Dear Parents,

Greetings!

“Leadership is not about being in charge. It is about taking care of those in your charge.” – Simon Sinek 

Empowering leaders and enhancing excellence are not two separate goals—they are deeply interconnected processes that reinforce each other in a thriving school community. When students are given the voice, agency, and opportunity to lead, they develop a sense of ownership, accountability, and purpose. This empowerment fuels motivation, fosters innovation, and drives them to pursue excellence in all areas—academic, creative, social, and emotional. 

At GIIS, our 9GEMS™ framework is designed to develop well-rounded individuals by integrating leadership development into everyday learning. Leadership experiences—whether through student councils, clubs, peer mentoring, or community projects—equip students with critical thinking, collaboration, and resilience. These very skills are the foundation of excellence. 

Excellence, in turn, inspires leadership. As students strive to improve and achieve, they set examples for their peers, take initiative, and contribute meaningfully to their environment. The cycle continues—leadership empowers excellence, and excellence nurtures future leaders. 

Together, they build a culture where every learner is confident, capable, and committed to making a positive difference. 

From the Heart of EC Campus: A Story of Leadership and Learning 

As the sun rose on a fresh academic year on April 1, the campus came alive with energy, aspirations, and purpose. This April, we witnessed the GIIS ethos in action—nurturing confident communicators, responsible citizens, and compassionate leaders. During the Student Council Investiture, a Grade 5 student shared, “Leadership is about showing up, not just for yourself, but for others.” That moment, simple yet profound, reflected the spirit of GIIS's 9GEMS pedagogy—developing leadership through experiential learning, values-based education, and collaborative growth. 

Whether it was our students taking the stage at the Global Schools Awards, leading house activities, or welcoming new friends and parents during the Meet and Greet, every event became a platform for empowerment and excellence. 9GEMS integration was observed in all school touchpoints—academic, athletic, aesthetic, and values-driven. 

Highlights of an Action-Packed April 

• April 1: New Academic Year Commences – Fresh beginnings, new dreams. 

• April 2: Meet & Greet – Strengthening bonds with our new and returning families. 

• April 8: Yarrow Park Community Walkathon – Building health, community spirit, and awareness. 

• April 12 & 19: Celebration of Indian New Year – Honouring cultural diversity and tradition through dance, music, and parent engagement. 
   
• April Assemblies: 
• World Health & Safety Day 

• World Book Day – A literary celebration of imagination and voice. 

• Field Show with Grade 10 Parents – A powerful showcase of collaboration and student-led learning. 

• Parents as Presenters Series – Two of our parents shared their professional journeys, inspiring young minds to dream big. 

• Global School Awards Ceremony – We Celebrated the all-round excellence of 80+ outstanding students by giving nearly 170 awards during the ceremony, – showcasing the spectrum of excellence. 

• Student Council Investiture – The induction of council led to empowering young leaders to step up and shape our school community. 

New Initiatives: Enriching the GIIS Learning Landscape 

• IBPYP Learning Session – Laying strong foundations through inquiry and reflection, the session was not only enriching but highly engaging. 

• Parent Saturday Engagement Club (Baking Session) – Strengthening our learning community through shared skills and joyful moments. First parent-led workshop kick-started our engagement club, paving the way for many more.

• 9GEMS Student-Led Clubs – Giving students ownership of their passions and peer learning. The 9GEMS club members received the honorary badges during student council investiture ceremony. 
   
• SPOTLIGHT of the month - Inauguration of the 9GEMS Speaker Series by CEO of Global Schools group Mr. Rajeev Katyal – A significant milestone in inspiring thought leadership. Mr Katyal highlighted on GEM 1 – Academic Excellence.  

Sporting Spirit and Activities in Full Swing 

• ACSIS Season 2 saw our students shine with skill and team spirit. 

• CCA and ECA programs are running smoothly, with house activities infusing vibrancy and healthy competition into campus life. 

Looking Ahead 

As we move into May, our focus remains steady—cultivating empowered individuals ready to lead with empathy, think critically, and act globally. Through our consistent application of the 9GEMS framework, we ensure that every child not only excels academically but grows into a well-rounded, responsible leader of tomorrow. 

Let’s continue walking this path and let’s GLOW together! 

Warm regards

Ms Deepika Sodhi
Principal, GIIS East Coast Campus