Dear Parents
Boarding at Oakridge International School, Visakhapatnam is designed to be much more than a place for students to stay. It is an environment where learners develop independence, build meaningful relationships, discover new interests, and learn to take responsibility for themselves and their community.
Our boarding programme brings together structured routines, academic support, enrichment activities, life skills, recreation, and opportunities for reflection. From beginning the day with exercise to learning to cook, exploring creative pursuits, developing communication skills, and spending time with mentors and peers, every experience is designed to help students grow into confident, capable, and well-rounded individuals.
In July, our boarding students embraced a wide range of experiences, both on campus and beyond it. These moments reflect what we value most in boarding: learning through experience, building strong relationships, and giving students the confidence to navigate life independently.
Warm regards
Shaila Bhamidipati
Principal
Oakridge International School, Visakhapatnam
Starting the Day with Energy and Discipline
Each morning, our boarding students take part in physical activities including warm-ups, stretching, jogging, and Taekwondo lessons.
These sessions encourage students to develop fitness, stamina, discipline, and perseverance, while helping them begin their day with energy and a positive mindset.
Learning, Reflecting, and Growing Together
Weekly boarding meetings brought students and mentors together to understand the different opportunities available within the boarding programme and reflect on the values and skills that shape their everyday lives. Students were introduced to the Sunday Clubs, their objectives and the experiences they could explore, creating a space for them to ask questions and make informed choices.
They also took part in an interactive “Auction of Values” activity, where students worked in teams to bid for values such as respect, empathy, happiness, and discipline before discussing why those values mattered to them. The activity encouraged students to think about their priorities while developing decision-making, communication, teamwork, and critical-thinking skills.
These meetings form an important part of boarding life, creating regular opportunities for students to connect with mentors, reflect on their experiences and become active participants in their community.
Discovering Interests Through Boarding Clubs
Our Sunday Clubs continued to give boarding students a space to explore interests beyond the classroom and learn through hands-on experiences. Across Robotics and Coding, Arts and Drawing, Cooking, Chess, Public Speaking, and PsychMind, students were encouraged to experiment, create, collaborate, and think independently.
Students explored practical robotics and coding concepts through electronics, circuit testing, soldering, Arduino projects, Excel, VBA and automation. Creative sessions introduced them to drawing, doodling, geometric patterns, paper quilling and embroidery, encouraging patience, concentration, creativity, and self-expression.
Cooking activities gave students practical experience in preparing simple dishes while building independence, teamwork, and responsibility in the kitchen. Chess sessions developed strategic thinking, concentration, patience, and decision-making through guided games and friendly competition.
The Public Speaking Club helped students find greater confidence in expressing themselves, while activities around communication, listening, storytelling, and body language encouraged them to become more thoughtful and effective communicators. Meanwhile, PsychMind activities gave students opportunities to reflect on emotions, stories, and perspectives through film and discussion.
Together, these clubs reflect an important part of the boarding experience: giving students the freedom to discover what interests them while developing practical, creative, and interpersonal skills along the way.
Academic Support When It Matters
Our boarding mentors continue to support students beyond regular classroom hours. Prep time provides students with a structured environment to focus on their academic work, seek guidance, and stay on track with their learning.
This balance of academic support, enrichment, and recreation helps students develop the organisation, responsibility, and independence they need to manage both their studies and boarding life effectively.
Celebrating Our Boarding Community
Boarding is built not only through planned activities, but also through the everyday moments that bring students together. This month, the boarding community came together to celebrate Rohan’s birthday, creating a warm and joyful moment shared with friends and mentors.
Celebrations like these help students build memories, strengthen friendships, and experience the sense of belonging that is central to life in the Oakridge boarding community.
Stronger Bonds Beyond the Classroom
Boarding life also creates opportunities for students to connect with their mentors and peers outside the usual school routine.
Our monthly outings give students time to relax, socialise, explore, shop, enjoy games and meals, and simply spend quality time together.
These experiences strengthen mentor-mentee relationships, friendship, and a sense of belonging, while giving students opportunities to practise independence and social skills in real-world settings.