07 Dec Annual Report 2013
(Presented by the Principal at the Annual Day Celebrations held on December 6th and 7th, 2013)
Welcome to the Mount Carmel Central School Annual Report – 2013, a platform to communicate directly with all of you, our respected Guests, Rev. Fathers, Sisters, Well wishers, Benefactors, Parents, staff members and students. With delight I present this Annual Report which enumerates the labour of love, activities and achievements of the school during the academic year 2013-14. Our enrollment has an upward trend, reaching nearly a thousand two hundred students this year as more and more parents flock to this temple of learning making Mount Carmel as the first-choice for their wards.
Academic Results: I am proud to announce that even our Second batch of class X with 42 students have secured 100% results in the Board Examination, 2013 with 10 of them obtaining the most coveted 10 CGPA, the highest grade in CBSE system for Class X. Thanks to the hard work of our dedicated Staff and vibrant cooperation from our students and parents.
The Academic Journey, 2013-14 of MCCS with our Staff, began when the old and the new staff members met together for the annual institution planning on 27th May 2013. We bade farewell to Mr. Ashwin, Ms. Aruna Gowri, Ms. Ashwini and Ms. Soumya and extended a loving welcome to Mr. Avinash, Mr. Vasudeva Holla, Ms. Delma, Ms. Sonia, Ms. Mradula, Ms. Cecilia, Ms. Rajeshwari, Ms. Maria, Sr. Juliana, Ms. Tara Jyothi, Ms. Rajeshwari, Ms. Suma, Ms. Ashalatha, Ms. Shanthi and Mr. Nagesh who joined the institution this year. We wish them well in their respective responsibilities.
Our pupils of Class I to X walked into the school with new energy and enthusiasm to commence the new academic year filled with new dreams and surprises, on 1st June 2013 and were warmly welcomed at the school assembly and then initiated into the entire year’s programme by their class teachers.
Up-gradation to Senior Secondary level: 10th June 2013 was a red letter day in the history of MCCS as we inaugurated the Senior Secondary Section of our School – CBSE Class XI, with 23 students on roll, as we secured the affiliation from the CBSE, New Delhi. Rev. Fr. Andrew D’Souza, Parish Priest, St. Lawrence Church, Bondel, inaugurated the Senior Secondary Section by opening the Areca Inflorescence, Pingara, symbolizing prosperity and the growth of the Institution. Mrs. Kavitha Sanil, local Corporator wished the institution holistic growth in its passion for quality education. It was an occasion to celebrate the growth of Mount Carmel Family.
Global Dimension in Education: Most of you are aware that one of the milestones of our school was the International School Award won in 2010 by the British Council, which encourages Global dimensions in education. We had to reaccredit the same this year and our application has been accepted by the British Council and we have worked on seven different projects namely “The Perfect love of the Priceless Jewel”- My Family by Class I, Means Of Communication – Transport by Class II, Food Energies for Healthy Living by Class III, Building Bridges, Building Relationships by Class IV, The Magic of Martial Arts by Class V, Into the Hearts of International Tribes by Class VI & VII, Nature’s Bounty – natural vegetation and wild life by Class VIII – X. The students along with their teachers have undertaken a number of activities like the Grand Parents Day, Quiz, Poster/Chart making, discussions, Field trips which finally culminated in the ISA Projects Exhibition where all who visited were thrilled and wonder stuck and appreciated much the efforts and creativity of our students and staff. You will also witness the glimpses of these projects to a certain extent in today’s cultural programme. This definitely is a great help to our students to equip themselves for the global scenario.
Staff Development Programmes: Professional on-going learning of the staff is a key for quality teaching-learning at Mount Carmel as it is the core of all that we do. This has ensured the development of skills, knowledge and understanding of the curriculum and current trends in teaching and learning. The staff participated in a variety of professional learning opportunities. Before the new academic year commenced, the entire staff had a day’s session on “Classroom Management” by Mr. Ravinarayan Chakrakody, Bangalore and another day on “Innovative methods of teaching” by Fr. Rajesh, Chennai. Twenty staff members are undergoing a year-long training programme “English Encounters” by Mrs. Patsy Lobo, Teacher Foundation, Bangalore. A number of seminars organized by AICS & Karavali Sahodaya were attended by Ms. Sheryl, Ms. Jyotsna in “Life Skills”, Ms. Rajeshwari, Ms. Tara Jyothi in “Classroom Management”, Ms. Nupur, Ms. Zanet in “Soft Skills”, Ms. Vidya Rai in “Assessing Listening and Speaking Skills”. Our kindergarten staff attended a day’s workshop on “Phonetics and Sounds” arranged by the Management and on “age appropriate activities and teaching methodologies” by Madhubun Publications. Principal Sr. Melissa attended a five-day training programme on “Effective School Leadership and Management” organized by the CBSE, Sr. Juliana, Ms. Zanet participated in the Geography seminar and Sr. Melissa, Sr. Marina attended a two-day workshop on “Improving Productivity at work place” both arranged by the management. Ms. Nupur, Ms. Rajeshwari and Ms. Suma attended a Hindi workshop organized by Madhubun and Rachna Sagar publications.
Education for Growth of the Inner Spirit: Daily Morning Prayer and assembly is one of several important and good practices we have at MCCS. Each class prepares well for it with a specific theme with motivational thoughts/talks, skits, power point presentations and news. Value Education, Moral Science and Catechism classes are conducted every week. We appreciate and thank Fr. Ravi Santhosh Kamath S.J. for helping our Catholic students to participate enthusiastically in the Eucharistic Sacrifice. Counselling facility is provided to all the students on two days of the week by our school counselor, Mrs. Geraldine Fernandes. MCCS has always created an open and loving atmosphere within and around its campus, where all are respected and loved. In this era of doubt and communal disharmony, we help our students to live in love and harmony respecting one another’s faith and beliefs by celebrating the major religious festivals like Ramzaan, Diwali and Christmas with meaningful prayer services and programmes, thereby fostering unity and tolerance.
Academic Excellence and Intellectual Enhancement: True Education means training in excellence, which makes a person passionately desire to be a perfect citizen. We believe that learning takes place all the time and everywhere. The guided library period every week awakens in them a taste to value books and creates a desire to read good books, and not just depend on the internet for their assignments. Every exposure/interaction is an opportunity to learn, only if we are interested in improving and exploring. Realizing this, we provide ample opportunities to our students for outdoor learning. Students of class VI – VIII were taken to Pilikula Heritage Village and Class IX to Kudlu Farm, Vamanjoor for a field trip to have first-hand knowledge of agriculture, farming etc which they enjoyed to the full and Class X & XI to Kannur Fort and Sadhoo Merry Kingdom for a day’s relaxation and outing.
Among the celebrations marked with total student involvement and with great pomp and joy were the Environment Day, Vanamahotsava, the School Feast – the feast of our Lady of Mount Carmel, Ramzaan, Nativity of Mother Mary, Gandhi Jayanthi, Kannada Rajyotsava and Establishment Day. Independence Day was celebrated with a colourful march past by the four house teams and a cultural programme where the national flag was hoisted by Rev. Sr. Ida Barboza A.C., Joint Secretary of MCCS. The Patriotic sentiments were further enhanced with the Singing Competition on patriotic songs – solo for Juniors and group for Seniors.
Competitions and activities organized offer opportunities for students to learn the values of teamwork, individual and group responsibility and a sense of culture and community. Extracurricular activities provided a channel for reinforcing the lessons learned in the classroom in a real-world context, and are thus considered an integral part of a well-rounded education. Realizing this, opportunities were provided to students to take part in a number of activities and competitions-both intra and inter school. A Quiz competition was conducted for Juniors and Seniors by Rev Br. Hector, Principal of St. Joseph’s PU College, Bajpe, Mangalore. Essay writing, Wealth out of Waste, Vegetable Print, Salad Dressing, Vegetable Carving and Folk Dance solo competitions gave our children a platform to display their talents and abilities.
The UKG children celebrated Onam enthusiastically and it was a delight to see the little ones with flower baskets in hand, preparing the beautiful flower carpet along with their teachers at the entrance of the school. Their Green Day celebration was exciting and purposeful.
The LKG children celebrated Colour display, nature observation, Apple crushed activity and vegetable print with the help of their teachers. In a word, our Kindergarten children come to school running and go home walking.
Chris Pinto and Chinmaya H.N won 1st place in the inter school Environmental Quiz organized by Lion’s Club and CIL. Thirty-six students took part in various events of the AICS (Association of ICSE and CBSE Schools of D.K and Udupi) cultural and literary competitions held at Dr. NSAM School, Nitte, Madhava Kripa School, Christ School, Manipal and Green Park School, Hiriyadka and a some of them won prizes. Eighty-three of our students took part in MMCA – Kalotsava 2013 competitions and thirty four of them won prizes and medals, bagging the Ist runner up trophy at the lower primary level and the IInd runner trophy at the primary level. Shreya Rao U of Class III won 1st place in the inter school Fancy Dress organized by Pilikula Biological Park.
Love and respect for their teachers and mentors was highlighted by our students at a programme organized creatively by the School Cabinet on 5th September – Teachers’ Day, followed by a Get-Together and Fellowship Meal, by the Management. The entire staff had a day’s outing, fun and frolic at Vismaya Amusement Park, Kannur which refreshed and renewed them from their hectic teaching and daily family chores.
The Staff put up an excellent show of their talents and entertained the children on the occasion of Children’s day which was celebrated on 13th November.
Leadership and Career Options:
Leadership and Learning are two sides of the same coin. Leaders aren’t born, they are made; and they are made just like anything else, through hard work. We give ample opportunities to all our students to develop their leadership qualities. The Cabinet Inaugural was held in June where Ms. Nikitha Cutinho of Class XI and Master Pratheek Shetty of Class X were sworn in as Head Girl and Head Boy and took charge of their responsibilities along with the other Cabinet ministers at the presence of the Chief Guest, Mr. Neville Rodrigues who later held a half day’s orientation programme to the leaders to be authentic and genuine leaders in the school and later in life.
An Aptitude Test was conducted for class X by Dr. Rameela Shekhar and team of Roshni Nilaya. Eight students also answered the CBSE Global Aptitude Test.
Education related to Social Issues: MCCS tries to make its students humane and empathetic towards the less privileged of the Society. We feel happy that we could reach out to Mr. Rajendra Prasad’s family when he was bitten by a poisonous snake on 17th May 2013. We are overwhelmed by the generous response to our appeal for help through SMSes sent to every parent and the collection of Rs. 2,26,000/- from the staff, parents and the Management was handed over to his wife Mrs. Vanishree through D.D. The family is ever grateful for this kind gesture. We regret that he still continues in the same state of unconsciousness. Let us continue to support the family with our prayers and good will.
During the annual “Love offering” towards the poor and the needy, the collection of around 389 coconuts, 181 K.G’s of rice, 960 bars of soap, 531 packets of biscuits, 210 tooth paste tubes, stationery items and cash of Rs. 75,580/- was distributed and shared among the inmates of the Home for the Aged at Bajjodi, Mother Teresa’s Home, Falnir, Prashanth Nivas, Jeppu, Jeevadhan and Sneha Sadhan AIDS Rehabilitation centres, Kaikamba, St. Agnes Special School, Bendore and Infant Jesus Children’s home and school, Maryhill. As part of our outreach programme, we have made available our computer lab for the students of Class III – VIII of Infant Jesus Kannada Primary School where these children are happy to learn computer through our staff Ms. Prathima Mohan. During the birthdays of their wards, some of our parents share either in cash or kind or celebrate the birthdays with the inmates of Infant Jesus children’s home.
Experiential Learning through Club Activities: At MCCS, we believe that extra-curricular activities greatly enrich the school experience of our students. The students can gain skills that may develop into lifelong leisure pursuits through various Clubs like Eco Cub, Science Club, Fine Arts Club, Literary Club, Health and Wellness Club and Young Global Citizen’s. The students meet together twice a month and plan and execute various activities pertaining to their Clubs.
Regular meetings/trainings of Scouts, Guides, Cubs and Bulbuls are held for the students; a residential camp too was organized in the school for these students. Carmel Blossoms are actively involved in various activities under the guidance of Sr. Ivy Moras and they put up a beautiful and meaningful programme on the occasion of the Establishment Day, November 19th where the life and teachings of Mother Veronica was highlighted.
We also provide a vast range of additional programs to support the students’ academic, social, cultural and physical development. These include Karate, Dance, Music and Chess which are conducted by expert coaches.
Towards Sports and Games Championship: Sports and Games are a great way for students to develop skills, achieve goals, learn cooperation, and stay physically fit. Hence, we have allotted regular periods for games activities, mass P.T. exercises and Yoga classes. Besides special coaching in basket ball, football, volley ball, table tennis and chess is provided. Annual Sports Meet was held on 9th November 2013 and Mr. Praveen Nayak, Council Secretary, Mangalore City Corporation was the chief guest at the inaugural ceremony held at Mangala Stadium, and Mr. Rudolph Pinto, Vice President, Parish Council, St. Lawrence Church, Bondel was the chief guest for prize distribution at the closing ceremony. Various Athletic events were conducted house wise and “Blue Bells” emerged as team champions. The Individual championship for senior Boys was shared by Chris Pinto and Omkar Yogaraj both of Class X, Tanvi Shetty of IX among senior girls, Shahbaz Sheik of Class VIII under junior boys and Amanda Frank of Class VII and Archana of ClassVIII, both under junior girls category.
Our football team took part in the Independence Day Cup tournament held at Nehru Maidan, and AICS Football tournament held at Green Valley National School, Shiroor. Our basket ball teams of boys and girls participated in the Basket Ball Tournament held at Mangala Stadium, where the junior boys won the 2nd place. They also took part in the AICS Basket Ball tournament held at Little Rock Indian School, Udupi. Seven athletes took part in the AICS Juniors Athletic Meet held at Sharada Vidyanikethan where Hita Shetty, Class VI won 2nd palce in discuss throw. Five athletes took part in the AICS senior athletic meet held at Green Valley School, Shiroor where Sarah DSouza won 1st place in 200 mts, 400 mts and 800 mts race, winning the Individual championship for the 2nd consecutive year. At the National level Karate championship held at Moodbidri, G Monisha of Class IX won 1st place in Kata, Anish Shetty of Class VIII, 1st place in Kumite, 2nd place in Kata and Deeksha S of class VIII, 3rd place in Kumite and Kata. At the district Dasara Meet, Karunya of Class VII won 3rd place in 100 mts and 200 mts butter fly and 1st place in 4×100 mts relay.
We are proud of our athlete Sarah D’Souza of Class IX who took part in the 18th IAAF Athletic Meet at Bangalore, winning 1st place in 1000 mts and 400 mts and Individual championship; In the Karnataka State Junior Athletics championship held at Shimoga she bagged 1st place in 400 mts, 2nd place in 1000 mts and 1st place in Medley Relay. She also took part in CBSE Zonal Athletic Meet held at Davangere and won gold medal in 200 mts, silver medal in 400 mts and bagged the Individual Championship; she will be taking part in the CBSE National Athletic Meet to be held at Sunbeam English School, Varanasi from December 19th to 22nd in 200 mts and 400 mts. We hope to see this budding athlete of our school becoming an Olympic athlete in the near future. In the 1st Snovit Essel World Freeze Ice skating Championship held at Pune, Omkara Yogaraj of Class X won 2nd place in speed Ice skating, 3rd and 2nd place in 1000 mts and 1500 mts in state level roller skating competition; he also took part in CBSE zonal skating competition held at Belgaum.
This year we had the responsibility of hosting the AICS Inter School Chess Tournament “Battle of Brains – 2013” on 5th July 2013. Dr. Kurian P. Abraham, Deputy General Manager, corporation Bank, Head Office, Mangalore inaugurated the tournament by moving the chess coin. The tournament began with an unbelievable participation of more than three hundred fifty students from thirty nine ICSE and CBSE schools of Dakshina Kannada and Udupi districts. Shree Raghuram Shetty, Regional Manager, SBI, Mangalore was the Chief Guest for the Valedictory function and gave away the Team Championship and Board Prizes. It was indeed a cerebral battle over the checkered board developing mental acuity and whole-brain thinking.
Health Care for a Healthy Personality: A thorough health check up was conducted by A.J. Institute of Medical and Dental Sciences and the students who had problems were directed to the hospital for further treatment.
Dr. Rameela Shekhar of Roshni Nilaya addressed the parents of Class IX and X along with the children on problems of teenagers of today and handling them effectively.
Learning occurs most effectively within a supportive school environment. Towards this end, open House meetings are held regularly to discuss the study habits of students with the parents and to sign the achievement records.
OUR ACHIEVERS: We feel honoured that Poorvi K Rao of Class III stunned the Kuwait Kannadigas by her versatile rocking solo performances on the occasion of 29th Kannada Rajotsava celebration, a programme arranged by Kuwait Kannada Koota on November 8 at Kuwait.
Abyudaya Krishna of Class II is awarded ‘Asadharana Prathibha Prashasti” by Department of women and child welfare-Kodagu District for his outstanding performance in the field of Art. He has been performing Bharatanatyam and Yaksha Nritya in India and abroad last couple of years.
The celebration of 100 years of Cinema has made the cameras spot our student, Kushi K of Class V in the movie “Riksha Driver”, a never-before experience for her of movie cameras making her smile.
Pragathi A.P of Class X won the State Level “Sourabha Yuva Prashasthi” by Suma Sourabha Kannada Fortnightly for her outstanding performance in Saxophone. She was also honoured on Kannada Rajyotsava Day at the Town Hall, Mangalore.
Seventy-six students have taken part in E-mats All India General knowledge Test in August 2013 and we are glad that Chinmay H.N. won the All India 2nd Rank among students of Class IX.
HONOURS RECEIVED: We are happy that our staff, Mrs. Vidya Rai has successfully completed GTA (Global Teacher Accreditation) from British Council. She is the 1st teacher from Dakshina Kannada to attain this accreditation for her research work in teaching methodology.
We are proud that Ms. Mradula D’Silva, Lecturer in Chemistry has bagged the 1st rank in M.Sc. -Analytical Chemistry under Mangalore University.
We feel honoured that Sr. Melissa, the Principal of our school is one among the seven recipients of the prestigious Best Teachers Award for the continuous contribution in breaking the stereo type approach to Education by Alva’s Education Foundation, Moodbidri on September 5th 2013.
Work in progress: You are aware that MCCS is growing steadily with rapid increase in strength which has necessitated the construction of a spacious Auditorium for the multifarious school activities and classrooms to house the Kindergarten and lower primary. The construction work is in progress. We thank our Management for undertaking the responsibility for the construction of this new edifice; We also express our thanks to our parents for their contribution – big and small and we earnestly appeal to our esteemed guests, well wishers and parents to continue to join hands with us in the successful completion of this project.
Conclusion and Thanks: Friends, as we build upon our many accomplishments across our campus, we thank you for your continued support to us at Mount Carmel. Your support truly energizes us, ensures our future success, and allows us to prepare an increasing number of students for enriched lives for the society. We remain grateful to all the parents for reposing their unparalleled trust in us which propels us to march ahead with greater commitment and enthusiasm.
With God’s grace and guidance, and under the maternal care of our patroness, Mary Mother of Carmel, we hope to move forward with our priorities—innovation in our educational programmes, intellectual ambitions and globalization in education. Let us truly stand poised to enter a glorious seventh year for the School. May Almighty God bless each one of us and help us in translating our dreams, as our school motto directs – Higher and Nobler always.
Sr. M. Melissa A.C.