Educating minds and hearts
Our motto at St Joseph is ‘Advancing in Wisdom and Virtue’. We want our students to be academically sound but we also want them to develop human qualities, values, ethics and virtues.
Rooted in the Holy Cross tradition of educating minds and hearts, St Joseph International School combines the Cambridge curriculum with character development and cultural awareness. Brother Chandon Benedict Gomes, Principal of St Joseph International School, speaks to The Daily Star about its journey, educational values, British Council partnership and future.
The Daily Star (DS): St Joseph began in Narinda in 1954 and later moved to Mohammadpur. How has this journey shaped the school and its educational mission?
Brother Chandon Benedict Gomes (BCBG): St Joseph began as an English-medium school and relocated in 1964. After the Liberation War, it moved towards the national curriculum under government policy, with its last O Level batch in 1973.
Through these transitions, the Brothers of Holy Cross remained committed to supporting students in classrooms and on playgrounds. That dedication continues to guide our mission.
DS: After decades under the national curriculum, the school reintroduced Cambridge in 2017. What prompted this return, and what opportunities did you hope it would create?
BCBG: A changing world required broader opportunities for students. Many were pursuing higher education abroad and contributing to Bangladesh.
Cambridge provides an academic foundation while developing critical thinking, creativity and problem-solving. We wanted to prepare students for higher education at home and abroad and help them become global citizens.
DS: The Brothers of Holy Cross have a distinctive educational tradition. How do those values influence the way students are taught and nurtured at SJIS?
BCBG: Our goal is to educate minds and hearts. Our motto, “Advancing in Wisdom and Virtue”, reflects an education that develops human qualities alongside academic ability.
Sports, clubs, competitions and other co-curricular activities help students develop integrity, morality and responsibility. These are central to our understanding of education.
DS: Beyond examination support, how has the British Council partnership helped SJIS develop its international curriculum and strengthen teachers’ professional practice?
BCBG: The British Council helped us understand Cambridge registration requirements and prepare documentation. We completed registration in 2022.
Its support also covers professional development, child safeguarding and continuous improvement. Training helps teachers adapt to Cambridge requirements and develop classroom activities, while safeguarding guidance supports a safe learning environment.
DS: Cambridge emphasises critical thinking and independent learning. How are these principles reflected in classroom teaching, beyond preparation for examinations?
BCBG: Learning begins with understanding, then progresses towards analysis, evaluation and creating knowledge. Teachers act as facilitators, encouraging independent study and engagement with ideas. Students gradually develop analytical and problem-solving abilities through this process.
DS: How do you balance an international education with helping students understand and remain connected to Bangladeshi culture, history and society?
BCBG: Students study Bangla literature, poetry and stories, alongside Bangladesh and Global Studies. Clubs offer storytelling, recitation, music and art.
We observe International Mother Language Day, Independence Day, Victory Day and Pohela Boishakh. These experiences make our culture and heritage part of school life.
DS: Parents place trust in examination reliability. What role does the British Council play in ensuring Cambridge assessments are secure and properly administered?
For all latest news, follow The Daily Star's Google News channel. BCBG: Its responsibilities include venue selection, question-paper distribution, monitoring and collecting and forwarding answer scripts. Confidentiality throughout is essential. The British Council’s administration helps maintain the security, objectivity and standards families expect of international examinations.
DS: Looking ahead five or ten years, how would you like SJIS to develop while preserving its educational values?
BCBG: We want to improve facilities and embed our holistic pedagogy in students’ lives. Our focus is on providing a strong education up to A Level.
We aspire to become one of Bangladesh’s best English-medium schools, remaining faithful to our commitment to forming students with wisdom and virtue.
Photo: Tahsin-ul-Islam Samin
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