REPORT

The following students participated in 3Rs campaign as a part of current campaign for a better Environment in the All India Industrial Exhibition, Nampally organized by Andhra Pradesh Environment connect (APEC) at Oxford Grammar School on 30.1.2010. The competitions are conducted in Mimicry, Dance, Songs, Street Play/Skit and Puppetry to bring awareness in the areas of water conservation, energy conservation, improving green cover, promoting Green Panchayaths and recycling of plastic and paper waste among the students and parents. Oxford Grammar School students participated in the Skit, Songs and Puppetry competitions, and won prizes in three events.

From OGS:
The students of V & VII classes participated in Puppetry. The theme was “Conservation of Environment and Protection of trees” and they won 1st prize.
The students of VI & VII classes participated in skit competition and won IIIrd Prize. The theme was conservation of water and energy and to develop awareness among the citizens of our country about our mother earth.
The students of VI & VII classes participated in singing competition and won the IInd prize.

Andhra Pradesh Environment connect (APEC) felicitated the students by Sri. K.Suresh Reddy former Speaker, AP State Legislative Assembly at Gala Cultural Evening on Environmental Actions at the Exhibition grounds, Nampally on 31st January, 2010

Oxford Grammar School Celebrated it’s 28th Sports-cum-Annual Day Celebrations for two days i.e. on 31st Jan & 1st Feb, 2009 at their school play ground in frolicsome atmosphere. A Festive Spirit was created with a well decorated playground and every little detail seen to. The students gave spectacular performance, which spoke of discipline and sportsmanship.

The dignitaries who were present on the 1st day, were Sri.Susheelkumar IPS, Former Director General of Police of A.P; Co-convenor INTACH Hyderabad Chapter was the chief guest and Sri P.Shankar, Asian Games Silver Medalist in Athletics was the Guest of Honour.

Mr.Susheelkumar, the chief guest of the occasion expressed his appreciation of the immense talents of the students, who performed with great expertise. He extolled the Management’s efforts to Nurture and Nourish the students with value based education for their all round development. Sri.P.Shankar, the Guest of Honour in his speech said he was amazed to watch the programmes performed by the Nursery kids who excel in their performance.

The dignitaries who were present on the 2nd day of the celebration were Dr.P.Padmavathi, Vice Chancellor, Jawaharlal Nehru Architecture and Fine Arts University as the Chief Guest, Sri.L.Venkataramreddy, General Secretary, Andhra Pradesh Olympic Association as the guest of Honour. Dr.P.Padmavathi, while speaking on the occasion said that she was impressed by the spectacular performance and by the highly disciplined and groomed students of Oxford Grammar School.

Sri.L.Venkatramreddy, the Guest of Honour said that he was impressed by the eye-catching performance of the students and staff for their efforts in making the programme a successful.

Mr.M.Vedakumar, Chairman of Oxford Grammar School, while presiding over the function in his concluding speech advised the parents to give freedom to express to their wards and to give best child to the society and to allow lot of place to the child to play, he opined that a child should be respected.

Mrs.B.Saileela Reddy, H.M, a pillar of strength and support to the institution read the Annual Report Mr.M.L.Muralidhar Rao, Correspondent of the school graced the occasion.

The programme kick started with the impressive March past by the Four Houses. Green Champak, Red Roses, Blue Bells, and Sunflower, which displayed order and uniformity. The students brought out the sparkle of the gems in their true colours. The oath was taken by the head girl on behalf of the entire school, then Mr.Susheelkumar, the Chief Guest declared the Sports Meet Open. The athletic events like Flat Race, Musical chair entertained the onlookers.

The celebration continued with grand display of cultural programmes, which reflected variety of folk dances of our country.

It was followed by Aerobic dance brought out the grit and determination of the girls. Next pyramids formation by the high school boys displayed exemplary precision and daredevil techniques.

The programme followed by the prize distribution. The prizes were given to the students for their excellent performance in various events of sports for general proficiency.

The function closed with a Vote of Thanks.

Day – 2. Students were explained about the structures of HIV, routes of entry of HIV into Human bodies, through 4 ways i.e.
1) Sexual contact 2) infected blood transfusion 3) Mother to Child and 4) infected needles, Syringes and blades.
They were also taught about the ABC formula
A – Abstinence (no sex before marriage)
B – Be faithful to life partner.
C – Concentrate on studies.

They were also explained about the 4 stages from the HIV infection to the AIDS stage.

Stage – 1. HIV Acute infection (Window period) in which HIV Virus is not seen in the tests. During this period human body does not produce antibodies against the virus. So it can not be seen in the blood. It is called window period.

Stage – 2. HIV Asymptomatic period (Incubation period). In this period symptoms will not be much, but HIV positive may suffer from fever and weight loss. During this period HIV damages more no. of Cd4 cells (a type of lymphocytes of WBC) and multiply in number.

Stage – 3. HIV Symptomatic stage. In this stage, due to reduction in no. of lymphocytes the HIV positive suffers from diarrhoea, skin diseases, continuous fever, ulcers in mouth, swellings on the body and loss of appetite.

Stage – 4. AIDS Stage . This is the last stage of HIV infection. The Immune System is damaged very much, so the HIV Positive suffers from diseases like, Tuberculosis, ulcers in mouth, diarrhoea, RTIs (Reproductive Tract Infections) and STDs (Sexually Transmitted infections). The patient also suffers from skin diseases, continuous fever and weight loss. He will be vulnerable to many infectious diseases.

HIV – Human Immuno Deficiency Virus.
AIDS – Aequired Immuno Deficiency Syndrome.

Day – 3. Life Skills. Were explained to students using examples.
1. Critical thinking skill.
2. Decision making skill.
3. Interpersonal skill.
4. Communication skill.
5. Coping skill.
6. Handling peer pressure.
7. Building and Caring relationships
8. Negotiating skill.
9. Skill of Empathy.
10. Self awareness skill.
11. Counseling.

There are 3 tests to find HIV in blood.
1. ELISA – Enzyme linked Immuno Sorbant Assay
2. P.C.R – Polymerase chain Reaction
3. Western Blot Test.

Day – 4. Skits on life skills.
4 – groups of Students performed skits.
Day – 5. QUIZ on Adolescence Education, HIV and AIDS.

Day – 6. Interaction with Students.
A Female doctor Dr. Anitha Reddy from ‘Arya’ Hospital and a Male doctor Prasad, Medical officer from Gov’t Hospital gave their valuable suggestions and clarified students’ doubts.

80% to 90% of HIV infected persons survive for a period of 10 years. 5% - 10% survive only for 3 – 5 years and about 5% of HIV positive live longer without development of AIDS.

HIV lives in human blood, semen, vaginal secretions and breast milk. It can live only for 15 – 30 seconds outside the human body.
In A.P. approximately 91% of HIV infection is due to sexual made of Transmission.

HIV does not spread through sharing the food, kissing on cheeks, hugging, mosquito & other insects bite, sharing toilet seats or caring for some one with HIV --- AIDS.

Children with HIV and AIDS must be allowed to live a normal life. HIV Positive children need a lot of love and care from class mates, friends, family members and society.
HIV also does not spread through urine, faeces, saliva or by vomit

Oxford Grammar school is organising various programmes for development of total personality of children as well academics. In connection with this aim many Scholars, Educationists, Psychologist have been invited to school to help the students to recognise and to overcome their stress, conflicts etc.,

As part of it, on 1st Nov, 2008, Dr.Barbara Wright, Doctorate in psychology, Master in counseling, Bachelor in speech pathology has been invited to address High school students and help them to overcome their stress, depression and conflicts which may hinder their total personality development. Dr.Wright is a successful clinician and therapist whose work has taken her to the US, Europe, Asia and South America. Over the past 30 years she had worked with hundreds of people in, how to be skillful in conflict resolution as well as personal development. She has been a guest on radio and television.

The focus of her presentation was on skillful compassionate communication for stress reduction and conflict resolution to reach their goal.

She interacted with the students and quenched their queries. Later she also addressed the staff of OGS. Mrs. Saileela Reddy, Headmistress of OGS, graced the occasion.

National Students’ Science Congress was held at “Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan Public, School, Jubilee Hills on 25th October, 2008. Mr.G.Prabhakar was the Co-ordinator for NSC, Hyderabad District. The Chief guest Mr.Naveen Mittal, IAS., has inaugurated the Congress. Joint Director Mrs.Mallamma spoke about the indiscipline on roads because the people are not following traffic rules properly. Shri.Gopala Krishna, Vice Chairman of the Venue school spoke about the threat to the existing life on earth. Sri.Balakasaiah, Deputy E.O. wished all the participants and encouraged the students to take part in Science Congress. He also said that more number of students should participate in such activities, which helps the students involve in activities to save the earth from destructions. 200 hundred schools participated in the Science Congress. Our Oxford Grammar School students (students of Nature Club from VIII, IX and X classes) exhibited 5 projects, entirely based on research but not on model making.
The main themes are – Noosphere, Biosphere, Hydrosphere, Atmosphere.
Sub-Themes are: Biodiversity, obesity, water pollution due to industrial waste, water contamination due to excess of fluorine in water, (Research was done in Nalgonda district by one of our students.)

Every project was based on research. They have done research collectively under the given themes. Their team was appreciative. The students have visited different families for the project on obesity. During the survey they have also faced problems with obese people. Some elderly obese people did not co-operate with students for giving reasons for their obesity. Some students have involved very seriously with commitment and enthusiasm for better life. There were discussions among students about how to save the earth and people from pollution and other ailments like obesity.

Always our students participate actively and voluntarily in Science activities.

The Oxford Heritage and Nature Club is organising workshop on the make of clay Ganesh Idols every year to create awareness about eco-friendly atmosphere and to reduce the air pollution and water pollution. Children give out a message by using natural colour which are harmless to the nature instead of artificial colours which are harmful. The Ganesh idols are decorated with natural dyes like turmeric powder, grains and seeds to prove that the luster and shine is equivalent to the artificial. 200 Ganesha idols were prepared and the same are being used by some of the student families of Oxford Grammar School.

As the school believes in “learning by making” many students are involved in the workshop. Clay, sticks, seeds and other natural materials were supplied. Children participated with great enthusiasm and made different images of Lord Ganesha. They realized using chemical colours, plaster of Paris and metals is dangerous to environment.

Headmistress, craft teachers, Ms.Usha Turaga, member of the Forum supervised the activity. The other teachers of Oxford Grammar School also guided the workshop. Idols were distributed to the parents of Oxford Grammar School on the conclusion day of the workshop i.e., 2.9.2008.

The club organized many workshops to train the children in the make of clay Ganesha idols, preparation of natural colours for holi etc., Many awareness programmes against the sound pollution by the crackers on Diwali were also organized.

The club even encouraged the students in participating many exhibitions conduced by WWF, Kids for Tiger, National Green Crops. Students also presented many skits on nature as part of “Panchabhootalu” programme by WWF with the help of craft teachers. The members developed many articles using waste, degradable materials. Every year in the month of June as a part of Vanamahotsava celebrations, the club arranges the plantation of trees in the open places and distribution of saplings to the parents. Nature camps in Hyderabad as well as Srisailam Forest etc.,

The Vice Principal Mrs.N.Kalavathy and the Heads of the Departments of Social studies and Sciences supervised the programme. Mr.K.Prabhkar, Co-ordinator of the school was present at the meeting.

An interaction session was followed to clear the doubts of the students.
At last two minutes silence was observed in remembrance of the people of Hiroshima and Nagasaki who were killed in the atomic bomb blasts.