New Era School Panchgani

23/07/2026

"Man must travel throughout the world to become informed of the conditions and happenings of creation."— ‘Abdu’l-Bahá
The Commerce faculty organized an educational visit to HDFC Bank for the students of Class XI Commerce, offering them an opportunity to gain practical knowledge of modern banking and financial services.
The session was conducted by Mr. Sachin and Mr. Vikas of the HDFC bank, who warmly welcomed the students and explained the role of banks in everyday life and business. Through discussions and practical demonstrations, they introduced the youth to key banking concepts such as NEFT, RTGS, crossed and bearer cheques, deposit slips, cheque writing and the common reasons for cheque dishonour. They also shared valuable information on digital banking, including internet and mobile banking, UPI transactions, online security and the importance of Demat accounts in today's financial landscape.
The interactive question-and-answer session helped to clarify doubts and enhance the understanding of real-world banking practices. The enthusiastic participation of the students reflected a genuine interest in learning beyond the classroom. The visit helped them to connect theoretical concepts with practical applications, strengthening their financial awareness and giving them greater confidence in understanding banking procedures.
The Commerce Department expresses its sincere gratitude to Mr. Sachin and Mr. Vikas of HDFC Bank for sharing their knowledge and experience with our students. We also extend our heartfelt thanks to our respected Principal, Mr. Aarash and the Sr. Secondary Coordinator, Mr. Vivek, for their constant encouragement and support in making such meaningful learning experiences possible.

The educational visits by Classes XI and XII to the Mala’s Factory, Wai, and Mapro, Shendurjane were successfully organised on the 15th and 16th of July, 2026, respectively. They were planned with the objective of providing experiential learning by connecting classroom concepts of Entrepreneurship, Business Studies and Economics with real-life industrial practices.
The students departed from the school at 10:30 a.m. and reached Mala’s Factory, Wai, where they were warmly welcomed by the factory officials. After a brief orientation, the students were divided into two batches for a guided tour of the manufacturing unit. They observed the complete production process of fruit jams, syrups and confectionery products. The factory representatives explained the importance of selecting quality raw materials, maintaining hygiene standards, ensuring quality control, packaging techniques, and the use of automation in food manufacturing. The students also learnt about the entrepreneurial journey of the Mala’s brand, which was established in 1945, and the strategies that contributed to its success, not only in India but also internationally.
After completing the factory visit, the group proceeded to Mapro, Shendurjane, where they viewed the story of Mapro in a specially designed theatre. The students were served delicious pizza and tasty sandwiches, after which they enjoyed the unique Heemalaya Experience, a snow-themed attraction inspired by Mount Kailash. They enthusiastically participated in activities such as snow slides, the snow maze and the igloo experience. These recreational activities provided a refreshing break while encouraging teamwork and joyous participation.
The visit concluded with group photographs before the return journey to the school.Throughout the visit, the accompanying teachers ensured discipline and smooth coordination with the staff of Mala’s and Mapro. The NEHS youth actively interacted with the resource persons and followed all the safety guidelines.

20/07/2026

Inter-School Chess Tournament!

"Let deeds, not words, be your adorning."— Bahá’u’lláh

The Over-the-Board Inter-School Chess Tournament was held on the 13th and 14th of July, 2026 at Billimoria High School, Panchgani. Our students participated enthusiastically in the Under-12, Under-14, Under-17, and Under-19 categories for both boys and girls. The tournament provided valuable exposure to our youth and an opportunity to test their strategic thinking against players from various schools. The NEHS team displayed exemplary sportsmanship and good conduct during the event, bringing honour to the school.

The top positions were as follows:
● Aarya Wadekar – 1st Place, Under-19 Girls
● Shivank Thakur – 2nd Place, Under-17 Boys
● Vardhan Achha – 1st Place, Under-19 Boys
● Hari Sorathiya – 4th Place, Under-19 Boys

We are joyful to congratulate our prize winners and wish them all the best!

15/07/2026

By Vishav Patel, Class XII
The ACCESS USA Singapore Academic Programme provided us with an excellent opportunity to experience Singapore's world-class education system, develop essential leadership skills and gain a deeper understanding of its culture, innovation and development. The programme combined academic learning, leadership training, cultural exploration and collaborative activities, making it a truly enriching experience.

The programme began with a welcome and orientation session, wherein we met fellow participants from different schools and formed new friendships. Ice-breaker activities helped us to build teamwork and created a positive learning environment.

As part of the cultural immersion, we explored Little India, Chinatown, and Gardens by the Bay. These visits gave us a valuable understanding of Singapore's multicultural society, rich heritage, and commitment to preserving its traditions while embracing modern development. We also enjoyed experiencing local cuisine at a traditional hawker centre.

A series of academic sessions introduced us to Singapore's remarkable journey of growth and development. We learned about the country's vision, innovations, and effective planning that have contributed to its global success. The travel photography workshops enhanced our observation and storytelling skills through practical learning experiences.

A major highlight of the programme was the leadership workshop conducted by Dr Shirleen Chee. We completed a questionnaire consisting of 100 situational questions, which helped us to identify our top five personal strengths and values. Dr Chee explained how these strengths could be further developed and effectively applied in leadership and everyday life. She also discussed the unique qualities of each participant, encouraging us to appreciate our individual potential. An interactive quiz added excitement to the session, and our New Era team emerged as the winner!

The strengths-based coaching sessions further helped us to understand how to work effectively as a team by recognising and using our individual strengths. Visits to Singapore Management University and the National University of Singapore gave us an opportunity to learn about higher education, campus life and future academic pathways.

Our visit to Marina Bay and the Singapore Botanic Gardens demonstrated how Singapore successfully combines sustainability and urban development. These experiences broadened our understanding of how thoughtful planning can create a modern and environmentally responsible city.

Throughout the programme, we worked together on a capstone project that encouraged teamwork, critical thinking, research and presentation skills. The final presentation provided us with the opportunity to confidently share our ideas before a panel of judges and demonstrate the knowledge that we had gained during the programme.

The programme concluded with a farewell ceremony, during which we reflected on our journey, spoke about our achievements and appreciated the friendships that we had built. The experience strengthened our confidence, leadership abilities, teamwork and global outlook.

We are grateful to ACCESS USA, our Principal, Mr. Aarash Javanmardi, Head of Administration, Ms. Suniti Jha and all the organisers for providing us with this memorable learning opportunity.

11/07/2026

"Look at the world of nature. How manifold are its forms and how diversified are its species, yet they all have one common bond."— The Promulgation of Universal Peace
As part of the Eco-Club activities, a three-day Birdwatching Session was successfully conducted from the 25th of June to the 27th of June, 2026 in the school campus. The sessions were led by Ms Shehnaz Jussa, an experienced birdwatcher and nature educator, for the members of the school’s Eco-Club, ‘Trustees of the Planet’.
The early morning walks provided the students with an excellent opportunity to observe birds in their natural habitat while learning about their unique characteristics, habitats and feeding habits. As they explored different parts of the school campus, they developed a deeper appreciation for biodiversity and the importance of wildlife conservation.
During the sessions, sightings were recorded of an impressive variety of bird species, including the Verditer Flycatcher, Blue-capped Rock Thrush, Small Minivet, Ashy Drongo, Crimson-backed Sunbird, Indian Scimitar Babbler, Tree Pipit, Indian Blackbird, Jungle Babbler, Spotted Dove, Red-whiskered Bulbul, Red-vented Bulbul, Indian White-eye, Pied Bushchat, Yellow Indian Tit, Jungle Nightjar, Yellow-footed Green Pigeon, Vigors Sunbird, Lesser Yellownape, Rufous Treepie, Emerald Dove, White-cheeked Barbet and Rose-ringed Parakeet!
The birdwatching sessions thus proved to be an enriching experiential learning opportunity, strengthening awareness of the rich biodiversity thriving within the school campus and reinforced the importance of protecting natural habitats and preserving ecological balance.

10/07/2026

"Be anxiously concerned with the needs of the age ye live in, and centre your deliberations on its exigencies and requirements."— Gleanings from the Writings of Bahá’u’lláh

The NEHS Talks hosted in collaboration with Univariety on June 27, 2026, provided our students with an exceptional opportunity to get acquainted to and interact with two accomplished alumni whose professional journeys exemplify innovation and excellence. The session welcomed Ms. Charmi Sampat (Batch of 2008) and Mr. Shikhar Agrawal (Batch of 2014), whose return to their alma mater was a joyful moment for the school.

Ms. Charmi Sampat, a Compliance and Control professional at CRISIL Limited, shared her experiences about the dynamic world of corporate governance, financial regulations, risk management and compliance. Through a PowerPoint presentation, she introduced the youth to the responsibilities, challenges and opportunities within the financial services sector. Drawing from her professional experiences, she highlighted the importance of ethical decision-making, accountability, adaptability, and continuous learning in building a successful corporate career. Her practical examples led to a deeper understanding of the diverse career opportunities available in the corporate world.

Mr. Shikhar Agrawal, entrepreneur, healthcare innovator, Forbes Asia 30 Under 30 honoree, and co-founder of HelpNow and Anahad, held the audience’s attention with the story of his entrepreneurial journey. He demonstrated how innovation, technology, and a strong sense of purpose can be harnessed to solve real-world challenges and create a meaningful social impact. Sharing experiences from building one of India's largest emergency medical response platforms and transforming healthcare logistics, he encouraged the students to think beyond conventional career paths, embrace calculated risks, remain resilient in the face of setbacks, and pursue ideas that have the potential to improve lives.

The candid reflections of the alumni on the challenges they had encountered, the lessons learned from failures, and the milestones achieved, provided an authentic understanding of professional life beyond the classroom.

The interactive question-and-answer session witnessed an enthusiastic participation leading to thought-provoking questions by students about career planning, higher education, entrepreneurship, workplace expectations, skill development and personal growth. Responding with honesty and practical wisdom, both of the speakers encouraged them to develop strong communication and problem-solving skills, embrace opportunities for continuous learning, and approach every challenge with confidence and determination.

10/07/2026

We are happy to share that Krishna Sankh of Class VII has won a Bronze Medal at the 51st Sub Junior State Basketball Championship, representing Satara District with remarkable determination and skill in the tournament held from the 5th to the 8th of May, 2026.

Her achievement is the result of her dedicated efforts and perseverance along with encouragement for her coaches. Krishna earned her place in the district team after successfully completing a demanding 15-day selection camp during which more than twenty talented young players competed for the opportunity. Through disciplined practice and an impressive display of talent, she secured her selection and went on to represent her district with distinction.

Krishna's achievement brings immense joy to the entire school and serves as an inspiration to her fellow students. Heartiest congratulations to her on this well-deserved accomplishment. We wish her continued success and many more memorable achievements in the years to come.

07/07/2026

"The greatest gift of God to man is that of intellect, or understanding."Abdu’l‑Bahá
To hone their language skills, vocabulary and confidence, our Primary students participated in the Spell Bee Final Round on Friday, June 26, 2026. We were honoured to have Ms. Aliya as the Chief Guest and Ms. Soma, as the Guest of Honour.
The event began with a Group Round, wherein 17 teams had worked together to write a story and a poem through worksheets provided by the Primary English Faculty. This activity was held earlier in two preliminary rounds on the 8th and 15th of June 2026. Based on their performance, 28 participants qualified for the Final Round. Each finalist had a set of three questions to crack the round: Spell the Word and Give the Synonym and Antonym of the given words.

The groups that excelled in the Story Writing and Poem Writing activities were invited to present their work on stage. All the individual participants along with the group performers were awarded special Word Wizard Badges designed by their teachers. Every participant also received a Spell Bee wristband as a souvenir. An Audience Round added to the excitement, with children eagerly answering vocabulary questions. At the end of the programme, each child received a chocolate as a token of appreciation.
In her address, Ms. Aliya congratulated all the participants and encouraged them to read regularly, improve their vocabulary and practise spellings every day. Her inspiring words motivated the children to continue learning with interest and confidence. The programme concluded with a vote of thanks, expressing gratitude to the Chief Guest, the primary staff members and everyone who had contributed to the success of the event.

05/07/2026