A school is a place where one learns about the totality, the wholeness of life. Academic excellence is absolutely necessary, but a school includes much more than that. It is a place where both the teacher and the student explore, not only the outer world, the world of knowledge, but also their own thinking, their own behavior.  - J Krishnamurti
 
 artwork from young children at The Valley School.
 

This entry is dedicated to all of the extrodinary teachers at St. Anne’s:

Thursday morning, I had the opportunity to visit The Valley School, a renowned primary and secondary school in Bangalore.  Leo, the IHP India Coordinator, has three children who attend this school, and his wife, a PhD in game Theory is an upper school math teacher here, and she was gracious enough to host my visit when Leo explained to her that I was very interested in education, and alternative philosophies of education.  The Valley School’s campus was very natural and open, the atmosphere incredibly warm and free.  We toured the different parts of campus, then I interacted with a vertical class, aged 12-15, and their two wonderful teachers.  The Valley School follows the philosopy of J. Krishnamurti, and there are a handful of schools like this one across India, as well as one in England and one in California, I heard. 
Because we often discussed the importance of the learning environment at St. Anne’s, I have posted some photos of the different learning centers of The Valley School.  Many beautiful, thought-provoking sculptures dotted the grounds, and I have posted these photos, too.   

Study Centre and Photography Room.

Students working in Art Village.

  
Outdoor classroom space.

An Art Assignment; The applied art assigment reads:
1. Design a book cover for children.
2. Design a saree [whole, not just the border].
3. Making a poster launching a new colour.

The art portfolios of the students (the same system we use at St. Anne’s)

A decorated column.

The Valley School’s version of Biscuit!!

One of my favorite sculptures: simulating the good luck strands of chillies and lemons that hang from cars and doorways.