’s return to India from South leader’s unique philosophy, unbridled joy with a wide variety of Africa. ‘Serving your own people unwavering values and strong games like “Bubbly Bouncers”, “Aim is serving the universe’ was one of conviction were conveyed clearly & Toss”, “Dart” and “Pin Apples Up”. the central themes around which through the skit. Close on its heels Delightful squeals could be heard discussions were held across all was a dance performance by agile during “Balancing Hilltops”. Last but levels. Several anecdotes from dancers. The assembly presentation not the least was the “Musical Chairs” Gandhiji’s life became food for concluded with confident speeches on which gave an adrenaline rush to all the thought for students. Brainstorming thought provoking topics like India’s kindergarteners. The spate of games sessions conveyed Gandhiji’s core freedom struggle, non-violence and added spark to the event. moral values vividly. Opportunities apartheid by students highlighted the were provided to absorb key values unique values that Gandhiji imparted like honesty, non-violence, selfless by living them. behaviour and service to others During the course of the day, art so that they could make a small competitions held across all levels difference in people’s lives. “Identify witnessed students earnestly donning the problem before you decide to their creative caps to capture themes act” was another theme depicted like Peace, My Beautiful World as well through creative and interesting ways as Gandhi and Non- violence on the like poem, story writing, posters and drawing canvas. The final outcome paragraph writing that described was a visual feast of beautiful images Gandhiji’s ideas and contribution. All peppered with famous quotes by activities not only opened the pages Gandhiji. of the life story of this remarkable Kindergarteners paid homage to the leader to discover his greatness, but legendary figure in their own way. also awakened the young minds to They had loads of fun by dipping follow lofty values as a way of life for their hands in orange and green paint treading the right path in their future. to colour and stick various images Extended Sports Training related to Gandhian values. A video Programme screening of Gandhiji’s life story and Badminton and Soccer are the sports beliefs catered to the senses of the in which students are undergoing children. extended training at the campus. Gandhiji’s indomitable spirit and Students shortlisted on the basis of profound philosophy were certainly their sports aptitude are further trained imbibed at the end of this sombre by professional coaches. celebration.

FOOTPRINTS | GIIS Balestier Campus 31 Annual Report

Gem 9 – Life skills, Career and SPECIAL OCCASIONS experiences during the fasting month Vocational Competencies of Ramadan. Colouring, decoration Good Friday and Easter Life skills is an important component art and card making The colour white filled the stage. of the school curriculum. The co- Curiosity filled the children’s heart curricular activities offer music, art, as they eagerly watched the show. craft reading, folk painting, fabric At the center of the assembly stage painting, clay modelling and these was a picture of Jesus on the cross. are woven into the regular academic On the stage were happy and jovial schedule. students. Carols, interesting facts First Aid techniques were taught to about Good Friday and videos on teachers so that they could apply in Easter delighted the audience. emergency situations. The School Counsellor works with Earth Day students, parents and teachers in 22nd April is celebrated as Earth Day a variety of ways. The counsellor all over the world. To mark this day Singapore’s National Day provides support in the following as assembly presentation started A well-defined power packed manner: off with two puppet shows which programme was executed to mark • Counselling students demonstrated the importance of the National Day of Singapore. The • Assisting parents or guardians natural resources such as water and special assembly conducted by all make informed decisions about their electricity. An animated video and sections of Class 4 recreated the child’s education delightful skit brought out important major milestones from the history of • Assessing students learning and messages like the benefits of using Singapore and closed with Singapore behaviour natural food products. Entertaining National Day songs to add to the • Assisting schools to identify and songs and traditional dances patriotic flavour. Students clad in address disabilities that affect student portraying Mother Earth reinforced national colours of red and white learning the ‘Go Green’ message. Activities stood in the formation of the number • Liaising with other agencies which and competitions attracted a creative ‘49’ to mark the 49th National Day are concerned with the well-being of spectrum of ideas from participants. of Singapore. The Guest of Honour, students Commander Indranil Banerjee, The school counsellor is a member hoisted the national flag followed by of the school’s student welfare. the salute and the National Anthem of Only with the consent of parents, Singapore. the counsellor will provide requisite information to teachers that will assist them in meeting the needs of the students effectively.

Hari Raya Activities GIIS Balestier Campus came together to celebrate the festival of Hari Raya. To keep learning global, current and meaningful, students conducted various activities. The day began with a special assembly focusing on the culture and tradition of Muslims. It was beautifully portrayed by the performing students. A video outlining the mode of celebrations by Muslims captivated all. A few students spoke about their personal

32 FOOTPRINTS | GIIS Balestier Campus India’s Independence Day 2014 sparked the festive mood at Felicitation of cleaners on UN Students and staff attired in shades GIIS Balestier. Glowing diyas and World Toilet Day of the Indian tricolor as well as lamps on the dais spread warmth and To commemorate UN World Toilet traditional costumes set the mood cheer during the special assembly Day on 19 November as declared for the day that began with a special staged by Class 5D. Forty invited by World Toilet organization, GIIS assembly. The performers shed light students of Kong Hwa School were Balestier Campus staged a special on the history of India’s struggle for present as spectators when the assembly. To extend solidarity to freedom eloquently on stage, which assembly unfolded with a meaningful this significant day, the school’s was supported by an energetic dance skit, tabla musical presentation, cleaning staff was invited on stage to the tune of an evergreen patriotic melodious songs and lively dances. and presented with NTUC vouchers song. The Patriotic spirit was The visitors were treated to a different as tokens of appreciation for the palpable when the hall reverberated culture and educational system. efforts they put in to maintain clean with the recital of the National To embrace the spirit of Diwali and and neat toilets. The vouchers Pledge. Spirited dances and songs promote cultural awareness, the were sponsored by the Restroom (also performed at the Indian High invited guests got into the act of Association of Singapore and Commission in Singapore as part of performing the dance moves along GIIS Balestier Campus. Students the Independence Day celebrations) with the performers on stage. With expressed their gratitude for their conveyed the National symbols in an the concluding show of fire crackers, unconditional support and wonderful impactful manner. The school came the memorable visit provided an work by giving personalized ‘Thank alive with a tricolor outline of the map excellent opportunity to all students you’ cards to them. The cleaning of India made possible by an elegant to interact with one another and enjoy staff expressed their happiness at arrangement of students. the festivities and cultural background being acknowledged. This is part of of another race and nationality. our endeavour to give back to our Exciting activities, typical of Diwali community. celebrations, persisted for the rest of the day. Rangoli-making saw participants give vent to their creative urges to produce spectacular rangoli patterns. Diwali desserts at the Street Food making event saw participants use their culinary skills to whip up sumptuous dishes with finesse. The Best Dressed Family contest A salute to teachers on Teacher’s Day created the perfect ambience for the Teacher’s Day celebration reinforced participants to bond together as each the view that teachers make a strong family walked the ramp in traditional Christmas Celebrations Spread its lasting impression on students. Diwali attire. Attention-grabbing Cheer On that special occasion, students games stalls set up independently Gearing up to usher in the Christmas showered their love and affection on by teams of students challenged season, students of GIIS Balestier teachers through handmade cards their entrepreneur skills. Their Campus experienced the joy of giving which bore personal messages creativity in providing entertainment and sharing. The morning assembly from students. A special assembly to the students was evident from the reflected the festive mood of the highlighted the celebrations that are palpable excitement of the visitors occasion. A jazzed up Christmas unique to every country across the who thronged their stalls to play the tree filled with glittering Christmas world. An audio visual presentation games. The mela was a big hit from decorations greeted the students. A paid tribute to all teachers for their start to finish. short video tracing the birth of Jesus untiring efforts in bringing out the Christ captivated the audience from best in every child. The evening start to finish. Dressed in Christmas kicked in joyful celebrations for caps, the performers sang all-time teachers across all campuses at favorite carols enthusiastically. The the school. The teachers had a magical moment arrived with the memorable time on their special day. entry of a young ‘Santa Claus’, much to the delight of the spectators. The Pulsating Diwali Mela feeling is sure to linger for a long Diwali celebrations on 10th October time.

FOOTPRINTS | GIIS Balestier Campus 33 Annual Report

Family Day Republic Day Celebrations Evoke Chinese New Year Excitement was in the air when National Pride The Year of the Goat was families of students from classes To commemorate India’s 66th welcomed with great fanfare at Nursery to Primary 2 came together Republic Day, GIIS Balestier got GIIS Balestier Campus. Staff and to celebrate Family Day. True to its into the national spirit with its students dressed in vibrant red theme ‘togetherness’, the event celebrations. Dressed in costumes set the mood for the celebrations. hosted an assortment of activities to resemble leaders, students of the A special assembly on Chinese that encouraged parents to bond with performing class spoke eloquently New Year gave a glimpse of the their children in different ways. about the struggles faced in the past Chinese customs and tradition. Recitation of a self-written poem for the country’s progress. Close on The colourful stage decorations by a student set the mood for its heels was the school choir that complemented the beautifully the event. On the spot activity sang evergreen songs to ignite the choreographed dances and titled ‘Kaleidoscope’ provided patriotic spirit. At the end of it all, the the audio visual presentations opportunities for all parents to Principal, Ms. Sheela Kharia, hoisted added significance to the use of showcase their artistic talents for one the national flag at the open field in the animals for each year in the minute through stage performances the presence of all students. The Chinese calendar. Special guests that included mimicries, songs National Anthem sung by one and all from the Residents Committee and dances, all of which created was a fitting tribute to the country. graced the occasion. beautiful memories of boundless joy As part of the SG 50 celebrations, and laughter. The all-time favourite GIIS BL, extended the CNY ‘Musical Chairs’ added to the fun celebrations outside the element. Cherished family moments campus. Children visited Tai captured in photos were shared by Peng Old Age Home where they students across Classes 3 to 6 in the distributed mandarin oranges, ‘Best Family Picture’ contest. At each among the inmates as a symbol level, five pictures that were judged of welcoming the New Year to be the best were duly recognised with prosperity. The dazzling with certificates. Games stalls, stalls folk dance performance put selling herbs grown in the school’s up by our talented students eco garden and food stalls offering was appreciated by one and favourite snacks kept the momentum all. Extending the gesture of going. friendship, children distributed The event successfully celebrated Martyrs’ Day orange baskets to neighbouring Homage was paid to all the freedom the love that begins and ends with a preschools- Cherrie Hearts fighters who sacrificed their lives for family. Preschool and two PCF their nation on the Martys' Day. This kindergartens. included a two-minute in the school. New Year celebrations in the Students dressed as India’s freedom school included distribution of fighters presented a special assembly oranges to office staff, cleaner to mark the occasion. The students aunties and uncles. Chinese spoke about the contribution of these lanterns, masks and dragons freedom fighters to free India from made by children added colour the shackles of the British rule. The and fun to the celebrations. assembly was concluded by, “Ask not what your country can do for you; ask what you can do for your country.”

34 FOOTPRINTS | GIIS Balestier Campus tudents reative phere Student’ Creative Sphere

BULLYING IS NOT MY FAMILY ACCEPTABLE Surya Narayan, Class 1A Aaryan Gupta, Class 6B Ours is a small family of four: daddy, mummy, my elder brother, Appu, and Riya imagined this moment many I. Of course, we have a whole lot of uncles and aunts and cousins, but they times but she never expected it don’t stay with us. to be so smelly. She was hiding in Mummy is sweet, pretty and loving. However, she is quite strict at times. a garbage can scared from some Once when I came home late, she was very upset with me and she didn’t bullies. They were trying to get talk to me for an hour. I cried bitterly. But then, she gave me my favourite her lunch money. How much she sweet and everything was alright again. Ever since, I make it a point to be wished she had never complained home on time. about them. It was her first day Daddy is very handsome, intelligent and was a brilliant student growing up. at school and she was walking to My friends like him very much. They prefer playing with him than with me. school. She was about to enter Daddy loves taking us out for cricket nets training and gymnastic classes. the school when some tall, mean Appu’s real name is Prithvi. I call him Prithvi Anna. He is ten years old. And looking, tenth standard students he is an amazing brother. When all four of us are together, we have a lot of blocked her way. She asked them fun. I am very proud of my family. politely to move out of the way but they started laughing and told her to give them her lunch money. She looked at them and WHAT I LIKE ABOUT RAIN understood that they were bullies. Aditya Sivaprasad, Class 1B She told them that she would not I like the cool breeze that blows give them her lunch money. They before the rain. The rain comes started punching and kicking her from nimbus clouds. I like to do hardly. She got hurt very badly and splashing and sploshing in the gave up. When she gave them the water puddles. I like to make money they laughed and taunted paper boats when it rains. her. This went on for a week until she could not bear it anymore. She complained about them to the principal. The boys got suspended for a month. They were very angry THANK YOU GIIS Ancika Peruvel K1A and since the time they returned Devstutya Pandey, Class 6B they had always been chasing Ever since I have joined GIIS her until now. She hoped that Balestier I have become more she would reach school without knowledgeable, disciplined, polite, FUNNIEST ANIMAL IN THE getting a beating. She peeked out etc. I am sure to be a successful ZOO of the garbage can and saw that person in life only because of Nandan Arveti, Class 1C no one was around. She checked GIIS. I am very proud of my One day, I went to the Zoo with the time and saw that there were school. My school has also taught my family. I saw many animals five minutes until the school would me many other useful values in the zoo. I think the monkey is start. She jumped out of the and it has taught me how to deal the funniest animal in the zoo. garbage can and made a run for it. with the hardest and harshest Monkeys make funny faces While she was running towards the situations. I have made the best and noises when we see them. school, she bumped into a hard of friends, I have experienced They live with their families like and solid body and fell down. She many situations. The teachers are us. They mostly eat fruits and looked up to find the head boy of very humorous, strict and helpful vegetables. Monkey’s favourite her school standing in front of her. all together. These qualities have fruit is Banana. Sometimes, He asked her politely whether she helped me a lot today. we can also feed them in the was alright and enquired why she Now, I will be going to a boarding zoo. Monkeys live on the trees was running fast. Riya told him school. I will miss my friends, and they also swing from one about the bullies. Getting ready teachers, coaches, and the tree to the other. They are to tackle the bullies at once, the school. very friendly animals and make head boy told Riya that he would I owe GIIS a lot and will remember different funny noises. I like the sort out the problem. He advised my school days at GIIS lifelong; monkey because it is funny and her to get help from the prefects if thank you GIIS. interesting. there was any such issue in future.

36 FOOTPRINTS | GIIS Balestier Campus English

My favourite zoo animal Hardhik Siriparapu, Class 1C Orangutan is my favourite zoo animal. In Malay, Orangutan means "Man of the forest". I like the way these huge animals climb the trees. They travel between the trees easily as they cannot travel far by land. When they are young, they are cute and funny. My favourite spot in the zoo is where orangutans eat and have fun. But now, these wonderful animals are endangered and so, only few are left in the world. Orangutans lost their homes due to Rajvi Jariwala K2F forest fires in Indonesia. By making laws against smuggling, we can save orangutans from becoming extinct. MY TRIP TO MALDIVES Prakul Chandrakumar, Class 4C ALIEN SPACESHIP AND In 2012, we went to Maldives by Singapore Airlines. We took a small CHEETAH speedboat to an island where the resort was. We went straight to the Aaryan Suresh V, Class 2A lobby where the cordial staff gave us a warm welcome by giving us cool One day, I went to the Night juice. Then we settled in our room which was nice and cool too. After Safari with my parents. We some time we went to a huge restaurant. It was beautiful with a brilliant enjoyed watching the animals seaside view. We spent time there looking at the beautiful chandeliers till while travelling around in the late night. The next day we walked around and then dived into the beach. tram. Suddenly, I saw a Cheetah The water was aqua marine blue with lots of colorful fishes. They swam leaping out of the enclosure and close to the beach. But they were not the only fish. There were poisonous chasing a visitor. Everyone got jelly fish floating all around. Suddenly all of them swam away and I could scared. The visitor hid behind see why. A baby shark was swimmimg right up! It was fierce enough a tree while the Cheetah ran to frighten other sea creatures. On the fourth day of our stay, many forward looking for prey. Thinking passenger boats docked. A show was held at night. People were singing fast, I got an idea. I grabbed my and playing games. I didn’t like much of it but I ate to my heart’s content! father's phone & called the rescue The food was awesome! On our way back, a huge cargo ship itself number. A brightly coloured docked in the island! Finally the day had come for us to fly back home. alien spaceship landed in the Jungle. Two Aliens stepped out of the spaceship. They looked scary with green bodies and long pointed ears. Knowing what to do, the aliens’ hands grew longer like tentacles and went in all directions searching for the Cheetah. One of the Alien’s hands caught found the Cheetah at last! The Cheetah was put back safely in its place. After finishing the task, the Aliens entered the alien spaceship while waving to us. The round spaceship flew away. My parents patted me gently and I blinked at them. I had been imagining all this stuff! Shaking my head, I continued the tram journey to see the animals. Anay, K2C

FOOTPRINTS | GIIS Balestier Campus 37 Student’ Creative Sphere

“UNITED WE STAND” Sheiladitya Basu, Class 6B (Silver Award in Commonwealth Essay) “United we stand and divided we fall”- This mantra is followed by each and every individual in the world. There is nothing in the world without unity and harmony and to make our world a better place, we all need to stand united. Despite the barriers of creed, caste, time and languages, there is no force stronger than unity and if we are not united anyone can harm us. Unity has various meanings among different people, but according to me, if we have to maintain peace and harmony in all fields of life in this world, there must be a shared bond. In the 21st century, we have are witnessing many natural calamities and disasters and during those situations, it is heartening to watch people from all over the world help one another. These are in terms of rescue and relief and in this way people rally together and lend a helping hand for a better cause. Every youth of the country should work together so as to achieve progress both for themselves and their country. There have been many unpleasant situations in our lives where we have not been treated well leading to arguments and fights, but by having mutual Yaswanth Muthukumar- K1C trust we can rise above those situations. Family is the most important part of my/our life. Family provides a safe atmosphere for a child to learn what is right and what is wrong. Family members are available for help at all times. Family also gives moral support. If all members look out for one another at all times, BALLON D’OR WINNER the family will prosper and achieve success in life. At times of illness, Pratyush Bansal, Class 4C there will be immediate out pouring of love, support and help of all Christiano Ronaldo is the best kinds from all family members which is the best medicine to recover. player ever, Sports is another area where being united is very vital for a team’s Deadly dribbling, inaccurate development. Soccer, being such a popular sport worldwide, sets passing never, a very good example of team work, hard work and resilience. The He tackles, shoots and scores role of the captain is to see that there is no discord in the team. lots of goals, He should lead the team under all circumstances while facing all Never do his shots ever hit the kinds of opponents in crucial encounters. The team members and poles. the captain of the team must share a common goal so that they Even after a knee injury, can march forward together to clinch victory. If the ream remains He is a Champions League disunited, then they will face defeats eventually. winner, seriously! History, too, has seen a lot of destruction in the face of war Shows that he is, daring and causing lot of bloodshed and sufferings. As a consequence of it, strong, leading countries in the world formed an organization called United A player who doesn’t get Nations to maintain peace and work together for the betterment of anything wrong. all nations. The UN has proved to be an effective organization to He plays for Portugal and Real ensure that in future no wars take place. In the present world, some Madrid, people are engaged in creating violence, destroying peace, natural He thrashes teams till they are resources, human relationships, moral values, religious practices exhausted, and so on. There is widespread destruction in the name of religion His opponent teams are always from terrorist outfits. For all these destructions, the leading evil is thrashed selfishness. The only way to encounter this is if we unite ourselves All because of Ronaldo’s into a powerful force, we will be able to stand up against such types attacks. of human induced tragedies. After playing strong and hard, The pressing need in today’s world is that the Earth needs unified He helped his team win La Liga, people to protect it from irreversible destruction. Strength lies in With all his achievements over unity and disunity leads to disaster and ruin. the year As Helen Keller has rightly said, ‘’Alone we can do so little; together He is the deserving winner of we can do so much’’. Ballon D’Or

38 FOOTPRINTS | GIIS Balestier Campus English

THE FUNNIEST ZOO ANIMAL! MY SCHOOL IS BEST WHAT I LIKE ABOUT THE Ananya Mangla, Class 2A Kritika Tripathy, Class 1C RAIN I visited the ZOO during this GIIS Balestier is the best- For Mangai Somasundaram, vacation. I had a lot of fun over better than the rest. Class 2C there but the funniest animal I Be it east, or be it west –GIIS is The word “Rain” brings saw was a monkey. I thought that the best. images of colourful rainbow monkeys were very calm but they Teachers are kind and nice. and sensations of cool turned out to be very naughty. Friends are great too. breeze. I love to splash in They were monkeying around Please take my advice, I hope the puddles that are formed people for food and would even you do. I hope you do realize, the on the ground after the swing around the ropes and love given by everyone is great in rain. My friend and I turn trees trying to entertain us. Then amount and size. into boat builders to have we went to the restaurant as The school give us knowledge, fun building paper boats we were hungry. We could see that we would love to and checking whose boat the African monkey’s enclosure acknowledge. floats for long time. I like where the monkeys were trying It gives us more than what we rain because it is the main to scare us by banging against need. It blossoms us just like a source of water and has a the glass wall. It was fun to meet seed. GIIS Balestier is the best- cooling effect. Peacocks this naughtiest animal. For better than the rest. dance when it is about to Be it east, or be it west – GIIS is rain. Rain brings nature to the best. life!

THE FUNNIEST ZOO ANIMAL BEAUTIFUL NATURE Tristan Hugo Eltvedt, Class 2C Sidarth Sathyamoorthy, Class The funniest zoo animal is the 4C tree biscuit although I spotted Recently I saw a video on How it first on a television show. It Wolves Change Rivers. Wolves looks funny because it has had been missing for over orange hair and sharp claws to 70 years in the Yellowstone hang upside down. The best National Park in the U.S.A. In thing about its black eyes is 1995 they were reintroduced that it looks as if it is wearing into the National Park. The glasses. It sleeps at day time population of deer was getting but stays up all night. Its diet reduced because they were is mostly leaves. The most hunted down by the new interesting thing is you do not population of the wolves. This get to see this animals in many meant that the over grazing zoos. It is indeed a special of plants was now getting animal! reduced as the deer population was avoiding most of the open grazing areas. They started to MY FAMILY move to dense forested areas Anushri Shivakumar, Class 1C where it became hard for the I love my family a lot. My wolves to spot. This way the mother cooks yummy food. open areas became greener My father works very hard. My thus stopping soil erosion sister studies a lot. I always do especially near the river banks. my homework. My family has Rivers started flowing in a breakfast, lunch and dinner fixed course without changing together. I help my mother in its path. In this way wolves cleaning the kitchen and help stabilized the ecosystem of my father in cleaning the room. Yellow Stone National Park once I enjoy myself a lot with my again. family.

FOOTPRINTS | GIIS Balestier Campus 39 Student’ Creative Sphere

THINGS THAT ARE HARD TO MY FAMILY BELIEVE! Laya Mahesh Class 2B Aleia Bhalla, Class 3C My family is the best place 1. On Jupiter and Saturn, it rains for me in the whole earth. Diamonds! Back in India, ours is a very 2. Armadillos almost always give large close knit family. In birth to quadruplets! Singapore we are a small 3. Apparently, there are more family with my mother, father fake flamingoes in the world than and I. We celebrate many Annika D Souza K2B real ones! small occasions that make 4. Ten percent of all the photos all of us happy. Few days ever taken were taken in the last back we had planted some tomato seeds. All of us went 12 months! MY MOTHER to cloud nine when we saw the 5. If the Sun were the size of a Sanshray Saxena, Class 3B tomato shoot coming up. We white blood cell, then the Milky Roses are red and sky is blue, do many such tasks together. Way galaxy would be the size of You’re my mother and that is true. Music is the common love the United States! If you were not there, then no one of our family. Weekends are 6. There are more stars in space would care, incomplete without a family than there are grains of sand on You’re my mom and I know that music time and prayer time, every beach in the world! you’re a pro! where my mother sings, father 7. For every 1 human in the I can climb the highest mountain plays percussion instrument world there are 1,600,000 ants in and cross the ocean blue, and I enjoy singing and the world! Everything is possible, if your dancing to their music. Of 8. The total weight of all those mom believes in you!! ants, however, is about the same course, we do have fights but as all the humans! each fight binds us with more 9. There is enough water in Lake love for each other. I love my Superior to cover all of North & family – A small and a happy LIFE WITHOUT ELECTRONIC South America in 1 foot of liquid! family. GADGETS 10. Russia has a larger surface Abraham Shery Ponodath, Class than Pluto! 3C 11. Scotland’s national animal is Life without electronic gadgets the Unicorn! would not be too bad for me since 12. There are ten times more I don’t play too often with them. bacteria in our body than actual I usually play soccer with my body cells! friends. My brother plays the most 13. The Octopus has 3 hearts! with electronic gadgets in my 14. A strawberry is not a berry – family. So I can’t imagine how life it is a fruit! is going to be for him! I admit that I would miss these gadgets if am not allowed to use them. Without them, I will not be able to play my favourite FIFA WHAT I LIKE ABOUT RAIN 15 game, no watching videos, Neha S Pullarkat, Class 2D no chatting on whatsapp, viber What I like about rain is and etc. I will not be able to surf splashing in the puddles that the web or research for projects. the rain makes. I also like to Homework will have to be hand stand in the rain and catch written instead of being typed on the raindrops on my tongue. the computer. But when I have cold I am not Too much time on gadgets causes allowed to go out in the rain. eye problems and you end up During that time, I sit in my having a lazy lifestyle which will room and look out of my room make you plump! So we’d better window and watch the rain. know when to use and when to stop! Anirudh Ganesh, 5D

40 FOOTPRINTS | GIIS Balestier Campus English

SHORT STORY: MY Short story: THE SHOE ADVENTURE AT ‘RIPLEYS INCIDENT BELIEVE IT OR NOT’ Vishaal Vinodhkumar, Class 4B MUSEUM! I want to tell you about a funny Manisha Gopinath, Class incident that happened to me a 3D few months ago. I was extremely Do you love shopping? Well! sleepy on this particular Monday I do. When I was in Gold morning. I got ready, all the Coast I was supposed to while thinking about sleeping visit the Ripley’s Believe it or on the car ride to school. Before not museum one afternoon. we started, my Mom asked me I got completely carried if I had everything I needed. I away with my shopping and nodded and got into the back it was 8 pm when I reached seat of the car so I could sleep. the museum. There was I was pretty sure I had forgotten still an hour before closing something but didn't know what time when I went inside the it was. So I decided to let it go. Suhana Parija- Nursery A museum. Soon, I was fast asleep. First I passed through a The next thing I remember was gallery of paintings and wax my Mom waking me up and figures of some unusual telling me that we had reached things such as double- school. I woke up with a start, SHINING STARS headed cows, white giraffes picked up my bag and was Anoushka Sairaj, Class 3B and even one – eyed ready to get off the car when Bright !!! Bright !!! Bright !!!! animals. Then I entered the it suddenly struck me. I had Flowers bloom and make the shrunken heads section. forgotten to wear my shoes. I garden beautiful Oooh! This was scary!! I felt silly and worried at the same bright !!!!bright!!!! bright !!!!!! quickly looked around time. My Mom knew something Just look at the sky, how stars and realised that I was all was up and she burst out and sun alone. Suddenly, I heard an laughing when she heard what shine !!! shine !!!! shine !!! announcement, “WE WILL I had to say. We rushed to a makes the sky beautiful NOW BE CLOSING THE nearby store to buy me a pair of bright !!!!bright!!!! bright !!!!!! MUSEUM!” white shoes. I reached school Children play in the garden I panicked as the lights a few minutes late and tried to and makes the park beautiful turned off one by one. sneak into class but my Class bright!!!! bright!!!! bright !!!! It became pitch dark. Teacher stopped m. She couldn't So,you can also glow the Suddenly, I saw something stop giggling after I told her what world glowing. I walked towards had happened and she let me bright !!!!bright!!!! bright !!!!!! it and as I approached it I go. Till this day, I make sure that I with your kindness and help realised that it was the glow am wearing my shoes every time make everyone’s life in the dark figure that I had I step out of the house, with a bright !!!!bright!!!! bright !!!!!! seen next to the stairs when big smile on my face. I entered the museum. I found the staircase and dashed up the steps. The staff were just about to close the museum, when they saw me and let me out. When I told them about my adventure, one of the staff said, “When I was young I had an adventure just like yours, but nobody believed me. But I believe you.”

Anuraag, K2E

FOOTPRINTS | GIIS Balestier Campus 41 Student’ Creative Sphere

UNITED WE STAND Prithvi Narayan, Class 5A (Bronze Award, Commonwealth Essay) “Coming together is a beginning. Keeping together is progress. Working together is success.” – in the words of the great Henry Ford. “United we stand, divided we fall” – this adage has been with us for many generations. As boundaries diffuse in this ever-shrinking world, unity becomes more necessary. Only when we unite in spirit, can we truly cope with challenges. Take the example of the recently concluded Twenty-Twenty Cricket World Cup. Team India, whose players played in combination with one another, were strong and went unbeaten into the finals. A pride of lions who always hunt as a team is mighty. Likewise, a family whose members are united is very strong. If all its members are united, and work towards the well-being of the family, they prosper. But if the members are selfish, having their own independent goals and work towards achieving only those without paying attention to the overall development of the family, its condition worsens. So, in the case of family, the strength lies in the unity of its members. If they are united, the family prospers. If not, it goes to ruin. A very good example here is the case of Ravana, the king of Lanka. He was fated to die when his brother left him and joined the enemy. Another example is the jealousy between Prithviraj and Jaichand which gave an opportunity to Mohammed Ghori to conquer India. The quarrels among Rajputs brought their downfall and humiliation. Rajputana was conquered by Muslim rulers in spite of the fact that the Rajputs were matchless in bravery. If they had gathered under one banner, the history of India would have been different today. Yet another example is the Language Movement Day which is also referred to as Martyrs’ Day. This day, observed as the national day of Bangladesh commemorates protests and sacrifices to protect Bengali as a national language. During 1950-52, Bangladeshis protested against the Pakistan Government on their open declaration that Urdu will be the national language. Bangladesh wanted equal status for their mother tongue ‘Bengali’ as national language. Police banned any sort of meeting because of the protest. Defying this, the students of University of Dhaka and Dhaka Medical College and other political activists unitedly started a procession. Police opened fire on the protesters and numerous students died. But the sacrifices of thousands of student and activists helped Bangladesh to reach their goal. Afterwards, the Government of Pakistan gave Bengali equal status as a national language. UNESCO decided to observe 21 February as International Mother Language Day. Unity is necessary for the survival of all. Here the story of the ferocious cobra is very enlightening. The story goes on like this. A black Cobra lived in the hollow of a tree. The tree was near a field. He was very ferocious and poisonous. He never hesitated to bite other creatures. Near his hole, there was a termite hill. Whenever, the termite came out, the Cobra would attack them and eat some of them. One day, he decided to slighter through the tiny hole of the termite hill and eat more termites. However, his body could not squeeze through the tiny hole. The walls of the hole wounded his body. The termites saw him trying to enter their hole. They bit him. Somehow, he managed to escape and slither through the field to its other side. On that side of the field, there was an ant hole. The ants were at that time, out of their hole to collect food. The snake saw them and ate a few of them. When the other ants saw him, they decided to attack. Soon, they all united together and formed a large army and attacked the Cobra. The united ants were able to kill the huge snake. Thus, great is the country whose people remain united. On the contrary, if people fight among themselves, the country does not prosper and its enemies get a chance to attack and defeat it. The proverb, unity is strength tells us that “United we stand, divided we fall”. This proverb emphasises the power of unity. Unity is essential to maintain peace in this world. Unity helps to avert wars. The thought that “I am human and all humans are my brothers and sisters” symbolizes unity. Thus knowing the power of unity, all of us should stay together. In short, unity means “all for one, and one for all.

42 FOOTPRINTS | GIIS Balestier Campus English

MY FAVOURITE SPORT VACATION POEM Ahaan Dhar, Class 3A Smrithi Venkatesh, Class 2A My favourite sport is soccer Hap hap holidays, I went on a jolly ride. since it is a ball game. I went to Manila, and Subic Bay drive. Soccer is also known as I had fun with sealion, dolphins and wild life joy. football. The duration of Tree top adventure, canopy ride made me crazy and super terrified. this game is 90 minutes. In I swam on the beach to make friends with jelly and fishes. case no goal is scored within Fun, fun in Philippines, had to come to SG in a week. these 90 minutes, extra time Though I’m feeling sad, I’m happy I’m back. of 30 minutes is allotted. Even then if there is no goal, the winner is decided by penalty shoot out. This game is played between MY FAMILY 2 teams, each of eleven Shruti Upadhye, Class 2A players; one of these is Hi there, today I am going to tell you about my family. the goal keeper. The most There are four people in my family. They are: brother, mother, father and challenging part of this game me. I like my father because he works hard to earn money for the family. is to dribble the ball from I like my mother because she cooks food and takes care of me. I like my the opponent team player brother because he helps me in things that I do not know. All my family and hit it inside their goal. members are important to me in different ways. Only the goal keeper can use their hands to stop the ball. If any other player touches the ball with their hand, it is DISCUSSION BETWEEN MOTHER AND SON considered as a foul and free Shubh Jain, Class 2A kick is given to the opposing Mother: Shubh, what did you write for cheapest means of transport? team. Shubh: Of course, air. The area close to the goal Mother: What makes you think so? is called the penalty box. Shubh: It's simple - If any player other than the Land Transport - Car COE is so high and everyone has to scrap the car goal keeper touches the after 10 years. ball inside this penalty box, Water Transport - Last year when we went on cruise, I heard you and dad or pushes the opponent, talking that it was 1000+$. penalty kick is awarded to Mother: So, what makes you think that air is cheapest? the opposing team. Shubh: Last month, we went to Vietnam. Our tickets cost only $100+! Some players choose to play soccer on professional level and make it as their career. Brazil, Argentina, Germany, France, Netherlands, Japan, Spain, England etc are some of the strongest football teams. The international association of soccer is called FIFA and they organise world cup every four years. The latest world cup was in 2014 and was won by Germany. Some of the world renowned players of soccer are Lionel Messi, Ronaldo, Ronaldino, Pele, Maradona, Beckham, Neymar etc. Sara Kulkarni, K1F

FOOTPRINTS | GIIS Balestier Campus 43 Student’ Creative Sphere

MY FAVOURITE FOOD ‘EGGS’ Harshit Siriparapu, Class 2B Eggs are one of my favourite breakfast items along with many foods. They can be served WHAT I LIKE ABOUT THE RAIN during any meal. There are many Eshana Suresh, Class 2B MIND BLOWING ways to make egg varieties The rainy season brings along FACTS THAT YOU like omelette, scrambled egg, water which is the base of life. MIGHT NOT HAVE boiled egg etc., Eggs suit many It relieves the heat of the sun. KNOWN varieties of preparations all over We see greenery all around us. I Anurag Thakur, Class the world starting from the west also like to play in little puddles 3A to east. They are great with of water on my way back home. Did you know that continental breakfast like bread I like to wear my raincoat which there are more atoms omelette, egg sandwich etc. In has teddy bears printed on it. My in a glass of water, India, they are popularly used umbrella is of my favorite pink than of all glasses of to make egg curry which is my color and I like to use it when water in all of Earth’s favourite. My mother gives me it rains. These are some of the oceans? an egg every day to build my reasons why I like rainy season. Did you know that one body. She always says a good single lightning bolt thumb rule is to eat one egg a has enough energy to day and mostly egg whites than cook 100000 pieces of the yellow yolks. toast? Did you know that there are more living organisms living on the skin of one person MY FAVOURITE SPORT- FOOTBALL than the population of Siddhartha Mehta, Class 3A the world? A game is an activity involving one or more players. Games are played Did you know if you primarily for entertainment or enjoyment, but may also serve as exercise. drive your car straight Everyone in this world has their own favourite games, so do I. My favourite up into the sky, you game is Football. I often play this with my friends in the evenings. I like this would reach space in game because it is exciting and challenging. one hour? Football is a team sport played between two teams of eleven players Did you know that each. It is a ball game played on a rectangular grass field with a goal at a human sheds 40 each end. The objective of the game is to score by hitting the ball into pounds of skin in a the opposing goal. The winner is the team which has scored most goals year? at the end of the match. Football is played at a professional level all over Did you know that a the world, and millions of people regularly go to stadium to follow their red blood cell travels favourite team, while millions watch the game on television. In many parts around our body from of the world football evokes great passions and plays an important role one point back to the in the life of individual fans, local communities, and even nations; it is same point again in 20 therefore often claimed to be the most popular sport in the world. seconds? There are many worldwide international competition of Football. One of the Did you know that we major international competitions is the World Cup organized by Fédération don’t have 5 senses Internationale de Football Association (FIFA). The star I admire most in as we are generally football is Lionel Andrés "Leo" Messi taught in our schools Cuccittini an Argentine professional footballer who plays as a forward for but much more than Spanish club FC Barcelona and is the captain for the Argentina national that! Neurologists have team. Messi is the only player to top-score in four consecutive Champions identified 9 or more League seasons, and also holds the record for the most hat-tricks scored senses till now. in the competition with five. In March 2012 he made Champions League history by becoming the first player to score five goals in one match. There are many reasons football is my favourite game. I wish to become a professional football player. I learnt teambuilding, discipline as well as teamwork through playing football.

44 FOOTPRINTS | GIIS Balestier Campus English

UNITED WE STAND Jaidev Balaji, Class 3B (Silver Award for Commonwealth Essay) From places far and wide We make new friends and live in harmony Growing together, sharing ways of life Learning to sing hand in hand We’re all different but united we stand …… In the history of the world, we get a glimpse of the mighty empires falling down into pieces, due to lack of mutual trust among fellow beings. When trust is dovetailed with unimpeachable integrity to achieve a target, it leads to an action where mind is without fear and where the world is not broken into fragments of distrust, disrespect and despair. A rope is strong because its threads are united. We cannot break it unless the threads are separated. Today, our world requires a lot of unity among the nations to tackle with important issues like environmental pollution, terrorism etc. Unity not only leads to the prosperity of an individual, but also to the prosperity of a nation. It helps in strengthening relationships. Unity is like a link that connects a long chain. Unity helps in achieving triumph. The security of a nation depends upon the integrity and harmony among its citizen. Unity helps to maintain peace in the world. Unity helps to avert wars. We must also live in accord with the environment. Unity means all for one and one for all. I recollect, how my grandmother narrated the story of doves, led by a dove king. Once upon a time, a flock of doves under the leadership of their king were flying in search of food. Finally, the smallest bird, spotted some grains of rice, scattered under a banyan tree. Gladly, the flock alighted and set to feed with a will. Suddenly, a weight fell over them. Looking up they were aghast to find that they were trapped in a net. The dove king counselled his flock to remain calm and gave them a brilliant plan. “Let us each hold a bit of the net with our beaks and fly away with it. Together, we will be able to bear the weight of the net.” The hunter had almost reached them, when to his astonishment the net and the birds suddenly lifted up and were gone out of his reach. Yelling with shock, he chased them but the birds went higher and higher and were soon a distant blur. The birds alighted near a temple, where the king’s friend, a mouse, lived. The dove king requested the mouse to gnaw at the net and set his followers free first. The mouse understood the feelings of the noble dove king and set the birds free. Gladly, they thanked the mouse before flying away together, strong in their unity. This story has left a lasting impression on my mind. If we human beings reciprocate, in the same manner, as the doves, the Mother Earth will certainly become a symbol of unity in the universe. We are blessed to be born with blessings of saints, who have time and again, stressed the importance of unity in diversity. Like the melting pot of all cultures lies in unity, similarly the key to happiness lies in love. If we are able to dissolve the minute differences arising from cultures, colour, creed, caste, race etc., we can emanate new genres of freedom, which in turn will redefine the Laws of Eternal bliss, in which every fellow being mutually respects each other, thereby breaking the narrow walls of hatred, enmity, terrorism etc. For the contemporary scenario shows a blurred vision of a few short sighted individuals, who are trying to misguide and instigate the masses for their selfish ends. But, I pray the Almighty to give us strength to overcome this transient phase and re-emerge into the United World, redefining new outlook towards life of not merely growth in numbers but development, which is an ongoing process of not getting things done, but doing things continuously and selflessly. And all this is possible, only if, we submerge the differences, as all religions ultimately aim at seeking the truth. Truth can be attained with mutual love, trust and faith which are the pillars that lead to unity. God created this beautiful Earth, but man made boundaries. It’s time that we break these artificial barriers that behold us from feeling the pulse of our brethren. This is possible only through unity. For, united we stand, divided we fall. Caring for others and our habitat Together we build our love and respect For a world we work to protect………

FOOTPRINTS | GIIS Balestier Campus 45 Student’ Creative Sphere

UNITED WE STAND WHAT I LIKE ABOUT SCIENCE Namratha Venkatesh, Class 5B (Gold Award) Manu Upadhye, Class 6C It was a bright sunny morning. The chirping of birds and the scent of flowers Science is one of my favorite filled the air. I woke up with a yawn. Gosh! I was late for school! I quickly subjects. I like a lot of things in dressed and got ready to go to school. I grabbed my bike and raced to science like space and animals school. I was just in time for the first period. When I entered the classroom, but I love doing experiments the my teacher was teaching everyone about the importance of teamwork. She most. Animals are fascinating scolded me for being so late. I quietly took my seat and she went on with the because there are so many class. The chapter we were doing was most interesting. It was about a team different species, each with its which worked together to achieve goals. In the lunch break, as I was eating, own specialty. What I like about I suddenly hit upon a great plan. I gathered my friends and told them that I space is the universe. The had thought of starting a club like the one in the chapter. They all thought it creation of all is truly inspiring. was a great idea. So, the next day I met all my friends in the park to discuss Experiments are never boring about the club. They all decided that I should be the leader. We called our because every invention is a club ‘Seva’, which means ‘Service’ in Hindi. We put our heads together and result of hard work. Inventors agreed on the qualities a good team should have - positive thinking, respect, succeed eventually after communication, team balance, and leadership. We also agreed that a good conducting a lot of experiments. team member should be reliable, communicate well, do more than asked, So science without experiments adapt quickly and easily, and display genuine commitment. A good team is like a fish out of water. member would also be unconcerned about his needs and strive only for the welfare of the team. We also made a slogan. Our slogan was ’United We Stand, Divided We Fall’, which means unless people are united, they can NATURE!’ be defeated easily. One of my friends suggested that we should set targets Vaidehi Bodhankar, Class 3A and achieve goals right away to create an impact. We thought hard and Nature Nature, it is the best.. finally I came up with an idea. I recounted to my friends about an incident Nature Nature, forget the rest!!! that happened on the outskirts of the city where there was a small patch of In morning, rise and shine and woods, I saw some people cutting down the trees. My friends were outraged see the flowers bloom. to hear this and immediately decided that we were going to do all we could When you see them, you won't be to save the trees. After all, trees are important for our own very survival on sad or in gloom.... Earth. We decided to make banners and posters on the importance of trees Nature Nature , it is the best.. and the dangers of deforestation. So, the next day all the members of the Nature Nature, forget the rest!!! 'Seva Club' met at the outskirts of the city, bearing either colorful posters Dig a hole, drop a seed.. Water it or banners. We started campaigning and soon many people had gathered and give some sunlight.... when around us to hear us speak. After that, we started coming everyday to you see your tree, it is such a campaign and gathered a lot of support from like - minded people. Finally we wonderful sight!!!! met with success- the company which was cutting down the trees decided Nature Nature , it is the best.. to stop due to the public protests. Our good work was noticed and reported Nature Nature, forget the rest!!! in the newspapers too! In the process of saving trees, we developed a great When you see their flowers bonding within our club, and soon learnt to trust each other and stand up covered full of bees.. You can for each other. A pleasant surprise lay in store for our club - the Principal of plant some more flowers with lot our school awarded our team with a trophy, and praised us by saying that of ease!!!! we had helped make the country a better place to live in! My friend, who Nature Nature , it is the best.. had never received a trophy before and who was so excited at receiving Nature Nature, forget the rest!!! one, almost dropped the trophy! The Principal declared that a good team is one which undertakes to work collectively for a common cause. Everyone burst into a resounding applause. We shook hands with the Principal and the Vice Principal and thanked them. Our Club carried out similar activities in the days to come. We did our bit to save the environment, help the poor, and contribute to society. Whether it was planting trees, launching recycling drives, collecting and donating money to the needy folk, volunteering for chores in the neighborhood – we were up for it! It was immensely satisfying. Everyone appreciated our efforts and encouraged us. Soon, we were pleased to find out that many others in our neighborhood had been inspired by us and started their own clubs to help the society! So friends, this was just a short narration to depict how strong a team can be if they work together. Henry Ford's message rang loud and clear 'Coming together is a beginning, keeping together is progress and working together is success.' Arnav Jain 1A

46 FOOTPRINTS | GIIS Balestier Campus English

WHAT I LIKE ABOUT SCIENCE Sowmiya Thirumeni, Class 6C The word science is derived from the word “Scientia”, which means ‘knowledge’. Science is what we know about the world around us. Questions like “Why do volcanoes erupt?” and “How do our brains work?” are answered by science. Science also discovers many other new things we don’t know. There are many branches in OUTDOOR ACTIVITIES science like biology, chemistry and physics. My favourite branch is Ishita Gupta, Class 3A medicine. It is the branch of science which studies the diagnosis, I really enjoy all kind of treatment and prevention of diseases. outdoor activities. I go Science is a vast topic, divided into many subtopics (sections). to the playground every What I like about science is that it can answer all our questions. evening to play outdoor We can find answers by using experiments. The observation is the games like football, answer. I also like the fact that science is the tool or material which running, slides and helps us to understand things going on around us. Many things monkey bars with my happen according to a scientific principle or it could also be due friends. During our PE to an interaction. We use science to find about things we don’t lessons in school, we know about yet. Did I forget to mention we are all able to play video go to school playground games, watch movies and travel today because of technology, to have lots of physical which is also a branch of science? This proves science is very activities. When we useful to us in our daily lives. practice for the annual Our next goal is to use science to reduce or impact on Earth, using sports day, our PE alternative energy, etc. There are so many species of plants and teacher helps us with animals, chemical compounds and scientific principles we are relay racing competition. yet to discover. Science is endless, a miracle. But we need to be Even on weekends, I get careful while conducting experiments because some interactions up early and go to our are dangerous. We will not know so we should use the appropriate community park to jog instruments. Let’s enjoy science in a safe way. and exercise with my parents. Sometimes, my parents also take me to different National Parks in Singapore and I really have fun time playing in the playground and IF I WOULD BE SOMEONE ELSE…. running around. One Srishti Agrawal, Class 6C of my favorite outdoor If I would be someone else, I would be.....Mahatma Gandhi, a sports activities is swimming person, Albert Einstein, a movie star etc. the most obvious and common which is a very good answer. But my choice is different and maybe a little weird too. He is the exercise too. I have also one I really want to be. joined swimming classes If he wants something he can just draw it and the thing appears before to keep this going. him. Making friends is just very simple for him, it can be done just by Outdoor activities really throwing a ring at the person you want to be friends with. If you want to help me to keep me go back in time, he has the answer. He has guns which shoots but brings mentally and physically only sleep temporarily (to stop nuisance) and not death. We can get full active. We should all do marks in exam and has many other extraordinary things. some outdoor activities He has exemplary skills and a storehouse full of gadgets. He is sensible, and have more fun in life. caring, intelligent, and has infinite talents. He knows how to handle situations really well. Were you able to guess who it is? He is the cartoon character doraemon. This whole idea may seem absurd, but not to me, looking at the pace at which science is making advances today. Who knows, all this might become reality tomorrow.

FOOTPRINTS | GIIS Balestier Campus 47 Student’ Creative Sphere

"IF I COULD BE SOMEONE I RIDDLES BULLYING IS NOT WOULD BE...." Aditi Prasad, Class 6B ACCEPTABLE Roshin Jacob, Class 6B Q. What has a face and two Vaishnavi C Mayya, Class 6 A If I could be someone I would hands but no arms or legs? Bullying is the use of force be God, A. A clock! against a person to dominate With a cape and maybe a Q. What has a neck but no head? him/her. It is a repeated action magical rod. A. A bottle. towards particular targets. Up above in heaven I stand, Q. What gets wetter as you dry Bullying can be verbal, physical, Along with my angelic band. yourself? psychological or cyber which I can finally create life, A. A towel. can be very harmful towards And stop other people from Q. What goes up and doesn’t others. picking up their knife. come back down? Bullying may include - teasing a I can create thunder and rain, A. Your age. person, spreading false rumors And remove people from the Q. Everyone has it and no one about him/her or attacking him/ ball and chain. can lose it, what is it? her on purpose. Cyber bullying I can make people's dreams A. A shadow. is another type of bullying that come true, Q. It's been around for millions happens online through emails Tell them what their cue is. of years, but it's no more than a or text messages. But can I ever sleep? month old. What is it? Kids bully others to make their Will drowsiness ever seep? A. The moon. presence felt or to show their If I was ever God, it will be a Q. There were four cats in a boat, smartness to others. The bully big leap, one jumped out. How many were may feel superior or different But, a job this big I couldn't left? from the rest. keep. A. None. They were all copy cats! Kids who are bullied often Q. What is a cat's favorite color? feel that they are powerless, A. Purrr-ple unpopular and alone most of the Q. What game did the cat like to times. This may cause low self- BULLYING IS NOT ACCEPTABLE play with the mouse? esteem in the child which may Avikam Mangala, Class 6A A. Catch! also lead to depression, a more Bullying bullying bullying Q. Why is it so hard for a leopard serious problem to be dealt with. ……….that’s the same thing to hide? Bullying is not acceptable at all. I get to hear from kids A. Because he's always spotted. Bullying others does not mean wherever I go…… has this Q. What do you call a pony with that they are stronger or smarter bullying actually made such a a sore throat? than others. Lack of attention nuisance .Bullying can lead to A. A little hoarse. or difficulty at home may force physical injury, various personal Q. What's a horse's favorite a person to bully others and problems, and even death. sport? he/she may direct his/her Children and adolescents who A. Stable tennis. frustrations towards someone are bullied have a greater risk Q. What did the horse say when less weak than him/her. Some and problems adjusting to it fell? children also bully others school. Bullying also can cause A. “I've fallen and I can't giddy because they may be victims long-term damage to self- up!" themselves. Watching violent esteem. films or violent video games can If I were to bully you would make a person violent, in turn you like it …… while that’s the leading to bullying. same thing a victim feels when We need to recognize such he gets bullied by others. In activities and act accordingly. most countries bullying is not Feeling good about yourself, acceptable at all and the bully ignoring a bully, not giving a may even be punished severely chance to the bully and standing by LAW. Now the decision up for yourself can help. is up to you if you do it as Remember to not bully back you must be ready to face the and always tell an adult who you consequences which I bet none trust. of you want to bear it. Bullying can be stopped if we Now it’s our turn to make a stop act on time. to all of this. Ayush Akhuj K1C

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DARE TO DREAM Amogh V Iyer, Class 6B When all are born same, When the colour of our blood is same Why is it that some stand out in crowd while others get unnoticed? PAIN AND PLEASURE OF They dream big-simple! GROWING UP? Yes I dare to dream and my dream is simple Devansh Shah, Class 6A I dream of becoming a good cricketer. Yes I want to become good cricketer Growing up sounds with true sportsman spirit and want to play for my country one day. My really cool. But is it? The father says that if we want to make our dreams come true just dreaming is responsibilities increase not enough. To fulfill my goal of becoming a cricketer. I need to remember day by day. This is most the three Ds of success they are: - felt at the age of around > Dedication 11-13 years. Studies, > Determination Tension, and stress all > Discipline increase simultaneously. and to make the fourth D that is 'the dream 'complete I have to follow these Not that there are only D rules. disadvantages. There How I am following these rules: are some pleasures and > Dedication: I dedicate all extra time in reading about cricket. I read books enjoyable moments that like you might experience in mid - wicket tales, autobiography of Sachin Tendulkar and watch all possible your course of growing. videos on fast bowling. Everybody will treat you > Determination: I am determined to become a very good bowler, every like a big boy and not place for me is cricket pitch be it school corridors or living room of my home like a 5 year old needing I am determined to get my bowling line right. to be spoon-fed. You > Discipline : Discipline is the most important factor of a true sportsman will be allowed in all the so to improve my stamina I run 4km everyday without fail .Yes I know this rides at any theme park formula will make me a good cricketer but to play for my country I need to too. You will be allowed work very hard as there are thousands like me who are also dreaming to to have the freedom to become a cricketer . spend time with your My Appa says if you badly want something, whole world will conspire to friend. Being grown up make it happen for you, so we need to burn the fire in our bellies to achieve or mature means you are our goals. capable of making good My cricket idols are Sachin Tendulkar, Virat Kohli and Mahendra Singh decisions for yourself Dhoni. One day I will play like them for my country. It will not end there will and others and that you also build a cricket school where students will only learn cricket, where can handle responsibility students will eat, drink and dream cricket. and be trusted with what Will call it 'School Of Cricketology'. you are given. Maturity gives you personal freedom because you don't have to ask people what is the right thing to WHAT I LIKE ABOUT SCIENCE do and you don't have to Yash Sakharkar, Class 6A have someone watching I like science because it has made our lives very comfortable, healthy and over you to make sure easy. Without science we would have to use more effort than now like you don't get into trouble instead of taking a lift or escalator we would have to take the stairs, we and do things wrong. would have to walk to a place 100km away which is not really possible or According to me, I we couldn’t go to different countries. Science has also helped the scientists would love to grow up to find cure for fatal diseases. If we feel bored we can entertain ourselves by as I like having many turning on the television. We can heat or cool our houses by using heaters responsibilities. Would or air conditioners respectively. Another wonderful thing about science is the you? communication using today’s smartphones. We can make use of apps to do amazing things and hence making our life easier. Despite some negative things of science due to misuse I feel that science is a great blessing and it will continue to be and I am looking forward for new inventions.

FOOTPRINTS | GIIS Balestier Campus 49 Student’ Creative Sphere

IF I COULD BE SOMEONE MY FAMILY WHAT I LIKE ABOUT RAIN? ELSE...? Adit Bhandari, Class 2B Aishwarya Bhargava, Class 2C Sheetal Jindal, Class 6A My name is Adit Here are some sweet memories I I thought a lot about this I go to GIIS school. cherish of a rainy day… question. I juggled with great I study in Std 2 One noon as I was gazing out names and personalities but Which I think is very cool. of the window, I saw the sky none of them seemed to be the I like to play sports getting darker. When I opened answer to this question. With And I love to sing. the window, cool breeze touched due respect, I dismissed them Studies, Oh my God! my face and the air was filled all one after the other. And then, Is not my thing. with sweet, fresh smell of the I got it. I got the answer. And I live with my mum and dad Earth. I knew it was going to here it is. My eating habits they say is very rain, so my sister and I pleaded If I could be someone else, I bad. with our mother to let us play in would be ...me. Milk and fruits is what I should the rain for ten minutes. To our I am not being arrogant in eat surprise, our mother agreed. As saying so. I know I have as But Maggie and Coke is what I we ran outside, the rain started to many flaws as the next person, consider a treat. pitter-patter. It looked as though maybe even more. Some of What do I want to be when I the trees, flowers and birds were them include laziness, rudeness grow up? also enjoying every drop of the or irritation at the lack of sleep, Is the question I often ask rain like us. We sang the rhymes carelessness etc. I also tend to A doctor, an engineer? ‘I hear thunder’ and danced be an introvert at times. That would be a difficult task. along. We made paper boats and But that is what I like about I have to be famous even jumped on the puddles… myself. My imperfections. If I I often say aloud. but little did we know that our was perfect, I would be able Whatever I do fun will end soon because of Mr. to do anything and everything. I will make my parents proud. Frog who came hopping along to Which means I would have no enjoy the rain. We got scared of difficulties whatsoever. And the frog and ran inside our house, what is life without difficulties? completely drenched. Then our Anyway, if I was perfect, it mother gave us a hot bath and would make me arrogant and MY FAMILY yummy hot chocolate to drink, that would make me imperfect. Aanya Agarwal, Class 2B which was just what we needed So it is impossible. Being My name is Aanya and I will on a beautiful rainy day! perfect is impossible. And that talk about my family. My family brings me to the conclusion that has four members they are my no one is perfect. Therefore, mother, father, sister and me. it doesn’t make much sense First I will talk about myself. I to wish to be someone else. am good at running, writing, Everyone has an equal number drawing, learning and talking. of positives and negatives in Next is my mother. She is kind, them. good at cooking and painting. So, I suggest, like me, love My sister is funny. Let me tell yourself and your life. you how. First, she asks me, do you want to play? If I say yes, she has to do her homework and then she runs to play with her friends. But I love to play THE FUNNIEST ZOO ANIMAL with her. We gossip a lot at night Janeesha Iyer, Class 2C when we go to bed. The funniest zoo animal is the My father is interesting because seal. They clap their flippers he always tickles me. He is a when they get food which is ship captain and sometimes he really cute but…..when they plays with me. During festival kissed me on my cheek I had to time like Navratri, my family and laugh HA HA HEE HOO. I like I went to play dandiya. I love my the seal very much. family a lot. Yadhunandan Nursery A

50 FOOTPRINTS | GIIS Balestier Campus English

MY FAMILY THE FUNNIEST ZOO ANIMAL Hansini, Class 2D Romir Tandon, Class 2D My father, mother, younger brother I find Gorilla as the funniest zoo and I share a strong bonding as a animal because it keeps jumping family. We have lots of love, care from one place to another all the and concern for each other. We time. It keeps itching itself while spend lots of fun time together. making funny sounds. This makes The cycling and playing badminton everyone laugh at it. Gorillas may with my father is great. My mother look like monkeys but they are helps me with my studies and I love much bigger and fatter without doing art work with her. Playing tails. I have seen Gorillas in the and watching TV with my cute little zoos doing many funny things cuddly brother is such a joy. When like pouring sand on themselves, I am sad, he tries so hard to make rolling on ground and splashing me happy. He is the best brother water. They imitate human beings in the wide whole world .We sit and act very funny. together and enjoy the tasty food Gorillas are much like human Advika Yadav, Anushka Vijay, Medha that my mother cooks. The best beings in appearance but have Radheshyam, K2F time is when we roll on the bed, very funny and humorous features. cuddling and laughing out loud. Baby gorillas are much funnier and My parents tell me to be honest, attract children visiting zoos with MY FAVOURITE FOOD kind, polite, hardworking and their funny acts. Nitya Bimal Kaniyamparambil, respectful. I believe that these good Class 2D values will make me a good human My favourite food is Rava Khichadi being, bring happiness and success and chicken. Who cannot like in my life. Strawberry ice cream? Lemon I am proud of my family .They are noodles are delicious to eat. My so precious to me. I am thankful to father makes tasty omelettes. My God for giving me this family. mother’s tastiest dish is vegetable What shall I do without them? omelette. Soursop juice is just the right thing to sip on a hot day. I have started learning how to make tea and beat an egg into an THE FUNNIEST ANIMAL IN omelette. When I catch cold, I drink THE ZOO hot rasam or tomato soup to make Amith Menon, Class 2D me fit again. Ladoos, carrot halwa The funniest animal in the and chocolate are my favourite zoo is the monkey. Monkeys sweets. Healthy green lettuce and are very funny because they raw carrots keep me strong. imitate whatever humans do sometimes. Baby monkeys fight with each other and run all around the enclosure. They hang from the branches of the trees and sometimes fall down. Some babies cling to their mothers. Some parent monkeys pull the tails of the baby monkeys when they wander around. Monkeys help one another to look for insects on their fur. Some pick nuts and seeds from the ground and try to open them. I always spend a few minutes watching them whenever I go to the zoo. Disha Srivastava K2B

FOOTPRINTS | GIIS Balestier Campus 51 Student’ Creative Sphere

HOW WOULD LIFE BE WITHOUT ANY ELECTRONIC GADGETS? ‘LEARNING A DELIGHT’ IN MY Prakul Chandrakumar, Class 4C SCHOOL We are lucky that we have been born in this modern world. Everyone has Manonita Mukherjee, Class 5A some luxury or the other. Almost everything uses electricity. But if we go I have always had pleasure to the past for a minute and think how life would have been in the days in learning at my school. My gone by, it would surprise us that even then people lived their routine life, of school, GIIS Balestier has not course missing the conveniences of today. only looked after my learning in The early days were very different. The early man used fire for hunting and academics but has also provided lighting. This was used even when they were civilized. They learned how oil me with opportunities to express affects fire and increases it. So the first oil lamps were invented. Still trouble myself through various activities occurred. If shaken too much, the oil lamp may burn out. If fully covered the held in my school. I joined here candle burns out without any oxygen. All these various experiments gave in 2011 and this school has birth to a scientist named Michael Faraday who discovered electricity. Back never disappointed me since then only few people used electricity. Many still used oil lamps. Another then. In my experience, I have scientist named Thomas Alva Edison invented the first electric bulb. After always got the support from my this, things changed. Electric things became more popular. They made teachers and I have shown great gadgets like grinders, televisions, computers, mobile phones and electric improvement in academics and kettles. in sports too. Whenever someone Did you know, other things like, windmills, cooling stations and dams can asks me about my favourite create electricity too? This also helps to reduce global warming. Nowadays school I always recommend them trolley buses, trams and most trains run on electricity. this school. Initially I was a shy So my friends, now do you understand why electricity is important? How girl. Therefore my teachers have will you climb stairs every day? People can’t eat when food is not properly helped me a lot to develop my grinded. Electricity makes it easier in today’s world. So friends, we must personality and throughout this appreciate people like Michael Faraday and Thomas Alva Edison .They are journey I have become a better the geniuses who created electricity. me. It is due to these activities In restaurants, machines like ovens run on electricity. Dryers and washing that I am now able to have machines all run on electricity. In India, severe power cuts happen. A confidence in myself. Also, I have power cut is when electricity stations suddenly stop making electricity. The realized that power comes with most severe power cut lasts for hours down the lines. Luckily, many other great responsibilities. I would countries have proper electric stations. Today, we are very comfortable sincerely like to thank the school because of electricity. for helping me and I am looking We ought to thank famous scientists for making many life comfortable. As forward for greater experiences life goes on more gadgets will be made. too.

DARE TO DREAM Veda Bhat, Class 5D Those who do not believe in magic will never find it. So, we must 'Dare to Dream'. It is also important because big dreams take courage and need effort to become achievable. I dream to become a doctor when I grow up. But it is not enough only if I dream about it, I should know more about this profession and find ways to enter it. I should study well so I get admissions into medical colleges when I grow up. In conclusion, we must not only Dare to Dream but also dare to live our dreams. Divyam Joshi K1B

52 FOOTPRINTS | GIIS Balestier Campus English

MY FAMILY MY NEW FRIEND Myra Rao, Class 2D Tanisha M Prabhu, Class 2D My family has five members: Hi! Today I’m going to talk about me, my mother, my father, my my new friend Neha. She is a little sister, and my dog. My good friend and taught me about family and I go on many outings being brave. We have our own together. For example, we have club, well more like a detective gone to Kallang Riverside Park, club called “The Clue Crew”. the S.E.A. Aquarium, Sentosa One day, my friend got injured Cove and Bishan Park together. while we were playing. I was really We take our dog Milky to many worried as I thought it was my of these places too. We have lots fault. But then Neha said, “Don’t of fun. I am very happy to have a feel guilty it was just an accident”. family who cares for me. I LOVE From then on, I have always been MY FAMILY! careful and brave.

THE RED BUD TREE Yuvraj Sood, Class 5A Once upon a time four young princes heard a story about a certain wonderful tree, called the Red-Bud Tree. No one of them had ever seen a Red-Bud Tree, and each prince wished to be the first to see one. So the eldest prince asked the driver of the king’s chariot to take him deep into the woods where this tree grew. It was still very early in the spring and the tree had no leaves, nor buds. It was black and bare like a dead tree. The prince could not understand why this was called a Red-Bud Tree, but he asked no questions. Later in the spring, the next son went with the driver of the king’s chariot to see the Red-Bud Tree. At this time it was covered with red buds. The tree was all covered with green leaves when the third son went into the woods a little later to see it. He asked no questions about it, but he could see no reason for calling it the Red-Bud Tree. Some time after this the youngest prince begged to be taken to see the Red-Bud Tree. By this time it was covered with little bean-pods. When he came back from the woods he ran into the garden where his brothers were playing, crying, “I have seen the Red-Bud Tree.” “So have I,” said the eldest prince. “It did not look like much of a tree to me,” said he; “it looked like a dead tree. It was black and bare.” “What makes you say that?” said the second son. “The tree has hundreds of beautiful red buds. This is why it is called the Red-Bud Tree.” The third prince said: “Red buds, did you say? Why do you say it has red buds? It is covered with green leaves.” The prince who had seen the tree last laughed at his brothers, saying: “I have just seen that tree, and it is not like a dead tree. It has neither red buds nor green leaves on it. It is covered with little bean-pods.” The king heard them and waited until they stopped talking. Then he said: “My sons, you have all four seen the same tree, but each of you saw it at a different time of the year.”

LIKE ABOUT SCIENCE Pankhuri Pandey, Class 5D I have always loved science because it is really interesting and fun to learn .We can also discover or invent new things. Science has been my favourite subject since 3rd class. My teacher taught science in a fun way and helped me in time of need. I would like to be a scientist when I grow up. This will give me an opportunity to discover and make new things. Saranik Mallick K2F

FOOTPRINTS | GIIS Balestier Campus 53 Student’ Creative Sphere

SHORT STORY: LOYAL PARROT Neha Elias, Class 4A A parrot was once caught in a trap. It was only after a tough struggle that she could get free. But to her sorrow, one of her beautiful wings had been injured; she was unable to fly. The farmer was very kind. He carried her to his home and treated her injured wings. Parrot recovered very fast and she stayed with the farmer. One day a thief entered the Shrenik Mallick Nursery A farmer’s house, wanting to steal money from the shelf. Nobody was at home at that time except Parrot. The parrot saw it… she WONDROUS SCIENCE!!! shouted loudly … “Thief.. Thief.. Rupambika, Class 6A Catch him…” The thief thought I love science!!! From excellent experiments to tantalizing technology..... someone was at home, so he ran science is something obligatory for our own luxurious lives. Man has away without taking the money. conquered creation with the help of stupendous science. Science has Later, the farmer learnt that the also added to our pleasure. With the help of science we reached the parrot helped him; by mimicking moon, with the help of science, we have paper.....the story behind his voice to send the thief away. everything includes stunning science!!! The boons of science are too He thanked the parrot for the many to count. We have revitalized our world that is changing everyday help. The parrot in reply said,” You with science. Science has trounced time. Science has subjugated saved my life and this is nothing distance. And, this astonishing area of study has saved billions of lives. compared to that“. It has given us TVs IPads, Samsung Galaxy Note 2s and what not? The Moral: “Show helping hand to slow and dull life of yesterday can be an ant compared of a bustling one in their difficulties, because and fast paced life of today, who knows what's in store for tomorrow? same thing can happen to you Well, you can even easily enjoy movies, songs, news and matches one day.” being broadcasted from kilometres away. Now we definitely know the astounding marvels of science and hence everyone can rightfully call this miraculous field of study " a friend of all ". That is why I adore science.... how about you? THE MONKEY WITHOUT A TAIL Nishita Mujeeb Rahiman, Class 5D BEAUTIFUL NATURE Once upon a time there lived a Anushka Peruvel, Class 4A wood cutter named Sonu. He “It’s a wonderful world of colours...” used to cut mango trees with Mother Nature gives birth to this brightness, and our earth smiles at this his friends. One day he went to colourful life! a forest where there was a lot The beauty of nature has been appreciated in the works of many poets of mango trees and started to and artists. Our mother nature has many faces. It changes from season cut them. He did not realize that to season, from time to time. It’s wonderful to see the sky changing its there were many monkeys in the colours – reddish yellow at dawn, sky blue in the morning, orangish red in forest. When he went away for the evening and bluish black at night. In the same way, the trees and seas his lunch, all the monkeys came show different colours according to the time. down where the mango trees Have you observed; our moods too change according to the nature. Don’t were cut. One monkey’s tail got we feel happy and cheerful when the sun shines! Research says that the stuck between two trees and patients in hospitals recover faster if shown the beautiful nature. got cut into half. So every other Hence it is our responsibility that we preserve the nature for future monkey chased him away and generations. Remember this every time you litter or cut a tree! called him monkey with a tail.

54 FOOTPRINTS | GIIS Balestier Campus English

LEARNING JOURNEY IN MY SCHOOL SHORT STORY: SANTA’S GIFT Meera Salil, Class 5D Pracheta Mukhopadhyay, Class 4B In one of my school learning journeys I had gone to NEWATER - PUB No No Mama...I’m totally upset! I (Singapore Public Utilities Board) with my classmates. New water PUB is didn’t get to meet Elsa & Anna in Singapore’s water treatment plant. When we were informed that we will Disneyland on 25th December!...”It be going to this location we didn’t have any idea and thought it would be was so crowded!” cried Olivia, She boring place. When we reached NEWATER and saw then entrance and visited Disneyland with her parents how huge it was we were really excited and wanted to go in and explore. on 25th December. We went in and were amazed by the different facts and technologies about They tried …But Alas! Tears come to water and how it is recycled from the used water by a purification process her eyes. They came back home,” making it pure and clean to use. This is why it’s called “New Water”. Jingle Bells Jingle Bells Jingle all It’s mainly used for industrial purposes. However some small portions are the way…” Olivia fell asleep. Knock also being considered for drinking purposes. It will make Singapore self – Knock! Olivia opened the door reliant in water within a few years. and it was Santa!!! He took her We continued to explore and were assisted by a guide who took us to to Disneyland gate, Elsa & Anna a room where all of us settled down. He then explained about the new welcomed her, It was unbelievable!! water plant and its technologies. We were amazed to hear that the purified She had lots of fun with them. At last water goes thru 100,000 scientific tests and surpasses than World Health Elsa approached and gave her a gift- Organization requirements. He explained how important and necessary It was a nice looking dress…”Thank it is to preserve water. As an example he gave us a small bottle of water you, Thank you…Thank You! cried and told us that it was Singapore’s purest water. We drank it and felt so Olivia happily. refreshed. Indeed it was one of the purest water and tasty too. It was “Good Morning Olivia! Wake up NEWATER. Our guide gave us one booklet which had information about dear!” her mother called out. When NEWATER water treatment plant and how to save water in our daily life. He she opened her eyes, she saw the also answered all our questions patiently. Later on he gave each of us an same colourful dress that Elsa & electronic device like an I-phone which was strapped in an ID card holder. Anna had gifted her. She jumped It had a map by which we could locate places. Then we were taken to a with joy and thought “Was it true?” room where there was a big projector which had some interactive videos. We had our snacks and went back to school. It was a great day as we learnt a lot about Singapore’s water plant and how it will make Singapore self-sufficient in water. A MEMORABLE DAY Tansha Surendra, Class 4B This is an incident that happened BEAUTIFUL NATURE to me in second grade. I was Krisha Kartik, Class 4B studying in class 2 C. It was the I sometimes wonder that the future seventh period which was H/T/F generations would not be able to for us. A few minutes later the see all the beauty we see of nature Hindi teacher started teaching because of damaging forests, wasting us that a particular starting word most of the resources of nature but goes to a particular ending. But I we should preserve and conserve was not paying attention in class. it. One of the most important way is I was talking to my friend. Then using the 3 R's Recycle, Reuse and suddenly the teacher asked me Reduce and also stopping wasting. to stand up and say the ending Nature can change moods of people. for (hum) which means us and the Nature gives us sunny days, rainy endings supposed to be (hein). days, chill winter days and many I just stood up, scratching my more. When it is sunny and bright head, looking confused and said we feel cheerful, when it is cloudy ehh! The teacher thought I had and rainy we often feel gloomy and said (hein), appreciated me for when it is a starry night the moonlight the correct answer and told me makes us feels calm and happy. This to sit down. That was the most is nature's beauty and in return we memorable day of my life and I all should preserve and conserve the can remember it like it happened nature for all that this beautiful nature Tharun Karthikeyan, K1C just yesterday. has given us.

FOOTPRINTS | GIIS Balestier Campus 55 Student’ Creative Sphere

HUMBLE PAST 50 YEARS OF SINGAPORE Abhinav Chiruveru, Class 5A IF I COULD BE SOMEONE ELSE, I WOULD BE… Singapore celebrates Kamya Kaimal, Class 5B Independence Day every 9th of I always dream of becoming a cricketer and representing my country August which exemplifies every at international level. I know I have a long way to go to make my way Singaporean’s patriotic spirit into the Indian team, but i am trying my best to improve in this great by showcasing various modern game. My parents have always encouraged and inspired me to play and cultural performances cricket, and therefore if i could be someone else, i would want to unique to Singapore, and be someone as talented as Virat Kohli. I would like to be a woman of course not forgetting the cricketer who has good cricketing skills and talent as Virat Kohli. stunning air displays which I have been attending professional cricket coaching at the cricket never fail to take my breath academy of Singapore Cricket Association (SCA) located at Kallang, away. And every time when for more than two years. I have also been exposed to match I’m right at home watching the experience by playing against other under 12 teams of international NDP parade contingents march schools in Singapore, representing the under 12 team of SCA. off the Marina Bay floating In SCA academy we have different categories for coaching, like soft platform, I can’t help but get ball group, hard ball group etc. And different students are classified reminded of how far Singapore according to their skills. I started of in this academy at a junior has come since the British rule. stage when i was coached with soft balls. The following year, i got On August 31, 1963, Singapore promoted to hard ball category where we use real cricket (leather) freed from the British rule balls. From each session we have at the academy, i acquire more and merged with Malaysia skills, experience and confidence in myself. Now i am used to to form the Federation of playing with fellow boy students in the academy, since girls are only Malaysia. Singapore spent a few. In the hard ball category, we play in the nets with all the gears two years as part of Malaysia. (in a standard cricket kit), professional bat and leather ball which is But Singapore, by mutual one of the best ways to practice and learn. We also do catching and agreement, separated from fielding drills during the coaching session, and some days we play the federation in Aug.9, 1965, matches against each other in the academy. becoming an independent Once I go through the full coaching at SCA, I might get a chance to republic. practice with the Singapore national team which does its practice Singapore gained formal sessions in the same SCA cricket ground where our coaching is held! independence on August Is it the making of next Mithali Raj (current captain of Indian women’s 9, 1965. At that time Yusof national cricket team)? Time shall tell… bin Ishak became the first president and Lee Kuan Yew was the first Prime Minister. Right after gaining independence, Singapore was facing severe unemployment and a housing crisis. Singapore hence embarked on a modernization programme BEAUTIFUL NATURE beginning in the late 1960s Nivedita Menon, Class 4B that focused on establishing Busy bees and lazy sloths, a manufacturing industry, Pretty flowers and beautiful butterflies developing large public housing Tweety birds and dancing peacocks estates and investing heavily We only get this in beautiful nature. on public education. Juicy fruits and colourful vegetables Under the guidance of Prime Sweet honey and sour lemons Minister Lee Kuan Yew, our And some bitter fruits too fellow pioneers have helped We only get this in beautiful nature built such a comfortable, Rough oceans and flowing rivers peaceful and prosperous nation Green plains and snow-capped mountains for us to live in today. We only get this in beautiful nature

56 FOOTPRINTS | GIIS Balestier Campus English

THINGS THAT ARE HARD TO MY GREATEST FEAR BELIEVE – UFO MYSTERIES Lakshmi Sarmishta, Class 4A Aayush Garg, Class 4A Hello All- It wasn’t just America which kept My greatest fear is that people will detailed files of UFO sightings. still throw waste into river when United Kingdom did the same. I grow up. I worry that industries In 2011, the top secret files from THINGS THAT ARE HARD will still release smoke and make the ministry of defence were TO BELIEVE air dirty. I hope in future, they have opened to the public for the Radhika Kanjikar, Class 4A taken enough actions to make the first time. Believe it or not they • Honey doesn’t spoil -you environment better. revealed 8,500 pages of UFO could feasibly eat a 5000 My greatest fear is that women still sightings, photographs and year honey feel unsafe to go out during night drawings sent in by the public. A • Dead people can get goose times. Women are just looked at staggering 11,000 UFO reports bumps beauty point and have no security had been lodged between 1959 • At launch i-phone had to go out in India. I hope when I and 2007. Some of the sightings the same computing power grow up, women have security to were bizarre- one woman said as nasa in 1967 historical go out or work late at night. she had seen a dome shaped manned misson to the moon My greatest fear is that there are object land which had two tall • A full head of human hair still people who are struggling to figures dressed in silver. One is strong enough to support meet the basic requirements in man told the authorities that he 12 tons future. It is so sad that rich people had seen a cigar shaped UFO • It rains diamonds in saturn are richer and poor people are hovering above his house. He and jupiter becoming poorer. I hope when I was sure that he must have • Our nose gets heated up grow up the government meets the been kidnapped by aliens. when we tell lies needs of poor people. Why? Because he noticed that • If you removed all the My greatest fear is that technology he gained an extra hour. These empty space from all the is still not made available to nook kind of time slips are sometimes atoms on earth the world and corner of the world. There described by those who population would fit in an are many countries still do not have been taken to an actual apple have basic Internet and I wish spaceship. • Ducks quack doesn’t echo the technology is available to all The UFO mysteries are still -no one knows why bettering their lives. unsolved but these evidences • Otters sleep while holding My greatest fear is that India might could really make us believe that hands not able to win as medals as these extra-terrestrial lifeforms • If a male lion takes over a like China in Olympics. Because may exist. pride he will execute all the always cricket is the sport India cubs wins. I hope when I grow up, India • A humming bird weighs will also be able to win medals as lesser than a penny expected like China in Olympics. • Woolly mammoth was there Sincerely when pyramids were being built • A group of pugs is called a grumble • Tounge is the strongest muscle in the body

Harsith, K2D Goutham Dev R, K2D

FOOTPRINTS | GIIS Balestier Campus 57 Student’ Creative Sphere

DO I WANT TO BE FAMOUS? Prithvi Narayan, Class 5A LAUGHING IT OUT Ah, Fame! We love celebrities and wish we were like them. Why do we Sindhu Shree Muddam, Class 5B want fame? So that we can get paid loads of money, have everyone 1. What were Tarzan's last words? know our names, know our life stories, have everyone love us and of Who greased the vine? course the greatest gift of all, enjoyment. Being a celebrity/famous 2. How can you make a tall man person comes with its advantages and disadvantages which can make short? living life very difficult at times. Let’s look at some of the advantages Borrow fifty dollars from him. and disadvantages of being a celebrity/famous person. Some of the 3. Teacher: What shape is the advantages of being a famous person are as follows: Famous people planet we live in? have everything they can possibly want such as fast car, big houses, Child: Terrible! money etc. They can go wherever they want on holidays or any other day of the week and do not have to worry about their future because their income is so good that even after retiring they will live well. Famous people are known everywhere. They are invited to the best parties and meet other celebrities. Now the disadvantages of being a famous person are they have no privacy and are always followed by fans who usually take photos in most unexpected moments which can stop a person from enjoying the simple things in life such as going to a movie, shopping at a local supermarket or mall, quiet walks on the beach or even going out for a nice relaxing evening with friends and family. Famous people are often followed or harassed by phone, email or messages by fans or followers who cross the line and become obsessed and obsession can turn into threats, harm, or stalking. Being a celebrity/famous person attracts too many fake friends meaning it attracts people who will only want to be a person friend because of his or her celebrity status and money. I personally enjoy living a normal lifestyle without the worries of people watching my every move. I enjoy my privacy and wouldn’t want my privacy or the privacy of my family or friends to be invaded so, if I ever have the chance to become famous, I would pass on that opportunity. Jia Raj Aryan K1B

PAIN & PLEASURE OF GROWING UP Mathew Paul, Class 5 B I am born in a happy family with myself, Papa, Mummy and my younger brother. Now I am going through the pain and pleasure of growing up. At this point in time, my activities include my studies, homework, and extra classes for swimming, drawing, and taekwondo, helping my parents and mentoring my younger brother. Also I have next door friends of my age with whom I play whenever I get free time. I need to study well to achieve good scores in my assessments and also to maintain the good scores throughout my academic year. Sometimes I am missing my favourite TV shows, unable to go out with my friends for playing. I have to eat healthy food but sometimes it tastes bitter. I need to develop my drawing skills, swimming and attain new belts for my taekwondo which needs more time and practice. I might be busy with my homework while my parents are playing with my younger brother. When I get some free time, papa might be busy with his office work and mummy might be busy taking care of my younger brother. I am very fortunate that my parents have already given me a clear understanding about the pain and pleasure of growing up. My parents have taught me how to think positively. When I go through little pain and sacrifice for a short term, I am gaining knowledge and acquiring skills that are permanent for my future. Even though my mother scolds me to improve my studies, my assessment results make me proud and her too. Papa feels very happy when I get better in swimming and drawing. Healthy food keeps me healthy, even if I need to adjust with the taste. I feel happy when my younger brother is having a good time with my parents when I do my homework. Also I understand that my papa and mummy is doing hard work at their offices for our better living conditions and future. I am sure that all my short term pains are for good reasons. It will get transformed into permanent pleasure in future. My parents are keeping a very good balance between my pain and pleasure. Along with my sense of responsibility, I am getting time to play with my friends, watching my most favourite TV shows, limited use of gadgets, outing with my family. I am open to my parents and younger brother, understand my family and so I am very happy.

58 FOOTPRINTS | GIIS Balestier Campus English

JUNGLE FEAST Aryaman Singh, Class 5B On the occasion of the Lion becoming the King of the Jungle, all animals were invited for a grand feast and festivities. JOKES & RIDDLES During celebrations, animals presented their skills. Cuckoo bird presented Sai Harshitha, Class 5B melodious songs, Elephants showed their might lifting heavy logs, Cheetah 1. Is an older one-hundred dollar challenged and defeated everyone in Swift race, Monkeys showed marvelous bill worth more than a newer one? acrobatics, and in the end, Peacock presented a beautiful dance with its Of course it is. A $100 bill is worth rhythmic yelling. Everyone was so pleased that all stood up and showered more than a $1 bill (newer one)! peacock with thunderous applause and praises.Seeing the Peacock get such 2. What buildings have the most praises, Donkey becme ENVIOUS. He thought that he was so active and stories? hardworking that he could for sure dance like Peacock. So he pushed his way A library into the crowd which gathered around the Peacock, and rising on his hind legs, 3. Railroad crossing without any began to dance. But the bulky Donkey looked very ridiculous as he kicked out cars. Can you spell that without his stick like legs and twisted his short hairy neck, sometimes jumping over its any R's? fore legs and kicking hind legs in air. Animals watching Donkey found it hard T-H-A-T to keep their toes from under his heavy hoof. Some were severely hurt by the 4. What is brown and sticky? kicks of his hind legs. When one of Donkey’s pounding hoof came very close A stick! to King Lion's nose, the animals were so disgusted that they set upon the Donkey in a rage and drove him out of the celebrations. After the celebrations, the Lion was feeling overwhelmed. He started walking back to his den, with his nose pointed up, in BOASTFUL manner. On seeing this, a Wasp which was flying past thought of teaching a lesson. It went near the Lion and started buzzing over its head. On seeing this, Lion shouted angrily,"Get away, you, vile insect!" But Wasp was not in the mood to go away. "Do you think," he said spitefully to the Lion, "I am afraid of you? You lethargic beast!!Animals call you king because you scare them.” Instantly the Wasp flew at the Lion and stung him sharply on the nose. Mad with pain, Lion struck fiercely at the Wasp, but hurt himself with his sharp claws. Many a time the Wasp stung the Lion, who was now roaring terribly. At last, tired and in pain EXQUISITENESS OF NATURE due to wound made by his own claws and teeth, the Lion gave up the fight. Manya Sharma, Class 4A On seeing its win, Wasp buzzed away in HASTE, to tell everyone about his Take a moment to notice victory, but instead he flew straight into a Spider's web. And there, he who had The beauty of the trees. defeated the King of jungle came to a miserable end, the prey of a little Spider. Sit and take a look Moral At the dancing leaves. Do not try to ape because to imitate, it needs a lot of intelligence & practice. Note the little child Do not boast; you can always be undone. Laughing, playing with a toy. The least of our enemies is often the most to be feared. Always so full of energy; Pride over a success should not throw us off our guard. Humongous amounts of joy. Don’t crush the insects, Who are 1/1000ths of your weight. They may creep up your path, But don’t decide their fate. Life’s not about avoiding storms. Instead, dance in the rain. The earth is so beautiful; Why must we cause it pain? Take time off your busy schedule To glance at the starry night. Because nature is genius. So pretty, such a sight!

Heamish Kanha, K2D

FOOTPRINTS | GIIS Balestier Campus 59 Student’ Creative Sphere

MY GREATEST FEAR: GLOBAL WARMING Sriya Mamidanna, Class 3C “Global Warming” is the observed century scale raise in the average temperature of earth’s climate system. Rising of temperature of earth’s WHAT I LIKE ABOUT THE atmosphere causes global warming. Human activities have resulted in the RAIN increase of global warming. Some of them are deforestation, pollution, Ananya Srikant, Class 2C consumption of fossil fuels, burning of plastic etc. Due to global warming, Rain is the most wonderful and polar ice caps are melting and as a result, sea level is raising. Islands will special thing in nature. I love it be submerged, ozone layer is thinning and harmful rays are causing skin when the rain splashes to make diseases. There are changes in weather pattern as well. My greatest fear music. In summer, the flowers is that every day is a step closer to global warming. I wish we will all take gloom, but when it rains the precautions and help our Mother Earth from this big disaster. I wish we act flowers bloom. I like the rain responsibly. because it makes puddles for me to jump and play. I like the smell of the wet grass as well as the rain drops falling on my hand. I enjoy playing football in the rain at my Grandmother’s house. BEAUTIFUL WORLD When the rain stops, I can make Cadence Nithila Collins, paper boats and sail them in the Class 3C puddles. But my most favorite The world is beautiful, the and memorable thing is the world has greenery rainbow which comes only if the by it’s wonderful nature. sun and rain are together. The plants and animals live in this amazing world. But someone’s missing, us…. we humans also live here. This planet has everything it needs.

Kimaya Wanjari 5D

OUTDOOR FUN MY NEW FRIEND Mihir Kishore, Class 3 A Tejaswini Jayakumar, Class What are outdoor activities? 2C Hmm…..Outdoor activities are activities that have to be done outdoors, My new friend is Neya. She such as Soccer, Rugby, Cricket, Baseball, Trekking, Skiing, Cycling or is very kind. She came to simply spending a day on the beach. Some of my favourite activities are Singapore for a vacation from playing Soccer, Cricket and Baseball. I like them not because my team Madurai. I shared my things always wins, but because I have lots of fun. It is important to have fun while with her. She has invited me playing a game so it does not matter if your team wins or loses. to Madurai and I will ask my Playing outdoor games helps us both physically and mentally. Physically, parents to take me there on it keeps us fit and healthy and develops physical endurance too. Mentally, my next vacation to India. I it develops our overall character, team spirit and mental strength. Outdoor will bring a beautiful gift to my team activities teach us qualities like respecting every member in the team, friend. When she was here on making decisions as a team, being helpful and empathetic to each other my birthday, we shared a lot of and last but not the least developing an active and alert mind. joy. We took a lot of photos of Speaking about myself, every evening I play a lot of games like soccer, our times together. Whenever baseball and basketball. The two most important things that I have gained I think of her, I look at her are physical endurance and team spirit. Among all sports that I play, I enjoy photos. I really miss her. Who playing soccer the most. The happiest part was when I was selected for the is your new special friend? Soccer team in my school.

60 FOOTPRINTS | GIIS Balestier Campus English

MY GREATEST FEAR Jaidev Balaji, Class 3B My father gifted me Rudyard Kipling’s poem ‘if’ and took me some time to belief why people change overnight, why there is a rat race for power, why all of us follow it mechanically? I was told by my granny that barter system prevailed in the ancient Kavinesh Thinagar K1B times, where a son would follow his father’s profession. But in today’s world, we need to really think if a barber’s son would want to be a barber and what if he comes up POEM - LITTLE JOYS with flying colours in graduation? Jaidev Balaji, Class 3B What if he wants to peruse The joy of sailing a paper boat medicines? Taking this as the in a small puddle yardstick, I really feared, if I have to then, jumping and splashing over head Asia Pacific for a MNC bank on your grandpa. MY FAVOURITE SPORT- like my dad and hardly get to rest, The joy of watching BRAZIL VS JAPAN OCTOBER as it’s not my passion! ‘Transformers’ 14, 2014 Once I was clearing my doubts at the very first show Thamoda Hapuntantri, Class with my parents, when they told and then acting like an 3C me to follow my heart with passion ‘Optimus Prime’ Soccer is all about team work. an unflinching faith. And not to The joy of playing soccer There are eleven players on the be deterred by success or failure. in the rains. And the joy of field. A soccer match lasts 90 These words were mind blowing. To dreaming, a goal against Messi. minutes and is divided into two achieve big in life you need to start The joy of relishing halves. If there is no winner small. Don’t lose your commitment Mama’s food at the end of 90 minutes, for towards your goal, however small Cuddled with her warmth and example, if the scores on both or big. My greatest fear was that if love and our tantrums and her sides are equal, there will be I don’t achieve big, what my peers threats. extra time to play. Some players and friends would think of me. The joy of holding hands can be substituted by other My Grandmother emphasized the of your little sister players but usually best players importance of a squirrel’s role in and trying to be are not substituted. Only goal building the ‘Ram-setu’ in Ramayan a caring papa dear! keepers have the right to hold with the pure of heart of helping The joy of sharing your lunch the ball with their hands. Sri Ram’s Nobel cause in every with your best buddy Once, I got a wonderful possible way. It’s truly sad, the joy of cooking up stories opportunity to watch a soccer “The heights by great men reached when caught! match in Singapore Stadium. and kept, were not attained by The joy of dressing up The match was played between sudden flight, But they while their like a role model Brazil vs Japan. In the first half, champions slept, were trolling the joy of taking tiny steps Neymar scored two goals. And upwards in the nigh” in search of perfection in was declared the ‘Man of the These words changed my outlook whatever we do… match’. At half time break, there towards the world and towards Some things through great and were game like trivia, balloon myself. Why should I think of small exist side by side all in all race and sound meter. All of failures, if they have to come I will some joys can never be them were related to sound. embrace them with courage that measured you can feel them In the end, Brazil won against I can rise like phoenix bird! Thus, Some joys can never be Japan with a score of 4-0. my greatest fear changed into my expressed you can enjoy them greatest strength. The world is, every moment share joys and is how we perceive it to be! Be make the world a better place to the change you wish to see in the live… world.

FOOTPRINTS | GIIS Balestier Campus 61 Student’ Creative Sphere

BULLYING IS NOT ACCEPTABLE PAIN AND PLEASURE OF Manthan Vadodaria, Class 6C GROWING UP “Bullying” is a term used by students and other kids when someone else Vaibhavi C Mayya, Class 6 C harasses them (physically or mentally) by using force, threat or coercion. I am growing up, growing up too The person who harasses others is called a bully. quickly, too fast. It’s a fact that someone, somewhere, is always getting bullied every day - It’s fun to grow up but sometimes either in the school or somewhere else. it can be a pain too. It’s fun as we Most of the students try to stay away from bullies. However, they are not are given more responsibilities and able to fight these bullies; they are, generally, too scared to complain to greater opportunities to explore their teachers or parents. new things. It becomes sometimes There was a lot of bullying in our school once upon a time. The a pain because we are treated like administration took a very serious notice of this problem and decided on adults and not kids anymore. We two strategies - "Zero Tolerance" and "Name & Shame" - to eliminate this are not allowed to make mistakes evil from the school! and there is no second chance The next day, our Principal announced during the Assembly session, "From most of the times. today onwards, whoever bullies someone will have to wear a hat saying When we are still small, we do not that 'I’m a bad student' and he or she will have to wear it the whole day". bother much about anything. We Many bullies had to face this punishment after the rule was implemented. just need a bit of love and loads of This had the desired impact - all the students learnt the severity of the appreciation for the smallest thing problem (bullying) and the seriousness of the school in rooting it out. we accomplish. But as and when The teachers also encouraged bullied students to come forward and lodge we grow up we tend to compare a complaint with them. They, in turn, either scolded and advised the bullies ourselves with others and try to (for low severity cases) or formally raised the matter with the parents of the be like them in order to become bullies. popular among peers, develop As a result, the percentage of bullying decreased by more than 50% jealousy, hatred and judgmental. within just one-two months. We are all working to ensure that there is In return we get nothing but a lost "zero bullying" in our school and hope to achieve this before the current identity and turn out to be nobody. academic year ends. Growing up can always be a In summary, bullying can be eliminated by two approaches - "zero pleasure if only we accept what tolerance" and "name & shame"! we are and follow our dreams to I hope that more schools follow the example set by GIIS in this matter. become successful. It’s all in our Thank you! hands how we take things and what we make out of ourselves.

PAINS AND PLEASURES OF GROWING UP Sara Sanju Nair, Class 6A Growing up is something that children long for and adolescents fear from. For young kids growing up may be fun and a new way to modernize to the progressing technology, but for both pre-teens and teens growing up may be a nightmare due to the stress level and other anxieties and inconveniences. Growing up is commendable as it makes you a wiser and more experienced person. It also teaches you more and make you more able and understanding. On the other hand growing up can be harsh as well when it comes to studies or physical and mental balance. You will not be able to enjoy freely or loiter about here and there without any burden. It may be tough but we must go with it and understand that it is indeed an integral part of our lives. Just like the saying goes, "When the going gets tough the tough gets going" we should try to adjust and organize our life in such a way that our life is balanced and healthy.

Vaishvi, K2D

62 FOOTPRINTS | GIIS Balestier Campus English

POEMS, JOKES & RIDDLES Sneha Vijayakumar, Class 6C 1. Teachers are farmers THE ANT AND THE GRASSHOPER Who sow the seeds of Saransh, Class 4B knowledge. In a field one summer day a grasshopper was hopping about singing to Students are the field its heart content. An Where the seeds sprout and ant passed by carrying a piece of corn. The grasshopper asked him to grow. chat with him but the But these farmers don’t ant refused and said ‘I got to collect some corn for winter’. And the ant Wait for harvest passed by. The grasshopper continued this activity. Soon it was winter. The field is left behind The grasshopper was dying out of hunger while the ant was enjoying the For the world to reap. corn. 2. Which hole would you not MORAL-WORK TODAY AND REAP THE BENEFITS TOMORROW enter? ( Answer – Black Hole) 3. What is black when it’s clean and white when it’s dirty? (Answer- Coal) 4. What goes up but never comes down? ( Answer- Age) 5. Mary’s mother has four children, April, May and June. Who is the fourth child? (Answer- Mary) 6. What is that which you will MY JOURNEY IN GIIS break every time? ( Answer- Anusha Singh, Class 6A Silence) Learning is a lifelong journey. I started this journey at GIIS and am now 7. How many letters are there looking at reaching one of my major milestones as I prepare to graduate are in the alphabet? ( Answer- from my primary level in a few months’ time. 11 [ count- “the alphabet”) While a little wistful, I can only look back with great sense of 8. What happens to a white satisfaction, joy and humility at how much I have been able to learn and rock if you throw in the red sea? accomplish over the 8 years at the school. The school has provided me ( Answer- Sinks) with countless opportunities to develop and showcase my individual 9. In the English dictionary abilities such as the opportunity to host the annual day as the compere. which word is always However the values of teamwork have also been well taught and I have spelt incorrectly? (Answer- been fortunate to have been a part of strong and winning teams like Incorrectly!) the one that won the bronze at the Bukit View Primary School for an 10. Which nut does not have a ‘Oratory Competition and the green-loo team through which I had the shell? ( Answer- Doughnut) chance to speak of the school’s achievements on environment and 11. What can you serve but community service at the National environment agency event. cannot eat? ( Answer- Tennis The values of leadership have been drilled deep in me through practice Ball) as I have exercised the responsibility as a discipline prefect over this 12. In which year did Christmas year. Last but not the least, my greatest passion – that of dance – was and New year fall on the same provided a platform through the ‘Jhankar’ event where I got great day? ( Answer- It happens every recognition and an award that has bolstered my confidence. year) The teachers of the campus have been great role models and have 13. Why is 10 scared of 9? been a guiding light. In academics their capabilities are very high, but (Answer- 9,8,7 [ Nine ate seven]) we have also seen their other passions that we often get a glimpse of 14. What ship does not have during events and other co-curricular activities. a captain but two mates? I will soon be going to Queenstown Campus in about 2 months. (Answer- Friendship) How will I leave this school I wonder and adjust to the life as a High 15. Which word looks the same Schooler? I really hope that all my friends from this school also stay with when turned upside down? me so that we can carry the Balestier campus in our hearts together. (Answer- SWIMS) Wherever I go I will follow the values and learnings that I have learnt and carry them forward them to the best of my ability.

FOOTPRINTS | GIIS Balestier Campus 63 Student’ Creative Sphere

PAINS & PLEASURE OF GROWING UP Megha Pusti, Class 5D We all want to grow up as fast as possible ,but in the rush to get to our destination we often forget that it’s the journey that matters not whatever is waiting at the destination .Along with growing up we have to deal with the contrasting feelings of sadness and happiness . With growing up and growing up and Yash Gunda, Class 2A growing freedom we should learn to cope with responsibility and expectations which exceed as we grow. Pains can seem troublesome but seen in a WHAT DO I LIKE ABOUT way even pleasures can seem SCIENCE IN MY THOUGHTS! painful, it’s all about your own Ridhima Asurlekar, Class 5D Sanjana Sairaj, Class 5D point of view. As we grow up Science is everywhere. We also In my thoughts, we begin to get rebellious we learn about science every day at I see a world of love and peace begin to think that our parents school. I like science because it In this world, scold us to much, but if we is interesting. We come to know People don’t beg and cry in pain understand that our parents a lot about ourselves and the Here nobody rules anyone, only want our well-being, things world around us. How everything Every one is a judge for become much clearer. The works is always fascinating themselves. pleasures of growing up are knowledge. In my world of thoughts, great and can seem thrilling. To me, science has helped me People use two magic words Pains, if done with a frown can to lead a healthy life. I know that Please! seem tiring, but if done with there are many types of vitamins Thank you! a smile can be simple. Being and minerals that keep our It makes every body’s day? optimistic is the best way to bodies fit and strong. If we do not In my world of thoughts! go, remember ‘every cloud consume them correctly, we will There is a place for animals to has a silver lining’. Looking on end up having deficiencies and live in peace! the good side of stuff makes diseases. So I am careful about In this place people don’t kill passing obstacles a lot easier. what I eat. animals Being optimistic leads to a Science does not only talk about They care for them and let them happy and satisfactory feeling, the human body but also about go free! this results in work being done another thought-provoking topic People care for trees and plant perfectly and in good grace. of solar system. Exploring the more trees! Growing up can be good or galaxies of stars and planets in I hope my world of thoughts bad, it all depends on your our solar system satisfies my comes true! perspective as growing up has curiosity to a great deal. We are And, this world will be a its pains and pleasures. peaceful and happy place to able to analyze how different live! seasons are formed. We are In my thoughts! able to appreciate our special In my thoughts! planet and take measures to save In my thoughts! our Mother Earth from getting polluted.

64 FOOTPRINTS | GIIS Balestier Campus English

ANAND SHORT STORIES - THE DAY I Anirudh Ganesh, Class 5D WANT TO FORGET The city is engrossed in children’s Tanisha Anand, Class 5C day celebration. Pretty girls and Lalitha always wanted a RIDDLES handsome boys are getting Labrador retriever since she Siddhartha Kamble, Class 5Bz ready for children’s day parade. was five, but didn’t get one How do you put an elephant in The streets and pathways are because she lived in a HDB an fridge? decorated with balloons, lights apartment which only allowed Open the fridge and put the and colourful banners. A boy in small dogs, cats and rabbits. elephant. torn and dirty clothes is staring at Her parents, Ratnam and How do you put an giraffe in an the decoration with amazement. Esotha, had the habit of buying fridge? He is Anand, a 9 year old rag lottery tickets thinking they Open the fridge take out the picker. Even though his name would somehow win a lot of elephant and put the giraffe. meant happiness he has never money so that they could afford A talking paratha talks to a man been happy in his entire life. He is to buy a house in an expensive and says, let’s play a game if an orphan. Anand has to wander area. you win, you can eat me and if throughout the day just for a meal. Then one night, they you lose, throw me in the ocean. He wondered how people can be unexpectedly won a lottery The man lost so the man threw so merciless to a child like him. worth 20 million dollars. Tears the paratha in the ocean. He was longing for a share of care of happiness ran down their Meanwhile, a fisherman was and love that people shower on cheeks. The next day, they fishing, what do you think he their pet. He thought that these rich immediately told everyone caught? people will have many celebrations. about this news, and many felt The paratha He wondered what is so special jealous at their good fortune. that day for them to celebrate like Ratnam and Esotha went house that. He saw few children enjoying hunting. The moment they ice cream. He went near them with caught sight of an independent a hope of getting an ice cream. He house of their choice, harnessed his wishes and asked they formed an immediate them about the celebration. A child attachment to it. The house said, “Today we are celebrating looked different since it had children’s day, which is also the windows adorned by lunettes all Birthday of Chacha Nehru who around it. DARE TO DREAM liked children a lot”. Anand thought Ratnam and Esotha thought Sanjana Raghunath, Class 5D – what a festival for children? this would be a wonderful I always had a dream to win Suddenly a man came near them house to live in and so they a competition and go up on and screamed at him, “Get lost went ahead and bought it. They stage to win a shiny gold you dirty boy. How dare you come came back home with a gift for trophy. Whether it is a singing here? We are going to start the Lalitha. Lalitha never imagined or art competition, I will never children’s parade now and you go in her wildest dreams that it let go off my dream in life. My away.” would be a Labrador retriever. hobby is to sketch and sing Anand sadly walked away and When her parents showed with my best friend Ridhima. spoke to himself, “Might be these her a basket full of hundred My other friend, Sanjana celebrations are meant for rich Labrador retrievers, she burst Rajesh likes to sing too but we people only and Chachaji might into tears of joy. Smiling at this, get to meet each other only have been a rich person.” her mother showed her a pair of during lunch. I am too shy to He wept thinking why don’t they keys. Lalitha didn’t know what sing in front of others except consider me as a child? Why I am that meant. Her mother said, my close friends. All I need being neglected like this and why “We have bought a new house is the confidence that I am do I need to beg on the streets? for us and the puppies.” When good enough to showcase my Why I don’t I get a happy life and Esotha was about to comment, talents to all. If I take all the why I can’t I go to school like other the shrill alarm bell rang. Lalitha steps in the right direction, I am children? Endless questions came found herself waking up in her sure that my dream will come to his mind, but he could not get an same old flat. What a shame true one day. answer, might be; only society can that her dreams were just that in give those answers. the end!

FOOTPRINTS | GIIS Balestier Campus 65 Student’ Creative Sphere

CLASSROOM HUMOUR Rohan Mahesh, Class 5C Teacher to John: “John, you have 6 apples in your plate and Sam took two from among them, what would you get?” John: “A fight”! Teacher: Which hand you used to write with? IF I COULD BE SOMEONE ELSE, I WOULD Student: Neither, I always use a pencil to write! BE… Teacher to students: Can anyone tell a word Arvind Chandrasekar, Class 5C which has more than 1000 letters in it? The crowd was going berserk. I watched the Sam suddenly stands up and said “postbox”! ball as it sailed high into the air for a SIX! Why was the music teacher not able to open his I swung my bat in a circular motion as a room? celebration. My teammates ran into the pitch Because the keys were on his piano! and jumped on me. They all knew only one What will be a Math teacher’s favorite dish? thing: I had won them the ICC 2011 World Cup. Pi!What is the difference between a teacher and I was receiving hug after hug, hair ruffle after train? hair ruffle. My heart swam with pride. I looked A teacher always says “spit your gum”, while in the direction of the Indian pavilion and I …… the train says “chew chew chew…”! What did woke up. Whew ! What a dream! I had just the pencil said to other pencil? dreamt that I was MS Dhoni or ‘Captain Cool’. Oh! You look so sharp! Why did the class He is my biggest inspiration and I have always teacher always wear sunglasses? wanted to become him or like him. He started Because her class was so bright! with humble beginnings in a small city called What kind of school do giraffes like to go? Ranchi in the remote state of Jharkhand. He Only the High school! played for his school team. Then later, after a lot Teacher to John: John, tell me the chemical of hard work and dedication, he was accepted formula of water? into the national team. He gradually gained John: Yes Ma’am, it is H, I, J, K, L, M, N, O! respect and fame. Though not graceful in his Teacher: No, it is wrong shots, his style of play was aggressive and John: Ma’am, yesterday you taught that the attacking from which he eventually became the formula is H to O! captain – the best one India ever had. Dhoni led Teacher to Danny: Danny, why you are not team India to victory after victory and even won writing? the World Cup 2011. He captained CSK team to Danny: Ma’am, I don’t has a pen. quite some IPL & Champions league victories. It Teacher: Danny, you said a wrong sentence. The came as a surprise to me and everyone reading correct form is I don’t have a pen, he doesn’t this – I think, that Dhoni retired from tests mid- have a pen and we don’t have a pen. way of the India – Australia test series. He has a Danny: Oh Ma’am! Who stole all the pens then?! tough mentality and keeps extremely calm and Teacher: If you had 12 apples, 10 oranges, 5 cool under loads of pressure and is nick named pineapples, 15 strawberries, what would you ‘Captain Cool’. I would like to be him someday. have? I very much want to lead the Indian team one Student: A yummy fruit salad, Ma’am! day and be an inspiration to budding cricketers Teacher: Tony, tell me a sentence starting with like he has been to scores of Indians in a “I” cricket crazy nation! Even if I am not successful Tony: I is… in cricket, I wish to follow his good qualities Teacher: No Tony, that is incorrect, say “I am…” such as mental toughness, determination and Tony: Okay Ma’am, “I am the 9th letter in the calmness. I hope that many people are like him. English alphabet series”! Teacher: You aren't paying attention to me. Are you having trouble hearing? Pupil: No, teacher I'm having trouble listening!

66 FOOTPRINTS | GIIS Balestier Campus English

DARE TO DREAM Sharon Evangeline, Class 5C I dare to dream. My dream is to become a Heart Surgeon to serve the people who are suffering with heart diseases. In this world of competition though it is tough I dare to dream and want to live my dreams. Obama said, "You block your dream when you allow your fear to grow bigger than your faith." Walt Disney said, "All our dreams can come true if we have the courage to pursue them." One day there were some people who wanted to bury a donkey. They dug a pit, pushed Mridula Sunderlingam 3C the donkey inside and started to fill the pit with sand. The donkey was so scared and sad lying down inside the pit knowing that he will be buried IN A LIGHTER VEIN! WHAT I LIKE ABOUT SCIENCE alive soon. The sand started Shreya Pahuja, Class 5B Anjana Saiju, Class 5C to cover his body as the men 1. Teacher: Jane, can you tell me All of us have a dream. For some pushed as much sand into where the English channel is? people, it is what guides their life. the pit. Suddenly the donkey Jane: I don't know. We don't get For others, dream is a secret that stood up and said to himself it on our TV. they think about rarely. But for me, "why should I die like this!". 2. Dentist: Stop screaming! I it is to write about science. And the donkey started to jump haven't even touched your tooth! Science is a shining star in my life. and dance. What happened to Boy: I know. But you are I like science because my dream the sand that was dumped on standing on my foot. is to do research and it is what I him, the sand started falling 3. Wife: There's trouble with mostly show interest in. under his feet and he slowly the car. It has water in the Ever wonder why I like science? started to rise up instead of carburettor. Probably not! But I do, and here’s getting buried. And finally he Husband: Water in the why: came to the top of the pit and carburetor? That's ridiculous! I love science because it is quickly jumped out and ran You don't even know what a interesting and lets me study away. This is a story which my carburettor is! Where is the car? what went extinct a long time parents always remind me to Wife: In the swimming pool. ago, maybe before I was born. tell me that we should be bold 4. Ajit: You know what? I gazed I believe it is the only friend that and take criticism as positive at a tiger's eyes for a full ten stays with me truthfully till the end feedback and move on instead minutes this morning. of my life. It is the discovery of the of allowing it to pull you down. Sujit: Gosh! Weren't you scared? whole new world of learning new Be bold to sweep the obstacles Then what happened? Ajit: things. It makes me remember of away and make obstacles as Nothing. The shopkeeper said, being with my father because he your stepping stones to live either take the toy or leave the thinks that nothing is there without your dreams. shop. science. I would like to encourage 5. Dad: Sunita, how was your I think that this is what I like everyone to be daring to live English exam today? about science. To be honest with their dreams, be it big or small. Sunita: It was fine. The teacher you, more than these things I The world will become a better had asked us to hand in a neat love science because it mostly - place to live in. paper so I did not write anything mostly loves me back too! Dreamer on it.

FOOTPRINTS | GIIS Balestier Campus 67 Student’ Creative Sphere

A SHORT STORY FROM A SHORT STORY FOR YOU MAHABHARATA BULLYING IS NOT AND YOUR FRIENDS….. Srinidhi Balaji K, Class 5B ACCEPTABLE Shivaangii Jaiswal, Class 5B Bheema, the mightiest man on Madhav Raghu, Class 5A Once upon a time there lived a earth, was once headed towards Bullying is being mean little girl, named Kelly who lived a lake to procure some flowers to someone who you feel with parents in a little cottage. for his beloved Draupadi. He is weaker than you. It is They were quite poor. Kelly’s halted in his path when he saw unacceptable because father was a farmer and her lying across the road the long it does not only affect mother was a tailor. Kelly used to tail of an aged monkey, resting the child who is being go to the village school to study. against a tree bark. Bheema bullied but also the child One day, she learnt about the woke the monkey up and asked who bullies. The one who city in an English lesson in her him, impatiently, to move his is being bullied feels school. When she went home, tail. "Aged Vaanara, I cannot unwanted and inferior she asked her mother if there step over your tail as it would be while the one who bullies was really a place called ‘city’. disrespectful, so move it yourself believes himself to be Her mother said softly, “Yes, so that I may carry on", said he. stronger and capable there is a place called city.” Kelly The monkey smiled at him and of controlling others’ asked if she could go there the asked him to move it himself. behaviour through force day after. Her mother replied with Bheema got irritated and grabbed either physically or a shake of her head, “No, we the tail of the monkey to set it verbally. cannot go there as only people aside himself. However, he could Though it is generally who have good education can not move it. He tried again but it bigger kids who bully the find work and live there.” Her wouldn't move. He tugged, pulled younger ones, sometimes mother advised her that she and pushed but the tail wouldn't it could be the other had to study hard to become budge. Bheema released it and way around. The mental educated. So, Kelly put in a lot looking at the monkey, he asked, harassment faced by the of hard work and climbed the "O great one, reveal yourself for kids being bullied can way to the top in her studies. who you truly are, for you are no lead to some very serious Finally, her dream of going to ordinary monkey to have defied problems. They become the city came true. She found a me thus." Hanuman then revealed loners, do not share their challenging job and worked hard himself in his true form and feelings with either their once again to prove herself. Bheema bowed down before him. parents or teachers, have Moral: You should always work Moral of the Story: Never treat difficulty concentrating in hard and whatever you achieve those weaker than you with class and their performance will always be worth it. disrespect, for humility is a in school suffers. Prolonged foremost virtue. bullying in school has led to many of such kids take drastic steps like attempting suicide. Bullying can have even more serious effects on the kids who bully. They grow into dominant and uncompromising adults who feel that using force is justified in all situations. Such kids are more inclined towards breaking law and being anti-social as they grow up. Bullying should be stopped because we all need to respect each other. Coming to school should be a happy and pleasant Vihaan Desai K1B experience for all kids.

68 FOOTPRINTS | GIIS Balestier Campus English

BEAUTIFUL NATURE WHEN I MET MYSELF… Parijat Bhattacherjee, Class Ananth Madhusudhanan, Class 4C PAIN AND PLEASURE OF 4C On a lazy Sunday afternoon, after I GROWING UP What would you think is washed my “time travelling” Ferrari, Ishita Bhatia, Class 5B beautiful nature? Well, I think it's I planned to go for a ride. I strapped Five years back in 2010, all about a clean environment! myself in the car, keyed in the when I was 6 years old, Keeping the environment clean date, 1st April 2009 which was my my parents continuously helps in appreciating the beauty first day at GIIS Balestier, and in a persuaded me to learn God has bestowed on Nature. whoosh I was there at the school swimming. But I refused Can we keep the environment entrance, that was six years ago. completely as I was very clean? Though some would There I was, a small boy, nervous scared of water. In spite of say we can't do it, I believe that and anxious, walking slowly from refusing, my father registered we can do it by paying some the bus bay. I went up to him and my name for swimming respect to the environment. put my arms around his shoulder. classes. I was annoyed and Don't we all love to see the He was startled and said, “Hey! upset. beautiful stars? Yes, but You look a lot like me”. I laughed It was then that my mother nowadays the skies are covered and replied, “Ananth, I am you but told me the story of Nick with smoke in the evenings and from the future!” He said “Thanks a Vujicic – A man who was we can't see them properly. lot for coming and that too today. I born with no arms and Only we can stop this. don’t have any friends here and the legs! He overcame his We need to do our part in school is very new and big. I am physical disability, to live an helping nature. We need to very nervous!” I patted on his back independent and happy life, follow the three 'R's, which are: and told him that I will give him a becoming a model for the • Reduce tour of the school. world. I saw his videos on • Reuse I took him to all the classes that he you tube, doing swimming • Recycle would study in the years to come, and even scuba diving! Wow, Reduce: We can Reduce our the vacant area where he would I said, Amazing! This really waste by buying less and using be gardening with his Green Team inspired me. I felt, if he can everything before we throw it. friends, to the big playground where do it, so can I. My parents Reuse: Instead of throwing used he would learn to play soccer, tennis told me to be fearless and things, make something new and basketball, to the auditorium believe in myself. out of them. Use the backside where he would stand before a large Finally, on my first day at of papers, print on both sides crowd and compere an annual day swimming class, though of a paper. Nothing has to be one day, and where he would be I had butterflies in my thrown if you know how to playing badminton as part of the stomach, I kept telling Reuse them. school team and win for the school. myself “I can and I will”. I Recycle: Give old things I told him he will have a lot of friends kept trying, and slowly with away to factories for them to and friendly teachers year after year my consistent efforts and make new things out of them. and that he would have a lot of fun. patience and support from Segregate and throw them in He cheered up and seems to be my coach and parents, I Did recycle bins and help the old enjoying what I was telling him. It! I killed my Fear! things to get Recycled. It was time for me to go. I left him Time has passed, and today, If we follow these steps, we will at his class and told him not to be I love swimming. In 2013, I soon see the beautiful world afraid of new things but be brave even cleared the Stage-1 of with its starry skies. Endangered to face them with confidence. He swimming examination. Nick species can be saved if you thanked me a lot and ran to the Vujicic visited Singapore in follow the three 'R's. We can class with a big smile on his face. I September 2013, and I heard prevent the loss of habitat for can see that he has already started his talk on Toggle channel. animals in the wild. Animals and enjoying the school. I saw him swim with sharks plants count in the balancing of I took my Ferrari back home. I at Sentosa. Looking at him nature. thought I had to go to school the today, even I believe that Friends, let’s join in saving the next day. Who knows there will be a Nothing is Impossible, ‘cos environment and making the “me” from future who might visit me the word itself says “I’M nature regain its beauty. and tell me how to face the future! POSSIBLE”!!

FOOTPRINTS | GIIS Balestier Campus 69 Student’ Creative Sphere

MY TRIP TO MALAYSIA Purva Kumbhar, Class 5B It was 4:00 in the morning. I woke up with a start THE VAMPIRE BITE when I realized the time. I M Jaithra, Class 5B remembered what day it was. The bell rang! School’s over! We were going to Malaysia I was excited about the today at 7:00 in the morning. weekend. But today, there After getting ready, we reached was something strange about the airport excitedly. We Marc, the most mischievous boarded the Tiger Airways person in our class. He wore a flight and before we knew it, mischievous grin. we were in Kuala Lumpur. We He went to John, one of the drove to Sheraton Imperial Sukirth, K2C smartest people in our class. hotel and caught up with our He asked John if he could go sleep. The next day, we went over to his house. John agreed, for a city tour that showed us and they had a sleepover. Next landmark buildings and places THE ONE THAT GOT AWAY Monday at school, I saw John of interest to tourists. It was Anandi Pal, Class 5B looking very worried. I asked definitely the best way to get It was a regular Sunday morning; him the matter. He said that to know the city. After a long I was helping my uncle at his he had found a small mark tour, we returned back to our cheese shop. I was slicing cheese on his right hand on Sunday hotel, all sleepy and tired. By for the tasting area and listening morning. When he looked the next day, we were all set to my favourite radio station, Gold closely, it looked like a small to enjoy our swim in Sunway 90 FM. bite mark even though it didn’t lagoon. It was the best fun I Suddenly I saw a block of hurt! After checking it through have ever had. We took next cheddar cheese stand up. When I thoroughly, he felt that the bite day off to explore the hotel and went closer, it sat down. I thought mark closely resembled that of appreciate its comforts. On our I was just seeing things and a vampire bat’s bite mark since final day of stay, we headed got back to work. Just then the he had gone out to the garden back to Singapore. I was sad cheese stood up once again! It during playtime! but also glad to finally reach started running around! I closed We were both confused but home. my eyes and thought I was seeing didn’t know how to solve this things again, but when I opened mystery. A few days later, my eyes and saw it actually John’s bite mark was gone! I running around. I decided to run wondered how it had healed after it because no one messes so fast. We felt the mystery with my favourite cheese. The deepen. We went to his house RIDDLES cheese was fast but I knew that and looked in his room.To our Namrata D, Class 5B I was faster. However, I got tired surprise, we found a stamp Three cups have three flavours of after some time so I sat down and hidden under the table and jelly in it, started thinking about a plan to it was of the same shape of First one has the colour of blood, catch the cheese. John’s bite! I asked if it was Second one has the colour of While I was sitting down, the his, and he said no! Then I turmeric cheese came closer. Then I remembered that Marc had And the third one has the colour decided that I could catch it by come over for a sleepover on of trees. giving it a surprise attack. While Saturday! Marc was just up to If the red one lights up, it came closer I suddenly caught his mischievous deeds again! everything stops. What is it? it! Just my good luck, a mouse He was the culprit! He must Answer: traffic light happened to scamper nearby. I have done it while John was I have a brain which works faster gave it ¼ of the cheese because sleeping! We felt great solving than that of man, I have memory it did pretty good work stealing it. the mystery! which remembers many things, I The mouse quickly dragged the have a system which never gets cheese and ran out the door when tired. Who am I? I opened it. After all it was the one Answer: computer that got away.

70 FOOTPRINTS | GIIS Balestier Campus English

BEAUTIFUL NATURE - WHAT I LIKE ABOUT SCIENCE FANTASTIC MINERALS!!! MY MOST MEMORABLE Mansha Mathur, Class 5B Kausar Khan, Class 5B JOURNEY In my everyday life, I experience Hey friends, did you know the Vaishnavi Kishore, Class 5C science and its impact and it is colourful firework display we “Wake up,” my brother normal for me to get fascinated enjoy seeing during Diwali or shouted. I stared at the clock, by science and its effects on us. New Year's Eve is actually a it was already 6:00 am! I The main branches of science big mineral burn-up? was supposed to be up by are earth and space, life science, The colours depend on which 5:30. As quick as lightning, I physical science. Subject wise it mineral is used, like Celestine got dressed. Our flight was has three components Physics, burns red, greens burn from at 8:30 and we were going Chemistry and Biology. Barite, Tourmaline burns Maldives to celebrate my Chemistry teaches us about yellow and copper burns birthday. It was a 5 hour the composition, structure, and blue. Firework makers mix flight from Singapore to properties of substances and minerals into compounds to Male, Maldives. After what the changes they go through. create new colours. Flashes seemed like a never ending The thing I see in my daily life is and shower effects are made flight, we began flying over water changing to ice in fridge with aluminium. The smell from Maldives. What a beautiful and changing to steam when fireworks is actually the mineral view that was! Finally, we boiled. Biology teaches us about Sulphur burning. landed in Male, the capital all living things such as plant and LET ME TELL YOU SOME of Maldives. From there, animals. The thing I see in my INTERESTING FACTS. we took a ferry to our hotel. daily life is plants growing in our Alchemists discovered how to Most of the hotels had their school and my pet fishes and make minerals glow. own islands. Our hotel was terrapins. Physics is the science of Elizabethan women painted called Sheraton. The hotel energy and matter and how they their faces with a mineral paste had a wonderful ambience. I relate to each other. I see fruits called Ceruse they used the couldn’t wait for the next day, falling off trees near my home metal mineral mercury sulphide as it was my birthday. Finally, and lights turn on when I press on as blush for their cheeks, but my big day dawned. We had the switch. I also see a Gardner unfortunately made their hair a sumptuous breakfast! And pushing and pulling cart with plant fall out.Ultraviolet light makes after that guess what …… and soil at our premise. Biology is some dull minerals glow to we went SNORKELING!!! At my favourite science. fantastic colours which is first, I was scared stiff since Science teaches me to believe called fluorescence after the I knew that it would be in the only after verifying a fact. Science best example Fluorite which deep sea. But, when I put also tells me to think logically shines blue or green due to my head under the water, all and be innovative. I love science traces of radioactive uranium. fear left me as I saw the most because it is everywhere around wonderful sight. A completely me - in living, non-living things different picture of Mother around us on earth and beyond Nature under water, fishes in skies. I live and experience of different colours-blue, Science everyday. green and yellow captivated me. For a moment, I forgot where I was! It was both a mesmerizing and breath- taking sight. Sometimes the fishes would edge by my flippers. Since we were in the edge of the coral reef I also saw different coral formations. Summing it all up, it was truly the most memorable experience I have had till now. My best birthday gift ever!!!

Ashi Malhotra, K2C

FOOTPRINTS | GIIS Balestier Campus 71 Student’ Creative Sphere

PAIN AND PLEASURE OF FRIENDSHIP IS A GIFT GROWING UP Varsha Menon, Class 6C Tanvi Agarwal, Class 6C It was Ria's first day at school in fifth standard. Her family had recently As I watched a group of little shifted. Ria was very anxious as she was going to her new class. When girls playing blissfully, memories she reached her class everyone was looking at her. The teacher came of my own childhood got into the class and introduced Ria to her class mates. Though Ria was refreshed. I don't mean that very anxious she instantly made friends. She soon got adjusted to her I'm not happy about growing new surroundings. Soon it was time for the first exam. Ria did well in up. It is something that every all subjects except Social Studies. Her parents and teachers were very child longs for. It's the feeling disappointed with her. of freedom to be on our own, One fine day during lunch break she was sitting beside her friend freedom to hang out with Tania and having lunch. Tania noticed that her friend was upset about friends and make our own something. She asked Ria what the matter was. Ria explained that she decisions. It's like discovering was upset about scoring low marks in social studies. Tania felt very a whole new world. But the sorry for her. She told Ria that she would her with her social studies transition is not smooth. after school every day. So they spent an hour everyday discussing Besides the conflicts of growing social studies. mind and body, the biggest The second exam soon got over. Teacher was giving out the social challenge is the identity crisis. studies paper. Tania got her paper and she had scored well. It was time Every time you are told to for Ria to get her paper. Both Tania and Ria were very anxious. When behave like someone else, as Ria looked at her paper she was pleasantly surprised. She had scored if being unique and yourself above 80 percent Ria burst out into tears and told Tania that friendship is a crime. Your decisions are is truly a gift. questioned and you are labelled as inexperienced. Standing up to the peer pressure is another challenge. Growing up could be real fun if we understand our elders and learn from them and they keep a compassionate and non- judgemental attitude towards us. THE THREE FISHES Amsa Kumaran, Class 6C Once up on a time, three fishes lived in a beautiful pond. Three of them had different talents. The first fish was very strong physically and mentally. The second fish was a devotee of god. The third fish was very smart. Three of them were best friends and lived happily in the pond. One Sunny morning, a few fishermen crossed the pond and noticed that the first fish was jumping to and fro in the pond. They thought that there would be plenty of fishes there. One of the fishermen announced that they would have to come to that pond to do the fishing the next day in order to take back a big load of fishes. The first fish heard the conversation and informed his friends. So he declared that he would migrate to a new pond through his strength. The second fish began praying to god to seek help. Meanwhile, the third fish just sat down and relaxed. As planned, the fishermen came to the pond the next day. The first fish was acting dead while the second fish was praying to God. However, the fishermen started fishing with fishing poles and managed to trap the first two fishes. But they decided to put back the third fish into the pond. Moral: Help yourself and god will help you

72 FOOTPRINTS | GIIS Balestier Campus English

SHORT STORY: THE KING AND MY FAMILY THE UNIVERSITY Janaki Nandanan, Class 2B Jeenal Agrawal, Class 2B My family is a small beautiful family. I have four people in my family- my Once upon a time there were mother, father, brother and me. My parents work as scientists. I also want two friends, The King and the to be a scientist when I grow up. My brother loves to play soccer and University. The king had lots of wants to be a soccer player when he grows up. I have an Aunty who takes money and he used it to spend care of me. lavishly, while the University had I also have my grandparents, uncles, aunts and lots of cousins living in little money but he kept learning India. We go to India in June and December to meet our family there. We and teaching new things. stay together in a big ancestral house in Kerala. We are twelve cousins One day, all the King's money altogether and we have lots and lots of fun in the house. We dance, play was spent. He went for help but games and walk through the paddy fields. My grandfather brings us nice no one could help him. Finally food and sweets when he goes out to buy vegetables. We have lots of University said, “I cannot give you flowers and trees around the house. Also we have hens, goats and dog in money but can help you teaching our house. There is a big swing in front of our house. We cousins take turns a skill, which could help you to sit in the swing. I really love to go to India for my holidays. My cousins earn money.” The King learned also eagerly wait for our arrival. cooking and opened a restaurant. Many people flocked in and out when it became famous. Time passed by and one day University decided to leave. The King whined at first but WHAT I LIKE ABOUT RAIN later, understanding the reason Bhavika Gupta, Class 2D that University had to continue Rain brings cool breezes, teaching new things to new lighting and thunder. When it people, agreed to join him. They rains, small puddles are created went to a new city and the King and I love to splash in them. The realized that his new friend was cool breezes are soothing that the skill which he had acquired make me feel like taking a walk and this new friend would never around leave him no matter where he my neighbor-hood. Rain also went. keeps our environment green by giving water to the trees and plants. These plants and trees give us fresh oxygen to live. Like me even the peacocks MY FAVOURITE FOOD love the rain. They spread out Kanaye Verma, Class 2C their beautiful feathers and start My favourite food is my Mother’s dancing. home-cooked food. I love it With everyone enjoying around because it’s healthy, tasty and me it is but natural that ‘I love lip-smacking too. My mother rain’. garnishes and serves food in such an attractive way, that I feel like gulping it right away. I’m lucky to have a Maharashtrian mother and a South Indian father. I get to enjoy delicious food from both states of India like idli sambar, dosas, pohe and batata vada. Matar paneer and Palak paneer are my mother’s speciality and my favourite. I love my mother’s food and would like to become a chef like my Mother. Vishaal Sreeraman 2C

FOOTPRINTS | GIIS Balestier Campus 73 Student’ Creative Sphere

Livres Arshiya Tamang, 5D J’aime lire. Je préfère les histoires par Simba et Moemie Présentez-vous Enid Blyton. J’aime lire aussi Eklavya Surana, 2D Avni Kumar, 1D des bandes dessinées et des J’ai deux chats. Ils s’appellent Je m’appelle Avni Kumar. aventures. Simba et Moemie. Simba est Je suis une fille. Il y a une bibliothèque près un garçon. Moemie est une fille. J’aime de la glace. de ma maison. Quelques fois, Simba a huit ans. Moemie a neuf Ma couleur préférée est rose. j’y vais avec ma sœur pour ans. Simba est orange et blanc. J’aime mon école – GIIS. étudier. Moemie est orange, noire et Mon amie s’appelle Shweta. Ma maison est remplie de blanche. Simba aime jouer avec J’adore passer du temps livres. Ma sœur n’aime pas lire, un ballon. Moemie adore jouer avec elle. elle aime bien lis livres illustrés. avec le Angry Bird et le Panda. Mais moi, j’adore lire. Simba adore sortir. Moemie Les livres nous donnent des préfère rester dans la maison. Ils infos. Au lieu d’être passif et adorent manger du poisson et d’absorber de l’information en boire du lait. Ils aiment manger regardant la TV, en lisant nous des bonbons. J’adore jouer avec faisons travailler notre cerveau eux. et nous développons notre imagination. Les voitures Vishaal Sreeraman, 2C J’aime les voitures. Ils vont très vite. Les voitures sont des couleurs différentes et des grandeurs différentes. Ma voiture préférée est le Ferrari et ma couleur préférée est bleu. Ma chanteuse préférée Faadhilah Indira Maharani, 6B Ma chanteuse préférée est Taylor Alison Swift. Je l’aime beaucoup parce qu’elle chante très bien. Elle est jolie aussi. Elle est une actrice aussi. Son anniversaire est le 13 décembre. Elle a 24 ans. Elle habite à West Reading, Penny En route pour l’école Sylvania. Yogansh Phadke, 2D Certains de ses chansons sont J’aime écouter et chanter des Blank Space, Shake it off, Out comptines francaises. of the Woods, Safe and Sound, C’est ma comptine préférée : Welcome to New York, Love Story, Ca y est? Stay et You Belong with Me. Ma Tout est prêt? chanson préférée est Shake it Off. Tes crayons sont bien tailles? Elle est très talentueuse. Elle joue Tes deux chaussures sont lacées? beaucoup d’instruments. Elle joue Tes livres et tes cahiers sont le piano, l’ukulélé, le banjo et la rangés? guitare. Son passe-temps favori Tu n’as rien oublié? est l’équitation. Alors file vite, petit écolier! La cloche vient juste de sonner !

Sahitya Pettugani, class 5A

74 FOOTPRINTS | GIIS Balestier Campus French

Un voyage au zoo Sidarth Sathyamoorthy, 4C Un beau samedi je vais au zoo avec mes parents. Je vois plusieurs animaux comme un élégant étalon. Sa crémière brille comme d’or. Je vois un grand lion avec une grosse crinière marron. Le loup est beaucoup mince. Le loup mange de la viande. L’éléphant est grand et gros. Je vois aussi un chimpanzé sur l’arbre. Le bison mange de l’herbe. Voila ! Il y a un paon sur le terrain. Il y a une tigresse dans Suhas Manikant Surisetti, Class 5A la cage. Il y a un renard rouge. Je m’amuse bien au zoo.

Mon petit frère Dhruv Gupta, 6C Mon frère s’appelle Kushal. Il a huit ans. Il est mince. Il pèse vingt kilos. Mr Midnight Ses couleurs préférées sont bleu et rouge. Les marques qu’il préfère sont Ethan Mendonca, 3D Adidas et Nike. Son pays favori est Nouvelle-Zélande. Mr Midnight ou M. Minuit, ça Nous habitons à Singapour avec notre famille. Mon frère est très c’est le titre du livre que j’aime amusant. Il est poli et sympathique. Il est méchant aussi. Son anniversaire beaucoup. L’auteur du livre est le 15 septembre. s’appelle James Lee. Il n’y a Il n’aime pas trop étudier. Mais comme notre père, il rêve de devenir pas d’images dans ce livre mais comptable. Ses matières préférées sont mathématiques et anglais. Il c’est très amusant quand même. adore lire les livres de Mr Midnight, A to Z Mysteries et Geronimo Stilton. Il y a environ vingt histoires Il adore faire du sport. Il aime le foot, le cricket, le tennis et le badminton. d’épouvantes. C’est un livre Il est un grand fan de Fernando Alonso, Sachin Tendulkar, Roger Federer, épais. Il y a 200 pages. Cela Lionel Messi et plusieurs autres joueurs. Il aime aussi jouer des jeux vidéo me prend un mois pour lire. comme Fifa 5, Grand Theft Auto. J’ai déjà lu deux livres, ils sont formidables.

Le golf Neil Karnik, 6C J’aime jouer au golf. Mon joueur Jardin préféré est Tiger Woods. Il est le Ishan T Choudhury, 4B meilleur parce qu’il gagne toujours. Vous voyez le jardin à l’école Il est le plus ancien joueur du golf. Le grand jardin de l’école Son t-shirt préféré est un t-shirt Paris Ananya Srikant, 2C Qu’est-ce que vous pensez rouge. Je suis un grand fan de lui Le jardin est beau parce qu’il peut lire l’environnement J’aime aller à Paris en décembre. J’adore le musée du Louvre et Le jardin est vert du parcours pour effectuer des Avec beaucoup de papillon coups parfaits. Il est très amusant la cathédrale de Notre Dame. La Tour Eiffel et la Seine sont belles Vous voyez le jardin à l’école aussi. Le but du golf est simple : Le grand jardin de l’école faire entrer une balle dans un trou dans la nuit. Mais, moi je préfère allez visiter le Disneyland. Qu’est-ce que vous pensez ? en la frappant le moins de fois J’aime ce jardin au printemps possible à l’aide d’un club. Quand il y a des fleurs de toutes J’ai beaucoup d’amis qui jouent au les couleurs golf. Je joue avec des amis, mais J’aime ce jardin en automne on ne joue pas nécessairement un Quand les feuilles jaunissent jeu amical.

FOOTPRINTS | GIIS Balestier Campus 75 Student’ Creative Sphere

Ma meilleure amie La boulangerie Tanvi Agarwal, 6C Anshika Karri, 4C Ma meilleure amie s’appelle Un jour Suzie et Lisa vont à la Sanchita. Elle est jolie et souriante. boulangerie. Le boulanger fait Sanchita est mince comme les gâteaux et les galettes. Elles moi. Elle a 11 ans. Elle adore voient du pain, des gâteaux la couleur rose. Elle étudie en et des galettes. Suzie veut le Ma meilleure amie sixième comme moi. Elle aime gâteau et Lisa veut la galette. Neha Gur, 6C faire du sport : le badminton et la Suzie et Lisa veulent du café Mon amie s’appelle Amrita. natation. Moi aussi, j’aime jouer aussi. Le boulanger demande Elle a 11 ans. Elle étudie en au badminton et nager. Sa matière « Qu’est-ce que vous voulez sixième. Elle est très belle favorite est l’anglais. Elle adore mesdemoiselles ? » Lisa et Suzie avec des yeux bruns et un des fleurs aussi. Elle rougit quand répondent, « Donnons-nous pointu. Elle a des cheveux elle est en colère. Elle a un chien. deux petits pains au chocolat, courts. Elle est petite, mince, Il s’appelle Euro. Il est noir en s’il vous plait ». Suzie et Lisa créative, amicale, sympa couleur. Je lui aime aussi parce parlent de leur famille tout en et très polie. Des fois, elle qu’il est petit et très mignon. mangeant. Puis, elles rentrent à se fâche aussi. Sa couleur Elle habite dans une grande la maison. préférée est bleue. Son maison en Inde. Dans sa maison, anniversaire est le 9 janvier. il y a un bel escalier. Nous nous Elle aime manger les nouilles parlons au téléphone. Quand au poulet. Son chocolat favori je vais en Inde, nous aimons Gardien de but est Snickers. jouer avec le Barbie aussi. J’ai Nishanth Mario Vincent, 5C Elle habite à Gurgaon en Inde. beaucoup d’amies mais j’aime Le foot ou le football est mon Sa maison est très grande et bien passer mes vacances en Inde sport préféré parce que c’est belle. Il y a deux étages. Sa avec Sanchita, mon amie. trop intéressant. Je suis bon chambre est rose, bleue et que le gardien de but dans jaune. Le lit est blanc et vert. le football. Mes amis veulent Elle aime faire du vélo, toujours moi d'être le gardien chanter, danser, regarder la à chaque fois que nous jouons télé et jouer à l’ordinateur. au foot. D'être le gardien de but Elle aime étudier les n’est pas facile parce que vous mathématiques et l’anglais. devez prédire où l'ennemi va Mais, elle adore les sciences. tirer sur le ballon dans le but en Elle a un chien qui s’appelle regardant leurs mouvements Fluffy. Elle a deux poissons et attraper le ballon avant aussi qui s’appellent Goldie qu'il ait la chance de tirer. J'ai et Mickey. Elle a beaucoup de une bonne vision, une bonne jouets. Nous jouons dans sa technique et je dirige très bien maison. Quelques fois, nous ma défense. jouons au badminton quand Le football est plus qu'une je vais en Inde pendant mes passion pour moi et représente vacances. plus qu’un sport pour moi. Nous faisons du vélo aussi. Elle est une fille très intéressante. J’adore Amrita ! La semaine Siddhant Khare, 1E Il existe sept jours dans une semaine. Lundi, mardi, mercredi, jeudi, vendredi, samedi et dimanche. Ils se commencent par lundi Et ils se terminent par dimanche. Puis le weekend vient avec le Ramachandra Chawla, class 5A samedi et le dimanche.

76 FOOTPRINTS | GIIS Balestier Campus French

Mon sport favori Mes vacances au Japon Varsha Menon, 6C R Maximiliano Dakara, 4C Mon sport favori est le tennis. Je suis allé au Japon en C’est un sport amusant et décembre. Au japon, il fait froid. intéressant. Tous les vendredis, Le Japon est un pays grand. je joue au tennis à l’école de C’était mon anniversaire. Je suis trois heures à six heures de allé à Osaka, Tokyo et Kyoto l’après-midi. J’adore manger au Japon. Je suis voyagé dans la pizza quand je regarde les le train à grande vitesse avec matchs du tennis à la télé. Mon ma famille. Au Japon, je porte joueur préféré à l’école s’appelle un pullover, un pantalon, des Nicole. Elle étudie dans la même chaussettes, des gants et des classe que moi. Moi aussi, je chaussures. Il n’y avait pas suis bon dans ce sport. Nous beaucoup de neige. Je suis allé Sarvesh Supe K1 A the bear jouons ensemble et le tennis au Disneyland à Tokyo et c’était aide pour travail d'équipe. très amusant. Je suis retourné à J'ai commencé le tennis il y Singapour pour fêter Noel chez a presque 1 an. Mes parents moi. La célèbre chanson m’encouragent beaucoup à faire Ye Zihe, 3C du sport. Je déteste le football. Ma chanson favorite est la célèbre chanson de la plus célèbre chanteuse Shakira Papillon (Dare) la la la. Elle est une Sanya Desai, 4C chanteuse populaire anglaise. Papillon, papillon de toutes les couleurs, Elle est colombienne. Tous Rouge, orange, jaune, vert et bleu. mes amis chantent aussi cette Papillon, papillon fait mon jardin vert chanson. Cette chanson est Le jardin vert et parfumé écrite pour FIFA 2014. Nous Papillon, papillon vole autour de mon aimons danser sur cette jardin, chanson à maintes reprises. Autour des fleurs de toutes les couleurs J’adore cette chanson. La la - rouge, jaune, vert et rose. la la… Papillon, papillon de toutes les couleurs Rouge, orange, jaune, vert et bleu. Papillon, papillon tu es très beau. Papillon, papillon va sur les fleurs de FIFA 15 toutes les couleurs - rouge, jaune, vert Arvind Chandrasekar, 5C et rose. Il y a un jeu vidéo de football – FIFA 15. Il y a beaucoup d’équipes de foot comme FC Barcelona et Real Madrid. Mon équipe favorite est Manchester Mon personnage préféré Sonakshi Raj K2C United parce que c’est très bon Shriya A Tergaonkar, 3C et vraiment cool. Les graphismes J’aime le livre – the Diary de FIFA 15 sont d'une bonne of a Wimpy Kid. J’adore le qualité. Les stades dans ce jeu livre car c’est très drôle. Il y Le fantôme au Japon vidéo sont très bien modélisés, a quatre personnages dans Aarush Karri, 4C les maillots aussi, les grands cette histoire et le personnage Il y avait un fantôme dans le joueurs aussi, tous qui ressemble principal s’appelle Gregory. Il parc. Le fantôme vole au japon. plutôt à la réalité. La nouvelle y a deux frères – Rodéric et Le fantôme est devenu heureux gestion d'équipe vous permet Manny. Mon personnage préféré en voyons Japon. Il veut aller au de prédéfinir vos dispositifs et incontestablement est Manny. restaurant pour effrayer les gens. les rôles dans l'équipe. Vous Manny est adorable et petit. Il Il est allé au tous les endroits pourrez participer aux tournois n’est pas très intelligent. Il a des touristiques au Japon. Dans la qui se déroulent en même temps grandes dents. Il parle espagnol nuit il est allé dans une maison ! Je veux avoir FIFA 15 dès que aussi. pour dormir. possible.

FOOTPRINTS | GIIS Balestier Campus 77 Student’ Creative Sphere

 3B

     Nameh Singh Gulati K2B      2A  4A

                  4A           आया बसंत 4A  तनीषा सिंघल, 3B    आया बसंत हँसता गाता,   रंग -बिरंगी फूल खिलाता I   झूम रही है हर डाली डाली,   कूक रही कोयल मतवाली I   गुन गुन गुन गुन भंवरा गाता,   तितली रानी से बतियाता I   खुश हो बच्चे पतंग उड़ाते,   वो -काटा का शोर मचाते I   सर्दी कहती अब है जाना,  मौसम लगता बहुत सुहाना I  आया बसंत हँसता गाता,  मस्ती की गागर छलकाता I  

78 FOOTPRINTS | GIIS Balestier Campus Hindi

 3C 

     

    4A                                                                                                                                                                    6C

        

FOOTPRINTS | GIIS Balestier Campus 79 Student’ Creative Sphere

¸¨¾ - ±ñ ±ØòÐ þ¸§Æø «É¢Õò Ã¡õ - 3 C ´Õ °Ã¢ø Ã¡Ìø ±ýÈ º¢ÚÅý ¦Àü§È¡÷¸Ö¼ý Åº¢òÐ Åó¾¡ý .«Åý ¬È¡õ ÅÌôÒ ÀÊò¾¡ý. «ÅÛìÌ ¸½ìÌ À¡¼õ ±ðÊì¸¡¨Âô §À¡ø ¸ºó¾Ð. ¸½ì¸¢ý «Õ¨Á¨Â ÒÃ¢Â¨Åì¸ «Åý «õÁ¡ Á¢¸×õ ÓÂýÈ¡û.´Õ¿¡û Á¡¨Ä §Å¨ÇÂ¢ø Å¡öôÀ¡Î ÀÊì¸î ¦º¡øÄ¢ «Åý «õÁ¡ ÜÈ¢É¡û. «Åý ÀÊòÐì ¦¸¡ñÊÕó¾¡ý. §Å¨Ä ÓÊóÐ Å£ðÊüÌ Åó¾ «ôÀ¡ «Åý ÀÊôÀ¨¾ì ¸ñÎ Á¸¢úîº¢ «¨¼ó¾¡÷. «õÁ¡ Ã¡ÌÄ¢¼õ 30 åÀ¡ö À½õ ¾óÐ ¦º¡ýÉ¡û, ¸¨¼ì¸Ã¡Ã¢¼õ À½ò¨¾ì ¦¸¡ÎòÐ À¡ø §¸ð¼¡ý. À¡¨Äì ¦¸¡Îò¾ ¸¨¼ì¸¡Ã÷ ‘’Á£¾õ ±ùÅÇ× ¾Ã §ÅñÎõ’’ ¦º¡ø À¡÷ì¸Ä¡õ ±ýÈ¡÷. Ã¡Ìø Å¢¨¼ò ¦¾Ã¢Â¡Áø ¾¢Õ ¾¢Õ¦ÅÉ ÓÆ¢ò¾¡ý. ¸½ìÌ ¦¾Ã¢ÂÅ¢ø¨Ä ±ýÚ ¸¨¼ì¸¡Ã÷ 4 åÀ¡öìÌ À¾¢ø 2 åÀ¡ö ¦¸¡ÎòÐ ²Á¡üÈ¢É¡÷. Å£Î ¾¢ÕõÀ¢Â Ã¡ÌÄ¢¼õ Á£¾õ º¢øÄ¨ÈÔõ §¸ð¼¡û «õÁ¡. ¸½ìÌ À¡÷ò¾ «õÁ¡ ‘’ ±Ç¢Â ¸½ìÌì Ü¼ §À¡¼ò ¦¾Ã¢Â¡Áø ²Á¡óÐ Åó¾¢Õì¸¢È¡§Â ?’’ ±ýÚ ÜÈ¢×Õó¾¢É¡û. «ôÀ¡ Ã¡ÌÄ¢¼õ «¨Á¾¢Â¡¸’’ ¸½¢¾õ Å¡úì¨¸ìÌ þýÈ¢Â¨ÁÂ¡¾Ð ‘’¿õ ¸ñ §À¡ýÈÐ «ýÈ¡¼ Å¡úÅ¢ø ¸½ì¨¸ À¢Ã¢ì¸ þÂÄ¡Ð þ¨¾ò¾¡ý ´Ç¨ÅÂ¡÷ «ý§È ‘’±ñ ±ØòÐ þ¸§Æø‘’ ±ýÚ ¬ò¾¢îÝÊÂ¢ø À¡Ê ¨Åò¾¡÷. ±ýÈ¡÷ ¾ý ¾Å¨È Ã¡Ìø ¯½÷ó¾¡ý. þÉ¢ ¸ÅÉÓ¼ý ÀÊôÀ¾¡¸ ¾ý ¦Àü§È¡Ã¢¼õ ÜÈ¢É¡ý. ¸¨¾ ¿£¾¢ - ‘’±ñ ±ØòÐ þ¸§Æø ‘’

Å¢Î¸¨¾¸û º¢§É¸¡ - 6 C 1. þÃÅø ¸¢¨¼ì¸¡Ð, þÃÅ¢ø ¸¢¨¼ìÌõ -«Ð ±ýÉ? 2. .¾¨Ã¦ÂøÄ¡õ §¸¡Î, «¨¾ «Æ¢ì¸ ÓÊÂ§Ä- «Ð ±ýÉ? 3. Óø¨Äò §¾¡ð¼ò¾¢ø ¸ÚôÒ ÓòÐ-«Ð ±ýÉ? 4. ÅÕõ§À¡Ð ¦Åñ º¢ÅôÒ, ÅÇÃ ÅÇÃò ¾¸¾¸ôÒ,§À¡Ìõ§À¡Ð ¦ÀÕïº¢ÅôÒ -«Ð ±ýÉ? 5. ¸ÚôÒ À¡¨ÈìÌ ¦Åû¨Ç §Å÷ - «Ð ±ýÉ ? 6. ¦ÅÂ¢Ä¢ø ÁÄÕõ, ¸¡üÈ¢ø ¯ÄÕõ -«Ð ±ýÉ? 7. ¿¡Ö ã¨Äô ¦ÀðÊ, ¿ó¾ÅÉô ¦ÀðÊ, ¶Îõ Ì¾¢¨Ãì ÌðÊ- «Ð ±ýÉ? 8. ¾¨Ä ÁðÎõ Å¢Ã¢Ôõ ,À¡õÀøÄ,ÀÄ¿¢Èõ ¦¸¡ñ¼Ð ¯¨¼ÂøÄ -«Ð ±ýÉ? 9. ¦ºÊÂ¢øÄ¡Áø º¢Ã¢ìÌõ â, ¸¡öì¸¡Áø ¸É¢ó¾ â- «Ð ±ýÉ? 10. «Ê ¸¡ðÊø, ¿Î Á¡ðÊø, ÑÉ¢ Å£ðÊø,-«Ð ±ýÉ? Å¢¨¼¸û; 1. àì¸õ 2. ¨¸§Ã¨¸ 3. ¸ñ 4. ÝÃ¢Âý 5. Â¡¨É ¾ó¾õ 6.Å¢Â÷¨Å 7. «õÁ¢ 8. Ì¨¼9.¯ôÒ 10.¦¿ø

80 FOOTPRINTS | GIIS Balestier Campus Tamil

Ã¢íì-ø ´Õ ¿¡û Ã¢„¢ºÃý - 3 D «ýÚ ¿¡ý §ƒ-¸¢äô Ã¢íì ¦ºøÄ Á¢¸×õ ¯üº¡¸Á¡¸ þÕó§¾ý ±ý ¾ó¨¾ ±ÉìÌ ¦ÀýÌÅ¢Ûõ «ÅÕìÌ ´Õ ÀÉ¢ÁÉ¢¾Ûõ Ð¨½ì¸ÕÅ¢Â¡¸ À¾¢× ¦ºö¾¢Õó¾¡÷. «íÌ Ñ¨Æó¾×¼ý Ó¾Ä¢ø ¿¡í¸û ±í¸ÙìÌ …§¸ð âð… ,¨¸ÔÃ¸û ÁüÚõ º¡ì… Ó¾Ä¢ÂÅü¨È Å¡¼¨¸ìÌ Å¡í¸¢ì¦¸¡ñ§¼¡õ. ¿¡ý …§¸ð âð… «½¢óÐ ¿¼ôÀÐ ±ùÅÇ× ¸ÊÉõ ±É ¯¼ÉÊÂ¡¸ ¯½÷ó§¾ý ±ôÀÊ§Â¡ ÍÅ÷ ÁüÚõ ¸¢Ã¡¾¢¨Â À¢ÊòÐì¦¸¡ñÎ ÀÉ¢ Å¨ÇÂò¾¢ø Ñ¨ÆÂ ÓÊó¾Ð. «ô¦À¡ØÐ ¦ÀýÌÅ¢É¢ý ¯¾Å¢Ô¼ý ÀÉ¢ ¾¨ÃÂ¢ø Ñ¨Æó¾Ðõ ¯ñ¨ÁÂ¡É À¢Ãîº¢¨É ¦¾¡¼í¸¢ÂÐ. …§¸ð ¾¨Ã Á¢¸×õ ÅØì¸¢Â¾¡ø ¿¼ì¸ ÓÊÂ¡Áø ¾ÎÁ¡È¢§Éý. Àì¸ ÍÅ÷ àÃÁ¡¸ þÕó¾Ð ±ýÉ¡ø «¨¾ À¢ÊòÐì¦¸¡ûÇ ÓÊÂÅ¢ø¨Ä, «¾É¡ø ¿¡ý ±ý ¾ó¨¾Â¢ý ¯¾Å¢¨Â §¸ð§¼ý ¬É¡ø «ÅÕõ «§¾ º¢ì¸Ä¢ø þÕó¾¡÷. «¾É¡ø «ÅÃ¡ø ¯¾ÅÓÊÂÅ¢ø¨Ä. þÚ¾¢Â¡¸ «í¸¢Õó¾ ¯¾Å¢Â¡Ç÷ ¯¼§É ±ý¨É ÍÅ÷ «Õ§¸ «¨ÆòÐî ¦ºýÈ¡÷. ¿¡ý Á¢¸×õ ÀÂóÐ Å¢ð§¼ý ¬É¡ø ±ý ¾ó¨¾ ÍÅ¨Ã À¢ÊòÐì¦¸¡ñÎ ¿¼ì¸ ÓÂüº¢ ¦ºöÔõÀÊ ±ýÉ¢¼õ ÜÈ¢É¡÷. º¢È¢Ð §¿Ãò¾¢üÌ À¢ý, ¿¡ý ¦ÁÐÅ¡¸ Óý§ÉÈ¢§Éý. ±ý ¾ó¨¾ ÀÉ¢ÁÉ¢¾É¢ý ¯¾Å¢ þøÄ¡Áø ÅØì¸ ÓÂüº¢ ¦ºöÅ¨¾ À¡÷ò§¾ý ¿¡Ûõ «ùÅ¡Ú ¦ºöÂ ÓÂý§Èý ¬É¡ø ÓÊÂÅ¢ø¨Ä. þÃñ¼¡ÅÐ ÍüÈ¢ø , ¿¡ý ÍÅ¨Ã À¢Êì¸¡Áø ¦ÀýÌÅ¢ý ¯¾Å¢Ô¼ý ¿ýÈ¡¸ ºÚì¸¢ ¿¼ì¸ ÓÊó¾Ð. ¿¡ý ãýÚ Ó¨È ¸£§Æ Å¢ØóÐõ Ü¼ ¯¾Å¢ þøÄ¡Áø ±ýÉ¡ø ±Øó¾¢Õì¸ ÓÊó¾Ð þÐÅ¨Ã ¿¡í¸û þÃñÎ Ó¨È ¶ö× ±Îò¾¢Õó§¾¡õ. ¸¨¼º¢ ÍüÈ¢ø ±ÉìÌ Á¢¸×õ ¸¨ÇôÀ¡¸ þÕó¾Ð. ¬É¡ø ¿¡ý ÁüÈÅ÷¸û Á¢¸×õ «Æ¸¡¸×õ Å¢¨ÃÅ¡¸×õ ºÕìÌÅ¨¾ À¡÷ò§¾ý . ±ÉìÌõ «ùÅ¡Ú ¦ºöÂ §ÅñÎõ ±ýÈ ¬Åø «¾¢¸Ã¢ò¾Ð, «íÌ Á£ñÎõ ÅóÐ ¿ýÈ¡¸ ºÚì¸¢ ÀÆ¸§ÅñÎõ ±É ±ý ¾ó¨¾Â¢¼õ ÜÈ¢§Éý. þÚ¾¢Â¡¸ ¿¡ý ±ý …§¸ð âð¨º ¸ÆüÈ¢Â À¢ÈÌ ±ýÉ¡ø ´Øí¸¡¸ ¿¼ì¸ ÓÊó¾Ð. Á¢¸×õ ¿¢õÁ¾¢Â¡¸ þÕó¾Ð. þó¾ «ÛÀÅõ Á¢¸ ÍÅ¡Ã…ÂÁ¡¸ þÕó¾¡Öõ ºüÚ §º¡÷Å¡¸ þÕó¾Ð.

¾Á¢ú Å¢Î¸¨¾¸û Á¢ÕÐÇ¡ - 3 C 1. ¯Ãº ¯Ãº Ì¨ÆÅ¡ý âºô âºô Á½ôÀ¡ý. 2. ¦Åð¼ ¦Åð¼ ÅÇ÷ó¾¢Îõ ¸ÅÉõ þø¨Ä ±ýÈ¡ø ¯¾¢÷ó¾¢Îõ. 3. Å£Î þÃñÎ À¡¨¾ ´ýÚ. 4. °÷ ÍüÈì Ü¼ ÅÕÅ¡ý ¬É¡ø Å£ðÎìÌû§Ç ÅÃÁ¡ð¼¡ý. 5. Á¨ÆÂ¢ø À¢ÈóÐ ¦ÅÂ¢Ä¢ø ¸¡ÔÐ. Å¢¨¼¸û: 1. ºó¾Éõ 2. ¾¨ÄÓÊ 3. ãìÌ 4. ¦ºÕôÒ 5. ¸¡Ç¡ý

Ganesan Swaroop K1 A

FOOTPRINTS | GIIS Balestier Campus 81 Student’ Creative Sphere

¸¨¾ ¬- ÓÂüº¢ Ã¢º¢Íó¾÷ - 5 D §À¡Ã¢ø §¾¡øÅ¢ «¨¼ó¾ «Ãºý ¾ý ¯Â¢¨Ãì ¸¡ôÀ¡üÈ¢ì¦¸¡ûÇ ¶Ê ´Ç¢ó¾¡ý . «Ãºý Á¢¸×õ Å£ÃòÐ¼ý §À¡Ã¢ð¼¡Ùõ «ÅÉ¢ý À¨¼ º¢È¢Â¾¡¸ þÕó¾¾¢É¡ø «ÅÉ¡ø ¦ÅøÄ ÓÊÂÅ¢ø¨Ä ±¾¢Ã¢Â¢¼õ Á¡¦ÀÕõ À¨¼ þÕó¾¾¢É¡ø ¦ÅüÈ¢ ¦ÀüÈ¡ý . ¦ÅüÈ¢ ¦ÀüÈ ±¾¢Ã¢ «Ãº¨É ¦¸¡øÄ ¾¢ð¼Á¢ð¼¡ý «¾É¡ø «Ãºý ¸¡ðÊüÌ ¶Êî ¦ºýÚ «íÌ þÕó¾ ´Õ Ì¨¸Â¢ø ´Ç¢óÐì ¦¸¡ñ¼¡ý. «Ãºý §º¡õÀÖ¼ý Ì¨¸Â¢ø ÀÎò¾¢Ã¢ó¾¡ý. «ó¾ Ì¨¸Â¢Öû ´Õ º¢Äó¾¢ Å¡úóÐ Åó¾Ð. º¢È¢Â º¢Äó¾¢Â¢ý ¦ºÂû «ÃºÉ¢ý ¸ÅÉò¨¾ ®÷ò¾Ð. ´Õ Å¨Ä¨Âô À¢ýÉì ¸Î¨ÁÂ¡É ÓÂüº¢ ¦ºöÐ ¦¸¡ñÊÕó¾Ð. ºÅÃ¢ý Á£Ð °÷óÐ ¦ºøÖõ §À¡Ð Å¨ÄÂ¢É¢ø À¢ýÉ¢Â áø «ÚóÐ º¢Äó¾¢ ¸£§Æ Å¢ØóÐ Å¢ð¼Ð. þùÅ¡Ú ÀÄÓ¨È ¿¼ó¾Ð ¬É¡Öõ «Ð ¾ý ÓÂüº¢¨Âì ¨¸Å¢¼¡Áø ÁÚÀÊ ÁÚÀÊÔõ ÓÂýÈÐ. ¸¨¼º¢Â¢ø ¦Å÷È¢ Å¨Ä¨Âô À¢ýÉ¢ ÓÊò¾Ð. «Ãºý ‘’ þî º¢Ú º¢Äó¾¢§Â ÀÄÓ¨È §¾¡øÅ¢Â¨¼óÐõ ¾ý ÓÂüº¢¨Âì ¨¸Å¢¼Å¢ø¨Ä ¿¡ý ²ý ¶¼ §ÅñÎõ ‘’ ±É §Â¡º¢ò¾¡ý ¿¡§É¡ «Ãºý ¿¡ý ÁÚÀÊÔõ ÓÂüº¢ ¦ºöÂ §ÅñÎõ ±ýÚ ±ñ½¢É¡ý ±¾¢Ã¢Ô¼ý §À¡÷ ÒÃ¢Â ¾£÷Á¡É¢ò¾¡ý . «Ãºý ¾¡ý Åº¢ò¾ ¸¡ðÊüÌ ¦ÅÇ¢§Â ¦ºýÚ ¾ý¿õÀ¢ì¨¸Ô¼ý ¦ºÂøÀð¼¡ý. ¾ý ¿¡ðÊø ¯ûÇ Å£Ã÷¸¨Ç ´ýÚ §º÷òÐ ÀÄõ ÓÌó¾ À¨¼Ô¼ý ±¾¢Ã¢¸Ù¼ý ¾£Å¢ÃÁ¡¨¸ §À¡÷ ÒÃ¢ó¾¡ý.þÚ¾¢Â¢ø §À¡Ã¢ø ¦ÅüÈ¢Ôõ ¦ÀüÈ¡ý. ¾ÉìÌ «È¢×¨Ã §À¡¾¢ò¾ «ó¾î º¢Äó¾¢¨Â «Åý ±ýÚ§Á ÁÈì¸Å¢ø¨Ä. ±ó¾ ¸¡Ã¢Âò¾¢Öõ ¦ÅüÈ¢ ¦ÀÈ Å¢¼¡ÓÂüº¢ Á÷Úõ ÍÚ ÍÚôÒ Á¢¸×õ «Åº¢Âõ ±ýÚ ´Ç¨ÅÂ¡÷ ¬ò¾¢îÝÊÂ¢ø «È¢×Õò¾¢ÔûÇ¡÷. ¿£¾¢; °ì¸ÁÐ ¨¸Å¢§¼ø ÁüÚõ §º¡õÀ¢ò¾¢Ã¢§Âø

±ý ÀûÇ¢ ¦ºÇÁ¢Â¡ ¾¢Õ§ÁÉ¢ - 6 C ±ý ¦ÀÂ÷ ¦ºÇÁ¢Â¡ ¾¢Õ§ÁÉ¢ .¿¡ý ¬È¡õ ÅÌôÒ º¢’ À¢Ã¢Å¢ø ÀÊì¸¢§Èý. ¿¡ý º¢Ú þÃì¨¸ì ¦¸¡ñ¼ ÀÈì¸ò ¦¾Ã¢Â¡¾ô ÀÈ¨ÅìÌïº¡ö þôÀûÇ¢Â¢ø §º÷ó§¾ý.±ÉìÌ ÁðÎõ¾¡ý ÀÈì¸ò ¦¾Ã¢Â¡Ð ±ýÚ «¨Á¾¢Â¡¸ ÅÌôÀÈÂ¢ø «Á÷ó¾¢Ã¢ó§¾ý. ¬É¡ø ,«íÌ ±ý¨Éô§À¡ø Å¢¾ Å¢¾Á¡É ÀÈì¸ò¦¾Ã¢Â¡¾ ÀÈ¨ÅìÌïÍ¸û «Á÷ó¾¢Õó¾É. ±í¸ÙìÌ ÀÈì¸ì ¸üÚì ¦¸¡Îì¸ «ýÀ¡É, ÀñÀ¡É, ¬º¢Ã¢Â÷¸û «íÌ þÕó¾É÷. «Å÷¸û ±í¸ÙìÌ «ýÀ¡¸×õ, ¦À¡Ú¨ÁÂ¡¸×õ ÀÈì¸ì ¸üÚì¦¸¡Îò¾É÷. ¿¡í¸û Ó¾ Ó¾Ä¢ø ÀÈì¸ ¬ÃõÀ¢ì¸ô§À¡Ð ¿¡í¸û ¾Îì¸¢ Å¢Øó§¾¡õ. §Á§Ä ±Æ ÓÊÂ¡Áø , º¢ÈÁôÀð§¼¡¦Áí¸û ¬º¢Ã¢Â÷¸û ±í¸¨Çò ¾¡í¸¢ô À¢ÊòÐ, ±Æî ¦ºöÐÀÈì¸ ¨Åò¾É÷. ¿¡í¸û «¨ÉÅÕõ ´ýÈ¡¸ô ÀÈì¸ §ÅñÎõ ±ýÀ¾ü¸¡¸ ±í¸û ¬º¢Ã¢Â÷¸Ùõ ,ÀûÇ¢Ôõ ¯¾Å¢ ¦ºö¾¡÷¸û ¿¡í¸û Á½Ä¢ø Å£Îì¸ðÊ Å¢¨ÇÂ¡ý§¼¡õ, Á½¨Ä ¯¼õÀ¢ø âº¢ì ¦¸¡ñ§¼¡õ. ¿¡í¸û «¨ÉÅÕõ Ó¾ø ¾Çò¾¢ø ±í¸û ÀûÇ¢ô ÀÂ½ò¨¾ ¬ÃõÀ¢ò§¾¡õ. þýÚ ¿¡í¸û ¿¡ý¸¡õ ¾Çò¾¢ø ÀÂ¢ø¸¢§È¡õ.¾¢ÉÓõ ¿¡í¸û Ó¾ø ¾Çò¾¢Ä¢ÕóÐ ¿¡ý¸¡õ ¾Çò¾¢üÌ ÀÊì¸ ÀÊì¸Êø ²Ú¸¢§È¡õ. «ó¾ô ÀÊ ¸ü¸û ±í¸ÙìÌ ¿¡í¸û ¸üÚì ¦¸¡ñ¼ÀÊ¸Ç¡¸ò ¦¾Ã¢¸¢ýÈÐ. ±ý¨Éô§À¡ø ÀÄ Å¢¾Á¡Éô ÀÈ¨ÅìÌïÍ¸Ù¼ý §º÷òÐ ÀÆ¸ ¨ÅòÐô ÀÈì¸ì ¸üÚì¦¸¡ÎòÐ ¸¡ü¨È ±¾¢÷òÐô ÀÈì¸ ¨Åò¾ ±ý ÀûÇ¢ìÌõ .±ý «ýÀ¡É ±ý ¯Â¢÷ ¬º¢Ã¢÷¸ÙìÌõ ±ý Á¢¸ô ¦ÀÃ¢Â ¿ýÈ¢.

82 FOOTPRINTS | GIIS Balestier Campus hoto inish Photo Finish

Kindergarten Teachers

Front Row (L to R): Gauri Sannabhadti, Anushree Jayant Shirali, Padmarani Srivatsan, Sujata Tilak, Sheela Karia,Anu Gupta, Rashmi Maheshwari, Suwarna Narayan Biwalkar Back Row (L to R): Swapna Shirke, Zankhana Bansal, Divya Neralath Pushpakam, Divya Ganesh, Savitha Harshavardhan Rao, Akhila Ani, Sandhya A V, Louella Peres

Teachers

Front Row (L to R): Manoj Radhakrishnan Nair, Padmarani Srivatsan, Meghna Rai, Shanoo Bhatt, Kalpana Sairaj, Sujata Tilak, Swagata Chakraborty, Sheela Karia, Anita Narayan, Shalini Singh, Kamaljeet Kaur, Srividya Sriram, Nandini Hore Middle Row (L to R): Jatinder Singh Bedi, E Shobha Shankar, Jyoti Joshi, Suganthi Angelin Mary, Shylaja Raman, Deepsikha Dasgupta, Lavanya Goyal, Anubha Mehta, Archana Sharma, Gunjeet Kaur Narang, Patil Meena Narendra, Shilpi Malhotra, Sunitha Srinivas, Aditi Bandyopadhyay, Chitra Venkatesh Prasanna, Sneha D’souza, Tina Sembhi, Louella Peres, Kavita PV, Shanthigodu Sadhana Tholpady, Jaya Harish Mehta Back Row (L to R): Srividya Thyagarajan, Swapna Shirke, Zankhana Bansal, Divya Neralath Pushpakam, Divya Ganesh, Gauri Sannabhadti, Anushree Jayant Shirali, Savitha Harshavardhan Rao, Anu Gupta, Rashmi Maheshwari, Disha Sharma, Lalithambika Ramakrishnan, Akhila Ani, Suwarna Narayan Biwalkar, Sandhya A V

84 FOOTPRINTS | GIIS Balestier Campus Nursery A

Class Teacher: Divya Ganesh Co-Teacher: Swapna Shirke Front Row (L to R): Yadhunandan Rejith, Akshay Vidhyasagar, Advaith Umamaheshwar,Hansika, Ananthasesha Rao Praveenraman, Suhana Parija, Aditi Gupta, Shrenik Mallick, Anushka Srikant, Niranjan Arunkumar, Thummala Veda Ipsitha, Anantajit Sudarshan Athreya, Veer Mishra, Bidisha Mishra, Darshan Deepak Kumar Absent: Aditya Sreeram

Class K1 A

Class Teacher: Sujata Tilak Co Teacher/Assistant Teacher: Savitha Harshvardhan Rao Front Row (L to R): Sanjana Mahesh Menon, Rudra Sameer Angadi, Janhavi Balaji, Dev Kumar Batlada, Grisha Aggarwal, Reyansh Peddolla, Ganesan Swaroop, Mansa Pusti, Ancika Peruvel, Arham Mohanty, Dhaksha Rajesh, Achyuth Pradeep, Delisha Bhalla Back Row (L to R): Aarav Gupta, Siddhanta Singh, Shivank Chawla, Vedh Gaddipati, Aarav Mathur, Rakshan Magotra, Jeevan Dhanasekaran, Myra Arora, Sarvesh Supe

FOOTPRINTS | GIIS Balestier Campus 85 Photo Finish

Class K1 B

Class Teacher: Akhila Ani Co Teacher/Assistant Teacher: Zankhana Bansal Front Row (L to R): : Srinidhi Narayanan, Vedika Bodhankar, Minnoli Tiwari, Advait Swaminathan, Totharamudi Sai Ronith, Divyam Joshi, Kavinesh Thinagar, Aanya Jain, Anika Prasad, Jia Raj Aryan, Vaishnavi Keerthivasan, Jashwant Tej Vudatha, Srishti Sanith Back Row (L to R): Odritha Ahmed, Sahithi Kumar, Arunarkavikko Anbarasan Ansh, Pranav Guruprasad, Tanush Vaid Absent: Vihaan Desai

Class K1 C

Class Teacher: Divya Neralath Co Teacher: Zankhana Bansal Front Row (L to R): Shriyaa Agarwal, Nikhil, Sriram Gokulsagar, Sahana Kartik, Nishaat Gupte, Renita James, Sri Anish Pabbaraju, Advait Mandal, Amogh Sugoor, Ayush Akhuj, Muntaha Haider, Ayush Varma Back Row (L to R): Avika Saxena, Tharun Karthikeyan, Muthukumar Yashwanth Kumar, Prisha Sodhani, Vidit Agarwala, Shriansh Jaiswal, Jaanvi Bhatt, Shravya Sree Tata, Siddhanth Nanduru Absent: Aanya Prabaharan

86 FOOTPRINTS | GIIS Balestier Campus Class K2 A

Class Teacher: Padmarani Srivatsan Co Teacher/Assistant Teacher: Suwarna Narayan Biwalkar Front Row (L to R): Bejjinki Sai Harshitha Rao, Ananya Kansal, Ojaswin Jha, Anirudh Nair, Pranavi Kasula, Diganth Subhash, Annjana Ravindhar, Sree Yuvan Maanika Sankarlal, Aviraj Tehlan, Lad Shah, Aashrith Krishna Sripada, Divya Nayanie Saravanan, Isha Jomen Bhardwaj Absentee: Anshak Jain, Vinay Sai Dharmavram, Vasipalli Eshan Aditya

Class K2 B

Class Teacher: Louella Peres Co Teacher: Sandhya A V Front Row (L to R): Annika D’souza, Saanvi Singh, Disha Srivastava, Lauhitya Nikam, Akshansh Jambhulkar, Smrithi Venkatesh, Kasish Sai Ganesh Babu, Smitesh Amit Shinde, Tejaswini Sriram, Divya Thirumeni, Tania Chopra, Arul Meshram Back Row (L to R): Parneet Kaur, Theodor Mathews, Sanhita Mitra, Daksh Sharma, Nameh Singh Gulati Absent: Anushka Dhote

FOOTPRINTS | GIIS Balestier Campus 87 Photo Finish

Class K2 C

Class Teacher: Anushree Jayant Shirali Co Teacher: Suwarna Narayan Biwalkar Front Row (L to R): Jatin Surisetti, Aditya Mehta, Sneha Venkatesh, Viha Hegde, Ashi Malhotra, Vayun Sharma, Sukirth Alagappan, Gowri Palani, Anvitha Rao, Anay Maheshwari, Manav Manoj Menon, Adra Ahmed, Vikas Nair, Sonakshi Ray Back Row (L to R): Nitish Anant Karnik, Amey Santosh Garodi

Class K2 D

Class Teacher: Gauri Sannabhadti Co-Teacher: Suwarna Narayan Biwalkar Front Row (L to R): Goutham Dev Ranjit, Maanya Ramesh, Vrinda Bahirat, Ameya Deshpande, Bhargav Narayanan Karthik, Nihar Kulkarni, Naisha Hampihallikar, Rajasekar Harsith, Arnav Kumar Prasad, Muhammad Baasil, Aantariksha Samal, Harshini PradeepKumar, Sakthivel Heamish Kanha, Swayam Basu

88 FOOTPRINTS | GIIS Balestier Campus Class K2 E

Class Teacher: Rashmi Maheshwari Co Teacher: Sandhya A V Front Row (L to R): Anuraag Vombatkere, Vivaan Khullar, Navya Ramesh, Jerosh S Chundattu, Sajida Nausheen, Aryaka Srivastava, Vanya Karthikeyan, Hrishik Deb, Kanishka Gill, Hari Sri Ram, Janvi Kottapuram Manoj, Miraya Jogewar, Naisha Singh, Yadhu Narayanan Varanakkot Back Row (L to R): Devarsh Nambisan, Murugappa Moniish, Chanapati Dirgav Sairam

Class K2 F

Class Teacher: Anu Gupta Co Teacher: Swarna Narayan Biwalkar Front Row (L to R): Anika Sharma, Saranik Mallick, Dharnitha Ravi, Ishan Sujith, Swarit Thakur, Arianna Mendonca, Siddhant Mamidanna, Rajvi Jariwala, Arya Mishra, Sara K Kulkarni, Medha Radheshyam, Anushka Vijay, Kapeesh Tak, Vaishnav Biju

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Class 1A

Class Teacher: Anubha Mehta Co-Teacher: Neela Desai Front Row (L to R): Riya Dutt, Aarish Soneja, Surya Narayan, Aditya Singh, Thanmay Karumbayil, Shreyas Pant, Syna Gandhi, Atharv Gupta, Dhvani Adhia, Onella Soares, Archana Manoj Nair, Gayatri Tiwari, Christy Mariam George Back Row (L to R): Arnav Jain, Gautam Krishna Kumar, Lakshya Vijaywargiya, Avani Sharma, Pradhyun Kumar, Anurag Banerjee, Arnav Jain, Suhani Krishnan, Aryan Rao, Guneet Kaur, Ahana Angal, Ira Acharya, Aditya Bhao, Aarin D ’ Souza Absent: Aanya Mukherjee, Megan Geofran

Class 1B

Class Teacher: Disha Sharma Co Teacher: Neela Desai Front Row (L to R): Arnav Trivedi, Navneeth Reejish, Harshil Pravin, Trisha Dinesh Gupta, Ananya Kunnath, Joann Maria Jacob, Mahadevan Sivadutt, Rithika Rajesh, Avani Dhamne, Ishaani Chaudhary, Isha Kalyanpur, Ananya Murali Krishnan, Yashica Sharma, Shravya Vinay Back Row (L to R): Sherin Pravin, Sarah Ann Shibu, Vitarg Shukla, Eashan Admane, Shourya Mishra,Sonit Kumar, Trivon Chandra, Gajulapalli Charan Kumar, Sarthak Katwe, Joshua S Chundattu, Sabeer Singh Sandhu, Parvatham Tarun Kumar Reddy, Krishna Tritha Manoj, Aditi Jomen Bhardwaj

90 FOOTPRINTS | GIIS Balestier Campus Class 1C

Class Teacher: Lavanya Goyal Co-Teacher: Neela Desai Front Row (L to R): Smriti Harita Malladi, Saumyaa Sengupta, Aditi Dongre, Kritika Tripathy, Zuhah Thowfique, Shruti Anand, Tanishka Singh, Shreya Prabhu, Drishti Jain, Sharanya Bose, Palak Khetan, Anushri Shivakumar, Sahana Sriram, Agastya Duvvuri Back Row (L to R): Siddharth Jindal, Nihal Achar, Svanik Balaji, Atharva Agarwal, Hardhik Siriparapu, Soham Waikar, Aditya Mohan Pandey, Nandan Arveti, Hemang Chaudhary, Ephraim Toji Kochuveettil, Sricharan Bhat, Shlok Rajneesh Rana, Kushal Bikkina

Class 1D

Class Teacher: Meghna Rai Co Teacher: Sadhana Tholpady Front Row (L to R): Ahaana Kilpady, Pearl Parikh, Swetha Raj, Sara Vyaas, Navamithra Mathana Siddarthan, Deva Darshan, Kanan Kanish, Jyotsna Chandra Prakash Prajapat, Avni Kumar, Jiya Tated, Oviya A S, Aarna Wali Back Row (L to R): Shrish Shetty, Rizul Vyas, Do Hoang Hai, N K Manuraj, Ranjitraj Rajavel, Siddharth Desai, Kailash Moorthy, Anish Rakesh Kathiresan, Santosh Muthukumaran, Advaith Ramsamy Suryanarayan, Swastik Arjun, Sujai Aravindakannan, Vedant Virkar, Krishay Rasam, Iniyan Uthayasankar, Akul Krishna Menon Absentee: Shashwat Vignaradj, Ragunandan Senthilkumar, Guru Prasanna Balaji

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Class 1E

Class Teacher: Kalpana Sairaj Co-Teacher: Sadhana Tholpady Front Row (L to R): Arya Krishtina Bantolo Rajkumari, Mariel Mary Jacob, Ridhi Sulaksh, Vansha Suresh, Deveshi Kangya, Pusangudi Irshath Ahamed Aisha Alhumaira, Siddhant Prem Khare, Saarthak Wanjari, Niranjan Suresh Kumar, Sahityan Vijay Anand Savitha, Aiden Prahlad, Aditi Tushar Kapde, Shalini Arumugan, Jayapragash Varshni Back Row (L to R): Dhruv Moondra, Soham Wadangekar, Aditya Khater, Tahan Abraham Mathew, Nathan Gideon, Prinaka Basu, Bhavana Rajyalakshmi Rupakula, Vainavi Prashanth,Ayushi Tamang, Saarthak Shankarvaran, Viraj Choudhury,Pranavkirutik Chandrakanthi, Allan Sakindi Hirwa, Kritin Balasubramanian, Nachiket Shrivastava, Shreyas Rajan

Class 2A

Class Teacher: Aditi Bandyopadhyay Co-Teacher: Tina Sembhi Front Row (L to R): Annanya Mishra, Janet Annie Jephy, Jennifer Rose Mattathil, Shimrah Shaheer Shamsi, Smrithi Venkatesh, Navyali Moudgil, Avani Hallikeri, Yash Kumar Gunda, Arav Gupta, Siddharth Golechha, Shreya Latheesh, Shruti Upadhye, Vani Rai Back Row (L to R): Parthiv Gorumutchu, Harikesh Parthasarathy, Shubh Jain, Devansh Saraf, Aaryan Suresh V, Harshitha G, Harsimar Kaur Chhatwal, Anjali Kadavil, Aadya Trivedi, Ananya Mangla, Samriddhi Srivastava, Sudarshan Kotlanka, Thejas Rajesh, A S Michael Khaying, Max Patel Absent: Adheesh Mukherji

92 FOOTPRINTS | GIIS Balestier Campus Class 2B

Class Teacher: Sneha D’souza Co-Teacher: Tina Sembhi Front Row (L to R): Gurmanbir Singh, Adit Bhandari, Nihal Ramesh Daggupati, Laya Mahesh, Akshita Gothankar, Aanya Agrawal, Twisha Mehta, Atharva Gupta, Yash Bansal, Arjun Kalyanasundaram, Gayatri Apeksha Agarwal, Janaki Nandanan, Atriya Datta, Siri Neela, Jeenal Agrawal, Deekshita Kutakula, Karan Puri, Sai Srihith Tadala Back Row (L to R): Keegan Maurice Pinto, Sarthak Jain, Monish Anbarasan, Sahil Sawant, Aum Rupade, Eshana Suresh, Aryan Gupta Manchanda, Shubh Jain, Ananya Kottapuram Manoj, Aryan Prasad, Pranav Raghu Anantharam, Aravind Kota, Sasmit Mohanty, Tagore Tathagath Gedela, Harshit Siriparapu, Samar Siddiqui

Class 2C

Class Teacher: Srividya Thyagarajan Co-Teacher: Shobha Sankar Front Row (L to R): Parth Santosh Bahirat, Pranav Rajaprabakar, Saloni Samel, Leeyaa Shree Selvan, Atchayapoorani Nellaiappan, Tejaswini Jayakumar, Kirthishga Mathiarasan Subarna, Karthikeyan Sankaranarayanan, Kanaye Varma, Rithinsimha Umashankar, Deyan Amar Carty, KishoreKumar Kannan, Jessica James, Janessha Iyer, Vishaal Sreeraman Back Row (L to R): Jordon Bout, Tristan Hugo Eltvedt, Krithineshwar Srinivasan, Armaan Bhardwaj, Fan Huiling, Juanita Giftson, Ananya Madhu, Anushka, Mangai Somasundaram, Saravanavel Bhaskaran, Radhika Agarwal, Sri Mitra Subramanian, Ananya Srikant, Sanjana Nanduru, Noel Chazhoor Paul, Atharv Yadav Absent: Aishwarya Bhargava

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Class 2D

Class Teacher: Chitra Venkatesh Prasanna Co-Teacher: E Shobha Shankar Front Row (L to R): Saachi Sinha, Bhavika Gupta, Sunishka Sriram, Ria Sajda, Neha Pullarkat, Deepa Bhagat, Nivedhaa Prabu, Pawan Ramanan, Darshan Nayak, Romir Tandon, Vidhan Desai, Amith Menon, Jacob Mathew, Navya Patnala, Pon Naavini Anbarasan, Myra Rao Back Row (L to R): Panchetty Sai Siddharth, Ekalavya Surana, Kush Vijapure, Vikraant Gopi Senthil, Yogansh Phadke, Nakul Prabhu, Nitya Kaniyamparambil, Tanisha M Prabhu, Anish Gokulsagar, Panyawat Charoensiri, Bharunishree Manikandan, Hansini, Aaddish Shele, Rishabh Rajesh Upadhyaya, Saumithra Mallipeddi

Class 3A

Class Teacher: Nandini Hore Co-Teacher: Anita Narayan Front Row (L to R): Zend Melvyn Taraporewalla, Harshit Talwar, Kalyani Pandey, Lisa Joseph, Shreeya Mandale, Ishita Gupta, Suhani Singh, Vaidehi Bodhankar, Arrya Ajit Nimbalkar, Shravya Sreehari, Omar Kadavukarayil Thowfique, Palanikumar Ritvick Rakshan, Malhar Kulkarni, Abhay Premi, Rakshith Hegde, Venkata Rohith Tata Back Row (L to R): Itish Arora, Ahaan Dhar, Mihir Kishore, Anurag Thakur, Nikhil Sharma, Anoushka Jadhav, Arushi Jadhav, Gouri Nayathil, Prisha Kumawat, Emmanuel Thomas, Ryan Joseph, Nirav Kumar Batlada, Atharv Pathak, Siddhartha Mehta, Tirth Thakar, Shreyansh Saxena, Aaditya Murali Krishnan, Amogh Patil

94 FOOTPRINTS | GIIS Balestier Campus Class 3B

Class Teacher: Kamaljeet Kaur Co-Teacher: Srividya Sriram Front Row (L to R): Arjun Sanju Nair, Tanisha Singhal, Siya Sharma, Sia Karkhanis, Adya Singh, Sarvamayee Keerthivasan, Vani Gupta, Prakhar Agarwal, Anirudh Mukundan, Shhreya Balasubramanian, Aleesa Samaira Saifulla, Pavananjali Palla, Radhika Kashalkar, Abhi Chawla, Sven Aranha, Sanshray Saxena Back Row (L to R): Anirudh Banerjee, Siddharth Ahluwalia, Arnav Khullar, Anoushka Changavalli, Keerthi Manavedan, Anoushka Sairaj, Shambhavi Nimesh Srivastava, Alicia Susan Thomas, Kriti krishna Sahoo, Jaidev Balaji, Parthh Admane, Yik Chu Ling, Sarthak Negi, Mayukh Ghosh, Nishant Aditaya, Abhinandan Biswas, Madhav Anand Menon Absent: Vishal Prakash

Class 3C

Class Teacher: Lalithambika Ramakrishnan Co-Teacher: Srividya Sriram Front Row (L to R): Saachi Tekkad, Bommana Swetha Reddy, Aleia Bhalla, Cadence Nithila Collinss David, Sriya Mamidanna, Aparna Suresh Nair, Sharva Purkar, Aravind Ganesh, Abraham Shery Ponodath, Aniruddh Raam Srinivasan, Mridula Sunderlingam, Pratibha Rao, Shriya Anant Tergaonkar, Aurel Chatterjee, Arya Jayasree, Anvi Mishra Back Row (L to R): Krish Malhotra, Ravichandran Sumanth Ashwin Raj, Thamoda Haputhanthri, Rohin Santhosh, Shishir Bhatt, Guneet Kaur, Suhani Mitra Tiwari, Sunidhi V Hegde, Siri Pandi, Sahana Vidyasagar, Adhrit Ray, Ojas Bhargava, Aditya Choudhury, Parsa Attarhamidi, Zihe Ye Absent: Sai Kishan Venkatesan

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Class 3D

Class Teacher: Manoj Radhakrishnan Nair Co-Teacher: Jatinder Singh Front Row (L to R): Prashasth Turaga, Inika Jayanthi, Samarra Prahlad, Shambhavi Jha, Fariah Khan, Sanvi, Bhavyaa Bihani, Manisha Gopinath, Tanishtha Tomar, Jyothsana Narendran, Aditya Dongre, Nirav Sushilkumar Jain, John Kenji Mayor, Ethan Mendonca Back Row (L to R): Sudarshanagopal Kunnavakkam, Rishicharan Nagesh, Vihaan Hampihallikar, Sai Tanush Kambhampati, Kushal Gupta, Ramsharan Sudarshan Athreya, Shriya Suresh, Sian Manuel, Aarush Nair, Sainavaneet Mukund, Eshan Jogewar, Chiraag Pathrabe Absent: Karthik Bharadwaj

Class 4A

Class Teacher: Shilpi Malhotra Co-Teacher: Kavitha P V Front Row (L to R): Nithin Augustine, Aditi Nighojkar, Radhika Kanjikar, Shreya R, Vishnumaya Praveenraman, S.L. Sarmishta, Jammula Swayam, Ninad Dixit, Nihal Nambiar, Anushka Rawat, Shivangi Padhi, Sahithi Uppala, Neha Elias, Anushka Peruvel, Mohit K Kulkarni, Kush Borkar Back Row (L to R): Nishant Agarwal, Abhishek Prasad, Tejas Trikha, Mityish Manoj Nair, Abhishant Kumar, Shreyas Dalvi, Dhwanii Deepak Kumar, Angelena Lal, Manya Sharma, Kshitij Junnarkar, Venougobal Tarun,Siddharth Sagar Kappagantula, Aayush Garg, Akhilesh Madhavanand Absent: Sai Sathvik Mamilla Pattaiah

96 FOOTPRINTS | GIIS Balestier Campus Class 4B

Class Teacher: Jyoti Joshi Co-Teacher: Jatinder Front Row (L to R): Vinay Nair, Nishant Hegde, Alexander Arjuna Bantolo Rajkumar, Sachin Ramanathan, Pracheta Mukhopadhyay, Eram Kainaat Quadri, Jia Walia, Krisha Kartik, Mahikaa Gandhi, Laboni Borkar, Tansha Surendra, Abhitha Suresh Aiye, Zhang Yi Lin, Sahana Sankaran Back Row (L to R): Soham Butte, Faadil Ahmed, Palanikumar Rohit Rakshan, Ayush Narayanan, Sidharth Shanthiniayyappan, Vishaal Vinodkumar, Saransh Srivastava, Karthikeya Sinha, Dhruv Kadam, Aryaman Pal, Darsh Modi, Sanjog Gupta, Abhishek Aithal, Ishan Thakur Choudhury, Mohid Ahmed, Havish Dherungula, Jay Shah Absent: Nivedita Menon

Class 4C

Class Teacher: Sunitha Srinivas Co-Teacher: Kavitha P V Front Row (L to R): Arohee Temurnikar, Hanyu Lu, Shreya Srivastava, Shrusti Doshi, Parijat Bhattacherjee, Sanya Desai, Anshika Karri, Shaivi Sheth, Sanjana Meenakshi Yogesh, Sanjuvigasini Manikandan, Srivaishnavi Karthikeyan, Rithvik Rajesh, Sainath Ananthalingam, Arya Chakravarthy, Eashwar Balasubramanian Back Row (L to R): Josh Joseph Kochupurackal, Mohammed Wasim Qazi, Aaron Joseph Varghese, Tristan Dsouza, Prakul Chandrakumar, Muralidhara Samarth, Aekas Singh Gulati, Aakash Suresh, Ananth Madhusudhanan, Sidarth Sathyamoorthy, Rajendra Maximiliano Dakara, Pratyush Bansal, Suhith Srinivasa Rao, Aarush Karri, Abisheck Kumar Arun Absent: Aditi Yadav, Gargee Sharma, Rishon Jacob Jobi, Sanjay Vineet Senthil Kumar

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Class 5A

Class Teacher: Jaya Mehta Co-Teacher: Gunjeet Kaur Front Row (L to R): Sarthak Nath, Thaman Nutakki, Mohammed Saaram Nazeer, Afifa Saniya Khan, Gauri Bang, Siya Gandhi, Labdhi Lalka, Vinit R Shah, Lokansh Jhalani, Advik Unni, Tejjas Kumar, Shreya V Shastry, Sanjana Rajesh, Sahitya Pettugani, Mehek Mathur Back Row (L to R): Rishith Cheduluri, Aadarsh Verma, Pranav Ganesan, Adheena Raju, Neha Anitha Suresh, Sruti Samhita Malladi, Doyal Handa, Manonita Mukherjee, Madhav Raghu Anantharam, Yuvraj Sood, Prithvi Narayan, Abhinav Chiluveru, Vaibhav Shukla, Suhas Manikant Surisetti, Prabhav Trivedi

Class 5B

Class Teacher: Archana Sharma Co-Teacher: Swagata Chakraborty Front Row (L to R): Aryan Padhye, Mallipeddi Jaithra, Purva Kumbhar, Kausar Khan, Anandi Pal, Nidhi Katwe, Namrata Duvvuri, Mathew Paul, Achyuth Ambady, Mansha Mathur, Joanna Susan Jephy, Srinidhi Balaji Koundinya, Kamya Kaimal, Sai Harshitha, Aditya Rane Back Row (L to R): Shreya Pahuja, Shivaangii Jaiswal, Mallika Mohanty, Saiyuri Suresh, Sindhu Shree Muddam, Ishita Bhatia, Yash Dusankar, Radheya Salunkhe, Samar Pratap Singh, Rikhil Sunil Kumar, Eeshan Sengupta, Aryaman Singh, Shubh Jha Absent: Siddhartha Kamble

98 FOOTPRINTS | GIIS Balestier Campus Class 5C

Class Teacher: Shalini Singh French Teacher: Gunjeet Kaur Front Row (L to R): Adwaith Anoop, Mathala Sai Shreeyams, Anjana Saiju, Arshiya, Tanvi Vasanth Bhat, Nysa Gupta, Diya Nair, Alankritha Thiagarajan, Sakthivel Meyyappan Muthu, Rohan Mahesh, Dhanjith Velluva, Nishanth Mario Vincent, Hadassha Rejoice Boko, Sharon Evangeline, Maria Dharshini, Tanisha Anand Back Row (L to R): Bommana Varun Kumar Reddy, Shakthi Vel Prabhakaran, Soham Gokhale, Manya Singh Chauhan, Sanjoli Gupta, Vaishnavi Kishore, Riya Rao, Sanvi Singh, Tanvi Chandrashekar Kigga, Kesava Krishna Parthasarathy, Aarav Rajesh, Shuvam Sarkar, Dhananjay Madhavan, Avinash Biju, Arvind Chandrasekar, Ishita Gupta, Eeshaani Ramesh Absentee: Aditi Yadav, Gargee Sharma, Rishon Jacob Jobi, Sanjay Vineet Senthil Kumar

Class 5D

Class Teacher: Shylaja Raman French Teacher: Gunjeet Kaur Narang Front Row (L to R): Jayapragash Kaushal, Sakthi Shyamsundar, Kelly Peres, Siddharth Tergaonkar, Kartikey Mishra, Aditya Arikeri, Arvind Rao, Navayuvan Mathana Siddarthan, Arjun Seth, Megha Pusti, Nishita Mujeeb Rahiman, Nikita Shanbhag, Pankhuri Pandey, Rahil Ahmed Khan, Reyaansh Patil Back Row (L to R): Tanay Suresh, Aarya Sripada, Harshia Socratees, Arshiya Tamang, Sanjana Raghunath, Anirudh Ganesh, Sistla Anupam Sai, Sanjana Sairaj, Meera Salil, Veda Bhat, Keerthana Suresh Kumar, Kimaya Wanjari, Rishi Sundar Vadivelu Absentee: Aditi Yadav, Gargee Sharma, Rishon Jacob Jobi, Sanjay Vineet Senthil Kumar

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Class 6A

Class Teacher: Deepsikha Dasgupta Co-Teacher: Suganthi Angelin Mary Front Row (L to R): Sheetal Jindal, Nikhita Sajeev, Riddhi Vaidya, Saanika Zanwar, Vaishnavi C Mayya, Isha Jilka, Nadia Siddiqui, Sriya Kummamuru, Rupambika Tripathy, Prisha Sharma, Vidhi Desai, Avantika R Pillai, Shikha Sannabhadti Back Row (L to R): Kavish Wali, Abhijit K C, Tejbir Singh, Yash Mehta, Avikam Mangla, Sara Sanju Nair, Riddhi Dewan, Aadit Sheth, Devansh Shah, Om Kale, Ayush Kalyanpur, Yash Sakharkar, Chirag Mahesh, Feroz Singh Sandhu

Class 6B

Class Teacher: Shanoo Bhatt Co-Teacher: Suganthi Angelin Mary Front Row (L to R): Udita Kalita, Aditi Prasad, Neha Ravi, Sanika Sankhe, Anushika Joshi, Sreejita Hazra, Smruti Radheshyam, Kevin K Philips, Aaryan Gupta, Irulappan Akilan, Nivedha Madhivanan, Faadilaah Indira Maharani, Aishwarya Anand, Nicole Bout Back Row (L to R): Suvathika R V, Roshin Jacob, Arumugam Thrisa, Zach Vaily Dsouza, Karthikeyan Rajaraman, Shieladitya Basu, Vishnu Mohan Raj, Paramasivam Shaveen Gajaananan, Rajagopal Venkates, Kartik Nair, Abhijay Thiruvallur Thattai, Arya Bhatia, Gurbir Singh, Devstutya Pandey, Sandeep Vinay Senthil Kumar, Amogh Viswanathan

100 FOOTPRINTS | GIIS Balestier Campus Class 6C

Class Teacher: Meena Patil Co-Teacher: Kavitha P V Front Row (L to R): Manu Upadhye, Sowmiya Thirumeni, Annapooraneeswari Palani, Sneha Vijayakumar, Brooke Kelly Fernandes, Varsha Menon, Vaibhavi Chandrashekhar Mayya, Srishti Agrawal, Tanvi Agarwal, Avantika Sreeraman, Neha Gur, Flavia Gomez Gonzalez, Shreya Trikha, Sruthika Bhargavan K.Veetil Back Row (L to R): Om Aryan, Mayan Wasu, Luvay Dahodwala, Mukunth Ramesh, Manthan Vadodaria, Thejus Unnikrishnan, Dhruv Gupta, Neil Anant Karnik, Sundar Sivalingam, Shishir Balasubramanian, Krish Kalyanasundaram, Amsa Kumaran, Sudheep Bhargavan K.Veetil, Siddharth Madhu, Pranav Satheesh Absent: Jyotirmay Vyas

Administrative staff

Front Row (L to R): Masitah Binte Osman, Arathi Sekhar, Sheela Karia, Reena Gupta, Saniah Binte Ismail Back Row (L to R): Mohd Hassan, Sivaraman

FOOTPRINTS | GIIS Balestier Campus 101 Photo Finish

Friend of Singa

Greenville Team

102 FOOTPRINTS | GIIS Balestier Campus Prefectorial Council

Support Staff

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Providing each student an equal opportunity to discover their unique self, hone and nurture a love for learning!

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