Staff arrivals and departures 2022

Staff arrivals

– Arvindanabha Shukla, December 1, 2021, Head of Upper Years

– Vishal Negi, January 1, 2022, Administrative Assistant – The Hanifl Centre

– Maria Clara Emilia Astarloa, January 1, 2022, Teacher – Languages

– Nalayini Nanthagopalan, January 1, 2022, Teacher – Drama & Theatre

– Pinky Chowdhury, February 10, 2022, Nurse

– Katie Jo Walter, February 15, 2022, Director of Advancement and Alumni Relations

– Milan Sudzuk, March 1, 2022, Teacher – Music (Piano)

– Vipul Vashistha, March 1, 2022, Outdoor Instructor

– Rajalakshmi Sivarama Krishnan, April 1, 2022, HOD – SEN

– Mayuri Barnhardt, April 8, 2022, Teacher – Early Years

– Kenton Beachy, May 15, 2022, Director of Communications

– Theresa Joseph, July 1, 2022, Teacher –Mathematics

– Joona Sheel, July 1, 2022, Teacher –Science

– Amitavo Roy, July 1, 2022, Teacher –Music

– Aishwarya SD, July 1, 2022, Teacher –Individuals & Societies

– Tilak KC, July 1, 2022, Teacher –Business Management and I&S

– Nishchith Moses, July 1, 2022, Teacher – Art

– Katherine Allison Dyche, July 1, 2022, HOD – Arts

– Sonia Nair, July 1, 2022, Teacher –Early Years

– Anusuya Vijaykumar Panchagatti, Jul 1, 2022, Teacher – Business Management & Economics

– Prabin Rai, July 1, 2022, Teacher –Economics

– S.H. Afroz Anjum, July 1, 2022, Teacher – Economics & I&S

– Maria Angelica Prieto Prieto, July 1, 2022, Teacher – Language (Spanish)

– Kouame N’Guettia Modeste Date, July 1, 2022, Teacher – Language (French)

– Shubhankar Roy, July 1, 2022, HOD –Mathematics

– Cameron Michael Bradley, July 1, 2022, Teacher – Music (Band)

– Prerna Shyam Gadve, July 1, 2022, Teacher – Science

– Ma. Chrisanta Tiongson Ely, July 1, 2022, Teacher – Special Education Needs

– Brijesh Kumar Tyagi, July 1, 2022, Audio–Visual and Technology Specialist

– Shaji Philip, July 25, 2022, Teacher –Computer Science & Design

– Mohammad Qasier Jamal, August 1, 2022, Residential Dorm Parent

– Shrey Nagalia, August 1, 2022, Teacher – Language and Literature

– Varsha Joab, August 1, 2022, Residential Dorm Parent

– Sabrina Anne Hartmann, August 12, 2022, Teacher – Language and Literature

– Lanie Mae De Juan Gaitan, August 27, 2022, Residential Dorm Parent

– Swati Bose Roy, September 1, 2022, Education Administrative Officer

– Sonam Thomas, September 1, 2022, Library Assistant

– Maria Eugenia Lusardi, September 24, 2022, Residential Dorm Parent

– Rajat Bhog, September 26, 2022, IB Admin & Examination Officer

– Ashish Luthra, October 3, 2022, Assistant Manager – Travel & Liasion

– Renu Oberoi Shah, November 7, 2022, Centre for Imagination Coordinator II

Staff departures

– Prashant Mathew, Language Acquisition Teacher, 2 years

– Amelia Lynn Mohammad Bagheri, Teacher – Science, 1 year

– Jonathan Robert Le Shana, Teacher –English, 1 year

– Sudha Rakesh, HOD I&S, 2 years

– Ritu Seth, Teacher – I&S, 2 years

– Arvindanabha Shukla, December 1, 2021, 1.1 years

– Andrew Plonka, HOD: English Language & Literature, 6 years

– Nandakumar Puthiyakovilakant, HOD: Visual Arts, 6 years

– Sonal Talaulicar, Registrar, 6 years

– Shivani Agarwal, Director of Human Resources, 6 years

Departing staff who served over seven years

During his 12.5 years at Woodstock Mr Jeffrey Doerfler was a central figure in the residential life of thousands of students. As Dean of Student Life, Jeffrey led provision of pastoral care, ensuring students had the emotional and social support they needed to thrive in a residential school environment. During Covid he also stepped up to take on the role of Interim Head of Upper Years.

He played a central role in Woodstock’s sporting life as well, coaching the Senior Boys’ Basketball Team. During his tenure the team won Win Mumby three times and finished runner-up four times.

Mr Steve Luukkonen dedicated his 12.5 years at Woodstock to keeping the community active. As Head of PHE he led academic studies in the field of physical education, but his efforts for the community’s health extended way beyond the classroom and Win Mumby Gymnasium. He founded and organised the Mussoorie Half Marathon, which drew runners from across India and beyond to challenge themselves in the Himalayan foothills. He also coached the Senior Girls’ Basketball Team to success in many tournaments. Whatever the activity, Steve always threw himself into it with his trademark boundless and infectious enthusiasm.

During her more than 40 years of service

Mrs Monica Roberts dedicated herself to the Woodstock School community. Working in various roles during her time at Woodstock, Monica is perhaps best known for her time in the alumni office where her knowledge and experience were invaluable in serving our alumni community. She is also fondly remembered as advisor to many hundreds of students and as Homeroom Head for the classes of 2009, 2019, and 2023. In May 2022 Monica was awarded a Citation for Distinguished Service.

For 28 years Mrs Subhashini Timothy supported student learning and development in her role as librarian at Woodstock School. Mrs Timothy was always actively involved in enabling students to make the most of the library’s facilities and the learning that could be found within. Beyond her library role, Mrs Timothy played an active role in student academic studies and enrichment activities, including many Activity Weeks. In May 2022 she was awarded a Citation for Distinguished Service.

During his seven years at Woodstock School

Mr Tarun Seth shared his passion for the teaching and learning of mathematics with countless students. As Head of Department, Mathematics, he led our team of math teachers as they inspired students to delve into the study of quality, structure, space, and change and their role in life and the universe. Tarun encouraged and enabled many students to participate in inter-school conferences and competitions where they could meet students from other schools and share their passion and knowledge.

Mrs Tsering Chozom Malik touched the lives of countless students during her 23 years at Woodstock. Throughout she was committed to student wellbeing, initially working as a nurse in the school’s Health Centre before becoming a Dorm Parent at Edgehill Dorms. For the past 11 years Tsering was Dorm Parent at Midlands Dorm, helping our older girls navigate the wonders and struggles of teenage life. Her calm and caring demeanor meant Tsering was always someone students could turn to for advice and support, whatever challenges they were facing.

Citation For Outstanding Service

Eric Roberts

As Head of Woodstock’s Travel and Liaison Office, Mr Eric Roberts worked tirelessly to ensure that many thousands of students and staff reached their destinations safely and seamlessly. He joined Woodstock in March 1980 as Cashier Trainee in the accounts department and by July had been taken on as Cashier, a role he maintained for the next five years. In July 1985 Mr Roberts became Liaison Officer in the travel office, an area in which he would continue to serve Woodstock for a total of 34 years.

Citation For Outstanding Service

Subhashini Timothy

For 28 years Mrs Subhashini Timothy supported student learning and development in her role as librarian at Woodstock School. Whether students came to her for a book recommendation or for advice on the challenges of teenage life, Mrs Timothy was ever ready to share her knowledge and wisdom. She joined the Libraries Team in 1994, initially volunteering for six years while her daughter Smita Timothy from the Class of 2000 was studying at Woodstock. In July 2000 Mrs Timothy joined as a permanent Library Assistant, a role she continued for the next 22 years until her retirement in June 2022.

During her time serving Woodstock, Mrs Timothy remained a cornerstone of the high school’s Vira Marley Library, working under no fewer than eight Head Librarians whom she trained in the library’s systems and processes and steeped in the school’s vision and philosophy. Mrs Timothy was always actively involved in enabling students to make the most out of the library’s facilities and the learning that could be found within, whether by helping to organise book fairs or providing a helping hand with students’ research work – and especially when they were preparing for symposiums. Beyond her library role, Mrs Timothy played an active role in student academic studies and enrichment activities. She helped Middle Years students develop their culinary skills in her cooking passage and chaperoned countless groups of students during their arrival and departure journeys. Mrs Timothy was actively involved

CITATION FOR OUTSTANDING SERVICE Ajay Mark

emergency occurred, he was ready and willing to help. During these times his network and influence became apparent, as with a few phone calls to the right people Mr Roberts was able to resolve seemingly insurmountable challenges. If ever one was travelling, it was a great assurance that should something go wrong Mr Roberts would always be on hand to help, day and night.

His influence and guidance radiated beyond the Travel and Liaison Office.

In particular, he was a foundation stone for the Business Office. When there was a need for advice, Mr Roberts was on hand to share his wisdom and experience with other members of the Woodstock community. Throughout his tenure, he was guided by an unwavering Christian faith, just as he guided many thousands of Woodstockers on their own journeys. As he continues his own personal journey, one can be certain Mr Roberts will continue to be an important part of the Woodstock School community.

Citation For Outstanding Service

THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS OF WOODSTOCK SCHOOL RECOGNISES

Citation For Outstanding Service

THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS OF WOODSTOCK SCHOOL RECOGNISES foundation stone to be laid for Win Mumby, Mr Mark and his colleagues in the PE Department dedicatedly managed for a decade without a school gymnasium, reorganising a full programme of sports and physical education by holding classes in the Quad, by the School Gate, and at Ridgewood Field.

For nearly forty years, Mr Ajay Mark was a cornerstone of sporting life at Woodstock School. He joined the school in July 1981 as a teacher in the Physical Education (PE) Department and Head of Hiking. Ajay was the first member of the second generation of the Mark family to serve Woodstock, a family that has collectively contributed more than 140 years of devoted service to the school. From 1987 to 2011 Mr Mark was Head of Physical Education. In August 2011 he took on a new role as Head of Sports and Safety Officer. In 2017 he was given the additional role of Student Life Coordinator, with responsibilities encompassing the whole spectrum of student wellbeing. Mr Mark served in this role until his retirement in June 2020.

Once work on the gymnasium was finally able to commence, Mr Mark was instrumental in developing the vision for this new home for sport at Woodstock. He also envisioned the perfect way to showcase Woodstock’s gymnasium and share the facilities with schools across India. The Win Mumby All India Basketball Tournament, founded originally and then continuously organized by Mr Mark over the next 20 years, brought together students from far and wide to determine the nation’s best team – all arrangements meticulously managed by Mr Mark. Crucially, Win Mumby was the first in India where girls’ and boys’ tournaments were granted equal status. At the time of this citation, twenty tournaments later, Win Mumby continues to be the most popular school basketball competition in northern India.

Mr Mark excelled in other sports as well. He coached thousands of students, helping them achieve their potential in track and field, cross-country, basketball, cricket, football, badminton, tennis, volleyball, and field hockey. He organised tournaments in these and other events and organized countless Sports Days and Inter House and Inter School Cross Country meets for students, as well as a designated Sports Day for Woodstock employees. He started a carrom tournament for both staff and employees. Mr. Mark also started the very popular five-a-side inter-school indoor football tournaments for boys, girls, and staff members, with schools from Dehradun and Mussoorie participating. In December 1975 Mr Mark entered the record books when he and a group of skaters broke the Asian long-distance roller-skating record by skating from Mussoorie to Amritsar, a record which still stands to this day.

Over the years many students benefited from being Mr Mark’s advisees. He was the homeroom teacher for the Classes of 1989 and 1997. But above all, Mr Mark’s geniality and outgoing nature made him a firm favourite with students and staff and an ambassador for Woodstock, building connections locally and across India that continue to benefit the school today. Mr Mark has expressed his gratitude to Woodstock for many happy memories that have been formed by current and former students, staff members, parents, employees, and everyone in Mussoorie associated with the school.

THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS OF WOODSTOCK SCHOOL RECOGNISES FOR HIS YEARS OF DEDICATED SERVICE TO WOODSTOCK SCHOOL Citation for service Ajay Mark v1.2.indd 1

Esther Arthur

FOR HER YEARS OF DEDICATED SERVICE TO WOODSTOCK SCHOOL

As a Woodstock School librarian for more than 28 years, Mrs Esther Arthur played a crucial role in the educational journeys of students. She first served as an assistant teacher in the Early Childhood Programme from February 1991 through June 1992. Then in July 1992 Mrs Arthur moved to the position of Library Assistant, a role she would make her own for the next 27 years until her retirement in June 2020.

Mrs Arthur became an indispensable part of Woodstock’s library team, efficiently administering the day-to-day processes and procedures essential to the smooth running of the school’s libraries. Working in both the Middle Years Library in the Quad School and the Vera Marley Library in the high school building, Mrs Arthur displayed a knack for cataloguing and processing books, ensuring that all the knowledge, learning, stories, and creativity within the library’s walls could be found by students no matter what they were looking for. Mrs Arthur’s informative and beautiful thematic bulletin boards were always a highlight for those visiting the library. The displays were a wonderful way for students to learn about the many library resources available to support their academic work, curiosities, and interests. No matter the tasks entrusted to her, Mrs Arthur worked quietly and diligently to get them done.

Her impact on school life radiated well beyond her role in the Libraries Team. An excellent cook, Mrs Arthur was much appreciated by husband Mr Ravi Arthur’s advisees and by his colleagues as well in the Music Department.

Mrs Arthur also made her own musical contribution to the Woodstock community as a talented singer.

Over the 28 and one-half years Mrs Arthur served Woodstock School, her work made a huge difference to many thousands of students and staff members who could always rely on her to help and care whenever they called upon her for support. Her contribution to the Library Team during her tenure was crucial in providing excellent library services in support of holistic learning at Woodstock. It is with much gratitude that Woodstock School recognises Mrs Arthur’s longstanding service.

Monica Roberts

FOR HER YEARS OF DEDICATED SERVICE TO WOODSTOCK SCHOOL

Mrs Monica Roberts’ more than 40 years of service to the Woodstock community on both the hillside and well beyond made her a singular figure in the minds and hearts of Woodstock School Alumni who graduated across the past several decades. After being introduced to Woodstock by a friend from Mumbai working at the school, she joined the Woodstock staff, met and married her husband Eric here, and raised her daughters Becky and Aradhana, both of whom graduated from Woodstock.

Mrs Roberts joined Woodstock as receptionist and typist in 1979. Five years later she took a break before returning to Woodstock to provide substitute work in the dorms. She later served as a dorm parent and remained in that role for nearly ten years. Like the homeroom students she mentored until her final day at Woodstock, students from those years also recall Mrs Roberts fondly for her generous spirit and forthright guidance.

Mrs Roberts next moved to student accounts where she worked for twenty years. In 2006 she joined the Development (later Advancement) Office, where she played a critical role. She applied her previous experience with both students and accounts to great effect in support of several past development directors. As an editor of Quadrangle Woodstock School’s annual alumni community magazine, for more than the past decade, Mrs Roberts helped Woodstock alumni around the world continue their connections to the hillside and with each other.

In her last 16 years Mrs Roberts was the first point of contact for alumni visiting the Woodstock campus. Whoever walked into the alumni office knew that she would care – and have plenty of stories to tell about them! This connection with and deep knowledge about Woodstock’s alumni community could only have been developed over an irreplaceable lifetime of service.

Throughout her time at Woodstock, Mrs Roberts served as advisor for many groups and Homeroom Head for the classes of 2009, 2019, and 2023. She arguably found the greatest joy, amongst her many Woodstock responsibilities, guiding and nurturing many hundreds of Woodstockers and was able to have the greatest individual impact on so many of them.

Mrs Roberts remained steadfast in her faith, keeping God as her pillar and her guiding force as she contributed to a Woodstock School that the entire community will remain proud of into the future. In 2022, Mrs Roberts’ final year, Woodstock recognized her outstanding contributions by bestowing the Marie Bissell Prentice Award for Excellence in International Education.