The Hindu : Tamil Nadu / Chennai News : Santhome School honours its alumni, retired teachers

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Sunday, Mar 12, 2006

Tamil Nadu

Tamil Nadu - Chennai

Santhome School honours its alumni, retired teachers

Staff Reporter

The occasion was the golden jubilee of the Montfortians

REACHING OUT: Union Minister of State G.K. Vasan interacts with a young student of Santhome High School on Saturday, when the 50th anniversary of Montfordian presence in the school was observed. — Photo: R. Ragu

CHENNAI: With plants swaying about in the gentle see breeze, a huge dais erected in grandeur, splendid yet subtle lighting and hundreds of students, parents, alumni and retired teachers gathered, the Santhome Higher Secondary School grounds looked all majestic on Saturday. It was the Golden Jubilee of Montfortians' presence in school.

The school came under the tutelage of Montfort Brothers in 1954. Octogenarian John of the Cross, first principal under the Montfort system, was also present at the occasion.

"See everyone as your own brothers and sisters. That is the essence of unity," said G.K.Vasan, Union Minister for State for Statistics and Programme Implementation, who inaugurated the Centenary Montfort block.

He urged parents to teach good values to their children at a very young age. "Christian minority institutions are doing great work in the field of education, public health and community service," Mr. Vasan said, adding, "I am proud about the fact that the UPA government lays emphasis on education at all levels." The budgetary outlay for education in the year 2006-07 was proof enough for the importance given to education, he said.

Rev. Lawrence Pius, Auxiliary Bishop of Madras-Mylapore blessed the new block and computer laboratory, which were inaugurated. Retired principals, teachers and alumni were honoured. Students performed a musical depicting the growth of the institution.

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