RicoSturdivant at 17:31, 17 April 2026

2026-04-17T17:31:33Z

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{{For|the school in Abbottabad, Pakistan|Army Burn Hall College}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=July 2020}}
{{Infobox school
| name = Burn Hall School
| image = Burn Hall School, Srinagar - Logo.jpg
| image_size = 180px
| motto = {{langx|la|Industria Floremus}} “In Toil We Flourish”
| city = [[Srinagar]] [[Jammu and Kashmir (union territory)|Jammu and Kashmir]] India
| coordinates = {{coord|34.074195|N|74.832928|E|region:IN|display=inline,title}}
| type = Missionary
| established = {{start date and age|1956|4|17}} (originally in {{start date and age|1942}})
| founder = Father J. Boerkamp ([[Saint Joseph's Missionary Society of Mill Hill]], London)
| sister_school = [[Army Burn Hall College]] in [[Abbottabad]], [[Pakistan]]
| principal = Rev. Fr. Stalin Raja
| classes_offered = L.K.G to 12th
| houses = Shakespeare {{color box| red}} Wordsworth {{ color box | blue}} Keats {{color box | yellow}} Milton {{color box| green}}
| nickname = "Hallions"
| publication = Burn Hall Flame
| yearbook = Burn Hall Blaze
| address = Gupkar Road, Sonwar
| language = English
| campus = [[urban area|Urban]]
| colors = Navy blue {{color box| blue}}
| affiliation = [[JKBOSE]]
| website = {{URL|http://www.burnhallschool.ac.in}}
}}

'''Burn Hall School''' is an all boys missionary school in [[Srinagar]], [[Jammu and Kashmir (union territory)|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, and it's Platinum Jubilee on 17 April 2026.<ref>{{Cite news|date=2016-05-06|title=Burn Hall School celebrates diamond jubilee|url=https://www.greaterkashmir.com/news/sports/burn-hall-school-celebrates-diamond-jubilee/|access-date=2020-07-26|website=Greater Kashmir|language=en-US}}</ref>

==History==

The Mill Hill Missionaries (MHM) first settled in the Kashmir area in 1884 to provide pastoral care to Catholic soldiers and began establishing a formal mission, including the construction of oldest Catholic Church in Jammu and Kashmir at Baramulla in 1891. On 6th July, 1887, [[Pope Leo XIII]] erected the Apostolic Prefecture of [[Kashmir]] and [[Kafirstan]], whose territories extended from Kashmir to [[Kabul]], and entrusted it to the Mill Hill Missionaries.<ref>{{Cite web |last= |date=2025-04-29 |title=The Missionaries and Kashmir’s Struggle for Peace - Mill Hill Missionaries |url=https://millhillmissionaries.com/the-missionaries-and-kashmirs-struggle-for-peace/ |access-date=2026-04-13 |language=en-GB}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=The Roman Catholic Mission in Ladakh, 1888-1898 |url=https://ladakhstudies.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/rrol6_03_bray.pdf}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=tabernacle consecrated in jammukashmirs northernmost mountain range |url=https://www.ucanews.com/story-archive/?post_name=/1995/09/04/tabernacle-consecrated-in-jammukashmirs-northernmost-mountain-range&post_id=47904 |access-date=2026-04-13 |website=ucanews.com |language=en}} </ref> It were eventually the Mill Hill missionaries Fr. Thijssen and Fr. Jong who started this boys' school in Srinagar in 1942. "The Willows" building which housed the first Burn Hall School is now the Teachers' Training College.<ref>{{Cite journal|last=Qazi|first=Khursheed Ahmad|date=2016|title=Christian Missionaries & English Education in J & K State: an Overview|url=https://www.rjelal.com/4.3.16c/793-804%20Dr.%20KHURSHEED%20AHMAD%20QAZI.pdf|url-status=dead|journal=Research Journal of English Language and Literature|volume=4|issue=3|pages=793–804|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200718074603/https://www.rjelal.com/4.3.16c/793-804%20Dr.%20KHURSHEED%20AHMAD%20QAZI.pdf|archive-date=July 18, 2020|access-date=July 25, 2020|via=rjelal.com}}</ref>

The [[Srinagar]] branch closed down temporarily following the Pakistani invasion that occurred during the [[Indo-Pakistani War of 1947–1948]], and it was restarted on 17 April 1976 with its first principal, Father J. Boerkamp.<ref>{{Cite web|title=History – Burn Hall School|url=http://burnhallschool.ac.in/about-us/history/|access-date=2020-07-28|language=en-US}}</ref>

In reconstruction of the school premises, after a fire gutted down the building on March 27, 1976, [[Misereor]] and [[Dutch Lenten Campaign Foundation]] (Formerly Cebemo) had majorly helped with aid for new operations.

==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.<ref name=":1">{{Cite web|date=2013-03-22|title=Burn Hall School, Srinagar|url=https://www.educationworld.in/burn-hall-school-srinagar/|access-date=2020-07-28|website=EducationWorld|language=en-US}}</ref>

== Social status ==

According to [[Greater Kashmir]], in 2015 District Development Commissioner Farooq Ahmed Shah praised Burn Hall for "spreading quality education".<ref>{{Cite web|date=2015-03-14|title=DDC inaugurates Burn Hall Bal Mela|url=https://www.greaterkashmir.com/news/srinagar/ddc-inaugurates-burn-hall-bal-mela/|access-date=2020-07-28|website=Greater Kashmir|language=en-US}}</ref> ''Kashmir Observer'' said it is "a prestigious institution in the city, with one of the oldest schooling traditions".<ref>{{Cite web|date=2018-06-20|title=Children of Conflict: How is Uncertainty Shaping Children's Behaviour in Kashmir|url=https://kashmirobserver.net/2018/06/20/children-of-conflict-how-is-uncertainty-shaping-childrens-behaviour-in-kashmir/|access-date=2020-07-28|website=Kashmir Observer|language=en-US}}</ref>

== 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.<ref name=":1" /> It follows the directions from the Directorate of School Education, Srinagar.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Affiliation – Burn Hall School|url=http://burnhallschool.ac.in/about-us/affiliation/|access-date=2020-07-28|language=en-US}}</ref>

== Public empowerment liability ==

The school's lease agreement on government land requires the school to hold places to admit students [[Below Poverty Line|from the low economic sector of society]].<ref>{{Cite web|date=2016-12-21|title=BPL Student's Admission In Missionary Schools|url=https://www.greaterkashmir.com/news/kashmir/bpl-students-admission-in-missionary-schools/|access-date=2020-07-28|website=Greater Kashmir|language=en-US}}</ref>

== Curriculum ==
Burn Hall School follows curriculum of the JKBOSE,<ref name=":1" /> 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.<ref name=":1" />

==The BHS Students' Council==

In 2022, the school, 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 and later 41.

The school appointed the 4th Students' Council in the academic session of 2025.
<ref>{{Cite web |title=Burn Hall Senior Secondary School - Srinagar, Kashmir |url=https://burnhallschool.ac.in/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250715225742/https://burnhallschool.ac.in/ |archive-date=2025-07-15 |access-date=2025-09-05 |website=Burn Hall School}}</ref>

==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.
* [[MC Kash]], rap/hip hop artist
* [[Autar Kaw]], academic
* [[Ahmer Khan]], independent journalist
* [[Amjad Khan (American cricketer)|Amjad Khan]], cricketer
* [[Kunal Khemu]], bollywood actor
* [[Sajjad Gani Lone]], politician, MLA Handwara JKLA.<ref name="jkla.neva.gov.in">{{Cite web |title=Welcome to Jammu and Kashmir Vidhan Sabha Legislative session and proceedings |url=https://jkla.neva.gov.in/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250504181932/https://jkla.neva.gov.in/ |archive-date=2025-05-04 |website=Jammu & Kashmir Legislative Assembly}}</ref>
* [[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<ref name="jkla.neva.gov.in"/>
* [[Sanjay Suri]], bollywood actor



==Former principals==
* 1956{{ndash}}1962: Fr. Boerkamp [[Saint Joseph's Missionary Society of Mill Hill|MHM]]
* 1963{{ndash}}1964: Fr. Kuipers [[Saint Joseph's Missionary Society of Mill Hill|MHM]]
* 1964{{ndash}}1967: Fr. J. Mc Mohan [[Saint Joseph's Missionary Society of Mill Hill|MHM]]
* 1968{{ndash}}1977: Fr. J. Jones [[Saint Joseph's Missionary Society of Mill Hill|MHM]]
* 1977{{ndash}}1983: Fr. J.C. Hugh [[Order of Friars Minor Capuchin|OFM Cap.]]
* 1984{{ndash}}1989: Fr. Dominic [[Order of Friars Minor Capuchin|OFM Cap.]]
* 1990{{ndash}}1992: Br. V. J. Mani [[Brothers of Christian Instruction of St. Gabriel|SG]]
* 1992{{ndash}}1993: Br. Raju John [[Brothers of Christian Instruction of St. Gabriel|SG]]
* 1993{{ndash}}1997: Br. Jacob [[Brothers of Christian Instruction of St. Gabriel|SG]]
* 1997{{ndash}}2001: Br. George [[Brothers of Christian Instruction of St. Gabriel|SG]]
* 2001{{ndash}}2007: Fr. Maria John
* 2007{{ndash}}2012: Fr. Raphael Jey Kumar
* 2012{{ndash}}2014: Fr. [[Ivan Pereira]]
* 2015{{ndash}}3 Nov 2021: Fr. Sebastian Nagathunkal
* 3 Nov 2021{{ndash}}present: Fr. Stalin Raja

== See also ==
* [[List of schools in India]]
* [[List of Christian schools in India|List of Christian Schools in India]]

==References==
{{Reflist}}

[[Category:Schools in Jammu and Kashmir]]
[[Category:Schools in Srinagar]]
[[Category:1942 establishments in India]]
[[Category:Private schools in Jammu and Kashmir]]
[[Category:Catholic schools in India]]
[[Category:Christian schools in India]]
[[Category:Christian schools in Jammu and Kashmir]]
[[Category:Educational institutions established in 1942]]

Burn Hall School - Revision history

RicoSturdivant at 17:31, 17 April 2026