This experience is written by Siddharth Kumar Gopal, a class 10 student of St. Thomas Residential School, Kerala, and an Emerging Leader at NoticeBard.

Name of the Student

Siddharth Kumar Gopal.

Class/Grade

Class 10.

Name of the School

St. Thomas Residential School, Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala.

How did you apply to this School?

My parents applied for admission to this school because they were alumni and had a great experience. Following the application, I took a brief exam and was admitted to the school.

What are some of the good things about the faculty of your School?

The faculty of the school are not only amazing in their subject matter knowledge, but also strive to develop holistic individuals. They encourage students to follow their passions and encourage them to participate in various national and international competitions be it sports or arts. They also mentor students for quizzes, debates, and public speaking competitions.

What are some of the bad things about the faculty of your School?

I genuinely can’t think of anything negative about our faculty. They are experienced, kind, and serve as guiding forces for students. While we’re encouraged to pursue our passions, there’s also an expectation to maintain good academic performance, which isn’t a bad thing, right?

What are some of the good things about the infrastructure of your School?

Our school has a large stadium, a basketball court and a swimming pool. We also have a well-stocked library and a world-class computer lab. We also have an Atal Tinkering lab in the school where students are encouraged to learn science through experiments and projects. We also have boarding facilities for students and a canteen that serves yummy yet healthy food.

What are some of the bad things about the infrastructure of your School?

Our school is one of the best schools in the city and hence has great infrastructure too. After all, you cannot be the school of choice, without great infrastructure. But, if I were to rack my brains and find something to improve, I would say that our toilets can definitely do with a facelift!

What are some of the good things about the teacher-to-student ratio of your School?

Our school has an average teacher-student ratio of 1:40. Still, our faculty are experienced enough to give attention to each and every student in the class. They are also available any time for academic doubts as well as a heart-to-heart chat about life and its struggles.

What are some of the bad things about the teacher-to-student ratio of your School?

Our school does not have a very small teacher-to-student ratio. However, that has never been a detriment to learning or to creating warm relationships between the teacher and the student. I would any day study in St. Thomas than in a school with fewer students per class as the experience of being in a large class helps me to face the challenges of the world better and to have more friendships as well.

What are some of the great initiatives/amenities offered in your School?

The ATL Lab in our school encourages experiential learning of STEM subjects. Our students have done well in international olympiads. We also have great sports teams who have proved their mettle nationally. In addition, we have an active quiz club and robotics club. We also celebrate all festivals with student performances that provide a platform to showcase the unique talents of the students.

What are the things you would have liked to change about your School if you could?

I wouldn’t want to change anything about the school because it has shaped me into who I am today – a humble yet confident teenager prepared to face any challenge. After all, as we say in our school, “Once a Santhomite, always a Santhomite.”

How likely are you to recommend this School to other students?

10 out of 10.

Image taken from here.