LOVEDALE, OOTY, TN—In February, first-ever female headmistress of The Lawrence School, Ms. Sangita Chima, gathered her maths department to welcome Monica Patel, CEO of First In Math India. In 2009, Chima was the principal at Billabong High International School (BHIS) Noida when the school was selected to first pilot the concept of a ‘deep practice’ program in India via the First In Math Online Program. Over coffee and delicious treats from the school’s in-house bakery, Chima explained to Patel that launching FIM at Lawrence was “a thoughtful initiation based on experience.”
Headmistress Chima (center, red tunic) and Mr. Suresh B (far right) head of The Lawrence School Maths Department pose with several members of the maths team.
“During my first exposure to FIM I was struck by the depth of design and the genius of inventor Robert Sun in presenting the content in seamless progression, thus completely engaging the student,” says Chima, adding that during her tenure at BHIS, sustained practice became the norm once FIM created a love for maths that became a part of the school’s culture.
Chima carried forward this rich experience from Noida in the north to Lovedale in south with the expert support of FIM Implementation Specialist, Akshita Gandhi. Being a boarding school, the Lawrence team was faced with an unusual situation. Students attending day schools continue with the excitement of FIM when they get home, with encouragement from parents. How could the children living on the Lawrence campus be encouraged to maintain participation during non-school hours?
Dynamic teachers quickly came up with the idea of organizing practice time on Sundays. The result of this drive is evidenced by a jump from 338,000 maths problems solved in December to more than 11,00,000 maths problems solved since November, 2013! Indeed, students are pursuing the task to its fullest and giving it their best at all times.
“My meeting with Headmistress Chima and Mr. Suresh, head of the maths department, made me understand why students from all over the world travel here to get a quality education,” says Patel. “Nestled in the Nilgiri Mountains, this sprawling 750-acre campus is home to an institution that has a rich history spanning 150 years, but more importantly is focused on the future—and the future of their students.”
At the end of her visit, Patel was especially moved by the parting words of the school’s spirited leader. “Watch out for Lawrence Lovedale, as our motto is - Never Give In."