SBS CONNECT October Issue 2025- SBS School Noida

1. SBS CONNECT O C T O B E R 2 0 2 5 | I S S U E 0 9 October at SBS was a vibrant mosaic of creativity and community — from the student-led Jashn festival and sparkling Diwali celebrations to the heartfelt joy of sharing. A month that truly reflected the spirit of togetherness and celebration. Stay connected, stay informed!

2. A symphony of Voices, colours and connections Yet another edition of SBS CONNECT arrives amidst the rhythm, creativity, and purposeful energy of Jashn — the Senior School’s annual Performing and Visual Arts Festival that has become a hallmark of student initiative, imagination, and ownership. Each year, Jashn unfolds like a story authored by its students — from conceptualising the theme and curating performances to managing logistics, design, and execution. Subtle glimpses shared in the days leading up to the festival captured the anticipation and quiet determination behind the scenes — the sound of rehearsals echoing through corridors, paint-stained hands shaping backdrops, and ideas transforming into action. A vibrant highlight of the festival was the Seva stalls, where purpose met creativity. With guidance from their teachers, students took charge of everything — pricing, display, communication, and sales — learning that service and creativity can coexist beautifully. 2 October Issue | 2025

3. When the festival opened, the campus came alive — with Indian Roots celebrating the richness of music inspired by classical traditions, Shazr-e-Raqs: A Dance Extravaganza showcasing movement and rhythm, and Chai Garam taking the audience on a thoughtful theatrical journey that brewed nostalgia and reflection in equal measure. The interactive Echoes on Canvas and the exuberant Razzmatazz finale tied it all together — each performance reflecting artistry, collaboration, and the confidence of students who built something extraordinary together. Adding to the joy was the presence of alumni who returned to celebrate and reconnect, witnessing how the festival they once performed in continues to evolve through new hands and fresh ideas. Through Jashn, students once again proved that when given space and trust, they don’t just participate — they envision, organise, and inspire. ? For more glimpses of the action — click here for our Instagram post. 3 October Issue | 2025

4. From Beam to Podium: Young Gymnasts Shine Grace met grit as our young gymnasts flipped, twirled, and balanced their way to glory at the 4th District Gymnastics Competition, held from 26th to 28th September 2025 at Vijay Sri Sports Academy, Noida. The U-10 Girls Team dazzled with confidence, securing Third Position, while Sharanya Sinha turned heads with 4 gold medals and the title of Best Junior Gymnast. Not far behind, Sanvika Venkat sparkled with 2 gold medals, adding to the team’s triumph. In the U-8 category, Kiara and the Artistic Team charmed audiences with routines that were equal parts precision and playfulness earning loud cheers and proud smiles all around. Every routine was more than a performance — it was a celebration of perseverance, poise, and pure passion. Way to go, Team SBS! ? Setting It Right (and Bright!): Kiara’s name was inadvertently misspelt as “Kaira” in the September issue. We’re happy to set it right — along with celebrating her shining performance. 4 October Issue | 2025

5. Medals, Trophies & Moments of Glory The courts and tracks at SBS buzzed with energy during the Inter-School Table Tennis & Athletics Championships in the last week of September.    In Table Tennis, the Boys’ Team clinched 2 Place, while Aviral Tandon smashed his way to the Emerging Player Award. On the Athletics front, Team SBS sprinted to victory, lifting the Overall Championship Trophy! ? nd With Sachdeva, Amer Sogani, Trishika Garg, and Ruttvik Razdan all earning Best Athlete titles across categories, the event celebrated the perfect blend of talent, teamwork, and school spirit. Here’s to the champions who make us cheer louder every time! Alayla Khandelwal, Rajvir 5 October Issue | 2025

6. Goals, Grit, Glory! From kick-off to the final whistle, our Girls’ U-19 Football Team showed what true determination looks like at the CBSE National Championship held from 22 to 27 September. Competing with heart and hustle, the team impressed everyone with their teamwork, resilience, and sheer sporting spirit. Finishing 3 in India, they brought immense pride to SBS and set a shining example of perseverance and passion in play. Here’s to our champions — proving once again that when teamwork meets tenacity, glory is never far behind! nd th rd Silent Stories, Powerful Lessons Middle school students recently experienced a masterclass in storytelling without words, led by Carlos Martínez, the world-renowned Spanish mime artist, during his final global tour. Known for his ability to blend humour, empathy, and meaning through movement and expression, he captivated students in an exclusive session at SBS. Through this remarkable performance, students discovered the power of silence as a language — how gestures can convey emotion and stories can unfold without a single word. The session encouraged them to think creatively, express themselves confidently, and value empathy and teamwork — lessons that will resonate long after the curtain falls. Click here for more pictures ? 6 October Issue | 2025

7. Once upon a time — right here at SBS — stories came alive, words danced, and imagination took center stage! The Middle School Literary Festival was a whirlwind of creativity, laughter, and literary flair, celebrating the joy of reading, writing, and everything in between. From an interactive Author Session to an Anime Club workshop led by talented illustrators, students had their creative sparks flying! Competitions like the Spell Bee Finale, Just a Minute (JAM), and Character Display kept minds sharp and spirits high. A colourful Gallery Walk turned hallways into storyboards of imagination, while DEAR – Drop Everything And Read invited everyone to hit pause and dive into a good book. The day wrapped up with Storytelling – Narrator’s Hour, where laughter, voices, and tales twined together in the perfect happily ever after. Click here for more pictures ? 7 October Issue | 2025

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9. Grace, Grit, and Game On! October saw our young athletes play with spirit and skill across multiple inter-school tournaments! At the ISSO Nationals held at Prometheus School, Noida, our athletes displayed remarkable determination and skill. The U-19 Boys’ Badminton Team put up a spirited performance against Indus International School, Bengaluru, finishing as Runners-Up after a closely contested final. In Table Tennis, Meher from Grade 9 represented SBS in the U-17 Girls’ category with focus and sportsmanship, gaining valuable national-level experience. On the cricket field, both our Under-17 and Under-14 teams impressed with teamwork and enthusiasm. The U-17 team competed in the T.K.S. Inter School Cricket Tournament at The Khaitan School, where Arhaan from Grade 9 was named Fighter of the Match. The U-14 team performed strongly at the Genesis Inter School Cricket Tournament (October ), demonstrating steady skill and confidence. th th 10 - 13 9 October Issue | 2025

10. th Our gymnasts dazzled at the Inter School Artistic Gymnastics Tournament (October 14 & 15 ), Raghubir Singh Junior Modern School, New Delhi). The Under-8 Girls’ Team secured 2nd place, while Rayna from Grade 3 was named Best Gymnast – Floor Exercise. The Under-10 Girls’ Team earned 3 position, missing silver by just two points! th rd th At the 29 Ramjas Basketball Champions League (All India) held in August and October, our U-10 Boys’ and Girls’ Teams dribbled their way to Silver Medals. Anirvan was recognized as Best Scorer, while Humaira won Player of the Tournament. Every game this season reflected teamwork, perseverance, and the pure joy of sport! 10 October Issue | 2025

11. पा?रवा?रक पर ं पराएँ – न?? ब?? क? ज़ुबानी 13 से 17 अक्टूबरतक, त्योहार?क?रौनकजबपूरेस्क ू लम?छाईथी, तबहमारेनन्हे?क?डरगाट?नक ेब??ने अपनीमनमोहकबात?सेसबका?दलजीत?लया! ‘पा?रवा?रकपरंपराएँ’ ?वषयपरआयो?जतइस Prepared Speech Activity म?ब??नेबड़ेउत्साहसे बताया?कउनक ेघरम??दवालीयाअन्यत्योहारक ै सेमनाएजातेह?।?कसीनेदाद?क ेहाथ?क ेल?डुओंक? बातक?, तो?कसीनेपापाक ेसाथ?मलकरघरसजानेक?! नन्ह?व?ाओंनेअपनेप?रवारक?तस्वीर??दखातेहुएमुस्कराकरबताया?कपरम्पराएँ?सफ ?री?त-?रवाजनह?, ब?ल्क?रश्त?कोजोड़नेवालेमीठेधागेह?।यहग?त?व?धब??क े?लएबोलनेकाअभ्यासतोथीही, साथही अपनेमूल्य?औरसंस्कार?कोमहसूसकरनेकाएकसुंदरअनुभवभीबनी। 11 October Issue | 2025

12. ?Lighting Up Our School with the Spirit of Diwali ? As the school geared up for the Diwali break, celebrations across the campus on the 16th and 17th of October filled the atmosphere with joy and colour. The festival of lights was marked with vibrant décor, creative crafts, and cheerful laughter, reflecting the warmth and togetherness of the season. Students joined in the festivities, spreading light, kindness, and happiness through their expressions of art and celebration. Catch all the highlights on our Instagram post 12 October Issue | 2025

13. Tinkerfest 2025 A Celebration of Creativity and Innovation Innovation and teamwork shone through as our students participated in an inter-school technology event on 16 October at Manav Rachna International School, Gurugram. The event brought together young th innovators from schools across Delhi-NCR to explore, experiment, and bring ideas to life. st Arav and Anadi of Grade 9 secured the 1 position in the Innovation Contest with their original concept and working prototype. In the Water Rocket Challenge, Diviana, Arshiya, and Yuvaan of Grade 8 clinched 3 place, while Prajyoth, Aarnav, and Aviral of Grade 8 earned 2 position in the Aerial Maze Challenge for their remarkable drone control. rd nd Our school was the only one to win across all three categories—a proud testament to our students’ creativity, consistency, and innovative spirit. 13 October Issue | 2025

14. History Beyond the Classroom! Learning came alive as Grade 7 students embarked on an academic field trip to the Humayun’s Tomb Complex, organised by the Middle School Social Science Department. Guided through the rich corridors of Mughal history, students explored the architecture, artistry, and stories behind Delhi’s iconic heritage site. The visit began with a pre-read session that set the context for an immersive learning experience. During the heritage walk, students visited key monuments such as Isa Khan’s Tomb, Arab ki Serai, Bu Halima’s Grave, Humayun’s Tomb, and Nai ka Maqbara, observing Mughal craftsmanship up close. A reflective handbook activity deepened their engagement, encouraging them to connect classroom learning with real-world exploration. The experience beautifully blended history, curiosity, and discovery—making the past come alive in every step. 14 October Issue | 2025

15. Coding for Kindness: Arav’s Innovation Makes Reading Easier for All Innovation often begins with empathy — the quiet urge to make life easier for others. That’s exactly what drove Arav Jain of Grade 9, who, along with a few friends, noticed how online reading could be overwhelming for some learners. Instead of simply noticing the problem, they decided to solve it. After weeks of research and conversations with Learning Support teachers and students, Arav developed Accessibility Plug-ins — smart browser tools that let users switch to dyslexia-friendly fonts, adjust spacing, apply colour filters, or even use a reading ruler for better focus. th On October 17 , Arav led an orientation for Learning Support teachers, confidently walking them through each feature. The teachers’ excitement was palpable — laptops open, questions flying, and genuine appreciation for this student-led effort. What started as an idea in a coding notebook turned into a lively exchange of learning between students and educators. Arav now aims to expand his plug-ins for PDFs, a step forward in his journey of innovation rooted in empathy — proving that real change can begin with a single thoughtful idea. “If a small tool can make reading easier, then it’s worth building,” says Arav, his eyes lighting up as he describes his project. 15 October Issue

16. Building Independence, Confidence, and Joy! Laughter, learning, and life skills came together at the Overnight Camp organized at the Special Needs Department on 26 September — a delightful blend of fun and purpose! Designed to strengthen independence and social confidence, the camp gave students hands-on experiences that went beyond the classroom. th From cooking in the ADL Lab to playing games, dancing, and sharing meals, every moment encouraged teamwork and self-reliance. Students packed their bags, made their beds, and followed self-care routines — all with cheerful enthusiasm! Evening reflections and a morning yoga stretch added calm to the excitement, wrapping up an experience filled with warmth and accomplishment. Guided by our dedicated SEN team, the camp wasn’t just an overnight stay — it was a joyful journey toward confidence, responsibility, and independence. 16 October Issue

17. Do Good, Earn Joy, Share Happiness! th th Meanwhile, from 4 to 7 October, Middle School students led “Saanjh: A Wave of Hope”, a thoughtful initiative supporting Punjab flood relief efforts. Through awareness sessions, class discussions, and a two-week collection drive, students empathy, Seva, and the power of small acts. Council members from Grade 8 helped sort and pack materials for dispatch to Goonj, learning teamwork and responsibility along the way. reflected on Together, these initiatives lit up SBS with the true spirit of giving — proving that joy grows when shared. This festive season, kindness took centre stage across SBS as students from Primary, Junior, and Middle School turned compassion into action. th On 15 October, the Primary and Junior School participated in the SBS Giving Drive – “Do Good, Earn Joy, Share Happiness.” Children earned money through small chores at home and used it to buy thoughtful items for sharing with others. Their gestures brought festive cheer to an old-age home, and when the residents visited the school, students sang, danced, and performed a touching skit on celebrating togetherness across generations. 17 October Issue

18. Lesson Plans and Storytelling: A knot to secure Margaret Atwood wrote, “In the end, we’ll all become stories. Or else we’ll become entities. Maybe it’s the same.” The profundity in the quote can be accessed in various layers and perhaps countless contexts, if accession is clear and objective. As educators we weave stories, multiple ones, often a singular time as we walk into the classroom to teach and learn with our students. We do hope that our students achieve success (however subjective that word is) and significance in life. We wish them happiness and prosperity, but deep down inside we aspire to become stories in their lives. There lies a possible actualisation for a profession that is still not viewed through the deserved lens of reverence in our society. In concert with that lies the method, the pedagogical practices, the struggle established conventions and the effervescent demands of a new time. When machines are getting better every second to write stories, can we essentially become the important characters students’ stories? The question can be spirally assessed from understanding why story-telling as an art form must be incorporated pedagogical practices, irrespective of grades, examination boards. deepen engagement, exercises empathy and animate learning through emotional imaginative resonance. Abrahamson’s “Storytelling as a Pedagogical Tool in Higher Education” also emphasises storytelling as one of humanity’s oldest and most enduring methods of teaching, predating writing itself. The paper traces how, from ancient times, stories were used to explain life, transmit cultural values, preserve history, and ensure continuity generations. Abrahamson argues that storytelling is not only a historical tool powerful pedagogical strategy in higher education that learners emotionally cognitively and has the ability to contextualise abstract concepts. between the and C. 1998 article the path to in our in everyday subjects and across th th 4 to 17 Grace M Deniston-Trochta in her article, “The Storytelling as Pedagogy”, claims storytelling as a transformative educational practice—one leverages narrative to connect academic content with students’ experiences (direct or indirect), but contemporary also a Meaning of sense of can engage and that 17 18 October Issue

19. The Panchatantra, Jataka and many more that sprung and sustained in our country’s identity are burning examples of the potency of the form. The question hence transforms from ‘can we’ to ‘how can we’ in the context of teaching-learning process. The curricula and the consequent syllabi cannot avoid including a series of topics and concepts that appear to demand a didactic form of transference. Learning facts, keeping track of (memorising) causality, derivation mathematical steps, practising drills to develop a particular skill all of fundamental routines students’ daily learning cycle. Perhaps no one could deny that any education system is not afflicted by the mundane, but if we plan, design and execute these monotonous through stories, it might help the students see beyond their obvious disenchantment with the mounting content. ancient traditions of There are several stories (might be concocted at various cultural epochs) that has led to usage of certain words which are not parliamentary premises and yet students use them and get in trouble. A teacher can definitely try and invoke a conversation in the class to create understanding of those words through those perhaps allay the unnecessary taboo attached to such actions. There are several academic disciplines which are taught through stories and there are others where contextual story challenging. For example in a class of Accountancy, where students are expected to do long structured sums, while deciphering the meanings of debit, credit etc., the funny anecdote of Stephen Leacock and his ordeal while opening an account in a bank could bring a different perspective to the learning. Another could be of “An Account of Capers” by Bruce Marshall (1988) chronicles the life of an accountant whose otherwise efficient practices land him in intriguing political and espionage entanglement. science can be layered down to the students through the dismal stories of Mukhopadhyay (India’s first exponent of IVF) or Sophie Germain, who had to take a male pseudonym to make the contemporary community take her works in seriously. Resilience in life cannot be taught but the stories of academicians, successful performers can be used creatively to make students aware of the power in grit, practice and relentless focus. The examples mentioned above are just a few drops where the ocean of stories stays at our disposal. The seamless weaving of those stories in a lesson plan rests with the teacher. The usability, perspective contextualisation stories demand reflection and thoughtfulness teachers. At the end we must remain aware that the students are going to create and live their own stories, but can we give them a framework to start writing their own? Can we bring to them the countless instances of human experience that have shaped our lives that we live now? Can we help them reflect on the recurring values and vices of the human species so that they can learn those apparently dull topics, not in a formulaic manner but with some humanitarian stances? I think we can, if we plan well, read more and believe in the stories that made us who we are. Dr. Subhah cultural in school our daily mathematics a shared stories and or other events and of finding could a be these are in a and such of from the practices example The cartographers, or the ones who risked their lives just to draw a simple map for the later folks to follow could help students empathise with the skill of drawing a map. The stories of how a scientist thought through all logical possibilities, threw away his old ideas and jumped into some new light, stood at the desk for long hours in a day to derive a simple equation (Max Planck did that) could help students understand the rigour of going through such an arduous process. stories of the first somehow The fascinating story of one physicist and Francis Crick Watson, working together to give us the first structures of DNA has the potential to make students realise that biology is not a collection of mindlessly memorisable concepts, but a map of logical findings. The idea of the disparity of power in the workplace, especially in a and zoologist James th th 4 to 17 -Dr. Arpan Kishna Deb 19 October Issue

20. A SUSTAINABLE MOBILITY Alumni Story Anav Jha, Class of ‘19 FROM RAJMA CHAWAL TO THE STREETS OF PARIS: MY JOURNEY IN If someone had told me back in school that I’d end up planning transport systems in Paris, I would’ve laughed and gone back to my plate of rajma chawal in the dining hall. Yet, here I am — a Sustainable Mobility and Transport Planner at an international consultancy, helping cities move better and think greener. To my juniors, I’d say this: don’t stress about charting your life ten years ahead. Your path will surprise you — in the best possible ways. Enjoy every bit of school life, even those early assemblies! Outside of work, I still find joy in drumming when I can, and yes — I unwind by running flight simulations (because apparently, I can’t escape transport even in my downtime). After graduating from SBS in 2019, I packed my bags (and a fair bit of nervous excitement) and headed to France to study Political Science and Governance at SciencesPo Urban School. Later, I pursued my Master’s in Urban Governance — the perfect intersection of cities, people, and policy. A semester abroad at the University of Amsterdam added a touch of Dutch directness to my French finesse! When the world shut down during the pandemic, I decided to stay back in France. It wasn’t easy, but that period of solitude and adaptation taught me a lot — independence, resilience, and how to appreciate both croissants and cultural differences. “SBS taught me to stay open-minded and critical — values that continue to steer me through every turn of this journey. From Noida’s classrooms to Parisian metros, the ride has been incredible.” Looking back, SBS played a big role in shaping who I am today. The environment there encouraged me to stay curious, debate ideas freely, and see the world through multiple perspectives — qualities that have stayed with me long after I left those classrooms. 20 October Issue

21. Welcome to the SBS Family! We are pleased to welcome Ms. Dolly Bhardwaj, who joined the Junior School as Academic Faculty on October 27th Warm, thoughtful, and always humming a tune, Dolly brings a lovely rhythm to the classroom. When she isn’t teaching, she enjoys playing the keyboard and has a soft spot for old melodies — the kind that never go out of tune! ? Her cheerful presence and calm demeanour make every interaction feel easy and engaging. Whether it’s striking the right note in music or in her teaching, Dolly believes in creating harmony — one smile, one lesson, and one melody at a time. Ms. Dolly Bhardwaj We are pleased to welcome Ms. Rashi Rastogi, who joined the Communications team at SBS on October . Hailing from Kanpur, Rashi brings with her a blend of creativity, curiosity, and a dash of wanderlust. 6th Armed with a sketchbook, a suitcase, and an appetite for great food, she’s happiest when exploring new places with her sister — or discovering a café that deserves a second (and third!) visit. When not planning her next trip, you’ll find her lost in colours, creating art that’s as lively as her conversations. With her artistic flair and zest for life, Rashi adds a bright new hue to the Communications team palette. Ms. Rashi Rastogi SBS Connect(ed) Each edition of SBS CONNECT is more than a collection of stories — it’s a reflection of the voices, creativity, and shared spirit that make our community thrive. We curate every page with care, capturing moments that celebrate learning, collaboration, and the joy of belonging. Your thoughts and reflections help us see these stories through your eyes. Whether it’s a suggestion, a spark of an idea, or simply a line of appreciation, we’d love to hear from you. Write to us at communications@sbs-school.org — because every conversation adds another layer to our story. After all, connection is at the heart of SBS Connect — and it begins with listening. ? Click here to share your thoughts 17 21 October Issue

22. On the horizon: November Mark Your Calendars! November is gearing up to be unmissable at SBS — from the vibrant Samanvay (Middle School Form Morning) to the high-energy Racketlon community magical Book Week stories and Children’s Day cheers, and you know you won’t want to miss a moment. Stay tuned — the excitement is just getting started! battles, th th 7 to 8 November Racketlon 3.0 Children's Day Celebration (Special Needs Programme) ? www.sbs-school.org 14th November Book Week (Primary and Junior School) th th 14 to 18 November Scan the QR Code to stay updated with all the events. Samanvay (Middle school) 28 to 29 November th th Five Great Reads of the Month Five Great Reads of the Month Bijal Vachharajani Paul Cookson Ross Welford Jacqueline Woodson & Rafael López Salone Zutshi & Aprajita D. Sadhu 22 October Issue

23. Expressions in Colour Featured artworks by our talented young artists Naisha, Amaira & Aarna Naisha, Amaira & Aarna Siyona Siyona From Art Room Archives From Art Room Archives 21 23 October Issue

24. Homecoming Vibes at #Jashn2025 It was pure joy seeing our #SBSAlumni return to campus — laughing, reminiscing, and reliving their favourite moments under the SBS sun ☀ From the heartfelt welcomes to the creative touches and thoughtful keepsakes, every detail made the evening unforgettable. ? A special shout-out to our alum who tagged us on Instagram @sbs_noida sharing how magical it felt to be back home! #StepByStep #LearnLeadGive Haven’t heard about our Alumni Portal yet? Scan the code to register on SBSAlum — our official platform for all Step by Step alumni. Like, comment & Follow us on our social media handles SBS Moments Capturing the little yet meaningful moments that reflect the heart of our community! 24 October Issue

25. SBS Moments Jashn 2025 25 October Issue

26. I envision SBS as a warm, joyful and nurturing space, where children can explore what it means to live with intelligence and compassion, and grow into integrated and responsible individuals deeply rooted in values of Seva and Inclusion. Mrs. Ritu Suri Curated by: Communications, Engagements & Alumni Relations For feedback/comments/suggestions, please write to communications@sbs-school.org Copyright © 2025 Step By Step School All rights reserved. ?