Blending tradition with technology A vision for future-ready learners

How is your school integrating technology in classroom learning?

At Holy Mary's School, Banur, we firmly believe that in today's rapidly evolving digital age, technology is not a luxury but a foundational element of quality education. Smart classes are fully integrated into the timetable to ensure consistent and meaningful use, with every classroom equipped with modern smart boards to support interactive and immersive learning.

Computer education is introduced from Grade 3 and gradually progresses into a vocational subject-Information Technology-in Grades 9 and 10, empowering students with practical and industry-relevant skills. Additionally, we offer structured typing lessons to strengthen data entry abilities, enabling our students to acquire employable skills even before completing their schooling.

Our annual Science Exhibition further provides a platform for students to combine creativity with technology, showcasing innovative projects that are both practical and relevant in today's world.

What are the cultural and extra-curricular highpoints of your school in the past year?

The past academic year was a time of exceptional achievement and vibrant celebration at Holy Mary's School, Banur. We commemorated our 25th anniversary with a grand Annual Function, where over 1,000 students participated in a wide array of cultural performances, including dances, skits, and theatrical presentations.

Throughout the year, the co-curricular calendar remained dynamic, with events such as declamation contests, quizzes, music and dance competitions, mathematics quizzes, and class-based activities. These events aim to nurture creativity, confidence, and a healthy competitive spirit among students.

A moment of immense pride came when S. Harjot Singh Bains, the Honourable Education Minister, felicitated our board exam toppers, recognising their outstanding academic achievements.

We also celebrated community-driven events like Mother's Day, Earth Day, and Labour Day, and conducted parent counselling sessions to reinforce the bond between school and home. As part of Sadak Suraksha Mahina, the local Traffic Police visited our campus to educate students on road safety, instilling a strong sense of civic responsibility.

The year was also a stellar one in sports. We emerged as Overall Champions at the Interschool Games Competition hosted by Dashmesh College, competing against 25 schools from the tricity region and winning eight gold medals and one bronze in kho-kho, chess, tug of war, and athletics.

We proudly retained the Rajpura Sahodaya Interschool Kho Kho Championship for the third consecutive year and represented the school at the National Level Kho Kho Championship, in addition to winning titles at the State and District levels.

Our Annual Sports Day united the entire school community in a celebration of teamwork and athletic excellence, featuring events such as athletics, kho-kho, chess, and basketball. We also marked International Dance Day with an energetic Inter-House Dance Competition, and our Investiture Ceremony stood out as a defining moment, as newly appointed student leaders took their oaths with pride and dedication.

How has innovation been incorporated into the school curriculum?

At Holy Mary's, innovation is not treated as an occasional initiative but as a way of thinking. Our curriculum is designed to promote project-based and interdisciplinary learning, encouraging students to explore connections between academic content and real-world application. The annual Science Exhibition exemplifies this approach, where students integrate technology and innovation into their models and presentations. In our Computer and IT classes, students are given opportunities to engage in activities involving coding, design, and analytical reasoning-skills that inspire them to question, create, and problem-solve. Our educators regularly participate in professional development workshops to ensure classrooms remain dynamic spaces where curiosity thrives and innovation is second nature.

What is your long-term vision for transforming education?

Our vision transcends academic excellence-we aim to nurture individuals who are socially aware, technologically adept, emotionally resilient, and deeply rooted in cultural and moral values.

To realise this, we are committed to blending traditional principles with progressive teaching methodologies. Looking ahead, we plan to broaden vocational offerings, deepen digital literacy, and fully integrate life-skills training into the curriculum.

We envision our classrooms as collaborative, creative hubs of continuous learning, where students are not only prepared for examinations but equipped for the complexities of life.

What mental health measures are taken to ensure holistic growth of students?

We believe that academic success must go hand-in-hand with emotional well-being. At Holy Mary's, we have an in-house counsellor who ensures that any mental health concerns are addressed with sensitivity and confidentiality.

Teachers are trained to identify early signs of distress and are supported by ongoing communication with parents. Our school also provides a balanced timetable, creative outlets, and regular motivational workshops

to nurture emotional resilience, empathy, and a positive self-image.