Sikh Religion & Culture

Heritage and traditions for learning today

at Thai Sikh International School
INTRODUCTION

During the past two years, our curriculum has undergone rapid transformation - students
explore and research many themes - the nature of friendship, values, religious beliefs, body
language, norms, etiquette, attitudes towards social status, learning styles, perceptions,
notions of beauty and modesty, thought processes, families and views on raising children,
concept of fairness, importance of space, approaches to problem-solving, notions of
cleanliness, importance of time, assumptions, global and environmental issues and more.
This is a 'deeper' learning, that which lies beyond holiday festivals, performing arts and
community events we already successfully celebrate in our community.

This document details Sikh culture and religion at Thai Sikh International School.

Encompassing Panjabi language, it provides practical examples of how Sikh and other
children across our school experience high quality learning consistent with our most
fundamental precepts as a Sikh international school under the Thai Sikh Foundation.

© 2019 TSIS International School 2

 MISSION, AIMS & ETHOS

© 2019 TSIS International School 3

SIKH RELIGION & CULTURE - MISSION
 
The mission of the Sikh and Panjabi Department at TSIS, is to give students the knowledge
and appreciation of the Sikh way of life and their rich Sikh heritage. We at TSIS feel, it is
important for our community to learn Sikh values and Punjabi because Punjabi is the mother
tongue of the Punjabis as well as the language of the Sikh Religion. Through learning
Punjabi, we gain an understanding of the Sikh cultural and spiritual heritage and develop a
strong tie with the Punjab, the birthplace of Sikhism.

More importantly, the Guru Granth Sahib Ji is written in Gurmukhi and it is only through
knowing and understanding Punjabi that a Sikh can fully participate in the worship of
the Guru Granth Sahib Ji in the sangat. The aim is to provide fun and enjoyable activities
for children to learn to speak, read and write in Punjabi.

The starting age is 5 years and most progress to take GCSE Panjabi for which the school
has an excellent success rate.

© 2019 TSIS International School 4

AIMS & OBJECTIVES

Aims

The aim is to teach the children Sikh way of

life and message of the Sikh gurus. We will
accomplish these aims by teaching children
a curriculum in three domains:

The Punjabi language programme

provides students with knowledge of Punjabi
and Gurmukhi script.

The Gurmat programme provides

knowledge of Sikh history and Gurbani.

The Sikh way of life is demonstrated

through day to day school life, school and
sewa activities.

Objectives

Each of the domains has objectives that

must be achieved by the Gurmat School
students:

The main objectives of Punjabi Curriculum is

to:

• enable the students to read the Sikh

scriptures, in particular Sri Guru Granth
Sahib Ji.

• develop Punjabi literacy skills.

• bring awareness of the rich Sikh cultural

heritage, and

• instill pride in their Sikh identity.

The main objective of the Gurmat program

is to impart knowledge of the Sikh values
through teaching of the Sikh history and
Gurbani.

TSIS has developed comprehensive

programmes that includes instruction in the
fields of reading, writing and speaking
Panjabi, memorization of Gurbani, and
instruction in other important aspects of Sikh
history.
© 2019 TSIS International School 5
SCHOOL ETHOS

The School Ethos:

• Upholds the values and beliefs enshrined in the Guru Granth Sahib and the Teachings of
the Ten Gurus’.
• Develops and maintain an ethos in which individuals feel valued and  where personal
endeavour and responsibility are foster
• Demonstrates empathy with the Sikh religion and promote Sikh Values and culture.
• Encourages Sikh children and adults to speak and converse in Punjabi
 
We do this by:

• Regular acts of worship in which children and adults participate.

• Making children aware of their heritage through the celebration of the lives of the Sikh
Gurus and their Gurpurabs.
• Teaching children through the curriculum of the messages of Guru Granth Sahib.
• Valuing individuals and their contribution to the community of the school.
 
The Curriculum has been developed and organised to:

• Take account of modern teaching practices.

• Enable a scheme of work that facilitates a gradual competency in speaking, listening and
writing Punjabi as a second language.
• Support and develop pastoral care for the children through moral education based on
principles of Sikh religion.

© 2019 TSIS International School 6

 CURRICULUM

© 2019 TSIS International School 7

THE PANJABI & RELIGIOUS STUDIES CURRICULUM

Year 1

Panjabi Religious Studies

  ● Memorize with some understanding

● The Gurmukhi Alphabet Japji Sahib Gurbani up till Pauri 5
● Simple two-three letter words ● Information about Sikh Guru
● Names of the rainbow colors in Sahibaan
Panjabi ● Information about Sri Guru Granth
● Do counting up to 10 in Panjabi Sahib Ji
  ● Information about Chaar Sahibzad
● Information about Panj Piaarey
History Curriculum
● Sakhis of Guru Nanak Dev Ji

Year 2

Panjabi Religious Studies

  Gurmat Curriculum
Mastery of the Gurmukhi Matras ● Memorize with some understanding
● Simple two-three letter words Japji Sahib Gurbani up till Pauri 11
● Lagaan Matra symbols and their ● Information about Sri Guru Granth
sounds Sahib Ji
● Special sound modifiers in Panjabi ● Information about Gur Purabs
● Names of the days of the week, ● Information about 5 K’s
months, and seasons ● Information about Panj Piaray
● Do counting up to 25 in Panjabi ● Information about Chaar Sahibzaday
  ● Some Shabad History Curriculum
● Sakhis of Guru Angad Dev Ji
● Sakhis of Guru Amar Das Ji
● Sakhis of Guru Ram Das Ji
 

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 Year 3

Panjabi Religious Studies

Panjabi Curriculum ● Memorize with some understanding

Beginning Reading (Words, simple Japji Sahib Gurbani up till Pauri 19
sentences, poems and short stories) ● Anand Sahib 6 Pauris
● Read simple text in Punjabi ● Information about Chaar Sahibzaday
● Write a simple essay about ● Information about Panj Takhat
themselves ● Information about Akhand Paath
● Develop a good base in vocabulary History Curriculum
● Count to 50 in Panjabi ● Sakhis of Guru Arjan Dev Ji
 

Year 4

Panjabi Religious Studies

Panjabi Curriculum ● Gurmat Curriculum

Intermediate Reading (Simple short ● Memorize with some understanding
stories) Japuji Sahib Gurbani up till Pauri 26
● Read short stories, Sakhis, essays, ● Anand Sahib Gurbani 6 Pauris
and poems with relative ease, ● Information about Akhand Path
understand the text and be able to ● History Curriculum
answer questions from the text ● Sakhis of Guru Har Gobind Ji
● Do counting up to 100 in Punjabi ● Sakhis of Guru Har Rai Ji
● Develop understanding of the basic ● Sakhis of Guru Har Krishan Ji
concepts of Punjabi grammar.  

Year 5

Panjabi Religious Studies

Advanced Reading Level 1 (Sakhies of ● Gurmat Curriculum

Guru Nanak Dev Ji) ● Memorize with some understanding
● Read Panjabi fluently at 60 words complete Japji Sahib Gurbani
per minute speed and understand ● History Curriculum
what they read ● Sakhis of Guru Teg Bahadur Ji
● Write answers to question in  
complete sentences
● Learn counting up to 1000 and
beyond in Panjabi

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 Year 6

Panjabi Religious Studies

The students at this level should have ● Memorize with some understanding
learned all content from the previous Rehraas Sahib Gurbani
levels. Any material not learned must be ● History Curriculum
assigned and learned by the student. At ● Sakhis of Guru Gobind Singh Ji
this level, they will:  
● Write an essay about themselves
● Take dictation in Panjabi with 80%
accuracy
● Read short stories, Sakhies, essays,
and poems fluently with 70 words
per minute speed, understand the
text and be able to answer
comprehension questions from the
text orally and in writing

Year 7

Panjabi Religious Studies

Advanced Panjabi- Level 3 & Gurbani ● Memorize with some understanding

Reading Sukhmani Sahib Gurbani
The students at this level are supposed ● History Curriculum
to have learned everything from the ● Sakhis about Banda Singh Bahadur
previous levels. Any material they have and Maharaja Ranjit Singh
not learned must be learned by the  
student. At this level, they will:
● Write a complete essay
● Take dictation in Panjabi with 90%
accuracy
● Read a literary text with 80 words
per minute speed, and answer
comprehension questions from the
text
● Start reading Gurbani with ease

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10
 Year 8

Panjabi Religious Studies

● Take dictation in Panjabi with 80% ● Write a research report or a project

accuracy about a topic:
● Read a literary text fluently at 100 ○ Life of a Guru Sahib
words per minute ○ Teachings of a Guru Sahib
   
● Read short stories, Sakhies, and
poems fluently with 80 words per
minute speed, understand the text
and be able to answer
comprehension questions from the
text orally and in writing
 

© 2019 TSIS International School 11

 Years 9 and 11 (including Key Stage 4)

From Year 9 onwards, students are taught world religions and Panjabi through
prescribed curriculum of GCSE (AQA Board).

Assessment

Assessment is ongoing
Assessment is a continuous process in which teachers gather information about
student learning and consider it as they plan instruction. Teachers facilitates
decisions on how to best support student learning while students work toward
achieving the outcomes in the programme of studies. The goal of this feedback is to
help improve students’ future performance. The assessment process has no
beginning or end, it is a continuous process that enhances teaching and learning.

Assessment employs a variety of strategies

Teachers use a variety of assessment strategies, they are able to communicate about
student performance in a range of outcomes in the programme of studies.

Assessment criteria are clearly communicated

Assessment criteria describe what students are expected to do to meet intended
learning outcomes. Assessment criteria, written in age-appropriate language, are
communicated to students before they begin any assessment activity. Sharing criteria
with students empowers them to monitor their learning and tell others about their
progress.

Assessment involves students

Students are involved in identifying their learning needs and goals. Facilitate self-
assessment, peer assessment, conferencing and goal setting to enhance learning
and allow students to become effective users of assessment information.

Assessment demonstrates sensitivity to individual differences

Assessment focuses on a student’s progress and growth in relation to specific
outcomes. Information is shared with students and parents to compare a student’s
performance with his or her previous performances. This involves ongoing specific
and descriptive feedback, i.e., verbal or written, that highlights student strengths and
suggests goals for improvement.

Results 2017-19
All the Sikh students of GCSE batch 2017-19 achieved 100 percent results (A-C)
Religious Studies students achieved 100 percent results (A-C)

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 LEARNING ACTIVITIES

© 2019 TSIS International School 13

MORNING PRAYER

At TSIS, the day starts with morning Sikh Prayer. Sikh Students recite Gurbani (Japji Sahib,
Chopai Sahib Anand Sahib, Ardas and Hukamnama).

TURBAN TYING

At TSIS, Sikh students

practice Turban tying with
the help of staff members.

© 2019 TSIS International School 14

PANJABI POETRY RECITAL

On 11th April 2018 during the celebration of Vaisakhi, the Panjabi Department held a
Panjabi Poetry Recital competition.

SAHEJ PATH RECITATION

Every year for the blessings of Guru Ji, students at TSIS recite the full Guru Granth Sahib
Ji (Sahej Path) with the help of staff members.

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PANJABI FOOD PROJECT

On 27th September 2018 the

Panjabi Department organised a
special food project. The Year 11
students invited members of our
Senior Leadership Team to enjoy
a selection of traditional Panjabi
dishes they had cooked
themselves.

BHANGRA
PERFORMANCE
AT THE INDIAN
EMBASSY

Students were invited to

perform at NRI Day
celebrations arranged by
the Indian Embassy in
Bangkok. The students
received a standing
ovation for their
performance.

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 PANJABI CULTURE
EXHIBITION

Every year on the occasion of

TSIS Fun Fair, the Panjabi
Department holds an exhibition
based on Panjabi culture, food,
dance and history.

PERFORMANCE
AT THE GURUDWARA

Students from TSIS Junior and Senior

school campuses performed at the
Gurdwara Sri Guru Singh Sabha
Bangkok for the birth celebration of Sri
Guru Nanak Dev Ji.

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 LANGAR DAY CELEBRATION

On 22nd January 2019, the day began with hymns, speeches and a religious studies
quiz. Later students gathered to prepare food for Langar. The students served Langar
at the Junior and Senior School campuses.

© 2019 TSIS International School 18

 VAISAKHI CELEBRATION

On 26th April 2019 TSIS community came together to celebrate Vaisakhi. Family
activities included performances by our students, teachers and guests, and served as a
special opportunity for our community share and learn about Sikh culture and
traditions.

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 CHABEEL DAY

A religious ceremony to remember the bravery of the 5 th Sikh Guru, Guru Arjun Dev Ji,
who made great personal sacrifices to defend the Sikh scripture. A group of students
and teachers prepared and served ‘Chabeel’ to students at Thai Sikh Vidhyalaya
school.
.

© 2019 TSIS International School 20

 VIST TO AN ORPHANAGE

Every year the Panjabi Department organizes a visit to a local orphanage. On 17 th

January 2019, Senior School students visited the Human Development Foundation to
present money and gifts which had been collected by our Senior School community.
.

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 SERVICE AT SRI GURU SINGH SABHA

Every month, students visit the Sri Singh Sabha Gurdwara at Bangkok to practice
service with the help of staff members there. Students perform sewa by helping to
distribute water and tea, as well as clean plates.
.

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 GURU RAM DAS PARKASH PURAB CELEBRATIONS

On this auspicious occasion students and staff members performed Kirtan together.
Religious performances by students included Kavitas to enlighten the atmosphere.
.

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 MARTYRDOM OF SAHIBZADE

TURBAN TYING COMPETITION

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Junior School / Wongwian Yai Campus Senior School / Bangna Campus
(Nursery – Year 5) (Years 7–13)
717 Prachathipok Road, 1799 Thang Rotfai Kao Road,
Wongwian Yai, Samrong Nua,
Bangkok 10600 Samut Prakarn 10270
Phone: 02-861-6161 Phone: 02-743-5049-52
Email: [email protected] Email: [email protected]