# Burn Hall School

Burn Hall School is an all boys missionary school in Srinagar, Jammu and Kashmir, India. Its motto is "Industria Floremus - In Toil We Flourish". It is one of the oldest schools in the valley. The school celebrated its Diamond Jubilee in 2016.

## History

Mill Hill missionaries Fr. Thijssen and Fr. Jong started a boys' school in Srinagar in 1942. "The Willows" building which housed the first Burn Hall School is now the Teachers' Training College.
The Srinagar branch closed down temporarily following the tribal invasion that occurred during the Indo-Pakistani War of 1947–1948, and it was restarted on 17 April 1956 with its first principal, Father J. Boerkamp.

## Location

Burn Hall School is located in Sonwar, Srinagar. It is neighboured by Ziarat Sharief of Syed Yaqoob Sahib, and Sher-i-Kashmir Stadium.

## Administration

Burn Hall School is managed by the Roman Catholic Diocese of Jammu–Srinagar. It is directed by the Education Society of the Jammu-Srinagar Diocese. The school serves children from age 3 years through secondary school.

## Social status

According to Greater Kashmir, in 2015 District Development Commissioner Farooq Ahmed Shah praised Burn Hall for "spreading quality education". Kashmir Observer said it is "a prestigious institution in the city, with one of the oldest schooling traditions". Yet Greater Kashmir also reported, in an article about matriculation exam results, "While the old famed brands like Tyndale Biscoe School, Presentation Convent Higher Secondary School and Burn Hall may still be first choice for schooling in this summer capital, other private schools including new ones seem to be emerging more meritorious, at least on the academic front."
In 2017, former Education Minister Altaf Bukhari congratulated the then Principal, Rev. Fr. Sebastian Nagathunkal, for inaugurating a debate program the Annual Fr. J. Boerkamp Inter-School English Debate at the school.

## Affiliations

Registered as a charitable society, it is affiliated with Jammu and Kashmir State Board of School Education (JKBOSE) and recognized by the Education Department of the Government of Jammu and Kashmir. It follows the directions from the Directorate of School Education, Srinagar.

## Public empowerment liability

The school's lease agreement on government land requires the school to hold places to admit students from the low economic sector of society.

## Curriculum

Burn Hall School follows curriculum of the JKBOSE, and as an English medium school, it places special emphasis on usage of English language in student-teacher and student-student interaction. Extra-curricular cultural and literary activities, as well as environment and science activities, provide experiential learning opportunities.

## The BHS Students' Council

In 2022, the school, under the leadership of the Principal, Rev. Fr. Stalin Raja & the then Vice-Principal, Rev. Sr. Maria Suzzette AC, appointed the 1st Students' Council, headed by the Head Boy & his Deputy.
In 2023, the 2nd Students' Council was appointed.
Subsequently, the 3rd Students' Council was appointed on 9 May 2024. In an effort to encourage students' leadership qualities, the school increased the council's total capacity from 15 to 37.
The school is expected to appoint the 4th Students' Council in the next academic session in 2025.

## The BHS Editorial Board

The school operates a 'Student run" editorial team for the management and publishing of its Yearbook "The Burn Hall Blaze" and the monthly newsletter "The Burn Hall Flame."

## Notable alumni

* Omar Abdullah - Politician, former Chief minister J&K State, Vice-President Jammu & Kashmir National Conference, 1st Chief Minister of the Union Territory of Jammu & Kashmir.
* Agha Shahid Ali - English poet
* Rohit Bal - Fashion designer
* Haseeb Drabu - Economist, politician
* Zain Khan Durrani - Bollywood actor
* Mirwaiz Umar Farooq - Politician, Chief Islamic Cleric of Kashmir.
* Shahid Kamal - Diplomat
* MC Kash - Rap / Hip hop artist
* Autar Kaw - Academic
* Ahmer Khan - Independent journalist
* Amjad Khan - Cricketer
* Kunal Khemu - Bollywood actor
* Sajjad Gani Lone - Politician, MLA Handwara JKLA.
* Amitabh Mattoo - Educationist, policymaker
* Junaid Azim Mattu - Politician, Former Mayor Srinagar Municipal Corporation.
* Shafat Qazi - IT entrepreneur
* Tanvir Sadiq - Politician, Chief Spokesperson Jammu & Kashmir National Conference, MLA Zadibal JKLA
* Sanjay Suri - Bollywood actor

## Former principals

* 1956–1962: Fr. Boerkamp MHM
* 1963–1964: Fr. Kuipers MHM
* 1964–1967: Fr. J. Mc Mohan MHM
* 1968–1977: Fr. J. Jones MHM
* 1977–1983: Fr. J.C. Hugh OFM Cap.
* 1984–1989: Fr. Dominic OFM Cap.
* 1990–1992: Br. V. J. Mani SG
* 1992–1993: Br. Raju John SG
* 1993–1997: Br. Jacob SG
* 1997–2001: Br. George SG
* 2001–2007: Fr. Maria John
* 2007–2012: Fr. Raphael Jey Kumar
* 2012–2014: Fr. Ivan Pereira
* 2015–3 Nov 2021: Fr. Sebastian Nagathunkal
* 3 Nov 2021–present: Fr. Stalin Raja