Dear Oakridge Families,

From Coffee Mornings to Parent Meetings, technology related conversations keep coming up. Questions about the use of AI, screen time, and excessive dependence on devices reflect both curiosity and concern on how rapidly the digital world is changing and impacting our learners. While these questions are critical, it is equally important to understand that technology itself is not the challenge, it’s how we guide our students to use it thoughtfully is what matters most.

At school, our focus is on helping students become responsible, balanced, and ethical users of technology. This means teaching students when technology enhances learning and when it is better to step away from screens. AI, for example, can support creativity, research, and problem-solving when used with guidance, but it also requires students to develop critical thinking and academic integrity.  

Schools and families, both play an important role in creating healthy digital habits. At school, we establish clear expectations around when devices are used for learning and when they are put away to support discussion, collaboration, hands on work and focused thinking. At home, simple routines such as device-free times, screen curfews, knowledge about what your child engages with online and conversations about responsible online behaviour, help reinforce the same message. When the school and the home work together, students learn that technology is a powerful tool to be used with balance, purpose, and responsibility. 

Our Arts program at school reflects this balance. As we navigated through the wonderfully curated art exhibition with artworks created by our learners and experienced the joy and confidence of our youngest students during the Early Years Performing Arts showcase, we were reminded that learning is at its richest when it engages creativity. The Sports teams’ selections for the next academic year have started which means that our Sports champions will be ready to participate in multiple events as we start the new academic year in July. This is the time of the year when we see the milestone phase of the Primary, Middle Years and Diploma students. While the PYP 5 learners are busy preparing for their exhibition in April, our DP 2 and MYP 5 students have just finished their mock exams and on the phase of reviewing, revising and completing the submissions this month and they are probably counting days to the exams. 

Relay for life, our overnight cancer fundraising and awareness event is back in its second year and many of you have already registered to participate as well. This year we have extended the event participation for our younger students as well, with their parents accompanying them. It’s a night to Remember, Celebrate, Fight back and Unite to support this cause, all funds raised go to the Indian Cancer Society. The opening event includes inspiring talks by cancer survivors and stories of remembrance. This year we thrilled to have the Global Head of Social Impact and EDIB from Nord Anglia Education, Dr. Leslie Williams joining us for the event as a key speaker and we are looking forward to meeting her and continue to be inspired. 

I hope to see many families and students join us for the event and trust me; it will be the most heartwarming and meaningful celebration that you will participate. 

Kavita Sukhani
Principal
Oakridge International School Bengaluru