Dear Parents,
January was a month of purpose and progress at Oakridge International School, Visakhapatnam. As we began the new year, our students returned with focus, curiosity, and renewed energy across academics, co-curricular learning, and community engagement.
From outstanding university offers secured by our students to meaningful celebrations of national and cultural milestones, the month reflected our commitment to holistic education. Experiential learning took centre stage through expo, field visits, and club activities, while guest lectures and service initiatives reinforced the values of lifelong learning, responsibility, and empathy.
With this momentum, we look forward to the months ahead, guided by our shared values and commitment to excellence.
Warm regards,
Shaila Bhamidipati
Principal
Oakridge International School, Visakhapatnam
University Placements
Our students continued to achieve remarkable success with offers from leading global universities, reflecting their academic rigour, clarity of purpose, and consistent effort. Taruni of IBDP received an offer from the University of Melbourne, ranked 19 in QS World Rankings, for a Bachelor of Science. Himani of IBDP also secured admission to the University of Melbourne for a Bachelor’s degree in Economics.
Laher Vanka of IBDP received offers from Monash University, ranked 36, for Computer Science Engineering, the University of Sydney, ranked 25, for a Bachelor of Science, and Lancaster University, ranked 157, for Computing and Mathematics. Nikshiipta of IBDP gained admission to the University of Adelaide, ranked 82, for Chemical Engineering. Moksha of IBDP received an offer from Monash University for a Bachelor of Design.
Chris Andrew secured admission to the University of Kent for BSc Economics and also received an offer from the University of Southampton, ranked 87, for Law. Aryan Komati of IBDP received multiple offers for Computer Science from Purdue University, Penn State University, Texas A&M University, University of Massachusetts Amherst, Stony Brook University, and the University of Arizona.
These achievements reflect our strong academic mentoring, university guidance programme, and the determination of our students.
Sankranti Celebrations
Sankranti was celebrated with joy and cultural pride at our campus. Students explored the festival through kolam patterns, colours, and shared activities. Students and staff marked the harvest festival with a strong sense of community, reflecting gratitude and respect for cultural roots.
Republic Day Celebrations
Republic Day was observed with pride and purpose as students reflected on the values enshrined in the Indian Constitution. Through participation and thoughtful engagement, the celebration encouraged students to understand freedom, equality, and unity, while developing respect for diversity and responsibility as young citizens. The day served as a meaningful reminder of democratic values that guide both learning and life.
Social Impact Initiative
Grade 3 students participated in a meaningful social outreach visit to an orphanage. Through food donations and moments of genuine connection, students experienced the importance of kindness and social responsibility. The initiative reinforced Oakridge’s belief that empathy and awareness are essential components of education.
Math Expo
The Math Expo transformed abstract concepts into engaging, real-world experiences. Students presented models, puzzles, and applications that demonstrated how mathematics supports logic, innovation, and problem-solving in everyday life.
Taekwondo Belt Promotion Test
Sixty students from Grades 4 to 12 participated in the Taekwondo Belt Promotion Test. The test highlighted students’ discipline, focus, and perseverance, while emphasising the core values of Taekwondo including respect, self-control, and resilience.
Educational Field Trips
Grade 1 students visited an eye hospital where they learned about eye care, hygiene, and healthy habits through interactive exploration guided by medical professionals.
Grade 6 students visited Sankalpa Art Village, gaining exposure to traditional crafts, sustainable practices, and indigenous knowledge systems. They observed cotton spinning, handloom weaving, organic farming, natural dye preparation, wooden toy making, and cold-press oil extraction, promoting appreciation for sustainability and craftsmanship.
Grade 7 students visited Andhra Pradesh Medtech Zone and explored emerging technologies including prosthetics, drone systems, 3D design, medical manufacturing, AI, robotics, and healthcare innovation. The visit offered insight into future technologies and real-world applications of STEM learning.
Guest Lectures
Students from Grades 9, 10, and 11 attended an insightful session by Dr. Bharati Kochar, Gastroenterologist at Massachusetts General Hospital, on building strong academic profiles and embracing lifelong learning. Drawing from her experiences, including participation in Model United Nations, she highlighted the importance of skill development, curiosity, and purposeful engagement.
Grade 3 students attended a guest lecture by Dr. Venkateswarao Teela from MIMS on health and hygiene. The session focused on hygiene habits, nutrition, exercise, and overall well-being, helping students understand practical steps towards a healthy lifestyle.
Group Recitation Competition
Oakridgers lit up the stage with their voices, confidence, and delightful expressions. From humour, motivation, to timeless charms, every poem was brought to life with energy and innocence. Opportunities like these beautifully nurture the Cambridge attributes of collaboration and confidence in our learners.
Boarding Club Activities
Boarding students participated in Food Club sessions focused on developing practical life skills. One session introduced students to cooking pasta, where they learned to prepare white and red sauces, understand al dente texture, and manage consistency and cooking techniques. Another session involved preparing a fresh Italian salad, emphasising hygiene, teamwork, nutrition, and the value of simple, healthy ingredients.
Robotics Club sessions focused on digital creativity and entrepreneurship. Students learned website creation using Canva and designed sites aligned with their business plans. They also received guidance on creating and editing professional presentations. Chess Club sessions encouraged strategic thinking through gameplay and instructional videos, helping students refine their skills and techniques.
Global Campus
Students explored the art style of Pointillism, learning how small, individual dots come together to form detailed images. The activity highlighted patience, colour theory, and attention to detail, allowing students to understand how perspective changes visual interpretation. Our learners also enjoyed cosy moments of reading and listening to legendary stories this month.
MIT STEAM Challenges
Our grade 3 to 5 students worked on the MIT STEAM Challenges and understood the layers involved in water purification and created structures that could survive in various conditions. Each year, researchers from MIT present Nord Anglia students with three challenges. Students work in teams to tackle real-world issues that relate to topics such as healthcare, technology, and the environment. This year, the challenges are Building a Cure, Building For community, Building for the Extreme…Space and Beyond.
Student Counselling Sessions
Our student counsellor has been actively conducting a series of engaging and informative sessions for our learners. These sessions covered essential topics such as good touch and bad touch, awareness against bullying, inclusion, and building a positive class community.
Through age‑appropriate discussions and interactive activities, students are learning to understand personal boundaries, respect one another, speak up against bullying, and contribute to a more inclusive and supportive school environment.
These sessions support our commitment to nurture not only academic growth but also the emotional and social well-being of every child. We place the utmost importance on student safeguarding and well-being, and we invite you to read our Safeguarding Policy.
Sports Achievement
Mahith from Grade 10 was the Junior Category A winner in Rotary Sandhya Golf Tournament.