Round the sundial

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JANUARY Staff returned from their exciting vacations around the world to prepare for another semester. Soon the cheerful voices and laughter of young people filled the Quad, residences and classes as students, for the most part enthusiastically, returned with stories to share of their exciting escapades over the winter break.

FEBRUARY As a community, we recognized the important contribution made by our employees, without whose hard work and loyalty we could not function. One of the goals of our 2006-07 Annual Fund Drive was to improve housing and living conditions for our employees. On February 2nd the tangible results of our commitment to our employees and the support of our alumni and staff was the dedication of "Sunnywood", a newly renovated employee housing unit overlooking Tehri road.

David and Denise Jeffery left Woodstock at the end of February 2007, after serving as principal and head of middle school, respectively. Their eight and a half years of leadership at Woodstock was a period of significant change and development for the school. The Board of Directors appointed Kaye Aoki as principal for one year, to be succeeded by a new principal in June 2008.

MARCH We presented "Jazz and More" -- an evening of music performed by forty of our student and faculty musicians to an appreciative audience at the lovely outdoor amphitheatre of the renowned Akshara National Classical Theatre in Delhi. Over 400 alumni and guests attended the outdoor performance followed by dinner on the lawn. Graciously sponsored by well-known artists, Gopal Sharma and Jalabala Vaidya, over one lakh rupees (approximately US$2,500) was raised for the Woodstock Annual Fund and the improvement of employee housing.

At the end of March Woodstock hosted its third annual Model United Nations conference with 143 student delegates attending from various schools. This year students discussed topics such as international migration and development, poverty reduction, reduction of all nuclear materials, and cross-border water rights. Students were challenged to think critically about these subjects and present their proposals.

APRIL For five days at the end of April, twenty-eight writers who attended the First Annual Mussoorie International Writers' Festival engaged in literary conversations and presentations in and around Woodstock . From the Burgoyne Campground above the Hanifl Centre to the Vera Marley Library, our campus provided memorable venues where students, faculty and writers could meet together in a celebration of language, images and ideas.

At the end of the Writers' Festival, Woodstock held its annual Spring Mela, successor to the venerable Spring Sale of yesteryear and a fundraising event for the Woodstock Scholarship Endowment Fund. Held for the first time this year in the evening, the Mela included food vendors from the local bazaar, dancing to the staff jazz band, a folk dance from elementary school, performances by high school musicians and an auction of donated items.

MAY Back in 1959 Woodstock School was the first school in Asia to be accredited by the Middle States Association (USA). In May 2007 it scored another first in Asia through the award of the MSA's new International Credential. Only two other schools worldwide have achieved this award. This was the culmination of many months of hard work by the Woodstock staff and administration as they verified the features that constitute the international nature of Woodstock.

Also in May, the school community was treated to outstanding performances by the bands, orchestras and choirs who worked all year to become proficient and polished young musicians. Principal Kaye Aoki commented, "[The] concerts were absolutely outstanding this year: quality was consistent and high throughout, and the energy was extremely positive."

JUNE June 7th and 8th witnessed our traditional Baccalaureate and Graduation events, the bittersweet farewell functions for our graduating seniors. The Baccalaureate address was offered by Brian Dunn in his last address to Woodstock students after his seven years of service as chaplain. Mr. Ashoke Chatterjee, Class of 1951, gave the Commencement address at the Graduation ceremony which was followed by the inevitable "Wailing Wall" as seniors lined the high school ramp to tearfully bid farewell to each other and their teachers.

JULY A new academic year was underway at the end of July as returning staff welcomed over 30 new staff members to their ranks. These new staff fill various positions including residence staff, teaching, support, and the chaplaincy. The first week of their tenure was filled primarily by orientation to Woodstock and Mussoorie as well as adjusting to the altitude! The following week new and returning staff participated in the Staff Retreat which included staff development workshops led by visiting St. Olaf professors. And on the other side of the world in Chicago, alumna Li-Chiang Chu '59 was awarded the Distinguished Service Award of the Council for Advancement and Support of Education (CASE). She was honored for her more than three decades of outstanding, behind-the-scenes volunteer service to Woodstock School.

AUGUST As usual August was full of activity beginning with the arrival of new and returning students at the beginning of the month. Indian culture week culminated with the celebration of Independence Day on 15th August. Friendship Day paired seniors and freshers for a day of silliness and fun. The dedication of a new power substation above the Hanifl Center marked one of the final steps in providing the entire Woodstock campus with a steady supply of electricity for the first time in its 154 year history.

SEPTEMBER Barbara Coloroso, internationally recognized speaker and author in areas including nonviolent conflict resolution and reconciliatory justice, visited Woodstock School during its "Building Healthy Communities" week in early September. Coloroso gave two charismatic and energetic keynote addresses as well as leading various break- out sessions. She won over students with real-world advice and deep compassion for the marginalized.

Woodstock's Board of Directors honored two alumnae with the Distinguished Alumni Award in the third week in September. Bhavenesh Kumari Patiala '50 and Dorothy Irene Riddle '60 were cited for their professional achievements during the Special Assembly held in Parker Hall. Ms. Patiala received the award in recognition of her excellence and pioneering in law as a woman who was instrumental in establishing the incorporation of several multinational companies in India. Dr Riddle was honored for her progressive work on initiatives aimed at empowering minority groups and under-resourced economies.

Grade 12 student Aiden Lewis was named a Commended Student in the 2008 National Merit Scholarship Program, a prestigious honor revered by university admissions officers in the United States and abroad. A Letter of Commendation from the school and the National Merit Scholarship Corporation (NMSC), which conducts the program, was presented by the principal to this scholastically talented senior.

OCTOBER Without a doubt the highlight of October was Activity Week, a time when students and staff "leave the hillside" to experience India in a variety of new and imaginative ways. Activities ranged this year from roughing-it experiences in nearby villages, service work with Habitat for Humanity, exploring the history of Mussoorie, cultural and nature visits, river rafting, making a jazz recording and so much more. Be sure to visit the Woodstock website to see pictures and read stories about these fun and challenging adventures.

October was also filled with sports including the inter house and interschool competitions. Both the competitors and their fans caught the excitement as students ran, jumped and hurdled their way to top spots for themselves and their houses.

NOVEMBER November was filled with performances! Mr. Ben MacKenzie directed middle and high school students in a Bollywood-inspired version of "Taming of the Shrew" on November 23 and 24. The following week every music ensemble performed as a culmination of their hard work all semester.

On 24 November, Joie and Nate Burchell, both high school teachers, and their 2-year old son Will welcomed Esther Anne (Annie) to their family. Everyone in the Woodstock community rejoiced with them, becoming unofficial aunts, uncles and grandparents to the latest addition to our community.

Newly renovated Abergeldie Cottage was dedicated this month with four new apartments for staff. The redesigned units include two or three bedrooms, two baths, cozy living areas and take advantage of a stunning view with balconies overlooking the Doon Valley below. The renovation was made possible by a gift from the estate of Ralph '35 and Jane Alley.

DECEMBER Beginning with a brass fanfare, this year's Christmas Chapel focused on the experience of Christmas. Three students, one each from elementary, middle and high school, spoke briefly about the meaning of Christmas to her. Between presentations were hymns and special music offered by the orchestra and all three choirs. After chapel everyone enjoyed a celebratory tea in the Quad. Participating in the event, and several days of interviews with staff, students and employees were three candidates who were being interviewed for the position of principal at Woodstock.

The Middle School was front and center this month offering a beautiful and fun musical rendition of the story of Daniel and King Nebuchadnezzar. Open houses at the Middle School dorms followed with the theme of Phantom of the Opera.

December 14 was Going Down Day, an ages old time to say goodbye to the students, sending them down the mountain and onto planes and trains going hither and yon. Following the traditional Staff Banquet, staff also began to disperse for their much-deserved winter break, some staying on the hillside and others going to places from a few hours away to halfway around the world to enjoy the holidays with friends and family. Another year had come to an end "Around the Sundial" and the Woodstock campus settled down for a shorter winter's nap than usual as the opening day of the school in 2008 had been brought forward to the end of January instead of mid-February.

Jane Cummings, Director of Development