Newsletter First Term -2014 Message from the Chairman and Managing Director Contents 1. Message from the Chairman and Managing Director.. Page 01 2. Exam Results... Page 02 3. Educational Resources and Materials.. Page 03 4. Gallery Page 04 5. Events and Achievements.. Page 06 6. Sporting Glories.. Page 07 7. Trips in Bangladesh and Abroad.. Page 07 8. Internship Program.. Page 07 9. Summer@.. Page 08 10. Notable Achievements by Faculty.. Page 08 11. Awareness programs.. Page 08 To the family: What an eventful start to the new year! It has been a challenging year, no doubt, but one in which we were still able to accomplish a lot. As usual, we spent the summer working on further upgrading and improving different aspects of our operations, including: - new textbooks were introduced for English and Bangla in the junior level, and Bangladesh Studies in Class V and VI; these were resources developed by our talented and hard-working Curriculum Development Unit; - we revised our emergency planning and disaster management planning in order to conduct drills and prepare our students for such emergencies (some such drills had to be cancelled due to the disruptions last term but will take place in the early weeks of the second term); - we introduced a more structured system for tracking training of our faculty (through the introduction of individual Professional Development Plans); - we continued our work on significantly upgrading the teaching methodology in the core subjects (and especially English and Bangla) and the Arts; - and of course we were able to complete a lot of the annual maintenance work we do every summer to keep up the comfort and cleanliness of our campus environments. In addition, the outstanding results of our O and A Level students were announced in August and once again, we were delighted and inspired to see wonderful achievement by so many of them. Despite all the disruptions and difficulties faced by our students earlier in the year, they were able to achieve excellent results and the average pass rate and rate of achieving top was higher this year than in years past. We are so happy and proud! And despite all the challenges, we still were able to conduct all kinds of events, functions, trips and educational programs in the first term this year, which were appreciated and enjoyed by all. Read all about our students achievements and catch a glimpse into all the activities of the school in the pages of this newsletter. Thanks a lot to all our students, parents, faculty and management it takes an entire community to educate a child and we are grateful and blessed to be surrounded by such wonderful, hardworking and dedicated members of the family. Thank you and congratulations on all the achievements we have celebrated already this year! Warm regards, Syed Maher Murshed Chairman Syeda Madiha Murshed Managing Director
Don t limit a child to your own learning, for he was born in another time. Rabindranath Tagore, recipient of Nobel Prize in Literature in 1913 Result of O & A Level Examinations has been in operation for more than 35 years and it continues to build such solid academic foundations that our students graduate with flying colors year after year. This year was no exception. The results from the CIE examinations were excellent once again, and we congratulate our young achievers and thank their teachers and families for working so hard to support them Exam Results, A Level, June Students Papers A* A B % of Passes % Top s 165 486 44 99 133 98% 57% Student with 5 A* : Safwat Tahmin Khan Student with 4 A* : Ahmed Safat Hossain Nuder Nower Nizam M Ridwanul Hassan Anika Ahmed Amna Aslam Sababa Chisty Anan Nahian Rashid Urbee Shamma Shahnoon Urbee Arhan Shafat Students with 3 A s Tanjil Sharimar Maisha Hossain Chowdhury Dibyajoti Banik Saberin Saad Fahrial Alam S.M.Muntasir Mubin Sauvik Noshin Anjum Nova Md. Fahim Hossain Taqbir Nurul Huda Rufiaat Akefa Rashid Shadman Sakib Ahmed Sheikh Saad Salah Uddin K M Sakib Shakil Rahman Ayan Sarah Tasneem Alam Nazmul Haque Chowdhury Students With Top s 01 students with 5 A 09 students with 4 A 16 students with 3 A 17 students with 2 A = 43 students with top Exam Results, O Level, June Students Papers A* A B % of Passes % of Top 297 2048 379 652 571 98% 78% Students with 8 A s Students with 7 A s Students with 6 A s Shikhor Shams Wahed Shifat Sehrin Khan Upoma Sheikh Mohammad Muzzammil Sowrov Raisa Kabir Noor Md Fahim Faisal Mashiyat Mayisha Ahmad Anika Faizah Jalil Md Sadique Hossain Omee Sadaf Razzak Chowdhury Nafisa Ashraf Chowdhury Zareen Sharar Cynthia Adhib Hasan Syed Nahyan Ahmed Sheikh Rashmim Rahim Rashnu Fabiha Nowshin Rahman Jani Mazed Syed Sabeth Salwa Al Musawi Sujana Shifon Change In Add Maths From A To A* Sharfin Islam Md Sadat Bin Hossain Mehnaz Urbee Jahangir Marzan Hossain Aaraf Ahmed Tahmid Hanif Laskar Shenin Faizah Tasnia Noor Salim Ryanul Haque Mir Hasin Shahriyar Anika Jannat Rimu Shaera Sayeed Farhan Kabir Ishrak Shariar Rafi Zannatul Ferdous Tulona Tamzid Wasif Rahman Tamima Rahman Sagir Mohammad Shartaz Tazwar Nariya Rahman Wasif Azam Chowdhury Sidrat Ashfia Chowdhury Shadman Shakib Rahman Sababa Nabila Shahid Raisaat Atifa Rashid Shahriar Alam Jim Maisha Mahmud Fasbeer Eskander Tausif Zaman Md Rayhan Islam Farzeen Naz Promi Tasnim Ayesha Tabassum Rafia Rokaiya Hossain Nafis Faisal Khan Arrafi Quazi Fahm E Deen Isfar Imtiaz Baset Shovon Ghosh Gazi Mahir Ahmed Naven Alvee Anwar Khandakar Rafsanur Rahman Rakshanda Hossain Simran Tabassum Ali Md. Sadaf Iqbal Fardeen Shayan Sayeed Araf Noor Iqbal Samin Tahmid Islam Mehzabin Binte Reaz Kazi Abdul Muktadir Iftekhar Ibne Masud Ifti Md Ehsan Alam Asef Hassan Amiz Anisha Golap Miah Adib Mahid Khan Syed Hidaduzzaman Navid Yasin Sadman Wasifuddin Mahmood Mohammad Muhtashim Mannan Ananno Agnijit Shiham Hassan Saba Muhtasim Sultan Faruque Jinia Faiza Sultan Anik Podder Meazi Mehrab Khan Safat Islam Ananta Maisha Khan Oishi Rifa Tasfia Tawshif Tamjid Alam Nafiul Ahmed Emon Nafisa Sadaf Irma Asfi Murshed Aariha Imtiaz Ali Humaira Tasneem Rahman Azmayeen Rahman Anika Zaman Bushra Mahfuzur Rahman Lieon Students With Top s 30 students with 8 A 31 students with 7 A 32 students with 6 A = 93 Students with top Congratulations to all our high achievers, and all our students, for making us proud with their fantastic results! Page 2
The school has a very good educational system that includes well equipped labs, great teachers and a great physical educational system. The after school clubs are also amazing. Tafhim Ariq Choudhury, Class XI- E, Roll -226 Educational Resources and Materials As you know, has a Curriculum Development Unit that works on quality control and the development of curriculum and teaching resources. Developing textbooks and workbooks is a key component of our work. In the past year, CDU has developed the following texts that are already in use from this year. Esho Borno Shikhi: This Bangla language workbook has been carefully designed to meet learner s needs by developing their core skills in Bangla reading and writing. The workbook has been written in order to make Bangla attractive to our students and give them ample opportunities to apply what they learn. Songs of Childhood Book One & Two: The poems in these books have been compiled in order to develop literary abilities among very young learners aged 5-6. Each poem helps students learn and talk about the world around them, and relate their lives to what they learn in class Discovering Bangladesh Book II: Discovering Bangladesh has four parts History; Culture and Heritage; Geography and Environment; and Civics and Society. This series contains contents aligned to the Cambridge International Examinations (CIE) and Bangladesh National Curriculum and Textbook Board (NCTB) syllabus. Experienced and professional content writers, developers and editors have worked very closely with a graphic designer to develop these textbooks. Scholarly and in-depth research and development helped produce rich texts and multi-colored resources which are expected to make these textbooks different and attractive to the multiple senses of the young learners. External Review of Manuscripts I feel that the write up.has excellently put together the essentials for the young learners. The illustrations and maps will help in the process of understanding and make the historical facts palatable and interesting for the learners deserves our appreciation for their laudable effort. Abdul Momin Chowdhury, Honorary Professor of History, University of Dhaka. The book has been very competently written both academically and linguistically. It will certainly serve the needs of students of English medium schools in the country.providing students with standard textbooks on Bangladesh affairs. Sirajul Islam, Professor (rtd.) of History, University of Dhaka, and Chief Editor, Banglapedia: A National Encyclopedia of Bangladesh. this book is an excellent introduction to the facts of Bangladesh environment for the young students at the primary level. K. B. Sajjadur Rasheed, Former Professor, Department of Geography and Environment, University of Dhaka. I hope our young learners will be able to know their motherland, its geographical setting, glorious history, very rich cultural heritage and society as well. Md. Shafiqul Alam, Former Director General, Department of Archaeology. An Update on Curriculum Development s CDU is responsible for constantly seeking improvements in the teaching methodology used by our teachers. In the past two years, we have worked on upgrading the way we teach the Arts and a great deal of our focus has been on English and Bangla, Language and Literature. In Bangla, we require students to develop their proficiency as their mother tongue and their first language. With both English and Bangla, our focus on language has been on providing opportunities for students to apply their newly acquired language skills in a variety of contexts, with an emphasis on improving expression and communication. And with literature, in both English and Bangla, we have encouraged students to develop the habit of reading independently and reading for pleasure at home, while they attend class in order to learn how to think about what they are reading and how to analyze the writer s language, technique and message. By asking students to read at home, we are able to spend more time in class on critical and creative thinking, thereby enriching their reading experience. We have been very happy with the response from students and teachers so far students seem to be enjoying their classes, engaging critically with their texts and improving their language skills as a result of our teaching methodology. We will continue to require support from parents to ensure students get the most benefit from this progressive and effective teaching methodology. Page 3
Academy Achievement Awards, Mirpur Egypt Conference, SRU Healthy Food for Healthy Life, JRU Inter School Handball SRU World Teachers Day, Mirpur Victory Day, MIU Academy Achievement Awards, Mirpur Global Hand Washing Day, MIU Inter School Handball SRU Annual Drama Cast Party, SRU Hyderabad Model United Nations Conference, SRU Teachers Excellence Award, JRG Annual Orientation Program, MIU British Council Book Reading Program, Mirpur Orel Initiator, Mirpur Green world, JRD The 14th World Unity & World Peace Festival Tea ceremony club, JRG 1st Quarter Report Card Day, MIU Bring Out The Best In You, MIU Dettol Handball SRU Partille Cup, SRU Healthy Food for Healthy Life, JRG United Nations Day, MIU SIBT (1) Dettol Handball SRU Lazy Eye Test, JRU Teachers Day, JRG Climate Change s Contest, Mirpur Prefect Badge Ceremony, SRU Victory Day, SRU After School Club, MIU Grandparents Day, JRU Inter School Handball SRU Closing Ceremony of Discipline month, SRU Pledge Harbor School-Esseay Competition, Mirpur Field Trip, JRG Discipline Month, MIU Annual Orientation Week, Mirpur UN Day, SRU Dettol Handball SRU Prefect Badge Giving Ceremony, MIU The 14th World Unity & World Peace Festival Academy Achievement Awards, SRU Duke of Edinburgh Award, Mirpur Global Handwashing Day, JRU Faculty in the student exchange program, JRD Inter School Basketball SRU Inter School Handball SRU Prefect Badge Giving Ceremony, MIU Workshop on Origami, Mirpur Parent teachers meeting, JRD Page 4 Page 5
s educational system is very well managed and well coordinated. It makes sure to keep the students constantly involved, not only in academics but also in extra curricular activities. Tanisha Binte Alam, Class X-F, Roll-031 Events and Achievements Our Merit Scholars this year are at the top of their class they not only excelled in their studies last year but also scored the highest on their Merit Exam and interviews. Congratulations to these outstanding students! SAIF AL IMAM SHOTA ID: 2005-01-0181 CLASS-V, SEC: D ROLL: 010 CAMPUS: SRU An enthusiastic and self-motivated learner, Saif demonstrates proficiency in all areas of academics. He participates actively in quizzes and debates. Saif s focused attitude towards fulfilling his duties and responsibilities and friendly behavior is appreciated by his peers and teachers. RAYAN RABBANI ID: 2004-01-0283 CLASS-VI, SEC: F ROLL: 013 CAMPUS: MIRPUR Rayan is a well-mannered and talented child; it is a pleasure to have him in the class. He shows great interest in debate and project work. His achievement in academics is commendable and sets an excellent example for his peers S.M. JARIF TAHMEED ID: 2003-01-0368 CLASS VII, SEC: F ROLL # 021 CAMPUS: MIRPUR A well-mannered child, Jarif always completes his tasks on time. He is always seen carrying a book in his hand wherever he goes. He shows keen interest in Art. It is a pleasure to have him in the class. MD. ISHMAMUL HAQUE ID: 2002-01-0265 CLASS VIII, SEC: C ROLL # 010 CAMPUS: MIRPUR It has been our privilege to watch Ishmam grow in all areas of academics and co-curricular activities. He is very sincere and a constant source of inspiration to his peers. He has demonstrated admirable leadership skills which have helped him achieve his goals in debates and quiz competitions in particular. BANIN ABRAR ID: 2001-01-0237 CLASS-IX, SEC: A ROLL: 006 CAMPUS: SRU Banin Abrar is an amiable person and a responsible and hardworking student, and his efforts are reflected in his good. He has been selected as a prefect and is performing his duties sincerely. AHMED NAFIS ARAFAT ID: 2000-01-0123 CLASS-X, SEC: E ROLL: 144 CAMPUS: SRU Ahmed Nafis Arafat is a sincere and intelligent student. Nafis likes to read books and plays football and tennis. He has been selected as the Class Prefect of Class X- E and performs his duties with sincerity. He volunteered and helped out in the Disciplinary Month Program conducted in school in October. Achievements So many of our students are such achievers! Here are some highlights from their academic achievements this term: Name of Event Achievement award: Achievement award Achievement Award: Junior Climate Change s Contest organized by The Daily Star Origami by Miyuki Kawamura on 25 th,, organized by Japan Origami Academy Society An essay writing competition on What will Bangladesh be like in 2040? organized by Pledge Harbor School ALOHA (Advance Learning of Higher Arithmetic) competition in Cameron Highlands, Malaysia. Initiators Inter School Quiz ship organized by COGITO and Independence TV Techscape by SPEED youth on 16th November 13 Duke of Edinburgh Award Nitto Rong National Annual Cultural Competition, held in Bangladesh Shipokola Academy Participants Information Students of Class IV-IX, Students of Class III, Middle Uttara campus Students of classes IV to XII, Senior Uttara campus Md. Shamsur Shafi Nur-e- Aziz (VI-D) and Jarifa Chowdhury (VIII-B), Mirpur Campus Seven students attended a workshop from Samreen Mehak (VI/A), Mirpur Campus Aryana Ismail Fakir (V/D), Raihan Hossain (IX/D) and Mashruk Jahangir (IX/D), Mirpur Campus Mohammad Razib Hassan (IX/A) & Tausif Hossain (IX/A), Students from Class VI- IX, Labiba Ibnat Audhora, KGII/E/JRD Results 248 students received awards in High Honors, Honors and Most Improved categories 55 students received awards in High Honors, Honors and Most Improved categories 375 students received awards in High honors, Honors and Most improved categories. Qualified to the national round Acquiring expertise in origami making. ship 2 nd position 1st place for creating the most impressive science project - Triple Alternative Energy Project. Awards for participation First prize Bangladesh First Champs 21 Four students from SRU predicated; reached the second round. COGITO Quiz Prefect Badge Giving Ceremony, COGITO Marketing Solution Faculty and Management, SRU Four students from SRU predicated; participated in the first round Class IV XII 58 students were selected as prefects Page 6
The sports management in is really amazing, starting from all the friendly and well trained coaches to all the equipments that we have. We have Volleyball, Handball, Basketball and Football and yearly a lot of tournaments played of which has been the champions at almost all. S. Nafisa Mahbub, Class XI, Sec-G, Roll-195 Sporting Glories We pride ourselves on the achievements of our sports teams. This year, like so many in the past, saw our teams winning numerous awards and going very far in several tournaments. Well done! Name of Event Inter School Volleyball Inter School Basketball Aga Khan Football Aga Khan Football Polar Handball AISD Volleyball DISA/AISD Middle School Football (Boys) and Basketball (Girls), November DISA/AISD High School Football (Boys) and Basketball (Girls), November - Dettol Inter School (Boys and Girls) Handball Novmeber Partille Cup, Sweden, July Partille Cup, Sweden, July Team or Player from Boys Boys Boys (Mirpur) girls (SRU) Result Both boys and girls became champion Both boys and girls became runner up Boys Runner up. Boys Runner up. Boys- Semi finalist Boys- Semi finalist Boys- Played the first round matches Played the first round matches Trips in Bangladesh and Abroad We are relentless in providing opportunities for our students to grow, excel and gain exposure to the wider world. This term was no different, with our school organizing several trips for our students: Name of Event Location Date International Green Economy and International Culture Let s Take Care of the Planet conference Duke of Edinburgh Gold Award Trip Harvard Model United Nations, India Partille Cup Handball Competition World Unity and Peace Festival Conference at City Montessori School, Indira Nagar Campus Sharm El Sheikh, Egypt RDA, Bogra Hyderabad, India October Sept - Oct August Sweden July Lucknow, India December This is what students had to say about their experiences on these recent trips: This was one of the best experiences of my life. I feel proud that I represented my school, my country in front of 67 other countries and did them proud. It s truly amazing and to get prizes and be the only international team to win prizes at the competition is even better. I'll never forget this trip. Ulviya Narmin Hoque Chisty VI/A/27 The name Confluence indeed justifies the event. Meeting all these people from different countries was great as well as getting close to my fellow ns. Confluence helped us all, Bangladeshis, Indians, Nepalis, Ugandans unite and become soul mates. Samreen Mehak VI/A, Of course, we are planning more trips for the second term, stay tuned to hear more about them! Internship Program runs an internship program every summer for high school students. This is an opportunity for them to get access to the working world and learn about different careers. It is an invaluable opportunity for students to gain early exposure and learn professional skills that can help them for life. Here are the companies that hosted students as interns this summer: Adcomm Limited Dhaka Bank Ascent Group Gemcon Group Radio Today Independent University, Bangladesh United Hospital Limited Streetwise Education Foundation Beautiful Mind - Centre for Autistic and Mentally Challenged Children Shishu Bikash Kendra (Zonta Club III) Utsho Bangladesh JAAGO Foundation The Dhaka Tribune The Daily Star Bangladesh Enterprise Institute BRAC IED Yunus Centre United Nations Information Centre Thank you to these companies for their efforts; we appreciate the support! Our students get good evaluations from their internship supervisors; here is just a sample of what hosts have to say: Both the interns are very well behaved boys. They complete tasks that are given to them and do not hesitate at all if they are asked to do things at the last minute (occupational hazard). I will point out this, when in a brainstorm, neither boys hesitate to voice what they know about the brand being discussed and their participation has become almost a must. It s a pleasure having them with us and I am sure they are learning a few things about working in an advertising agency themselves. - Ms. Dipa Reza, HR Manager, Adcomm Limited Students also really appreciate the opportunity. Here is what two students said about their internship experience this summer: My internship at Radio Today was fascinating. Our supervisors were deft and had made us feel a very crucial part of the whole office community. We were treated fairly equal and were given very exciting, novel and (P.T.O) Page 7
I have been in the debate club since class 6 and personally it s my favorite club. All the members are amazing debaters and we get to learn a lot about the different ways of debating and we get to debate on many interesting topics. I hope I ll become an experienced debater someday. Nayara Noor-E-Fatema, Class VIII-D, Roll-016 Internship Program (contd.) interesting task to complete. Due to congenial ambience, I will always recommend Radio Today to the interns next year. It had been a delight to participate at Radio Today, as part of the Summer Internship Program. - Sakib Rezaul Haque It has been an enriching experience which I will never cease to forget. Knowledge is essential in customer relations. Through this internship I have sharpened my people skills, acquired ample knowledge, and had a taste of the professional sphere. I am sincerely grateful to United Hospital Ltd.,, the management, and all the staff involved for this opportunity and I appreciate everyone s cooperation and goodwill. Thank you. - Shadman Sakib Summer @ SPEED youth ran a summer program this year in Uttara. A balance of fun and learning is the cornerstone of the philosophy behind the program. Students got to choose 3 subjects from a wide variety of options ranging from soccer, handball, basketball to math games, young scientist, graphic design, animation, photography and guitar. Special theme days were celebrated, which included red day, blue day, sunglass day, tie day, and hat day! Additional programs included a fun day at Fantasy Kingdom, a carnival and a movie night. The students will miss the summer fun but can look forward to a wonderful program again next year. Notable Achievements by Faculty/ Management for the Term Our students are not the only ones in the family who have achievements to boast about; here is what our talented faculty have been up to this term! The following members of our faculty received the Excellence in Teaching Award, a new program administered by the management of. Congratulations! Sabrina Sharmeen Rownaq Afroz Laila Hashmat Rehana Chowdhury Naznin Sultana Syeda Lutfunnessa Shawon Sharmin Shayokh Rezwana Parvin Rumana Nazneen Shahreen Tasdique Nazib-Ul-Kaysar Uchchhas Noorussaba Karim Naim Rahman Nayema Abedeen Shaheen Ferdowsy Begum Mst. Farhana Akter Subal Kumar Ghosh Ms. Mashraky Mustary of the Junior Gulshan campus has been selected and given the chance to participate in Jenesys 2.0 (Japan East Asia Network of Exchange for Student and Youth) as Bangladesh Japan Friendship Ambassador and visited Japan for 12 days along with other SAARC country students. As part of the program, she also visited a number of elementary schools of Japan. Caught in the Press Awareness Programs Organized during the Term (July to December) Lazy Eye Green world Healthy food for healthy life International Day of Older Persons Discipline Month Parent Awareness Programs United Nations Day Grand Parents Day Awareness Program on Global Hand washing Day Bring Out The Best In You The World Teacher s Day Intelligence plus character, that is the goal of true education. Martin Luther King Jr., leader of the African American Civil Rights Movement, recipient of US Presidential Medal of Freedom and Congressional Gold Medal Page 8