“To love to learn is the most precious gift that one can give a child: to love to learn always and everywhere, so that all circumstances, all happenings in life may be constantly renewed opportunities for learning more and always more”. It is the rudimentary foundation of belief which Arun Nursery School lives and practises. This preschool believes in spreading this love for learning among all the young learners who are associated with this renowned institution.
Mrs Sumitra Mitter, who is the Honorary Principal of this preschool, ensures that this belief is enshrined in the heart of every individual of the Arun Nursery School family.
Arun Nursery School opened its doors on September 4, 1972. Shri Arunendranath Tagore of the illustrious Tagore family prayed to the Mother of Sri Aurobindo Ashram seeking permission to start a Nursery School. Mother blessed the preschool and named it ‘Arun Nursery School.’
Arun Nursery School has adopted the philosophy of ‘Theme Teaching’. This approach allows students to observe and thus build knowledge. Observation of things and surroundings is of paramount importance. It allows the child to straddle different skills and domains. For instance, when children go to play in the school garden, their activities are not only restricted to playing but also gaining awareness of many things. They observe the kinds of flowers and trees present around them. They learn how to pronounce and spell the names of plants. They are taught how to count the flowers and plants around them, the number of other children they are playing with etc. At the same time, the topography of the school, and more specifically the location of the school garden with reference to classrooms is also made known. Language skills are introduced to the children through these activities. Theme teaching effectively replaces the concept of needing different periods for different subjects. It shows how curricular and co-curricular teaching co-exist and how knowledge is not compartmentalised. It does not assume, rather it contradicts the primacy of the text book. It functions on the conviction that skills are more important than content. If one acquires skills, the content will follow automatically. Besides augmenting their self-confidence, this outstanding method of upskilling students also induces awareness and learning readiness among them.
Arun Nursery School thus has faith in abstaining from an exclusive focus on text books. It motivates students to undergo the challenges offered in life with utmost confidence.
Apart from focusing on innovative teaching proficiency, the Principal of the preschool, Mrs.Sumitra Mitter, also supervises health and fitness issues of the students. In keeping with the mantra “All education of the body should begin at birth and continue throughout life. It is never too soon to begin nor too late to continue..”, we witness a secure and healthy environment for students to flourish here. Numerous sporting activities and quotidian exercises help children in increasing not only their physical fitness but also enhance their awareness in day-to-day life. Moreover, the Annual Sports and the Annual Concert play an important role in moulding the child’s personality.
On the birth anniversaries of the Mother and Sri Aurobindo, teachers and members of the staff also participate in the drills, exercises and fitness displays. Children rejoice in watching them perform.
Junk and fast food are highly discouraged by the School. Children and their parents are repeatedly counselled on the importance of healthy food and a healthy lifestyle.
Arun Nursery School, under the active educational guidance of Mrs.Sumitra Mitter, has also expanded its footprint on social media. This proactive approach helps people looking for information regarding the preschool.
While mentioning the Principal, Mrs.Sumitra Mitter, one cannot miss referring to the amicable environment prevailing in Arun Nursery School. She makes work seem more like endless fun. The enthusiasm and energy of the young learners is effectively complemented by the enterprise and efficiency of teachers and staff, everything monitored and supervised by the Principal herself. She demands and obtains a certain level of sincerity and dedication from everyone. Mrs.Sumitra Mitter herself is always brimming with determination. She has a deep fervour and an unfaltering commitment in her work. She looks at the exercise copies of every child. She makes sure that all the child’s needs and requirements are met . The role of the teachers can be rightly compared to that of foster parents. Children are showered with abundant love and attention just like a child in his or her own home. The Principal intimately knows every child, every teacher, every staff member and their families. She stands by and supports everyone but is a hard taskmaster. She loves all but spares none.
Mrs.Sumitra Mitter also promotes unique curricular activities which serve to advance the creative skills of every child. ‘Small Wonders’, the Annual Learning Festival, organised towards the end of the Annual Academic Calendar, portrays the methodical acquisition of skills by all the children of the class while mapping and recognising the unique trajectory of the individual student.
The celebration of common festivals is enjoyed not only by students and teachers but also the non-teaching staff. It triggers in them a sense of communal harmony and respect for all faiths and beliefs.
Arun Nursery School also witnesses the celebration of Grandparents’ Day. It not only strengthens the bond of children with their grandparents but also enlightens them about the significance and beauty of human relationships .
These myriad educational activities and celebrations make Arun Nursery School an ideal place where learning and fun walk hand-in-hand, effectively reflecting and mirroring the personality and leadership of Mrs. Sumitra Mitter.