SIGNIFICANT EVENTS

THE MOST SIGNIFICANT EVENTS THAT HAPPENED DURING THE SPAN OF 10 YEARS

The school was adjudged as ‘The Best School’ for scoring the maximum points in the State Youth Festival held at Thodupuzha during January 2001 by the Director Public Instruction, Trivandrum.

The Deputy Director of Education highly appreciated the performance of our seven S.S.L.C. state rank holders of March 2004 and our school got a special trophy for the best results in the State.

In the Guru Sishya Scholarship Examination held during the year 2002-03, our school was awarded a trophy for the best academic performance. The Council appreciated the individual performance of our students, the areas given specific recognition was given including language skills, arithmetic reasoning, general awareness, scholastic attainment and mental abilities.

Our Higher Secondary section was awarded the Joshi Joseph Memorial Trophy for our excellent performance in academics. The trophy was awarded to the school by Sri Abdul Samad Samadhani, M.P during the inaugural function of the Plus Two District Youth Festival held at Payyoli on January 6^th ,2004.

The ‘Best School’ trophy was presented on 11^th November 2003 to our school by the District Collector, Sri. T.O. Sooraj. The trophy was instituted by the Bharat Sevak Samaj  for the best school in the Calicut District.

A new house worth Rs.2,50,000/- was constructed for Mrs. Stella(a widow) and her three daughters Elsa, Melsa and Princy who are former students of St.Joseph’s. The amount was collected through the ‘Fancy Fete’ and raffles during the past three years. The house was blessed by Fr. Pallivathukkal S.J. the parish priest of Christ King Church Malaparamba and named ‘VERONA’ after Mother Veronica’s name. Sr.Geralda and sisters of St.Joseph’s community, the staff, students and P.T.A. executive members, a few sisters from the Provincial house and Carmel Hill were also present at the function.

The Silver Jubilee re-union of the batch of 1978 was a very special event of the year. It was on May 10^th 2003. The day was well organized under the leadership and meticulous careful planning of Ms. Kochubharathi who belonged to the batch of 1978. The batchmates gathered from different parts of the world to celebrate their silver jubilee. It was a memorable re-union for each one of them. Ms. Lida Jacob IAS, an ex-student of our school was the chief guest of the day. They honoured their teachers with a memento each, while appreciating all that  has done for them. They also presented a memento and Rs. 25000/- to the school. They spent the whole day in the school along with their teachers recalling their school days. They shared lunch, conducted games and distributed prizes. Sr. Sheila Paul and Sr. Rene, the former   Headmistresses were also present at the function.

On 21^st August 2004, the Director and staff of the Department of Higher Secondary Education organized a function in our school auditorium to honour the top three rank holders of the State in the Higher Secondary School Examination 2004. Sri. Nalakath Soopy, honourable Minister for Education presented gold medals to the 18 students who won the first three ranks in the five streams. Our school was given a trophy for the excellent results in the examination 2004 and other activities. Sri. James Joseph, Director for Higher Secondary Education, Sri N. Murukan, the Joint Director, Sr. M. Jovita, the Principal, Sri A Sujanapal M L A, and Sri T P M Zahir M L A felicitated the rank holders.

Career Guidance and counselling unit was set up in our school specially for our Higher Secondary girls. Two of the H.S.S teachers, Ms. Annie Joseph and Ms. P. Priya lead the unit. Sri Isaac Eapen HRA trainer and field publicity officer was invited to speak to our Plus Two students and their parents. Sr. Anila provides counselling to our needy children.

In November 2004 our school won the overall championship in table tennis and badminton at the Kerala State Mini Games held at Ernakulam.

The deserving students of the school are given assistance every year by way of fees concession, uniform and books. The mite box collection from every class is used for the poor children of the school and the neighbourhood. The children are often taken to visit the homes for the aged and spend time with the inmates.

The school helps the deserving schools of the Province too. Rs. 50000/- was given to put up a school block for the Mother Veronica special school for the mentally challenged at Nilambur and another Rs. 1,00,000/-  to Xaviers, L.P. School,Kolayad.

We have helped our non-teaching staff and also needy parishioners, in times of illness, marriage etc. by giving interest free loans which they return in installments.

SARVA SHIKSHA ABIYAN (S.S.A): All our teachers of L.P, U.P, H.S and H.S.S. implement the SSA system in our classrooms where the children are the centre of teaching and learning. The grading system and subject of Information Technology were introduced for the S S L C Examination for the first time in 2005. The examination under the new scheme was held in 13 subjects including the newly introduced Information Technology (I T).It is a revolutionary change in the school syllabus of the Kerala Government in the area of learning. Our teachers are trained to handle the subject and the computer teachers help the High School and Higher Secondary students in their practical work in the Computer Laboratories. We have 3 well equipped labs with computers one for the L.P and U.P, another one for the High School and the third one for the  Higher Secondary.

The S S L C results of 2005 changed the traditional mark system into grading. In the very first year of introducing the grading system all our students were eligible for higher studies. When the result was published St. Joseph’s was the only school among the aided /government schools of Calicut District to secure cent percent pass. 48 students secured ‘A+ and A’ grade in all the subjects.

Over the years, the S .S.L.C Examination results from 2006 to 2008 have improved tremendously by leaps and bounds. In 2006, 64 students secured A+ and A in all subjects in 2007, 75 students achieved A+ and A in all the subjects and this year 2008, 77 students gained A+ and A in all the subjects.

The Plus Two results after the implementation of grading system were remarkable too. The performance of the students in academic achievements in 2007 and 2008 far exceeded our expectations. In 2007, 52 students got A+ and A in all the subjects and in 2008, 65 students successfully secured A+ and A in all the subjects.

Recognizing the services rendered by the ninety auto drivers of our city due honour was bestowed on them during the Onam celebrations in 2004 in our school auditorium by distributing Onam kits.

On November 4^th 2005, the inauguration of the First Death Centenary Celebrations (1906-2006) of Mother Veronica of the Passion, the foundress of the Apostolic Carmel was organized with grandeur by the Apostolic Carmel Congregation under the eminent leadership of the Superior General Sr. M. Vincent A.C and the Provincial Superior of the Southern Province Sr. M Annunciata A. C. Our school took pride in hosting this prestigious and august international event.

Sri. M. Bhaskaran, worshipful Mayor  was the chief guest for the School Day Celebrations on 8^th February 2006, and the highlight of the evening was a ‘Nritha Shilpam’ – a journey through the life of our beloved foundress Mother Veronica coupled with a befitting farewell to our five stalwarts- Sr. Catherine Antony A C, Sr. Rose Thomas A C, Mrs Mary K U, Mrs. Godfrey Milly Cecilia, Mrs Cicily C A among our staff who retired that year.

In July 2006, a seminar on water literacy was organized by C.W.R.D.M and the Education Department and a power point presentation by Dr.Ali Faizal on the functioning of a human heart and its related problems clearly showcased the relationship between the head and the heart.

On August 1st 2006 a pledge was undertaken to curb the menace of plastic. 18^th August  2006 brought visitors from the special school, students of Karuna Speech and Hearing School. Their presents enkindled empathy and integrity in us. In October 2006 a dance drama using ventriloquism was staged to spread Jesus’ message ‘to hate sin not sinners’ in this modern world of globalization The Tsunami of December 2004 send shock waves and we woke up to the reality that we must be equipped to manage disasters. To prepare oneself to face natural calamities the U.E.V.R.P (Urban Earthquake Vulnerability Reduction Programme) conducted classes on  12^th October 2006, to gear us up to any eventuality.

To commemorate Mother Veronica’s death centenary on 16^th November 2006 the Social Service Committee members visited the Mentally Challenged at the Special School in Karaparamba to share our bounty with the marginalized in society. The heart-rendering experience moved us to count our blessings.

‘Ente Nanma’ an Adoloscent Education programme arranged by the Kerala State Aids Control Society on 22^nd November 2006 dealt with teenage problems.

Our Provincial Superior Sr. Annunciata was honoured during her visit to our school on the 30^th of November 2006. ‘To be grateful to God for His Grace and Mercy’ was the theme of her address on the occasion.

During the School Day Celebrations on 9^th February 2007 we extended a befitting farewell to the four retiring teachers- Mrs Sheila P N, Mrs Fernandez Joan Averil Ann, Mrs Lucy K J and Miss Jacintha Fernandez. The Commissioner of Police Sri Balram Kumar Upadhyay I.P.S was the Chief Guest. The golden jubilee celebration of Kerala Piravi culminated in the Deeptha Smrithi, a few glimpses into the cultural heritage of Kerala.

On 17^th February 2007 a memorable programme, titled ‘Rainbow 2007’ was organized to generate fund for construction of a house – Sophie Dale – for one of our deserving students.

On June 29^th 2007, our student prodigy  Aparna Ramachandran was presented a momento by the Bishop Rt. Rev. Dr. Joseph Kalathiparambil for having achieved a rare feat by securing 100% marks in the Higher Secondary Examinations.

A window to the world was opened when our School Website was inaugurated by Sr. Theresina A C the Corporate Manager.

Website: www. Stjosephsangloindianschool.org

Sri. M P Veerendra Kumar (Member of Parliament) was our Chief Guest on February 1^st 2008 for the School Day Celebrations and Farewell to the Retiring Teachers – Sr. M. Sujitha A C, Mrs. Lily Paul C P, Ms. Mavis Catherine Isaac and Mrs. Anita Ozario. These veterans were honoured and entertained by a musical extravaganza - My Fair Lady.

The students of our school have left their stamp on all walks of life. They pursue careers in Government service, Education, Hotel Industry, Railways, Life Insurance Sector and so on. Those who have passed out from the portals of our school have looked at life as a blessing and they attribute their success and gains to the good things they learned from school. Whatever their wealth, they have felt, they are still indebted to the institution.

True to its Motto –‘Thro Duty To Glory’ this institution flourished as a beacon of light and a symbol of true education with Mother Superior Rev. Sr. Rosaire A C and Principal Rev. Sr. M Jovita A C at the helm of affairs. The school has a strength of 1657 students with 51 teaching staff members and 10 non teaching staff members supported by an efficient P T A headed by Mrs. Bindu Amat. We bid farewell to Sr. Nidhi A C and Tr. Shila Saramma Oommen on 3^rd February 2009. On this day, Carmel Chimes a musical album was released. A documentary detailing the history of the school from its inxeption was made. Wormi composting system, rain water harvesting, and bio- gas plant were set up. On 26^th March 2010 a dwelling place named ‘Leeves’ was gifted to a needy student. Sr. M. Jovita A C and Tr. Valerine Fernendez were given a splendid send – off and a magazine Viaggio Successo was released to commemorate this event.