Visit of UK Guest to Lourdes Central School, Mangaluru

Mangaluru: Global School Partnership is a program that aims to connect schools across the globe, enabling students to interact, collaborate, and share experiences. It provides a unique platform for cross-cultural learning and engagement. Lourdes Central School started Global School Partnership in 2007 with Pilton Bluecoat Junior School, Devon, UK, and continued this partnership until 2015 with reciprocal visits. This year, Lourdes Central School plans to take this partnership to the next level. As a part of the Global School Partnership, Mr Ian Thomas, CEO and Executive Head Teacher of TEAM Multi-Academy Trust, UK visited Lourdes Central School on August 8, 2024.

Mr Ian Thomas is an inspiring leader of nine primary schools in the south-west of England. With an impressive educational background, he obtained the National Professional Qualification for Headship (NPQH) in 2015 and has been teaching and leading schools since 1998. With a rich history in Education Management, Mr Ian Thomas is adept at crafting international school partnerships that enrich each community involved. Today marks his sixth visit to Lourdes Central School, India, a testament to his commitment to fostering educational connections worldwide. His expertise in developing curricula that are both globally thematic and skill-based is complemented by his proficiency with Google for Education and Staff Development. His leadership has been instrumental in shaping the educational landscape in our region, fostering a culture of excellence and innovation.

A special assembly was organized on August 8, 2024, at 7.50 a.m. on the visit of Mr Ian Thomas, a visionary leader who embodies the spirit of educational excellence and international collaboration at Lourdes Central School. The Principal, Rev. Fr Johnson L. Sequeira, along with Vice Principals Ms Belita Mascarenhas and Ms Anita Thomas, felicitated Mr Ian with a garland and memento. Mr Ian addressed the students of LCS and said that coming to India was an eye-opener, and LCS was his second home, as he was excited about taking all that he learned back to the UK. He expressed that it was like climbing a mountain step by step, learning together through perseverance, and reaching the top. 

A meeting was arranged at 8.30 a.m. with Vice Principals Ms Belita Mascarenhas and Ms Anita Thomas to discuss and plan the forthcoming Global Partnership. A meeting with the Principal was arranged at 9:00 a.m. on the review of past partnerships and future plans. At 9.30 . Mr Ian had an interaction with the Manager Rev. Fr John Baptist Saldanha.

At 10.30a.m. Mr Ian visited classes IV and V and interacted with the students. He told them that the classroom arrangement in the UK is entirely different from that in India, where students are made to sit in a circle and asked to discuss and answer. He highlighted topics like sports, classroom rules, and timetables followed in schools in the UK. He expressed that he liked coming to Mangalore.

Mr Ian Thomas visited the Silver Jubilee Block and interacted with the students of classes IX to XII.

At 11.45 a.m., he interacted with the teachers who had visited Pilton Bluecoat Junior School from 2009 to 2015. At 2.30 p.m., a short meeting was arranged for the teachers of classes V and VI regarding the Global Partnership, which will begin in September 2024.

Mr Ian interacted with all the staff members at 3 p.m. in the AV room. He brought greetings from the school and friends from the UK and highlighted the importance of global education, where children live on a sheltered path. He was excited to start the journey again, treading on new pathways and routes and connecting with people. He specified that we can’t stop working together, sharing ideas, and building bridges of friendship. The principal stated in his message that Mr Ian Thomas’ whole person reflected the virtue of humility, and he was a man for others, which speaks of his nobility and responsibility. The vote of thanks was delivered by Ms Shaila Pereira. The programme was organised by Mr Henry Mascarenhas and compered by Ms Linet DSouza.