Welcome and thank you for your continued support!
Hasn't time flown, do you realise that the first issue of the Institute Times was released in January 2003. Doesn't time fly, if you have any items you want included in this publication, please contact moi (the editor) – phone 849-6446 and ask for Katy, or email me at katywalker62@hotmail.com.
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From the desk
of our
Director |
As we move through the year 2005 it would be wonderful if we could do so with a firm idea of where we are going in the field of education.
The Sathya Sai Education in Human Values Programme, otherwise known as Sathya Sai Educare, hold the answers to the vast majority of problems faced by mankind in the present age. It has arisen at a time when educators are aware of the need for values, but are confused as to whose values should be used and how they can be taught. The Educare Programme clearly reminds us of the eternal five essential Human Values, which have been recognised by all major religions for thousands of years, and illustrates how they can be taught.
The programme illustrated its worth, and proved its efficacy, in the ancient land of India , which has the second largest population on earth. From there it has rapidly spread to countries all over the world, many of which have developed Sai Schools.
In New Zealand , we have established the Sathya Sai Preschool in Otara, Manukau. As in other countries the Sai Educare programme used at the school is working its magic in transforming the children into glowing embodiments of the goodness that is their inherent nature.
Many mainstream schools are using Sai Educare material. Our aim is to see that the programme is understood and practiced as widely as possible so that all may benefit from its outcomes of producing students who are: self confident, motivated, have a love of learning, and are empathetic to the needs of others and to the environment in which they live.
To do this we need people willing to commit a little of their time to assist in the steps that are needed to bring this about. To take part in this ‘Values Revolution' is a wonderful opportunity; an opportunity, which if we take will bring about changes in our lives that we could not have imagined. I recently read the following quote, which I feel illustrates the process of self-transformation that such service can bring about:
‘When you are inspired by some great purpose, some extraordinary project, all your thoughts break their bonds; your mind transcends limitations, in every direction, and you find yourself in a new, great, and wonderful world. Dominant forces, faculties and talents become alive, and you discover yourself to be a greater person by far than you ever dreamed yourself to be.'
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To take the Sai Educare Programme further in the field of Formal Education we need:
• Communicators – people who will be pro-active in contacting schools and other groups in order to promote the Educare Programme. They will also be the contact person for a group of schools – starting with one and growing to a number that they can manage in the context of their own commitments.
• Trainers – people are prepared to be pro-active in setting up training workshops, either for schools who have been contacted, or whom they have contacted.
• Resource Compilers – people prepared to search for and to set up a resource bank that is suitable for use in schools in the country and within the Sathya Sai Service Organisation. The resources will also include the long awaited Mobile Display on Values Education. This is a priority, as without such a resource bank we have little to offer schools.
• Web Designers – people with the skills and the will to convert our present web site into a live and interesting site to visit.
• Financial Controllers – to assist our overworked treasurer in the work necessary to control the finances of both the ISSE and the Sathya Sai Preschool.
• Teachers – people prepared to teach either in the SSSE groups within the Sathya Sai Service Organisation, community based classes, or within schools from time to time.
If you are interested in any of these roles, please contact myself by e-mail, snail-mail, or phone.
Richard J Wallis
richard.wallis@xtra.co.nz
PO Box 201-081
Airport Oaks, Manukau Auckland
09 275 4809
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Sathya Sai Preschool Update
The Preschool has started the 2005 from its vastly improved premises with the full, expanded role of 40 children and a healthy list of those who would like to join as soon as there is a vacancy. The new equipment provided through the generous grant of the ASB Trust has made a big difference to the learning facilities available, and these are being fully utilised. The Sai Organisation Youth Group have been very active in helping put many of the improvements in place.
During the year, it is intended to use the Whanau Room (one of the improvements) to hold various workshops for the parents, thus helping to make the Preschool the centre for many community activities.
The standard of teaching provided by the dedicated team at the Preschool is of the highest standard and is having an effect not only on the children, but on the whole community in which they live. Visit by Dr Art-ong Jumsai.
Dr Art-ong was the guest speaker at the Sathya Sai Service Organisation National Conference, held in Taupo in October. During his visit, he very kindly offered to conduct Values Education seminars in both Auckland and Wellington.
The Auckland Seminar was conducted at Massey University, which very generously made their auditorium available at no cost. This was an excellent venue, equipped with the latest electronic presentation equipment. The presentation to some 60 teachers in the Auckland area was well received.
In Wellington , Kumar Eswaran arranged two seminars, one in Wellington and the other in Lower Hutt . The example of reaching out to the wider public in that region is an example many could emulate. All that is needed is the vision, coupled with the will to put that vision into effect.
Our challenge now is to follow up these seminars with teacher workshops and teacher friendly material that fits neatly into the New Zealand classroom curriculum. The material needs to prepared by trained New Zealand teachers and is a major priority if we are to effectively share this programme in this country.
Visit to Sathya Sai Preschool – Rongomai By Member of Parliament.
The United Future Education Spokesperson and member of Parliament, Mr Bernie Ogilvy, who attended one of Art-ong's Wellington seminars, recently visited our Preschool to see for himself the programme presented by Dr Art-ong put into practice. He said that as soon as he heard that there was a school in Auckland using the programme, he just had to see it for himself. Birnie spent almost two hours at the school and was delighted at what he saw. ‘Everything is values orientated,' was his comment. He also commented that, ‘Education without that did not produce children of character was not of much use.' It was good to see a politician take the time to view the programme in action and we found that we shared many views in relation to education. |
Institute of Sathya Sai Education
Annual General Meeting
The Annual General Meeting of the Institute has been set for Saturday the 2nd of April 2005 at 10am. The meeting is expected to last for a maximum of two hours. This is an important meeting, and those living in the Auckland area, or who are able to attend, are kindly requested to do so. For the meeting to take place, a minimum of 15 people is required to make a quorum. Please do come, this is your Institute and it needs your support.
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FOOD
FOR
THOUGHT |
Institute of Sathya Sai Education
Annual General Meeting The Annual General Meeting of the Institute has been set for Saturday the 2 nd of April 2005 at 10am. The meeting is expected to last for a maximum of two hours. This is an important meeting, and those living in the Auckland area, or who are able to attend, are kindly requested to do so. For the meeting to take place, a minimum of 15 people is required to make a quorum. Please do come, this is your Institute and it needs your support.
Three things In Life
That once gone, never come back;
Words, Opportunity and Time
That must never be lost;
Peace, Hope and Honesty
That are the most valuable;
Love, Self-confidence and Friends
That are never Sure;
Dreams, Success and Fortune
That make you a great person
Hardwork, Sincerity and Success
The Importance of Values Education
There is a widening awareness of the need to understand more than our physical and mental aspects. This is evidenced in the UNESCO publication, ‘Learning the Treasure Within' which states: “If mass educational systems do not start addressing the spiritual and moral dimensions of young people, democracies might not survive and humanity itself could be in jeopardy.” |
With Easter on the way hare are a couple of jokes to keep you amused.
Q: What do you get when you cross a rabbit with an onion?
A: A bunion
Q: Why did the Easter egg hide?
A: He was a little chicken.
Q: How do you make a rabbit stew?
A: Make it wait for three hours.
Happy Easter Everyone!
Have a safe and Happy Easter Everyone ! |
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