Sacred Heart Convent School (Jamshedpur)

Sacred Heart Convent School is an English language Catholic education private school for girls 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 in use today, with renovations. Although the school is run by the Sisters of the Apostolic Carmel, it is open to girls of all faiths. The school is affiliated with the Council for the Indian School Certificate Examinations in New Delhi and 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 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 John D'Costa, 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 its roll. In November 1945 all the classes except the 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, 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 another 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 an optional course for the Plus Two students wishing to study computer science in college. The standard Chemistry, Physics and Biology courses are 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 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 — it is one of the most popular sports at the school.

The basketball teams have represented the city and the state at 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 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 by qualified senseis to promote skills in self-defence as well as to increase the self-esteem and physical fitness of the girls.

Clubs and music

• Jyoti Club, standing for 'Jamshedpur Youth Organization for Tomorrow's India' is open to students from the 9th to the 12th 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) was devised to promote social service. Members promote ecological awareness of their surroundings, by running paper drives, planting trees, organising with the 'School of Hope' (an organisation that caters to mentally and physically challenged children), and participating in a two-day camp.
• The Eco-Commerce Club teaches students how to plan and organise events and finances, to provide students with knowledge from experts in fields related to economics and commerce, to make the students aware of the career options in the country and abroad as related to commerce and to make the students aware of the corporate world.
• The Safe Club was created to inculcate safety rules in the students. The members of the club organise helmet and license checking for the Plus Two students who use two wheelers. The club organises chart and collage competitions for the students of the primary school and safety awareness talks for the students of the high school. Members of the club have taken part in inter-school competitions and have attended interactive sessions with the D.C., S.P, government and other administrative authorities from Tata.
• The Environment Club instills in the students a feeling for environmental awareness and conservation. The club's motto is "Say No To Plastic." Members study the environment and understand the need to conserve nature. The school holds an annual interschool environment fest — Equilibrium.
• The Math and Science Club comprises members from the 9th to the 12th years. The science club members participate in the annual science fest SPECTRA which includes more than 40 events. The Math and Science Club along with the Safe Club organise the inter-school event PULSE.
• The The Duke of Edinburgh's Award for young people, popularly known as a Dukes Club aims at the development of students through outdoor activities and sports. Students attend camps under the guidance of instructors of the award scheme.
• Guides – Guiding is open to students after being a recruit for 3–4 months and after passing tests. The new guide goes through five stages to complete the Rashtrapati Guide Award and achieves the certificate from the President of India. In this activity they learn about knots, first aid, woodworking, 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 take part in the Republic Day and Independence Day march past, and they help during the schools Annual Prize Night, Parents Day and Annual Sports Day.
• The Student Quality Circle is a group of students who meet for one hour per week to resolve student-related problems to improve the quality, productivity and performance of the school.
• The School Band was formed in the late 1960s when Sister Veronique was the principal. In 1989, the band got its first exposure to play for functions outside the school, which brought recognition to the band in the town.

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 biology quiz.^[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

• 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 (1972–197
• 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 (1998–2015)
• Sister Mridula (2015-present)

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 for career counselling and to share their experiences; conducting the blood drives for 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

1. ^[2]

External links

• Association of Sacred Heart Alumni
• Council for the Indian School Certificate Examinations
• QUANTA Quizbowl Competition
• Duke of Edinburgh's Award
• Bharat Scouts and Guides
• India Department of Education