| |19 June 2018HIGHERReviewcenter or interacting with the best minds from all across the world through video conferencing. To ensure greater accountability amongst the students for their own academic growth the school has constituted the Student Academic Council. This allows academia to be perceived through the eyes of the learner and makes the learning process truly democratic. "Our students also get opportunities to experience a truly global education and develop a greater understanding of other cultures by being a part of Student Exchange programmes. Education-al excursions within the country are also a useful tool to complement classroom learning," shares Shalini. VDJS also understand the importance of Learning be-yond classrooms. Therefore, sports and co curricular ac-tivities are given due diligence. The School has a dedicated hobby club programme for Classes IV to XII. "We offer a whopping 50+ activities catering to the non-academic talents of each student so as to promote creative expression and holistic learning. While we have very accomplished faculty members in the school, we invite experts from different fields to provide greater exposure to our girls," claims Shalini. Providing a matrix of intra and inter-school sports activities, the school has earned a name for its in-ternational class sporting facilities offering more than 15 sports. The students of VDJS have been winning laurels for their alma mater with some of them even representing at the International level.Shalini explains, "We look after the physical, emotion-al and spiritual well being of our girls. The pastoral team operates in loco parentis. The School follows a `No Child Left Behind Policy' and individual attention is given to the academic, emotional and pastoral care needs of the girls under our care. A multilayered system ensures that each Board: CBSE Class XIINumber of candidates: 96Result: 100%School Average: 86.97%2017-18 Academic Year Results student receives personalized attention and each issue is addressed with alacrity."On the infrastructure front, VDJS ensures com-fort, effective functionality, security and aesthetics. The School has top of the line infrastructure in terms of both outlook and facilities. The building is architecturally ap-pealing with an attractive facade. It also meets all gov-ernment-established norms and the norms set by CBSE. Shalini says, "Our aim is to create responsible citizens for tomorrow and we take great pride in instilling ecologi-cal consciousness in our girls." The School has won the Green School Awards for three years in succession for its environment friendly practices, been a part of the Green Rhino program and keeps instilling awareness through theme based assemblies. "Sensitivity towards the envi-ronment is part of our core belief system," adds Shalini. While empowering girls physically through giving them self-defence classes, VDJS also ensures that ethical core of their students is robust by incorporating the best elements from the 'Universal Ethics Curriculum' led by Dalai Lama. VDJS has provided the students with provi-sions to attend workshops on mindfulness, positive psy-chology and emotional intelligence. In addition to that, VDJS instils responsibility towards the society by engag-ing the students in community service programs.In its existence of over 33 years, VDJS has produced leaders, entrepreneurs, managers, health professionals and many other achievers in diverse fields. Shalini proud-ly says, "The achievements of our alumnae bear testimo-ny to the sound foundation which our students receive in school." Today, VDJS is much more than an educational institute. It is a way of life for all the girls who call it their home. It imbues in them a thirst for knowledge as they live up to the motto `Vidya Jyoti, Jeevan Jyoti' meaning the light of knowledge is the light of life. Shalini Mehrotra Receiving the Highly Effective Principal's Award
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