Professional Retreat 2024
Charles R. Swindoll has rightly said, “Sometimes the best way to move forward is to retreat.” This profound insight set the tone for our Professional Retreat 2024, themed ‘Reflect and Renew,’ held at HPS from June 5th to June 7th. The retreat was a perfect blend of inspiration, learning, and rejuvenation, paving the way for a vibrant new academic year.
Our retreat commenced with a warm welcome for the new faculty members, introduced by our esteemed Principal, Dr. Skand Bali. As this day coincided with World Environment Day, the Head of the Geography Department presented an eye-opening session that reminded us of our vital responsibility towards the environment.
A major highlight was the presentation of the ISC and ICSE results for 2024 by Dr. Neeta Bisht, our senior school coordinator. Her detailed overview celebrated our students’ remarkable achievements, setting a high bar for academic excellence.
Our Vice Principal, Ms. Amrita Chandra Raju, then set the stage for the upcoming professional development sessions, infusing the atmosphere with anticipation and excitement. The Heads of Pre-Primary and Junior School shared their inspiring vision for nurturing our youngest learners, charting a vibrant path for their growth.
Ms. Anupama provided a crucial session on the old and new tax regimes, ensuring our faculty is well-informed about important financial updates. The day took an innovative turn with Ms. Vaneja Mani’s introduction of the ‘school cinema’ programme, an initiative designed to support social and emotional learning through cinema. This pioneering program marks a significant step in holistic education. The day concluded with Dr. Bali sharing his visionary plans for the school’s future, leaving everyone motivated and inspired.
Day Two featured the dynamic Dr. Ashok Pandey, who captivated us with his emphasis on creating a positive learning community through inclusivity and group learning. His subsequent session delved into cutting-edge pedagogical trends, skills, and innovations aimed at achieving curriculum goals through unconventional classroom methods.
Dr. L. Savita followed with an in-depth session on empathy and mindfulness. Her insights underscored the importance of these qualities in fostering positive thinking in the teaching and learning environment, providing valuable strategies for enhancing emotional well-being in our classrooms.
The final day of the retreat was equally enriching, focusing on mindfulness, empathy, positive thinking, equity, and inclusiveness. Sessions led by Ms. Chaya and Mr. Sudhakar Rao were both enlightening and practical.
Mr. Rao, Director of ICFAI, introduced the concept of personal branding for teachers, a topic gaining traction in corporate circles. His guidance on crafting a personal brand offered a fresh perspective on professional identity, encouraging teachers to view themselves as unique and influential figures within the educational landscape.
The Professional Retreat 2024 at HPS was a masterfully curated event designed to help our faculty reflect, renew, and return with newfound energy and enthusiasm for the new academic session. Each session fostered professional growth, personal development, and a deeper sense of community among our educators.
With hearts full of inspiration and minds brimming with new ideas, we look forward to a year of growth, learning, and excellence. God bless HPS and all who here in dwell!
