Principal Letter – April 2022

  • 1 April 2022

The cool winter breeze with the shimmering lights in the fog, warming ourselves at home in various forms to make things congenial for our students to study, has overturned into the summer months with the warm weather. The pandemic survival rate has increased which gives us the confidence that we can open the gates of our school, as per the Government norms. The buzz of the students in the school brought about new life and, in our hearts, rang the bell of contentment to see all our children back.

It was a year of virtual learning followed by hybrid learning which followed the blended approach. We are proud to say that the transition was seamless and we have stood the test of time. We have the physical school in vogue.

We are super excited about the progress that we have made with the unique Academic year 2021-2022 and Responsible School Return Plan for Middle School along with Senior Secondary School during September. We eagerly welcomed all wave groups into our building simultaneously. The rest of the students joined in November.  I feel confident that we are on a path toward a greater sense of normalcy, despite the hitches. I would like to thank our students, parents, and community members for all their support during these challenging times. As we continue to move forward, we encourage and request our parents to be vigilant in monitoring student performance.

In the same momentum, the Leadership Team had attended a Regional Conference which gave a heads up for the future academic year.

Regional Conference for the Leadership Team

Regional Conference for Nord Anglia Schools, India was held on March 22 and 23 in Hyderabad. The conference was hosted by Mr. Brian Cooklin the Managing Director of Nord Anglia, India. The session emphasised ‘Staying Ahead’. It was indeed a proud moment for all of us when Mr. Brian started the session by highlighting our achievements during these unprecedented times.

NAE schools stay ahead by recognizing that education is a social process enabled by technology. Being a part of Nord Family, we are guided by a set standard that is imbibed in Oakridgers to the core. Facilitators turned collaborators, showed resilience and determination to attain ambitious goals through all the major Nord Anglia initiatives like DNA projects, Global Campus, MIT, Juilliard, UNICEF, and many more. Having achieved so many laurels, the Oakridge group of schools had always been the leader par excellence. Now it is our responsibility of keeping ourselves way ahead and keeping up the place.

Here are the reflections from two of our faculty.

Ms. Fiona Chettiar , CAS Coordinator

Nord Anglia Regional conference with the theme “Staying Ahead” opened a window of learning opportunities and filled a void that was felt for the past two years due to the pandemic. Embracing international mindedness, education strategy for the future, the role of Ed-tech, implementing belongingness in classrooms were the highlights of the 2-day convention. Being Ambitious and staying ahead have been deeply rooted within through the inspiring talks of our global eminent speakers.

Ms. Smitha Ghosh- English Facilitator- Cambridge Primary

India Regional Conference 2022 featured another set of insightful talks on the theme ‘Staying Ahead’. The conference elaborated on different strategies of education and the role of Ed-tech. Implementation of Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion in the classroom was emphasized. Revolutionising Professional Developments in school was also stressed. The two-day conference ushered in several intricacies to upgrade and improvise on lesson planning too.

After all – “You are here to amaze me!”

Uninterrupted Robust Professional Advancement

Professional Development for teachers is an integral part of any education system in this technological and ambiguous world wherein the faculty has to face an ever-changing generation.

Persyou has partnered with Nord Anglia India to develop a Coaching culture within the organization. Director Nicholas McKie is currently coaching Oakridge facilitators to create and nurture inspiring leadership across their schools. The coaching sessions cover a range of comprehensive solutions to cover individual and group coaching, coaching training as well as coaching awards in school.

Oakridge Bachupally teachers are a part of the prestigious Middle Leadership program 2022 on the NAU portal.

A new unique professional development opportunity of applying for a wonderful Executive Masters in International Education with King’s College, London is open to all teaching and non-teaching staff in the Nord Anglia group of schools. The Master’s Programme combines critical engagement with theory and evidence providing NAE staff with opportunities to share their insight in working across International Schools.

Vaccination Status

We are glad to inform you that headquarters have developed an application for students’ vaccination in Oakridge Mobile App and Schoolpost web portal and it is ready. So, parents can enter their children’s vaccination status now in the provided application. Request you to update the status at the earliest.

Effective Communication

For uninterrupted communication regarding your ward’s class and academic updates, we are introducing the “Quick Chat option in the Oakridge app” Request parents to install the app for 100% effective communication and interaction. Moving forward in the new Academic year, the plan of shifting entire communication from Whats app to Quick chat is underway.

Book Cart

We are happy to inform you that the Book Cart sales for the new academic year 2022-23 have started from 7th March 2022 for CBSE Grades 10 & 11 and April 5 for other grades across Early Years to Grade 11 IBDP. Uniforms, Shoes, Text Books and Stationery can be purchased through stores. Trial Rooms for uniform size checks will be set up from April 4, 2022, at school. We expect all our students to come to school in complete uniform in the ensuing academic year.

Organisation Announcement

Continuing with our efforts to strengthen the growth of our school, I am pleased to welcome the following members to the Senior Leadership Team

Head of IBDP- Mr. Saikrishna Pammi

Head of IGCSE- Ms. M.V.Prasanti

Head of CBSE- Ms. Navneet Bedi

Please be informed that Mr. Ajaybaskar tadikonda, School Bursar has decided to pursue his career elsewhere. We wish him all the very best in his future endeavors.

Kindly contact our Finance Manager, Ms. Lavanya Chittampally (lavanya.chittampally@oakridge.in) for any finance-related queries. Please do not hesitate to contact me directly if you have any questions regarding your ward’s academic performance or admin-related issues

Seeking out the right person to solve any query is the need of the hour

To get a quick and efficient solution for every query please save the following contacts:

Lunch -Mr. Srinivas Kimidi (fnb.bachupally@oakridge.in)

Stores&BookCart-Mr.SrinivasKimidi-stores.bachupally@oakridge.in)

Transport- Mr. Gopikrishna (transport.bachupally@oakridge.in  )

Lost & Found- Ms. Triveni ( triveni@oakridge.in  )

ICT-Mr. Narendra Veera (ict.bachupally@oakridge.in    )

Cashier- Mr. Narendra B (accounts.bachupally@oakridge.in )

School Doctor is an email away

To heighten awareness and keep young people safe and healthy in the home, school, community, and workplace. Oakridge Bachupally has tied up with Rainbow Hospital in Hyderabad for handling all emergencies on the campus as well as extending their facilities to all our stakeholders as well.  Dr. Kocherla Mary Swathi Mounica hails from Guntur and has been associated with Rainbow Hospital which is the best Children’s Hospital in Hyderabad. Having a school doctor of such repute restores our faith that the children are in safe hands. She can be contacted at Swathi.Kocherla@oakridge.in

Assessments

Final assessments and board exams are at the doorstep, I believe that parents’ motivation will help students get through the assessments without any stress. We, the faculty, and the parents together must make our children understand that assessments not only help them gain knowledge but also teach basic skills like punctuality, writing, and self-management.

I wish all the 10th and 12th class students “ALL THE BEST” as the Board Examinations commence from April 2022.

BEST OF LUCK” also to the students who are appearing for the final assessments.

As you put in your best efforts during the exam, you may reap the fruits of your hard work. The great future belongs to those who have strong vision and determination. And it doesn’t matter where you are now. Starting well and finishing strong is all that matters. Wish you all the best for your upcoming exams!!!

Much awaited Vacation – A time of rejuvenation

The vacation during the Summer is planned from the 22nd of April to June 1st week. Please refer to the document for the reopening dates of Early Years, Primary, Secondary and Senior Secondary.

In the ambiguous situation that we are in, we place our complete trust in our students and we would like to see them blossom into colorful youngsters who will rule the world. Stay safe, be healthy and aim at the sky… so that you will reach somewhere closer.

Baljeet Oberoi
Principal

Oakridge International School, Bachupally
Bowrampet, Near Bachupally,
Hyderabad – 500 043, Telangana, India
www.oakridge.in