Bedford School is delighted to announce the official signing ceremony with Doon International Educational Society to mark the opening of Bedford School Mohali, the first international school under the Bedford School brand.
The grand ceremony took place in Bedford School’s Quarry Theatre on Wednesday 23 April and was attended by distinguished guests including His Majesty’s Lord-Lieutenant Susan Lousada, High Sheriff of Bedfordshire Camilla King, Mayor of Bedford Tom Wootton and special guest, former England Cricket Captain and alumni of Bedford School Sir Alastair Cook.
The event began with a light lunch hosted by Bedford School Head Master James Hodgson in the Langham Pavilion. This was followed by a service in the school chapel and a gathering of guests to welcome new partners from Doon Harinder Singh Mann, Charanjeet Singh Mann, Simrita Mann and Sonika Gosal Mann.
After a welcome from the Head Master who showed an imagery of the new school, the ceremony continued with Lord-Lieutenant Susan Lousada delivering an inspiring speech highlighting the ‘three firsts’ achieved through this partnership: the first British International Girls’ School in India, the first British brand in North India, and the first time Bedford School has lent its reputable name beyond the school in Bedford. Head Master James Hodgson and Harinder Singh Mann also addressed the audience, emphasising the alignment of Bedford School’s values of integrity, endeavour, curiosity, responsibility and above all, kindness with Doon’s own ethos and values.
Guests were treated to a musical performance by pupils of the school in the form of a string quartet, featuring the first movement of Mozart’s Eine Kleine Nachtmusik and Rahman’s Agar Tum Saath Ho arranged by Ash.
The ceremony also included an engaging monologue about the history of the town of Bedford, charmingly performed by a Year 5 Prep School pupil, and poetry readings by other pupils.
Head of School, Tanay Rai also gave a speech which offered a poignant insight into what Bedford School Mohali means to boys currently at the school. Tanay explained that not only is this a landmark achievement, but also a source of pride and inspiration, knowing that young girls in India who will attend Bedford School Mohali, will have the opportunity to benefit from a Bedford School education too, embodying the school’s values and developing into intellectually curious, resilient and confident young women, ready for the future, just as they are themselves.
The official signing moment was followed by the exchange of gifts, including two cricket bats signed by Old Bedfordian Sir Alastair Cook, who joined the partners on stage for photographs.
James Hodgson, Head Master explained, “I am absolutely thrilled. We knew from pretty much the moment we met Harinder and Charanjeet that this was going to be an amazing partnership and most importantly, we have a shared vision of what good education should look like. For us to be at the unfolding of this vision for a girls’ school 4,000 miles away is very exciting.”
Harinder Mann Singh commented, “As soon we were in touch with the Bedford team, we knew that was exactly where we wanted to be, not only for the fact that we have a very similar vision, ethos and values and our expectations from what a quality institution should be.”
Having visited the school, Charanjeet Mann stated, “We have been genuinely impressed with what we have seen since we came , there is a great amount of very positive enthusiasm, energy, vibrancy and everything you would associate with a top-quality education institution has been visible to us throughout our visit. Today’s signing marks an extremely important day for us, and we look forward to taking Bedford’s name to India with a great deal of quality assurance and on our part a commitment to ensuring that the Bedford name flies high.”
Find out more about Bedford School here.
