For over two decades now, Slate - The School has been at the forefront in bringing in a fresh and transformative approach to the school education through its 'holistic education', which has set it apart from other schools. Focusing on the all important 'Life Skills' as the cornerstone of its pedagogy, Slate has devised a well-structured curriculum aimed at enhancing SOCIAL and CREATIVE INTELLIGENCE of each child, which is essential in the future world marked by disruptive technologies including automation, AI, Robotics, etc. Mr. Vasireddy Amarnath, an academician turned educationist and Founder-Chairman of Slate - The School, has passionately undertaken the onerous task of making students turn into well-rounded personalities with his 'holistic education' that lays equal emphasis on LifeSkills, values and discipline, apart from academics. Slate - The School is a pioneer in holistic education and has been championing the cause of Life Skills for its students. It has been well accepted and appreciated by parents over the last 21 years. It is validated by the presence of 15,000+ students across 7 campuses in 3 cities (Tirupati, Vijayawada, Hyderabad) in the two Telugu States, who believe and vouch by Slate’s futuristic vision. All the teachers across the campuses are handpicked by the Chairman and are reoriented to enable them to deliver Slate’s unique curriculum through interactive and immersive methodologies to make the learning impactful and enjoyable. With field trips, theme days, and many co-curricular activities, along with energetic and empathetic teachers, there is never a dull moment at Slate and all students tend to look up to Slate as their second home, and are eager to return, day after day. As part of its Life Skills-centric holistic learning, Slate has identified important ‘Basic Skills’* and key ‘Futuristic Skills’*. Deploying its signature curriculum through fine-tuned methodologies and specifically trained teachers, it’s been imparting these skills successfully to its students. All teachers are also trained to inculcate skills like Spirit of Enquiry, Critical Observation, Questioning and Critical Understanding / Thinking. Children are discouraged to ‘memorise’ or rote learn, but are encouraged to think, understand and explore. This exercise happens as daily routine and hence becomes part of a student’s personality. Even in developed countries, while there is still a discussion happening on how to inculcate the futuristic skills among school students and on how to prepare them for the robotic revolution, Slate has been doing it for the last several years. But the focus on ‘futuristic skills’ has been there for the last 5 years. BASIC SKILLS* • Observation Skills • Listening Skills • Reading Skills • Spoken Skills • Written Skills • Concentration Skills • Memory Skills • Application Skills FUTURISTIC SKILLS* • Complex Problem Solving • Critical Thinking • Sportsperson Spirit • Self-Confidence • Empathy • Emotional Intelligence • Determination • Interpersonal Skills • Humility and Simplicity • Leadership Skills
Co-curricular activities are part of holistic education. They form an important part of it by allowing students to engage in ‘hands on experiences’. These activities equip students with social skills, moral, values and facilitate personality development, intellectual skill development and character development, besides giving them a break from routine classroom interaction. Co-curricular activities are all about creative thoughts, social and organizational skills so that students can unlock their innate potential and lead life successfully and gracefully. Through co-curricular activities, students learn time management and leadership skills. Students get an opportunity to interact with each other, participate in group activities and develop social etiquettes. The following are a few of the Co-curricular and extra-curricular activities at Slate – The School • Futurisitc Life Skills development classes • Theme days • Field trips • Music • Dance • Art & Craft • Yoga • Swimming
Slate – The School places equal emphasis on Sports & Games because it believes that ‘a sound mind resides in a sound body’. Health and fitness are natural outcomes of sports and without good health the purpose and essence of life gets defeated. Sports help in building discipline, fostering friendships, overcoming adversity, instilling resilience, encouraging teamwork and inspiring leadership. Slate has never compromised on providing good sports facilities and the expansive campus at Tirupati has all popular sporting facilities and trained Physical Education Trainers. Students who play competitive sports at school demonstrate more confidence, leadership and self-respect. They are better at setting goals and managing their time. Participation in sports and other physical activities is a lead indicator in improved health and fitness. Slate’s campus at Tirupati has Cricket ground, Volleyball court, Basketball court and Hand ball courts. Children are also encouraged to play Kabaddi, Kho Kho, and are trained in athletic events like shot put, javelin throw, etc. Group and individual sports are encouraged and faculty help children participate in them. Sport hours are mandatory and intra-school competitions help improve performance and increase motivation levels among students. Prizes and mementos are distributed to students on special occasions to keep up their spirit and increase participation.
A. Sunshine Assembly 20 mins. warm up and age-specific work outs. Strengthening children’s cardio-vascular system. Exposure to sun-ample Vitamin-D B. Aqua Bells Ensure children drink sufficient water. To keep them hydrated and going but will also build their immunity. C. Healthy Break Munchy Monday Calcium Tuesday Veggie Wednesday Tasty Thursday Fruity Friday Encouraging healthy eating among SLATERS. D. Protein Lunch Prime motto of ensuring children take a balanced diet. Keeping their growing age in mind. Proteins must be about 30-40% of children’s diet. Strengthens their muscles, bones and boosts their immunity.
i. Introduction of Second Language (for classes- LKG & UKG) In tune with the New Education Policy,2020, draft which calls all schools to teach children 3 languages before the age of 5, from the next academic year onwards, Second language will be introduced to the children of classes L.K.G and U.K.G. ii. New Textbooks (for classes NUR to Class-5) As we have already informed, we are getting a reputed publishing house compose books for us for classes-1-5. ? These books will not just help us improve children’s LSRW (Listening, Speaking, Reading and Written Skills) but will also ease the process of Life Skills inculcation among children ? The Life Skills classes will no become part of language classes. ? The new language textbooks focus on building children’s vocabulary, improving their reading, creative, comprehension, analysis and application skills.
Word Power Handout (NUR-Class-5) * Word power is essential for effective communication. ? We are coming out with the class-wise Handouts for Word Power. ? This Handout is a reference material for teachers and parents. ? The Handouts will also contain translation from English to Telugu and English to Hindi.
Recitation of Rhymes (Musical Intelligence) & Story Narration (Intra-personal Intelligence) ? Enhances memory, sense of appreciation and normative behaviour. ? Repetition of words, ideas and skills is important for early brain development, creates secure foundations for early learning. Story narration: Improves Social Skills and Intra personal Intelligence.
Home Assignments (NUR, LKG & UKG) ? Majority learning happens at school, there will be no written home tasks assigned to children, applicative concepts of Maths (MLI) will be given as Home Assignment. ?Whatever the child has learnt at school, the same can be reinforced at home and the parents can to grade the kid in a scale of 10.
Full day School for Pre-Primary ?We would need extra time for the active learning. Hence, we have revised the school timings for Pre-Primary. The school will function for a full day. ?Please note that the time table for them will be child friendly and sufficient time will be allotted for academics, activities, lunch and nap time as well. Morning Session: Academics – Three Languages and Number Work Afternoon Session: Story Narration , Rhymes Recitation , Montessori Activities, Pre-Writing Skills, Cursive Writing, Sunshine Workout time and resting period or Nap time. ?In other words, we will be extending ‘day-care’ facility. But for parents who want their children to be in school only half a day, they can take children after the morning session via Own Transport.
Increase in school timings for Primary (classes-1-5) ?New textbooks, increased interaction between the students and the teacher, more focus on LSRW skills, compound periods for Spatial Intelligence (Co-Curricular Activities) and Kinesthetic Intelligence (dance, sports). ?The school timings will be increased by 40-45 minutes from the next academic year onwards (exact timings will be intimated later).
Fast Maths Program ?Functional aspects in Mathematical and Logical Intelligence (for classes- Nursery to 7th). ?Focuses on a more practical and applicative approach to Mathematics and reasoning. ix. Counsellors (for classes-6-10) ?We, at SLATE, understand how important it is for someone to guide, counsel, motivate and keep a watch on children during such times. ?From academic year onwards, we will be having Counsellors exclusively for High School children to help them manage their teenage turbulence, besides also keeping a close watch on their behaviour and conduct and helping them cope better.
Mr. Vasireddy Amarnath, an academician turned educationist, thinker and visionary, Director of Slate Group of Schools, whose life revolves around the school which he has built painstakingly on the foundations of integrity and accountability. A motivational speaker, he has passionately undertaken the task of making students into well-rounded personalities being the fore-runner with his mission ‘holistic education’ that lays equal emphasis on Life Skills, values, ethics and discipline besides academics. A profound thought leader, his deep understanding of child psychology and teenage turbulences has made him a benevolent mentor, teacher and guide to his students at ‘SLATE - The School’. His sole aim is and has been making ‘Learning a Happy and an Enjoyable Experience for children.’ For 21 years now, Mr Vasireddy Amarnath, Director of SLATE - The School has single-mindedly and explicitly dedicated his life to provide child-centric education that is driven by values, future needs and functionality. Mr Amarnath can be regarded as a pioneer of ‘holistic education’, which has redefined the course and content of school education in Telangana & Andhra Pradesh. Mr Amarnath, an impactful trainer and counsellor, has invested all his time, energy and resources only into school education and its attendant activities and has never looked at safe investments or diversifying into any other domain. Mr. Vasireddy Amarnath, a True Blue Academician… a visionary who wears many hats with an unflinching passion on a relentless mission.
The Principal of Slate – The School, Tirupati, Ms. Sirimilla Jayanti has around 22 years of experience in the field of school education in various positions. From being a teacher to an administrator, she has donned all the roles regarding school education with aplomb and has earned a good rapport with both students and parents. Passionate towards educating kids, she is known to have a motherly approach towards kids, making them feel school like a second home. She has been missonarily helping students realize their full potential. She has been working with Slate - The School, Tirupati since its inception and knows our system very well. The principal has been steadfast in her efforts to impart holistic education to students. Slate has been a true champion, putting equal focus on life skills and academics which have been central to our education philosophy. Ms. Jayanthi as Principal has been ensuring that the curriculum designed is effectively rolled-out through Slate’s unique teaching methodology which is interactive, experiential and immersive. As Principal, Ms Jayanthi has been ensuring that all her colleagues share the same kind of dynamism and devotion towards the profession and that the curriculum is meticulously taught in a systematic and time-bound manner. The principal has been keen about the students being appraised individually in terms of capabilities and deficiencies, so that the learning becomes personalized and the impact is profound.
