West Bengal: At this school, tradition meets innovation and education ‘extends beyond marks’

Rodney Borneo, Principal

Moving towards celebrating 50 years of educational excellence, St. Augustine’s Day School, Shyamnagar — managed by The St. Augustine Education Society — stands as a distinguished institution where tradition and innovation coexist with purpose. Over nearly five decades, the school has witnessed – and actively responded to – profound shifts in education, society and learner needs.

Institutions with decades of excellent teaching record, must be rooted in strong values and guided by a vision of holistic education. Our institution has consistently nurtured generations of learners who are academically accomplished, socially responsible and future-ready.

Schools must remain committed to developing confident, competent and compassionate individuals, equipped to thrive in a rapidly changing global landscape—despite the many challenges that contemporary education presents.

Unprecedented challenges

The COVID-19 pandemic was one of the greatest tests for education. Sudden school closures, prolonged remote learning, concerns for student well-being and the digital divide demanded swift yet thoughtful responses.

Schools across the country had to rise to the occasion by strengthening their digital infrastructure, training teachers for effective online pedagogy, and ensuring academic continuity without compromising on emotional care.

We were one of the first schools that shifted to online education over GMeet within one week of the declaration of the lockdown. We used Swiggy to deliver books and copies to our students to ensure uninterrupted education of our students. Regular parent communication, virtual assemblies, counselling support and flexible academic planning helped students and families navigate uncertainty with confidence and trust.

Beyond the pandemic, schools must now engage with another significant challenge of our times: helping parents understand and appreciate the importance of holistic education in an increasingly result-driven environment. Through consistent dialogue, orientation programmes and transparent assessment practices, St. Augustine’s Day School has steadily built awareness that true education extends beyond marks to include life skills, values, emotional intelligence and adaptability.

Beyond results, schools must place strong emphasis on conceptual clarity, analytical thinking and intellectual curiosity, ensuring that learning is meaningful and enduring.

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Activity-based learning

What truly sets St. Augustine’s Day School apart is its thoughtfully-designed activity-based curriculum (ABC), which runs parallel to the academic programme. At a time when educators face the challenge of balancing academic demands with student well-being, this curriculum addresses the physical, emotional, social and spiritual development of learners, ensuring balanced growth.

From the foundational years, students are exposed to a wide range of disciplines including coding, yoga, karate, chess, communication skills, financial literacy, French and Sanskrit. Achievements in these non-academic domains are formally recognised through a dedicated ABC Report Card and prize day, reinforcing the school’s conviction that co-curricular excellence is not optional, but integral to education.

Learning, values and teaching

In keeping with contemporary educational priorities, learning must be competency-driven, focusing on critical thinking, collaboration, creativity and communication. Our classroom practices emphasise experiential learning, projects and real-world applications.

Equally significant is the school’s ongoing effort to attract, nurture and retain teachers who are motivated to face the real challenges of teaching today’s children — students who are digitally immersed, emotionally complex and exposed to a rapidly changing world. Continuous professional development, mentoring and a strong value-based institutional culture empower teachers to teach not just with skill, but with purpose.

A strong foundation of value education further nurtures integrity, empathy, respect and social responsibility.

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Student-parent partnership

The school firmly believes that education flourishes through meaningful collaboration with parents. In an age of heightened expectations and rapid communication, schools must strengthen trust through structured parent connect initiatives and secure digital platforms. St Augustine’s Day School live-streams school events and has a dedicated school app.

Continuous academic monitoring enables timely intervention, personalised support and shared responsibility in every child’s learning journey.

That said, schools must recognise both the opportunities and risks associated with technology and promote its positive, ethical and responsible use. Students must be sensitised to cyber safety, digital citizenship and balanced screen habits, ensuring that technology remains a tool for learning rather than a distraction.

Regular sessions on mental well-being, leadership, etiquette and emerging technologies prepare students to navigate life beyond the classroom with confidence.

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Future-ready vision

As it approaches its golden jubilee, St. Augustine’s Day School, Shyamnagar is firmly focused on the future. Strategic plans include the expansion of the computer laboratory, strengthening digital infrastructure and enabling deeper technology integration across subjects. The school is actively moving towards robotics, artificial intelligence and machine learning, ensuring students develop advanced digital literacy and skills essential for the 21st century.

Social consciousness remains integral to the school’s ethos, as it should be of every school. The school runs Sitaare, a free evening school for underprivileged girls, reflecting its deep commitment to inclusivity and service. Students are sensitised to civic responsibility through sustained outreach, community engagement and philanthropic initiatives.