We are delighted to welcome ‘home’ our new Headmaster, Mr Mathew P John and his wife Anuradha (who will be teaching English to Years 6&7). A Cottonian himself (but from the ‘other place’ in Bangalore), Mr John taught at BCS, Shimla from 1994 to 2000 and was instrumental in setting up the Slater Debates. Since then he has enjoyed a successful career in school leadership raising standards in a number of prestigious schools across India. His main task at BCS will be to raise our academic profile to new heights and he has already reinstituted the tutorial system for this purpose. Mr John is very much looking forward to the return of the pupils and for the journey to continue.‘When I first stepped onto the First Flat at Bishop Cotton School, it was late spring or early summer of 1994. I remember feeling as if I had come home, though I had never been in Shimla before, let alone, BCS. In 1998, it was in June that I brought Anu back to BCS, and we were greeted by Upper Sixth boys outside our locked quarters. With a typical Cottonian welcome, they put whatever they were doing on hold, to get us our keys and to help with our considerable luggage! This time was different.Long before we arrived in School, old boys as well as old colleagues were calling and messaging to congratulate and welcome us back. However, it was on Sunday, the fifth of July that we were finally let out of our quarantine and walked onto the First Flat for the first time after twenty years, drinking in the clear air of the hills and the old familiar view of Tara’s Gap. We were Home again!”Director Simon Weale welcomes back The Johns to BCS
Tag Archives: Mathew John
PRESS RELEASE / Bishop Cotton School Shimla, children celebrate Independence Day virtually
PRESS RELEASE
17 August 2020
Independence Day celebrated virtually at Bishop Cotton School, Shimla
Bishop Cotton School, Shimla (BCS) celebrated the 74th Independence Day last Saturday (15 August 2020) but this year, for the first time in history, it was celebrated virtually with the school community contributing remotely online from home (see BCS video links below to the YouTube video celebrations).
After a few days of mist and rain, the sun came out for the ceremony as residential staff gathered at the Shimla site for the flag raising and National Anthem ceremony. The Indian flag could be seen for miles flying high on the BCS flagpole (of 106 feet high) in the blue sky across the Shimla area.
BCS is one of the oldest residential schools in Asia and has played a big part in shaping the development of public schools and education in India as well as producing a host of well-known and successful alumni.
The online ceremony (links below) included heartfelt messages from the BCS students about why they love their country and the meaning for them of Independence Day.
The students were very clear in expressing their ideas that we must mark the day and respect those freedom fighters who gave their lives for their country.
The Cottonian family wishes all Cottonians a very happy Independence Day. Here are the highlights of the celebrations at Bishop Cotton School, Shimla, with video contributions from the boys expressing their love for India and the values it stands for.
Bishop Cotton School, Shimla, Independence Day 2020 – Video highlights duration: 5’27”
1) Independence Day 2020 celebrations from Bishop Cotton School, Shimla
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JkzR-IcbeNA&feature=youtu.be
2) BCS Facebook link – Independence Day 2020:
https://www.facebook.com/watch/?v=635162740538939
The school has operated a full academic curriculum with online classes since March. Parents have reported that the children have been missing playing sport and being with their friends and are yearning to get back on campus in Shimla.
Director Simon Weale together with the Headmaster Mathew John and BCS Staff gathered for the Flag raising ceremony.
Website: bishopcottonshimla.com
Further information from BISHOP COTTON SCHOOL, Shimla – 171002 (H.P.) India.
Phone : 0177 – 2620880