by Bethany Institutions | Jan 3, 2022 | Bethany General, High School, Music & Drama, Sports & Games
Co-curricular activities are vital to a child’s all-round development. In this article, we take a look at why Bethany believes and champions co-curricular activities in schools. We trust that this will be a new and informative perspective for everyone reading this.
How is it possible to gauge just how busily the children are kept engaged in co-curricular activities in Bethany? That is easy enough….a glance at the events calendar in the school diary will give one a fair idea. The pages are packed with events, each one more interesting and enriching than the other. The feeder schools which is home to the little ones of Bethany has such a range of activities that it would make an adult envious. Colour days, Readathons, Tell me an Old Story Day, Plant a Seed Day, Newspaper Festival and a multitude of other activities. No doubt the parents are kept on their toes but the little ones thoroughly enjoy these special days.
Every single child gets an opportunity to participate in these little but innovative events. Apart from these in-house activities the children also go on field trips to the Special school bakery, the fire station, the police station, the post office and any other place which will help the little ones broaden their horizon. The smaller classes begin their confidence building with their first step on stage with the Choral Recitation. The children sing, recite and even dance with gusto. They do get a little perturbed at first but as each year passes they become so much more confident. This sets the stage for what the child may blossom into, in his or her future years at Bethany.
One such success story out of so many at Bethany High is Alex Koshy. Alex has been a pupil of Bethany from 2003 and passed out of grade Twelve this year. Little did one know that Alex would go on to make his school so proud in the years to come.
At the Pre Nursery and surprisingly, when he heard the drums being played for the first time he ran away refusing to listen to the loud sound. His mother believes that this was actually because Alex had a very sharp sense of hearing. Alex, according to his mother was a restless and impulsive little boy. When Alex was in the Pre Primary school, the Head of the Department Mrs. Bharathi Ponappa would laughingly say that Alex does not need a mike to make his voice heard. His teacher in grade three Evon d Cruz played a pivotal role in channelizing his impetuous nature towards singing. She recognized that he had a gift and she ensured that he was in the school choir. From there on there was no looking back.
When in the fifth Grade Miriam Andrews the genius behind the Bethany musicals gave the children a song to practice over the holidays. Alex sang the song non-stop during his vacation and perfected it. When he returned from the summer holidays his rendition of the “Any Dream will do” bagged him the lead singer’s role. In the Fifth Grade, Alex joined the Harmony Choir conducted by Sandra Oberoi. As a part of the choir, he went on to take part in numerous singing competitions. Alex was also a part of the Freedom Chorale Festival conducted by William Joseph. The feather in the cap was when Alex won the second place in the American Protégé ( an international vocal competition) and was invited to perform at the prestigious Carnegie Hall in New York.
The Musicals are a huge part of Bethany’s cultural scene and children right from the Primary school have an opportunity to showcase their singing, acting and dancing prowess’s. Watching Alex perform in Shrek, renowned choreographer Judie Bidappa singled him out and casted him in the musical Cats. Needless to say, Alex took part in most of the musicals Under the Sea, Aladdin, Shrek, and Pippin. His last stint in a musical will, of course, remains the most memorable. Roaring his way through Madagascar as Alex the lovable Lion. His powerful roar which reverberated through the packed auditorium and his deep-throated singing stole many a hearts.
Alex is superb at sports too. He plays a mean game of basketball, is good at javelin throw, discus throw, shot put and skating.
Alex went on to become the school captain and President of the Bethany Student Organization. His mother’s display picture on Whatsapp shows Alex proudly marching with the school flag.
“All children have within them the potential to be great kids. Our job is to create a place where this potential can flourish.” Said Stanley Greenspan.
For Alex this place was Bethany High. His teachers, the Principal the Director and the Bethany Education Board supported him through and through in all his endeavors. His mother says all that Alex has achieved today is because of the immense support that the school gave him. Alex performed amazingly well in his academics as too which is no mean feat considering the vast amount a child in the ICSE curriculum has to study. A fine balancing act indeed. Bethany nurtures all its children so they can soar. Alex is just one of the thousands of success stories.
by Bethany Institutions | Nov 23, 2021 | Bethany General, High School, Sports & Games
In this article, we’ll go through the emphasis Bethany puts on co-curricular activities like sports and games. Sports and games are integral to the all-round development of a student. So if you are looking for a school in Bangalore that encourages sports, this article will detail why Bethany is a super example.
Gone are the days when the word sedentary was associated with an adult. The i pad, X box and smartphone-addicted generation of young children are plagued by unimaginable diseases. Obesity, diabetes, depression, and stress to name a few. Most families today live in apartment blocks which may still allow a child to play or swim in the safe confines of the complex, but what about the vast majority of children who simply cannot step out of their homes to play a carefree game of cricket or football in the fear of coming under a vehicle or being bitten by a stray dog. In such circumstances, it is imperative that the school ensures that their children are engaged in some form of physical activity during and after school hours. The busy parent today faces a major challenge in monitoring the child’s diet and overall physical and emotional wellbeing but this entirely possible in partnership with the right school.
As the child grows older the rigors of academic pressure play havoc with their vulnerable state of mind. Peer pressure, body image and the constant onslaught of the social media doesn’t help either. This is where sports can make a difference….a big one!
Physical exercise is good in every way for the mind, body, and spirit. It is an excellent opportunity for children to release their pent-up energy. It may mean a classroom full of sweaty kids but they’ll be a happy bunch for sure. It has been unequivocally proven that engaging in sports activities will improve a child’s focus on study, improve their sitting tolerance and generally make them happy little people…..simply because of the magical endorphins or the happy hormones that the brain releases due to exercise. Needless to say, a child who has fulfilled his innate urge for play will be ready to focus in class. His mind is no longer sluggish and his attention is sharp…..a settled ready class-a teacher’s delight.
As the famous educationist, Maria Montessori said “Play is the work of the child”
In the western countries, the schools have always emphasized on sports and it has been considered as important as academics. University admissions are determined by a youngsters sports credits. Fortunately, the Indian government has woken up to this fact and is making an effort towards making it an integral part of the curriculum. Children can now choose Physical Education as a subject in the ICSE curriculum. The subject demands a certain fitness level from the children….they require to run a certain distance, do pushups and pull-ups within a time frame. Obtaining good marks in this subject is no child’s play but when children perform well on this subject there is a huge leap in confidence level.
The PE department in Bethany has a strong team of dedicated coaches headed by the Mr. Peter Soundraja. He is legendary for his tireless efforts to ensure that every child at Bethany has an opportunity to be a sportsperson. At Bethany, children are introduced to sports right at the Pre Nursery level and it’s aptly called Games and Movement. The children are made to jump little hurdles, crawl through colorful tunnels and sort colorful balls into buckets. The children improve their flexibility and balance. Their enjoyment is evident as they try and swirl the hula hoop or hop on one foot, try balancing on the balance beam and walk on the agility ladder. Needless to say, they look forward to this period the most.
Children today due to various reasons live a sheltered and cocooned existence taking part in sports teaches them how to get along with their peers and also enables them to accept that it may not be always possible to win……sometimes you win and sometimes you learn.
Bethany High school ensures that the children apart from all the other activities have a minimum of at least 2 periods a week of PE. Apart from this the children who show a natural inclination to sports can opt for the after-school sports practices. Bethany High encourages children from other schools to participate too. Through the year the sports teachers keep a close watch on children during each and every inter-house match. Talent is immediately spotted and after an interaction with the parent, the child’s skills are further honed with rigorous practice.
The sport can be either individual or a team event. The selected children then go through a minimum of at least four practice matches before they represent Bethany High at various inter-school tournaments. It’s not surprising than the numerous accolades that the school gathers at these events. The children also compete with sports clubs and registered sports academies (which are a notch higher than clubs). This ensures that the team Bethany is confident and ready before participating in the final match. The Karnataka State Cricket Association tracks talented young cricketers through these inter-school matches and exceptionally talented children then go on to play at the zonal levels.
The immense level of dedication and commitment of the coaches is truly commendable. Organizing the sports day of the different departments over three days and in a smooth and seamless manner is again entirely the onus of the PE department. The coaches are Bethany’s men and women in blue. Rain or shine they are on the sports field and nothing deters them.
Sports teaches you character, it teaches you to play by the rules, it teaches you to know what it feels like to win and lose….it teaches you about life-Billie Jean King
by Bethany Institutions | Oct 10, 2021 | Bethany General, High School
In this article, we take a look at the details of why the Bethany Institutions is truly considered one of the best all round development school in Bangalore. Buckle up and join in on an exciting ride into the world of the Bethany Family! – A place where dreams are made.
Educating the mind without educating the heart is no education – Aristotle.
Ancient wisdom for sure but so relevant considering today’s educational scenario. A decade ago the term “school shopping” would have elicited a laugh but today the informed parent is spoilt for choice with a multitude of schools beckoning with high-end campuses and infrastructure, promising to make the child an Einstein or a Sachin Tendulkar. The social media adds to the pressure with parents comparing notes on which school does what better. The poor child is in the middle of the battle of the better school and is burdened with the immense pressure of living a super organized and “every evening a different activity” life.
With such a mind-boggling choice of schools what would make a parent pick a school like Bethany. To experience the amazing Bethany culture one has to belong to this extraordinary family. The alumni who return year after year to admit their little ones is proof that these ex-Bethanites too want their children to be encompassed in this beautiful enduring relationship that they have experienced.
The difference that is Bethany begins right at the school gate. How many schools can boast the fact that the school Director greets each and every child, teacher or support staff who passes through the gate with a fist bump…..a little gesture maybe but sending out a powerful message of respect and approval. Respect is a highly valued emotion at Bethany.
“Respect – give it to get it” was the theme for the year 2017-18. Not just a fancy phrase! Every year a meaningful theme is chosen after much deliberation and keeping in mind the need of the hour. Each theme more beautiful than the other. This theme weaves itself into all walks of the school life, be it the school almanac, the school calendar, its assemblies, the investiture and the final culmination- the valedictory.
Bethany High is a school steeped in history. Its origins began in tragedy but the outcome was love…..Bethany rose like a phoenix and stands proud and tall today. The founder Mrs. Mignon David, a woman whose courage and resilience in an unimaginable time of grief is no mean feat….it was akin to scaling a mountain whose summit was invisible. Her marble bust at the school entrance is a constant reminder to all those who pass that way that storms only make trees take deeper roots. Her legacy has been kept alive and taken forward by her daughter Mrs. E.H Ryall and her dynamic grandson Dr.Akash Ryall. This year the school will celebrate the founders 100th birthday. What a proud year for the Bethanites. In today’s times when loyalty is a fickle emotion being part of a school like Bethany instills a deep sense of bonding and love. An important factor in a child’s emotional development.
Each and every event in Bethany begins with the powerful school song “Trust and Obey” and no matter how many times one has sung it or heard it, it manages to evoke such a strong sense of pride in the heart of every Bethanite.
At Bethany High there is a genuine emphasis to have a school full of joyful children and if that happiness comes from giving them lesser homework or fewer tests so be it says the Director. The plethora of activities through the school calendar year may surprise a few but at Bethany, it’s the way of life. The official Facebook page of the school is proof enough of the plethora of activities through each and every one of its departments. Achieving a perfect balance between academics and extracurricular activities comes easily to the teachers of Bethany.
The way we treat our children directly impacts what they believe about themselves. The school is a child’s second home and at Bethany, we attempt to raise confident children. Right from the pre-nursery classes, the confidence-building begins. The little ones participate in the Choral Recitation programs wherein they sing and recite with such ease. This sets the stage for many more such forays into acting, singing, dancing and debating. A close ear is kept on these children who may finally join the school choir. A place in the school choir is a matter of great pride indeed it also teaches the child the art of juggling his or her academics with the rigors of practices…..definitely lessons for the real world.
The most important role of education at any level is to develop the personality of the individual and what better way to do this than by making him a leader. The solemn investiture ceremony sees smart students being sworn into the Bethany Student Organization, it is a wonderful means of imparting responsibility to children from a very young age. The BSO tag on the epaulette is taken very seriously and the diligence with which the student leader undertakes his or her duty shapes the child’s personality in a tremendous way.
Academics excellence is rewarded on the much-coveted prize days wherein children are recognized for the effort they have put into various subjects. But at Bethany children are also recognized for various other categories which are the non-academic categories, like reading, linguistic flair, and other innovative prizes. On prize day Bethany has a wonderful tradition wherein it invites the proud parents to do the honors.
The health of a school is directly proportional to the children in the playground….then Bethany is in fine form indeed. At any given time there are children involved in some form of sports or the other. Be it football, basketball, kabbadi or athletics. Sports plays an integral part in the school’s curriculum. The Sports Day is spread over three days and with morning and afternoon sessions, culminating in the high energy High School sports event.
The tone for serious study is of course set as the child moves to the senior classes but even that does not prevent a child of Grade 10 or twelve participating in the famed Bethany Musical.
Apart from the numerous activities most of which encourage one hundred percent participation, Bethany is known for its fantastic musicals and the fun carnivals. The musicals have played to full houses, Madagascar being the most recent feather in the cap. The carnivals, are a huge success too. Both the mega events which are held alternately are for a cause very dear to the Bethany family, raising funds for the Bethany Family Fund and the Bethany Special School.
The efficient running of the school is achieved with the Principal Mr. Robert Khin at the helm. A more affable Principal is hard to find. His amazing sense of humor and the ability to put anyone at ease is a rare quality. Children, parents and staff are free to walk in through his office doors to discuss, to complain or just to share a laugh. Mr.Khin’s association with Bethany goes a long way too. A Bethanite himself he returned to serve his alma mater as a teacher, a headmaster and now the Principal.
The happiness quotient across the Bethany institutions is high. The proof again lies in the fact that Bethany prides itself in its very low attrition rate of teachers. The reason is simple enough the teachers here are a supremely happy lot. Once bitten by the Bethany bug it’s difficult to leave they say. Every year on Founders Day celebrated on the 18th of November the teachers, staff and support staff are lovingly facilitated by the Director for the years they have given to Bethany. From ten to thirty years and still going strong.
Over the years Bethany has spread its wings. The Bethany Institutions now encompasses several feeder schools and a beautiful new campus in Sarjapur…..a campus so large that the mega carnival Bethany Dhamaka was held there with space to spare.
The Bethany Institutions have grown no doubt but its foundation is strong and rooted in prayer and constant gratitude to the Lord Almighty. The decision to enroll a child in this large but closely knit family is a step away from making a life-changing decision.
Let us then march boldly onward
With our colors shining bright
Courage high and looking forward
Trusting God and doing the right….
