News

More “National Toppers” – To dispel the strong sense of deja vu in people who care for UA

With just a solitary topper in the recent class XII (BHSEC) result, I can feel a strong sense of deja vu in people who care for UA; definitely, we are a bit spoilt because we are so used to producing more than 2 national toppers. Even amongst my teachers and my family members, we land up consoling each other, although I do not feel the need to do so – holistically “we are at our best”.

Concurrently, I just feel that it is the flip side of the overblown importance many of us have given to “National Toppers”. Please understand that I am not making excuses for failing to produce more national toppers. As a matter of fact, I understand the toil and the chemistry involved to produce national toppers. For that matter, UA has produced as many as 49 national toppers in the BCSEA examinations in our 2 decades of service to the nation; in some years as many as 6 national toppers well distributed in all three streams – all records difficult to break. Thus, UA is full of admiration in seeing other schools producing national toppers like we have done year after year – CONGRATULATIONS, Damphu CS, Karma Academy, and Royal Academy for stealing the show in 2021.

At the same time, I would not want to say that we have not done well. Publicly, we wish to commend our supportive parents/guardians, resilient teachers, and disciplined students for the commendable finish to the most challenging academic session 2021. Of note, on behalf of the UA family, I wish to express my gratitude to some individuals/agencies who have made us feel better (please view the attachments).

Furthermore, on a purely personal note, I wish to share that I had actually tendered my resignation several times, the last one being in September of 2021 – to “manage out” myself. My proprietor had asked me to look for a replacement; upon my request, my School Administration Team (SAT) scouted and they had even approached a few prominent principals. No one took the offer and I had no choice but to pull on. Right now, I am happy that a change was not made lest they are whipsawed unnecessarily – for not producing so-called more “National Toppers”.

Finally, as we head back into our classrooms, I am convinced that everyone who cares for UA has parked aside the foreboding sense of déjà vu - more “National Toppers”. “If anyone hasn’t, please do so, we assure you all that we are refreshed and recharged for the academic session 2022”. We are so excited to re-imagine the future of education with you all and refocus on every student, live up to our vision to be a school of WILL – Winners, Innovators, Learners, and Leaders, driven by our motto, “Be Your Best”. Oh! Please hang on; “Winners” in our vision is not just about winning trophies, more importantly, it is winning hearts. Thanks!

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UA’s Staggered Re-opening Notice for Academic Session 2022

The School Administration Team (SAT) has phased out the reporting dates to ensure proper implementation of UA’s Preparedness and Response Plan for Outbreak of Novel Coronavirus (2019-nCoV) – Post Lockdown

The above staggered approach is consistent with our Ministry of Education’s Notification No: DSE/SPCD/ADM (1.1-A)/2022/274 dated 26^th March 2022 – Staggered re-opening of schools for the academic year 2022 and the SoP for opening of school by MoE on 1^st April 2022.

*Meanwhile the Head’s of Department have been asked to ensure that all teachers report on time as informed to see that students get face to face (F2F) instruction without any loss of precious time.

For School Administration Team (SAT)

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Ugyen Academy, Annual Examination Results for 2020 academic session (classes IX & XI) declared today. Congratulation to all the students!!! Please contact your class teacher if you are not able to access your result.

To access your result, please click Result on the menu bar....

UA welcomes Classes IXs and XI Science on 19th and 20th September 2020. Come with care. Travel safely; bring along happiness and “Be Your Best”. Check the attachments for details of reporting.

Requirements for Students:

Given the Lockdown experience, the SAT felt that parents/guardians should see to it that their child’s essential items for the remaining academic session is as far as possible with them when they come so that unnecessary risks and expenditure can be avoided – listed below :

As informed by class teachers, the students must come with the following:

1. ***The extract from UA’s Preparedness and Response Plan (PRP) for Outbreak of Novel Coronavirus (2019-nCoV) – Post Lockdown is available with the teachers – if parents/guardians need more detailed information please contact your child’s class teacher.

Phase wise Reporting Notice for classes IXs and XIs

Please take note of UA’s Reporting Dates: the School Administration Team (SAT) has phased out the reporting dates to ensure proper implementation of UA’s Preparedness and Response Plan for Outbreak of Novel Coronavirus (2019-nCoV) – Post Lockdown

Day students will also be screened while entering into the campus on the day when classes resume and declaration/undertaking form must be signed. There will be separate SoPs for day students which will have to be strictly followed by parents/guardians or proprietors of paying guests (PGs).

For SAT

“Soelra” from our Her Majesty the Queen, Gyaltsuen Jetsun Pema Wangchuck - Kadrin-che-la Mewang-Choe

2020 was struck with a worldwide pandemic, a disease that found its way into the land of the thunder dragon, Bhutan. With panic and fear engraved into the hearts of the citizens, our country had no choice but to go in lockdown. Despite the occurrence of this unfortunate event, we as citizens have been able to see the rays of hope in the darkness of Covid-19. Had it not been for the rapid solutions and leadership of our beloved King and Queen, we would be helpless. Fortunate as we are, we are also being sheltered under the protection of our Dharma Kings, His Majesty the King Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck and King Jigme Singye Wangchuck.

Amidst this lockdown, people faced many challenges, family schedules went upside down, and basic necessities of the people especially of young girls in boarding schools ran short. Even money had no meaning; the lockdown was lifted, unlocking empty shops.

On the other hand, we are blessed to have received this valuable “soelra” from our Her Majesty the Queen, Gyaltsuen Jetsun Pema Wangchuck. No words can express our gratitude for this heartfelt and thoughtful “soelra”; even then we would like to sincerely thank Her Majesty for being our light in the darkness. We pledge our loyalty for all times to come. Kadrin-che-la Mewang-Choe…

UA Girls Health Captains

Firstly, I am aware that most parents are better informed about UA then sometimes people like us who are with the students 24 X 7. It is because unlike other schools, UA has given your child some regulated time to use their mobile to connect to their loved ones – parents and family members. Also, UA boarding students before the lock down enjoyed the OiE OiE outings (Re: Attachment 1).

Yet, as we continue to navigate through the storms of COVID-19 pandemic, I am writing today to ease your worry as much as possible given all media around the Corona virus. As you know, providing a healthy and safe campus environment has always been a priority and now has become the topmost priority for Ugyen Academy. Thus, we have remodeled our entire Human Resource Structure and Terms of References to suit the needs of the New Normal. In a post-covid-19 education system, we have no choice but to bring our attention to providing the best possible health services in the school campus; choosing from the best, we have instituted the UA Health and Medical Support Services Team (HMSST). Today, we take pride as a school in our HMSST’s ability to safely address most of the health problems inside the school campus, thereby minimizing exposure to diseases and reducing movement in these challenging and changing times.

Academics (ALS)

Our next priority will obviously be our children’s academics; arguably some could consider it even as the most important and that is perfectly fine. Anyway, everyone is aware that we are all rolling out the Education in Emergency (EiE), EiE Adapted Curriculum (UA Classes VII, VIIIs, IXs, and XIs - all three streams) and EiE Prioritized Curriculum (UA Classes Xs and XIIs - all three streams) developed by our Ministry of Education and the Royal Education Council. Given the pandemic, none of this is easy and much of it is out of our control, so I ask for your understanding and constructive comments as I share the following information about the two:

EiE Adapted Curriculum (UA Classes VII, VIIIs, IXs, and XIs (all three streams) :

Firstly, we are happy to share that, our proprietor is investing in upgrading our ICT facilities. Next, our Distance Learning Solutions Support Services Team (DLSSST) is strengthened; it is now a new Department in the New Normal. DLSSST has been able to have intranet facilities inside our campus and this makes access and delivery of e-Lessons quick and friendly without having to worry about data cost. DLSSST is also initiating webinars; group chats and live streaming as alternatives to in-person gatherings. Meanwhile, for the students, the teachers have been conducting Google classes as per the guidelines provided for delivery. Besides, UA adopted its own customized approach, “My Students, My Responsibility - MSMR” a pledge driven method to maximize the quality virtual connection between the subject teacher and his/her students (Re: Attachment 2- MSMR 10).

As evident, from the MSMR 10, the teacher is supposed to have had the best possible delivery of the EiE Adapted Curriculum in the Google Classroom/online class. The School Administration (SAT) is very happy with almost all the teachers’ efficacy in Google Classrooms/online classes - as per the reports (MSMR 1 – MSMR 10) submitted on a fortnightly basis. However, we understand that all our parents may not be happy with teachers handling the subject(s) for your child/children. In case, if a teacher has failed, then, do let SAT know in the email provided. We will follow up to see that your child/children is/are taken care of immediately in that/those subjects. Monitoring teachers in the virtual world is a very complex task but SAT is trying its best; it where parents can inform us as you know better how the child is being engaged in the Google classroom by each subject teacher.

EiE Prioritized Curriculum (UA Classes Xs and XIIs (all three streams):

Except for the students repeating in class XIIs, our coverage is very good for all classes (across all three streams) as we did not lose time in the beginning and nor did we lose much time in-between. We had made sure to invest more time during closure (Google classes) to non-technical subjects (mainly languages) as it was quite friendly for online classes. Hence, the moment we got to go face to face instruction, our priority has been on the technical subject (mainly mathematics, accountancy, economics, and sciences). Even with the disruption now, we are following up with serious remediation exercises to ensure that our students achieve the best – as always. Further, we are already into the blended approach with formal instruction in online mode – Google classroom. This is to guarantee that the day students are not missed out and that the teachers who reside outside the school campus are able to virtually reach to all his/her students. Therefore, please do not worry, UA teachers have the ability to strategically plan and implement even in difficult times or in this New Normal.

UA Students’ Engagement Activities during COVid-19 Nationwide Lock down:

With the nation under lock down, many parents may be interested to know how we are engaging our students. Definitely, anxiety, uncertainty, fear, and isolation are factors in the COVID-crisis. Research has indicated that these have become more prevalent. Hence, all of us have to think more carefully about building a sense of community and human contact through this challenging and changing times-we must be #inthistogether. Yes, there is a risk that by focusing on academics only or for that matter keeping them indoors most of the time; we could forget that wellness needs to come first. While checking in with students to make sure that they are coping is important, allowing students to connect with one another in activities that help them to build emotionally is the new mantra for excellence in the New Normal. Thus, to provide the much needed pastoral care and support our students' engagement in co-curricular and extracurricular activities is taken to be a collective responsibility (Re: Attachment 3 - UA Students’ Engagement Activities during CoVid-19 Nationwide Lockdown).

We will continue to adapt and adopt innovative practices to keep all our students meaningfully engaged. Come what may, UA will ensure that your child’s/children’s education will not be compromised but raised. Thank you for your continued support and for entrusting the safety of your children to us.

Sincerely,

Lopen Norbu Gyaltshen

2nd June 2020: Social Forestry Day to commemorate the Coronation of our beloved King HM Jigme Singye Wangchuck who is the first ‘Champion of the Earth’ award in 2005 instituted by UNEP.