It’s with immense pride I share the Indian edition of Strategic Management – Concepts and Cases, that I co-authored with Prof. Isaac Jacob and Ranjan Chaudhuri.

This book is a tribute to India’s growing influence in innovation and strategic thinking, offering insights specifically shaped for our business environment. We’ve woven in Indian cases that bridge theory and real-world application, reflecting the unique challenges and opportunities faced by both Indian and global companies.

I am truly grateful to the remarkable leaders who contributed their time, experience, and perspectives: Alexander Gerding (BASF India), Santosh Iyer (Mercedes Benz India), Perizaad Zorabian (Zorabian Chicken), Boman Rustom Irani (Rustomjee Constructions), Elizabeth Jacob (BPO), Nikhil Chopra Pharma), and Dharmil Sheth (Pharmeasy). Your invaluable input helped create a rich and engaging narrative.

This book simply wouldn’t exist without the unwavering dedication of Isaac Jacob, whose remarkable experience and infectious enthusiasm have been the heart of this project. Isaac, with several books to his name, brought an inspiring energy to every step, drawing together all the stakeholders with such genuine passion. I’m profoundly grateful for his support and vision—it’s been a true privilege to work alongside him on this journey. Thank you, Isaac, for making this collaboration possible and for inspiring us all.

My heartfelt thanks also goes to our dedicated content team—Karmagna Raval, Tanuj Tiwari, and Wilma Mendonca—who worked tirelessly to source, draft, and perfect each piece of content.

I want to extend my deepest gratitude to the original authors of the American edition Fred David, Forest David and Meredith David.  Your pioneering work and foresight laid the foundation on which this adaptation proudly stands.

I’m deeply grateful to those who shared their voices and insights through testimonials: Samual Machado, Managing Director, India and Asia at Sabre Corporation; Viranchi Purohit, Global Electronics & LCC Sourcing Leader at Ingersoll Rand; and Amit Kumar Gupta, Global Head - Distribution Business at Bata Group. Your generous support and validation mean so much, adding a profound layer of depth and credibility to this work. Thank you for believing in the vision behind this book and for helping bring it to life.

A special note of gratitude goes to Pearson India’s committed team, especially Varun Goenka, Anindita Malhotra, and Vinay Swamy for their consistent support, attention to detail, and encouragement.

Here's to advancing strategic management knowledge across India and beyond!

Dr Hanif Kanjer

Author

Founder Director and Dean

Rustomjee Business School

Rustomjee Cambridge International School & Junior College 

I’m thrilled to share some exhilarating news with you all!

Rustomjee Academy for Global Careers (RAGC) and Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar Marathwada University (BAMU) have just signed a groundbreaking Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to launch an innovative Bachelor of Vocation in the Automotive Sector, an integral part of our Industry Embedded Program.

This initiative is a significant stride towards aligning with the latest National Education Policy (NEP) guidelines, designed to equip students with practical, industry-relevant skills and seamlessly bridge the gap between academia and the real world.

The MOU was ceremoniously signed by the esteemed Registrar of BAMU and myself, Dr. Hanif Kanjer, Director of Rustomjee Academy for Global Careers.

The occasion was graced by the Pro Vice Chancellor, Dr. Walmik Sarwade, alongside other distinguished guests: Dr. Bharti Gawali, Director of DDU-KK; Dr. Amogh Sambare, Assistant Professor in the Automobile Division of DDU-KK; and Mr. Karan Desai, COO of Rustomjee Academy For Global Careers.

This collaboration represents a pivotal moment in vocational education. By focusing on hands-on training and real-world experience, we’re not just preparing students for the job market; we’re sculpting the next generation of automotive industry leaders.

We’re incredibly excited about the impact this program will have and eager to watch our students drive the future of the automobile sector forward!

Dr Hanif U Kanjer

Director

Rustomjee Academy For Global Careers

#vocational excellence

#automotive excellence

Dear incredible students,

On this Teacher's Day, I want to express my heartfelt gratitude to each and every one of you. 

• Your presence in my life has been a gift, a reminder of why I teach and a source of inspiration every day.

• Your curiosity, creativity, and enthusiasm have made my job an absolute joy.

• Your struggles, doubts, and fears have taught me empathy, patience, and understanding.

• Your smiles, laughter, and triumphs have filled my heart with pride and happiness.

• You've trusted me with your learning, your dreams, and your challenges.

• I'm honored to have played a small part in your journey.

• I promise to continue supporting, guiding, and cheering you on every step of the way.

• Thank you for being my teachers, my friends, and my motivation.

I'm so proud to be your teacher!

With love, appreciation, and admiration,

Dr Hanif Kanjer

Dear Parents,

As we embark on another academic year, I am filled with excitement and gratitude for the opportunity to continue shaping young minds. 

This year holds special significance as the Rustomjee Group celebrates 25 years in education. It has been an incredible journey, and we have cherished the relationships we've built with parents, alumni, and students over the years.

Our story began in 1999 with 300 students and 35 teachers, out of a small apartment in the Rustomjee complex in Dahisar West, while waiting for the construction of our SSC school building to be completed.

And such an amazing journey it has been.  

In 2006, we introduced the IGCSE curriculum at Dahisar, expanded to Virar in 2012, and opened our Thane school in 2015.  

Today, we are at 10,000 students from KG to PG; across 3 branches and 4 school buildings, with over 800 team members. 

Yet, we have miles to go.

Our consistent outstanding results at IGCSE invigorates the start of each new academic year. 

Join me in extending heartfelt congratulations to all our IGCSE students, their parents, our exceptional team of teachers, and our dedicated principals: Ms. Tanya Valecha, Ms. Latika Parikh, Ms. Chhaya Mistry, and Ms. Vinaya Shetty. 

Our commitment to “Making Education a Priority” and “Making Learning Fun” underpins all our initiatives. 

We explore themes pertinent to our times, integrating them into our programs to positively impact our community.

In the post-COVID era, we have observed a growing concern among parents and teachers regarding the detrimental impact of excessive use of mobile phones and social media addiction. 

To address this, some of the themes this year we will focus on include:

Unplug

An alarming level of addiction to social media has people glued to their phones while walking on the road, in the restaurant, at the dinner table at home, on trains, and on buses. Everywhere you look, people have their heads down, engrossed in the unrealistic online world of reels.

Pervasive social media and technology pose significant risks when unsupervised. 

Let us all work towards getting our children engaged in the real world as opposed to the virtual world.

To unplug, we propose to introduce our children to the old-world charm of socialising through playing board games in our classrooms.  If the school calendar permits, we plan to have full day events dedicated to board games.  

Engaging in board games helps young adults by fostering critical thinking, enhancing social skills, and promoting teamwork. It provides a break from digital distractions, and encourages meaningful interactions.

To support this initiative, we request parents to invest time and effort in gathering friends for board game sessions on Saturday evenings or Sunday mornings.  Let’s help our children rediscover the joys of real world socialising. 

Say ‘NO’

The recent news of a 17-year-old boy crashing a Porsche into a bike, resulting in the tragic deaths of two young adults, has ignited a heated debate. 

This devastating incident could have been entirely preventable if the boy's parents and grandparents had had the courage to set boundaries and say no. 

Their failure to do so may lead to lasting consequences for the boy, as there is now discussion about trying him as an adult. 

The rationale is clear: if he engages in adult behaviors such as drinking and driving, then he should be tried as an adult for the crime.

It is important that as adults we set the right environment for our children by setting the rules in our homes and in our schools.

• Be the parent who firmly says 'NO'.

• Be the parent who refrains from giving their children smartphones.

• Be the parent who monitors their children’s social media activities.

• Be the parent who implements curfews.

• Be the parent who enforces early bedtime.

• Be the parent who encourages outdoor play.

• Being ‘the unpopular parent’ may be tough,

• But be that parent.

• Be unpopular.  

Good parenting means making the right decisions for your child, even when those decisions are unpopular and are met with resistance.  You must always set boundaries that keep them safe and help them grow.  

You, of course, must love them unconditionally, but you, also, need to guide them on the right path, even when it's tough. 

Your children might resent you now, but they will be grateful in the long run when they realize that your actions and discipline were meant to help them achieve their full potential.

Enlist the support of peer-parents, teachers, and the school to help you make the right decision. As they say, it takes a village to raise a child. Seek out help actively in the interest of your child.

Work with the school to help improve the behavioral environment for all students.

Support the strict teacher who says "NO," demands timely work, and assigns detention for incomplete assignments. These small actions will lead to significant long-term results.

Children learn more from our actions than our words. Let us demonstrate through our actions and behavior. Let us be mindful of our own phone, internet, and social media habits, and strive to change them for the sake of our children.

The school has a 'No Cell Phone' policy, prohibiting students from bringing phones to school, or school events, school picnics and school outbound programs.  

If a student brings a cell phone to school, it will be confiscated, and not returned for the entire year.  

If you must provide your child with a phone for whatever reason, opt for a traditional calling phone instead of a smartphone.  Better still, consider giving them a GPS tracking device, like a watch or keychain, to keep you informed of their whereabouts at all times.

Entrust them with responsibilities

At Rustomjee Cambridge we believe that every child is the architect of their own destiny, the master of their own fate. We are committed to providing an environment where students can strive for excellence and realize their full potential.

Our world is brimming with possibilities, and we are here to support our students in seizing them with both hands. 

We aim to empower our students by providing opportunities for leadership, decision-making, and self-directed learning. 

Our senior students in Grades 11 and 12 are actively volunteering to mentor their younger peers in Grades 9 and 10 after school. I encourage both parents and students of Grades 9 and 10 to actively  seek guidance from these seniors rather than relying on external coaching classes. 

Our 'Say No to Tuition Policy' has gained traction, with many families and students opting for self-study in higher grades. Our ongoing focus is to counsel parents on fostering their children's sense of responsibility for their studies.

In addition, our Grade 8 students are taking on the responsibility of delivering Value Education lessons to students from Grades 1 to 7 through storytelling and activities. These sessions not only impart lessons in humility, service, and gratitude towards teachers, but also enhance communication and public speaking skills.

Furthermore, our Global Perspective students are actively engaged with UN SDG goals for research and analysis, deepening their understanding of global issues and proactively contemplating solutions.

The school offers numerous opportunities across all age groups, ranging from student council membership to organizing school events, taking part in annual plays, engaging in community service projects, and cultivating interests in art and culture. 

It is crucial to encourage and even insist that your child takes advantage of every opportunity presented. 

After all, while grades may fade from memory, the experiences and memories forged through these opportunities will last a lifetime.

Embrace the storms

The dawn of a new school year always brings a sense of excitement and anticipation, signaling a grand adventure waiting to be embraced with courage and determination. 

Undoubtedly, our children will encounter their own storms—whether they be academic hurdles, social pressures, or personal challenges. 

It's vital for us to instill in them the understanding that these storms are natural elements of life's journey.

Hovering over our children as helicopter parents does them a disservice, leaving them ill-prepared to navigate college life independently, without their parents constantly intervening to fight their battles.

Rather than fighting our children's battles for them, let us empower them to confront these situations, adapt, change, challenge, and grow, emerging as stronger individuals. 

We must encourage our children to embrace adversity with open arms, to find moments of laughter, love, and gratitude even in the darkest of times.  

By teaching our children to dance in the rain, we empower them to take control of their own narrative, to see challenges as opportunities, and to savor each step of their journey.

As we navigate this new academic year together, let us embrace the storms, celebrate the resilience of the human spirit, and find joy in the most unexpected places.

Let us teach them, "The journey of life is not about avoiding storms, but learning to dance in the rain."

Welcome to the new academic year.

I look forward to partnering with you on this journey of growth and discovery.

Regards,

Dr Hanif Kanjer

Founder Director & Dean

Rustomjee Cambridge International School and Junior College

Rustomjee Business School

Rustomjee International School

I'm thrilled to share that I recently had the honor of being invited by the University of Mumbai to participate in revising the MMS Syllabus for General Management at the esteemed Xavier Institute of Management & Research (XIMR).

Collaborating with such a distinguished group of professors and directors from leading business schools was an incredibly rewarding experience.  Together, we delved into the curriculum for: Fundamentals of Management Theory and Practice, Strategic Management I, Strategic Management II, Corporate Strategy, and International Business, and crafted a revised program that will have a significant impact on MBA education.

This opportunity to contribute to the future of business education fills me with immense pride.  I'm passionate about ensuring students have the most relevant and up-to-date knowledge to excel in today's dynamic business landscape.  The revised curriculum reflects this passion, and I can't wait to see the positive impact it has on future generations of MBAs.

Dr Hanif U Kanjer

Founder Director and Dean

Rustomjee Business School

Rustomjee Cambridge International School & Jr. College

Rustomjee International School

I grew up with two amazing teachers in my building, Pushpa aunty  and Mrs M.

My mom enrolled me with Pushpa aunty when I was in primary school. I was her first student and a poster boy for all the later batches when I became the founder director at Rustomjee.  I studied with her until grade 4 after which my mom decided that I needed to self study at home. 

Pushpa aunty was strict yet friendly, and her tuition classes were like a fish market. Students of all age groups studying together at the same time. If you stood outside her flat, you’d hear ‘Twinkle twinkle little star’, ‘Shivaji’s coronation’, ‘quadratic equations’, and ‘force motion’ all at the same time in loud voices.  Amidst all the commotion and her cooking, she had an uncanny ability to discern which child was giving a wrong answer.  All her students performed well.

I wish we could have formal schools run as mixed age group classes. There would be so much cross-learning, peer learning, peer tutoring and self learning in such a chaotic environment. 

From Pushpa aunty I learnt how important peer learning and peer tutoring is - long before any of these terms became part of the school lexicon. 

I remember the umpteen late nights we all spent at her home as she regaled us with her broken Hindi, and her travails with the maid, the dhobi, and even the doctor.  It makes me so happy that her granddaughter, Nitara Saijan, studies at Rustomjee Cambridge.

The other teacher living in the same building was Mrs M, God bless her loving soul, a French teacher at a leading boys’ school in Borivali.

She lived on the first floor and I lived on the 3rd floor. 

Often during summer holidays my friends and I would stealthily walk up the stairs so that she wouldn’t notice us. We would avoid being caught by her because she would then ask us to help her with correcting her French answer sheet bundles. 

She was such a kind lady we could never refuse her even if we didn’t want to do the corrections. 

My friends and I spent many Diwali afternoons and summer afternoons correcting Grade 8 and 9 French papers for her. 

Her instruction was always, “Please don’t fail anyone. Parents go through a lot to put their children through school, and so as far as possible give students marks.” 

At that time I believed I was helping her, but in fact, she was in a way preparing me for my future career, teaching me a valuable lesson that when you give responsibility to a young student, you prepare the student for bigger responsibilities later in life.   

I guess I learnt from her to be fairly lenient in my approach, and I also learnt to entrust my students with greater responsibility.

This was many moons ago, and having been in the teaching profession for two decades now, I can appreciate how challenging a teacher’s job is, and what drudgery some aspects of the job are.

One particularly stressful responsibility is invigilation duty.  

• After a lot of internal deliberation over the past couple of years, this year we decided to seek parental support with invigilation duties at all our schools. 

• The overwhelming response led to an almost 50% reduction in invigilation duties for the teachers, allowing teachers to complete their paper correction in record time during school hours. We hope to continue this practice for all our exams.

• The time saved will allow teachers to undergo additional professional development programs, as well as truly enjoy their holidays with their family without the burden of school work during the holidays. We welcome more people to volunteer their time. 

• Even if you give only 2 hours of your time only once a year for invigilation duty, it will greatly reduce the stress of teachers .  Contact your school principal if you wish to volunteer.

• I think it is one of the best ways of saying “thank you” to a teacher by offering to lighten their workload. 

• We are ever so grateful to our Rustomjee parents for providing such crucial support and relief.

Our Rustomjee Cambridge Grade 10 students Sayuja Jejurkar and Dhan Shah collaborated with the Saisha Foundation  knitting hope and spreading love. 

• The Saisha Foundation creates handmade breast prostheses for women who have undergone mastectomy, offering them comfort, confidence, and a sense of normalcy after their challenging journey with breast cancer.

• Affectionately referred to as "knockers," these prostheses are thoughtfully crafted with care and compassion.

• Building further on this initiative, this year we request parents and students to not spend money on cards or flowers for Teachers’ Day, and instead make a contribution to the Saisha Foundation so they can knit more woollen knockers to reach out to more cancer patients.

And then there are our student tutors and alumni tutors - students who have volunteered to teach their peers and juniors. Manasvi Kamath, Ahaan Raut, Prakhyat Pandey, Anshul Fussey (Grade 12, A-Level), Suyash Kabra, Meetrayu, Arin Khot (our alumni who spent their holidays in June, July August volunteering to teach grades 9,10,11 students in school)

When an individual engages in an act of giving, it sets off a chain reaction that extends beyond the initial gesture. This ripple effect of kindness spreads outward, touching not just the recipient but also those who witness the act. When someone offers generosity or assistance, it not only benefits the immediate recipient, but also inspires a sense of goodwill in others.

This interconnected cycle of giving and receiving fosters a greater sense of empathy, community, and positivity; ultimately contributing to a more compassionate and harmonious society.

There is really so much to be grateful for, if we only learn to count our blessings.

Sure, there are many evils in society,

And there are challenges to daily life.

But it is gratitude that encourages us to celebrate the blessings and work towards making the world a kinder place.

Thank you parents, teachers, students, alumni, and school staff for making our world a better place.

Wish all of you a Happy Teachers’ Day.

When one gives, two receive the ripple of kindness.

Dr Hanif Kanjer

Founder Director

Rustomjee Cambridge International School & Junior College

Dear Parents,

Dear Parents,

Welcome to the new academic year.

We have commenced the new academic year with a bang with fabulous results and achievements of our students.  While we will be sending out a detailed separate email on the results shortly, I would like to take this opportunity to highlight a few outstanding achievements of our students.

Our top ranker Darsh Parmar has received offers for undergraduate studies in computer science from 9 leading universities in Australia, with scholarship offers ranging from 20% to 30%.

Our student, Nelson Mehta, another top ranker has received a full tuition scholarship at Dartmouth College (USA) for his undergraduate studies in engineering with modified economics.   This outstanding achievement will save Nelson’s parents a whopping Rs 2.5 crores towards engineering fees at an Ivy League institution in USA.

We have many students who have received top international offers from universities in the USA, Canada, UK and Australia.  Our top achievers who plan to pursue undergraduate studies in India are awaiting results for the admissions to leading engineering, medical and other schools in India, and we will announce their results too when they receive their offers.

These consistent outstanding results are possible only through a collaborative effort of the school, the teachers, the parents and the students.  When we all work together, our children win.  That has been the guiding philosophy at Rustomjee Cambridge since inception.

Our alumni consistently keep in touch with the school, and some of them who are on a summer break from their studies in Canada, USA and India are volunteering to teach, guide and mentor our Grades 9,10,11,12 students in the school in the months of June and July. 

We hope to invite parents to also interact with alumni, particularly parents in Grades 9 and 10, to enable them to choose the pathway after Grade 10.  Very often, under peer pressure or parental pressure, students end up making wrong choices at Grades 11 and 12, and sometimes the consequences of these choices impact their long-term career aspirations.

One interesting insight we have drawn from all our student achievers is that almost Top 25% of our scores have been self-study students who have also actively participated in various non-academic pursuits both in school and outside of school hours.  The students tell us that the best decision their parents took for them was not sending them for tuition.  This enabled them to devote time to self-study and reflection, and also pursue interesting hobbies and activities.  

As we continue our journey of excellence, we constantly review our pedagogical approach, our subjects focus, our co-curricular and extra-curricular activities to ensure our students maintain their competitive edge when they graduate out of school.

Towards this end, I would like to encourage parents to work with the school in focusing on holistic development of the child besides academic grades.  Here are some pointers to prepare your child competitively for top universities in the future:

1. We encourage students to pursue the creative arts by learning India Classical dance, a rigorous 7-year program, which not only inculcates discipline in the child, but is hugely impactful as it helps distinguish the child’s achievements outside of the academic sphere. 

2. The Trinity School of Music also offers some excellent and exciting music programs that span over several years, and have many Grade-level exams which again would distinguish your child from the competition

3. Encouraging your child to play a physical sport – football, basketball, table tennis, athletics, swimming and preparing competitively through rigorous afterschool training would also give a competitive edge

4. Encourage your child to teach his friend or his sibling or a junior in the building society.  When one child teaches, two children learn.  Your child will learn responsibility, and will also understand concepts better when they volunteer to teach others.

5. At school, our focus is to provide the impetus to develop interests by encouraging children to participate in various sports, activities, fests and events and build their skills. 

6. This academic year we have introduced several non-academic programs that will be added to the performance report card of the child

1. Drama classes from Nursery to Grade 8

2. Music again from Nursery to Grade 8

3. Brazilian Jijutsu for Grades 7 and 8 as an in-curriclum activity, and for Grades 9,10,11,12 as an after-school activity

4. We are making it easier for all children at Grades 6,7,8 to prepare for their Elementary and Intermediate drawing exams,as the school will incorporate it in the curriculum.  Parents may choose to opt for additional classes depending on the interest of their child

5. Our Literary Fests are being revised and overhauled completely to make them more effective as learning and assessment activities, with detailed guidelines and instructions given to students.

6. We have revamped our financial literacy curriculum to incorporate age-relevant learning activities, and we would like to invite parents with relevant expertise to also get involved in delivering the programs

7. We plan to introduce a Buddy and Mentor system that is more formal and streamlined.  Students will be paired up with buddies whom they will be required to guide, assist, teach and help, as well as teacher mentors whom the students can approach with pressing issues and concerns.  Mentor teachers will actively look out for any learning gaps and propose workable solutions.

8. The school website has a Career Guidance page with resources collated from YouTube channels that will provide students and parents an overview on different careers, programs, and entrance exams.  I encourage parents to watch and read one career program related resource material a month, and discuss with your child to help your child understand the different options.  If there are any particular career areas of interest not covered, do drop me an email, and my team will incorporate resources on the Career Guidance page for the benefit of all students.

9. Nurturing Leadership: 

We are excited to announce the expansion of our Student Council, offering more students the invaluable opportunity to assume leadership roles within our school community. The Student Council will not only serve as a platform for student representation but also take on significant responsibilities related to line management during dispersal, implementation of discipline rules, and other administrative duties during important occasions.  

By doing so, students will develop essential leadership skills, enhance their decision-making abilities, and contribute to the overall welfare and organization of our school.  Through this expanded Student Council, we aim to cultivate a sense of ownership, accountability, and empowerment among our students. Their involvement in administrative tasks will not only foster a deeper understanding of school operations but also nurture a culture of active participation and engagement.

We greatly appreciate the support and encouragement of parents in motivating their children to take on these important roles. Together, let us empower our students to become confident leaders who positively impact our school community and beyond.

10. Embracing Marathi Language: 

In an effort to enhance students' learning and comprehension of the Marathi language, we are implementing a unique initiative involving various staff members. Our sports teachers, art and craft teachers, and support staff will actively engage with students in Marathi during their respective sessions. By incorporating Marathi into different aspects of the curriculum, we aim to improve students' comprehension skills and foster a deeper understanding of the language.

This initiative serves as a stepping stone in preparing our students for the future introduction of Marathi as a mandatory language at Grade 10. By familiarizing students with the language through diverse contexts, we hope to build their confidence and fluency in Marathi, enabling them to excel academically and embrace the rich cultural heritage associated with the language.

We appreciate the support and cooperation of our staff, students, and parents in making this initiative a success. Together, we can create an inclusive and immersive environment that nurtures linguistic diversity and cultivates a love for the Marathi language.

11. Promoting Peer Learning: Unlocking the Power of Student-to-Student Teaching

At our school, we strongly believe in the tremendous value of students teaching and learning from each other. We would like to emphasize the significance of this approach in fostering a collaborative and inclusive learning environment.

If your child excels in Math, we encourage you to motivate them to extend a helping hand to their friends who may be struggling in the subject. By taking on the role of a peer tutor, they not only assist their classmates but also enhance their own understanding of the subject matter. As the saying goes, "When one teaches, two learn."

Now, I would like to share a remarkable story that exemplifies the profound impact of peer tutoring support on our student, Kaiyan.

Kaiyan Upadhyay's Journey: 

From Struggle to Success with Peer Tutorial Support

During the first prelim open house day in November 2022, I had an encounter with Kaiyan and his father, Piyush, which left us both concerned. After reviewing Kaiyan's answer sheets, it became evident that he struggled with conceptual understanding in all subjects.

Further investigation revealed that Kaiyan was seeking additional tuition support from an external teacher. Given that Piyush, Kaiyan's father, was once my student during my days as an engineering student, I felt compelled to intervene and advised him to discontinue the external tuition.

Both Piyush and his wife Mayuri worried that without tuition, Kaiyan would struggle to keep up with the demands of the IGCSE board exams. That's when I proposed a plan: I would enlist the help of my A-level students to provide tutorial support to Kaiyan, helping him strengthen his conceptual understanding. Although initially hesitant, Piyush and Mayuri agreed to give it a try.

With great confidence in my A-level student tutors, I brought together Anshul Fussey (Physics), Aahan (Math), Manasvi (Biology), and Prakhyat (Chemistry) – all Grade 11 students who were also preparing for their board exams.

The four A-level students eagerly took on the challenge, and I had faith in their ability to positively impact Kaiyan's understanding, learning, and grades.

Over the course of two months, from December 2022 to January 2023, these four students, along with Kaiyan's dedicated efforts, worked diligently as a team. During periodic check-ins, the student tutors revealed that Kaiyan was indeed a bright student, but his weak conceptual foundation stemmed from a lack of time for self-study and reflection amidst school and external tuition classes. By discontinuing the external tuition and providing tutorial support, Kaiyan gained ample time to engage in self-study and reflection.

Through their collective efforts, they successfully transformed Kaiyan's academic performance. 

From 50% in the first prelim, Kaiyan's scores skyrocketed to an impressive 81.5% in the IGCSE board exam.

I fervently hope that more parents and students will consider approaching senior students for tutorial support instead of solely relying on coaching classes and external tuition teachers. The value these young tutors bring extends beyond subject knowledge – their ability to connect with students, inspire them, and provide guidance is truly immeasurable.

I extend my heartfelt gratitude to Anshul, Aahan, Manasvi, and Prakhyat for not only accepting the challenge but also excelling in their roles as tutors, all while maintaining their own exceptional academic performance. 

I commend them for their dedication and commitment to helping Kaiyan without compromising their own grades. It gives me immense pride to announce that all four of them achieved high distinctions in their Grade 11 board exams held in March 2023. 

Their remarkable achievements serve as a testament to their exceptional capabilities and selflessness.

Undoubtedly, the future shines brightly ahead.

Be our partner in this journey of making schooling effective for your child

1. Be involved as a parent.  Know your child’s friends at school and outside school.

2. Focus on teaching gender equality and neutrality to boys and girls.

3. Be accepting of gender diversity and teach your child to do the same

4. Normalise conversations around sex education, sexual orientation at the appropriate age. Don’t shy away from answering difficult questions that your child asks.

5. Focus on effort, learning and overall development, not just marks.

6. Teach children “how to learn” instead of making them dependent on tuition teachers

7. Don’t believe everything you read and hear on social media or Whatsapp. Fake news and half-truths are the bane of our times.

8. If your child is unwell, health is a bigger priority than the FA or even the SA.  Don’t send an ill child to school, particularly if the child has a contagious disease.

9. If there is a wedding or a religious function which is more important, and your child needs to go with you, take permission and go have fun. Do not stress the School or your child with requests for a re-exam or a change of exam dates.  Life experiences are equally important for your child to have fun memories.

10. It is important for you to enjoy all the moments of schooling along with your child.

 A little bit of courtesy, a little bit of understanding, a little benefit of doubt in certain situations given to the school team, fellow-parents, and other students would make it fun for everyone.

Because that’s our philosophy, Learning has to be fun.

 "Your thoughts have the power to shape your world. Stay positive, embrace the possibilities, and create a year filled with happiness, health, and safety."

Warm regards,

Dr Hanif Kanjer

Founder Director and Dean

Rustomjee Cambridge International School & Junior College

We are blessed to have a right to speak and to be heard.

A Right several brave souls fought for.

Let’s take a moment to think of their sacrifice and what they had to pay for the freedom we enjoy.

To our freedom fighters, to our soldiers, to our heroes of the nation, they are the reason we still breathe free, and we will never forget their sacrifice.

A big salute to all the soldiers who sacrificed their lives for our independence, and all those who continue to protect us.

As we celebrate this day, let us always have in mind that no nation is perfect, and it can only be made perfect by me and you.

This Independence Day, let's take a pledge to protect the peace, diversity, harmony, and unity of our great nation.

Happy Independence Day! ! Jai Hind!

#amritmahotsav2022

#75yearsofindependence

Dear Parents,

We welcome you to the new academic year with the announcement of our fabulous academic performance at the IGCSE and A level examinations held in March 2022, and our very impressive University placements.  

A huge shout out to our valiant batch of 2022 - who strived and struggled through the last two years - years that were filled with change and anxiety and fear. Yet they overcame everything - and how !

Nothing is more beautiful than a smile that has struggled through the tears and this year  we were blessed to see so many of them .  

International University Admission Offers

Full Scholarship 

Our A2 student, Varun Jain, has been offered a full-scholarship & grant-in-aid towards tuition fee for his undergraduate program in computer science at the Iowa State University.  His annual scholarship plus grant-in-aid  of USD26,500 adds up to USD106,000/- for the 4-year undergraduate program

First international medical admission offer

Ansh Dhyani is our first student to have received offers for MBBS studies from Buckingham University (UK) and Queen Mary University London (Malta campus).

Alumni stories

Our recent graduates, Aamina Kagzi, Suyash Kabra and Meetrayu who appeared for the A-level examinations in March 2022 have volunteered to assist the junior batch. While Suyash and Meetrayu are guiding the juniors with their application essays and guidance, Aamina Kagzi from our Thane school has volunteered to conduct tutorial sessions in Maths for our IGCSE students. 

Our alumni, both brothers, Mrudul and Sagun Bhatjiwale make us proud with their achievements. 

Mrudul Bhatjiwale from our first IGCSE and A-levels batch has successfully completed his medical school and super speciality training, and is now Dr. Mrudul Bhatjiwale,a neurological and spine surgeon.

His younger brother, Sagun, has qualified as a veterinary doctor and is currently pursuing his masters in Surgery. He has founded a registered NGO, the Natures’ Ally Foundation that works for the welfare of stray animals. We are privileged to support his NGO and his efforts by enabling the acquisition of a mobile ambulance for animals.  Sagun has also been actively providing our students internship opportunities, and work experience, besides of course conducting des-stressing workshops for students and teachers through animal therapy.  

We wish Mrudul and Sagun good luck and success.

Green Initiatives

Global warming now is no longer a myth, but a reality we are witnessing with extreme weather conditions.  It is our responsibility to mitigate some of the damages through course-correction.  Each one of us is individually responsible, and we must act collectively.

Our country as well as our State is witnessing some tough times with regards to the scarcity of water due to a prediction of below-normal rainfall.  It is imperative that we as citizens actively implement rain-water harvesting in our societies and communities.  

All our schools now have functional and operational rain water harvesting systems as well as solar power plants to reduce our carbon footprint. We would be glad to showcase our system to parents or volunteer groups who might want to implement similar systems within their residential societies.  Do spread the word, and schedule an appointment with our admin team to learn how simple the system is.

Rustomjee Academy for Global Careers (RAGC): Leader in Vocational Education

Rustomjee Academy for global careers (RAGC) was established in 2008 as a Vocational education provider. RAGC established an objective of making India the capital of skilled manpower by making vocational education as a prime choice in a learner’s career. Since inception RAGC has trained more than 100,000 learners in the areas of: 

1. Electrical

2. Automobile Technology

3. Construction 

4. Hospitality (Hotel Management)

5. Health Care

6. Business-HR & Management 

Rustomjee Academy for Global Careers has developed a successful model for the skill development by setting up vocational training facilities, getting expert instructors and providing exposure to real life scenarios for the training and tying up with industry to allow for jobs access to our students. This is what makes Rustomjee Academy for Global Careers’ vocational training program a success story. We have successfully partnered with the government in a PPP model in this mission along with boards like Maharashtra State Board of Skill Development (MSBSD), Pearson, Starex University and National Skill Development Corporation (NSDC) to bring youth to be ‘Industry Ready’.

RAGC is currently operating with 3 campuses - Thane, Dahisar & Bangalore.

Rustomjee Academy for Global Careers and Virohan 

We are glad to announce that Rustomjee Academy for Global Careers, offering various technical vocational courses after Grade 10 and Grade 12, has now partnered with Virohan to offer Healthcare certifications for phlebotomists and lab technicians.

We are happy to announce that we have launched a Vocational Education program in Rustomjee Cambridge International School building on the 4th floor under the banner of Rustomjee Academy for Global Careers that is offering diploma/ degree programs. RAGC is also an accredited partner of NSDC to run the various programs under skill india mission. 

The New Academic Year

We look forward to the new academic year with hope and excitement to the routine of regular offline schooling.  The pandemic taught us many important lessons,

• We learnt that Health and family should always take priority over everything.  

• We learnt to express our Gratitude, and count our blessings.  

• We learnt to value relationships more than things.  

• We reacquainted  ourselves with the wisdom and practice of our older generation of ‘saving for a rainy day’ 

• We learnt that life is uncertain, and unpredictable. And that we cannot take anything for granted. 

• We learnt the difference between equity and equality. 

As we prepare to welcome the students back to school, we are conscious of the fact that getting back to school might be daunting for some students who haven’t had social interaction over two years, and we will all need to work together to help them overcome any anxiety related to regular schooling.

It is now more important than ever for us to instil confidence in our children to realise that failure is not the opposite of success, it is a part of success.  That, if you learn from defeat, you haven’t really lost.  Our approach to this is multipronged:

Build Friendships

Over the past year, it has been brought to our notice that there appears to be a gap in the value-system with regards to students helping their classmates with study notes and other academic support.  Apparently, if a student misses school due to an illness or due to a sports event, it is the parent who approaches the class teacher for a copy of the notes.  If secondary school children have to depend on their parents to get them these notes, we have all failed our children in providing basic skills and values.

What kind of children are we raising if we do not inculcate the value of ‘help thy friend, help thy neighbour’?

In our generation, our classmates were our support system outside the classroom, with study notes, last-minute help with a difficult subject, and even with homework help. That helped us build life-long friendships, and helped us fight many challenges happily.

It is sad and surprising that we are depriving our children of such an important aspect of sharing and of an opportunity for peer-learning.

The School is going to actively intervene to implement a peer-learning system, and we look forward to parental support and encouragement of children when they help their peers out.  Remember, when one teaches, two learn.  And all the good we do, comes back to us as that is the circle of life.

Focus on Values, Gender neutrality, Gender Diversity, and Inclusivity

Let us encourage our children to talk to the shy child. Reach out to the nervous child. Sit with the differently-abled. Share their tiffin with the lonely child. Tutor their friends who are struggling in a subject. Help a classmate who missed classes due to an illness. Let us teach them not to discriminate on the basis of color, caste, religion, gender or sexual orientation. We teach them responsibility when we not only allow them, but also prod them to look out for those that need help. 

We would like our children to grow up acknowledging and accepting gender diversity and gender neutrality, acknowledging and accepting those that don’t easily fit into the binary gender norms.  The older children have been raising questions on sexuality and sexual orientation in the classrooms, and we recognise that we need to normalise conversations around LGBTQIA+ in our schools and in our homes.  

Skills-based learning and assessment

To succeed in life, one needs knowledge as well as skills. However, often development of skills is not appreciated by those who seek metrics to evaluate the performance of their child.

Whilst proficiency in a language can be assessed through a formative and summative assessment, skills associated with the language that builds personality are more difficult to assess.  For example, public speaking skills, presentation skills, debating skills, drama and expression, are skills which aren’t reflected in a student’s mark sheet. Evaluation of these skills is subjective, and it, also, presents a logistics challenge.

We are glad to announce that we are introducing Skills parameters for languages in the marksheet to highlight that knowledge of the language should translate into the skills developed in the language.  With this introduction of skills in the marksheet we expect sufficient emphasis on skills going forward.

Through intensive deliberations we have arrived at an Observation matrix that will record the observations of the teachers across various subjects to give parents meaningful feedback on their child’s strengths and areas of improvement.  

Say NO to Tuition 

An area of particular concern for us is the skewed importance being given to tuition classes across all age groups.  We request all parents to pause and ponder whether it is truly fair to the child to study for 6 hours in a school, and then attend tuition classes for two to four hours?

When does the child get the time for self-learning and reflection?

Research has shown that unstructured time contributes significantly to the development of all the faculties in young children.  However, with the current trend of over-packing a child’s schedule, children are left with zero unstructured time.  How can such a strict schedule ever benefit a young child?

Some parents reason that since both parents are working, there is no one to take up the child’s studies, and tuition class only ensures that the child completes his homework and his revision. If only we could hear ourselves when we say such things, we will become aware of the huge compromise we are making in our child’s learning process.  Most tuition classes are nothing but baby-sitting centers. Does true learning ever happen in tuition classes?

Some students who struggle in a subject might need tuition, but that’s a decision that parents need to take jointly in consultation with the School.  In some cases, tuition may be required for those who face certain learning disabilities. However, the trend we observe is that even students scoring 75% and above are being sent to tuition classes because the parents believe 75% isn’t enough.

If your child needs to be supervised or engaged while you are at work, it would be better to enrol your child in activities that focus on building the personality of your child. It could be a rigorous sport like football, or a discipline like Indian classical dance that requires continuous efforts for 5 or more years.

Encouraging your child how to learn by himself would be the preparation you could give your child for the future.  Children who learn by themselves, not only understand concepts better, but also, have a higher success rate in life.

Please come and talk to us at school as to how you could better engage your child, and prepare your child to become a self-learner instead of depending on tuition.

How can you be our partner in this journey of making schooling effective for your child?

1. Pride is concerned with ‘Who is Right?’ Humility is concerned with ‘What is Right?’. Children learn such behaviour from adults, and when we don’t show respect, gratitude, and humility in our dealing with people around, our children learn that it is fine to be rude, to shout and scream to get your way through, and to be ungrateful for everything that people do for them. Giving our children everything they want makes them demanding and ungrateful. And they never learn how to be self-controlled. Think about this the next time you give in to a screaming child.

2. If you don’t receive any call from the school office regarding your child’s behaviour or academic performance, you can be rest assured that your child is growing up well, with the right values, attitude, and age appropriate learning milestones. So, pat yourself on the back, your parenting skills and style are effective.  Don’t beat yourself up about an exam missed due to an illness, or poor performance in a subject in the formative assessment.

3. If the school does call you to discuss your child’s performance or behaviour, please do not panic. Work with the school to correct your child’s wrong behaviour, inappropriate attitude, or lagging academic performance.  Going on the defensive, blaming the teacher, making excuses for your child, covering up for your child would do more damage than good in the long run.  The school team doesn’t hate any child or parent. Have faith in the people looking after your child in school, and work with us to help raise children to become responsible adults.  

4. Stay away from the University of Whatsapp

Technology has made our lives easier, and at the same time it has become a potent tool for harassment, stress, and unwarranted gossip.

We request parents to be prudent in the use of Whatsapp, and avoid unnecessary ranting and raving over subjects, marks, timing, tiffins, etc on Whatsapp groups.

The PTEC members in the past have complained about receiving calls at 11:30pm, 5am, 6:30am, and throughout the day.  We ask parents to put themselves in the shoes of the person receiving these calls and messages incessantly or at odd hours, and empathise with them before typing out a message or making that call.

• A crocodile in your living room would definitely be an emergency, and you wouldn’t need to look at the time to call out for help. But, a book lost, an answer not corrected, a half-mark deducted, or a discipline note in the diary doesn’t require ranting and raving.

• If you are concerned and perturbed, sure you have every right to seek an explanation. Do you have a right to demand it at 11pm?  NO.

• If it is urgent, trust us, everyone will act on it promptly. Follow protocol and courtesy at all times.  No one appreciates rudeness.

• Spreading false rumours or half-truths on hearsay without knowing the full story is prohibited.  Everyone and their uncle has an opinion on everything, regardless of their education, experience, or expertise. They offer half-baked solutions to problems - imaginary or real.  They offer solutions that suit only themselves, and not the fraternity.  So, refrain from adding to the din on WhatsApp.  Remember, written words on WhatsApp can come back to haunt you. The school has a strict view on false propaganda, rumour-mongering, and slandering.

• Have faith in the school. Don’t be influenced by external agencies with hidden agendas. They don’t have your child’s interest at heart. 

• RESPECT the teachers, the staff, the administration team. Every problem has a solution. It is easier to find the solution with a smile, without stressing anyone in the system.  

Just Chill

• If your child is unwell, health is a bigger priority than the FA or even the SA.  Don’t send an ill child to school, particularly if the child has a contagious disease.

• If there is a wedding or a religious function which is more important, and your child needs to go with you, take permission and go have fun. Do not stress the School or your child with requests for a re-exam or a change of exam dates.  Life experiences are equally important for your child to have fun memories.

• It is important for you to enjoy all the moments of schooling along with your child.

• A little bit of courtesy, a little bit of understanding, a little benefit of doubt in certain situations given to the School team, fellow-parents, and other students would make it fun for everyone.

• Because that’s our philosophy, Learning has to be fun.

Nothing can trouble you more than your thoughts. Stay positive. 

Have a happy, healthy and safe year ahead.

Warm regards,

Dr Hanif Kanjer

Founder Director and Dean

Rustomjee Cambridge International School & Junior College

In engineering school I was the de-facto tutor for many of my classmates and friends. During exams I would have many friends who would come to me for last minute studies or doubt clarification. At that time, I thought I was doing everyone a favour by making the time to teach them. I took pride in the fact that they needed me.

What I didn’t realize then, and I have learnt today is that all those friends, and friends of friends, who came to me then were doing me a huge favor by asking me to teach them. They were preparing me for my future career as a teacher and educator.

After engineering school, I spent 12 years in the corporate world in the areas of management consulting and IT before transitioning full-time into education, at the insistence of my best friend from engineering school, Boman Irani, who asked me to quit my job with Infosys in New Jersey (USA) to build his fledgling school.

His words, “I want you to grab this opportunity to make a difference, to make an impact!”

His promise, “You’ll gain love, respect and popularity for the work you do!”

Everyone thought I had lost my marbles to quit a well-paying job with a leading Indian IT company in the Mecca of capitalism to work in education in a sleepy northern suburb of Mumbai, Dahisar.

Some tittered “an MBA from London Business School was going to teach nursery rhymes and ABCD.”

But none of that dithered me from my decision. I was never one to be impacted by snide remarks or taunts, for I always saw people’s remarks as their opinion of me, and their opinions never defined the real me.

While I didn’t teach nursery rhymes or ABCD (I salute all teachers who can work with younger kids, which requires a completely different set of skills), I did get involved with developing the pre primary curriculum and conducting teacher training programs, and since then I have had many opportunities to grow. I helped establish S P Jain School of Global Management’s first international campus in Dubai in 2004 as a consulting director, and then on I have been teaching Business Strategy, Strategic Innovation, and Finance across leading business schools in Dubai, Singapore and India.

Today, our group comprises 10,000 students, 450 teachers, 375 staff members, across 4 branches spanning K-12 and MBA.

I feel guilty telling people I enjoy what I do, and that I don’t have any Monday morning blues.

I feel privileged that I have been given this opportunity to teach.

Over the years some students have become good friends, some family, some business associates, and some even colleagues. We have students who have studied in our institution, and have joined us either as full-time or part-time teachers or as visiting faculty members - our tribe grows.

If you are not willing to learn, no one can help you. If you are determined to learn, no one can stop you. Kudos to all teachers, students and parents for showing the determination to learn in these tough times, and setting the trail ablaze.

Happy Teachers’ Day.

Dr Hanif Kanjer

Founder Director, Rustomjee Cambridge International School and Junior College

Dear Parents,

If the past one year has taught us anything, it is that we all need to learn how to adapt to a constantly and rapidly changing world, and that we all need each other. 

To some extent it made us revisit the basics. For some it was ‘stop and smell the roses’, and yet for others ‘wake up and smell the coffee’. Some learnt the meaning of gratitude, and some that true wealth is health.  Some of our students lost a parent, and some of our parents lost their business; Some teachers lost a family member, and some lost their health - the trials and tribulations revealed character and spirit. 

There are those who are genuinely struggling, and there are those needing less support, and then there are many who are grateful to have not had any major setbacks.

The pandemic has ravaged some families more than others, and those ravaged need more help and support to get through this.  Our efforts have been to help those that have been ravaged.

We have lent our support, our ears, our shoulders, our school, and our time to those genuinely in need, and we could only do that because we have a large and wonderful community of parents who understand the difference between equality and equity. 

The New Academic Year

In the new academic year, our focus continues to be on going beyond the ability to read and write, and to develop the ability to 

• reflect and reason 

• empathise and embrace, and 

• introspect and internalise.

We are building our curriculum and our assessments around this focus, with a concerted effort to move away from a marks-obsessed society.

Children are like little plants that need watering, nourishment and the right environment to bloom. Just as we don’t pull out a plant frequently to measure how long its roots have grown, and we don’t count how many leaves it sprouts daily, we must focus on the larger developmental goals of our children. When the focus is solely on examinations and marks, the tendency is often to ignore the soft skills, life skills, values, and personality trait development. 

Research reveals that the younger generations have been growing up feeling entitled, and lacking the ability to deal with disappointments and failure. 

A couple of months ago wrestler Ritika Phogat (17), a cousin of the Phogat sisters, committed suicide in Haryana’s Charkhi Dadri district after she lost the final bout of a tournament.  Ritika took the extreme step on the night of 15 March 2021, as she was upset over losing to her rival by one point in the final bout of a championship.

What a tragic loss of a life that showed so much promise, all for a one-point loss in a wrestling match. 

It is now more important than ever for us to instill confidence in our children to realise that failure is not the opposite of success, it is a part of success.  That, if you learn from defeat, you haven’t really lost.  

Our approach to this is multipronged-

1. Getting our Grade 8 children to teach Value Education at the lower grades, from Grade 1 to Grade 7.  When children teach children, they learn valuable life skills: the art of communication, facing an audience, explaining one’s perspectives, or holding one’s own, besides of course imbibing the values they teach and preach; all of it in a non-threatening environment without the burden of assessments.

2. Inclusivity: Let us encourage our children to talk to the shy child. Reach out to the nervous child. Sit with the differently-abled. Share their tiffin with the lonely child. Tutor their friends who are struggling in a subject. Help a classmate who missed classes due to an illness. Let us teach them not to discriminate on the basis of color, caste, religion, gender or sexual orientation. We teach them responsibility when we not only allow them, but also prod them to look out for those that need help. 

3. Understanding and accepting Body Positivity. One common form of bullying is body shaming, and we would like to sensitise our children through dialogue, encouraging them to focus on the positives. It is not cool to laugh and make fun of someone for being tall, short, fat, bespectacled, skinny, or awkward. Don’t encourage jokes that body shame. Don’t encourage jokes that shame religious beliefs, dietary preferences, color of skin, income status, or sexual orientation. Let’s raise our children to empathise with and embrace everyone, even if they are different from us.

4. Initiating conversations on Gender Diversity and Gender neutrality.  At the very basic, challenging old norms,  “Boys don’t cry”, “Girls must learn cooking”, etc. We would like our children to grow up acknowledging and accepting gender diversity and gender neutrality, acknowledging and accepting those that don’t easily fit into the binary gender norms.  The older children have been raising questions on sexuality and sexual orientation in the classrooms, and we recognise that we need to normalise conversations around LGBTQIA+.  

5. Pride is concerned with ‘Who is Right?’ Humility is concerned with ‘What is Right?’. Children learn such behaviour from adults, and when we don’t show respect, gratitude, and humility in our dealing with people around, our children learn that it is fine to be rude, to shout and scream to get your way through, and to be ungrateful for everything that people do for them. Giving our children everything they want makes them demanding and ungrateful. And they never learn how to be self-controlled. Think about this the next time you give in to a screaming child.

We will succeed in our efforts only if we have the unflinching and unconditional support of our parents in all our initiatives.

What can you do as a parent, and what must you not do:

1. If you don’t receive any call from the school office regarding your child’s behaviour or academic performance, you can be rest assured that your child is growing up well, with the right values, attitude, and age appropriate learning milestones. So, pat yourself on the back, your parenting skills and style are effective.  Don’t beat yourself up about an exam missed due to an illness, or poor performance in a subject in the formative assessment.

2. If the school does call you to discuss your child’s performance or behaviour, please do not panic. Work with the school to correct your child’s wrong behaviour, inappropriate attitude, or lagging academic performance.  Going on the defensive, blaming the teacher, making excuses for your child, covering up for your child would do more damage than good in the long run.  The school team doesn’t hate any child or parent. Have faith in the people looking after your child in school, and work with us to help raise children to become responsible adults.  

3. Stay away from the University of WhatsApp.  Everyone and their uncle has an opinion on everything, regardless of their education, experience, or expertise. They offer half-baked solutions to problems - imaginary or real.  They offer solutions that suit only themselves, and not the fraternity.  So, refrain from adding to the din on WhatsApp.  Remember, written words on WhatsApp can come back to haunt you. The school has a strict view on false propaganda, rumour-mongering, and slandering.

4. Have faith in the school. Don’t be influenced by external agencies with hidden agendas. They don’t have your child’s interest at heart. 

5. RESPECT the teachers, the staff, the administration team. Every problem has a solution. It is easier to find the solution with a smile, without stressing anyone in the system.  

Career Guidance

We have incorporated a Career Guidance page on our website, which will have presentations on different fields of study. These will be accessible to students and parents via the school website.   rcis.rustomjee.com/career guidance

Log in using your official school email address to view these presentations.

Say NO to tuitions

We reinforce that the best way to equip our children for the future is to teach them how to learn. With this mission, we have been repeating our message of “Say No to Tuition”.  

Tuitions make children dependent, and they don’t learn the importance of taking responsibility for their own learning.  Besides, children who go for tuition have a shorter attention span during regular school classes, which disturbs the learning environment for everyone.  We continue to encourage parents to ‘Say NO to tuitions’ and have faith in the school teachers to do a sincere job.

Get vaccinated

We encourage all parents to take the vaccination as soon as they get the opportunity and, also, vaccinate their children whenever the Government offers the opportunity.  Vaccination is the only way we can all fight the virus, and get back to our routine.  Remember small steps in the right direction can turn out to be the biggest step of your life.

Nothing can trouble you more than your thoughts. Stay positive. 

Have a happy, healthy and safe year ahead.

Warm regards,

Dr Hanif Kanjer

Founder Director and Dean

Rustomjee Cambridge International School & Junior College

I met the Hare and sat down with him for a heart to heart talk.

This is what he had to say after we spent the better part of a balmy summer afternoon getting to know one other.

It was a wonderful experience, believe me..

“Yes, I am the hare who lost.

No, I did not get lazy or complacent.

Let me explain.

I was hopping over the meadows near the hills and looked back to realize that the tortoise was nowhere to be seen.

Assured of my healthy lead, I decided to take a short nap under the large banyan tree near the pond.

The anticipation of the race had kept me up all night.

For days, that old silly tortoise had boasted about his ability to plod for hundreds of miles without stopping.

Life is a marathon, he said, not a sprint.I wanted to show him that I could run both far and fast.

The shade of the tree was like an umbrella.

I found an almost oval rock, covered it with grass, and turned it into a makeshift pillow.

I could hear the leaves rustling and the bees buzzing – it felt they were collaborating and even conspiring to put me to sleep.

And it didn’t take them long to succeed.

I saw myself drifting on a log in a beautiful stream of water.

As I came near the shore, I found an old man, with a flowing beard, sitting on a rock in a meditative pose. He opened his eyes, gave me an all-knowing smile, and asked:

“Who are you?”

“I am a hare. I am running a race.”

“Why?”

“To prove to all the creatures in the jungle that I am the fastest.”

“Why do you want to prove that you are the fastest?”

“So that I get a medal which will give me status which will give me money which will get me food…”

“There is already so much food around.” He pointed to the forest in the distance. “Look at all those trees laden with fruits and nuts, all those leafy branches”

“I also want respect. I want to be remembered as the fastest hare who ever lived.”

“Do you know the name of the fastest deer or the largest elephant or the strongest lion who lived a thousand years before you?”

“No.”

“Today you have been challenged by a tortoise.

Tomorrow, it will be a snake.

Then it will be a zebra.

Will you keep racing all your life to prove that you are the fastest?”

“Hmm. I didn’t think about it.

I don’t want to race all my life.”

“What do you want to do?”

“I want to sleep under a banyan tree on a makeshift pillow while the leaves rustle and the bees buzz.

I want to hop over the meadows near the hills and swim in the pond.”

“You can do all these things this very moment.

Forget the race.

You are here today but you will be gone tomorrow.”

I woke up from my sleep.

The ducks in the pond looked happy.

I jumped into the pond, startling them for a moment.

They looked at me quizzically.

“Weren’t you supposed to be racing with the tortoise today?”

“It’s pointless.

An exercise in futility.

All I want is to be here.

Hopefully, someday, someone will tell the world my story.

*That I lost the race but got back my life*

*************************************

PS: Author unknown.

In engineering school I was the de-facto tutor for several of my classmates and friends. During exams I would have many friends who would come to me for last minute studies or doubt clarification.  At that time, I thought I was doing everyone a favour by making the time to teach them.  I took pride in the fact that they needed me. 

What I didn’t realize then, and I have learnt today is that all those friends and friends of friends who came to me then were doing me a huge favor by asking me to teach them. They were preparing me for my future career as a teacher and educator.  

After engineering school, I spent 12 years in the corporate world in the areas of management consulting and IT before transitioning full-time into education, at the insistence of my best friend from engineering school, Boman Irani, who asked me to quit my job with Infosys in New Jersey (USA) to build his fledgling school. 

His words, “I want you to grab this opportunity to make a difference, to make an impact!” 

His promise, “You’ll gain love, respect and popularity for the work you do!”

Everyone thought I had lost my marbles to quit a well-paying job with a leading Indian IT company in the Mecca of capitalism to work in education in a sleepy northern suburb of Mumbai, Dahisar. 

Some tittered “an MBA from London Business School was going to teach nursery rhymes and ABCD.”

But none of that dithered me from my decision.  I was never one to be impacted by snide remarks or taunts, for I always saw people’s remarks as their opinion of me, and their opinions never defined the real me.  

While I didn’t teach nursery rhymes or ABCD (I salute all teachers who can work with younger kids which require a completely different set of skills), I did get involved with developing the pre primary curriculum and conducting teacher training, and since then I have had many opportunities to grow so much more.  I helped establish S P Jain School of Global Management’s first international campus in Dubai in 2004 as a consulting director, and then on I have been teaching Business Strategy, Strategic Innovation, and Finance across leading business schools in Dubai, Singapore and India. 

Today, our group of schools comprise 10,000 students, 450 teachers, 375 staff members, across 4 branches spanning K-12 and MBA.  

I feel guilty telling people I enjoy what I do, and that I don’t have any Monday morning blues.  

I feel privileged that I have been given this opportunity to teach. 

Over the years some students have become good friends, some family, some business associates and some even colleagues.  We have students who have studied in our institution, and have joined us either as full-time or part-time teachers or as visiting faculty members - our tribe grows.

If you are not willing to learn, no one can help you. If you are determined to learn, no one can stop you.  Kudos to all  teachers, students and parents for showing the determination to learn in these tough times,  and setting the trail ablaze.

Happy Teachers’ Day.

Dr Hanif Kanjer

https://www.linkedin.com/posts/hanifkanjer_in-engineering-school-i-was-the-de-facto-activity-6707917583393296384-brMW?utm_source=share&utm_medium=member_desktop

Dear Parents,

Last year we took a conscious decision of not focusing on examination results, and instead celebrating efforts.

So, here’s what we are celebrating about our IGCSE March 2020 results in the midst of Lockdown 4.0 and the gloomy world of COVID19 news:

We celebrate our continuous successes, 13th IGCSE batch at Dahisar, and 1st IGCSE batch in Thane.

We celebrate our 12th A-Level batch at Dahisar

We celebrate the diligence, commitment, and sincerity of our students. We celebrate their enthusiastic participation in their last annual day at school, just a few days prior to the IGCSE board exams.

We celebrate parents who took the courageous decision of not sending their children for tuition, and believing in the school, the teachers, and their child’s own potential. These parents are the true torch-bearers of change who have imbibed our philosophy, “When a child learns to learn, the child has learnt for life”.

We celebrate parents who attended each and every open house after each of the three prelims, and focussed on providing the right support to their child.

We celebrate parents who created the right atmosphere in their homes for a conducive studying environment for their child.

We celebrate teachers who corrected voluminous bundles of past papers, mock papers, prelims.

We celebrate teachers who took on smaller groups of students for doubt clearing, and additional tutorials based on the needs of each child.

We celebrate teachers who played the role of a friend, parent and mentor - all steamrolled into one.

We celebrate our students’ gripe on making silly mistakes or missing the keyword in a question, and realising it immediately on completion of the exam, and in fact asking to resit the exam in the next session. Isn’t it wonderful that students are able to self-assess their potential even before the exams are marked?!

We celebrate our counsellors who counselled troubled minds.

We, also, celebrate naughty students who willingly (ok, maybe not so willingly) surrendered their phones to the Principal/Director, and who will regale their friends, families, children and grandchildren with stories of their impetuous teens.

We celebrate our dedicated Principal and head mistresses. They dealt with courier guys bungling up deliveries, making international calls to CEOs of courier companies to trace the papers and ensuring they reach the destination for evaluation. They dealt with a student’s panic attack in the midst of an exam caused by undue and unnecessary pressure on performance. They dealt with exam supervisors having personal crises in their homes during the exams. They dealt with student injuries and health concerns. And they aced the Cambridge examination inspection at both our campuses in Dahisar and Thane with excellent remarks for conduct of the examination from the Examination Inspector.

And for the cherry on the top - we are, also, celebrating the scores

100% result at IGCSE (Grade 10) and A-Level (Grade 12) exams

96.6% Highest overall score

100% in Math

99% in Chemistry

98% in Biology

98% in Physics

96% in Economics

94% in ICT

94% in Global Perspectives

93% in Hindi

93% in Business Studies

91% in English FLE

97% in English ESL

We celebrate those who scored 100/100 in Math with equal aplomb as we celebrate the one who achieved a 68/100 in Math after a 28/100 in the 1st Prelim.

We celebrate the life lessons imbibed by our IGCSE students: ‘it is the little efforts that can make a big difference’.

We are, indeed, proud of our students who have overcome the challenges of a tough curriculum that requires them to apply their mind, instead of learning by rote, and have evolved into thinking individuals. Where the assessment is done to reward effort and skills and not just score perfect numbers .

We continue to work towards moving away from the unhealthy trend of solely focusing on Grade 10 exams and marks, to helping each student discover his or her potential.

We continue to encourage parents to ‘say No to tuitions’ and have faith in the school teachers to do a sincere job.

Dr Hanif Kanjer

Founder Director

Rustomjee Cambridge International School & Junior College (estd. 2006)

Dahisar * Virar * Thane

I learnt driving in the US

- Wide roads

- Large parking spaces

- Big cars.

But the stress was always the confusing road signs - the North, South direction instructions, and no Google Maps.  I’d get lost quite often misreading the Exit and Entry signs on the Expressway (Garden State Parkway, NJ TP, I-95....)

In the beginning I would take two to  three hours to get to office which was actually only a 30 minute drive, but I kept taking the wrong Entry and Exit on the Parkway.  I would pray daily when I left home in the morning that I wouldn’t lose my way that day!!

Once I got lost returning to New Jersey after dropping off a friend at JFK airport. I couldn’t figure out how to exit the airport.  A helpful stranger asked me to follow his car to guide me to my destination - from JFK New York to Berkeley Heights New Jersey. But being the clumsy driver that I was, I ended up following a wrong car and the driver I was following got anxious, and kept speeding. Finally when he reached his residence in Queens, and we both got out of our respective cars, we both had a good laugh. He agreed to show me the way back to the major expressway, and made sure I didn’t end up following another random car.

I have locked myself out of my car several times with the ignition key inside, and the car engine running. The patrol officer who helped me a few times eventually taught me how to unlock my car using a steel scale so that I wouldn’t bother him again.

My residence complex didn’t have designated parking, and in the winters it used to be a nightmare getting a spot. That problem was solved when I became friends with the building supervisor who started reserving a parking slot for me.  I met him in Mumbai last year (after 19 years) when he was in town to get his daughter married.

I met many beautiful people as I explored town, and drove long distances to visit friends of friends, and really distant relatives (read anyone from Mumbai, Anand Gujarat, London, or even Dubai).

• It gave me freedom,

• It gave me joy,

• It gave me friends,

• It gave me romance,

• It gave me memories.

• It has been a silent witness to my tears as I missed family and friends back home.

• It gave me the space to get over heartbreaks.

• It gave me the silence to plan my future.

• It showed me who I was, and it helped me see who I could become.

PS:

Prior to my US stint, I lived and worked in Dubai for 4 years, and failed their local driving test 7 times.

The first time I informed everyone - friends, family, work colleagues in India and Dubai - that I was going to take a driving test.

The second time, I only informed friends, family, colleagues in Dubai.

Third time, it was only family in Dubai.

After that I stopped informing anyone. I would quietly go for the test, fail and try again. I never succeeded.

I had never failed repeatedly ever in my life. It was depressing, and humiliating.

So in that context getting the driving license in the first attempt in USA, and then immediately getting a car was like getting Wings!

So what if it was a second-hand car!

From Dr Hanif Kanjer's Facebook post

I strongly believe that our students who complete their IGCSE program can be a strong asset to the institution if we can tap into the potential of those interested students.

One such student, Meetrayu,  met me just before the lockdown and I gave him a list of tasks to undertake to utilise his time productively.

I also entrusted him with the task of helping the school teachers by taking on some workload of preparing PowerPoint presentations on different topics in Biology. His ppts have impressed the teachers sufficiently and they have assigned him some responsibilities.

We have enough and more talent in our country and it is our responsibility to give such young talent opportunities.

Here's Meetrayu's email updating us on his tasks.

Good job, Meetrayu.

Keep it up.

Look forward to you studying your A level program with us at Rustomjee Cambridge.

Dr Hanif Kanjer

Founder Director, Rustomjee Cambridge.

*************

On 21-Apr-2020, at 6:24 PM, #Megatron 2.0 <studentmeetrayu@gmail.com> wrote:



Respected Hanif Sir and Tanya Ma'am,

This is Meetrayu here and I hope you are doing well.

It was great to interact with you both yesterday. Although I have not decided what to pursue after A2 levels, my  current plan is to start A levels at Rustomjee Cambridge in the Science stream with the 5 subjects as per your advice.

I have written this mail to also apprise you about the other activities I have completed and undertaken after meeting Hanif sir in his office.

Firstly, I was tasked with the amazing work of building power point (ppt) as a study material and covers for worksheet files that the biology teachers which I have completed in time as per directions received.

Adding on, the biology teachers really liked my ppts and have assigned some more to work on, which I will be submitting before the month ends (super excited !).

I had also resumed my TT (Table Tennis) classes but unfortunately could not continue due the lockdown. Despite that I have been practising the same at home, in order to recollect all of my moves and tactics that I had forgotten because of the long break from TT.

Besides that I also had signed up for cooking classes but attended only one of those due to the lockdown. It did not deter me from my pursuit to explore culinary skills, with the help of online tutorials I have been able to prepare many different delicacies. I am hoping to continue the cooking classes once the lockdown is over, my Teacher over there did appreciate the fact that I have a sense of taste and aptitude to learn cooking which has really given me a boost to pursue this hobby.

I also took up teaching but that too was limited due to the lockdown. I have been tutoring my younger sister (Druti - 3rd Grade now in 4th). Hoping to continue that and teach some of her friends once school resumes in normal operating conditions.

BIO-WORKSHEET-GRADE6.pptx

CIRCULATORY SYSTEM - GRADE - IX .pptx

CO-ORDINATION AND RESPONSE.pptx

EXCRETION AND HOMEOSTASIS.pptx

GRADE 7TH AND 8TH.pptx

Recently I also conducted the Summative Assessment practice sent by the school for my Sister. She scored pretty well in all 4 subjects: English Maths, Science and Hindi. 

Here are some of the tasks I still need to do: 

1. Past papers - solving and preparing Video material

2. Blog writing - Topics I intend to have primarily - Travel and Cuisine

3. A musical instrument to learn - Have enrolled for Casio (Piano) not attended any classes due to lockdown

4. Solving SSC - Geometry Concept Not covered by the IGCSE Syllabus

I will start with the past papers video preparation and blog writing today.

The Past Papers Video making and blog writing, other tasks to follow soon.

Sorry about the lengthy e-mail, thank you again for your guidance and support

Thanks and Regards!

Yours Sincerely,

Meetrayu.K.Raut 

There are tears (crying) and tears (tearing apart), flaring tempers, and emotional blackmailing; our Annual Shows’ “Behind the Curtains” could make a blockbuster all by itself.

So, here’s a sneak peak into what goes on behind the scenes of the mammoth task of putting on stage 4,600 students from Kindergarten to Grade 9, across our schools in Dahisar, Virar, and Thane.

1.    The Rejections

From ideas to scripts, and multiple drafts, while some authors get attached to their scripts, there are others that don’t find it exciting, and want a change. And the dirty task is left to the Bad Cop who needs to get the job done.

Then the scouting for songs begins. If the song is good, it doesn’t fit the scene. If it fits the scene, then the choreography is a challenge. If the choreography is managed, then there are students who don’t approve the steps.

The choreographer teacher cries, the principal intervenes, the students admonished, the students cry, and then they apologise, and they are back to the same dance teacher, same song, the same choreography, and one wonders what the drama was all about.

2.    The Struggle

There are those who don’t want to act, and there are those who don’t want to dance. There are those who want to do both, dance and act, and then those who don’t want to do either.

There are those that don’t like the costumes, and then those who don’t like the accessories. Some costumes are too big and some are too small. Come to rescue “the aunties”, their sewing machines, their scissors, and their dexterity.

In the midst of it all, the costume vendor suffers a stroke  whilst catering to Virar and Thane shows in December 2019, and is unable to service 9 shows in Dahisar in January 2020. So, Christmas break is spent cajoling and pleading with new vendors, and some old friends and family members come to the rescue.

From building our own stage in Virar for 4 shows, to putting together an emergency response team for 14 shows, and then translating the emergency evacuation procedure in English, Hindi, Marathi and Gujarati, and enlisting the support of PTEC members and Home mothers at the last minute to spread the awareness- the drama never stops.

Then there are football matches, basketball games, and MSSA events – some clashes between the sports teachers and the dance teachers. One sports teacher figures an alternative pathway, sits with the MSSA officials to negotiate an alternative date and time-slot. The MSSA official agrees subject to the opposing team being amenable to the date change. So, our teacher calls the opposing team school, and convinces them. Thanks to the opposing team the date is changed. Oh, by the way, we did win the Basketball game defeating Don Bosco by more than 12 baskets and the Football match defeating Dhirubhai Ambani  International School 4-1. 

3. The Strife

Murphy’s Law “If anything can go wrong, it will.”

Multiple trips to markets in south-Mumbai to match the accessories to the costumes, only to have some older kids refuse to wear an accessory on the day of the show, and convince the teacher in-charge to leave the accessory behind in school. The Principal gets the teacher to go back to the school to fetch the accessory and the students have no choice but to now wear the accessory and SMILE!

One student after her dance performance insists on changing her costume, instead of immediately making her entry on stage to say her dialogue, because her mother has got her a new shirt to wear on stage when she says her dialogue. This leads to an awkward silence on stage as the other students have finished their dialogue and are awaiting this young girl to make an entry and say her dialogue. This 5-minute delay leads to a ripple-effect of delaying the 2nd show. So, a last minute decision to cancel the mid-show break and bearing a penalty of Rs 15,000/- levied by the auditorium for not scheduling a break. All for one new shirt!

Another student falls ill on the day of the show, and can’t make it. Fortunately, all the kids know each other’s dialogues, and dance steps. So, substituting is not a challenge.

One show the music software stalls right in the middle of the welcome dance leading to a last-minute decision to replay the song so that the students are not demotivated.

Another show the LED screen power supply trips causing a delay of 15 minutes, with parents patiently waiting without making a fuss. Fortunately there was no follow-on show and no fear of any ripple effect.

4. The Glory

The sweat, the tears, the toil are all forgotten in the deluge of accolades that come after the show. The parents are proud of the performances, the students thrilled, the teachers relieved, the Principals relaxed, and the Director’s hands are hurting from clapping at 12 shows.

It’s going to be another year before the drama unfolds again for the next show. The benchmark is set higher.

Until then, keep smiling, and keep supporting the school in all its initiatives.

Words of encouragement from parents motivate everyone at school.

Take a bow: students, teachers, and Heads;  Tanya Valecha, Chhaya Rangnekar, Latika Parikh, Vinaya Shetty, Chhaya Mistry

Dr Hanif Kanjer (PhD., MBA-London Business School, BE)

Founding Dean, Rustomjee Business School

Founding Director, Rustomjee Cambridge International School & Junior College

Director, Rustomjee International School

This letter has taken some time because of a change in our thinking and approach towards certain aspects of education, particularly focusing on marks and results.  While we are extremely happy with the 100% results, and the outstanding academic achievements of our students, we have decided to downplay this as we witness an increasing trend towards an unnecessary focus on Grade 10 exams and marks, and we wish to pause and rewind.

This is not to say we don’t wish to recognise and celebrate the achievements of our hardworking students, but that we would rather celebrate the efforts more than the results.

Because in life, the results may not always be as per our expectation but our efforts must not reduce.

To dispel any rumour about our results IGCSE 2019, we present the highlights:

-  100% result

-  100% scores in Math and Chemistry

-  a significantly large proportion of our students in the high 90s

-  100 students out of 132 have scored distinction and above,

   with rest scoring 60% and above

We are proud of our students who have overcome the challenges of a tough curriculum that requires them to apply their mind, instead of learning by rote, and have evolved into thinking individuals.

We extend an open-invitation to past PTEC members who are welcome to review our results on behalf of the parents.

This year we hope to focus on a few areas that impact our students and our society.

1. Say NO to Tuitions

An area of particular concern for us is the skewed importance being given to tuition classes across all age groups.  We request all parents to pause and ponder whether it is truly fair to the child to study for 6 hours in a school, and then attend tuition classes for two to four hours?

When does the child get the time for self-learning and reflection?

Research has shown that unstructured time contributes significantly to the development of all the faculties in young children.  However, with the current trend of over-packing a child’s schedule, children are left with zero unstructured time.  How can such a strict schedule ever benefit a young child?

Some parents reason that since both parents are working, there is no one to take up the child’s studies, and tuition class only ensures that the child completes his homework and his revision. If only we could hear ourselves when we say such things, we will become aware of the huge compromise we are making in our child’s learning process.  Most tuition classes are nothing but baby-sitting centers. Does true learning ever happen in tuition classes?

Some students who struggle in a subject might need tuition, but that’s a decision that parents need to take jointly in consultation with the School.  In some cases, tuition may be required for those who face certain learning disabilities. However, the trend we observe is that even students scoring 75% and above are being sent to tuition classes because the parents believe 75% isn’t enough.

If your child needs to be supervised or engaged while you are at work, it would be better to enroll you child in activities that focus on building the personality of your child. It could be a rigorous sport like football, or a discipline like Indian classical dance that requires continuous efforts for 5 or more years.

Encouraging your child how to learn by himself would be the preparation you could give your child for the future.  Children who learn by themselves, not only understand concepts better, but also, have a higher success rate in life.

Please come and talk to us at school as to how you could better engage your child, and prepare your child to become a self-learner instead of depending on tuition.

2. Rain Water Harvesting

Our country as well as our State is witnessing some tough times with regards to the scarcity of water due to a prediction of below-normal rainfall.  It is imperative that we as citizens actively implement rain-water harvesting in our societies and communities.

At School, we have our rain water harvesting system which is simple, effective, and not too expensive.  We would be glad to showcase our system to parents or volunteer groups who might want to implement similar systems within their residential societies.  Do spread the word, and schedule an appointment with our admin team to learn how simple the system is.

We will be showing our teachers and our students the system, and we will schedule visits for past and present PTEC members too.

If we harvest rain-water, we might alleviate to some extent this water challenge facing our State, and contribute to making a better environment.

3. Value Education and Peer Learning

Over the past year, it has been brought to our notice that there appears to be a gap in the value-system with regards to students helping their classmates with study notes and other academic support.  Apparently, if a student misses school due to an illness or due to a sports event, it is the parent who approaches the class teacher for a copy of the notes.  If secondary school children have to depend on their parents to get them these notes, we have all failed our children in providing basic skills and values.

What kind of children are we raising if we do not inculcate the value of ‘help thy friend, help thy neighbour’?

In our generation, our classmates were our support system outside the classroom, with study notes, last-minute help with a difficult subject, and even with homework help. That helped us build life-long friendships, and helped us fight many challenges happily.

It is sad and surprising that we are depriving our children of such an important aspect of sharing and of an opportunity for peer-learning.

The School is going to actively intervene to implement a peer-learning system, and we look forward to parental support and encouragement of children when they help their peers out.  Remember, when one teaches, two learn.  And all the good we do, comes back to us as that is the circle of life.

4. Skills-based learning and assessment

To succeed in life, one needs knowledge as well as skills. However, often development of skills is not appreciated by many parents who seek metrics to evaluate the performance of their child.

Whilst proficiency in a language can be assessed through a formative and summative assessment, skills associated with the language that builds personality are more difficult to assess.  For example, public speaking skills, presentation skills, debating skills, drama and expression, are skills which aren’t reflected in a student’s mark sheet. Evaluation of these skills is subjective, and it, also, presents a logistics challenge.

We may not be able to immediately bring these into the mark sheet; however, we desire to bring a stronger focus to these areas. We are talking with experts and peers, and we are open to listening to ideas from parents too.  We are confident parents will actively encourage their children to imbibe these life-skills.

5. University of Whatsapp

Technology has made our lives easier, and at the same time it has become a potent tool for harassment, stress, and unwarranted gossip.

We request parents to be prudent in the use of Whatsapp, and avoid unnecessary ranting and raving over subjects, marks, timing, tiffins, etc on Whatsapp groups.

The PTEC members in the past year have complained about receiving calls at 11:30pm, 5am, 6:30am, and through the day.

We ask parents to put themselves in the shoes of the person receiving these calls and messages incessantly or at odd hours, and empathise with them before typing out a message or making that call.

A crocodile in your living room would definitely be an emergency, and you wouldn’t need to look at the time to call out for help. But, a book lost, an answer not corrected, a half-mark deducted, or a discipline note in the diary doesn’t require ranting and raving.

If you are concerned and perturbed, sure you have every right to seek an explanation. Do you have a right to demand it at 11pm?  NO.

If it is urgent, trust us, everyone will act on it promptly. Follow protocol and courtesy at all times.  No one appreciates rudeness.

The School is going to take a strict view on random ranting on Whatsapp which disturbs the peaceful and cordial environment of a school community.

Spreading false rumours or half-truths on hearsay without knowing the full story is prohibited.

6. Just Chill

If your child is unwell, health is a bigger priority than the FA or even the SA.  Don’t send an ill child to school, particularly if the child has a contagious disease.

If there is a wedding or a religious function which is more important, and your child needs to go with you, take permission and go have fun. Do not stress the School or your child with requests for a re-exam or a change of exam dates.  Life experiences are equally important for your child to have fun memories.

It is important for you to enjoy all the moments of schooling along with your child.

A little bit of courtesy, a little bit of understanding, a little benefit of doubt in certain situations given to the School team, fellow-parents, and other students would make it fun for everyone.

Because that’s our philosophy, Learning has to be fun.

Have a great year ahead.

Warm regards,

Dr Hanif Kanjer

Founder Director,

Rustomjee Cambridge International School & Junior College

Actually, everyone throughout the world has kept giving the example of the Tortoise…saying that slow and steady wins the race, and emphasizing the value of persistence and dedication.

Well ! No one has ever bothered to ask the Hare his side of the story…

So here’s the story from a different point of view…

**************

I met the Hare and sat down with him for a heart to heart talk.

This is what he had to say after we spent the better part of a balmy summer afternoon getting to know one other.

It was a wonderful experience, believe me..

“Yes, I am the hare who lost.

No, I did not get lazy or complacent.

Let me explain.

I was hopping over the meadows near the hills and looked back to realize that the tortoise was nowhere to be seen.

Assured of my healthy lead, I decided to take a short nap under the large banyan tree near the pond.

The anticipation of the race had kept me up all night.

For days, that old silly tortoise had boasted about his ability to plod for hundreds of miles without stopping.

Life is a marathon, he said, not a sprint.I wanted to show him that I could run both far and fast.

The shade of the tree was like an umbrella.

I found an almost oval rock, covered it with grass, and turned it into a makeshift pillow.

I could hear the leaves rustling and the bees buzzing – it felt they were collaborating and even conspiring to put me to sleep.

And it didn’t take them long to succeed.

I saw myself drifting on a log in a beautiful stream of water.

As I came near the shore, I found an old man, with a flowing beard, sitting on a rock in a meditative pose. He opened his eyes, gave me an all-knowing smile, and asked:

“Who are you?”

“I am a hare. I am running a race.”

“Why?”

“To prove to all the creatures in the jungle that I am the fastest.”

“Why do you want to prove that you are the fastest?”

“So that I get a medal which will give me status which will give me money which will get me food…”

“There is already so much food around.” He pointed to the forest in the distance. “Look at all those trees laden with fruits and nuts, all those leafy branches”

“I also want respect. I want to be remembered as the fastest hare who ever lived.”

“Do you know the name of the fastest deer or the largest elephant or the strongest lion who lived a thousand years before you?”

“No.”

“Today you have been challenged by a tortoise.

Tomorrow, it will be a snake.

Then it will be a zebra.

Will you keep racing all your life to prove that you are the fastest?”

“Hmm. I didn’t think about it.

I don’t want to race all my life.”

“What do you want to do?”

“I want to sleep under a banyan tree on a makeshift pillow while the leaves rustle and the bees buzz.

I want to hop over the meadows near the hills and swim in the pond.”

“You can do all these things this very moment.

Forget the race.

You are here today but you will be gone tomorrow.”

I woke up from my sleep.

The ducks in the pond looked happy.

I jumped into the pond, startling them for a moment.

They looked at me quizzically.

“Weren’t you supposed to be racing with the tortoise today?”

“It’s pointless.

An exercise in futility.

All I want is to be here.

Hopefully, someday, someone will tell the world my story.

*That I lost the race but got back my life*

**********

PS: I am not the author.