Welham Girls’ School, the legacy all-girls school in Dehradun, last week came alive with joy and nostalgia on its 68th Founders’ Day as faculty, students and alumnae commemorated the founding visionaries Miss Hersilia Susie Oliphant and Miss Grace Mary Linnell, who took the brave step of laying the foundation of an all-girls school way back in 1957 to shape confident and compassionate young women. A vibrant two-day programme celebrated the essence of its thriving legacy while embracing the exciting promise of tomorrow in a joyful confluence of learning, creativity, and achievement.
The festivities began with the Annual Sports Meet, which saw the school grounds coming alive with spirited displays of athletics, track events, karate, and aerobics, reflecting Welham’s deep commitment to physical fitness and holistic education. Students who had excelled in sports, including several state, national, and international medallists, were felicitated for their achievements in the concluding Prize Distribution Ceremony.
Gracing the sports meet as the Chief Guest was Sonya Philip, Founder and CEO of Learning Matters and an alumna from the Batch of 1975. She commended the school for nurturing well-rounded individuals who pursue excellence with empathy and integrity.
This edition of the Founders’ Day was special as the Class of 1975 marked their Golden Jubilee year and the Class of 2000 their Silver Jubilee year. It called for endless laughter, talks, and reliving that Welham feeling once more that continues to bind all who have lived it.
The main Founders’ Day programme had Ambassador Gaitri Issar Kumar, former High Commissioner of India to the United Kingdom, gracing the event as Chief Guest. Addressing the gathering, she said, “It is truly wonderful how the small school started by Ms. Linnell and Ms. Oliphant has now grown into such a reputed institution. Your motto, Aartt Shanti Phala Vidya, seems more relevant than ever before. It reminds us that education builds wisdom, the wisdom to use our learning for the betterment of this planet. The school’s ability to blend tradition with contemporary relevance makes it a living institution of thought and action.
Romesh Sobti, President, Board of Governors, Welham Girls’ School Society added, “Welham is, in many ways, a living laboratory for education. It is far more than a school; it is an enduring community of women. Our vision is to make the school future-ready. We are building AI fluency at all levels, helping students understand how AI technology works and the impact it creates, enabling them to engage with technology thoughtfully. We are making our curriculum truly transdisciplinary.”
Adding to the joyous reflections, Vibha Kapoor, Principal, Welham Girls’ School, said, “Today is not only a celebration of achievements but also a moment of reflection, on the journey of our girls and the true purpose of a boarding school like ours. At Welham, education goes far beyond academics; it builds character, nurtures resilience, and equips young women to thrive in a rapidly changing world. This year, we inaugurated Echoes of Eternity, our very own school museum that lovingly preserves Welham’s story and honours our founders, Ms. H. S. Oliphant and Ms. Grace Mary Linnell. Welham will continue to nurture young women who carry forward a legacy of excellence and empathy, one that would make our founders smile with pride, knowing their vision lives on.”
Among the core highlights on the first day, an insightful career counselling session on ‘Subject Choices and Career’ set the conversations rolling. The interactive session guided parents of Classes VIII and X students on aligning subject selection with individual strengths and aspirations while highlighting the comprehensive guidance offered by the school’s Careers Department.
The second day witnessed a series of creative exhibitions under the theme Neti Neti – Neither Defined, Nor Undefined. Students explored this philosophical idea of boundless inquiry through scientific experiments, mathematical models, psychological studies, historical interpretations, and art installations. The displays reflected critical thinking, interdisciplinary learning, and innovation, inviting visitors to engage with the idea of questioning definitions and embracing ambiguity.
Evenings were set aside for cultural exuberance as the school auditorium transformed into a theatre of laughter and wit with the inaugural student production of Arsenic and Old Lace. The play, brought to life by 14 talented student actors, combined humour, suspense, and farce in a delightful performance that enthralled the audience. The second day’s schedule saw a dance drama, Anhad Naad taking the audience on a mystical exploration of the eternal cosmic vibration, the ‘unstruck sound’ that transcends time and form. Through intricate choreography and evocative storytelling, students traced the seeker’s journey of awakening the seven chakras, symbolising the path to inner peace and unity.
The celebrations concluded on a reflective note, honouring the spirit of the founders and the generations who have carried their vision forward. Rooted in tradition yet attuned to the times, Welham Girls’ School continues to inspire learning that is thoughtful, purposeful, and timeless.
