NEWSLETTER - APRIL 2025

Dear Bodhan Community,

Greetings!

Bodhi Begins the Journey to INSPIRE!

The start of the new academic session at Bodhi International School has been nothing

short of electric — a time of fresh beginnings, renewed energy, and a collective resolve

to grow, lead, and learn with purpose.

This year, we proudly launch our journey guided by a powerful, living philosophy — the

journey to INSPIRE.

At Bodhi, we believe true education is more than acquiring knowledge. It is about

nurturing Innovation, Nurture, Student-Centric learning, Progressiveness,

Inclusivity, Reflection, and a lifelong commitment to Education. These values are not

just ideals — they are the heartbeat of our campus, echoing through every idea, every

interaction, and every initiative.

Already, the spirit of INSPIRE is taking form in meaningful and impactful ways:

 We have introduced the Leader in Me program, inspired by The 7 Habits of

Highly Effective People. After thoughtful deliberation, we chose this framework to

instill timeless values and life skills in our students — equipping them to be the

best version of themselves and preparing them to become the global leaders of

tomorrow.

 Our TEDxBodhi International School stage resonated with bold ideas, thought-

provoking conversations, and youthful brilliance.

 International Dance Day filled our campus with joy, expression, and cultural

celebration — a true testament to unity in diversity.

 The Investiture Ceremony was a proud moment, reaffirming our belief that

leadership is about responsibility, vision, and service — not just titles.

Looking ahead, INSPIRE will not merely be a theme — it will become a way of life.

Every initiative, every classroom exchange, and every school gathering will carry its

subtle yet profound signature. It will shape how we dream, how we plan, and how we

grow — individually and collectively.

As we set forth on this vibrant journey, we extend a heartfelt invitation to every

student, teacher, and parent to bring INSPIRE to life — to think boldly, act mindfully,

embrace change with joy, and uplift one another each day.

Together, let’s create a year full of purpose, progress, and pride. Let’s celebrate small

wins, set meaningful goals, and cherish every moment.

Learning. Leading. Living to Inspire — that’s the Bodhi way.

Brahmam Bodhi!

Nitu Bothra

Executive Director

Bodhi International School

Dear Parents and Students,

A warm and enthusiastic welcome to the new academic session!

Each new beginning brings with it a spark — of hope, curiosity, and fresh possibilities. And I’m thrilled to share that we’ve started this session with a bang! The energy on campus is vibrant, the voices are eager, and the spirit to learn and grow is unmistakably alive.

But every new beginning also comes with choices — and choices lead us to decisions. One question I often find myself reflecting on, and discussing with our students, is: How do we know we’ve made the right decision? Answers vary — from following instincts, to judging by outcomes. But deep down, this is a shared human experience — the same dilemma touches us all, whether we are students, parents, or educators.

So this year, let’s not worry about having all the answers. Instead, let’s focus on making every decision right — by learning from experiences, staying open-minded, and embracing change with confidence.

Let’s begin by setting small targets, rejoicing in small victories, and making each day worth counting. The journey is as important as the destination — and it’s in our daily choices that growth quietly takes root.

We made our first mark this session with TEDxBodhiInternationalSchool, where voices from students to professionals came together to speak their minds and challenge conventions. It reminded us all that our perspectives, thoughts, and willingness to express make us who we are.

School is a thriving space of discovery — every activity is an opportunity, every challenge a lesson. The decision to learn, unlearn, and evolve lies with us.

Here’s to a year of purpose, progress, and powerful moments — one day at a time.

Warm regards

Secondary School Principal

Ms. Rashi Rahotgi

Bodhi International School hosted the third edition of TEDx on April 12, 2025, bringing together a dynamic mix of students, educators, and changemakers under the theme Transforming Ideas. The event began with a traditional lamp lighting ceremony, followed by soulful music and dance performances by Bodhi students.

Chairman Mr. Naresh Bothra delivered the inaugural address, inspiring the audience with Bodhi’s vision of purpose-driven education. Executive Director Mrs. Neetu Bothra felicitated the speakers. Event organizer Mrs. Rashi Rohatgi shared the intent behind the thoughtfully selected themes.

A powerful speaker lineup, including Mr. Mahendra Kumar Jhabak, Lt. Gen. Surendra Kulkarni, and several student voices, shared thought-provoking talks on topics like mental health, sustainability, education, war and children, and the power of storytelling.

The event also featured a lively musical interlude by Mr. Adeline Katshoko and Mr. Rajat and concluded with a warm vote of thanks by Mrs. Sonal Joshi, reminding all that the journey of ideas begins when they are put into action.

The overwhelming response of appreciation and accolades post-event is a testament to its resounding success and the meticulous effort invested.

TEDx Season 3 was a true reflection of Bodhi’s commitment to nurturing change makers and spreading ideas that inspire transformation.

“A leader is one who knows the way, goes the way, and shows the way.” – John C. Maxwell

The Investiture Ceremony 2025–26 was held with great pride, marking a significant milestone in the academic year. The event began with the traditional lamp lighting and Bodhi Anthem, followed by a warm welcome to our esteemed dignitaries, including Chairman Mr. Naresh Bothra, Executive Director Mrs. Nitu Bothra, and the Directors Mr Namit Bhandari , Mrs Shailee Bothra and Mrs Gauri Bhandari. Anchored by Ms. Ridhi Jain and Ms. Tanvi Shah, the ceremony featured a proud March Past by the newly elected Student Council. The Chairman and Executive Director conferred the badges and sashes, after which the council took their oath of office. Inspiring speeches were delivered by Head Girl and Head Boy of both the primary and senior sections . The event concluded with an encouraging address by Chairman Sir.

On the occasion of World Autism Awareness Day, Bodhi International School stood united in fostering a culture of inclusion, empathy, and awareness. A week-long series of engaging activities was conducted for students from Grades 6 to 12, aimed at deepening their understanding of Autism Spectrum Disorder.

The school campus shimmered in blue ribbons, symbolizing solidarity with the autism community. Interactive videos were showcased, illustrating the daily experiences of individuals with autism and encouraging neurodiversity acceptance.

A creative reflection activity followed, where students expressed their understanding through Jigsaw pieces—each uniquely crafted to represent their insights on inclusion. These pieces were later assembled into a magnificent “Tree of Unity”, signifying growth, connection, and strength in diversity.

A group of 25 Bodhians visited Rudraksh Educational and Welfare Society, a special school dedicated to empowering children with special needs. The visit enabled them to engage, learn, and connect meaningfully with their peers in a diverse learning environment.

In a beautiful display of inclusive spirit, 55 students with special needs from AWWA Asha School and Navjyoti Manovikas Kendra visited the Bodhi campus for Unified Sports, conducted under Special Olympics Bharat. Bodhi students provided enthusiastic buddy support, ensuring each guest felt welcomed and valued.

An insightful Teacher Training Workshop was conducted by Dr. Yogendra Singh Shekhawat, Founder of Rudraksh. His expert session combined technical, psychological, and motivational insights, empowering teachers with strategies for inclusive education.

"At Bodhi, inclusion isn’t just an idea — it’s a way of life. We empower our children to create workplaces where every heart feels seen, valued, and celebrated."

Grade Level: Cambridge IGCSE Computer Science – Grade 10

Objective:

In our recent classroom activity, "Inclusive Bot – Writing Pseudocode for Unity", students applied their technical knowledge of pseudocode to create a virtual assistant/chatbot designed to promote inclusivity and secularism. The objective was to help students understand how computer science can reflect the core values of unity, diversity, and respect for all cultures and faiths.

Activity Overview:

1. Introduction:

2. Task Brief:

• Greet the user warmly.

• Ask for the user's name and preferred language or favourite festival.

• Respond with inclusive and culturally respectful messages based on the input (e.g., wishing users for different festivals, motivational quotes from leaders of various faiths, or anti-discrimination messages).

• End with a message emphasizing unity in diversity.

Students followed a pseudocode template and worked on decision-making structures (IF/ELSE, CASE, FOR, WHILE) to create their chatbot’s responses.

3. Presentation & Discussion:

Students also reflected on how technology—particularly pseudocode and chatbots—can be harnessed to support social values like respect and acceptance in the digital world.

Learning Outcomes:

• Practical application of pseudocode writing and decision-making structures like IF/ELSE, CASE, FOR, WHILE).

• Understanding user interaction logic: how chatbots engage and respond to inputs.

• Promoting inclusivity through technology: Using coding as a tool to spread positive messages of unity, equality, and respect for all backgrounds and cultures.

Conclusion:

The “Inclusive Bot” activity was a fantastic way for students to engage with the principles of inclusivity, secularism, and the power of technology to foster respect. By coding chatbots that reflect the spirit of our Constitution and the values of our school, students not only practiced important computer science skills but also contributed to a wider conversation about how technology can make the world a more inclusive place.

We look forward to more such activities where our students use their coding skills to create positive change in society.

In a thought-provoking science activity conducted with Grade 6 and 7 students, the microscope became a lens not just into the building blocks of life, but into the essence of inclusivity and secularism. Students examined slides of different plant and animal cells, marveling at their varied shapes, sizes, and functions. The message was clear: while no two cells are the same, they all work in harmony to sustain life.

Drawing inspiration from our Constitution’s ideals, the students reflected on how this biological concept mirrors the spirit of our nation and our school. Just as diverse cells contribute to one unified organism, diverse individuals come together to form a cohesive, respectful, and inclusive society.

Science taught them more than just cell structure that day-it reminded them of the beauty of co-existence and the power of unity in diversity.

Our talented students engaged in a research project exploring the concept of Factors of Production by selecting and studying various renowned enterprises. This activity helped deepen their understanding of the core elements that drive any business: Land, Labour, Capital, and Enterprise.

Take a look at some of the amazing projects created:

📚 Project Highlights:

• Duolingo

  By Aakshya Rathod & Sarrah Mukkadam

  Students detailed how Duolingo uses cloud servers (Land), software engineers (Labour), office equipment (Capital), and entrepreneurial ideas by Luis von Ahn and Severin Hacker (Enterprise).

• Walmart

  A project emphasizing Walmart's extensive use of physical stores and warehouses (Land), millions of employees (Labour), investments in supply chains (Capital), and innovative strategies by Sam Walton (Enterprise).

• Applei

  This project captured Apple's use of its futuristic headquarters (Land), skilled manufacturing workers (Labour), cutting-edge machinery (Capital), and the vision of founders Steve Jobs, Steve Wozniak, and Ronald Wayne (Enterprise).

• Maggie (Nestlé)

  By Aditya Jain

  The research covered how Maggie (Nestlé) established warehouses (Land), hired manufacturing workers (Labour), invested in machinery (Capital), and the entrepreneurial journey of Julius Maggi (Enterprise).

• Tesla

  An insightful project showing Tesla's reliance on raw materials like lithium and aluminium (Land), a dedicated workforce (Labour), advanced manufacturing infrastructure (Capital), and the groundbreaking vision of Martin Eberhard, Marc Tarpenning, and Elon Musk (Enterprise).

• Amazon

  The research emphasized Amazon’s use of massive fulfilment centres (Land), its vast employee base (Labour), technological investments (Capital), and Jeff Bezos’s entrepreneurial spirit (Enterprise).

🎯 Purpose of the Activity:

• To apply theoretical concepts in a real-world context.
• To develop research, analytical, and presentation skills.
• To encourage creativity and entrepreneurship among students.

The projects were vibrant, informative, and reflected true business acumen.

The Humanities Department organized a subject enrichment activity for Grades 9 and 10, "Embracing Inclusivity and Secularism: The Spirit of Our Constitution and our school ," was a resounding success. Students showcased their creativity and understanding through:

1. Thought-provoking slogans

2. Poignant poems

3. Impactful role-plays (two groups)

4. Connections to real-life incidents (Pahalgam tragedy)

5. A student's insightful presentation on classroom inclusivity

6. A powerful poem on patriotism, secularism, and inclusivity, referencing the Pahalgam tragedy (prepared by two students)

This activity fostered critical thinking, creativity, and empathy, helping students appreciate the significance of inclusivity and secularism in our society.

Nurturing Creativity through the Principles of Design

Students from Grades 6 to 10 have been deeply immersed in the world of Art and Design, exploring the foundational principles that shape the visual arts. Through structured lessons and creative practice, they engaged with core concepts such as line, proportion, color harmony, and contrast, translating imagination into tangible works of art.

This term, our budding artists were encouraged to explore their personal vision, developing the confidence to turn abstract ideas into meaningful visual expressions. The curriculum emphasized the importance of imagination, guiding students to find a balance between creative freedom and artistic discipline.

Our Cambridge students in Grades 6 to 8 engaged in a unique art initiative that combined creativity with community action. As part of their ongoing exploration of applied arts, students designed and created functional art pieces including fridge magnets, coasters, keychains, and storage containers.

The highlight of the project was a classroom art display, where students showcased their work to parents and visitors. This display was more than just an exhibition—it was an opportunity to raise funds for charity. By selling their handmade creations, students experienced the power of using their talents for social good, while also learning about entrepreneurship, presentation, and purpose-driven design.

The initiative fostered a strong sense of agency and pride, reinforcing the value of art as a tool for both expression and impact.

For our CBSE Grade 9 and 10 students, the focus shifted toward more advanced techniques in observational drawing. They delved into value scale sketching, exploring light, shadow, and depth using charcoal and pencil mediums. Through still life sketching, students practiced rendering individual objects with accuracy and expressive shading, honing their skills in realism and visual storytelling.

These exercises not only built technical precision but also encouraged mindfulness, patience, and observation—critical skills for any aspiring artist.

Celebrating Unity, Culture & Care: A Month of Meaningful Learning

Our school takes pride in nurturing young minds to grow as compassionate, principled, and globally aware citizens. We firmly believe that every celebration is an opportunity to foster values of inclusivity, secularism, and environmental responsibility—pillars that echo the spirit of our Indian Constitution and our school community. This month, our children experienced the joy of celebrating Baisakhi and Earth Day, each bringing its special learning. Dressed in vibrant traditional attire, the children lit up our classrooms during the Baisakhi celebration as they participated in colourful craft activities and a meaningful story session that taught them the importance of harvesting and gratitude. Their enthusiasm shone through as they performed to the lively beats of the dhol, embracing the richness of our cultural diversity. Equally inspiring was the Earth Day celebration, where students created beautiful sponge paintings and made thoughtful promises to save water and electricity, demonstrating a deep sense of responsibility towards our planet. Through these joyful experiences, our learners embodied the spirit of caring, unity, and environmental stewardship, reflecting our constitutional values and the IB learner profile.

Embracing Inclusivity & Identity: Celebrating Family, Nature & Our Shared Values

This month has been an inspiring journey of exploring the values of inclusivity and secularism, which lie at the heart of our Constitution and the culture of our school. Through engaging transdisciplinary activities, our learners deepened their understanding of who they are and the world around them. As part of our Earth Day celebration, the children joyfully participated in a stamp painting activity, using their creativity to honour nature and the planet we all share. They also made thoughtful promises to grow more trees, save water, and conserve electricity, fostering a sense of environmental responsibility and care. In our Unit of Inquiry, we explored the theme of family, where students created family portraits and learned about different types of families, family members, and their roles. We extended this concept by introducing the idea that families exist in nature, such as among flowers and animals, helping children see connections beyond human relationships. In Mathematics, our focus was on measurement, where children compared heavy and light objects, explored big and small sizes, and understood spatial concepts like in and out through hands-on learning. To support their understanding of identity and emotions, children expressed themselves through blow painting, creating facial expressions that represented different feelings, encouraging them to reflect on their unique selves. These experiences not only nurtured their cognitive skills but also celebrated their individuality and sense of belonging in a diverse and caring community.

Embracing Inclusivity & Secularism: Celebrating the Spirit of Our Constitution and Our School

What does it mean to belong? To feel accepted, celebrated, and heard, regardless of who we are or where we come from? This month, we embraced the powerful values of inclusivity and secularism, giving our children opportunities to experience unity in diversity, empathy, and emotional expression through meaningful and joyful experiences.

Our little learners were immersed in activities that reflected not just the spirit of our Constitution but also the warm and welcoming ethos of our school.

Baisakhi Celebration: Unity in Culture

Our celebration of Baisakhi was more than just a festival—it was a colourful window into India's rich cultural fabric. Children dressed in traditional attire from different regions, creating a vibrant display of inclusivity and togetherness. They joyfully danced to foot-tapping beats, understanding that festivals unite us, no matter our backgrounds. A beautiful sunflower art activity brought creativity into the mix, where the children used ginger painting to make striking black dots in the center of the sunflower, symbolizing brightness, unity, and growth.

Kindness Bucket: Small Acts, Big Hearts

As part of nurturing inclusive behaviors and compassion, our Kindness Bucket activity gave children the opportunity to think beyond themselves. Each child made a heartfelt promise, wrote it down on a kindness cube, and gently tossed it into our kindness bucket. These small acts are helping to build a classroom culture rooted in empathy and care, where every voice matters, and every kind gesture counts.

My Emotion Palette: Painting with Feelings

Understanding one’s own emotions is the first step toward accepting the feelings of others. Through the My Emotion Palette activity, children were encouraged to reflect on how they felt each day, choosing colors to represent their emotions. They cut, pasted, and created their emotional expression art, reminding us all that every emotion is valid and important.

Emotion Chart: Checking In with Ourselves

Each day, children placed their names on an emotion chart to express how they felt at the end of the school day. This gentle check-in cultivated self-awareness and supported emotional inclusivity, helping peers and teachers understand each child’s experience without judgment.

Snakes and Ladders on EPDM: Learning Through Play

Beyond emotions and values, we also focused on foundational skills through fun and movement. A giant Snakes and Ladders game on the EPDM floor helped children enhance their number recognition skills, all while cheering for one another and learning about turn-taking and cooperation.

This month has been a heartwarming journey of togetherness, emotional expression, and joyful celebration. As we continue to nurture young minds, we remain committed to instilling the values that uphold both our Constitution and the spirit of our school—respect for diversity, empathy for all, and pride in who we are.

Our Exciting Journey Begins – Unit 1: Sharing the Planet

Mathematics Comes Alive – Place Value Fun

A Splash of Culture – Baisakhi Celebrations

Earth Day – Promises to Our Planet

Celebrating Diversity: Exploring Festivals with Inclusivity and Joy

Students embarked on a vibrant journey exploring festivals and celebrations from across the world, with a special focus on inclusivity and secularism.

From the joyous harvest festivities of Baisakhi to the spirit of renewal and hope in Easter, our learners immersed themselves in understanding the significance, traditions, and stories behind each celebration. They even discovered lesser-known festivals like Songkran – the Thai New Year.

Through classroom discussions, art activities, stories, and cultural experiences, students gained a deeper appreciation of how festivals connect people, build communities, and reflect diverse beliefs and values.

Honouring Our Planet: Earth Day Celebrations

This Earth Day, our students came together with enthusiasm and awareness to celebrate the beauty of our planet and reflect on their role in protecting it.

Students created vibrant and meaningful Earth Day posters filled with creative art, thoughtful messages, and eco-friendly reminders. Each poster was not just a piece of art, but a personal pledge.

In addition, every student wrote down their Earth Day promise—a commitment to care for the environment, whether by reducing plastic use, planting more trees, saving water, or encouraging others to do the same. These promises were heartfelt and inspiring, showing that even the smallest hands can make a big impact.

🌊 Exploring Science Through Action: Our Water Filtration Experiment 🌿

As part of our ongoing commitment to hands-on learning and environmental awareness, our students recently took part in an engaging Water Filtration Experiment. This activity was designed to help students understand both the water cycle and the vital importance of clean water in our daily lives.

🔬 Objective:

Students explored how natural filtration can help clean water, linking directly to real-world environmental concerns and the science curriculum.

A Splash of Culture – Baisakhi Celebrations

Honoring the secular fabric of our school community, we came together to celebrate Baisakhi. Dressed in colorful traditional attire, learners enjoyed Punjabi delicacies and soaked in the cultural richness of this harvest festival. The celebration reflected how our school embraces cultural diversity and encourages unity in differences.

Mark Your Love for Earth!

Students will design eco-friendly bookmarks with drawings of Earth, trees, animals, and nature. They'll add cheerful slogans like “Save the Earth!” or “I Love Nature!” to spread positivity and environmental awareness

Our Grade 4 learners embarked on a meaningful journey under the transdisciplinary theme How We Express Ourselves, connecting the values of inclusivity and secularism to their understanding of communication and media. Through hands-on experiences and critical thinking engagements, students explored how various forms of media influence beliefs, attitudes, and behaviors, and how expression can be a powerful tool for creating awareness and fostering unity.

The unit began with students creating a word web around the term ‘Media’, brainstorming its forms, roles, and influence in society. This was followed by a school walk where learners observed different means of communication within the school premises — from bulletin boards to announcements — and created insightful mind maps to reflect on their findings.

In connection with World Water Day, our young change-makers transformed into Water Warriors. They identified water leakages around the school and created informative posters suggesting ways to conserve water. Taking their advocacy a step further, they visited different classrooms to spread awareness, reminding everyone of our shared responsibility toward the environment — an action that reflects how individual efforts can contribute to the collective good.

"Embracing Inclusivity & Secularism:

Our young learners from Grade 5 engaged in a meaningful journey of discovery and reflection as they embraced the values of inclusivity and secularism, celebrating the very soul of our Indian Constitution and the diverse spirit of our school.

🎤 Assembly on Ambedkar Jayanti

As part of World Water Day on 22nd March, students raised awareness about Sustainable Development Goal 6 – Clean Water and Sanitation. They shared important facts, presented slogans, and performed a graceful dance, highlighting the importance of water conservation. The event concluded with a meaningful pledge where students promised to use water wisely and promote awareness in their communities.

Adding to the month’s celebrations, students enjoyed learning about Baisakhi, the harvest festival celebrated across India. They crafted colorful pagris and headgears, watched a video on regional Baisakhi traditions, and danced joyfully to the beats of the dhol. The celebration brought alive the essence of India’s cultural richness.

🌟 Living Our Values at School

We are proud of our Grade 5 learners for taking this important step toward understanding their roles in shaping a more inclusive and united world.