January 2018
The Letter From The Editor
Isal and I are extremely delighted to have taken the reigns from Aastha and Gariyasi, hoping to raise the bar higher this year as well. This publication is unique in its own aspects because a person that flips through the pages of Monochrome, gets the essence of just how creative, profound and opinionated the pathways student body is. We have taken it upon ourselves to showcase talent hidden in all corners of pathways, bustling ideas of the students and their views on the issues that affect humanity. With interesting features on the multiple events in school and how they help us students grow.
This month’s theme is based on the New Year, with the current grade 12 preparing to start a new chapter in their lives, the newly elected student council ready to tackle challenges and the various new exciting opportunities that present themselves to the Pathways community, it helps us realise that change indeed is the only constant. Whether you believe in fixing resolutions or not, the new year has always been a time for self reflection, gratitude and of being hopeful that the coming year brings new exciting prospects for the future! Hence our issue is aptly named “Looking Back and Looking Ahead”
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As always, we hope you find some interesting insights in this issue of Monochrome. Where the student council shares their future plans for the school community, a few far-sighted individuals of grade 12 share their views on their journey ahead, and those of us experiencing interesting experiences share their takeaways.
We invite you to “Look Back and Look Ahead”! And as always,
Happy reading!
Neha Gupta and Isal Shukla
FEBRUARY 2018
The Letter From The Editor
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No matter what time of the year, a walk through the bustling corridors of Pathways always gives birth to new content for Monochrome. Discussions in the library -debates happening in history lessons, insightful assemblies, there's something always going on! Though while we are consumed in the world of high-school as much as we may be, I have come to find that our student community especially has always been in tune with the “real world”. We understand the current political climate and we ideate to form solutions amongst ourselves. We know the limits of nationalism and can detect bias in media. We can observe a shift in ideologies around the world and are bold enough to form informed opinions. Hence we decided that it was only fair to dedicate an entire issue to our insightful student community, asking them to write about what they believe the “truth” is and what it means to them.
The issue, aptly named “Advocating Truth” is a reflection of what our student community believes in, with no truth being a frivolous one. What is it that we decide to be true? Moreover what part of the “truth” is being hidden? I remember learning in grade 5 that it was important to question the information we receive, and how I had been going through all my life not even knowing that we could question the status quo. Afterall, Galileo was to be imprisoned for holding the belief that the Earth revolved around the sun!
Thus we present to you the February issue of Monochrome. Flip through these pages and experience the truth, the art and the narratives. As long as you can sift through the facts later!
Happy Reading!
Neha Gupta and Isal Shukla
MARCH 2018
The Letter From The Editor
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It is an unspoken understanding amongst many that "reality" is subjective. Even more so this month because of Pi day; a well-recognized event that every budding science student marks on their calendar. I have come to find that the common misconception about the scientific community is that they cannot put pen to paper to save their lives. You're good at math but not at written communication, does this remind you of common debates you may have had with your "science" friends. As you might have been able to tell, Monochrome says otherwise.
This month, we bring to you an assortment of inner artistic expressions of those that are deemed to be "the serious scientists" and bring to light how art and science go hand in hand. Pathways has been the optimum for breaking barriers and thinking out of the box, they are a part of the IB learner profile as "attitudes" and this issue embodies them to the best of its ability. With features such as the various musings on the topic of relativity sent in by those that are unafraid to explore the confines of art and tales of inspiration from budding scientists alike, at the heart of the Pathways community. Not to mention a delightfully insightful piece added to the bank for our monthly Informed Pathwaysian column- "A Mistaken Religion"
The team celebrates this fantastic fusion, and hopes you enjoy reading "The Relative Reality"
Neha Gupta and Isal Shukla
april 2018
The Letter From The Editor
Farewells are a tradition that has stood the test of time. The inherent human tendency to bid goodbye is just something we do. We don't move on without closure. Times long past or "Auld Lang Syne" a song we have all heard but don't remember but when translated, becomes a beautiful poem about keeping your friends and family close while saying goodbye. Pathways is currently experiencing the feelings that come with auld lang syne as the Grade 12 batch prepares to soar towards their bright futures. With the elegant grade 12 graduation ceremony and scribble day, final exams and the moment of relief but also that bittersweet sadness. Everyone remembers their firsts, the first time they took a risk, the first time they made a friend, but looking at grade 12 respond to the festivities of the weeks in April, I have come to find that "lasts" have more of an impact on a person's life.
You will find the back and forth between firsts and lasts with this issue of monochrome, where we report to you instances where students were risk takers at their camps but also report the last inner monologues of our friends in grade 12, as they walk out the door.
After all, "should old acquaintance be forgotten"?
Neha Gupta and Isal Shukla
May 2018
The Letter From The Editor
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Soaring ahead, within confines. As controversial as this theme may be, it is an important one. Every individual at Pathways has a set of people/things that empower them. However, when we step out to explore turbulent waters on our own, something holds us back. There is more to what meets the eye with the May issue of Monochrome. Given the current atmosphere in the country in general, it is exam season and exams have always alluded to success, happiness, and fulfillment. You believe you have got it all covered, all you have to do is do well in these exams, it doesn't matter how you do well, just that you do! Maybe with such pressure, students start to see blurred lines with ethics and morality attached to the big idea of exams.
Fixated upon this race, not only does one start to see blurred lines but also blurred destinations. Maybe happiness and success don't correlate with exams at all? Because performing well in exams means that you are good at your craft. But what if your craft is to memorize everything the day before? We all appear to be soaring ahead but are we all soaring towards a dead end? In a large confined space, only to be living the illusion?
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A theme like so is the perfect choice for the selection of articles, videos, and art we bring to you this month. The month of May, the exam season, the month of "freedom" as we call it. You will experience it all here through the May issue of Monochrome. ​
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Neha Gupta and Isal Shukla
August 2018
The Letter From The Editor
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A new academic year begins and for some of us, that means "back to square one" again. Perhaps a student in middle school who looks forward to their return to the bustling halls of Pathways; to reunite with their friends and meet their teachers. While there is a routine in place, life does not get repetitive at Pathways. Just sitting through the first assembly of the year led by Dr. Advani, I was filled with excitement to see all the activities and events that were lined up for the year. Almost a full month has gone by since the academic year began and a walk through the corridors would tell many stories that are one of a kind. For instance, my peers counting down the days till graduation, but with a hint of reluctance as they don't wish to leave a place that has nurtured them into the individuals, they are now. I hear grade 11 students that approach me with excitement for their first year in the diploma program, asking us questions about the workload so that they can better prepare themselves. The students that just came in grade 10 perhaps and are keen on aiming even higher than the excellent grade 10 score the last batch achieved. Or even the awards ceremony that just passed us by, a collective celebration of our achievements where we could take a sigh of relief and say "I've done it!".
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In a way, all of us are going back to square one. Though that does not mean a hindrance in progress or a repetitive process of beginning another academic year. It means we get to come back to a place we can call home, reflect on our errors of the past year, and work towards a brighter future since we all have a fresh start. I personally have cherished my "fresh start" in grade 12, and with a goal towards bringing our readers the best senior school-related content; behold the first issue of the academic year- "Back to square one".
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Within the "web-pages", you will find a deeper look into the world of Pathways, with advice from our seniors on how to write a stunning extended essay to a sneak peek into the "Dead poet's society" club! There's something for everyone here.
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Neha Gupta and Isal Shukla