Hebron School, Ooty

Infobox School
name = Hebron School


imagesize = 100
caption = Hebron School
motto = Deo Supremo
established = 1899
type = Private
grades = Class 1 - 13
president =
principal = Alastair J Reid
head of school =
dean =
staff =
students = 360
campus type = Boarding/Day School
campus size = 20 Acres
location = Ooty, Tamil Nadu
country = IND
information =
website = www.hebronooty.org

Hebron School in Udhagamandalam, the hill station formerly known as Ooty, Tamil Nadu, India, is a residential facility operated by a Protestant/Christian trust to educate the children of Christian Workers and Business families living in either Asia or Africa.

The school is non-denominational.

History

The school traces its origin to 1899, when a group of protestant missionaries who had come to the hills on vacation and were staying at Brooklands Christian Guest Home in nearby Coonoor decided it would be of enormous benefit to the well-being of their children to live year round in the temperate and clean environs of the Nilgiri hills. Due to the high altitude -- Ooty being at 2200m (7500ft) above sea level — these hills enjoy year-round cool temperatures and abundant rainfall, and their climate has often been compared to European climates. Initially the school operated as a type of boarding house where only children would stay, and either be home-educated in house or sent to one of the local schools.

The school as it is known today was created by consolidating two, or probably three such schools dating back to these British times, including the former Lushington Boys School. For several years the Senior Boys school was situated at Lushington Hall, Ooty, and the Girls school and Junior School were situated at the Silverdale campus in Coonoor, approximately 20km away. In 1974 it was decided that co-education would be more beneficial to the children, and the two schools were amalgamated into one at Lushington Hall Ooty. The senior girls however are still housed separately at Selborne. The Silverdale campus (often referred to as "Titch Heb") was sold to Christian Mission Service and is now a Children's home and Industrial Training Institute.

General Information

The present unified school is simply known as "Hebron School" and is situated in 20 acres of lush woodland around the former stately home of Lushington Hall. The Ooty botanical gardens and the school share a common entrance. It is sometimes known as "Hebron International School", as it was at least for some time recognised by the European Council of International Schools (ECIS) and because there are usually students from over 20 nationalities studying at the school. These come from a variety of ethnic and religious backgrounds.

The school is very small by Indian standards and consists of around 360 students, though it benefits from good facilities and an exceptionally high staff to student ratio. Students follow the International British school system and study for IGCSE's and eventually A and AS levels. These examinations are generally assessed by the University of Cambridge Local and International Examinations Syndicate (UCLIES) board and by Edexcel, London.

The student body represents 22 countries and a variety of cultural and religious backgrounds. 39% of present students are Indian and 61% are other nationalities.

tudents

Dr. Graham Staines's three children, including his two sons who were murdered along with him by Hindu fanatics in the jungles of Orissa, studied here.

Not all students, however, are Protestants. Also, the school is not restricted to the children of christian workers in India alone, but is open to those of christian workers worldwide, with a special emphasis on Asia and Africa.

Currently there are about 362 students studying in Hebron, of whom 90% are boarders.

Current Management

Alastair Reid currently serves as the principal of Hebron School; Nigel Hinton and Thomas George as the vice-principals.:-)

International Guest Scheme

For several years, Hebron School has been running the International Guest Scheme. This programme has taken many young people from across the world and placed them in various positions of responsibility. Usually IG's are responsible for a particular dorm and on top of this are given other subject related duties. Each term the number of IG's is variable, however due to high demand over the past few terms the school has become more selective in the people that it chooses.

The `Reid` Leadership Program

For the past few years, Hebron School has installed a Leadership Program which is a brainchild of current Principal Mr Alastair Reid. The program constitutes of leadership roles given to 12th Standard students such as being a prefect and a house captain for a period of one year. Also Hebron has a yearly leadership weekend, where students are allowed to participate in many leadership activities.

External links

* [http://www.hebronooty.org Official website]
* [http://www.alumni.hebronooty.org Alumni section]
* [http://www.hebronschool.net Unofficial website and past students photo album]