Sancta Maria International School Hyderabad

October Month

Dear Sancta Maria Family,

As we welcome October, it is fitting to begin by reflecting on the values and legacy of Mahatma Gandhi, the father of our nation, whose Jayanti we celebrated on the 2nd of this month. Gandhi’s principles of non-violence, truth, and perseverance remain a beacon of inspiration for all of us, especially as we guide our students in becoming compassionate and responsible global citizens. His life reminds us of the power of simple actions in creating profound change, a lesson we strive to instil in our students.

October is vibrant with festivals that bring joy and togetherness. As Bathukamma blooms in Telangana and Dussehra celebrates the triumph of good over evil, we wish our students and families happiness and peace. We also look forward to the lights of Diwali, symbolising hope and new beginnings. May these celebrations fill your hearts with joy and warmth.

In the spirit of celebration, we are thrilled to congratulate Aanya, Raunak, Achinthya, Tvarita and Nishi on their remarkable achievement in the 2024 John Locke Institute Global Essay Prize, where their thought-provoking essays earned Merit recognition.

As students prepare to enjoy their holidays, we urge everyone to take this time to rest, recharge, and celebrate safely. We eagerly look forward to welcoming our students back to school, refreshed and ready for the exciting months ahead.
Wishing you all a joyful festive season and a safe, healthy return!

Warm regards,
Hema Sanjay
Principal

In the Spotlight

The Power of Teamwork

Through these performances, our Grade 4A learners demonstrated the importance of teamwork, collaboration, and creativity. They learnt how working together can achieve common goals while developing confidence and communication skills on stage.

Embracing New Experiences

Our middle school learners are thriving in CLUB lessons, where experiential learning fosters teamwork, leadership, and essential skills. As we celebrate the Term 1 Club Display, we take pride in witnessing their growth and development!

Our Students Excel at 2024 John Locke Essay Prize

Congratulations to our students Nishi, Aanya, Achinthya, Tvarita and Raunak for earning Merit recognition at the prestigious John Locke Institute’s 2024 Global Essay Prize for their outstanding essays in Politics in the Junior category. Well done!

Hindi Diwas

High schoolers celebrated Hindi Diwas with enthusiasm, showcasing a skit on cleanliness along with vibrant songs and dances. The event also included prize distributions for Lit Sanctum, special mentions for HMUN, and recognition of JLI essay competition merit awardees.

Our Little Explorers at Nehru Zoological Park

Our little explorers had an unforgettable day at Nehru Zoological Park, discovering the wonders of nature and observing incredible animals. They learnt the importance of caring for the environment and respecting all living creatures while sharing moments filled with joy and laughter!

Happenings in the School

Celebrating 100 Days of Joy and Learning

EY1 learners celebrated 100 days of school with a fun-filled day of music, dance, biscuit decoration, and a lively puppet show. It was a magical day of joy and learning, marking 100 days of exploration, creativity, and friendships!

Rings of Responsibility

Grade 5D’s assembly on ‘Rings of Responsibility’ illustrated how small actions create ripple effects, exploring personal, familial, and global responsibilities. Through creative performances and discussions, learners demonstrated empathy, accountability, and social awareness, highlighting how responsible choices can lead to a brighter future for all.

Empowering Digital Citizenship

Middle school students participated in an engaging Cyber Security session by the Society for Cyberabad Security Council, learning to become responsible digital citizens. The team covered safe browsing, protecting personal identity, digital footprints, and the effects of online gaming through fun activities and real-life case studies.

A Day of Love and Gratitude

Our EY students celebrated Grandparents Day with heartfelt performances, expressing love and appreciation through songs, dances, and handmade cards. It was a joyful event that honoured the special bond between generations!

Laurels

Daiwik

Congratulations to Daiwik of Grade 8 for representing Telangana at the National Sub-Junior Football Championship in Assam! As a talented striker and dedicated Liverpool fan, Daiwik’s passion for football shines on the field.

Dhrutee

Congratulations to Dhrutee for winning the U14 Girls CS7 Doubles Tournament, organised by AITA at Ash Tennis Academy, Hyderabad! Her determination also shone in a challenging 3-hour singles Quarter-Finals match. We’re proud of you, Dhrutee!

Safeguarding

Promoting mental health and wellbeing

Starting the conversation

Make space and time to talk
It’s important to create an open environment where children and young people can talk about how they feel without judgment. Make time to check in with the children and young people you work with. Talk about how they are feeling, in large or small groups or on a one-to-one basis as appropriate.

It’s also important to give children and young people space to talk about what is happening globally, nationally or locally – such as climate change, cost of living, terrorism, crime or bereavement.

Conversation starters

It can be difficult to start a conversation with children about their feelings and mental health.

Topics might include:

  • feelings, including support on managing anxiety
  • bullying and cyberbullying, including tips on taking care of your mental health
  • friends, relationships and sex family relationships.
Encouraging children to speak out
Every child and young person should have trusted adults they can talk to about any worries, concerns or questions they may have. Help them identify who these adults are by talking with them about who they trust and are most comfortable talking to. Just knowing there is someone to turn to when they need to can have a positive impact on a child’s mental health.

Make sure the children and young people know you’re there for them. Remind them they do not need to deal with concerns on their own and talk to them regularly about where they can access support. This might include teachers, family members and services.

Different ways for children to express themselves

Some children may feel uncomfortable about talking to an adult. They might prefer to turn to other young people for help and support (Mental Health and Camelot Foundation, 2006) or prefer expressing their thoughts and feelings through creative activities.

Children of different ages, with different developmental levels, or with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND), may not be able to express themselves or communicate clearly or easily. They may require more help, patience and different ways of expressing themselves.

Consider providing a range of ways for children to express themselves. This could be through drawing, listening to or creating music or writing their thoughts and feelings down in a journal. They may want to share these with you or keep them private.

Children can talk with other young people using activities for children to express themselves, including:

  • an art box where children can put their feelings into words or drawings
  • games to take their mind off how they’re feeling
  • a mood journal to help children record what they’re feeling and why