Auckland House School’s 160th year celebrations reached a landmark moment with the visit of Dr. Joseph Emmanuel, the launch of The Symposium of Ideas, and the inaugural Altiora Discourse.
Shimla, 24 June 2026: Auckland House School marked a significant milestone in its 160-year history with the visit of Dr. Joseph Emmanuel, Chief Executive and Secretary of the Council for the Indian School Certificate Examinations (CISCE), who joined the school community for The Altiora Discourse, a distinguished academic forum centered on the theme, “The Architecture of Academics in the Age of Acceleration.”
The visit of Dr. Emmanuel, one of the country’s foremost educational leaders, lent special significance to the celebrations and underlined Auckland House School’s standing as an institution deeply engaged with contemporary educational thought and practice. His presence provided an invaluable opportunity for meaningful dialogue between policymakers, school leaders, teachers, and students on the future of learning in a rapidly changing world.
The day’s proceedings also included the release of The Symposium of Ideas, an academic journal published to commemorate the school’s 160th year. Conceived as a collection of scholarly reflections and educational perspectives, the journal represents Auckland House School’s commitment to intellectual engagement and its belief that schools must actively contribute to the discourse shaping the future of education.
A highlight of the visit was a tour of Auckland House School for Boys, where Dr. Emmanuel interacted with students and faculty and gained insight into the institution’s academic culture, learning environment, and commitment to holistic education. The visit showcased the school’s efforts to combine academic excellence with character formation, innovation, and service, values that have defined Auckland House for over a century and a half.
The Altiora Discourse brought together an eminent panel comprising Dr. Joseph Emmanuel; Ms. Smaraki Samantharay, Director and Principal; Mr. Reuben T. John, Principal, Auckland House School for Boys; Ms. Pallavi Mehta, Head of the Department of English; Mrs. Parul Sood, Coordinator, Junior Section, Auckland House School for Boys; Pritha Doger, Vice Head Girl, Auckland House School and Advitiya Bragta, Captain of French House, Auckland House School for Boys representatives. Moderated by Ms. Chriselle Fernandes, the discussion explored the opportunities and challenges facing academia in an age increasingly defined by speed, technological advancement, and constant change.
Reflecting the spirit of the school’s motto, “Altiora Peto” – “I Seek Higher Things,” the discourse encouraged participants to consider how education can continue to cultivate wisdom, discernment, and human flourishing while responding to the demands of the modern world.
Mrs. Smaraki Samantaroy, Director–Principal of Auckland House School, described Dr. Joseph Emmanuel’s visit as a significant moment in the school’s 160th year, noting that The Altiora Discourse reflected the institution’s commitment to academic excellence and meaningful educational dialogue.
While Mr. Reuben T. John, Principal of Auckland House School for Boys, remarked that the visit offered students and educators a valuable opportunity to engage with contemporary educational thought, reaffirming the school’s commitment to developing responsible, reflective, and future-ready learners.
