Sacred Heart Convent School (Jamshedpur)

Sacred Heart Convent School
Motto Love Conquers All
Established 22 January 1945
Type Private
Affiliations Roman Catholic
Principal Mridula
Founder Reverend Mother Josephine
Grades K-12
Location Jamshedpur, Jharkhand, India
Campus Jamshedpur
Colours Violet, crimson, green, and gold
Website shcjsr.org

Sacred Heart Convent School is an English language Catholic Education private school for girl run by Apostolic Carmelite nuns in the city of Jamshedpur, India. 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 12th (Plus Two). There are two kindergarten levels, both aimed at preparing the girls for school, the first being similar to a playschool rather than emphasising intellectual achievement.

History

Sacred Heart Convent School was founded on 14 January 1945. The school building was completed in 1951 and is still in use today, although renovated. 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 (12th 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 14 January 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, 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 14 January 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 22 January 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 am 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 at the beginning of the school year, which commences in mid March.

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 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 9th grade to 12th 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.

Many students struggle with the I.C.S.E. exams, so the National Institute of Open Schooling (NIOS) was introduced. This is a 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.

Student 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 practised for an hour each morning. Handball is practised at the Handball Court of JRD Tata Sports Complex adjacent to its premises. The school has a Kho Kho team. Volleyball is one of the athletic programs at the school, 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 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

Competitions

School contests include the nationwide quiz-type competitions, 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 Telegraph, the local newspaper, are offered throughout the year. In 2005, Sacred Heart won Neuron an inter school quiz in Biology.[1]

School uniform

The school uniform is worn at all times. The uniforms colours 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

Alumni association

The 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: counselling to help students to receive guidance on careers and personal problems; inviting ex-students are invited for career counselling 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