St. Thomas' Church School, Howrah
St. Thomas' Church School, Howrah | |
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St. Thomas' Church School in 2010. We Press towards the mark | |
Address | |
3, Church Road Howrah, West Bengal India | |
Information | |
Established | 1860 |
Founder | Rev. Dr. William Spencer |
Principal | Philip Christopher Daniels |
Classes offered | Lower Nursery to Class XII |
Language | English |
Hours in school day | 5 and a half hours |
Houses | Higgs(Gold), Spencer(Blue), Leason(Red), Read(Green) |
Song | With Ganges Gently Flowing |
Athletics | Soccer, Cricket, Basketball and Annual Athletics Meet, including events such as March-past, races & long jump among others |
Communities served | Nature Club, Debate Club, Photography Club & Sports Clubs among others. |
Affiliation | Council for the Indian School Certificate Examinations, New Delhi |
Website | http://www.stcsh1860.org |
St. Thomas' Church School, Howrah, founded between 1860 and 1865, by Rev. Dr. William Spencer, Chaplain of St. Thomas' Church, for education of Anglo-Indian children of Howrah, is one of the largest and most famous schools in Howrah, India. The school admits children of all sections of society irrespective of caste, creed or religion. Currently occupying the offices are -
Principal - Mr. Philip Christopher Daniels
Vice principal - Mr. Andrew Gupta
Junior head - Mrs.T Bose
The affairs of the school are controlled by a Board of Governors, as determined by the Constitution of St. Thomas' Church School. The Bishop of Calcutta is the Chairman of the Board of Governors.
His Grace, the Bishop of Calcutta is the chairman of the board of governors.
St. Thomas' Church which was constructed in 1830 owes its establishment mainly to the exertions of Rev. Professor Holmes of the English East India Company. H was also the Principle of Bishop's College and wished to provide a place of worship for the local populace. The Church spread over 5 bighas of land,was completed in 1830. Prior to that, it was known simply as the Howrah Church.
Today, after 180 years as we move towards further milestones in the propagation of the christian faith and the history of St. Thomas' Church, we go forward with gratitude and gratefulness to God for having instilled us with the Holy Spirit, always remembering that 'All things come from Him and of His own do we give unto Him...
A brief History of the Church
St. Thomas’ Church, Howrah is without a doubt beautiful and pretty. A handsome marble font has been presented to commemorate John Stalkart of Ghoosery who was a member of the Church for over sixty years and was remembered by his friends. The beautiful stained glass windows forming a backdrop to the altar, depict the tragic grandeur of Christ's crucifixion and have survived the test of time.
The Pastorate Committee of this Church also looks after Sadhu Sunder Singh Girja, St Lukes’ Church, Boikhali,PrabhuJishuGirja (Medinipur, GeonKhali) and Christ Church Liluah. These three Churches are in the Hooghly & Howrah district and come under the Calcutta Diocese. The Church being situated in the center of St Thomas’ Church School, flanked by the senior and junior school buildings on either side, is actively used by students and teachers alike. During weekdays the school conducts it morning assemblies here. Special commemorative functions of the school, including Patronal Day, Teachers Day and Prefects Investiture ceremony are held in the hallowed precincts of this place of divine worship.
Campus
The campus covers an area of 6 Bighas or 18 Kathas. It comprises two main buildings (for Junior Section, classes lower nursery to five & Senior Section, classes six to twelve), an auditorium, a basketball court, two open playgrounds & a children's park exclusive to the students of the junior divisions. The building comprises classrooms, a library, laboratories for Physics, Chemistry, Biology & Computing and staffrooms. Both the principal's and vice-principal's office happens to be near the senior school buildings. There are two main entrances into the school, both of which are operated to ensure easiness for the students.
School Terms & Holidays
The school year consists of two-terms. The first term extends from mid-April to mid-September and the second term from October to March. In these terms are three vacations - Summer, Durga-Puja and Winter (Christmas).
Subjects Taught
After the eighth standard, there is a division in study stream with the choices being Commerce and Science. After tenth standard there is a division into Science and the choices are Biology or Computer. There is also a division in Commerce and the choices are Mathematics or Business studies.
The subjects taught in the school are -
ICSE - Class X
- Science - English Language, English Literature, Bengali, Hindi, History, Geography, Mathematics, Physics, Chemistry, Biology, Computer Application, Drawing & painting (till class 8) and Socially Useful Productive Work & Community Service (SUPW).
- Commerce - English Language, English Literature, Bengali, Hindi, History, Geography, Mathematics, Accounts, Commerce, Office Practice, Economics,Drawing & painting (till class 8) and Socially Useful Productive Work & Community Service.
ISC - Class XII
- Science with Biology - English language, English Literature, 2nd Language(Bengali/Hindi), Mathematics, Physics, Chemistry, Biology, Socially Useful Productive Work & Community Service.
- Science with Computer - English language, English Literature, 2nd Language(Bengali/Hindi), Mathematics, Physics, Chemistry, Computer Science, Socially Useful Productive Work & Community Service.
- Commerce with Mathematics - English language, English Literature, 2nd Language(Bengali/Hindi), Mathematics, Commerce, Accounts, Economics, Socially Useful Productive Work & Community Service.
- Commerce with Business Studies - English language, English Literature, 2nd Language(Bengali/Hindi), Business Studies, Commerce, Accounts, Economics, Socially Useful Productive Work & Community Service.
Public Examination & Affiliation
The school prepares students for the ICSE & ISC in both Science and Commerce subjects. These are recognized examination conducted by the Council for the Indian School Certificate Examination, New Delhi.
Religious & Moral Instruction
Catechism lessons are given by the clergy of the Church of North India, for students belonging to this denomination. Moral Instruction is taught to all students up to Class V. All students are required to attend Assembly which is held daily, where everyday some new learning happens via the delivery made by both the Students & the Teachers.
School Uniform
Boys and girls wear the following school uniform: Boys:
- Grey - terry cotton or cotton trousers (for classes VI upwards) grey terry cotton or cotton short pants (up to Class V), white with grey striped cotton terry cotton shirts (half-sleeves),
- Black derby pattern shoes with laces (Bata Scouts or Wayfinders) white socks, school tie and grey and white striped belts (III onwards).
- Grey blazers - mid-November to February.
Girls:
- Grey 'A' line skirt and white and grey striped cotton or terrycotton shirts,
- Black shoes, white socks and school tie and grey and white striped belts (VI onwards).
- Grey blazers - mid-November to February.
- P.T. uniform for classes III-IX
Students are divided into four houses - Leason, Spencer, Read and Higgs (red, blue, green and gold respectively) and have their uniforms according to their houses.
- Classes III-IX, who have PT classes, come to school in their PT uniforms.
- Classes X-XII wear their house colours, for sports, athletics and other school functions.
- Girls: house vests, white skirts, white socks and keds.
- Boys:- House vests, white shorts or Trousers, white socks and keds.
Notable Alumni
- Cliff Richard - Singer
- Manoj Tiwari - Indian National cricketer, also plays for the Kolkata Knight Riders in IPL
- Ayaz Ahmed - Actor in daily soaps based on MTV & Channel V
Trivia
Cliff Richard started school in September 1946, at St Thomas' Church School in Church Road, Howrah.
Website
www.stcsh1860.org
References
- http://www.stcsh1860.org
- The STCS school diary
- Thomascope: The STCS annual magazine