Dear Parents,

Warm greetings from GIIS Bannerghatta Campus. October was a purposeful month, filled with fresh ideas, cultural learning, safety lessons, lively celebration, sporting achievement and a lasting link between home and school.

Among the month’s highlights was the Shark Tank competition, where students from Grades 6 to 12 pitched original products and solutions to real-world problems. Their critical thinking, teamwork and clear communication showed how far learning can travel beyond the textbook.

That curiosity was equally visible in our language classes, where students explored the heritage of Karnataka. Grades 2A and 2B named animals in “Arive Guru” and learnt about Hampi, the Stone Chariot, Halebidu and Sringeri Sharada Peetha through the lesson “Mooru Kallugalu”. The poem “Nanna Devaru” then helped them describe the Sun, Moon, stars and sky in short Kannada sentences. Grades 3A and 3B went a step further with “Pramamika Balaka”, learning about the historic places of Karnataka and freedom fighters such as Mahatma Gandhi, Jawaharlal Nehru, Bhagat Singh and Subhas Chandra Bose. In Hindi, learners enjoyed recognising the swar and matching each with a familiar word, such as ? with ????, ? with ?? and ? with ????.

Our youngest learners were just as busy. Nursery children took part in a five-day safety programme, beginning with traffic lights and zebra crossing rules, and moving on to spotting safe and unsafe situations as “Safety Detectives”. A fire evacuation drill taught them to stay calm and walk in a line, while gentle lessons on good touch and bad touch, and on safety near water and on the playground, completed the programme.

Alongside these lessons, nursery children brought the wild to the classroom by introducing animals through role play, speaking about their sounds, homes and food. In the Montessori area, tasks such as folding napkins, working with knobless cylinders and tracing sandpaper letters and numbers built concentration, independence and early language and number skills.

The same enthusiasm for learning was on display at My Learning Checkpoint, where our K2 students showed their parents how well they understand and apply what they learn. Each subject offered two engaging tasks, from creative speaking and reading in English to numbers and patterns in Mathematics, the five senses and animal habitats in EVS, and picture matching and counting in Hindi. Spin to Win and Wobble Warriors built balance and coordination, while the Pink Tower and Broad Stairs showed children’s grasp of size and sequence in Montessori.

Beyond academics, the month also reminded us of the values that guide us. Grade 5A presented a Gandhi Jayanti assembly titled “A Journey of Peace, Truth and Unity”, with a thoughtful skit on Bapu’s ideals of honesty, non-violence, kindness and respect.

Soon after, the campus turned to celebration with our Dandiya Night, which brought students, parents and teachers together. The auditorium glowed with colour as families arrived in traditional garba attire. Students opened the evening with festive songs, and teachers followed with group and solo dances. When the live DJ took over, everyone danced in circles with their sticks while others clapped along. Food stalls, face painting, mehendi, a photobooth, a lucky draw and a Best Dressed contest added to the fun, and every guest received a complimentary food box. Through music, dance and traditional dress, the evening reflected the Visual and Performing Arts gem of our 9GEMS framework.

If music and dance brought the auditorium to life, discipline and determination marked the mat at the Karnataka Rajyotsava Khelo Karate Championship, hosted at our school. Our students competed in Kata and Kumite across several age and weight categories, and 25 of them secured places on the podium, with many winning first place. Their success reflects the Sports Excellence gem of our 9GEMS framework, and I congratulate every participant on their courage and effort.

While students shone on the stage and the mat, the partnership between home and school grew stronger through the Parent-Teacher Meeting for Grades 6 to 12. Held after the Mid-Term Examinations, it gave parents the chance to review answer scripts and discuss progress, while teachers shared practical tips on study habits, regular attendance, revision and timely assignments.

Overall, our campus remains committed to nurturing confident, caring and capable learners. We sincerely thank you, dear parents, for your continued trust and support.

Warm regards,

Bindu Rajesh
Principal, GIIS Bannerghatta Campus