JDA Magazine Paperturn Sept 2024 - Flipbook - Page 32
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MY CAREER IN EDUCATION — BAVAANI NANTHABALAN VISITS JDA
Bavaani Nanthabalan is an inspirational woman.
In 2020, she was honoured with The Pearson National Teaching Award for
Headteacher of the Year in a Primary School for her outstanding work at
Netley Primary School and Centre for Autism.
Among her many achievements, she oversaw the formation of an inclusive
campus, complete with Centre for Autism. Everything she has done has
been from her heart and for the children.
She is also Brinthan’s mum!
Colleen Daniels writes:
It was lovely to see Brinthan’s mum Bavaani again,
since we used to visit her school in Camden to
use the hall during our Gold and Silver 50+ Group
days! After seeing and chatting with her many
times, it was nice to 昀椀nally have her come and talk
about her life.
Bavaani gave a fascinating talk, explaining about
her childhood growing up in Singapore, and
bringing up her Deaf son Brinthan.
She explained that, back in the 80s,
Singapore schools weren’t good for
Deaf children, which was why they
moved to London.
Ann and I had a go, attempting to do Indian hand
dance moves. We stood next to Bavaani and we
tried it and she said we did not bad! That was a
good laugh.
Once again it was great to see you at JDA. Thank
you for coming Bavaani. And you must be proud of
your son Brinthan who is doing a great job at JDA!
I was surprised to 昀椀nd out that
Bavaani was at 昀椀rst a dancer! She
was a rising dancer in Singapore
but then began teaching.
Ann Hart asked Bavaani to show us
the type of dancing she did when she
was young. She showed brie昀氀y some
Indian dance moves and taught us
hand shapes. She told us to think of
your hand like a tweety bird, moving
▲ Bavaani teaches Ann and Colleen some Indian
from the right hand to the left.
dance moves
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JDATogether — Issue 48 — September 2024
