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Leadership Team

Guiding Minds
Shaping Leaders

PRESIDENT

Jacob Thomas

Jacob Thomas is the President of Good Shepherd International School (GSIS) in Ooty, Tamil Nadu, where he spearheads the institution’s mission to nurture globally minded, compassionate, and innovative leaders of tomorrow. Under his leadership, GSIS has further solidified its reputation for academic excellence, holistic education, and leadership development. Committed to embedding 21st-century skills into the school’s pedagogy, Jacob views adaptability as the most essential of these skills, ensuring that GSIS equips students to thrive in a rapidly evolving global landscape.

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Jacob Thomas
Sara Jacob

Sr. Vice President

Sara Jacob

Sara Jacob joined Good Shepherd International School in 2020 as the Sr. Vice President of Student & Staff Welfare. With over 17 years of experience in various fields of law, Sara brings her legal and communication expertise to her role at GSIS. As a member of the Senior Management Team, Sara’s  primary focus is the overall welfare of the students and staff at GSIS – from their social, emotional, physical, and academic well-being to their safety, happiness, and nurturing when they are here at GSIS and beyond.
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Our Team

Dr. Madhav Deo Saraswat

Dr. Madhav Deo Saraswat

Principal & Director
vinod-singh

Mr. Vinod Singh

Head of School & Principal

Deepa Suresh

Deepa Suresh

Head Mistress
Suresh T

Suresh Thangarajan

IBDP & IB Curriculum Coordinator

Archana R. Singh

Middle Years Program Coordinator
Dominic Jude Hurst

Dominic Jude Hurst

Director of Activities
Bonbon Chakravartee

Bonbon Chakravartee

PYP Coordinator
rekha-bw

Rekha Jacqueline

Coordinator, CISCE & Cambridge
deepa-suresh

Message from the
Headmistress

At Good Shepherd International School, our students are at the heart of everything we do. We believe in going the extra mile to provide them with the best possible care, ensuring that they thrive not just academically, but as well-rounded individuals. Our motto, ‘Truth, Trust, and Triumph,’ serves as the foundation of every student’s journey here. It guides our commitment to nurturing a community of progressive, lifelong learners who view education as a holistic instrument for personal growth and not merely a means to achieve academic success.
Since joining Good Shepherd International School in 1997, I have been privileged to witness the incredible growth and transformation of our students. As the Coordinator for Middle School, with over 12 years of teaching experience, I am deeply committed to fostering an environment where every student feels valued, supported, and inspired to reach their fullest potential.
Our vision is to cultivate a love for learning that extends far beyond the classroom. We strive to create a dynamic and inclusive educational experience that encourages curiosity, critical thinking, and a passion for knowledge. I am immensely proud of the progress we have made and look forward to continuing this journey with our students, staff, and the entire GSIS community.

"I feel deeply honored and privileged to have been appointed as the Principal and Director of Good Shepherd International School. We are a school that takes immense pride in being an extraordinary community where people matter, performance counts, and where a passion for excellence drives all endeavors. As the Head of this inspired, pragmatic and progressive institution, I am fully committed to continuing the legacy of success through teamwork, collaboration, and a strong community partnership..."

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Jacob Thomas

Jacob Thomas is the President of Good Shepherd International School (GSIS) in Ooty, Tamil Nadu, where he spearheads the institution’s mission to nurture globally minded, compassionate, and innovative leaders of tomorrow. Under his leadership, GSIS has further solidified its reputation for academic excellence, holistic education, and leadership development. Committed to embedding 21st-century skills into the school’s pedagogy, Jacob views adaptability as the most essential of these skills, ensuring that GSIS equips students to thrive in a rapidly evolving global landscape.

With over two decades of executive experience in the technology sector, Jacob brings a distinctive edge to his leadership at GSIS. Before transitioning into education, he held senior leadership positions at the globally recognised NetApp, Inc., where he successfully managed cross-functional teams across continents, drove operational transformation, and led large-scale digital innovations. His career in technology equipped him with the expertise to navigate complex challenges, embrace innovation, and deliver sustainable outcomes—all qualities that now inform his strategic approach to education.

A proponent of lifelong learning and student empowerment, Jacob blends a forward-thinking mindset with a deep appreciation for the role education plays in shaping future leaders. His vision is to provide a transformative learning experience at GSIS that integrates academic rigour, character development, and global citizenship. Beyond academics, Jacob champions a vibrant school community that values arts, sports, sustainability, and social impact initiatives, fostering well-rounded development for every student.

Jacob holds a B.Sc. in Business Administration from the University of Massachusetts, Lowell, and his academic journey underscores his belief in education as a cornerstone of personal and professional growth. At home, he takes immense pride in being a devoted husband and father. He lives in Ooty with his wife, Sara, and their two children, Rhea and Zackary. Rhea is pursuing law at the University of Glasgow, while Zackary is a proud student of GSIS.

Jacob’s leadership is driven by his unwavering passion for educational excellence, innovation, and preparing students to lead in an interconnected and dynamic world. His mission is to ensure GSIS continues to stand as a beacon of prestige, purpose, and progress—empowering students to make a meaningful impact wherever life takes them.

Sara Jacob

Sara Jacob joined Good Shepherd International School in 2020 as the Sr. Vice President of Student & Staff Welfare. With over 17 years of experience in various fields of law, Sara brings her legal and communication expertise to her role at GSIS.

As a member of the Senior Management Team, Sara’s primary focus is the overall welfare of the students and staff at GSIS – from their social, emotional, physical, and academic well-being to their safety, happiness, and nurturing when they are here at GSIS and beyond. Sara also brings her consulting skills to the Marketing and Admissions teams at GSIS, to put GSIS on the map as the best international school in the world.

Sara did her schooling at Sishya, in Chennai, and went on to earn her B.A. LLB. at the Dr. Ambedkar Government Law College in Chennai. She spent the last 20 years studying and working in Canada and the USA and has now returned home to India to work at the school. She is married to Jacob Thomas (President of GSIS) and they have two children – Rhea and Zackary, the latter being a current student at GSIS.
Dr. Madhav Deo Saraswat
A remarkable leader and a seasoned educator, Dr. Madhav Deo Saraswat brings with him a wealth of expertise, with over three decades of experience in teaching, academic administration, team building, and community development programs. He has served as the CEO of the Sapkal Knowledge Hub and Founder-Principal of the Orchid International School in Nashik. Additionally, Dr. Saraswat spent 16 years as a teacher and housemaster at The Doon School (1989-2005) in Dehradun, as the principal at Scindia School, Gwalior (2015-2022), and most recently, as the principal of Hyderabad Public School. Dr. Saraswat succeeds Mrs. Sheila Alexander, who has retired after 37 years of dedicated service. The appointment of Dr. Saraswat as the new principal and director is a significant milestone for GSIS.
At The Doon School, Dr. Saraswat led various curricular and extracurricular activities, initiating service projects, infrastructure development, and fostering inclusivity and compassion among students and staff. He is a proponent of ‘Leadership through Service’ and promotes a culture of excellence and meritocracy in all school activities. Dr. Saraswat holds a postgraduate degree in English, Hindi, and Sanskrit, and a doctorate in Hindi Literature.
As the principal of the school, he would be responsible for all aspects of administration and management of the school, including implementation, evaluation, and development of academic programs, various co-curricular and leadership programs, and overall development of staff and other school personnel. He would also engage extensively with the GSIS alumni across the world.
vinod-singh

Mr. Vinod Singh is a seasoned educator and leader with over 30 years of experience in schools. Mr. Singh brings with him a deep commitment to holistic education, a global perspective, and a passion for nurturing young minds.

Mr. Singh holds a Master’s degree in Computer Science and a degree in Education. He began his professional career as a software developer but soon realized that teaching children was far more fulfilling than developing code, prompting a successful transition into education—a decision that continues to shape his purpose and leadership.

Over the decades, he has held a range of impactful roles across prestigious institutions. He began as a Computer Science teacher and Housemaster at Welham Boys’ School, Dehradun, a leading fully residential school. He later served as Vice Principal at Alpine Public School, Bangalore and then as Director of Pastoral Care and Vice Principal at Indus International School, Bangalore, where he played a pivotal role in student wellbeing and academic life. His global journey took him to GMIS in Bali, Indonesia, where he led the school as Principal, and most recently, he served as Head of School at Trio World Academy, Bangalore.

Mr. Singh has a strong foundation in international curricula, especially the IB Diploma Programme, which he has also taught. He is also an active contributor to the global IB community as an IBEN Educator, currently serving as a Programme Leader and Evaluation Leader for the IB Diploma Programme. He has been invited to numerous IB schools for evaluation visits, bringing his insight and expertise to support quality international education.

A well-travelled leader, Mr. Singh believes in building globally-minded students grounded in values. His love for education is matched by his passion for sports—he has played almost every sport at the school level and is an enthusiastic supporter of Manchester United football club at English Premier League. He also follows RCB Bangalore in the Indian Premier League (IPL).

On the personal front, Mr. Singh and his wife, a dedicated PYP teacher, are proud parents of two grown-up children. Their daughter works in Tokyo, Japan with a multinational company, while their son is in his final year of Aerospace Engineering in Lyon, France.

Deepa Suresh
Deepa Suresh joined Good Shepherd International School in 1997 and currently serves as the coordinator for Middle School. She has teaching experience of 12 years and has been teaching History for ICSE (Grade X) and AICE A levels (Grade XII).
Deepa is a trained coordinator for the Cambridge Primary program of the Cambridge Assessment International Education. During her 26 years at GSIS, she has been responsible for different roles: Coordinator (Middle School), Coordinator (Primary School), and Vice-Principal (Fernhill Campus), along with overseeing the entire administration of the Fernhill Campus in addition to her academic leadership in the Primary School.
Suresh T
Suresh Thangarajan currently serves as the school’s IBDP and HSS Coordinator. He has over 26 years of teaching experience at GSIS and is responsible for the operation of the IBDP curriculum at the school. In addition to his IBDP responsibilities, he teaches IBDP Mathematics Applications and Interpretations HL to Grade 12.

Prior to the above designations, Suresh was the Coordinator for Curriculum and Professional development from 2013 to 2019 in GSIS. He also holds a range of IB certifications for AFL/ATTL/CAS/EE/TOK. He is a member of the DP Mathematics Curriculum review team and has been an honorary participant twice in meetings held in The Hague, Netherlands. He recently presented PD sessions in Incheon, South Korea and Abu Dhabi. He also presented virtually in the IB India Manthan 2021. Suresh is a certified Concept-Based Curriculum & Instruction Trainer.

Archana Singh is an experienced international educator and IB MYP pedagogical leader with over 19 years of curriculum and middle school management experience across India, Vietnam, the UAE and Bahrain. She has successfully led MYP authorization and evaluation processes, CIS and WASC accreditation, and the implementation of MYP eAssessment and data-informed practices to enhance student achievement.

She has a Postgraduate Diploma in International Education with Birmingham City University and holds a Master’s degree in History from the University of Delhi, alongside diverse qualifications and IB professional learning. Passionate about concept-based inquiry, deliberate practice, and teacher growth, Archana is committed to building inclusive, future-ready learning communities where both students and staff can thrive.

Dominic Jude Hurst
Dominic Jude Hurst joined Good Shepherd International School in 2011 and started handling English for the High School. He served as the Middle School Co-ordinator from 2013 – 2019. With the support of the Founder Principal, he initiated the DEAR reading program. Before becoming a part of the GSIS community, Dominic served different schools in Kolkata for ten years as an English teacher and in the UAE as the Activity Coordinator in the GEMS group for 8 years.
In his capacity as the Director of Activities at GSIS, he constantly explores new avenues to enhance the holistic development of students through the various co-curricular activities, state-of-the-art infrastructure, and facilities provided by the school.
Bonbon Chakravartee

An educator whose journey has been defined by purpose, care, and connection, Bonbon has spent over two decades nurturing young learners and shaping meaningful educational experiences. She finds deep inspiration in Bob Proctor’s words: “A true mentor is someone who sees more talent and ability within you than you see in yourself, and helps bring it out of you.” This belief continues to guide her approach as she leads the Primary Years Programme (PYP) at Good Shepherd International School.

Bonbon’s philosophy of education reaches beyond academic achievement. She believes its true purpose is to shape each child into a thoughtful, balanced, and confident individual — someone prepared to embrace life in all its fullness. She is deeply committed to cultivating the joy of learning, inspiring children to become imaginative storytellers, curious thinkers, and bold dreamers.

Before joining GSIS in her current role, Bonbon led the Good Shepherd Finishing School, an institution with an 18-year legacy of empowering young women through life skills, confidence-building, and leadership development. As Dean, she played a key role in guiding students to recognise their potential and step into their future with clarity and purpose.

Her professional journey spans several esteemed institutions across India, including The Assam Valley School in Tezpur, Delhi Public School in Agra, and others, where she served with distinction as a teacher and tutor. With a degree in English Literature and a postgraduate qualification in Human Resource Management, Bonbon brings a unique blend of creativity, empathy, and intentional leadership to her role.

At the heart of her work lies a quiet yet unwavering commitment to children — to see them, believe in them, and walk beside them as they grow into kind, capable, and courageous individuals.

rekha-bw

Since joining the school in 2001 as a Mathematics teacher, Ms. Rekha Jacqueline has been pivotal in the growth and progress of our institution, culminating in her role as Head of the Mathematics Department since 2019. In her new role, Ms. Jacqueline will lead the administration and development of both the CISCE and Cambridge IGCSE curricula. Her deliverables include fostering a strong foundation in the humanities, sciences, and commerce, ensuring a balanced education that incorporates co-curricular activities, and promoting analytical thinking, practical application of knowledge, and holistic development. She will implement the rigorous international standards of the Cambridge IGCSE, encouraging critical thinking and problem-solving skills. Ms. Jacqueline will oversee comprehensive curriculum planning, teacher training, and assessment processes to maintain high academic standards.