| Hebron School | |
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| Hebron School logo
Deo Supremo
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| Location | |
| Hebron School, Lushington Hall Ootacamund, Tamil Nadu 643001, Republic of India |
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| Information | |
| Type | Private International School Christian School |
| Established | 1899 |
| Principal | Mark Noonan |
| Grades | Class Preschool - 13 |
| Number of students | 8 pre-school[1] 77 elementary school[2] 62 junior high school[3] 225 senior high school[4] |
| Campus | Rural |
| Campus size | 22 acres (89,000 m2) |
| Campus type | Boarding/day school |
| Website | www.hebronooty.org |
Hebron School is an independent international Christian school in Ootacamund, the hill station formerly known as Ooty, Tamil Nadu, India. The school functions as a residential facility operated by a Protestant/Christian trust to educate the children of Christian workers and business families living predominantly in India, but also in other parts of the world.
The school is non-denominational.
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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 benefit to 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 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 20 km 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.
The present unified school is known as "Hebron School" and is situated in 20 acres (81,000 m2) of 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 26 nationalities studying at the school.
The school is very small by Indian standards and consists of around 375 students, though it benefits from good facilities and an exceptionally high staff to student ratio. The student body represents 26 countries and many cultural and religious backgrounds. 39% of present students are Indian and 61% are other nationalities. There are around 375 students studying in Hebron, of whom 90% are boarders. Many, but not all of students are Protestants. 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, as well as children of "business parents" based in India.
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 Examinations Syndicate (UCLES) board and by Edexcel, London.
There are 15 Dorms (‘dormitories’) arranged by age and sex. All dorms are single-sex. All boys’ dorms are on the Lushington campus along with the youngest girls’ dorms (Stds. 5/6, around 9/10 years of age). The girls’ dorms (Std.7 upwards) are on the Selborne campus (about 1 km from Lushington), and commutes by school bus or on foot (older girls).
Every year students are eligible to be entered for the Associated Board of the Royal School of Music (ABRSM) grade exams. Examiners from the United Kingdom conduct the exams at the school. In November 2006 12 students received distinctions and 25 received merits, in 2007 90 students were entered for exams and in 2008 73 students again received 12 distinctions and 25 merits. Several students also received the Majolly Rolling Trophy in Singing for the most outstanding musicians in south India and the Admiral Dawson Rolling Trophy for grades 6 – 8 for the most promising musicians in south India.
Athletics (track and field), swimming, cross-country running, football (soccer), field and indoor hockey, cricket, volleyball, basketball, badminton, table tennis, tennis, squash, softball and touch rugby are all sports that facilitates the school.
The school's annual Drama Festival consists of students from classes 7,9,11,13 to participate in the art of theatre. Often, inter-school competitions within the Nilgiris are held.
These are voluntary activities that include regular bible studies, retreats and youth fellowships that help students discover the Faith.
Students are encouraged to take up leadership roles that will not only serve as a means to benefit themselves, but also to act as the role models of the school and junior students. There are 2 major student-run events during the academic year. There are also a significant amount of fund-raising activities during the year. Community service-related projects are always of top priority among the Student Council.
The Alumni Secretary is Mr. Bill Tarter.[7]
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