Past and present students of St James’ School logged in on their devices to celebrate the 156th Founders’ Day virtually on Saturday.

They could not be present at the “hallowed” St James’ Church but stood up in their homes when the school song played.

While some of them posted comments on the Facebook link, many present students were so moved they called up their teachers after the service.

Reverend Paritosh Canning, the bishop of the Calcutta diocese of the Church of North India, and the chairman of the school sent his message from St Paul’s Cathedral.

Reverend Paritosh Canning, the bishop of the Calcutta diocese of the Church of North India, and the chairman of the school sent his message from St Paul’s Cathedral Telegraph picture

“2020 is a challenging year for everybody, for faculty, principals, students as well as guardians. We are locked in our house… but from our own house we could attend our classes… I must say thank you to all the teachers and, of course, the principal, the way they have taken the burden and they have equipped themselves to be online in several platforms. And our students…,” he said.

“We managed to keep everyone happy and though they could not be with us physically, spiritually they were with us. The link was sent to people across the world and many watched it despite being in different time zones,” said Terence Ireland, principal of the school (in the school hall, where the programme was recorded).