St Paul's School, Rourkela

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Saint Paul's School
Location
Rourkela Orissa
Information
School district	Sundergarh
Affiliation(s)	ICSE and ISC
Founder	Fr. Thomas Morris, SVD
Principal	Fr. K.C. Thomas
Staff	c. 80
Students	c. 2500
Classes	K.G I to class XII
Type	Private, boys, Catholic
Motto	Ut omnes unum sint That they may be one
Established	1965
Homepage	http://www.stpauls-rourkela.org

Saint Paul's School, Rourkela is an eminent institution imparting education to boys from the Pre- Primary level to the Higher Secondary level. The school is owned and conducted by the Society of the Divine Word (SVD), a religious minority institution under article 30(1) of the constitution of India. St. Paul’s is a Catholic school that admits students of all religions. The School exempts non-catholic students from participating in the exercises particular to the Catholics. The aim of St. Paul’s is an all round development - academic, physical, moral and cultural – of its students into mature and responsible citizens who will be ready to take their rightful place in society.

Contents 1 History 2 Vision 3 Academics 4 Alumni

[edit] History

It all began long ago in a small way in the year 1964. Fr. Thomas Morris, SVD, an Irish priest, who was working in a parish in the Sundergarh district, was entrusted with this new venture at Rourkela. While returning from his home visit in England, in 1963, Fr. Morris met an elderly British lady, Mrs. Ethel Brown by name, a war widow who was his co-traveller in the same ship. He took her under his charge and gave her accommodation at Rourkela. She consented to assist Fr. Morris with the running of this English Medium School. The school began with a strength of about 50, and had Stds. 4, 5 and 6 in a tin shed by the side of a small church. Fr. Morris had to go personally in his motorcar to collect the students every morning. Every year a lower and a higher class was added and in no time the school had classes from Std. I to X. Armed with funds from the Society of the Divine Word and the building plan from Britain, the construction of the first school building was started with full earnestness. Within a few years, the building took shape to accommodate students from Std. I to X. It had office rooms as well as lab facilities. Fr. Morris had dedicated and loyal friends like Mrs. Brown, Fr. Wollcot, and Mrs. Florrie Alvaraz, to help him in the beginning, to make this school well known. He had on his staff, Mr. Nair, a physical education teacher who trained the students in discipline and fitness; Rodericks and Stevens, two Canadian youth who were on a student exchange programme, to teach English to classes X and Senior Cambridge; Mr. Behera for Biology; Fr. Felix for Physics and Mr. T.S. Tripathy for Mathematics. Mr. Tripathy is a strong pillar and support to the school management to this day. There was Mr. Varghese too, a clerk in the office, who was extremely efficient in handling all official business. The first batch of STD X and the last batch of the Senior Cambridge appeared for the public exams in 1969 winning accolades. Then on, there was no looking back, so, academic laurels were achieved year after year. The strength of students increased to a great extent in the 70s. Fr. Joseph Mannamparambil, SVD became the Principal. This period was marked by growth and consolidation. A building, exclusive for STDs. XI & XII was put-up. The first batch of students for Std. XI was admitted in the year 1987 with both boys and girls. The demand for Pre-Primary education was so high, that Fr. Joe had to start the Pre-Primary sections in 1994 – 1995. The building with the auditorium on the first floor and the Pre-Primary section on the ground floor was made ready in no time. The 18 years that Fr. Joe was at the helm, gave him the onerous task of guiding and leading the school into the 21st century.From 1999 Dr. Rev. K.C. Thomas, SVD took over the operations. Dr. Rev. K.C.Thomas who has spent a good number of years in the States has a wide perspective regarding education. His rich experience helps him with farsightedness and a modern outlook. He emphasizes the need for extra curricular activities along with academics, so as to help the development of personality and character building in the students. With this need in mind, he has made the school atmosphere more homely, in the short span of two years. He has touched every aspect of the students’ growth in the school.Now its one of the largest schools in Eastern India.

[edit] Vision

St. Paul’s School endeavors to form integral and compassionate human beings who will take their rightful place in the society serving our motherland selflessly, and ushering in social change leading to establishment of a society of equality, fellowship, peace and justice. To achieve this school strives for – .Academic performance of highest standard. .Development of vibrant, self-assured and versatile young men through athletics, co-curricular and extra-curricular activities. .Individuals who are morally sound and spiritually mature through value education and prayer. .Persons who have a heart for the poor and the less privileged through exposure to realities of India.

[edit] Academics

St. Paul's has been witnessing great results since its inception. 100% pass percentage in ICSE and ISC has been synonimus with it.It can be seen from the fact that in the year 2006, 42 students out of 178 appeared in ICSE got above 90%.The lowest achieved marks in that year being 74%.This record was itself broken by the 2007 batch.Over the years it has been producing students who have been IITians,NITians,etc. The highest rank obtained by an Orissa student in IIT-JEE, of AIR-25 is an alumni of this school.It has got one of the best faculties present in Eastern India.The school is equipped with a state of the art Auditorium and a vast library for students from class VI to XII. For junior classes a mini library is present in each classroom.It also boasts of two fully equipped computer labs and good practical labs.

[edit] Alumni

Paulines ( as the students of St. Paul's) are called are present all over the world. They have tasted success and fought failures. Many of them are present in executive ranks in various MNC's.They have not only turned out to be successful people but also good citizens.