Author: Maryam Sadriwala

Over 60 students participated in the Winter Poetry Festival held at Badri High School this Friday morning. The early winter chill heightened the electrifying atmosphere as the students of Class 9 and 10 introduced the Secondary section pupils to classic English language literary giants like Wordsworth, Frost, Shakespeare, Poe, Tennyson, Keats as well as orators like Martin Luther King and contemporary writers like Maya Angelou and Dorothy Parker.

Each poet was introduced and the students also threw light upon the inspiration or muse behind that particular piece of poetry or prose. This was followed by an expressive rendering of the poet’s work. It was mesmerizing to behold young students bring to life masterpieces like Keats ‘Endymion’, Service’s thought provoking ‘A Grain of Sand’ and Tennyson’s ‘All Things must Die.’

The English elocution was followed by the Urdu elocution rendered by the young orators of class 6, 7 and 8. The poetry selected by the students was a delightful blend of philosophy and humour. The English and Urdu language teachers had spent weeks helping the students select the right piece and then training them.

The audience was enthralled and the two hours sped by. The event was judged by the Head of the Montessori Section Ms. Tasneem Hashim as well as Ms. Habiba, a senior Urdu teacher of the Primary Section.

The highlight of the event was the surprise presence of Janab Naeem Bhai Sahib who was able to hear a few of the students reciting poetry and was impressed with their flair and confidence.

Certificates were awarded to the jubilant winners by Janab Naeem Bhaisaheb and Shaikh Hashim bhai, Principal of BHS. The students walked away with pride at their achievement, the experience of a lifetime, the life-long skill of oration and love for languages.

English Elocution Results

Urdu Elocution results

25 students from Class 6 and 7 of Badri High School participated in the Third National Science Contest organized by GSEA—Global System for Educational Assessment.  The aim of this national level contest was to expose the students to a test which would spark their curiosity and help challenge them to think out of the box.

The 90 minute test taken in school premises encouraged critical thinking with speed and accuracy. Honing these life skills is certainly the prime objective of every educational institute and this is the reason Badri High School encourages participation in such competitive ventures.

Sir Ibrahim Shabbir, the Science teacher, had been working with the participants since the last two weeks to increase their General Knowledge of Scientific concepts and prepare them to appear in the test which follows the pattern of international standard tests.

The students of Class 7 and 10 (General Group) enjoyed the winter chill as they left for a field trip to the State Bank Museum on Tuesday 21^st November 2017 after a grueling spree of monthly tests.

Located in a stately building on I I Chundrigar Road, the students accompanied by their Social Studies and Economics teachers saw the history of coins, paper currency and stamps as well as the first ATM machine. They were amazed by exclusive historic items on exhibit like the first portrait of Quaid e Azam on paper money, the first published notes and Quaid e Azam’s expense and accounts ledger. The students learnt about the function of economy starting from the barter system. They were shown how a sorting and counting machines operate and also viewed interesting documentaries on coin minting in Pakistan. In the end they were refreshed by a vibrant display of Sadeqain’s paintings.

It was a memorable learning experience and proved to be quality time spent with teachers and peers.

Despite being a Saturday,  11^thNovember 2017 was alive with energy at Badri High School as the teachers gathered for an in-house workshop to be conducted by Ms. Rumlah Selmi, on the topic of ‘Raising Well-Rounded and Confident Children’.  The course facilitator, founder of the company Camaraderie, is also an author of a book on relationships as well as a trainer.

The one and a half hour workshop dealt with the pressures children deal with in school and in their lives and how we, as facilitators, should empathize with these children and play our part in relieving their stress.

Ms. Selmi also gave time to the teachers after the session for one-on-one advice regarding handling today’s children’s effectively and compassionately. This was followed by a thoroughly enjoyable hour-long session on Mind Math by the facilitators of Robotics Lab which encouraged being alert and being attuned to thinking on your feet.

On Friday, 10^th November 2017, the veteran educationist, Sir Sadiq Merchant, was invited to BHS to share his tips on how to effectively prepare the senior students for the Board Exams. Sir Sadiq in his engaging and flamboyant style, briefed the Secondary staff, who teach Grade 9 and 10, about the changes in the manner of attempting Board papers, effective revision techniques and paper making formats. It was a treat to listen to him sum up his 27-year experience in one hour and left the staff yearning for more.

Such in-house sessions are aimed to help keep the facilitators abreast of fresh researches and techniques and proves that teachers are learners for life.

“Teaching without learning is just talking’-K. Patricia Cross

The students of Class 8 enthralled their peers with their Social Studies projects on the Biomes of the world. Through their 3D projects which they had carefully, thoughtfully and meticulously created in groups, they depicted the plants and animals which exist in various environments of the world.

It was captivating to watch them work effectively under the guidance of their Social Studies teacher as well as their Art Teacher. They learnt team work and the skill of cooperation. They were left with the realization that each group member has some unique quality to contribute to their effort.

The end result was the creative use of ordinary material to create an extraordinary, colourful world on Styrofoam. They researched extensively on their given Biome topic and explained it confidently and clearly to their peers.

Well done Class 8!

It was a sunny Saturday and ideal for a rendezvous with parents.

BHS held its first Parent Teacher meeting of the academic year on the 28th of October 2017. PTMs are a time for parents and teachers to connect and regroup regarding the pupil’s progress.

The teachers have carefully analysed the students in the last few months since the beginning of the academic year and have been able to record their progress according to their monthly test, strengths and weaknesses.

The parents were very open minded about the feedback shared by the teachers. The teachers also gained an insight into the students personalities and backgrounds by speaking with the parents.

This was a much desired step in the right direction for the school and parents to work hand in hand for the betterment and guidance of the pupils.

Participating in Inter School competitions is an experience which opens up vast horizons for a student. This is especially vital for the senior students who need to be prepared to face the outside world in the next couple of years.

The last week was one which enriched the students’ experience as the students from class 9-10 participated in the events organized by the Board of Secondary Education in celebration of Students Week.

Ammar Mustasir from class 9B participated in the Husne Qiraat competition held on Monday 16th October. Taha Murtaza of 9A represented BHS in the Naat competition on Tuesday 17th October. Mohammad of 10B impressed the audience with his Urdu speech on Wednesday 18th October. From 9B Sakina Shujauddin’s melodious voice was a treat to hear in the Milli Naghma solo contest on Thursday 19th October while Ruqaiya Ejaz of 10A showed her eloquence in the English speech competition on Friday 20th October.

The experience infused confidence and spirit in the participants and their skill made BHS proud.

The air was charged with excitement on Thursday, 12th October 2017, 22nd Moharram up Haram 1439 Hijri as Syedna Aali Qadr Mufaddal Saifuddin TUS was due to grace Al Mohalatul Burhaniyah for the entire day.

What added to the exuberance was the news that Shahzada Idrees bhai saheb Badruddin DM Ameedut Taleem was to visit Badri High School.

At 11:45 Shahzada Saheb reached the BHS premises. He was accorded a guard of honour by the BHS band boys dressed in their smart royal blue waistcoats. Students from the Pre Primary Section welcomed him with a bouquet.

Shahzada saheb began his tour with the Hifzul Quran room where he was very pleased with the progress of the school going huffaz.

He visited the primary section classrooms and toured the Science Lab and Art room.

Shahzada saheb then came to the Secondary section where he looked into every class. Yet what completely enthralled him was the Robotics class being conducted in the SMART rooms. The students programmed a robot before him while he was briefed about the newly launched Robotics classes for classes 5-7.

On the ground floor Shahzada Saheb inspected the vibrant Pre Primary classrooms and activity room.

In the Computer Lab he was shown a presentation of the achievements of the last year 2016-17. He inquired into the many aspects of the school and it’s activities.

After a visit to the library, Shahzada Idrees bhai saheb was taken to the Principal’s office where the sharbat and wadhavanu rasm was carried out by BHS trustees. Various reports regarding Badri High School and Madrasa Badriyah were presented.

The one hour visit revived memories of Aali Qadr Maulas TUS historic visit to BHS in 2016. Shahzada saheb’s visit infused a new energy into the BHS environ and we express our gratitude for his concern for the institute.

The Under 14 and Under 17 Girls teams from Badri High School participated in the 8^TH Interschool Throwball Tournament hosted by The City School PAF Chapter where 72 schools participated.

Despite the frenzy of test week, the girls were excited to be chosen for the final team. The teams left for the City School PAF Chapter and the Under 17 Girls Team played the opening match with CJS. A match comprised of three rounds and each round was of 15 points. BHS lost this match 1-2. The girls used this opportunity to warm up and tried to face their rivals with confidence.

The second match was played between BHS and MSB and BHS lost 0-2. The girls were dejected but learnt the life-long skill of resilience and how important it is to get up after a defeat. The third match of the Under 17 team was with Happy Palace Grammar School which we lost 1-2.

The younger girls of class 6, 7 and 8 who made up the Under 14 team fought fiercely in their match against Aga Khan High School (Garden Campus). It was a nail biting match which was finally won by Happy Palace 1-2.

The students returned exhausted by 1:30 pm to the school premises and then gave their monthly tests. They got valuable exposure to a major interschool tournament which contributed to building confidence as well as teaching them teamwork and sportsmanship. They proved that they were able to juggle multiple tasks and how physical activity is important for girls and leads to healthier bodies and sharper minds.

Special kudos to the sports teachers at BHS, Sir Tajammul and Sir Zeeshan, who worked hard to train and motivate the teams.

73 students of class 9 and 10, accompanied by 5 teachers of the Secondary Section, visited Hala, Sindh on 7^th September 2017 and returned with the memories of a lifetime. The trip is planned every year to give them first-hand knowledge about the topics of Ajrak, Shah Abdul Latif Bhitai and cottage industries which they have learnt about in Pakistan Studies, Sindhi and English.

The students assembled at Husami Masjid where they offered Fajar namaz with Imamat and then set off in their road liner at 6 am. They stopped at Nooriabad for a hearty breakfast of parathas and fresh eggs

In the morning assembly on 6th September 2017, the girls of class 8 gave an entertaining presentation where they explained the layers of the atmosphere and their characteristics in the form of a poem.

This was followed by handing over certificates of the Story Map Writers by the librarian, Ms. Husaina. This is part of the efforts to encourage book reading in the students.

20 enthusiastic students of class 6,7 and 8 participated in the first Urdu Elocution of the year 2017-18 and won the hearts of the audience of their peers as well as the teachers.

With confidence, poise and clarity they recited the works of great poets like Iqbal as well as lighter, humorous poems too. The one hour contest was a test of nerves as many of those students who rarely participate in class, came forth and did their best.

Looking forward to many more such contests which will not only

The Secondary Section resounded with the sounds of verses by Wordsworth, Frost, Longfellow, Shakespeare and Hunt as 20 students of class 9 and 10 participated in the first English Elocution of the year 2017-18.

Education intends to prepare students for their future life and the challenges which come their way. With this intention in mind, a counseling session was arranged for the senior students of Class 10 who are coming to the end of their school life and must prepare themselves for higher education.