What is Baylling for?

Baylling is a dream school. Though dreamers are unaware, dream appears to them. In the like manner, the school like Baylling was born. Since its inception in 2004, Baylling has been a refinery to many fortunate aspirant leaders. The mixed raw materials of good, mediocre and without exception bad or students, who could not discover their talents, joined our school. No matter what the raw materials were, they have been put to refinery and steered it appropriately until they came out in the form of polished products. Many students, who came here without any goal initially, graduated from Baylling HSS gaining mental maturity, wholly aware of their talents, and as custodian of their own destiny. It is a dream, even to its inmates, to hear Baylling reverberating far and wide despite being literally tender in age.

The recent school ranking, by our Ministry, that made us see our school in the first tenth position gave natural and boundless flow of joy through the veins of every Baylling family. This is not the first time. We are not surprised. The pleasure and joy that filled our state today is because of the fact that we have got an opportunity to see our school in the list of top ten schools consecutively for many years. We feel that the ordeal we are put to is passed without doubt. To tell the truth, we have reached the stage where we can be considered ‘indomitable’. This word may make readers deduce that we are satisfied with our performance. Experience tells us that once we reach satisfaction level, our enthusiasm for performance declines. Should anyone be engulfed with this notion, we must contradict it by asserting that we are not satisfied. Rather we believe, our fresh stride measuring new progress, as just a beginning. Like Alfred Tennyson, we feel ‘all experiences as an arch where through gleams that untraveled world, whose margin fades forever and forever when we move’. We are aware that we have greater challenges ahead: challenge to retain same position, challenge to meet expectations, and challenge to provide good guidance to students.

But we stand firm. No topic of impossibility, if there is at all, will dissuade us from seeking our pursued dreams. We have high dreams. We encourage our members to dream high and crave to attend it. The recent announcement of early mid-term break by MoE did give us little time to think, but altogether we are not unprepared. Early or late does not make any difference to us.  We are prepared for quality performance anytime. We provide forum to students to authenticate their learning with practical experience. We experiment, do and redo matters to exhume facts. We explore and provide new arenas for learning and discovery. This is always our top priority and will remain so.

We may not be able to produce great brain like Albert Einstein, ever Physicist like Sir Isaac Newton, courageous astronaut like Neil Armstrong, greatest pure mathematician like Pythagoras, etc. now and in the near future. However, no matter how exhausted we become, what sacrifices we may have to make in our endeavour, we will never rest until we produce an individual: who nurtures and nourishes unparallel admiration for the work of great human beings, who harbours an inspiration that inspired the nerves of all undisputed great men and who exudes willingness to pursue the footpaths of great discoverers.

 These are Baylling’s pledges!          

       

International Day of Happiness

We were given a day off on 20^th March 2013 to observe International Day of Happiness. As our proposal which we submitted last year could not get through, we did not have any idea to celebrate a Day of Happiness in our school. Fortunately, we were invited by Dzongkhag Administration, Trashiyangtse to join them in the walk to join international communities in celebrating the First Historic Day of Happiness.

 The walk we had here had multi purposes. Dasho Dzongda, in his culminating speech at Chorten Kora said that through walk we had not only joined international communities but also opened the eco-tourist foot trails for visitors (tourists) from outside as well as for the families of Trashiyangtse. Any Bhutanese or non-Bhutanese, be it the residents of Trashiyangtse or from outside, can come with their lovely families and enjoy their walk through that trails. The trails, on the day we walked, were serene with fresh air endowed with the bountiful beauty of assorted colours. The two eco-tourist foot trials were identified by Dzongkhag Forest Office last year.

Divided into two groups, walk through trails was started at 9.30 am. One group was led by Dasho Dzongda while the other was led by Dasho Dzongrab. Dasho Dzongda’s group started their walk from Tshar Zam point whereas Dasho Dzongrb’s group started from Baylling point. Both the groups were joined by Dzongkhag Officials, teachers and students, business community and village representatives. During the walk, age and gender cast no hindrance.  It was absolutely irresolute. The duration of walk was about six hours. However, it wasn’t tiring. While setting off our journey, many dreaded that some may have to use walking stick and walk with three limbs like old people and some may have to crawl exactly like small baby. But, in the midst of exaltation and jubilation, let alone facing difficulties, we did not even know how the walk came to an end. We sang in groups; each group trying to dominate over the other by singing with full throated ease. We chatted with whom we never did, we made ourselves known to strangers, and little known persons became great acquaintances. Hikers had a talk on wide range of topics; serene atmosphere, ideal place for family recreation, natural footpaths, range of flora, and so on. ‘We will come back again next time’ was an aspiration expressed by many hikers as they had very less time to enjoy scenic beauty because they felt compelled to move along with other groups.

A group led by Dasho Dzongrab had a brief break at Donag Chholing Goempa. Everybody was amazed to see a lhakhang of historical importance lying majestically on the pinnacle of a small hill. Had it not been for that occasion, many of us would not have been aware of the existence of that place. On reaching the courtyard of lhakhang, we relieved ourselves of our back pack and had gone inside lhakhang to prostrate and to make our wish in presence of its relics. Besides many, there were two magnificent principal relics-a statue of Shaka Muni (Lord Buddha) and a small thumb-size statue of Tertoen Lethro Lingpa. Legend has it that when once the lhakhang caught fire, statue of Tertoen Lethro Lingpa was seen seated on top of a cypress tree which lies next to the lhakhang.   

At around 12.30 pm, we had our lunch together in a big circle. We felt that we were a big happy family. We danced to the tune of our satisfaction and headed our journey backward. Since we had to descend downhill, we were kidding among ourselves that we would know who had strong patella. Fortunately, no one complained of any unease. Just like climbing uphill, everybody got down singing, chatting and sharing experiences. The day was really memorable. 20^th March 2013 has lighted the candle of peace and happiness all over Yangtse and across all sections of people. I pray that this light never vanishes from this earth.

Long Live His Majesty Fourth Druk Gyalpo Jigme Singye Wangchuk who propounded the idea of Gross National Happiness in Bhutan and whose idea has now radiated the light of peace and happiness to the whole world. We have joined international communities in celebrating International Day of Happiness in grandeur. May peace and happiness prevail!                        

School Foundation Day, 2013

Sunday, 10^th March 2013 was celebrated as School Foundation Day.  With the turn of March 2013, Baylling HSS has become 9 years old. It came into being in 2004.

On this occasion, principal reminded students about the present renowned state of Baylling HSS. He reminded students to prepare to work hard to live up to the expectations: face new challenges, make sacrifices, and enable school to move forward bringing acceptable innovations. In the process of dynamism, criticism of various natures from different angles may be heard. Principal also reminded students to prepare to face criticism and to convert it into potential energy for positive change.

Foundation Day was observed as thanksgiving day, an expression of gratitude to different predecessors. Principal remembered and thanked former principal, Mr. Phuntsho Wangdi for laying good foundation, setting positive culture and for making conditions conducive for imparting different kinds of education. Principal too thanked former VP, teachers and students for working day and night, and in rain and shine building school of grandeur. All of them are revered as founding fathers.

With the expectations to see the sun of peace, prosperity, good health and untainted academic progress perpetually shining over Baylling, all programmes on that day started by making unanimous prayers and lighting hundred butter lamps.

Our new vice principal, Mr. Choki Dorji, who stepped into our territory on 9^th evening, on transfer from Peljorling HSS was presented and introduced to whole school family as priceless gift on the foundation occasion by principal. He graced the Return Variety Show by new comers, set aside especially for that occasion.

Foundation Day, 10^th March 2013 became ever more memorable in the history of Baylling HSS.     

   

Address on Teachers’ Day Celebration (2^nd May 2012)

I feel so warm and honored to stand here today. Like Lewis Carroll, I feel, time has come for me:

    “to talk of many things;

Of shoes – of ships – and sealing wax –

Of cabbages – and kings –

And why the sea is boiling hot –

And whether pigs have wings.”

However, time is so precious. In the interest of time, I will speak only few important points and leave the rest. Anyway, I pray that I do not get carried away by the whirlpool of my own thoughts in the process.

In my 14 years of teaching service, I have been in different schools in various capacities, have celebrated the days, much honored with words of praises, but my heart remained empty. Frankly speaking, today, my longing heart is filled till its brim by your smile, your sincere thoughts and your pure love.

The way one does itself passes a lot of messages to us. This unique preparation for the celebration has made me believe that you all have done it with real feelings for the teachers from deep within your hearts. This touches our heart and transforms us to thinking better, concerning, loving and reflective human beings.

Other thing speaks of your respect for teachers. Last time during our school rimdro, Venerable Lam Naten told us ‘to respect our superiors for one day when we become somebody ourselves, everything would happen as we do it to our superiors now.’ Three days back, HE Jangtruel Y Rimpochhe also taught us the law of karma – action and reaction. If we do good we accrue good merit and vice versa. I feel that this ‘respect’ is a long chain that binds us to God. You respect us, we respect our masters, our masters respect their masters and ultimately the ones at the top would have drawn their inspiration from God. Thus, we are bound to God.

Obviously, when we are with God, it is impossible not be inspired, and not get anything out of Him. We will get everything we want.

I keep telling you that we are GNH students and that we should live by GNH principles and philosophies. ‘Tha Damtse’ is one philosophy of GNH. Law of Nature or Uncertainty of Life does not permit us to live together forever. We must part. But, we must not forget the time, things we had done together once. We must not forget to wish at least ‘hi’ or ‘hello’ even if we meet elsewhere. That is ‘Tha damtse’. It is my proudest moment to see our friends from Sherubtse College with us today. They have come crossing miles sacrificing their precious time and energy to celebrate this august moment with us. This is ‘Tha Damtse’. I thank all of them for finding time to look back to remember us. However, I need not welcome them. They know, it is ingrained in their bones that this school is their permanent home. They can come in and go out anytime. But, at least today, please do enjoy the moment with us in the same rhythm as we do.

In my school days, I have always considered my teachers as rationale being – social thinker, torch bearer – the ones who shows light through darkness, guide – who gives detailed information of everything, trouble handler – who takes us out of troubles, light giver – who shows the path to our destination, and all-knowing – knowledgeable.

This morning, I got lots of SMS from my ex-students. One of them wrote, ‘teachers can easily substitute an actor, but an actor can, in no way substitute a teacher.’ Another wrote, ‘Batter than a thousand years of diligent study is a moment together with great teacher.’ That is what a teacher is. You have known who a teacher really is. Thanks for that.

What I believed about my teachers came to be true. What I am now is all because of my forth coming, warm-hearted and caring ‘Gurus’. Today, in this august gathering, I take a moment to thank all, living as well as the ones who left for their heavenly abode. I pray for the long life and the peace of mind respectively.

It is needless to mention how auspicious today’s day is. The culmination of three important events; His Late Majesty, Third Druk Gyalpo’s Birthday, Sherig Century Celebration and Teachers’ Day are all the reasons. On top of it, in our school, spices have been added by the presence of our staff members with their ever ready cultural programs, presence of Sherubtseans and CE candidates with their items as well.

To usher the moment of joy, without making you all become impatient any longer, I join my hands with all Sherubtseans, CE candidates and all my dear boys and girls here, in expressing my special happy teachers’ day to all teachers and support staff members of our school. HAPPY TEACHERS’ DAY!

May you all and your good deeds continue till eternity!

May your hearts remain green forever!

May you get strength to lead our youths forward!

May your wishes get fulfilled unconditionally!                                     

                                                  Thanks and thank you all so much!!!

Recommendation for Education Monitoring Officer II

This is to recommend Mr. Jigme Tshering, EID # 200601187, Master teacher of Baylling HSS for the post of Education Monitoring Officer II which was announced recently through education website. This recommendation is partially based on the interest being expressed by himself and partially after making in-depth study about his capability and suitability for that post.

In the academic year 2012, he had shouldered and executed numerous activities related to the job of monitoring officers. Of the three coordinators, he was Academic Coordinator and was looking after the academic programmes of our school since the completion of his masters degree. In the capacity of Academic Coordinator, he did not leave any stone unturned in academic areas. He had borrowed the ideas and redeveloped lesson plan format for the convenience of our teachers. He was also a person who simplified classroom lesson observation form and criteria for observation for our mentors and mentees. Similarly, he had developed school assessment policy and rubrics to effectively and conveniently carry out class works, home works and project works. Supervision was also carried out sincerely. Under his leadership, academic activities of our school became effective and students were engaged meaningfully. This may be one reason why our school performs very well in academics every year.

He was department head for Chemistry and Biology subjects. At regular interval, he did conduct subject related discussions with his subject teachers. As per his observation and record, a report was made during the monthly review meeting at the end of every month. He worked with unparallel commitment and concern for the well being of students. He wanted our students to excel in academic performance. To that effect, he developed a format for remedial classes and sought help from fellow teachers to apply it on trial basis. All teachers came to learn of its friendly nature and agreed to use it as means to record remedial classes thereafter.

He is, in the true sense of my word, a very resourceful person. He widens his caliber by conducting research works. He conducted research work on his own and took part in sharing his findings at Paro College of Education in one International Forum. He also took part in sharing his research works at Sherubtse College on two separate occasions. He had resourced the process to carry out action research in our school under ‘professional development programme’. This encouraged and motivated our teachers to engage themselves in reflecting about their own works. Subsequently, our English teachers decided to find out the reasons for our students’ poor performance in English and discover new ways to help students. In addition, group of Science teachers also worked on a topic and participated in an international forum at Sherubtse College. I even got appreciation call from Academic Head of Sherubtse College for encouraging teachers to engage in professional development programmes.

Our country being highly susceptible to disasters, we were reminded to remain prepared for any disaster. So, one major programme of our present school system, irrespective of a type of schools, is ‘disaster management programme’. He was head of evacuation team under disaster management profile. Under him, so many mock drills related to earthquake were conducted. There is no guarantee that a disaster may strike only during day hours. So, he insisted on having mock drills even at night for boarding students. He could also provide training to different teachers on the use of first aid kits, handling different materials associated with search and rescue during the times of disasters.      

He was also Rover and Scout master of our school. In addition to training being provided to our students, he made our students take part in regional and national level camps. Along with scouting programme, he could instill in our students a great love and passion for environment and nature. Scout members developed nature corner in our school. He could take our students to Khamdang area, which is about 34 kilometers from Baylling to plant saplings. They planted around 300 saplings in that area with the support from Department of Youth and Sports. Through his own initiative, he too could carry out a study on the pattern of cultivation in our region. On all these accounts, he was nominated for ‘Environment Conservation Award’ on the occasion of Silver Jubilee Celebration of RSPN in 2012.    

Besides, he made numerous contributions to school in the capacity of resource person for professional development programme, school management team, school admission team, school discipline committee and subject teacher. In any capacity, he made tremendous contributions and left clear footprints for successors to tread on securely.

His departure from our school would leave big vacuum in our school. However, respecting his individual aspiration, I wish him good luck!

Yonten Jamtsho 

      

Baylling Higher Secondary School

Academic journey is long and tedious. A peace of mind, abundance of happiness, sound health and conducive learning atmosphere must accompany each learner to gain motivation and encouragement to continue treading meaningfully. So, our first morning assembly for 2012 was conducted on 16th February on a very special note by lighting hundred of butter lamps followed by prayers for good luck. Students were also assured of our never failing and timely support of provision of various avenues to enable them to discover their latent potential and build up on, quality teaching and quality programs.We believe in caring and loving. We believe that students are our primary customers. We provide every possible support services to everyone irrespective of the background he/she is from. Till date our school has done well academically as well as non-academically. Especially, academic performance of our students has been praiseworthy since its inception.With rich experience, high qualification and co-operative teachers, it is our wish that our school would do better and move further every successive year.

We would like to be remembered as: An institution of quality, Home of knowledge to young aspirants, As model amongst schools, The pride of the in-house members and The envy of the others....

Happy New Year, 2013!                                                        

Congratulation to everyone for being able to survive 21^st December 2012 ‘Doomsday Prediction’! As was required: we participated in activities, played leading roles in bringing changes, put our ideas together to weave assorted images of our school, but at the back of our mind we were constantly plagued by the feeling like ‘what use if world comes to an end’. Though we did our best to assert whole energy and put full concentration to our daily chores, yet that ‘wild feelings’ distracted and diverted part of our concentration. This much diversion was expected from us, while people around the world even observed the end of Mayan Long Count Calendar, which predicted the end of a major world cycle on December 21, 2012 insisting that there will be apocalypse.

Despite this warning, nothing happened to us. To say the least, we are protected by our Almighty. It seems our Almighty is superior to all others. Now, we see no reasons to listen to anyone who distracts our mind and intends to render our life meaningless. We can turn ourselves to what is ours and embrace the ones that are ours.

2012 is gone. Let us bury it completely. 2013 sprouts new shoots bearing promises of various kinds. Time is ripe for us to usher in and place it in our heart. The pristine energy, new enthusiasm, unused thoughts that spring out of our heart may be geared towards enkindling, our school in particular and our country in general, with the light of peace and happiness.

We have done and achieved a lot in our bygone years. We have dominated our cluster in the playfields, we have proved ourselves incomparable in cultural activities and we have presented our best discipline that made committee in the regional level present our students with the ‘Best School Award’. We have been in the list of top 10 schools consecutively for many years. We are doing well academically if not to say indomitable. We have not innovated any extraordinary program for those successes. To quote Shiv Khera, ‘we did nothing different but did same things differently’. That was all.

We can vividly recall the bountiful pride that we felt when people of different caliber and positions lavishly showered their praises on our performances. We are, succinctly, motivated to nurture and foster unique works further. We will, with patience, hard work, and perseverance place our school to a new height. We will work, hand in hand, with other schools, our Dzongkhag, Ministries and agencies in providing quality wholesome education to our students. While treading through the trails left behind by our predecessors, we shall also remember ourselves to be:

An institution of quality,

Home of knowledge to young aspirants,

As model amongst schools,

The pride of the in-house members and

The envy of the others…          

Very Happy New Year to everyone!