It was the change of guards at Oakridge International School (OIS) Visakhapatnam (Ranked No.1 International Day-Cum-Boarding School in Visakhapatnam & Andhra Pradesh) as Shaila Bhamidipati took over the reins as the Principal. Armed with a Masters degree in Analytical Chemistry from the University of Madras and a B.Ed, and experience reaped for more than 25 years in pedagogic planning and implementation, she aims to educate children as holistically enriched individuals with the precise blend of knowledge, values, and skills. Here, she shares a few insights about the school:

On assuming the new role

Vizag is called the City Of Destiny, so maybe I was destined to come here. I have been associated with Oakridge (Hyderabad) since 2013 and was the Vice-Principal since 2016. I am more so grateful to the teachers, children and parents for the warm reception at Vizag.

The role of technology

Technology is changing the dynamics of the entire teaching and learning process in the classroom and beyond. Blended learning, an amalgamation of high-tech digital learning and traditional face-to-face learning, will be the future. However, technology can never replace the real classroom where the students and teachers forge a bond for life.

Why Oakridge

Our unconventional approach towards education and commitment to personalising learning for every student, makes us one of the most preferred school not just in India but even in places like Thailand, Nepal, South Korea and the Middle East.

The best feature of OIS is the freedom of curriculum choices it offers. From Cambridge IGCSE, CBSE to IBDP (International Baccalaureate Diploma Program), parents can make the choice as per their child’s aspiration. Our value-added programmes are unmatched:

1. Global Campus Platform: OIS is part of Nord Anglia Education – the world’s leading premium school organisation having 73 schools in 30 countries. Oakridge children can connect and collaborate with more than 69000 fellow students from across the globe and take part in Global challenges and competitions. An exclusive technology-enabled learning platform Nord Anglia University also enables Oakridge teachers to exchange ideas and learn from 13,000+ educators from across the globe, sharing best practices and experiences.

2. MIT Steam Programme: Our partnership with the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), offers students an innovative way of learning the STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Art and Math) subjects. Students interact with prominent MIT scientists, indulge in activities like AI, Robotics, bio-engineering, etc., and learning about the latest discoveries. They even have an opportunity to visit MIT!

3. UNICEF Collaboration: With UNICEF, Oakridgers are encouraged and enabled to research, develop and debate challenges facing our society; directly impacting the Sustainable Development Goals outlined by the UN.

4. Boarding Unlimited: Our boarding house is no ordinary hostel, it’s a home away from home where students from various cultures and diverse interests are guided by our loving House Parents to sharpen their social skills while acing the academics.

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Shaila’s Photo with name

Awards & Laurels:

Avantika APJ Abdul Kalam Award 2019 which honours educationists who have set high standards in the field of education.

Green Belt Certificate in Global Career counselling from the University of California Los Angeles (UCLA Ext).

Positions Held:

1.Member of the Inspection Committee Extension of CBSE Affiliation and Centre Superintendent for CBSE Board Examination – AISSCE & AISSE (Oakridge as the Centre)

2.Teacher Mentor for various International student initiatives like the Student Global Leadership Institute at Punahou School, Hawall; Seattle Student Exchange Program, U-Prep School, USA.

3.Certified IB Teacher and Coordinator.