The Shishu Pahel Paddhati© at the Early Childhood Care and Education (ECCE) level, is a well-researched methodology developed by AKES,I. Based on the High-Scope international curriculum, it has been adapted to local needs.
At the Diamond Jubilee High School (DJHSM), the curriculum across the Pre-Primary, Primary and Secondary Sections is inter-connected and designed to ensure the holistic development of students. The foundation is laid in the pre-primary grades, further developed in the primary and is brought to fruition in the secondary grades.
The school follows a learner centered pedagogy using Howard Gardner’s Theory of Multiple Intelligences. This integrated learning approach caters to every child’s learning style and strengths. Every lesson across subjects and grades, balances the development of higher order thinking skills with the syllabus and teachers integrate skills from Blooms Taxonomy in delivering their lessons.
Pre-Primary Section
Our Pre-Primary curriculum promotes holistic learning through a progressive, well-researched methodology of Shishu Pahel Padhati (SPP). AKESI’s registered pedagogy draws inspiration from the philosophy and practices of the High Scope international curriculum. SPP is a child-centred pedagogy and literally means “child first”. It encourages children to plan and construct their own learning, thus encouraging their natural self-confidence. The pedagogy enables children to develop knowledge, skills, values and attitudes for their current and future needs.
SPP is based on the sound principles of developmentally appropriate practices. The teachers work towards creating a caring equitable community of learners and establishing respectful reciprocal partnerships with families and communities. They plan and implement an engaging curriculum to meet meaningful goals with considerations for differentiation and diversity. SPP focuses on experiential learning through hands-on activities that include opportunities for children to explore, experience, practice, reflect and share their learnings. The preschool follows a teacher-student ratio of 1:15.
The schools follow international quality standards to provide curricula that embraces intellectual, social, physical, artistic and emotional learning underpinned by moral values at an affordable fee. In order to meet its mandate to provide effective spaces to learn and achieve positive educational outcomes (attainment, progress and welfare) for every student, the school follows the seven AKES Global Quality Standards - School Leadership, Teaching, Curriculum, School Ethos and Values, Family and Community Engagement, Human Resources and Operation and Infrastructure.
The natural curiosity and creativity of a child is nurtured through application-based learning methods. The syllabus is planned to facilitate learning in students wherein each child is given the best learning exposure with sufficient time for revision.
Syllabus:
The Indian Certificate of Secondary Education (ICSE) is the course offered for Grades IX and X. Students are offered a variety of subjects which caters to their different interests.
The school offers the following subjects for ICSE Grades IX and X. The subjects in Group 2 and Group 3 may change depending on demand or faculty availability.
Group I (Compulsory)
GROUP II (Any Two)
DJHSM has many co-curricular activities which support quality academic learning, experiential learning, peer-to-peer learning and much more.
Diplomathon and Model UN
Designed to give students a glimpse into the current affairs and political relations between countries. These programmes help to broaden students’ horizons and teach them to peacefully resolve conflict through negotiation and discussion, ahd foster respect and understanding for other cultures. In 2020, our students were a part of the model World Trade Organization, UNICEF and WHO and represented various countries and discussed issues during the pandemic.
Seeds of Peace
An international organization that brings young people from around the globe together for a leadership camp to develop global leaders. It believes that young people can change and inspire change. Since DJHSM introduced this programme in 2017, four students have participated in the International Camp held annually in Maine (USA). Students also participate in the Inter Faith Harmony Camps and other activities.
ABL (Andover Bread Loaf)
An outreach programme by the Phillips Academy, Andover USA offering professional development and writing workshops to teachers and students. They hold Writing Workshops every summer. DJHSM partnered with ABL and organized two International Writing Conferences in 2015 and 2018 (2015 - Writing for A Better World & 2018 - Writing for Peace) for AKESI and other schools in Mumbai. International faculty (from Kenya, Pakistan & USA) travelled to run workshops and teach with our teachers. There are regular online exchanges and Family Literacy Nights where staff, students and their families gather to write on different prompts in multiple languages.
Library and Reading Programmes
These go far beyond the usual reading books. Combined with General Knowledge, they include TED Talks, Meet the Author programmes, debates, reading newspapers, language and vocabulary games. Each student receives a Monthly Magazine (Grade wise) that builds their general knowledge, English, Math and Science comprehension as well as vocabulary skills. These magazines include – Kids Explorer, Junior Explorer, Young Explorer and the Hindustan Times newspaper. The Scholastic Reading Programme has been introduced for Grades I to VIII. Other readers being used are The Adventures of Tom Sawyer, The Adventures of Huckleberry Fin, Gulliver’s Travels and The Hound of Baskervilles, to help students write book reviews and share their views. The teachers also have a reading programme where they share good books and articles with each other.
Hope (Annual School Magazine)
Hope, our Annual School Magazine is published at the end of every academic year. Hope was first published in the year 2000 with the objective of giving students a voice. It has grown into a comprehensive ‘Year Book’ for the entire school. Its cover page is designed by the students themselves. It provides an insight into every class, event, and achievement of the students and staff who are a part of the editorial team. Students and teachers take pride in creating articles, poems, stories, jokes, puzzles and drawings for the magazine.
Finance Fundas Programme
Exposes the students to key practical finance related skills and concepts. It has been integrated into the curriculum across the subjects and sections. It contributes to the development of life skills in our students, which they learn through games and quizzes.
Tuck Shops
Held on different days across grades where students bring food and drinks to be sold in school. Our Math and Economics teachers use this as an opportunity to teach students hands-on accounting and business skills. Students also work on the menus, quantity, prices and even manage the stalls themselves. It is a day that both students and teachers look forward to.
Camps
DJHSM offers a broad range of camps, from one day picnics to overnight camps lasting 7 to 8 days. The camp objectives are well defined and seek to inculcate specific life skills in the students. These camps provide children with invaluable lessons and parents are encouraged to send their children for the same.
Robotics Programme
Deals with the design, construction, operation and use of robots, as well as computer systems for their sensory feedback and information processing. Robotics classes support and strengthen the knowledge as well as the skills of the students. It helps them to apply this understanding while designing, creating and operating robots. It is an effective method to introduce students to the world of programing.
Music
Students are introduced to song and music from an early age. They learn to sing and appreciate different genres of music in this time.
School Band
Our School Marching Band comprises secondary students who learn to play the drums, flute, bugle and various percussion instruments.
Dance
Students are taught national and international dance forms, and explore dance forms such as Aerobics and Zumba to develop flexibility and strength.
Art Programme
Through art, students are able to apply their learning in other subjects. Our secondary students are encouraged to compete in interschool art competitions, and are individually supported to take the elementary and intermediate art exams.
Drama and Theatre
Drama is introduced from Grade 1 with the help of hands on activities and games. Students learn the art of observation, body language, expression, gestures, voice modulation etc.
Trinity College of Speech and Drama Programme
Offered as an after-school activity. Students sign up for weekly Speech and Drama classes. The students are trained in voice modulation, facial expression, gestures and theatre. They are also prepared for the Trinity College of London (Speech and Drama) exams.
Helen O Grady International EduDrama Company
Students participated in the International Shakespeare Slam (February 2020) and performed Shakespeare’s most famous tragedy, Macbeth. DJHSM walked away with the top honours winning the trophies for the Best Performance and the Best Actor. Our students also participate regularly in various online activities organized by Helen O Grady International.
Annual Day Musicals
Within the school, the students of the Primary and Secondary sections eagerly look forward to the Annual Musical Plays. To date, the Primary Section has performed the Wizard of Oz, Jungle Book, Aladdin and Alice in Dreamland with almost every student on stage each year. The Secondary Section has staged the Princess September, Romeo and Juliet, Hamlet and Robin Hood. The play is scripted and adapted by our teachers and every part of the production is managed by our talented teachers, parents and students.
Field Trips and Excursions
Regular visits are arranged to areas of educational interest in and around the city. These visits are related to classroom topics and are an effective way to reinforce learning. Students look forward to their field trips and report on their learnings using different mediums such as essays, reports, drawings and projects.
Class Assemblies
This weekly event brings our children together in the primary and secondary section respectively promoting a sense of oneness and family.
Special Days
We seek to boost our students’ knowledge by educating them and celebrating special days. Navratri, Eid, Christmas, World Environment Day and even No Bag Day are some of the days we celebrate. Days like Hindi Divas are celebrated with plays and inter house competitions with the aim of appreciating our National Language.
DJHSM’s qualified and experienced multi-lingual staff nurture and care for students. Our school has spacious classrooms with abundant natural light, outdoor play areas, a well-stocked library and a large indoor gym area. A happy, safe and an engaging learning space has been designed to provide an enriching environment for all learners:
For pre-primary students DJHSM has the following:
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The Aga Khan Schools are part of the Aga Khan Education Services,
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© Aga Khan Schools 2009 - All rights reserved | Terms & Conditions | Privacy Policy
The Aga Khan Schools are part of the Aga Khan Education Services,
an agency of the Aga Khan Development Network
