News from Woodstock School http://www.woodstock.ac.in Tue, 29 March 2011 05:00:00 GMT November 27 saw Woodstock's annual Christmas Chapel. Five narrators told the Christmas story this year with a modern twist. http://www.woodstockschool.in/News/fall2011/November/111107.htm http://www.woodstockschool.in/News/fall2011/November/111107.htm This is an invitation to anyone who will be in Delhi on Sunday November 27. Woodstock students and staff are competing in the Airtel Delhi Half Marathon and the Great Race both being run on the same day. http://www.woodstockschool.in/News/fall2011/November/111106.htm http://www.woodstockschool.in/News/fall2011/November/111106.htm On Tuesday morning November 1st, Woodstock staff was greeted with an email annnouncing that Cookie Wiebe had passed away at 7.40am in Newton Kansas. http://www.woodstockschool.in/News/fall2011/November/111105.htm http://www.woodstockschool.in/News/fall2011/November/111105.htm On a game hunting vacation in the Scottish highlands, Tommy Albright and Jeff Douglas stumble onto a mysterious sight. It is a mist enshrouded village that is not mentioned on their map. Brigadoon. This mythical village and its secrets is what Woodstock School cannot stop talking about. http://www.woodstockschool.in/News/fall2011/November/111104.htm http://www.woodstockschool.in/News/fall2011/November/111104.htm Junior school experienced history and tradition coming alive outside the classroom this year during Activity week. http://www.woodstockschool.in/News/fall2011/November/111103.htm http://www.woodstockschool.in/News/fall2011/November/111103.htm Namgay Tshering, Development Associate, Journalism, went to Bangalore for his last activity week. He reflects on the outcome of the trip and who learnt and gained the most from the experience. http://www.woodstockschool.in/News/fall2011/November/111102.htm http://www.woodstockschool.in/News/fall2011/November/111102.htm Outdoor adventure that needed courage was the theme of Grade6's activity week. They took this challenge and excelled. Cliff jumping, cycling, rafting and swimming in the Ganga pushed them all to going beyond their own expectations. http://www.woodstockschool.in/News/fall2011/November/111101.htm http://www.woodstockschool.in/News/fall2011/November/111101.htm This past week at Woodstock saw long serving staff and employees honoured in separate ceremonies. At the all school assembly during the WOSA 100 celebrations, staff were honoured with presents and thanked by Dr Eleanor Nicholson. http://www.woodstockschool.in/News/fall2011/October/111007.htm http://www.woodstockschool.in/News/fall2011/October/111007.htm The WOSA Centennial celebrations formally began with a Dance Bollywood dinner in Delhi on October 19 attended by 50 alumni. Many traveled to Mussoorie via train, plane, and car on Thursday. The Mussoorie portion of the celebration began with a Welcome Dinner in the quad. Principal, Eleanor Nicholson, welcomed visiting alumni. Over two hundred and fifty people mingled at tables with alumni from classes of '51, '71, '81, '91, '2001 and in between. With them many alumni had visited from additional classes with the oldest being Lillian Skinner Singh from the class of '39. http://www.woodstockschool.in/News/fall2011/October/111006.htm http://www.woodstockschool.in/News/fall2011/October/111006.htm From Mussoorie to London,Philadelphia, Qatar, Phnom Penh and Hong Kong, Woodstock students came together to remember and celebrate being part of the world wide community that is Woodstock. http://www.woodstockschool.in/News/fall2011/October/111005.htm http://www.woodstockschool.in/News/fall2011/October/111005.htm Woodstock came together as a community at Hanson field to attend the 2011 Sports Day on a sunny fall Saturday. In a sea of green, red and blue T shirts and painted faces a very close finish saw all three teams sharing very even results across the board. http://www.woodstockschool.in/News/fall2011/October/111004.htm http://www.woodstockschool.in/News/fall2011/October/111004.htm Health care for students and staff has always been a priority at Woodstock. With a professional team of health care specialists here providing quality care Dr Eleanor Nicholson had decided that the current ambulance needed to be updated. http://www.woodstockschool.in/News/fall2011/October/111003.htm http://www.woodstockschool.in/News/fall2011/October/111003.htm Jane Jolly, children's author and primary school teacher, made her second visit to Woodstock this year. She first visited in June 2010 as part of a UNESCO-sponsored trip. When asked why she chose to return to Woodstock, Mrs. Jolly said, "It's such a beautiful place and has such a nice feel to it. I was happy to return." http://www.woodstockschool.in/News/fall2011/October/111002.htm http://www.woodstockschool.in/News/fall2011/October/111002.htm Thanks to UNESCO and the Japan Foundation, Kamishibai (Japanese Paper Theatre) visited Woodstock this week. Performed by Spice Arthur 702, both Junior School and parts of Senior School were treated to an extravagant, loud and animated story telling session that included hand illustrated boards painted by wood-carver and artist Pyonky Nishiziri http://www.woodstockschool.in/News/fall2011/October/111001.htm http://www.woodstockschool.in/News/fall2011/October/111001.htm Merryn Glover Appleby '87 and her family visited Woodstock as part of their extensive travel plans through Asia. A gifted writer, Merryn has written numerous short stories, plays and an upcoming novel. Last week, she took the time to lead three workshops on short-story writing. http://www.woodstockschool.in/News/fall2011/September/110909.htm http://www.woodstockschool.in/News/fall2011/September/110909.htm Visitors call in to Woodstock many times a week. Pocket sized Cauvery Bhandari visited this week for the first time since graduating, bringing her new husband with her. Cauvery came a little further to visit than most. She has worked in London for the past ten years. Cauvery and her husband Ricshabh Bhandari, met in London, but could have easily met in Dehradun http://www.woodstockschool.in/News/fall2011/September/110908.htm http://www.woodstockschool.in/News/fall2011/September/110908.htm We are extremely proud to announce we are the Number One International School in India for 2011. http://www.woodstockschool.in/News/fall2011/September/110907.htm http://www.woodstockschool.in/News/fall2011/September/110907.htm Development Associate, Rahul Dhakal, reports on the recent Goalathon contest. To those of us who thought it was just a 'game' and the opportunity to have fun, Rahul reports that a simple game of soccer not only strengthens the community in which we all live, it provides for other communities as well. Asking students for money is a difficult task anytime, ask them to sponsor their friends in a great game and benefit communities into the bargain and its" Game on!" http://www.woodstockschool.in/News/fall2011/September/110906.htm http://www.woodstockschool.in/News/fall2011/September/110906.htm Here at Woodststock we believe learning takes place both inside and out of the classroom. In our beautiful Himalayan environment over the last two weeks, every student in Junior School, and 56 volunteers from G7-12 spent time planting trees at several relatively treeless locations on our hillside. http://www.woodstockschool.in/News/fall2011/September/110905.htm http://www.woodstockschool.in/News/fall2011/September/110905.htm Woodstock students will again benefit from the Mussoorie Writers 2011 Festival this October. Visiting Poets and Novelists will be preceded by Merryn Glover, who will conduct short story workshops with High School English classes. Stories and Authors will come alive outside of the classrooms during the festival that runs October 5 and 6. http://www.woodstockschool.in/News/fall2011/September/110904.htm http://www.woodstockschool.in/News/fall2011/September/110904.htm On an dry overcast day Woodstock held their annual cross country event. After a long walk up to St Paul's Church at Chardukan the atmosphere had turned to fun. ECP and KG were excited and just wanted to start! http://www.woodstockschool.in/News/fall2011/September/110903.htm http://www.woodstockschool.in/News/fall2011/September/110903.htm GAP Semester. Sabbatical year, year out, drop year, time off and time out, deferred year. Wikipedia correctly tries to describe what a GAP semester is. Following last year's successful GAP semester at Woodstock our programme kicks off again from August 15. http://www.woodstockschool.in/News/fall2011/September/110902.htm http://www.woodstockschool.in/News/fall2011/September/110902.htm The SAGE Program was founded in 1992 as a program to support international recruitment to Woodstock and Kodaikanal International Schools in India. Today, SAGE offers challenging and transformative academic high school study abroad opportunities at select international schools around the world. SAGE (Studies Abroad for Global Education) provides students the opportunity to gain greater understanding of the world and themselves as they volunteer and study abroad. http://www.woodstockschool.in/News/fall2011/September/110901.htm http://www.woodstockschool.in/News/fall2011/September/110901.htm Development Associate, Rahul Dhakal, is a natural journalist and an observer of people. Read below his take on what really happened on Independence Day. Rahul, a senior, reports on his last celebration of India's national day here at Woodstock. http://www.woodstockschool.in/News/fall2011/August/110808.htm http://www.woodstockschool.in/News/fall2011/August/110808.htm Amy Seefeldt,' 93 Dean of Academics, recently attended the IIPSE 2011 New Challenges in School Education Conference in Delhi as a guest speaker. This conference has an audience of over 300 attendees including Heads and Principals of leading schools as well as Trustees, Board of Governors and Chairpersons and Educationists and Advisors to schools and institutions. This year is the fifth year for the conference to share ideas and innovations in school education with professionals across the industry and to listen and learn from specialist guest speakers who are the most distinguished in their field. http://www.woodstockschool.in/News/fall2011/August/110807.htm http://www.woodstockschool.in/News/fall2011/August/110807.htm On August 16-17, 2011, Parker Hall came alive to the rhythmic gestures of physical metaphors, myths and sacred movements performed by Odissi dancer, Diya Sen. Winterline Centre for the Arts sponsored Sen's residency, which coincided with India Cultural Week at Woodstock. http://www.woodstockschool.in/News/fall2011/August/110806.htm http://www.woodstockschool.in/News/fall2011/August/110806.htm Celebrating India's rich heritage of handcrafted textiles, Woodstock School recently hosted ten artisans from Uttarakhand and Rajasthan, who demonstrated traditional techniques of spinning, weaving, dyeing, hand-block printing and embroidery. Winterline Centre for the Arts and the Festivals Committee at Woodstock, partnered with Fabindia and Himalayan Weavers to present this exciting and educational exhibition. http://www.woodstockschool.in/News/fall2011/August/110805.htm http://www.woodstockschool.in/News/fall2011/August/110805.htm Dr. Eleanor Nicholson's (Woodstock Interim Principal) opening day remarks to the staff. http://www.woodstockschool.in/News/fall2011/August/110804.htm http://www.woodstockschool.in/News/fall2011/August/110804.htm Atul Roy joined Woodstock school in the summer of 1982 from Wynberg Allen. He graduated in 1999 and attended St Stephen's University in Delhi. He majored in History but soon realised his heart was much closer to Arts and Computers. Although obtaining his degree in History he studied further in a specialist programme in graphic design http://www.woodstockschool.in/News/fall2011/August/110803.htm http://www.woodstockschool.in/News/fall2011/August/110803.htm Krishnan Kutty, head of Outdoor Education at the Hanifl Centre accompanied Woodstock staff to climb a mountain. Not any mountain. They would climb a peak in the Garhwal Himalaya named Banderpunch (20,722ft). Ordinary people with a goal to do something extraordinary. http://www.woodstockschool.in/News/fall2011/August/110802.htm http://www.woodstockschool.in/News/fall2011/August/110802.htm Dictionaries describe Diversity as the appreciation, acceptance or promotion of multiple cultures, applied to the demographic make-up of a specific place, usually at the organisational level, e.g. schools, businesses, neighborhoods, cities or nations. http://www.woodstockschool.in/News/fall2011/August/110801.htm http://www.woodstockschool.in/News/fall2011/August/110801.htm Three Woodstock staff this year had graduating seniors along with Thomas Chandy, President of the Woodstock Board. We have celebrated generations of Alumni coming together at the Graduation and know this years graduating class will cross global borders to maintain and strengthen relationships forged at Woodstock. http://www.woodstockschool.in/News/Spring2011/June/110605.htm http://www.woodstockschool.in/News/Spring2011/June/110605.htm The graduating class of '011 huddled together in groups and took pictures on what might have been the most memorable day of their high school lives http://www.woodstockschool.in/News/Spring2011/June/110604.htm http://www.woodstockschool.in/News/Spring2011/June/110604.htm Or farewell, to two Woodstock families that are leaving this June and Woodstock and we would like to share their stories.Sue Swanson and her husband Ron arrived at Woodstock in 2003. Ron was an accompanying spouse, here with his wife, who was hired as the School Librarian. http://www.woodstockschool.in/News/Spring2011/June/110603.htm http://www.woodstockschool.in/News/Spring2011/June/110603.htm June 7 saw the junior school recognising their commitment to outdoor education and hiking in particular. Woodstock is blessed to have a beautiful natural environment in which to learn outside of a classroom. Hiking has always been popular in the junior school and this year saw the hike by Grade 6 to Nag Tibba with ten students empowered to reach the summit. http://www.woodstockschool.in/News/Spring2011/June/110602.htm http://www.woodstockschool.in/News/Spring2011/June/110602.htm The end result was slightly distorted for lack of a better word, my frustration with my reflection had me seek professional help. Fortunately I live next door to my national colleague and close friend Vimmi Negi.I knew she could come to the rescue, but I wasn't sure she would be awake at 8am on a Saturday morning. http://www.woodstockschool.in/News/Spring2011/June/110601.htm http://www.woodstockschool.in/News/Spring2011/June/110601.htm Who says there's no room for change in Woodstock's traditions? For the first time (always a dangerous phrase: people have long memories. At least for the first time for many years..) the Baccalaureate ceremony was held, not in Parker Hall, but at St. Paul's Church, Char Dukan. http://www.woodstockschool.in/News/Spring2011/May/110511.htm http://www.woodstockschool.in/News/Spring2011/May/110511.htm There are five days left till graduation. Grad cards are being distributed; little notes of thoughts for those who care to read and remember. A sad anticipation accompanies the seniors as they try and reconcile with these final few days of school. http://www.woodstockschool.in/News/Spring2011/May/110510.htm http://www.woodstockschool.in/News/Spring2011/May/110510.htm On Wednesday, May 25, Winterline Centre for the Arts at Woodstock School opened an exhibition of paintings by artist, Rupak Roy, '73. Once again, the Hanifl Centre provided an excellent venue for viewing art, as the walls of the main gallery displayed forty oil and acrylic paintings http://www.woodstockschool.in/News/Spring2011/May/110509.htm http://www.woodstockschool.in/News/Spring2011/May/110509.htm It's a very busy time at Woodstock just now. The last few weeks of school are coming in a rush. The seniors are now on star activities and getting ready for graduation. This weekend past, saw the music departments Spring Concerts. Friday and Saturday night Parker Hall was packed to witness the talents of the students in all the music genres Woodstock offers. http://www.woodstockschool.in/News/Spring2011/May/110508.htm http://www.woodstockschool.in/News/Spring2011/May/110508.htm Woodstock administrators, staff and Board members are working hard at identifying the most vital areas of the school's work and making plans to strengthen them over the next eight years http://www.woodstockschool.in/News/Spring2011/May/110507.htm http://www.woodstockschool.in/News/Spring2011/May/110507.htm One year to go for Development Associate Tashi Lama (Journalism), before he too will attend a WOSA tea, but perhaps not as special as this one. WOSA celebrated its 100th Tea this year and we sent Tashi along to report, plan for next year and to understand what being part of WOSA really meansThis year's class of 2011, Luminescence, were the special guests. http://www.woodstockschool.in/News/Spring2011/May/110506.htm http://www.woodstockschool.in/News/Spring2011/May/110506.htm Student learning does not just happen in the classroom at Woodstock. In our precious environment here in the magnificent Himalayas our classrooms quite often are without walls. From this unique learning community, three junior school teachers and ten excited Year 6 students went on a 25klm hike to Nag Tibba. http://www.woodstockschool.in/News/Spring2011/May/110505.htm http://www.woodstockschool.in/News/Spring2011/May/110505.htm STUCCO (Student Council) saw democracy in action last week when voting for the new School Presidents, twice. The girls President saw Yangla Lama elected, but when it came to the boys voting it came out as a dead heat. Students in Grades 7-12 had to vote again the next day and this time Shivamkar Misra was elected. In the coming weeks we will interview both new Presidents elect. http://www.woodstockschool.in/News/Spring2011/May/110504.htm http://www.woodstockschool.in/News/Spring2011/May/110504.htm Judy '69 and Dana Crider's four children attended Woodstock for their entire school years. Like other alumni from Woodstock they have chosen interesting and successful paths in life. Jonathan Crider '02 is one graduate that has done just that. http://www.woodstockschool.in/News/Spring2011/May/110503.htm http://www.woodstockschool.in/News/Spring2011/May/110503.htm Tashi Lama, Development Associate, and guitarist in the Jazz Jam Concert attended the Indian Music Concert. The Concert, held in Parker Hall on the 19th of April was the climactic culmination of the collective efforts of the students involved in the Indian music program in Woodstock. http://www.woodstockschool.in/News/Spring2011/May/110502.htm http://www.woodstockschool.in/News/Spring2011/May/110502.htm The Woodstock School student body and a special guests were treated to jazz music by the Woodstock Jazz Band organized and run by Ms. Megan Hagberg. After having practiced for almost nine months, the Jazz Band finally showed off their skills on the first Jazz Jam of this academic year on Saturday, 30th April. http://www.woodstockschool.in/News/Spring2011/May/110501.htm http://www.woodstockschool.in/News/Spring2011/May/110501.htm Reverend R C 'Bob' Alter – Woodstock graduate and staff member – parent –principal……….Friend, confidante, guru, comrade – missionary, padre – legend These words belong to Tom Alter reporting for the April 26 edition of the Garwahl Post summing up only a small part of the wonderful roles his 'uncle Bob' has performed. The City Board of Mussoorie honoured Rev. Alter on April 26 at his home in Mussoorie, Oakville. http://www.woodstockschool.in/News/Spring2011/April/110408.htm http://www.woodstockschool.in/News/Spring2011/April/110408.htm Woodstock Model United Nations had their seventh annual conference on Friday, April 6. MUN is a domestic model of the United Nations where different councils meet to discuss mock-international issues. "It puts student's critical thinking to the test and teaches them about real world issues and how to deal with them in an effective manner," said Nigel Mansson, Grade 11 http://www.woodstockschool.in/News/Spring2011/April/110407.htm http://www.woodstockschool.in/News/Spring2011/April/110407.htm Easter at Woodstock is such a special time that we have given you two different accounts of Easter and the Sunday chapel service to savor. My account is followed by Development Associate, alumni affairs and new journalist, Rahul Dhakal. We see Easter through very different yet similar eyes. http://www.woodstockschool.in/News/Spring2011/April/110406.htm http://www.woodstockschool.in/News/Spring2011/April/110406.htm Woodstock Model United Nations had their seventh annual conference on Friday, April 6. MUN is a domestic model of the United Nations where different councils meet to discuss mock-international issues. "It puts student's critical thinking to the test and teaches them about real world issues and how to deal with them in an effective manner," said Nigel Mansson, Grade 11 http://www.woodstockschool.in/News/Spring2011/April/110405.htm http://www.woodstockschool.in/News/Spring2011/April/110405.htm International Day returned to Woodstock on April 16. Germany, America, Mexico, Thailand, Korea, Japan, the list went on and on. Due to inclement weather, the displays and entertainment moved into the gym but the quad still was the Food Court of the world. From American Cheesecake to Sushi to the stall next door that created Pakoras. http://www.woodstockschool.in/News/Spring2011/April/110404.htm http://www.woodstockschool.in/News/Spring2011/April/110404.htm Development Associate, Namgay Tshering went along to Café Check Please to see the show and report on opening night http://www.woodstockschool.in/News/Spring2011/April/110403.htm http://www.woodstockschool.in/News/Spring2011/April/110403.htm Canadian High Commissioner Stewart Beck visited Woodstock School on April 14. Commissioner Beck was here at Woodstock's invitation to address senior students on global issues and interest them in attending Canadian Universities after leaving Woodstock http://www.woodstockschool.in/News/Spring2011/April/110402.htm http://www.woodstockschool.in/News/Spring2011/April/110402.htm India won the Cricket World Cup series against Sri Lanka last weekend. It was a glorious win for India but here at Woodstock we think the most exciting day was last week when the whole of the school went cricket crazy. http://www.woodstockschool.in/News/Spring2011/April/110401.htm http://www.woodstockschool.in/News/Spring2011/April/110401.htm The American Embassy School gym was crammed full of kids, parents and teachers counting down in unison. 10, 9, 8, 7, 6…. The Growing Stars Sport Academy, the local team from Delhi was on 16 with Woodstock on 14. http://www.woodstockschool.in/News/Spring2011/March/110310.htm http://www.woodstockschool.in/News/Spring2011/March/110310.htm On behalf of the Board of Directors, I am delighted to announce the successful completion of a thorough and inclusive Principal search process, and the appointment of Dr. Jonathan Long as the Principal of Woodstock School from December 1, 2011 - Thomas Chandy, President of the Board of Directors. http://www.woodstockschool.in/News/Spring2011/March/110309.htm http://www.woodstockschool.in/News/Spring2011/March/110309.htm Finally being a senior after studying for 12 years at Woodstock, a young teenage Tom Alter felt nothing too short of "invincible". A certain staff member, who was very popular amongst kids, would probably have agreed with it as well. One night, Tom and his roommate snuck out of dorms after lights out to go and pay a visit to the staff members house at 11:00 pm; somewhat under-dressed. http://www.woodstockschool.in/News/Spring2011/March/110308.htm http://www.woodstockschool.in/News/Spring2011/March/110308.htm The Development Office would like to introduce the new 2011 Development Associates. Following a very successful pilot programme last year, eleven enthusiastic Year 11 and 12 students were selected. http://www.woodstockschool.in/News/Spring2011/March/110307.htm http://www.woodstockschool.in/News/Spring2011/March/110307.htm The RE retreat, this semester was attended by Development Associate,( photography) Makani Nakasone. Makani wrote the story and supplied the photos Read her report below http://www.woodstockschool.in/News/Spring2011/March/110306.htm http://www.woodstockschool.in/News/Spring2011/March/110306.htm Ms Shonila Chander, Teacher and HOD of the Social Studies Faculty, has received an award for her exemplary contribution to the career guidance services for students at Woodstock. The award, the ICS Silver Jubilee memento, was presented to Ms Chander, by Dr Laurenson at Assembly last week http://www.woodstockschool.in/News/Spring2011/March/110305.htm http://www.woodstockschool.in/News/Spring2011/March/110305.htm The Government of India has awarded a Padma Shri to Martha Chen ('60 nee Alter). The Padma Awards are India's highest civilian awards and the Padma Shri is for distinguished service in any field. Dr Chen is recognised for her work in the areas of employment, poverty and gender in India. http://www.woodstockschool.in/News/Spring2011/March/110304.htm http://www.woodstockschool.in/News/Spring2011/March/110304.htm Big Brother-Big Sister always is popular at Woodstock. This year the high school was inundated with Big Brothers and Sisters to spend some time with the junior school. The Big Brother-Big Sister Committee had a great idea. There were a lot of old chairs to be donated to the orphanage, still in good condition, but how about some artistic talent to make them bright and colourful and appealing to look at. http://www.woodstockschool.in/News/Spring2011/March/110303.htm http://www.woodstockschool.in/News/Spring2011/March/110303.htm This semester introduces a new team of Development Associates that will be showcased in future articles. The Communications Interns (journalists), Namgay and Tashi attended the recent Student Talent Night and their report features http://www.woodstockschool.in/News/Spring2011/March/110302.htm http://www.woodstockschool.in/News/Spring2011/March/110302.htm Woodstock School's Hanifl Centre for Outdoor and Environmental Education received the prestigious Green Award from the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) for the Uttarakhand region. This award was presented to the principal, Dr. David Laurenson and to the head of outdoor education, K. Krishnan Kutty, during the CII industrial Expo on March 6, 2011. http://www.woodstockschool.in/News/Spring2011/March/110301.htm http://www.woodstockschool.in/News/Spring2011/March/110301.htm