January 2026 Newsletter
Welcome to the inaugural edition of our quarterly Khalsa School newsletter, a new space dedicated to celebrating our students’ growth and sharing the vibrant life of our school community. As we step into 2026, this publication will serve as a regular bridge between the classroom and home, highlighting our collective journey in Gurbani, Gurmat, Gurmukhi, Kirtan, and the spirit of Seva. We invite you to explore these highlights from the past term and join us in reflecting on the milestones that shape our children into compassionate leaders rooted in Sikhi.
Message From Principal
Waheguru Ji Ka Khalsa, Waheguru Ji Ki Fateh
It is with immense gratitude and pride that I share this message with our Khalsa School family. Our mission has always been to instil strong Sikh values and heritage in our children, nurture a deep love for Guru Sahib, and help students understand the true treasure of Gurbani and Sikhi as gifted to us by our Guru Sahib Ji.
This year marks an important milestone for our school with the introduction of Level 8. For the first time our students are not only learning Sikh History and values but also becoming active participants in shaping history themselves. They are learning that Sikhi is not just something to study but something to live and practise every day.
Through our programme students are being guided to build seva into their daily lives, learning both practical and selfless seva. They are developing compassion, empathy, inclusion, and the spirit of sarbat da bhala. They are encouraged to grow in devotion, commitment, discipline, and courage. While learning to stand up for what is right, remain in high spirit, and face everyday challenges with resilience and problem-solving skills.
This year we also commemorated the 350th Shaheedi of Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji. Our students went beyond learning the historical events; they reflected on how Guru Sahib's supreme sacrifice guided us today. Through these lessons we aim to shape our children into individuals who uphold truth, justice, and the courage to stand for righteousness in their own lives.
The growth of our children is a shared journey. I sincerely encourage parents to partner with us by reinforcing these teachings at home through daily actions, conversations, and going over Guru Sakhis and modelling Sikh values. When children see the same principle practised at school and at home, their learning becomes more meaningful and lasting.
Together let us continue to nurture a generation rooted in Sikhi, enriched by Gurbani, and committed to living with compassion, seva, and courage. With heartfelt gratitude for your continued support.
Waheguru Ji Ka Khalsa, Waheguru Ji Ki Fateh, Waheguru Ji.
Raj Kaur
Khalsa School Principal
Students from the level 7 and 8 classes
Winter Camp Recap
During the Safar-e-Shaadat, students learned many important lessons about the events that took place in Anandpur Sahib during the month of Poh (December). They gained a deeper understanding of how the events unfolded, including the promises made and later broken by the Pahadi Raje. Students also learned how individuals like Gangu betrayed Guru Sahib for a small reward, while true Gurmukhs such as Bhai Moti Mehra Ji and Bibi Harsharan Kaur Ji gave up everything to perform seva for Guru Ji and the Gursikhs. Students reflected on what the Chote Sahibzade must have gone through and were inspired by how they remained strong, steadfast, and unwavering in their faith, never giving up on their Guru.
Heartfelt Thanks for a Successful Winter Clothes Drive!
We are thrilled to report on the overwhelming success of Khalsa School’s recent Winter Clothes Drive. Thanks to the incredible generosity of our students, families, and volunteers, we were able to deliver a substantial donation of new winter clothing, gift cards, and cash to the Seven Oaks General Hospital Foundation this past week.
The Hospital Foundation has shared that this support will have a true and immediate impact on their patients, many of whom are in need of basic necessities, especially warm clothing, during the colder months.
This meaningful act of seva is rooted in the Sikh value of Sarbat da Bhala, and powerfully demonstrates how community action led by our youth can make a real difference
Thank you for turning values into action and helping our community stay warm this winter!
Classroom Highlights
In this section, we feature updates directly from our educators to keep you informed about the specific lessons and progress occurring in our classrooms. Each newsletter, we will highlight a different level to showcase the diverse learning taking place across Khalsa School.
Level 4 Update:
My name is Veer Singh, and I teach Level 4. So far this term, we have covered 11 chapters from the Punjabi Reader 4A. Throughout the term, students have studied various chapters, including lessons on postpositions, expressing feelings, and reading time in Punjabi. These are just a few examples of the chapters we covered this term. Alongside Punjabi language studies, students have also been learning about Gurmat and are currently on Chapter 11 of Gurmat Sikhia (Book 4G). We have covered chapters about the first six Gurus, which taught students about their early childhood, place of birth, names of their parents, and their contributions to Sikhi. Students also recite Gurbani at the start of every class as they work toward their goal of memorizing 16 Pauriyan by the end of the school year. Students receive weekly word quizzes that they prepare for with great enthusiasm, aiming to achieve excellent marks and demonstrate their dedication. In the past term, students also created posters reflecting on the shaheedi of Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji.
Class 6 Afternoon Session
Student Comments
In this section, students provide insight into their learning and spiritual growth at Khalsa School. This edition features reflections by Ramneek Kaur (Level 8) on her experiences during the first term.:
Extracurriculars ( Books, speeches)
During the first term in Level 8, students read two extracurricular books; Harminder Darshan and Gurmat de Paandhi. After reading these books, students reflected on their learning and wrote speeches on the book based on not only the knowledge but how we ourselves need to practice those values in our daily life.Learning about Harmandir Sahib, we based our first term on the tuk “Harmandir ehu sareer hai…”, reflecting on how the body is the sacred space in which one must protect, nurture, and continue their spiritual journey. Students explored the idea of walking the Guru Marag and came to understand that those who follow this path become Gurmat de Paandi.
At Level 8, the focus is on actively practising and reflecting upon the four Sikh values: Dayea (compassion), Santokh (contentment), Jat (self-discipline), and Sat (truth). Students are encouraged to embody these values in their daily lives, deepening their understanding through action, reflection, and personal growth.
Volunteering
In Level 8, we made a promise to practise Vand Shako. We chose to do this in a meaningful way by sharing our gyaan with younger students. Teaching others helped us strengthen our own learning and better understand what Vand Shako truly means.
Through this experience, we learned the importance of staying humble, even when we feel confident or proud of our achievements. We realised that Vand Shako can be practised in many ways, not just by sharing things, but also by giving our time, knowledge, and support to others.
Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji Workshop:
Through learning about Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji, we were taught powerful values that guide how we live our lives. One of the most important lessons was Dharam—having the courage to stand up for what is right, even when it is difficult, and even when it means standing up for others. Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji showed us that protecting human rights and freedom of belief is more important than personal safety.
We also learned the importance of bharosa (trust) in Waheguru, especially during times of fear or challenge. His life taught us bhakti (devotion)—remaining spiritually connected and grounded no matter what is happening around us. Alongside this, we learned about shakti (inner strength), the courage and resilience needed to face injustice with calmness and dignity.
Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji’s sacrifice showed us what true selflessness, humility, and compassion look like. He taught us to put others before ourselves, to act with kindness, and to stay firm in our values. Through his life and shaheedi, we learned that living with faith, courage, and truth is the true meaning of walking the Guru’s path.
Santhaya of Sidh Gosht And Dakhni Oankar
In Term 1 of Khalsa School (Level 8), through bani Sidh Gosht we learned one main teaching: “Shabad Guru, Surat Dhun Chela.” We learned that if the Guru is the Shabad, then our surati (awareness) is the learner. We learned that following the teachings of Guru Sahib should begin from our very first breath, and we realised that it is time for us to start walking on this spiritual path.
Through Sri Dakhni Oankaar, we learned the importance of Ik (One). We came to understand that everything we do and experience is because Waheguru resides within our mandir (body). Every experience we have happens because He is present within us.
We are now working hard to turn our body into Waheguru’s mandir, by living with awareness, discipline, and respect for the teachings of the Guru.
Saturday Satsangat
Since August 2024, students from all levels have been attending weekly Sangats every Saturday. Together, we take part in Simran, Jaap, Sri Asa di Vaar de Kirtan, and Nitnem. Through this experience, we have realised that this is where we find true peace.
Each week, we feel ourselves taking one step closer to Waheguru Ji, growing in our love and connection with Him as our faith and understanding continue to deepen.
