Page 16 - DAIS Insignia 2023-2024

JUNIOR SCHOOL visits were complemented successfully authorised to offer the Primary Years through coaching cycles with the focus on providing

by a thorough internal Programme of the IB in September 2024. This is a improved outcomes for students. The MYP Coordinator
examination of our curriculum significant milestone for the Junior School, a testament to and the MYPC designate, along with the coaches, have
ensuring adherence to our commitment to educational excellence and the been instrumental in driving this change, changes that
DAIS curriculum standards, journey towards authorisation over a two-year process. have not only resulted in teacher best practices but
emphasising horizontal Throughout this transformative process, a notable shift indeed improved outcomes for students.
progression and vertical occurred in our pedagogical approach, transitioning from In Classes VI and VII, students build upon the
alignment to optimise a traditional teaching methodology to one anchored in foundational competencies of the PYP, transitioning
educational outcomes across student-led inquiry, fostering skill and conceptual towards a greater emphasis on cultivating essential
the whole school – K-12. development. This shift was most pronounced in our learning skills, fostering a global mindset, and
early years' classes, where a play-based learning
Furthermore, the culmination transferring acquired skills to new learning contexts. The
of three pivotal visits not approach enriched by concept-driven learning centers interdisciplinary nature of the MYP curriculum enables
only underlined the dedication inside and outside classrooms became prevalent. authentic real-world connections and practical learning
of our faculty but also Furthermore, the active engagement of our Early Years' applications. Interdisciplinary Units (IDUs), held
highlighted the concerted Educators in the Reliance Foundation Early Childhood twice yearly across MYP, serve as a means for merging
Ms. Vimi Lima Santos efforts towards implementing Conference; 'Building Flourishing Futures,' served as a content from distinct subject areas in innovative and
Mr. Anthony Batchelor cohesive ways, fostering creative integration of
Deputy Head of Junior School best practices within the platform for knowledge exchange and the sharing of best
Head of Junior School curricular frameworks. This practices, enriching our early years landscape. Notably, five disciplinary knowledge. The introduction of the first
Learning and Research
was reinforced through of our early years' educators proactively participated in the Interdisciplinary Unit (IDU) in Class VI and Class VII was
engagement with parents and conference, facilitating workshops and masterclasses to very successful with subject connections between PHE,
students to ensure all stakeholders were informed and spearhead innovative pedagogical initiatives. Science and Maths in Class VI, and English Language and
"The branches are diverse, but the roots stand unified." engaged in the educational direction of the school. Literature, Individuals and Societies and Design in Class
The theme for this year's 'Insignia' aptly captures the Through tailored learning conversations within our daily The strategic emphasis on data-informed decision- VII.
essence of the transformative journey Dhirubhai Ambani classes, particularly in MYP Core, a strong emphasis was making, particularly in math and reading
International School has undertaken over the past years. placed on understanding the 'why' of our educational assessments, has significantly enhanced our academic A notable milestone in our MYP journey was the successful
Amidst structural changes and curriculum practices. Complementing this, the school held 20 rigor and paved the way for personalised instructional implementation of the first Student-Led Conferences (SLC)
advancements, the school's foundation remains parent learning walks across the Junior School, methodologies, fostering a robust foundation for student for Middle School students, promoting student agency and
unwavering. This year has seen significant development, offering parents invaluable insights into various aspects progression. Through insights gleaned from data fostering a culture of reflective learning. This is but one way in
reflecting our commitment to educational excellence and of learning at DAIS. These interactive sessions covered a analytics, targeted interventions such as guided reading which the school reports to parents. Across the year the
adaptability. initiatives have yielded tangible results, prompting a shift parents and students have been involved in Parent Teacher
spectrum of topics including 'Play and Inquiry in the Early in classroom practices to optimize student learning Student meetings, student led conferencing and through
Structural Change: DAIS embarked on a well-considered Years', 'Introductions to the MYP Curriculum for Classes experiences. written reports and summative assessments accessed by the
move to shift to a Junior School and Secondary School. VI and VII', 'Reading Methodologies in the PYP', parent community through our learning platform, Toddle.
Recruiting a Head of Junior School in 2023, marked the 'Mathematical Inquiry in the PYP', 'Assessment Practices Within the PYP, an annual in-depth exploration of the
inception of a dedicated Junior School structure; K - Class 8. in the MYP', 'Service-Learning Initiatives and the Programme of Inquiry (POI) is mandated to ensure Moving forward: Across the year there have been
The Head of Junior School with the Deputy Head, the Community Project for Classes VI and VII', an educational relevance and uphold best practices while countless meetings with consultants and architects
Primary and Middle School Heads and their deputies 'Introduction to the MYP Curriculum for Class V' in prioritizing vertical and horizontal alignment. ensuring that the Nita Mukesh Ambani Junior School new
formed the backbone of the Junior School Leadership. With preparation for their transition, as well as informative Successfully concluding this review process sets a solid facility is at the cutting edge of education. Whilst this year
the programme coordinators and a newly appointed presentations aimed at prospective parents, ensuring a foundation for the forthcoming academic year. builds on the many years of visioning, planning and
executing of previous years, this year has been more
learning coach, the Junior School Leadership Team was shared understanding within our educational The PYP Exhibition in Class V signals the culmination of about looking at how our learning and teaching
formed. Notably, the transition extended the school's community. 'Parents as partners of learning' is at the the PYP journey for our students in their final year of the programmes will need to adapt to the flexible spaces of
purview to encompass classes from LKG to Class VII this core of our Junior School. The home-school partnership is programme. This year the Class V students have taken the new building. As we move forward to the end of the
year and Class VIII next academic year, preparing for the never more alive than when our parent community are more of a lead in their learning, collaborating with their year, we are orientating our teaching teams and students
forthcoming Nita Mukesh Ambani Junior School. This involved as experts in various aspects of learning across teachers and assigned mentors who guide and navigate across the school to the new learning spaces and have
strategic restructuring underscores DAIS's foresight and the school, or when parents are offering to come into them through the process. This also signals the beginning started conversations around how we will use the spaces
commitment to holistic educational development. school and read in different languages to classes and read of our Class V to Class VI transition programme. This for flexible groupings, and for flexible teaching and
to and with our children as part of the parent-initiated
Learning and Teaching Advancements: Throughout collaboration between the primary and middle school learning approaches. With this in mind, the school has
the academic year, our Junior School curriculum and DRAP reading programme. divisions ensures a seamless progression between the engaged the services of a consultant to work with the
programme underwent a thorough review process from At the core of our educational philosophy lies a steadfast programmes and prepares the students for the next steps Junior School faculty to start learning conversations on
external agencies. Notably, we achieved recognition, commitment to building a culture of continuous learning in their learning journey. how we will move from more traditional methods of
through authorisation, from the International and growth amongst our educators. With such change MYP Milestones: In the Middle Years Programme teaching to those of a futuristic purpose-built school.
Baccalaureate for the Primary Years Programme (PYP) over a short time, it was imperative to continue to upskill (MYP), DAIS has made remarkable strides and In essence, the year at DAIS has been characterised by
and eagerly anticipate authorisation of the Middle Years our faculty and this was achieved through weekly accomplishments. Attaining candidacy status in bold strides towards innovation, and excellence. Our
Programme (MYP), signaling our alignment with global professional learning opportunities and purposefully November 2022 is a significant milestone reflecting our focus on research and the approaches to learning and
educational benchmarks. Additionally, we underwent a curated workshops such as 'learning through inquiry', 'a dedication to meeting global educational standards. The teaching, can be seen in our commitment to foster
comprehensive re-accreditation process conducted learning walk to celebrate the PYP and MYP continuum', progression through a consultation visit in October learning that leads to student achievement, holistic
jointly by the 'Council of International Schools' (CIS) and 'Differentiated Instruction Made Practical', 'Co-teaching 2023, followed by the recent authorisation visit in student development, and a vibrant learning
the 'New England Association of Schools and Colleges' in Practice', 'Materiality in EY', 'Playful Literacies', a May 2024, is reflective of our commitment to excellence environment anchored in our shared values.
(NEASC) in October 2023. 'Coaching Partnership Showcase', and 'Math's Inquiry' and stringent quality benchmarks within the programme.
facilitated by our teacher for teachers. The role of our To Smt. Nita M. Ambani (Founder and Chairperson) and
Action plans, aligned with the standards and best middle leadership team expanded this year and thus The move to MYP, successfully completed within one Ms Isha Ambani Piramal (Vice Chairperson) for their
practices set by the International Baccalaureate, were required focused internal 'Leadership Training for Middle year, was supported strongly by the faculty's professional collective vision, our Dean and CEO Mr Abhimanyu Basu
developed for the PYP and MYP frameworks. This Leaders' and external middle leadership training provided development. To supplement the learning of the faculty for his leadership, our Junior school leaders, teachers and
strategic initiative facilitated a division-wide deep dive, by CIS facilitators. the Learning Coach, and the Instructional and Tech educators for their tireless dedication, to the support
enabling reflection on our instructional methodologies coaches played a pivotal role. The team of five, trained by staff, and our parent community for their unwavering
and careful analysis of supporting evidence to ensure PYP Achievements: Following rigorous preparation and the school in the coaching cycle and research of Jim support of us; it is with gratitude that we say a heartfelt
alignment with the IB standards. Also, these external embedding of PYP practices the primary division was Knight, have taken many of our faculty and subject teams 'Thank You'.

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