Remember Moana, the adventurous princess of Motunui who bravely sailed the open seas
to follow her spirit of exploration? She taught us to never shy away from the unknown, to
always stay curious and to embrace each challenge with courage and determination.
At Lodha Oakwood School, one of the top emerging IGCSE schools in Mumbai, we share
Moana’s spirit of exploration. We believe the new academic year isn’t just about returning to
the routine, it’s a chance to set sail on a STEAM voyage of discovery.
And just like Moana, who discovers her full potential thanks to a solid support system back
home, we understand the role parents and teachers play in a student’s life to make learning
an unforgettable experience.
So, as students in international schools in Mumbai embark on a new academic year, here’s
what you can do to spark that curiosity and search for knowledge.
For Parents: Champions of Lifelong Learning
Starting a new academic year presents a great opportunity to establish strong learning
habits and a love for exploration in your child. As a parent, it is essential to accompany your
child as a learning partner from the very beginning to set sail for a successful year ahead.
The first step towards nurturing a love for exploration is to identify and understand your
child’s interests and aptitudes. Creating a “curiosity corner” at home – similar to the creative
learning spaces in schools – with age-appropriate science kits, building learning maps or
calendars, astronomy kits, interactive puzzles or experiment journals can be leveraged as
thought-provoking activities to develop resilience, critical thinking and problem-solving skills.
Additionally, maintaining strong communication and collaboration with your child is key to a
successful academic year. Participating in school events, and attending meet-and-greets or
parent-teacher meetings allows you to understand and align at-home learning with not just
the IGCSE curriculum but also the learning objectives and teaching styles.
For Teachers: Cultivating the Next Generation of Innovators
Educators play a crucial role in shaping a growth mindset and building a passion for
innovation in your students. The new academic is like an opportunity to transform
classrooms into launchpads for the next generation of innovators and global leaders.
Integrating project-based learning, gamified activities, exploring virtual simulations or
interdisciplinary challenges that connect different subjects and allows students to
understand complex issues and apply the learnings in the real-world.
Facilitating group discussions, debates, recitals or other group activities allowing students to
learn from each other, build valuable teamwork skills, and become more empathetic, is
essential for our future leaders to navigate the ever-changing world of innovation.
Most importantly, it is crucial to take stock of the strengths and areas of improvement for
each student so as to tailor learning strategies accordingly, enabling customised growth for
the student.
For Students: Take Charge of Your Learning Journey
First and foremost, find the excitement of starting something familiar but with a new sense
of wonder. Reflecting on your progress and exploring strategies needed to achieve your
goals is a good place to start.
From participating in co curricular activities and projects that let you tackle real-world
problems such as designing a sustainable city model, exploring renewable energy sources,
addressing global issues with the Model G20 summit or even exploring electives such as
robotics, performing arts, sports the new year is your oyster to rediscover yourself. Embrace
this new academic year with enthusiasm and confidence to grow, innovate, and make a
positive impact, making the most of the opportunities ahead.