Syncopation

Off Beat, Yet In Rhythm

 Editorial
Welcome back! Good to see you again! This will be my last time editing our
school’s magazine unless I get elected as the editor again !
This time, the editing was much easier. I have tried to make this
magazine much better than the last one. Tried to make it more colourful and
interesting. But if you guys have any more inputs, feel free to share it with me!
If you observe the magazine a little carefully, you will notice that I have
used AI generated images. Originally, I wanted to use only AI generated images
for this magazine. But once I started using AI, I understood how hard it is to
stay calm! It is like how parents feel when they sit down with their kids to do
homework! You tell the child to do something this way but the child does it that
way! You try to be calm for a lot of time but the child is still doing it
sooooooooooo wrong, that you finally have to give up! I felt the same way while
telling AI to generate a specific image for me ! Then one day I got so angry
Editor – Ms. Shubhra Ranjit Yamgar
that I started crying and just gave up and then went back to my bestie Google to (Grade IX )
get images! (Sigh !)
Anyway! Coming back to the topic, I hope you enjoy your ride
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through this magazine! Have fun! Bye!!!
Hig h l i g h t s

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Circle Time Of Grades 1 And 2
The students of grade 1 and 2 had an absolute blast this year! They enjoyed their dance sessions,
where they let loose and showed off their best moves. They also loved discovering poems related to
each theme.
The students' faces lit up as they danced to their favorite tunes, developing their creativity
and self-expression. Through poems and songs, they explored new topics and developed a deeper
understanding of the world around them. The joy and enthusiasm they displayed in the class was
truly inspiring, making learning a delightful experience. We're proud of their progress and
excited to see what the future holds!

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Life-skills Activity
Throughout December, learners were busy
preparing for the annual concert.
Our LS theme for January was Mind
and Body which perfectly aligned with our
Sports day preparations. We also had
meditation sessions during this month.
In February and March, the theme
for LS was Financial literacy. We had many
interesting games to learn concepts like
needs v/s wants, barter v/s currency, saving,
loan, how a bank works etc.
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We also played a mock lifecycle game of Ms. Rao ( G6 to G9) and Mr. Kulkarni (G4,G5) to
understand how budgeting works and the importance of saving! This will continue every year.
We request parents to take the children to a bank. And for children above 10 years,
open their own account so they can get a hands-on feel of how finances work.
In March, our theme was Creativity and Spontaneity which we explored though a lot of
games!

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Tete-a-tete With Guest Faculty
Like every year, this year too, we invited some guests over, to interact with our learners at BLC.
The intention behind this is to give children an exposure to various fields, professions, hobbies
and what it takes to be there. It also gave them an experience of interviewing skills, which is an
important application of language, critical thinking, planning and inter-personal skills.
In the past years, we have invited people from the fields of Social Entrepreneurship,
Teaching, Latin Dance, Police Force etc.

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This term, we invited two guests to interact with learners –
1) Ms. Ila Joshi – An expert mountaineer, who shared with learners her experiences of
trekking, what it takes to pursue this adventure sport and how to be safe while trekking.
2) Ms. Nutan Jamsandekar – Co-founder of Qurious Mind Education Academy, conducted
an online session on Zoom on the topic “Breaking The Myth Of AI” , touching upon how
AI is going to change our lives, the application of AI and high-level overview of how
artificial intelligence works. Our students have also been using the Robotics kits created by
Qurious Mind Academy.

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 Field Trips And Projects
Project based experience and hands on experience is an
integral part of our education philosophy at BLC. As
always, learners did many hands-on activities and projects,
a few of which are highlighted here.
• Grades 1 and 2 had their field trip to explore various
professions and how they work
• Grade 3 had the English story-making projects with
pictures and a project of creating a village model for
Marathi Diwas
• Grades 4 and 5 created wonderful simple machines as
a Science project using their Tinkering time
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• Grades 6 and 7 researched about Saints of Maharashtra as part of combined project of SST
and Marathi. They also did a media project on Maha Kumbh Mela. They had a field trip to
Bhandarkar Oriental Research Institute.
• Grade 8 went on a field trip to Aga Khan Museum.
• Grade 9 worked on the Shakespeare play “The Merchant of Venice” as part of English extra
reading, along with the trip to Muktangan Science park.

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Annual Concert
BLC’s annual concert (musical) – “The wizard of Oz” was an embodiment of students’ hard work
and dedication. Right from the engaging script to the elaborate sets, everything was meticulously
planned and executed by children, with guidance from teachers. The challenge of singing and
dancing live on stage to a track was pulled off with aplomb by our singer-actors. Each character
perfectly performed their part with confidence, setting a benchmark for good team-work. We are
proud of you, dear children !

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Christmas Party
Children had a blast on the Christmas party as they played the game of passing the parcel and
performed tasks given by Santa. Some showcased their singing, dancing, acting skills while others
showed off their acrobatics. Savouries and gifts enhanced the flavour of the party. Some little
detectives were more involved in solving the curious case of “Who was Santa” , rather than
enjoying the merriment !

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Sports Day Event 2024-25
We all know that a healthy and creative mind resides in a healthy body. Any form of physical
exercise affects our body and mind positively. At BLC we always encourage and try to inculcate
this in our learners. Events like Sports Day give them the opportunity to showcase a few things
that they have learnt.
Grades 1, 2, and 3 students displayed a ring routine. They enjoyed the dance, rhythm and
the music.

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Grades 4 and 5 did a P.T. routine. It involved
rhythmic actions on the drumbeat. The finale of
the Sports Day was the display of Yoga poses by
grade 7 to 9. Anjali teacher also involved parents
by making them do Pranayam and a few other
poses.
These performances were followed by
running races. Though we encourage
collaboration more than competition, events like
running races also teach kids as to how to lose
gracefully and how to respect and be happy in
others’ success, which is also a very important
value to be learnt in life.
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Science Day Celebration
At BLC we believe that Science cannot be taught only through books or videos but students need
to explore and observe it throughout their day around them. Science is something we see, feel and
discuss every day in some form or other. But celebrating Science Day gives students a chance to
interact with their peers from other grades and talk about their own science topics.
This year Grades 1 and 2 performed a song on Planets.
Grades 3 had an activity on the food web

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 Grades 4 and 5 showcased their models of
simple machines, talked about best from waste and
magnetism. Children talked about the science
behind the working of simple machines and effects
and properties of magnetism. The models were
made using scrap materials.
The group which talked about ‘best from
waste’ talked about the huge problem the world is
facing because of people having too many clothes.
They realized how this problem is created by us by
buying clothes mindlessly and how we can reuse or
repurpose the old clothes instead of throwing them.
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Field Trip To Muktangan Laboratory
In the month of March, learners from G4 onwards visited one of our student’s farm in Pashan.
Children saw the plantation, a 100-year-old well and climbed on trees. It was very gracious of the
parent to arrange for the breakfast for the children and the teachers.
After the farm visit, we headed to Muktangan Laboratory. Students experienced and explored
physics, chemistry and biology labs. They got to handle many things in these labs and tried to
learn or connect their science concepts that they had learned in school.

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For instance, grades 4 and 5, at that time, were learning about simple machines and they got to see and
handle a pulley set up with 4 pulleys working at the same time. In chemistry lab, students saw the
Redox reaction. Grade 8 and 9 could understand the science behind it, while others had fun and were
curious about the colour changing liquid. Students also tried a few games based on the food web in
Biology lab. They also saw a 3D printer, wood carving machine and many more small machines.
Overall, students enjoyed the visit and were able to see the application of some scientific concepts. They
may not have understood everything that was on display, but it was surely enough to ignite their
curiosity and fondness towards Science and technology.

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Marathi Diwas Celebration
The program started with narrating the purpose of Marathi Day celebration by our 9th standard
student. Students from various grades participated in different activities. G1, G2 and G5 students
sang songs. G3 students had made a model of a rural Marathi village. G4 students wrote and
presented skits in Marathi. Some students presented poems that they had written themselves. Our
English teacher, Manisha Mam also recited a Marathi poem ! G7 students shared information
about Marathi saints (संत) .

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A "Vachan Yagya" was organized, promoting the importance of reading.
A reading competition was held, where students were encouraged to read Marathi books and submit
their names along with the book name. This competition was open for everyone who could read
Marathi. Students who participated in the reading competition received certificates.
Students from all grades came together to build a small village. The model was labelled in Marathi,
promoting language skills.
The celebration gave immense happiness to both students and teachers, promoting a love for the
Marathi language and literature.

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Walwan
Cooking skills has been introduced this year to learners as an integral part of life-skills activity. A
unique initiative this term was to do a traditional summer cooking activity that our moms and
grand-moms did – “waalwan” – sundried snacks that can be stored to fry and eat later
throughout the year.

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Holi celebration
The festival of Holi represents that our lives are filled with joy and positivity. On Holi , the entire
Bedrock family, including students and teachers , had a fantastic time! We played with colours
together. Students sang Holi songs and danced wishing everyone a 'Happy Holi’. It was a true
essence of the festival, bringing friends together and celebrating life's colour.

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End Of The Year Party
As children enjoyed the ice-cream and their self-made Potato Chips and Papdi on the last day of
school. Our early learners from Grades 1 and 2 performed their song and dance routine on “I’m
so happy” , spontaneously joined in by all the other children. During the year, children earn our
BLC currency -“Blocks” through the various tasks they contribute in the centre and during
Bazaar. They got an opportunity to spend their hard-earned money on some exciting goods and
candies at our BLC store.

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 t s y M e !
Ar

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Suha Kartalkar Jui Ghare Shubhra Yamgar
Grade - 2 Grade - 4 Grade - 9
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For Better Or “Verse”

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 The Holi Prank!
Once in ancient India, on Holi, Krishna was bothered that no one wanted to play Holi with colours
and water. In despair, he crept up to the butter pots and sprinkled some Holi colours that he had
made, in them. What a shock it was for the gopikas! (We don't know their names, so let's call them by
what they were wearing!) Pink saree said, “what is this?!”. Orange dupatta said, “We can't sell red,
pink, yellow and green butter. Although, we will get more business, this buffet is unbeatable.” Blue
blouse said, “This has Krishna written all over it.”

They called for Yashoda, Krishna's mother. “Yes?” said Yashoda. Pink saree complained, “All my
butter is now pink”. “Oh!! Krishnaaa” called out Yashoda in anger. But instead of Krishna, Balram
came and said, “Krishna is playing with Radha and the other girls in the backyard”. The gopikas were
enraged. They stormed towards the backyard. Blue blouse said to Krishna, “What did you do to our
butter! How are we going to sell it now!” 39
Krishna felt bad and said, “Please, I called them and I should get all the blame. Plus, they have
done their work.” Radha nodded in agreement. Just then, she saw the gleam in Krishna's naughty
eyes. Splash!!!! Everyone was wet except Krishna! He had hidden a bucket of water on the tree all
this time! Krishna laughed aloud and ran before they could even realise what had happened.

The gopikas went home angrily but there they found numerous pots of fresh butter waiting for
them. It was all a prank by Krishna to get them to play Holi!

- Tara K.P. (Grade 4)

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 The Old Man
I was packing my bags. I was in quite a hurry. Didn’t want to be late for my flight! Today was the
day when my dream was going to come true. I was going to the Himalayas. I boarded my flight.
My excitement made the journey fun and not boring. The plane landed. I got out. The cold air hit
my warm cheeks, making me shiver with cold. I breathed in the heavy air. Hmmm… Fresh! The
next day, I started climbing the mountains. They looked majestic! The Himalayas. They looked like
a crown, studded with diamonds, which mother India bears on her head. They look like white
polar bears. Some adults, others their children. The path leading to the mountains looked like a
path leading to the heavens! I started climbing. Big rocks and boulders…not a single plant in
sight! Everything looks dead…yet so alive! The mountain which I am climbing…it looks like an old
man, who is lonely and worn out with experience, but still looks peaceful.
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He has stories hidden deep inside him, buried under his skin. These stores hurt him, because once
upon a time, they used to be alive. He calls out to you because he is too lonely. You go to him. On
your way, you see some of those stories, piercing out of his skin. It is painful! You go to him. He
asks you to be careful. He doesn’t want you to be a part of his stories too. You go higher on the
mountain. Now you are on the old man’s shoulders. You can see the whole world. Everything looks
magical! “It’s so peaceful up here! So quiet!”, you say to the old man. “You can’t live here darling!
It’s too cold!”, says the old man. “Why not? You live here too!” “I sit here and watch the whole
world. I sit here as a barrier to protect my children from the bullies who live on the other side. So
now, you go home.” I say goodbye to him. “Don’t worry old man! I will keep visiting you so that
you don’t feel lonely. Bye!”
– Shubhra Yamgar (Grade 9)
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I Am a Star

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Sani Ratnaparkhi Malhar Yamgar Tara K.P.
Certificate For Completing Certificate For Completing Certificate For Completing
2 Years In Helen O’ Grady 3 Years In Helen O’ Grady 2 Years In Helen O’ Grady
Speech and Drama course Speech and Drama course Speech and Drama course
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Rutuja Ratnaparkhi Prakhya Salian Shubhra Yamgar
Certificate For Completing Certificate For Completing Certificate For Completing
8 Years In Helen O’ Grady 1 Year In Helen O’ Grady 3 Years In Helen O’ Grady
Speech and Drama course Speech and Drama course Speech and Drama course
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Manan Khanna Ansh Adkar Shubhra Yamgar
Medal in IMO Medal in IMO Medal in IEO
Qualified for Regional
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 Shubhra Yamgar Sani Ratnaparkhi Sara Mashankar
Certificate For Passing Brown Belt In Karate Prize For Best Dancer
Gandharva Mahavidyalaya’s (Category 10 to 14)
Bharatnatyam Prararambhik Exam Dance Competition
With A Distinction by Rotary club48
From the Teachers’ desk…

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“Ma’am…I got hurt on my cranium…….”
“Today, fraction of boys in the van was more than the fraction of girls………..”
“…I am not able to find my book…I think my neural pathways are sleeping……”
“..Ma’am…why is your brain not making the connection permanent? Why do you keep losing your phone all the
time?”
“…..mavshi has cleaned this board ..and now it is as white as snow..”
“…Ma’am, the word ’visit’ is not only in my Math worksheet, but it is also there in my storybook …”
Dear Parents,
We teachers at BLC are lucky to hear such conversations regularly. It gives me immense joy as a teacher to see
that our children can connect the knowledge they gain with their everyday lives. They are also very eager to
share it with us all the time. We are very proud of them!
Kids showed many qualities like presence of mind, patience and perseverance apart from creativity during
our annual concert of this year, “The Wizard of Oz” . Children got involved in all the activities related to it.
As per our tradition at BLC, the drama was scripted by secondary schoolers and a couple of 5th graders
chipped in too. 50
As children at BLC are allowed to ask any questions to the teachers, every year during April we often get
asked what teachers do when there are no students in the school in the month of April. Yes, teachers
finally get more time on their hands! The wrapping-up time at the end of the year is very crucial for
teachers as we need that time to set the stage for the next academic year. New strategies are chalked out,
learnings are shared and we also enjoy an occasional chill out session, when we just sit and talk about
topics which have nothing to do with teaching – learning.
As a Co-founder of BLC, I am very aware that this is a long journey that we all have embarked upon and
there is a lot more to do and learn.

On the ending note, I would like to share a wonderful sentence I heard on YouTube , and we strongly believe
in it too.
“सही उत्तर के पीछे मत भागो, सही सवाल पूछना सीखो ”
Happy Summer Holidays!!!
- Nivedita Phaltankar 51
Also us
About the other activities in BLC premises

Helen O’Grady Naadbrahma

Bharatnatyam International Academy of Indian
Classes Speech and Drama Classical Music
By Shri Nrityalaya Classes (Age 6 onwards)
(Age 6 onwards) ( Age 4 to 18)
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Food for thought

“A designer knows he has achieved perfection not when there is

nothing left to add, but there is nothing left to take away.”

- Antoine de Saint - Exupery

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