SYNOPSIS OF THE ORIENTATION PROGRAMME (JULY 2010)

WELCOME ADDRESS BY DR.P.C.THOMAS, PRINCIPAL

SESSION BY MRS. SHEILA ALEXANDER, VICE PRINCIPAL – ACADEMICS

A presentation of the Vice Principal, Mrs. Sheila Alexander was interspersed with interesting clippings from the movie The Three Idiots. The session highlighted the need, the ways and means to improve our attitude towards every person and incident that we encounter in our lives. We all have a tendency to react to situations and people without stopping to think, which leads to unhappy circumstances. This requires a change, starting from a change of focus. One must pause before reacting as life has more to do with management of emotions than with optimization of intelligence. One must never give up as with a bad attitude, one can never have a good day and with a positive attitude one can never have a bad day.

SESSION BY MR. T SURESH, COORDINATOR - HIGHER SECONDARY SCHOOL.

Mr. T. Suresh, the Higher Secondary School Coordinator, provided the teachers with tips regarding the use of the SMART Board - four of which are installed in various academic blocks. The SMART Board may be used like a computer itself, a computer with a big screen. Lessons can be taught using by the SMART pens and duster. The lesson may be stored/saved for future use. The session proved to be an eye-opener as many on the uses of the SMART Board examples related to algebra and trigonometry in particular, were shown to the teachers.

SESSION BY MRS. VIMALA RANI, HEAD OF DEPARTMENT – FRENCH

The new teachers experienced a sense of belonging when the resource person, Mrs.J.Vimala Rani stated exactly what they must be feeling and provided tips regarding the unique situation they were going through. The new-comers were reminded that being teachers they were the ones to touch the future. Good Shepherd International School provides plenty of opportunities for professional growth but this entails a lot of positive input by the individual. The various duties of a teacher in this residential set up were explained in detail under the following heads:

a. Class teacher/Buddy teacher

b. Subject teacher

c. House teacher

d. Personal tutor

e. Games duty teacher

f. Day duty teacher

g. Table head

The unique characteristics of the Shepherdians were pointed out, particularly, their varying cultural and social backgrounds. The teacher should be their role model and parent-figure and be extremely patient with them. Being subject to immense peer pressure the students require to be understood and trusted. The teacher must help them by being flexible and firm and by talking a great deal to them.

The session came to a conclusion by the new teachers being promised a great deal of support from the older members of staff.