| Motto | Nec Dextrorsum Nec Sinistrorsum (Neither to the right nor to the left) |
|---|---|
| Established | 1865 |
| Type | Private School, Boarding School |
| Religion | Protestant (Church of South India) |
| Principal | Mrs. Lydia Joshua |
| Chairman and Moderator | Rt. Rev. S. VasanthKumar, Karnataka Central Diocese |
| Founders | Rev. S.T. Pettigrew, Rev. J. Gordon and Rev. R. Firth[1] |
| Location | St. Marks Road Bangalore Karnataka 560 001 India |
| Staff | 150 (approx.) |
| Gender | Girls |
| Houses | Barton, Elmes, Foley, Maiden, Millington, Waller |
| Colours | Green and Gold |
| Publication | The Cottonian |
Bishop Cotton Girls' School, also known as BCGS, is a private all-girls' school for boarders and day scholars in Bangalore, Karnataka, India. The school offers academic scholarships, which aid students from lower income backgrounds to afford tuition and boarding fees. It has been awarded the International School award by the British Council, and is regarded as one of Asia's leading academic institutions.
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Founded in 1865, it is one of the oldest established boarding schools in Asia.
The school was named after Bishop George Edward Lynch Cotton, the son of an Army Captain, who died leading his Regiment in battle. He was a scholar of Westminster School, and a graduate of Cambridge. In 1836 he was appointed Assistant Master at Rugby by Doctor Thomas Arnold, one of the founders of the British Public School System. It was the proposal of this saintly Metropolitan of Calcutta, Bishop George Edward Lynch Cotton, to create quality schools in India that resulted in the founding of Bishop Cotton’s on April 19, 1865. The institution was opened for both boys and girls in a sprawling bungalow named Westward Ho in High Grounds and went through many highs and lows till 1870. In 1871, the management acquired 14 acres of land on St. Mark’s Road and shifted the school, demarcating two different areas, one for the boys’ school and the other for the girls’ with a wall separating the two. In 1911, the management acquired Stafford House and its surrounding eight and a half acres with access to both Residency Road and St. Mark’s Road and shifted the school, giving Bishop Cotton Girls’ School an identity of its own. In 1915, money was sanctioned to construct the beautiful administration block and the now famous Quad. More buildings were constructed in the 50s and 60s including the Chapel of the Holy Family. The first Indian Principal to take charge of the grand legacy of the School was Mrs. CA (Acca) Joseph in July 1963. It is based on the ICSE format of education, and has teaching facilities from Kindergarten, 1 to 10 (ICSE) as well as 11 and 12 (ISC). The school has grown from strength to strength since then, with successive principals contributing to the improvement of infrastructure and overall academic excellence of the school. The mission to provide the best all-round education for girls continues in the new millennium.
Bishop Cotton Girls School has extracurricular activities such as sports, debates, creative writing, dramatics, declamation, verse speaking and choir. Over 140 years old, it has been visited by eminent personalities, including former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi.
It is affiliated with Bishop Cotton Boys School, which is situated nearby on St. Marks Road.
Nec Dextrorsum-Nec Sinistrosum
"Neither to the right nor to the left" the School motto reflects the spirit of the school. It is taken from a Latin translation of a phrase in the Old Testament of the Bible. The new leader Joshua is commissioned by God to be a true follower of His law, 'neither to the left nor to the right'.It repressnts the integrity and determination with which all Cottonians follow their goelas and pursue their dreams.
The crest of the School Shield is the family crest of Bishop Cotton of Calcutta. The crest is divided vertically in the centre. The right side (dexter) has the arms of the Bishop of Calcutta. The Bishop's mitreon top is green ona white background and the staff and open Bible are in the bottom half on a red background. The left side (sinister) has three skeins of cotton and a Chevcon (inverted v) on a blue background. This side represents the ancient house to which Bishop Cotton belongede. The crest thus symbolises the godliness, service and courage for which the School stands.
The Bishop Cotton school song was penned by Rev. Herbert Pakenham-Walsh, of the Brotherhood of St. Peter, Warden of the school from 1907 to 1913, later to become Bishop. The words were set to music by N.M. Saunders, Esq.. With its refrain "On, Straight, On", it follows the spirit of the School Motto, "Nec Dextrorsum Nec Sinistrorsum", Latin for "Neither to the Right Nor to the Left". The tradition of singing the school song and the Founder's Hymn in the Chapel or in assemblies held in the School Auditorium continues to this day.
The school, administered along the lines of Junior, Middle and Senior School, works through three school terms, each ending with examinations. Students of Class X appear for the Indian Certificate of Secondary Education Examination (ICSE) by the beginning of March. Students of Class XII take up the Indian School Certificate Examination (ISC). The ISC examination is an equivalent to the Pre- University examination conducted by the respective state boards of education. For further details, one can look up the Council for the Indian School Certificate Examinations (the body that conducts the ICSE and ISC examinations) using their website, www.cisce.org.
Subjects taught at the ICSE level include English, An Indian or foreign language, History, Civics and Geography, Environmental Education, Mathematics, Physics, Chemistry, Biology and a choice between Home Science, Computer Applications, Fine Arts and Physical Education. At the ISC level, the school has three main streams, the Science stream, the Commerce stream and the Arts stream. It is mandatory for both streams to take up English and Environmental Education. For the Science stream, the subjects offered are English, Environmental Education, Physics, Chemistry, Mathematics/Home Science and a choice between Economics, Biotechnology, Computer Science, Hindi, Kannada, Fine Arts, Biology and Environmental Science. For the Commerce stream, the subjects offered are Accountancy and Commerce and a choice between Business Studies, Mathematics, Economics, Computer Science, Fine Arts,Environmental Science and Physical Education. For the Arts stream the subjects offered are English, Environmental Education and History along with choices among Literature in English, Second Language, Environmental Science, Physical Education, Economics, Computer Science, Fine Art, Mathematics, Home Science, Business Studies, Political Science and Psychology.
The school offers several language options keeping in mind the cultural and linguistic diversity of Indian society. The options are: Hindi, Kannada, Tamil, Telugu, Malayalam, Bengali, Nepali, French and German.
Organized games includes the inter-school games competitions.
1. Cottonian Shield - Basketball
2. Cottonian Shield - Hockey
1. Miss F Elmes (1913 - 1934) The first Principal of the Bishop Cotton Girls' School. She expanded the building adjoining Stafford House.
2. Miss R.M. Waller (1935 - 1944) is remembered for her intellectual and administrative talents. During her tenure she served the School faithfully and set it on firm ground.
3. Miss M.E. Hardy (1945 -1952), a good sports woman and disciplinarian, came to Cottons after years of service as a missionary in Burma. The Church of South India (CSI) came into existence during this period.
4. Mrs. C.M. Gaughan (1952 - 1954) steered the School through this turbulent period with her calm, wise and courageous leadership.
5. Miss C.B. Schiff (1954 -1957) strengthened the involvement of parents and encouraged cultural activities, especially Music and Art. The building of the Art Room and the extension of the Staff Room were accomplished during her tenure.
6. Miss C.M. Millington (1958 - 1962) had been on the Staff of the school before she took over as Principal. The Raman Science Block and the Chapel of the Holy Family were constructed during this time. The Examination system changed over from the Cambridge Certificate to the Indian School Certificate Examination (ISC).
7. Mrs. Acca Joseph (1963 - 1972) took over as the first Indian Principal in 1963. Her able administration helped this School to establish itself strongly as a self sufficient unit. The Centenary Year was celebrated with great enthusiasm. Distinguished personalities like Mr. V.V. Giri and Mrs. Indira Gandhi visited the School. The School Library was inaugurated and the New Boarding Block was built. Indian Culture was intricately woven into the fabric of the education system. A strict disciplinarian herself, she demanded high standards from her Staff and Students.
8. Miss Grace Samuel (1972 - 1973) came to Cotton's after nine years in the U.S.A. A warm and gentle person, her primary concern was to help the students to achieve academic excellence. She introduced audio-visual aids and urged the teachers to improve their approach through self-evaluation and adoption of fresh methods of teaching.
9. Mrs. V.M. Chandran (1973 - 1978) a member of the Staff from 1959, took over as Principal in 1973. Her outstanding achievement was the construction of the School Auditorium, the best of its kind in the city. Although she did not stay to witness its completion, it was her enthusiasm and hard work that made it possible. The Parents' Block was inaugurated during this period. Mrs. Chandran's affection for the children and sympathetic understanding of the Staff and Parents endeared her to one and all.
10. Mrs. G. Clarke (1978 -1988) initiated the introduction of two new Houses - Elmes and Waller - to the existing Barton, Foley and Maiden Houses, as the number of Students had increased. The pale green tunics changed to dark green. In keeping with the times, Computer studies were introduced. The strength of the School went from 700 to 3000. Six additional classrooms were built and the shift system was introduced. The work on the Auditorium was completed and a new Dining Hall for the Boarders was planned. The Bishop Cotton Women's' Christian College was started in 1985, the first of its kind in the Diocese.
11. Mrs. Elizabeth Joseph M.A., B.Ed (1988 - 1999) a member of the Staff from 1971, took over as Principal in September 1988. Several structural extensions and additions were made during this period. The School Auditorium was renovated, the mezzanine floor and stage built with co-ordinating interiors and the lighting system. The Hostel side of the campus acquired a multi-purpose Dining Hall with the Staff Quarters built above it.
12. Dr. Mrs. Stella Samuel M.A., M.Ed., Ph.D (1999 - 2005 ) a member of the Staff since 1974, took over as Principal in June 1999. The Adminstrative block was renovated which is a wonderful blend of the old structure and and ultramodern interior including a board room. The new ISC block took shape under her guidance. An efficient School transport system in collaboration with BMTC was introduced. To keep pace with the progressive world, Internet, Intranet, Fax, Email have been installed.
13. Mrs. Princess Franklyn (2005-2010)
14. Mrs. Lydia Joshua (2010-present) Her distinguished career as a teacher has been recognized by the School Management of the Bishop Cotton Boys' School by awarding her the Best Teacher Award in the year 2000.
The internationally renowned Stanford University, USA, has recognized the contribution of Mrs. Lydia Joshua to the student community by awarding her a "Teacher Tribute" which reads as follows:
"Stanford University wishes to recognize Lydia Joshua for exceptional teaching. Your dedication to the field of education has contributed greatly to the future of your students, Stanford University and your community."
Signed by JOHN L HENNESSY, President and ROBIN G MAMLET, (Dean of Admission & Financial Aid). Year 2003
Alumni of the school are known as Old Girls or Old Cottonians, or OCs.
A small group of dedicated Old Girls who studied in every decade starting in the 1960s maintain a website.[2]