GSIS: A Google Reference School Leading the Digital Revolution

At Good Shepherd International School, we take immense pride in our rich history and the core values that have guided us for over four decades. Founded in 1977, our institution has always been synonymous with excellence in education, a commitment to strong values, and a dedication to nurturing young minds. As we stand at the cusp of a new era, we embark on a journey to strike a balance between our time-honored core values and the dynamic demands of modern education.

Nestled in the heart of our community, GSIS has long been a hub of learning, innovation, and growth. With over 700 students from diverse backgrounds and a dedicated team of educators, we take pride in offering:

  • IB Programs: PYP (Primary Year Programme), MYP (Middle Year Programme), and DP (Diploma Programme)
  • Cambridge Programs: Cambridge Lower Secondary Programme and Cambridge Upper Secondary Programme (IGCSE)
  • CISCE Programs: Indian Certificate of Secondary Education (ICSE) and Indian School Certificate (ISC)

Our Grades 4-12 education fosters curiosity, creativity, and critical thinking, and our school is committed to embracing cutting-edge methods to prepare students for the demands of the 21st century.

In 2020, our President, Mr. Jacob Thomas, initiated a transformative journey to integrate Google technologies into our educational framework. Leveraging this vision, we adopted Google Workspace for Education, Google Classroom, and Chromebooks to foster a connected and interactive learning environment. Tools such as Google Meet, Google Forms, and Google Sites have become integral to our operations, enabling seamless communication and organization.

The impact of “going Google” has been profound. Teachers collaborate effortlessly through shared drives and documents, co-creating lesson plans and resources in real time. Students engage in interactive assignments on Google Classroom, receive instant feedback, and explore knowledge beyond classroom walls. The integration of Chromebooks has empowered students with individual devices, ensuring equitable access to digital learning.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, Google tools became vital for conducting online and hybrid classes. Google Meetfacilitated synchronous sessions, while tools like Docs, Slides, Forms, Sheets, and Calendar supported asynchronous tasks, assessments, and scheduling. Events such as Founders Day and Inter-house competitions were streamed via YouTube, enhancing community engagement. Chrome extensions further supported tasks such as annotating PDFs, creating quizzes, and recording lessons.

Recognizing the capabilities of Chromebooks to support remote management and ensure student safety, our school deployed over 580 Chromebooks in phases starting in 2021. These devices, running on ChromeOS, allow learners to use Google Workspace seamlessly for academic and extracurricular activities, including online conferences, Model United Nations, and final assessments. The IT team ensures device security and privacy compliance through centralized management.

By embracing Google technologies, GSIS has modernized its approach to education, inspiring students to become lifelong learners equipped with the skills to thrive in an increasingly digital world. We are honored to share our story as a Google Reference School and look forward to continuing our journey of innovation and excellence.

For more details on our integration of technology into education, explore our presentation.