Media Release

Mangaluru, Aug 13: Global School Partnership is a programme 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 (LCS) started global school partnership in 2007 with Pilton Bluecoat Junior School, Devon, UK and continued this partnership till 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, Ian Thomas, CEO and executive head teacher of TEAM multi-academy trust, UK visited Lourdes Central School on August 8.

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, Ian Thomas is adept in 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 on the visit of Ian Thomas, a visionary leader who embodies the spirit of educational excellence and international collaboration to Lourdes Central School. The principal Fr Johnson L Sequeira along with vice principals Belita Mascarenhas and Anita Thomas felicitated Ian with a garland and memento. 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 learnt back to 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 with vice principals Belita Mascarenhas and Anita Thomas to discuss and plan the forth coming global partnership. A meeting with the principal was arranged on the review of past partnerships and future plans. Ian had an interaction with the manager Fr John Baptist Saldanha.

Ian visited classes IV and V and interacted with the students. He told them that the classroom arrangement in 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 on topics like sports, classroom rules and time table followed in schools in UK. He expressed that he liked coming to Mangaluru.

Ian Thomas visited the silver jubilee block and interacted with the students of classes IX to XII.

He interacted with the teachers who had visited Pilton Bluecoat Junior School in the year 2009 to 2015. A short meeting was arranged for the teachers of classes V and VI regarding global partnership which will begin in September 2024.

Ian interacted with all the staff members in the AV room. He brought greetings from the school and friends from UK and highlighted on the importance of global education where children live in a sheltered path. He was excited to start the journey again treading on new pathways, new routes and connecting with people. He specified that we can’t stop working together, sharing ideas and building bridges of friendship.

The principal in his message stated that 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 Shaila Pereira. The programme was organised by Henry Mascarenhas and compered by Linet D’Souza.