Education involves a balance between academic and extracurricular activities. How does your institution provide this balance to students?

St Thomas School believes in creatively designing its curriculum, focusing on the overall development of children. Prepare them to learn, lead and change and enable them to grow in a positive environment where they can explore their academic and co-academic abilities.

What assessment practices are used in your school?

Academic assessment plays a vital role in determining a student’s standing and helps teachers identify gaps in the student’s learning curve. The school has adopted a Learning in Education and Development (LEAD) program. This program is strategically designed to improve the quality of learning. Assessments help students fill learning gaps before moving on to the next level or unit. These can be written, oral or both in all four units during the academic year.

Sports and extracurricular activities for students.

Sports and extracurricular activities complement each other to shape the good personality of a child. The school has a strong NCC wing. We offer outdoor and indoor sports, such as basketball and volleyball, badminton, taekwondo, chess and carom. Shooting, grappling, boxing and skating and some sports that children love. The school has a dedicated “Art In Education” department which encourages students to take up art forms where they explore the rich culture and heritage of our country.

NEP-2020 has placed special emphasis on professional skills and entrepreneurship. How does your school provide these two elements as part of its curriculum?

NEP-2020 focuses on child-centered education, preparing young people to become self-reliant. The school is a CBSE hub for Skill Development Program and offers courses such as Data Entry Operations, Beauty & Wellness and Hospitality. The school also offers Mass Media and Production as a vocational subject at secondary level. The school also encourages business skills among students by helping them explore various business programs and empowering themselves through various training courses. The school recently added a STEM and STEAM “robotics lab,” enhancing students’ curiosity.

What is your school’s motto and how are students trained to follow it?

Our school motto is “In love, serve one another.” It is important that children are sensitive to the needs of each other, those of the community and the world in general. The school has a tourism club under the Ministry of Tourism, where children are encouraged to promote global understanding and awareness of the Earth. To encourage appreciation of our national and cultural heritage in order to promote national integration, students are encouraged to join the NCC. The school is in collaboration with an NGO, Almighty Blessings, which serves as a language for carers of cancer patients at IGMC Shimla. The children bring roti and raw cereals to the NGO. The students are part of a Y Deepa program of YWCA India.

As head of this institution, what is your vision and how are you making it a reality?

As an educator, I strongly believe in inclusive education. My vision is to empower as many children as possible who pass through the gates of St Thomas School, to make the school a center of progressive learning, welcoming children from all backgrounds and making each one very special and working on their life skills to face different challenges. It is important to be aware of new teaching methodologies, to allow each member of staff to improve through various educational tools and, above all, to make the school a dynamic, happy and joyful place for the learning and personal development.

What steps has the school taken to help students cope with stress and develop their EQ?

The school dedicates a 20-minute period each day during which teachers hold interactive sessions on topics such as peer pressure, gender sensitivity issues, substance abuse and addiction issues, positive thinking, strengthening self-esteem and career guidance. We encourage students to participate in leisure classes, sports activities and drama. We prepare students to become agents of change within the school.