Educational Institutions

Infant Jesus English Medium School has come a long way after Rev. Fr Andrew Leo DSouza founded it on June 1, 1998. After 25 glorious years of success, we step into our Silver Jubilee Year with hearts full of gratitude for all those who nurtured us in our years of infancy and helped us grow into the prestigious institution we have become today.

Our Humble Beginning

On 27 May 1997, Rev. Fr Andrew Leo DSouza took charge of Our Lady of Mercy Church at Manjeshwar and carried on the works begun by his predecessors. However, there was a dire need of a school in this Parish for the education of children from all around. The general public had expressed this desire to all the priests who came to serve at Manjeshwar parish. As years went by,this need was more keenly felt by the parents and children in and around of Manjeshwar. Therefore with the initiative taken by the parish priest and the support of parishioners of Manjeshwar, Infant Jesus School was started in the church premises, with the aim of providing value based education for all the children to this locality.

1 June 1998 was a memorable day in the history of Manjeshwer Parish. Rev. Fr Andrew Leo D’Souza, the parish priest, with the help of the Pallotine sisters as staff members, started the new school in the name of Infant Jesus. In the beginning the new school started with LKG and UKG classes of kindergarten section and standard 1st of the primary section. Altogether there were 75 children on role. The tiny tots were taught in the Parochial house and church portico, as there was no school building at that time. On 26 July 1998, the new school site was blessed and the foundation stone was laid by Msg. Rev. Fr Jerald Issac Lobo, the then Episcopal Vicar of Kasaragod Deanery. He is at present the Bishop of Udupi. All awaited in expectation for the completion of the new school building. It was through Divine Providence and with the help of well-wishers and the hard labour of the parishioners, that the first phase of the new school building, with four class rooms, inaugurated by Mr Cherakalam Abdulla, MLA of Kasaragod and blessed by Rt Rev. Dr Aloysius Paul DSouza, the bishop of Mangalore, on 2 October 1999. It was indeed a joyous and memorable day!

We Grew and Flourished

From its infancy, the school grew slowly but steadily. Every year a new class was added and new staff members joined the team of teachers to impart education to the children. The number of admission increased rapidly. At present from Kindergarten to class 8, we have two sections each and class 9 and 10 has one section. All-together there are 925 students from KG to class X.

Rev. Fr Andrew Leo DSouza served this school as a founder correspondent from 1998 to 2004. Sr Angela Swamy was the headmistress of the school from 1999 to 2000. Sr Felcian AC become the second headmistress of this school, from 2000 to 2002. In 2004 Rev Fr Archibald Albuquerque replaced Rev Fr Andrew Leo DSouza as the second correspondent for a few months and Sr Clara became the headmistress of the school from 2005 to 2012. Rev Fr Harold Mascarenhas served as a third correspondent of the school and Sr Clara continued as headmistress until 2007. Then Sr Sahaya took over in 2007 until 2009 as headmistress. Once again from 2009 to 2012 Sr Angela Swamy became the headmistress of the school. During this time the lower primary and upper primary got recognition from Kerala Board of Education. Classes 8, 9 and 10 followed Karnataka syllabus and the students answered their exams from Padua High School, Mangalore. During his time the construction of the 2nd floor, conference hall and stage were completed. Besides Fr Harold Mascarenhas set up a children’s park, smart boards for classrooms, Science and Computer Labs. He also began spoken English classes for better communication. The institution is very grateful to him for all these improvements.

Rev Fr Valerian Lewis replaced Rev. Fr Harold Mascarenhas as the fourth correspondent of the school from 2012 to 2019. Sr Mary Arul was appointed headmistress of the school from 2012 to 2015. Through their relentless efforts and dedicated work, Infant Jesus English Medium School got recognition for classes 8, 9 and 10 under Kerala Board of Education and in 2014 – 2015, our first batch outgoing students secured 100% and brought good name to the school. During this time Rev Fr Valerian Lewis completed the school hall, erected a flag pole, installed CCTV, set up an Aquarium, renovated the stage, prepared new furniture for the class rooms, renovated the Infant Jesus statue, besides many other developments. He also gave importance to co-curricular activities by introducing Karate, school band, music and dance classes. For the first time, the school name plate was put up at the entrance wall. He also arranged to take students on study tours.

Rev Fr Vincent Vinod Saldanha replaced Fr Valerian Lewis as the fifth correspondent of the school from 2019 to 2022. Mr Jerald Ivan Crasta was appointed headmaster of the school and he rendered his service for a year. During this time the foundation of the new block was laid by Rt Rev. Dr Peter Paul Saldanha and Fr Vincent Vinod Saldanha saw to the construction of the two floors. He also installed new smart TVs for the KG classes. During the pandemic he motivated the staff to conduct online classes. It was a great event when Infant Jesus English Medium School got permission to become an Examination Centre to conduct SSLC exams.

Rev. Fr Edwin Francis Pinto replaced Fr Vincent Vinod Saldanha as the school correspondent in 2022 and Mr Jerald Ivan Crasta continued his services until March 2023. Sr Shanthi Lavina AC was appointed headmistress in 2023. Under their guidance a new block with the washrooms for boys and girls and a mini hall were completed. Drinking water facility made available to all the floors, the painting of the school building was undertaken, the Science and Computer Labs had a new structure, office was renovated, CCTV cameras were installed for all the classrooms, parking facilities were made available, new computer systems installed and enough furniture for the classrooms provided besides other improvements. A new bus was obtained for the school which could be used for students. During his time, the new block the school building was blessed and inaugurated by his Lordship Rt Rev. Dr Peter Paul Saldanha, the Bishop of Mangalore on 6th August 2022.

Our school became the exam center for the SSLC students. Our students secured 100% result in the SSLC with a grade A+ for 8 students.

As a mark of the Silver Jubilee of Infant Jesus English Medium School, the Alumni Association was inaugurated and Alumni executive committee was formed. Master Abel became the Vice President of this committee.

As the school celebrated its Silver Jubilee, we are proud of its glorious history and grateful to all those who are responsible for its growth and development. We are also optimistic about its future growth.

We gratefully acknowledge the selfless service of all our correspondents and headmistresses for their untiring zeal in bringing up this institution to its present status.

Student achievements:

Our student’s achievements are our achievements. Their success is our success. Our students bagged the first place with 8 grades for our school in Maths, Science, Social, IT, Craft at sub-district level. At district level 5 students got ‘A’ Grade in Science, Maths and Craft Fair. In sub- district sports our students got several prizes and one of the student selected for State Level volley ball tournament.

During this academic year, our students made us proud by winning several prizes at the sub- district athletic meet, Kalothsava and Shasthrostava.

We take immense pride in acknowledging the hard work and talents of our remarkable and exceptional students, Shreya K Bhat securing 3rd place in Bhaskaracharya Seminar at the state level and Rishika K Kanila achieving an ‘A’ grade in Ramanuja Paper Presentation, state level.

Staff and Students:

The school is blessed with 28 well qualified, competent, dedicated and committed teachers and 6 support staff headed by Sr Shanthi Lavina AC About 925 students from all communities are getting the quality education from LKG to Std. X

School activities and celebrations are to generate respect towards our nation and all religions. We have meaningful celebrations for national and religious festivals and even parents are invited as guests. Hence the parents are made known about the curricular and co-curricular activities in the school. Intellectual excellence in studies and other activities have been boosted by conducting various competitions.

Curricular and Extra-curricular Activities

·        Our school assembly starts at 9:15 a.m. Each class takes turn to conduct the assembly.

·        During the academic year we have three class tests and three term exams.

·        Value education class is taken once a week, so that our students have moral values in their life.

·        Malayalam is taught as the basic subject in our school.

·     Additional classes, special classes, coaching classes are conducted for the standard 10 students.

·        Our teachers take more initiative in giving good education to all students.

·        The school provides opportunity for the all-round growth of the students.

·        During spoken English class each student is given special attention to speak correct English as well as talent development skills.

·        Attention is paid to develop students’ talents in art and craft.

·        Sports and games are the part of curricular activities.

·        The school cabinet helps the students to take up leadership. Two mock parliament sessions are conducted each year.

·     School conducts General Assembly once a week where students get the opportunity to showcase their talents through activity based on different themes of each month.

·    Once a week Mass P.T. is conducted as a regular physical activity, promoting overall health and fitness among the students.

· Opportunities are provided for those who are eager to learn karate and dance on every Wednesday and Friday.

·  School organizes exhibitions regularly to help students to showcase their talents and literacy skills.

·        The school organizes talent competitions for the national festivals.

·   Due attention is given to preserve the greenery through awareness sessions and distributing saplings on environment day.

Achievements and Rewards

We are proud to say that our achievement in SSLC exam was quite remarkable. Every year the quality of result has improved due to the commitment and the dedication of the teachers.

Our Policies

Quality education is the basis for our existence; hence innovative teaching methods are used to achieve our goal.

Conclusion

We conclude by thanking Almighty God for his numerous blessings and graces bestowed on us. We are grateful to his Lordship Rt Rev. Dr Peter Paul Saldanha, the President of Catholic Board of Education and Rev. Fr Antony Shera the Secretary of Catholic Board of Education for their constant support in providing quality education. We also thank Rev. Fr Edwin Francis Pinto, the manager of the school for his constant assistance and guidance. We are indebted to the management of our school, our teachers, parents, students, well-wishers and the education department. May God bless us all and may our school grow under the guidance of our patron Infant Jesus.

Sr Shanthi Lavina AC

Hedmistress

Inafant Jesus English Medium School