This year marks a turning point...

We gathered in remembrance of Smt Padma Santhanam on 17 September. All too suddenly, in a moment as it were, she left her earthly moorings in the early hours of 3rd Sep.

In her passing away she has left a void in the school, a certain space that is not easy to fill, like when a tall tree falls and disappears from view. There is a deep sense of loss. It may be difficult for many to understand the ways in which she was part of this school. But she was part of this school's atmosphere, the shadows, the conversations, the tones and the breezes that blow. She was not one who spoke very much or was visibly at the moving edge. But she was at the heart of all things that happened in school - the beginnings, the continuities and the changes.

Padmaji knew the school and its contours, possibly, better than anyone else. She had been a source of the beginnings at Poes garden, and then part of the move of the school to Damodar Gardens and the maturing of the school into its present position. She had witnessed the struggles and movements of a young institution and never given up in the face of great difficulties. Always calm, gentle and gracious, always willing to listen and share, she was there as a source of support for each member of the staff. She asked about the trees, the kitchen, the buildings, the classes, a particular teacher's problems with a class. When needed, she would give us suggestions, but always end by saying, you please look into it and see what is to be done. Thus, one was always free to use one's discretion and intelligence..

Her interest and keen sense of details regarding the running of the school were not diminished to her last day. On her last day here, Friday 1 sep, after watching the Junior school sports events, she spent many hours discussing with me the finer nuances of the project at Vallipuram. We had already decided upon the architects. Her question was whether the study would be up by 17 February 2007? She was aware that the future of the school depended on drawing good, capable people, and made very astute observations. We are already missing this watchful friend at school.

My association with her began in November 1990 when I met her for the first time. In the school there are several teachers who have been here longer and so have had a longer association with Padmaji. I was fortunate to have had frequent and rich interaction with her. It was a privilege to work with her. She knew the nuances of how institutional decisions were made and has left behind in the school a rich appreciation of the necessary formality. All too often institutions are either caught with helplessness or a runaway urgency. At school we have been extremely fortunate to have had Padmaji's guidance for the slow digesting movement of a new idea. We were also fortunate to have her bold support for moving ahead once the decision was made.

In her quiet and self effacing manner there was always a concern for students, teachers and staff members. The person and the role were not two.

The school was fortunate to be cared for by her for all its 33 years. We experience a vacuum and we are fast realizing the many ways in which she was part of the daily fabric of the school's life... Her sense of devotion to the teachings of Krishnamurti and an extraordinary selflessness characterized all her actions and relationships. Krishnaji had said to her, " Take care of the banyan tree." Right up to the end, she ensured that it was healthy.

The school took many creative steps. Introducing a voluntary higher fee, the mixed age environment in junior school, the special program for class 11, eliminating interest free deposits, the Vallipuram project and the latest the mixed age pilot class in middle school... all these initiatives have had Padmaji's guidance and support.

Her eyes and ears were always alert looking for relevant news in papers or articles from magazines and newspapers. She would bring paper cuttings and magazines to schools for us to look at and take note of. If policy changes were proposed by the central government Padmaji was the first to bring this up for discussion or speak to me on the phone.

In the past 5 years, while working on the conception of the Vallipuram project, there has been a note of urgency in her enquiries. She was eager to see the centre up and started. For acquiring the land the laws of the land are complex. I say with no hesitation whatsoever, that the campus at Vallipuram would never have become a reality but for her and for the extraordinary support of her family members. It was her recognition of the school's future needs that was the moving force for this beginning.

We wish she she had been around a while longer to see the retreat up and the plans ready for the school buildings at Vallipuram. This was not to be. While there is sadness, I am also certain that her spirit pervades the school and its journey. The school will carry Padmaji in its non verbal core, like a special fragrance.

Institutions are touched by the spirit and energy of those who make the early moves. Not many institutions are lucky in having such gracious selflessness as a legacy to carry forward. The school is indeed lucky and fortunate to have had such a marvelous beginning with Padmaji's continuous involvement for 33 years. The devotion she brought to the teachings, the banyan tree and the school were all one. We have all been fortunate to have her gaze upon the school and her care.

Many of us will miss her. I certainly will miss my many conversations with her and the feeling of solid, rock like support.

- G. Gautama

beginning as a retreat and workshop centre for students 2007-08

evolving organically, into a residential educational program, starting 2008-09

evolving as a school and more...

This beginning is ...........

not any compulsion,

not unavoidable,

not born of necessity...

or insurmountable problems....

But conceived out of the journey of the school so far,

recognizing its legacies, strengths and future needs and a celebration of working together

.............................in the light of the teachings of Shri J Krishnamurti.

INTRODUCTION

The school has acquired a 100 acre farm about 75 km from Adyar. With discussions in the Executive Committee and the Krishnamurti Foundation India culminating, the project has reached a definitive phase.

We have begun with planting trees and a retreat for students and adults is under planning. The retreat will commence in June 2007. In June 2008 it is proposed to commence the residential programme for classes 11 and 12. It is envisaged that students from classes 7 upwards will also have this possibility of a residential education at Vallipuram.

Our experience in this direction has been excellent. Students from classes 5 to 12 have visited the small farm at Kilapakkam each year. Class 11 has spent 3 weeks on the farm - studying, living together, cooking. We are ready now to create a rural context as an extension of the school to augment the opportunities for the students as also to see what kind of responsible initiatives are possible for us. Environmental sanity is no longer an option and students need to be invited into ecological living and self regulation.

The fuller scope of the Vallipuram campus, like many things at school, will unfold organically to meet the needs of educating the young and, simultaneously, support education and health care in the villages nearby.

FUND RAISING

The total cost of the project is estimated at about Rs 4 Crores, 50% being needed before between now and March 2007 and the rest between June and December 2007.

The school seeks funds for this endeavour from its well wishers, older parents, present parents and alumni who are interested in this movement.

All contributions in the name of "The School (Krishnamurti Foundation India)" are exempt under section 80G of the income tax act.

Note:

The Vallipuram school details are under discussions at the moment. When discussions are available, these will be posted on the website.

Over the years the school has been paying attention to its interfaces with other schools, society and the world at large. A definition has now been given to this area - it is called Outreach.

In a nut shell it means sharing some of the processes and discoveries we have made as a school with those around us. Outreach offers avenues for the school to offer programs to students from other schools, to teachers and to assist rural schools and communities. The school has initiated a collaboration with the Theosophical Society in the area of Outreach. This has been a wonderful beginning.

With the strength of the school in Environmental education and the beautiful campus of the theosophical Society one area has been the EXPERIENCING NATURE WORKSHOPS for students in the middle school.

These Workshops which was started last year i.e. 2005-06 began for the current academic year 2006-2007 on July 18th. On Tuesdays between 1.30 pm - 5 pm Middle School children from various schools come to these workshops. The slots were fully booked for the whole year by the end of July itself. We began this year with the thought that we would not have more than 30 students per session. However we could not stick to our resolve due to the unprecedented interest shown in this programme. We have had to accommodate as many as three schools per session with a total student participation of over 60 students at a time. This is exclusive of two accompanying teachers per school.

A Thematic Talk brings the fascinating world around us into closer perspective. These talks are being conducted by a group of young professionals, GNAPE (Group for Nature Preservation and Education), dedicated and well informed, young people who interact very well with students.

Dr. Murugavel (a Professor of English Literature and an avid Bird watcher who has prepared a CD on the Birds of the Theosophical Society) and Mr. V. Arun (Teacher of Environement Science at The School, KFI) have been resource people on the guided walks through the campus of the Theosophical society. This is a slow guided walk and the finer points of our Environement - Climate, Weather, Grasses, Trees, Insects and Birds all delved into and how each one relates to the other in an extraordinary web of Life. The children, we have found, never tire of coming back again and again.. surprisingly for more of the same… even more surprising as these very same children in this fast paced modern world of technology are constantly updating themselves with newer and fancier gadgetry.

Schools who have participated till date are VidyaMandir, Good Earth, Bala Vidya Mandir, Doveton Corrie Girls High School, Chinmaya Vidyalaya, DAV Girls, Padma Seshadri Bala Bhavan – T.Nagar, Bhavans Rajaji Vidyashram, Sishya.

Schools expected to participate in future workshops are VidyaSagar and P.S. Higher Secondary school.

Another set of workshops are called AFFIRMING THE CHILD:

These workshops are also a continuation from the Academic year 2005-06. The focus being to create a safe and secure world for children.We have conducted two workshops during this academic year. All of these workshops are being conducted on Saturday mornings. Details of the two workshops already conducted are as follows:

August 26th, 2006: Safety – Caring and Sharing
Workshop conducted by Dr. Padma Ramesh, Counsellor – The School, KFI

This was an interactive workshop for teachers and counselors.Some of the responses from the participants are as follows:

“This programme has been very informative and interesting and would help us get into our class rooms as better teachers and most important as better human beings. It has thrown new perception into the way we look at people and things around us.”

- RBI School

“A wonderful session that pulled us out of the routine. We go back refreshed. Thanks for the space.”

- Abacus

November 4th, 2006: Being One With All Life – Current Issues and the Classroom
Guest Speaker – Mr. Ravichandran, Professor, Asian College of Jounalism

A very interesting discussion was constructed around modern industry, the Education system, consumerism etc. Some questions that were discussed were:

Is work our play or is Play our Work? Does our life mean anything to us other than better perks, better salaries, better access to consumables? Can we be alone? Or do we need to keep ourselves constantly distracted … If one can BE with oneself one can BE with all Life.

“The one thing that Schools most dread is bringing Current Issues into the Classroom. The reason is that this prompts children to think… and our education system is not built to handle thinkers but obeyer. Are our teachers bold enough to encourage their students to speak their minds?” claims Mr. Ravichandran.

Exploring these issues, questioning ones own motives, understanding the media that seems to control our mindset and breaking free...was the essense of this workshop. Many schools participated despite the rains and Govt. Holidays.

In the area of Rural Outreach several programs are on the anvil

The Kilapakkam Health Care Project

The Villages of Kilapakkam, situated about 11 km from Thirukazhukundram, has population of about 2000 people in 470 families (2003-2004 census).

Our school has had a farm in the village of Kilapakkam from 1995 to which our students have been going for village visits. Extended village stay of 3 weeks was part of the class 11 till drought and poor water availability forced a discontinuance in the programme.

90% of the village residents are Dalits. Illiteracy is high; there are a number of girl dropouts. There is only a primary school in Kilapakkam catering to 194 children. Connectivity to neighboring villages and to Thirukazhukkundram is poor - they have to travel five kilometers to the nearest Primary Health Centre.

Over this academic year, as part of the Rural Outreach Programme, The School has mobilized a Visiting physician service for Kilapakkam Village. Each week, on Wendesday, one or two medical doctors visit Kilapakkam and conduct a clinic on the school farm. The panl of doctors who have been voluteering their time are:

• Dr. Jayashree Gopal, a specialist in Endocrinology, general medical physician.
• Dr Subhashree Rakal (Gynaecologist)
• Dr Sudhir (Ayurvedic Vaidya)
• Dr. Rama Hariharan (Homeopath)

2 potential health workers from the village have been identified and are currently working with Dr. Jayashree Gopal.

At present, the clinic is being run without charge, and medications are also being supplied free. People, who are identified as needing blood tests, other investigations and specialist care, could be sent to a referral hospital once a month.

The school contacted Sundaram Medical Foundation (SMF) and we are most happy that SMF has extended the facility diagnostic services and consultations free of charge for the care of patients seen at the Kilapakkam Health Project.

The School is grateful to the Doctors and Sundaram Medical Foundation.

It is with sorrow that we carry news of the tragic demise of Guru in a swimming accident in a pond near Tindivanam. He passed out of school in 2004 and was in his final year of visual communications at Loyola college. A sad and untimely loss....

Thanks to the effort of parents the school has reconceptualized the computer room and the administrative office. We are grateful for their help in arranging for the right furniture. Thanks to this timely help we have a spacious arrangement in the office and a very elegant computer room. The school is most thankful for this support.

This year, with the rains following a different pattern and possibly other unknown changes in the air, the termites have been very active. The roof beams of the Junior quadrangle and some of the rafters of the main building were badly affected. This necessitated many changes.

Copious rains over the summer and the good monsoon rains saw the pond brimming as we have not seen in the past many years. This is the first year in many that the pond continued to retain water over the summer. By the end of October, before November began, the pond was nearly full, causing worry about the possibility of it overflowing. The ground water is charged and the neighbourhood will surely benefit. We pray that this bounty from the skies will be used well and with adequate care.

Students from the senior school, boys and girls visited the Valley school in Bangalore on 9 and 10 November to play some matches - boys basketball and football and girls basketball. The visit built many friendships and students played with a good attitude and returned in high spirits.

Class 11 students as part of their programme went on two trips - to Anadavan in Maharashtra and to Kancheepuram.

Anandavan and Wardha: The visit of our 30 students and 3 teachers to this remarkable place set up by Baba Amte for the rehabilitation of leprosy patients was truly revelatory. Not only did students encounter the pioneering spirit of Baba Amte and met his son Dr Vikas Amte, but encountered the deeply held false notions we carry about leprosy, how it spreads and our inner irrationalities. It was truly a journey of discovery and reexamination and thus one of great educational value.

At Wardha the centre for science offered a glimpse into Gandhi's vison for India, science and villages.

Kancheepuram: visiting Hand to hand, an NGO working with bonded labour children, education, microcredit and SHGs, the students were split into 5 groups. Each group studied one aspect of the NGO's work with the expressed mandate of making suggestions. There was much learning about the India of the villages and in trying to make suggestions there was much searching. The students' presentations were very well received by the Hand in Hand management.

Meenakshi akka (Meenakshi Babu) who has been teaching class 5 and 6 and taking an interest in many aspects of school left school mid year due to health reasons.

This has been a year when Chickungunya took its toll on the staff body and as many as 7 teachers fell ill and suffered from the effects of the illness. We wish Meenakshi akka all the best.

We are grateful that Mrs Smitha Sunderamurthy agreed to our request and will be stepping in for the classes for the rest of the year.

This year we have a large number of teacher trainees applying to the school. From the month of january we will be having an intense program for 4 trainees to orient and train them to enter the role of full time teachers in the next academic year.

From this issue onwards we are hoping to keep all parents, alumni and friends updated on the events at school through a e-newsletter. This will make sure that we are able to keep people updated on the events that are unfolding.

We invite you to write and communicate with us and also send us information and news that could go into the newsletters.

Do you have comments, suggestions for improvement or words of encouragement?
We welcome your feedback. Thank you.