Not many institutions can boast of scoring a century. St. Raphael’s Girls’ Higher Secondary School, Santhome, is on the threshold of its centenary (2012-2013). The authorities have decided to have numerous celebrations throughout the year.
To start with, the inaugural mass will be held on July 21. Retired principles, teachers and alumni will be invited for the mass and the school will felicitate them. The Centenary Sports Meet will be conducted in August. Matches will be held in volleyball, basketball, badminton, kho-kho, shuttle and chess. Children, divided into different age-groups, will be involved in the matches. Athletics will also be part of the event.
Teacher’s Day will be celebrated in a grand manner during September. The services of retired staff members will be recognised by the management. During the second week of October, students will be asked to prepare projects and an exhibition to display the same will be organised in the school premises. The school also plans to hold seminars for parents in the last week of October.
November is alumni month. The institution plans to invite as many as possible and celebrate Children’s Day in a grand manner. Grand Christmas celebrations will mark the month of December. In order to create environmental awareness, children studying in St. Raphael’s will be asked to plant trees all over the campus. The centenary souvenir will be released in July next year.
Most of the children are first generation learners and come from under-privileged families. The school thus takes extra care to prepare them for exams by holding special study time up to 8 p.m. after December. It also encourages children to participate in sports. Last year the school bagged prizes in the State level events. Young Student Movement (Classes IX to XII), RSP (Class XI), Junior Red Cross and Guides for Class VII, NSS and eco club are some of the activities of the school.
About the School
The school, recognised under the Madras Educational Rules, is a minority institution under the direction of the Franciscan Missionaries of Mary in the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Chennai-Mylapore.
The school was begun to facilitate Brahmin girls of Mylapore. From a mere strength of 10, the numbers gradually grew. It imparted education in Telugu and Tamil mediums in its early days. In 1964, English medium was started in the place of Telugu medium. From its early days of inception, about four blocks have been built in the school. St. Raphaels block was put up in 1956 and Hermin in 2000. Later on, St. Assuntha’s block was built and the recently completed one is the centenary block.
The school has not only imparted education but also strives to develop all-round personality of the children. Great personalities from myriad fields are its alumni. Actors Vadivukarasi, Nanchil Nalini, educationist Meena Muthiah, Kannadasan’s daughter, doctors and engineers, IRS and IAS officers have graduated out of the institution. All of them attribute their success in life to the moral values imparted in the school.
A number of them have come together to form the centenary committee now.
The committee feels that huge funds would be needed for decorations, painting, programme and hall arrangements, magazine release and organising cultural events for the celebrations. Those interested in contributing for the same can contact the school at 2498 5970 or mail to: raphsschool@gmail.com
