Changeover time

This will probably be my last post, so thought I'd end with a scary video!!! I filmed this at about 12.30pm, this is the time that 5000 students leave and 3500 arrive! And you thought the end of the day at Wrotham Road was busy!!!

Thank you so much for taking time to read this blog, I really hope you've all enjoyed it as much as I've enjoyed writing it. I've loved reading your comments, you've been really good company while I've been out here! You can keep adding new ones if you want.

Can't wait until Monday, have to remember not to wear flip-flops to school though!

Oh, and Mrs Walker.........I didn't get ill!!!!

And now, the end is near.............

Namaste.
Going out for dinner soon, then I'll have a couple of hours to pack before heading off to the airport.
I can't begin to explain how fantastic this trip has been, both personally but also for both schools, the projects that the Headteacher and I have discussed are so exciting. Today I have set up another blog, and we have assigned 6 HBK students as Global Partnership Monitors, next week I will assign 6 from Wrotham Road too. These 12 children will have authoring rights to the new blog and we will use it as a place where all the students from both schools can share experiences, information, ideas, stories, pictures etc. The students here at HBK will soon be writing short accounts of what Christmas is like in India, they will then be sent to us to 'judge' and award certificates which I will send back. So we will look at what we can do on a similar note when I get back. Imagine your work being sent to India to be read by the students there and then receiving a certificate from that school!
The Headteacher, Renu Seth will be visiting us for a week in February too. Then hopefully next year some of her students will visit us.

I have recieved lots of gifts today, and was told that a guest in India is like a 'God'! I was really sad to say goodbye to the students, but I know how much I'll enjoy coming back to all of our wonderful boys and girls at Wrotham Road.

See you real soon!

A wonderful dance.

Despite the video not working, one of the teachers took some stills.

Oooooh a puppy!!!

I suppose if there's lots of strays, there has to be some puppies too!

A Rajasthani dance performed for me

A group of dancers performed in honour of my visit this morning, it was absolutely amazing, such talented dancers. Although I'm really disappointed as I filmed it, but the film didn't come out! Here are some photos of the girls in their beautiful outfits.

A Buddhist Temple

I snuck a quick photo of the Buddhist temple from outside.

An Indian Wedding

The sports field overlooked by my balcony hosted a fantastic Indian wedding ceremony yesterday. Here are a few photos.

Gone so quick

Just getting ready to go into school for my final day today, can't believe the week has gone so quickly. It's been full of incredible experiences and insights though as I hope this blog has shown.

There are many religions represented across India, most people in this part are Hindus. There are also many Buddhists and I visited one of their temples last night which was beautiful, but I wasn't allowed to take any photographs.

A group of children have prepared a dance for me today and will be wearing all traditional costumes from home, I'll post some photos later. I'm really looking forward to that one.

There's also another TV crew in today.

Tonight I shall be visiting some local traditional markets, then heading to the airport in the early hours of Friday morning.

I can't wait to see all of you on Monday.

The view from Shahibaug Branch

Again there is no real outdoor space, so at breaktime most children just sit in the road. The Health & Safety Executive would love it!

Lots of children wanted to shake my hand.

What can I say, I won't let it go to my head though I promise!

How about that for a classroom?

The Gandhi Museum

This afternoon, I visited the Gandhi Museum.

Gandhi was an incredibly influential figure worldwide and encouraged nations to settle disputes without violence. I learnt so much about his life today and was left in awe of some of the things he did and said to try and get his message across.

He is referred to as the 'Father of India'. He spent some of his life living in Ahmedabad, the museum is set in his house.

Maybe if you have time you can 'Google' him and find out a little more about him.

Children at the Shahibaug Branch

This is one of the 12th Standard classes (15-16years old), they enjoy school so much and have such a fantastic attitude towards their work.

More media coverage!!

I was interviewed for an Indian TV channel this afternoon and another network are coming in tomorrow, it's great that this project is getting so much exposure.
We need to make this work, I have many individual presents for our children at Wrotham Road, all from the students at HBK, which I think you'll like. When I return we can look at what we can offer in return. This link between our two schools is something that the students here are taking very seriously and see as a long term project, more than just exchanging the odd e-mail but genuinely working in partnership.
I'm very excited by how much both our schools will benefit from the whole experience.

An amazing morning.

Today I've had a truly humbling morning.
First of all I visited the Shahibaug Branch of the school, this is the oldest and original branch of the school and is home to around 2000 students. All the students at this branch are taught in Gujurati, although many of the older and more able pupils are able to speak and understand English very well.
On arrival I was greeted with a bouquet of flowers and informed that it was a privilege and honour that I had visited them.
I then got introduced to every class as a 'dignitary' and was asked to 'inspire' all the students.
Each class I visited stood and applauded as I entered the room while a couple of members of staff kept taking my photo.
This all felt very, very odd!

But what actually struck me was the incredible passion for education that all the pupils and teachers shared and way beyond just the time spent in the classroom. The students beamed with pride as I told them what a fantastic school they came to, they listened intently as I explained how our two schools were both similar and different. They nodded in understanding as I explained that they were capable of achieving anything they wanted because they showed true determination and commitment.
I was asked to go and give an 'inspirational' talk to the teachers. I praised them on the incredible work they do, the wonderful way in which they inspire their children and their obvious passion for the role.

In truth, I have been the one inspired today.

See, I wasn't making it up about the elephants!

Saw about three on the road today, but this one was right next to us, so I grabbed a quick photo.

A beautiful old building.

This building is 100 years old, until recently, it was home to a wealthy family, but has been converted into a restaurant and hotel.

Rehearsals are going well

A video of lots of groups rehearsing the dance together in the basement/hall.

More about life in school

As regards ICT in the school, there is a small computer room, but they do not have computers or the internet in the classrooms. There are no Interactive whiteboards like we have, only chalkboards.

Response to some questions.

A few more facts about the education system.
Unlike the UK, it is not law for children to attend school.
HB Kapadia School, is a private school, like many in India.
This means that the parents have to pay for their children to come to this school, however it is one of the lowest priced, yet still has one of the best reputations and highest success rates.

All children have to pass a test to come to this school.
Children all learn exactly the same, however when a child is struggling the parents are called in and given advice on how to 'motivate' their child. Meanwhile, the child is given extra support and encouragement.

There are no school dinners as the children either start or finish at lunchtime. However, they all bring a healthy homemade snack for breaktime.

Working with the children.

It was very interesting to discuss with the children how they learn in different subjects.

In ICT they have a workbook that takes them through a range of skills (a bit like a paper version of Smart Learning).

At the moment this group of students are learning how to use a spreadsheet.

Talking about Wrotham Road

I spent a lot of time today talking to different groups of children, they were really interested to hear all about our school and how the education system works in the UK.

The Video Assembly

Not sure how it looked and sounded from your end, but it was great for me to see you all again and hear your voices.

Thank you for your really interesting questions, when I get back I'll spend lots more time answering the questions you have and showing you lots of photos. I have lots more than I am able to publish on the blog.

I hope you enjoyed the assembly, thank you to Mr Bennett and Miss Goff for making it run smoothly.

See you soon.

Getting 'grilled'!

The children had lots of really interesting questions for me, they were all very keen to have a go!

Further Media Coverage!

Keeping up the Wrotham Road press coverage, I'm being interviewed by a journalist from The Times of India this afternoon, who is keen to do an article on our global partnership.

I must give my agent a pay-rise!

Dancing in the basement.

The children are starting to get together in larger groups to work on the dances for the show next week. It's really coming together well and I'm sad that I will miss the performance next week, I'll be sent a copy of the DVD though.

The school hall

This is the school hall, it also is where all the staff park their motorbikes!!!!

It's in the basement under the main school building and is where several thousand parents will gather next week to watch the show being performed.

Recess at Prernatirth Branch

There is no outdoor space at all at this branch, so the children sit inside and eat healthy snacks during their break time.

The show must go on!

They're practicing for the dance at this branch too.

There are 3 branches in total, althought they are looking to buy a new building for a 4th branch.

The branches at the moment are:

Memnaga Branch- 8500 pupils (this is where I have spent most time.)

Prernatirth- Satellite area Branch- 300 pupils (where I have been this morning).

Shahibaug Branch- 4000 pupils (I'm visiting that one tomorrow).

The Prernatirth Branch

This morning I visited the Prernatirth Branch of the school. This is a much smaller building and only has about 300 students, but is growing rapidly, they have only owned this building for 1 year. The students here are between 3 and 13 years old.

This is a group of 8th Standard students that I spoke to, they are in their library working.

In this branch the uniform is different, all the girls wear pink, all the boys wear blue.

They pupils are all members of a house team, there are four houses: Earth, Water, Fire and Air.

All the pupils I have met so far have such a positive view of their education, they love school and really enjoy learning. They are all so polite too. Reminds me very much of Wrotham Road in that respect.

The running track

At the health club where I am staying there is a huge running track outside my window. Literally hundreds of people start arriving from 5am every day just to walk around it. Basically it's a common part of most people's exercise routine but the roadsides are too dangerous to walk on, so they all come here and just walk in a big circle for a couple of hours before going to work. Quite an odd sight. There's normally a big game of cricket going on in the field in the middle too between 5am and 7am. After that it gets too hot.

After school club?

After school today I went to lunch with the Morning shift leadership team. Mrs Renu Seth, the headteacher is on my left in this photograph. The other people are her supervisors.

Missing you all.

By the way......
Although this is a fantastic experience and so interesting to see how another education system works, I'm missing you all terribly. I loved reading Evie's comment and look forward to reading any other comments from children or staff.
Mrs Renu Seth (the Headteacher) and I have had some really good ideas for projects that our two schools can link up on and I'm really looking forward to talking these through with you all.
Take care and see you soon
Mr H
xxx

Making good use of the space!

They're not having a rest, this is another group of children working on their dance. Again, the corridors make a good workspace!

The staffing arrangements.

What's really interesting is that all the teachers are women and most of the men in the school spend their day fetching tea and biscuits for the women or driving them around!!
I hope the Wrotham Road staff don't get any ideas!

A video of one of the many dances.

I really enjoyed this dance, shame you can't hearthe music. 8 different groups were learning this dance throughout the day. This was only their 3rd day of practising so I think they're doing really well.

The seniors hard at work.

This is one of the 10th Standard (Y10) classes hard at work.

The school is divided into Gujurat and English classes, those who come from multi-lingual backgrounds are placed in the English classes where all teaching is done in English. In the other classes all teaching is done in Gujurati (the local language). The children wear grey ties if they are taught in English and red ties if they are taught in Gujurati.

More dance practice

Told you everyone is practicing the dance. Most of which is taking place in corridors around the school.

Recess (playtime)

HB Kapadia School is unusual for a school in Ahmedabad in that it has a decent amount of outdoor space.

Song time in the infants.

Wonder if you can recognise the song?

Practising for the dance.

Children all across the school are doing lots of practice for next week's big show.

A 2nd Standard (Year 2) class.

All the children stand up and say good morning whenever I walk in the room, beginning to feel guilty that I'm interupting them!

A nursery class.

How many differences can you spot between our nursery and what you see in this photograph?

A few eye openers!!!

Having spent a morning at the school so far (photos are coming I promise!), I have learnt some very interesting things.
Average class size is 55 pupils!
All children from 3yrs upwards sit at desks in rows!
All children know all times tables up to 25 by the time they are 7!!
Playtime is a nightmare!!! 5000 pupils charging round, some just play in the corridors throwing screwed up bits of paper to each other. But when the bell goes they settle quickly back into class.

They have a show next week (there are many performances to ensure all children can be involved and all parents can attend!), lots of children have been in the corridors practicing their dance moves! I have filmed some that I will upload later.
The school have asked me to extend my stay until the 25th so that I can watch the show, but I politely declined! Think I might get lynched!!

The view from the windows.

How do these views compare to those from our school?

First day at school!

I've arrived at school for the morning shift, just met all the supervisors and dept principals who are a little like the assistant and deputy heads.
Met some of the children, they are all lovely and look so smart.
Every time I walk in a room they all stand up and call me sir!! I could definitely get used to this!

I'm busy snapping photos and will post lots on here later, please check back.
In terms of timing, the main times I'm posting are around 12pm and 6pm UK time, so it's always worth checking after those times.

Wow it's hot!

It's about 2am, I can't sleep as it's sooooo hot! About 31 degrees outside!

Special Treatment

As a first time visitor to the restaurant, I was 'looked after'!

Health and safety first!

The headteacher of HB Kapadia school and her husband are being wonderful hosts. They are taking me to see some wonderful sights, but most importantly they are only taking me to 'safe' restaurants, so hopefully I wont catch any bugs!

Got my first mosquito bite though!!!

The restaurant.

Some of the most fantastic food I've ever tasted, all served on a big leaf!

More artifacts.

A range of interesting artifacts including scroll cases, ink pots and various other tools.

More museum photos

A room full of nutcrackers!

Incredibly ornate designs from all over India.

The museum

Lots and lots of pots!

All handmade, some are as old as 1000 years and have all been donated by the many villages surrounding Ahmedabad.

The Village Museum and Restaurant

This evening I have visited a fascinating museum full of artifacts that illustrate India's rich history. There is also a traditional restaurant on site set in an oil lamp lit village, which was one of the best experiences of my life!

The photos above were taken from this evening.

The HB Kapadia School

This afternoon (Sunday) I visited the school for the first time.

I met the Managing Trustee Muktak Kapadia, his grandfather established the school. So he basically owns the school and is a very important man, he is very keen to develop the education system across India, he has already established a Cambridge University campus on the site of his school! He is coming to England later in the year and I have invited him to come and visit us if he has time.

Lord Ganesha

Lord Ganesha is a Hindu deity, he is a symbol of purity and success. His form is also considered to be the remover of obstacles and evil. A statue or picture of him can be found in most Hindu households.

This particular statue is by the entrance of the club where I am staying. There are statues of him everywhere in Ahmedabad.

When I'm back at school I'll tell you the story of how he got his elephant head.

School tomorrow!!

I'm really looking forward to getting into the school tomorrow. I'm being picked up at 7am and will finish school at about 1.30pm. This is when the 'shift' changes- there are 5000 pupils in school in the morning and 3500 in the afternoon, the crossover time should be very interesting! I have already shown some of the photos of Wrotham Road to the headteacher here and she is very excited for the children to see them. Her name is Mrs Renu Seth, she might be joining me for the video assembly on Tuesday.

Now there's something you won't see in Gravesend.

I'm told that because cows are sacred, they are left alone and not moved on.

Lot's of very interesting buildings.

One of many interesting buildings on the road from where I'm staying into the main town.

Everyone's busy here!

Not sure what they're gathering.

A farm in Ahmedabad.

Came across several roadside farms on my trek today!