Good Shepherd convent
32, College Road
Chennai – 600006
Tamil Nadu
Educational Service
School Dropouts – Marian Home
Management
Poor women and girls welfare programmes – Salem
Shelter Home for street girls – Mottukkal
Educational Activities –Simon Colony
Good Shepherd Convent was started in 1924. It was registered under Society Registration Act on June 27, 1959. The Society number is 55/1959. It was then amended and approved on February 11, 2009 by the Tamil Nadu Registrar of Societies. It is organized and managed by the Sisters of the Good Shepherd to cater to the Educational, Medical, Social and other related needs of the poor people. The Society has three Units namely Chennai, Salem and Simon Colony.
Objective (d) : To initiate, support and promote the advancement of Educational activities in all its branches, particularly schools. (Pg.3) Our educational service began 90 years ago. With much care and reflection this service has been continued for the integrated development of children through dedicated staff both teaching and non-teaching.
The Good Shepherd Matriculation Higher Secondary School has Nursery, Junior, High School and Higher Secondary sections. We have strength of 2300 students with 76 teaching and 40 non- teaching staff.
During the academic year 2015-2016, the school management organized seminars for the parents of all the classes on parenting and importance of growing holistically with the children. A two-day seminar for the teachers was conducted on counselling and guidance. A one-day training programme was conducted for English teachers to train them to teach Cambridge English as the subject was made part of the curriculum from this academic year. Various seminars were conducted for the students to help them improve their self-esteem, self-confidence as well as enhance their leadership qualities.
Reading, Writing and Arithmetic are the basic skills taught in the Nursery Section. Different teaching methods and Aids are used to gain the active participation of the children like Story Telling, Puppets, Plastic Models, Pictures and Flash Cards. Children are taught to maintain silence in the library and are encouraged to cultivate the habit of reading. Children are taught hymns and action songs with appropriate actions in the music class every day. Through Physical Training the various exercises and organized games ensures the physical fitness of the children in body and mind. During Sports Day children take part in various sports activities like march-past, drill, and different class events. During the Art & Craft day children proudly display the creativity of their little hands. Free Play & Snacks promotes that a healthy Child is a happy child. The physical development of a child is nurtured by a happy playing environment and healthy food. The different celebrations and festivals add joy and colour to the children’s life. On St. Mary Euphrasia’s Birthday the little ones enact the life history of St. Mary Euphrasia and sing a birthday song for her. The Independence & Republic Day helps the children to develop a spirit of patriotism, to know and honour the great leaders who sacrificed their lives for our Nation. Teacher’s Day is a special day where children show their appreciation and gratitude towards their teachers who guide and motivate them, through songs, dances and various cultural activities. On Children’s Day the teachers make this day memorable for the children by performing various dances and action songs for them. Festivals such as Christmas, Diwali, Pongal & Ramzan is celebrated. It helps the children to learn about the different cultures & Religious festivals of our Nation. On Kindergarten Farewell Day each child is presented with a memento and the certificate so that they will cherish the wonderful memories of their budding years in the Nursery Section.
Children must be taught “How to think and not what to think”. To provide this environment of logical thinking we plan our activities. Through Intellectual Development we educate children of strong character, intelligence and individuality. We have these activities such as Audio-visual aids to augment learning, Fa(A) and FA(B) tests are conducted to make them responsible to do their daily work, Leadership, Cambridge to improve language skills, Competitions Rangoli, Speech, Singing, Quiz, Creative Writing, Drawing, Library experience to choose books and read, “KIDS JOURNAL” writing articles for the school magazine. For Physical Development and to have a healthy mind in a healthy body we create awareness about physical fitness through March Past, Drills, Endurance Competition, Yoga and Sports day. Assembly with good moral values, Value Education classes, Prayer services for the various festivals and functions, Celebrating Our Foundress’ Birthday to in still the importance of being a GIRL and learning about her principles and charism enhance the spirituality. The Social Development imbibes in the children the thought that when they serve people they are serving God. The Cultural development programmes make our children believe that all power is within them and they should use it wisely. The Parents’ day, Teacher’s Day, Children’s Day, Std V Farewell, Art, Science & Craft Exhibition, Talent Triumphs our Inter-school Competition where we emerged the CHAMPIONS!!!!!! Field Trips for Exposure to the outside world for a thorough learning time…BULBULS where our children learn responsibilities…
Investiture Ceremony is conducted to bring out their leadership skills.
Picnics to Guindy Park for Std I and MGM Dizzie World for Std II to V and band were conducted
The Extra Curricular Activities like Karate, Keybord, Violin and Guitar, Classical dance, Table Tennis and Basket ball were encouraged.
Purchase of movable properties
Projector for Primary section was bought
We strive to impart holistic education to the young girls in order to prepare them to face all the challenges of life and become torchbearers of justice and peace. The maxim that we follow is, “AGE QUOD AGIS” that is “DO WELL ALL THAT YOU DO”. The vision and mission of our Mother Foundress St. Mary Euphrasia is inculcated in our students so as to prepare them to become compassionate citizens of the global community. The total school strength is 1172 students belonging to various communities of which Catholic and Christian students constitute 504. This year 24 children were given Fee concession and 8 children were given free ship. Given below are the various activities of the academic year 2015– 2016. School reopened on 2nd June after the summer vacation.
Adventure Camp : 111 students of Std. X and XII went to Avalanche, near Ooty for an adventure camp for 4 days. The camp was aimed at teaching the students to have simple fun and connect with nature in a respectful
Sports Day: The annual Sports meet was conducted in the month of July.
Inter- house and inter school activities like the Oratorical, Debates, Cultural, etc which hone the talents of the students and foster team spirit were conducted. The students also meritoriously participated in various activities outside the school, like Inter school Cultural, Debates and Science Expo. In the field of sports, they have participated in Basket Ball, Squash, Swimming, Chess and Athletics in the District, State and National level.
School celebrations like Investiture Ceremony, St. Mary Euphrasia’s Birthday, Teacher’s Day, Children’s Day, Kamarajar’s Birthday (referred to as Education Improvement Day) Republic Day, Independence Day, World Aids Day, Youth awakening Day, World Environment Day , World Day of Child Labour etc helps to foster unity and respect among students.
Religious festivals like Pongal, Ramzan and Deepavali, Christmas were also celebrated thereby instilling respect for all religions. We observed 25th of every month as Orange your neighborhood in order to end violence against women.
Academics: Regular cycle tests for Std. X and XII, Class tests, FA (A) Role play, Group Activities, Assignments, Worksheet, group projects are carried out along with the FA (B) and terminal exams for classes VI to IX in order to achieve excellence.
Open Day gives the opportunity for the parents to meet the teachers and apprise themselves of their child’s progress
Field Trip: Parent Teacher Association organized Field trips for all the classes to various places of educational importance.
Students of Std. XI went to Kodaikanal for excursion and all other classes had one day picnic in the nearby places in Chennai.
Family Visits: We visit the families of students especially, those who have any kind of problems and difficulties.
The Results of Std. XII and Std. X have been very rewarding with 99 % pass in Std. XII and 100% in Std. X. This year we have been blessed with First and Second State Rank in the Std. XII Public Examination. We congratulate our students Chatriya Kavin and Shruti.S for bringing glory to our school by securing 1195/1200 and 1194/1200 marks respectively in Tamil Nadu State Std XII Board Examination, 2016
Sampoorna, our school’s outreach programme has been an integral part of this academic year. From the very beginning of the year, the students of Sampoorna have been part of many programmes and supported many causes. This year our students of Std XI went regularly for their community service to Apollo Hospital, St. Joseph’s School, St. Antony’s Primary School and Little Flower School for the Blind and Deaf. Students of Stds VI to XII visited Spastic Society, PremaVasam, Andhra Mahila Sabha and Sri Arunodayam and interacted with mentally challenged children. Many of the students were inspired to offer their services as scribes for the visually challenged and differently abled students. Students of Std. IX to XII have been scribing for visually impaired college students for their continuous assessment exams. Moreover the students of Std. VIII- XII have helped many special students to appear for the NIOS Board exams at Secondary and Higher Secondary level by serving as scribes. All these visits and exposures have helped our students to recognize God’s blessings and to be more sensitive to the less fortunate children. We are grateful to all our teaching and Non teaching staff.
Marian Home, a unit of the Good Shepherd Convent, Chennai, provides residential care for young girls and women in the age group of 16 to 25, who are vulnerable, burdened with emotional and behavioural problems or school dropouts from weaker sections of the society. Ordinarily they stay in the Home for two to three years.
Good Shepherd Convent which was started in 1924 continues to serve the girls and women in personal, social and family difficulties. It is organized and managed by the Sisters of the Good Shepherd. The Society had its regular Governing Body and General Body meetings. The management runs and administer the institutions conducted by the Society.
Renovation of Good Shepherd Convent: Since the structure of the Good Shepherd Convent was in need of renovation the Governing Body decided to renovate it and the work began in the month of February 2016 which will be completed after few months.
Conversion of Multi Metering to Single Metering of TNEB Service Connection: There was lot of problem faced by the Society with the electricity. There was fluctuation which was affecting the electrical equipments and even safety was in question and therefore we altered multi metering into Single Metering.
Relief work: A team of 13 people including, students, past students, and parents accompanied by the Principal and one of the teachers went to Nepal and participated in the relief work after the EARTH QUAKE. We also conducted camp for children in two schools in Kathmandu. These students shared their experiences with the rest of the students and motivated them to participate in reaching out to the victims of natural calamities and less privileged children. The unprecedented rain that caused the “CHENNAI FLOODS” during the year, our students, teachers and parents along with Sisters actively participated in the relief work in many parts of Chennai city and in Cuddalore district. We tried to reach the unreached and distributed food, water, vessels, clothes, mats, tarpaulin etc. to more than one lakh people. We also invited 1100 women from the slums who were affected by the flood to our campus on 9th December and distributed mats, rice, vessels etc. We also financed to construct 10 houses for the flood affected.
Roshini Nivas is a hostel for young working women and college students. It was opened on 1stOctober, 2000, with the aim of catering to the needs of working women and students going to college. The working girls continue their studies through correspondence. 96 girls have benefited. It provides shelter, food and a conducive atmosphere for their comfort and wellbeing. Through personnel care, guidance and counselling we inculcate good values. There are 5 women staff who see to the upkeep and smooth running of the hostel. Hostel gives protection and safety to the young girls. During this period, we admitted 134 girls. The lower income group working girls from Mottukal and Marian home are given a chance to stay here and work outside
In Salem we began our service 16 years ago, to cater to Women and Children. We work mainly with women and children who are affected by poverty, illiteracy, bonded labour, child labour, and child abuse and child marriage. The Sisters of the Good Shepherd cater to the Educational, Social and other related needs of the poor people
Coaching Classes: About 500 Children are helped through Coaching Classes in the evenings at the 16 Coaching Centres in different villages.
Skill training in Tailoring: The Needle - Work Centre for girls in Salem is especially for School dropouts and others from low income groups. During this year 60 young Girls and Women have learnt Tailoring and have equipped themselves for alternative income for their Families
Women and Youth development programme: We organized classes on Value Education and Counselling programmes to help them overcome their fears and worries with Self-Confidence.
Prison Ministry: We continue to be one of the Active Members of the Prison Ministry of India (PMI). By visiting the Salem Central Jail once a week we were conducting awareness classes and counselling them.
Celebrations: Children from the 16 Centres where we function entertained us with a Cultural Programme after which they enjoyed a sumptuous Meal.
Ayudha Pooja: Ayudha Pooja was celebrated with our staff and children as usual in order to feel one with them that gives them joy. Christmas: A special feature of this Christmas was 30 deserving and needy persons were invited for the cultural programme after which they shared the Christmas meal and received gifts containing clothing and grocery items etc.
Pongal: This year Pongal was an occasion to bring the people of different villages where we render our services, to our Campus, to prepare the Pongal Lunch together and help them realize the meaning and significance of the Pongal Celebration.
Women’s Day: Women’s Day was celebrated. It was an opportunity for all the women to take part in the cultural Eeents.
Value Education is given and in order to prepare our children for their future. Monthly meetings are also part of the plan, based on Value Education in order to enlighten and help parents to cooperate. Family Counselling is also available when needed. Children are encouraged to save their pocket money. During the year children and parents are given training in various aspects, like leadership, carrier guidance, Yoga, Nutritious food and Health and Hygiene through Medical Camps, etc.
Economic Programmes for the families are also initiated to increase the income of the poor and enhance their livelihood.
Mottukal is a centre which was started in the year 1991. Mottukal has two wings namely, a shelter home for girl children as a rehabilitation service and Community Development programme as preventive service.
Shelter Home: The shelter home caters towards an integrated and comprehensive development of the vulnerable, distressed girls without family protection and in abusive situations. Children are referred through Social NGO’s, Police, and Socially committed individuals. There are orphans, semi orphans, destitute/poor, physically and sexually abused children and from broken families. Opportunities are provided to let them grow as healthy and happy citizens through education and life skill training. 42 children benefited during this year. They are in different schools continuing their education. Once they are able to manage on their own they are placed in different hostels and home settlement.
Celebrations: Celebrations like Birthday of children, National girl child day, Deepavali, Pongal, Christmas, Child Labour, and Child Rights Day were celebrated.
Personality Development: Counselling, extra-curricular activities like Karate, Yoga, Meditation, Music, games and Recreation are carried out regularly.
Health Care: The children have their individual health records. Regular and periodical health checkups are carried out for the overall welfare of the children and healthy food is provided to them..
Summer Camp: During the summer holidays, a one-week camp was organized for all the children. In the camp children were taught how to keep discipline, values of personal hygiene and awareness on trafficking and sex education. They were taken for a picnic to Kishkintha
Community Development and Outreach Programme: The Community Development Program with the poor in slums is carried out as a preventive measure for the underprivileged. Through this program, we cater to 800 children in 12 slums of the Nungumbakkam area of Chennai. There are 5 staff working in Mottukal for the welfare of these children. Through formation of different groups like children’s club, women’s groups and youth groups we bring social change in their own environment and lives. We have tuition centres in all these slums where children come regularly and they get help in their studies and they are motivated to participate in extracurricular activities for their enhancement. There is 12 tuition teachers’ staff working for the development of these children and their families of different slums.
The Good Shepherd Convent started at Simon Colony in Kanyakumari District on April 26, 2014. We are involved in education and health ministries.
Education: The highlights of this year were a science exhibition and other competitions and celebrations which were conducted.
The Good Shepherd Dispensary was opened on 31, July 2014. One sister is involved in this ministry. The patients are treated for the minor illnesses like fever, cold, cough, diarrhoea, vomiting and pains. This year from 2015-2016 around 546 patients were treated. Among these patients’ children were 346 and adults were 200. Health camps and counselling was also conducted.
| Sl. No | Activities at a glance | Date |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Excursion of Non teaching staff |
17th April 2015 |
| 2 | Orientation to Teachers |
1st – 2nd June 2015 |
| 3 | Parent Teacher SeminarPrimary Section High School Nursery Section |
10th to 12th June 2015 16th to 18th June 2015 22 nd June 2015 |
| 4 | Investiture CeremonyHigh School Primary Section |
23rd June 2015 26th June 2016 |
| 5 | SportsHigh School Primary Nursery |
10th July 2015 29th January 2016 11th February 2016 |
| 6 | St. Mary Euphrasia’s birthdaySchool sectionSt. Mary Euphrasia’s birthday – Convent Section |
30th July 2015 2nd August 2015 |
| 7 | Parents DayPrimary |
6, 7 th August 2015 |
| 8 | Independence Day |
15th August 2015 |
| 9 | Inter house cultural |
19th August 2015 |
| 10 | Parent Teacher Representative meeting |
26th August 2015 |
| 11 | Teachers Day |
4th September 2015 |
| 12 | Conversion of Multi Metering to Single Metering of TNEB Service connection |
October 2015 |
| 13 | PicnicFor TeachersFor Governing Body members |
17th October 2015 21st to 23rd October 2015 |
| 14 | Inter Schools cultural |
30th October 2015 |
| 15 | Santa |
28 th November 2015 |
| 16 | Christmas celebrationConvent Section School Section |
14th December 2015 16th to 19th December 2015 |
| 17 | Valedictory Function – 12th Std |
12th February 2016 |
| 18 | Arts and craftsNursery Section Junior Section |
22nd January 2016 26th February 2016 |
| 19 | Renovation of the Good Shepherd Convent |
20th February 2016/td> |
Conclusion: Every year we are blessed and challenged to respond to the new emerging needs of our Society. We are happy to carry out these activities with the support of various individuals and groups. Our gratitude goes to all of them.
