Reciprocal Visit 2012-13

It was yet another success story to be retold in the annals of the Global Exchanges that Harishree has been pursuing. This time it was the visit to Blackfen School for Girls, Sidcup, London, by Hemamalini and Sivakamasundari acharyas.

This visit entailed learning in many forms, both for the guests and the host. Sharing happened in various aspects such as curriculum, teaching methodologies, discipline strategies, culture & tradition and much more.

The students, teaching faculty and the administration showed equal enthusiasm in participating in the exchange. The whole week was dedicated as the International Week which culminated in the International Evening. Many activities were organized for the International Evening. This included a traditional dance by the visiting teachers, fashion show in international costumes by teachers and students, international cuisine, mehendi corner and much more. The goal of this event was to raise funds for a street school in Kalpakkam, near Chennai, which Blackfen has been visiting as a part of this exchange. This event was graced by the Mayor of Bexley, the Head Teacher of Blackfen, teachers, students and parents.

The Hari Shree teachers were given a heartfelt goodbye by all at Blackfen.

Follow the link below to more about the visit and the International Evenin:

http://www.newsshopper.co.uk/news/bexley/10418579.Blackfen_School_for_Girls_raises___600_for_south_India_school_with_fashion_show/

The Head Teacher, Mr. Brown expresses his views about the exchange and the visit in his blog:

Mr Brown’s thoughts for the day

Tuesday 7 May 2013

This week we are honoured to welcome two colleagues from our partner school in Chennai, India. Two teachers from Chettinad Hari Shree Vidyalayam arrived yesterday to join us for a week of sharing learning and teaching practice. Hema and Sundari have already been involved in lessons, on human rights and will be helping to teach a dance and mathematics class later this week.

Students have been asking our visitors about how they live, if they have bathrooms, wi-fi and clean water to drink, which they of course do. Partnerships like this can help to combat the lack of knowledge and prejudice many of us have about other countries, cultures and ethnicity, much of which is fuelled by the media.  This will ultimately combat stereotypes and hopefully racism.

The visit from our partner school also marks the start of International Week here at Blackfen, where we explore different ways of living, eating, playing and working across the curriculum. On Friday, we end our week with a whole evening celebration, with a fashion show, international food, music and stalls. Click here for more information. Why not join us for a friendly and lively end to the week.

August 2013

True to the word partnership, Blackfen and Hari Shree took their joint venture to the next step. Hari Shree extended an invitation to Ms. Lola Blatch of Blackfen School for Girls, London, to spend time at our school, teaching, learning and exchanging best teaching practices. With a go-ahead from both ends, this visit happened in August, 2013, for three weeks.

The entire teaching fraternity benefitted by this visit. Teachers from both the primary and secondary school invited her to their classes for observations. Feedback for all these observations was given on formal forms. Ms. Lola taught scheduled GSP (Global School Partnership) and Citizenship classes at various grade levels. Ms. Lola also conducted training sessions after school for the teachers about best teaching practices.

The expanse of the visit also had an impact on the extended community. She visited our sister school in Karur and conducted interactive sessions for both teachers and students. Another place she visited was the Eureka Street School, Kalpakkam, who are one of the beneficiaries of the International Citizenship Fair both held both in London and at Hari Shree.

Ms. Lola was impressed with the ethos, culture and tradition of Hari Shree. She was overwhelmed by the support provided by the parent community too. Her visit culminated in the International Citizenship Fair. On the whole, this visit cemented strong friendship between the two schools.

May 2014 

Ms. Jasmine and Mr. Rajagopal of Hari Shree visited Blackfen during the summer of May 2014. They were received warmly by their hosts in the UK; following their return, they shared their learning experiences with their colleagues at Hari Shree.

February 9-13, 2015 

Ms. Lola Blatch and Ms. Mann from Blackfen School in UK visited Hari Shree Vidyalayam during the week of February 9-13, 2015. Students showcased aspects of Indian culture – art, dance, craft, food and clothing whereas Ms. Blatch and and Ms. Mann took classes on Human Rights and Industrial Revolution respectively. There was teaching, learning and exchanging best practices.

Monday (09-02-2015)

Welcoming the teachers from Blackfen

A skit on Sangam Age by the students of Class IX

A skit on Sangam Age by the students of Class IX

A skit on Sangam Age by the students of Class IX

A skit on Sangam Age by the students of Class IX

Silambattan Presentation by students of Class IX

Presentation by Blackfen Teachers

Presentation by Blackfen Teachers

Interaction with the teachers

Interaction with the teachers

Interaction with the teachers

Flip Class Room

Flip Class Room

 Tuesday (10-02-2015)

Students of class IX present a mime on Global Warming

Mime on Global Warming

Ms. Blatch renders a lesson on Human Rights

Ms. Blatch renders a lesson on Human Rights

Ms. Mann teaches about the Industrial Revolution

Class IX students present a project on Composite Nature in Cuisine and Attire

Class IX students present a project on Composite Nature in Cuisine and Attire

Class IX students present a project on Composite Nature in Cuisine and Attire

Class IX students present a project on Composite Nature in Cuisine and Attire

Wednesday ( 11-02-2015)

Day out with class VIII Students to Dakshin Chitra

At Dakshin Chitra with escort teachers from Hari Shree

At Dakshin Chitra

At Dakshin Chitra

 Dance session observed by Blackfen Teachers

 Thursday (12-02-15)

Welcome to India

Glimpses of India

Glimpses of India

Bazaars of India

Colours of India

Crafts of India

Dances of India

Taste of India

Visit to Siraggu Montessori

Visit to Siraggu Montessori

Friday (13-02-2015)

Interaction with class VI

Interaction with class VI

Teaching class V on Nutrition

Session with class V on Nutrition

Blackfen teachers participate in a yoga session

Farewell to Blackfen teachers

Farewell to Blackfen teachers

Farewell to Blackfen teachers

Farewell to Blackfen teachers

Hi Tea with Blackfen teachers

Hi Tea with Blackfen teachers

Hi Tea with Blackfen teachers

Hi Tea with Blackfen teachers

Hi Tea with Blackfen teachers

May 18-22, 2015

As part of the Connecting Classrooms initiative of the British Council, Ms. Sarayu Ganesan and Ms. Bharathi Parameswaran of our school, visited Blackfen School in the U.K. from 18^th May to 22^nd May.  This visit, facilitated by the reciprocal visit grant, proved to be yet another learning experience for both schools, opening minds to respective cultures, traditions and lifestyles.

High Tea with the hosts, Ms. Lola Blatch and Ms. Amy Mann

History session by Ms.Bharathi

Ms.Sarayu takes a class on India and its culture

Attending a drama session in Blackfen

Blackfen section for children with special needs

Ms. Bharathi teaches the students Indian dance

‘Drape a Sari’ session

Teaching Warli Art

Working on the intricacies of a ‘Kolam’

International Fair at Blackfen

Fire Drill in school

A Food and Technology class in progress

February 4, 2017

On 4^th February, the students, parents and teachers of the Junior Campus came together for a fun filled day to celebrate the Junior Sports Carnival. The children participated enthusiastically and enjoyed playing the games at the various stalls. A game stall for parents added to the fun quotient.

September 3, 2016 

Hari Shree Vidyalayam celebrated its Annual Sports Day – a day to commemorate Sport and Sportsmanship, on 3^rd September at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium. The Primary classes had their session in the morning whereas classes VI to XII had theirs in the afternoon.

It was a spirited competition between the houses – Agni, Vayu, Prithvi and Akash, without losing sight of the spirit of the game and fair play. The march past of the houses was an exercise in coordination and team effort. Sporting events like track and field, shot put, long jump and relay saw the students push their limits and give it their all.

Leading the way – our sports captains, council members and sporting champions

Salute to the Flag

An oath to uphold the spirit of the game

Marching away in unison

The flame of goodwill and harmony to represent the spirit of the games

The teams all ready to begin the events for the day

Serenity, peace and flexibility – class VI yoga demonstration

Finishing line, here we come…

Obstacles are no barrier for us

The Primary Sporting events is on a roll

Winners we all are…

Let’s put our best foot forward

A leap of faith

Overjoyed!

Parents in action….may the best team win!

Ensuring a litter free Sports Day – Our pride, the Green brigade

In the Under 19 basket ball tournament organized by the RMT International School, the CHSV team consisting of Gururaj Iyer, Gourav Raghvendran, Sharvan Kumaran and Tejas Gopalan emerged runners up.

Gourav Raghavendran of grade XI won the 2^nd place in Tamil Nadu in the ASISC Regional Badminton tournament held in Coimbatore.