Sacred Heart Convent School (Jamshedpur)

Infobox Secondary school
name = Sacred Heart Convent School

motto = "Love Conquers All"
established = January 14, 1945
type = Private
affiliations = Roman Catholic
principal = Teresita Mary
founder = Reverend Mother Josephine
chaplain =
chairman =
enrolment = approx. 2300
grades = K-12
colours = Orange, green, and gold
campus = Jamshedpur
city = Jamshedpur
state = Jharkhand
country = India
campus = Jamshedpur
website = [http://www.sacredheartjsr.org www.sacredheartjsr.org]

Sacred Heart Convent School is an English-medium Catholic Education private school for girl run by Apostolic Carmelite nuns in the city of Jamshedpur. The school focuses on general all around development of its students, including moral, physical, social, scientific, and humanitarian education. It is registered under the Indian Societies Registration Act of 1860 under the title "The Apostolic Carmel Educational Society".

The school has grades from kindergarten to 12^th (Plus Two). There are two kindergarten levels, both aimed at preparing the girls for school, the first being similar to a playschool rather than emphasizing intellectual achievement.

History

Sacred Heart Convent School was founded on January 14, 1945. The school building was completed in 1951 and is still in use today, although renovated for a modern school atmosphere. The objective of the school was to provide a moral as well as physical and intellectual education to girls of all castes and creeds. Although the school is run by the Sisters of the Apostolic Carmel, it is open to young ladies of all faiths. The school is affiliated with the Council for the Indian School Certificate Examinations in New Delhi and also offers the "Plus Two" (12^th grade) Course in Arts, Science and Commerce.

The school was founded when the world was facing World War II. Jamshedpur was considered a war zone. On the January 14, 1945, Reverend Mother Josephine, then the Superior General and Mother Theodosia, Principal of Patna Women's College met Mr. J. R. D. Tata (Chairman Tata Iron and Steel Company), Sir Ardeshir Dalal (Special Director) and Sir J.J. Ghandy (Resident Director). When the Tata Company Management requested the Bishop to open Sacred Heart Convent School in Jamshedpur, prominent Catholics of Jamshedpur Mr. John D'Costa, Mr. Jerry Rebello and others supported the idea of inviting the Apostolic Carmel Sisters. Archbishop Ferdenand Perier S. J. of Calcutta gave his consent and blessed the enterprise.

The first batch of Sisters arrived on January 14, 1945 with Mother Cleopha, the leader of the mission. They were accommodated at 5 Beldih Triangle. The C. N. R. Hall was lent during the day for the school, which opened on January 22, 1945 with 70 pupils on roll. In November 1945 all the classes except the K.G. (Kindergarten) shifted to Dhatkidih High School running in the second shift from 10.30 A.M. In August 1946 the School shifted to Dalma Villa. Mother Joan, the New Superior arrived in May 1948. Under her supervision of Mr. Domingo and Mr. Agha work started on a new building for the school on land allotted by Tata.

Admissions

Students are admitted only at the beginning of the school year, which commences in mid March. In order to preserve academic standards, the following guidelines for admission are adhered to:

* For admission to any class they must pass an Entrance Test. The right age for the class will be strictly adhered to. No admission is complete beyond the kindergarten until the Transfer Certificate from the previous school is produced.
* The Principal reserves the right to refuse any application without reason.
* A month's notice or a month's fee is required prior to the withdrawal of a student.
* If a student is withdrawn for any length of time and parents wish to be re-admitted, an entrance test will be held and the registration fee will be charged again.
* A written application must be made by the Parent or Guardian for the Transfer Certificate of a student.
* A student failing twice in the same class will have to discontinue her studies at school.

Academics

Computer science is taught as a compulsory subject until grade nine, where students can choose to continue with it or to choose a different stream of subjects. The school is equipped with a modern lab for computer literacy and programming courses. The computer and basic science courses offered at the school include: GW-BASIC; Java (using the BlueJ IDE); and Logo. C++ is used as an optional course for the Plus Two students wishing to study computer science in college. The standard Chemistry, Physics and Biology courses are also offered as part of the science curriculum.

The arts and sciences offering at the school are: Mathematics (covering geometry, algebra and the calculus); English; Hindi, Sanskrit; Geography; Environmental Science; Home Economics; Political Science; Commerce; Economics; and History.

As students move from 9^th grade to 12^th grade, they are allowed more freedom in choosing their own classes; they typically opt for a science or commerce related curriculum to facilitate their entrance into college and their success there.

Many students struggle with the I.C.S.E. exams, so the National Institute of Open Schooling (N.I.O.S.) was introduced. This is a special program that allows weaker students to prepare for their examination and thus increases their chances of success. Boys and girls of Jamshedpur and other districts have registered for the Examination through this school.

tudent life

Athletics

Track sports include 100 m, 200 m, 400 m, 800 m, 4X100 m Relay and 100 m hurdles and the field events are discus throw, javelin throw, and shot put. Most of the students take part in track and field and it is one of the most popular sports at the school.

The basketball teams have represented the city and the state at the District and National Level Tournaments. Football is practiced for an hour each morning with the coach supervising all their moves. Handball is practiced at the Handball Court of JRD Tata Sports Complex adjacent to its premises for those who wish to participate. The Kho Kho team of the school is one of the pioneer teams in the town. Volleyball is one of the key athletic programs at the school. Regular practices are held in the morning, for one hour, in anticipation of the Annual Volleyball Tournament.

Karate in the Matsubayashi Shorin-ryu style is offered as one of the popular athletic programs by qualified senseis to promote skills in self-defence as well as to increase the self-esteem and physical fitness of the girls at the school.

Clubs and Music

* Jyoti Club — JYOTI stands for "Jamshedpur Youth Organization for Tomorrow's India". Membership in this club is open to students from the 9^th to the 12^th of every school in the city. The purpose of the Jyoti Unit, in keeping with Carmelite philosophy, is social service.

* Interact Club — "Interact" means "International Action" and was devised to promote Social Service. Efforts are made by its members in creating socio-ecological awareness of their surroundings, which include: annual paper drives, planting trees, organizing with the "School of Hope" (an organization that caters to mentally and physically challenged children), and participating in a two day camp.

* Eco-Commerce Club — The Eco-Commerce club's objectives are: To teach students how to plan, organize and manage events and finances, to provide students with first hand knowledge from experts in various fields related to Economics and Commerce, to make the students aware of the various career options available within the country and abroad as related to Commerce and to make the students aware of the corporate world.

* Safe Club — The Safe Club was created in order to inculcate safety rules in the students. The members of the Safe Club of the school organize regular helmet and license checking for the "Plus Two" students who use two wheelers. The club also organizes chart and collage competitions for the students of the Primary and Safety Awareness talks for the students of the high school. The members of the Safe Club have taken active part in various inter-school competitions and have also attended various interactive sessions with the D.C., S.P, Government and other administrative authorities from Tata.

* Environment Club — The Environment Club tries to instill in the students a feeling for environmental awareness and conservation. The club's motto is: "Say No To Plastic." The members of this club are provided opportunities to study the environment and understand the need to conserve nature.

* Math and Science Club — The Science Club comprises members from the 9th to the 12th. Admissions to the club are done on the basis of talent and aptitude. The science club members have an active participation in the annual science fest SPECTRA.

* Dukes — The Duke of Edinburgh's Award for young people India or more popularly known as a Dukes Club aims at the overall personality development of students throughout door activities and sports. The benchmark of the club is the various camps that the students attend under the guidance of trained instructor of the award scheme.

* Guides — Guiding is open to students after being a recruit for 3-4 months and only after passing her tests. Upon becoming a guide she has to go through 5 stages in order to complete her Rashtrapati Guide Award and achieves the certificate from the President of India. In this activity they learn about knots of various uses, first aid, woodworking signs with the help of which they can partake in hiking, cooking, and map reading. They also attend camps, meet girls from other schools, go hiking and trekking, participate in rallies, inter school competitions, rafting, parasailing, Jamborees etc. They also take part in the Republic Day and Independence Day march past, they help during the schools "Annual Prize Night", Parents Day and "Annual Sports Day".

* Student Quality Circle — A "Quality Circle" is a group of students who voluntarily meet for one hour per week to identify and resolve student-related problems to improve the quality, productivity and total performance of the school and to enrich the quality of student life. The objectives of Quality Circle are to improve one's own quality of work, to give students an opportunity to identify and solve problems, to create problem solving capabilities, to develop a greater safety awareness, and to share each others views.

* The School Band — The school band was formed in the late 1960s when Sister Veronique was the Principal of the school. In 1989, the band got its first exposure to play for functions other than those held in the school which brought recognition to the band in the town.

Competitions

There are many contests that the students at Sacred Heart Convent School may take part in. Some of these are nationwide quiz-type competitions. Among the competitions offered at the school are: the QUANTA, a contest for science, mathematics, astronomy and computer science; the Fountainhead Essay Contest; the Cadbury Bournvita Quiz Contest, and essay and short story competitions for the [http://telegraphindia.com/section/jamshedpur/index.asp "Telegraph"] , the local newspaper, are offered throughout the year and are open to anyone. In 2005, Sacred Heart won "Neuron" an inter school quiz in Biology. [ [http://www.telegraphindia.com/1050430/asp/jamshedpur/story_4679931.asp Sacred Heart tops bio-quiz, "The Telegraph" (2005) Retrieved May 2007] ]

chool uniform

Sacred Heart Convent School, like all other Indian Convent schools, requires students to wear school uniforms at all times. The uniforms colors featured are blue, white and maroon.

The blue school vest and skirt with white blouse are the central items, with an optional maroon sweater for winter wear. The white blouse has the school logo emblazoned on the left pocket.

The band uniform is made of white straight skirts and white shirts with red rims.

Principals

* Sister Cleopatra, (1945 - 1948)
* Sister Mary Joan, (1948 - 1952)
* Sister Cleopatra, (1952 - 1955)
* Sister Mary Denise, (1955 - 1958)
* Sister Mary Digna, (1958 - 1961)
* Sister Vera, (1961 - 1966)
* Sister Veronique, (1966 - 1972)
* Sister Yvette, (1972 - 1973)
* Sister Marie Anne, (1973 - 1974)
* Sister Marie Eugene, (1974 - 1978)
* Sister Veronique, (1978 - 1981)
* Sister Norilla, (1981 - 1986)
* Sister Flavian, (1986 - 1998)
* Sister Teresita Mary, (1998 - present))

Alumni association

The [http://ashajsr.org/ Association of Sacred Heart Alumni] (ASHA) was founded in 1995 by Sister Flavian. Among the activities and services provided to the community and school by ASHA are: counseling to help students to receive guidance on careers and personal problems; inviting ex-students are invited for career counseling and to share their own experiences; conducting the blood drives in aid of cancer patients; raising funds for the cancer hospital and the old age home; conducting spoken English classes are given for non-native speakers; operating a book store on the school premises; and volunteering at the Samaria Ashram (leper colony).

References

External links

* [http://sacredheartjsr.org/ Sacred Heart Convent School official website]
* [http://ashajsr.org/ Association of Sacred Heart Alumni]
* [http://www.cisce.org/ Council for the Indian School Certificate Examinations]
* [http://www.cmseducation.org/quanta/# QUANTA Quizbowl Competition]
* [http://www.theaward.org/ Duke of Edinburgh's Award]
* [http://bsgindia.org/ Bharat Scouts and Guides]
* [http://www.education.nic.in/ India Department of Education]