Cathedral and John Connon School
Encyclopedia
The Cathedral and John Connon School is a co-educational, private school
located in Mumbai
, Maharashtra
, India
, established in 1860.
According to the Education World-C fore Survey of Schools 2010, the school has been ranked first in the all India ranking of the best schools in India.
It was ranked first in the Western region as the most respected school in colaba and ranked first in India for its distinguished alumni. It is a partner school to Bancroft's School
.
A Choir School, established with the objective of providing choristers for the St. Thomas Cathedral, Mumbai, the first Anglican Church in Mumbai was founded in October, 1875. Meanwhile The Bombay Scottish Education Society was founded in 1866. The society put up a building on the Esplanade, and named it for Mr John Connon (then Chief Registrar of Bombay).
In 1878 a high school in Byculla, set up by the Bombay Diocesan Society, was merged with the Choir School to form the Cathedral High School. The present Senior School building, a blend of Indian and Gothic architecture, was erected in 1896. A girls' school had been started in 1880.
In 1922, in a public meeting held at the Town Hall, the present Asiatic Society of Bombay
library, a suggestion was put forward by the principal of the Cathedral Boys' School for the Cathedral Schools and the Scottish School to work together, instead of competing, and thus the Anglo-Scottish Education Society was conceived. The schools were re-organized into the Cathedral Boys' School, the Cathedral Girls' School, and the John Connon School.
In the 1960s co-education was still viewed with trepidation, and when in 1965, the Principal, Rev. Ridding, stated that the only way to solve the financial and logistical problems of the school was to make it co-educational, some people felt so strongly about it that they went to court to thwart the school's plans. Justice Lentin, a man famous for his courageous judgments, pronounced that the school had every right to merge if it so desired. The merger proceeded smoothly.
Today the old boys' school is the Senior School; the old girls' school is the Middle School; and the John Connon School is the Junior School. The Infant School, located at Malabar Hill
, was set up in 1965.
Cathedral has opened a residential branch in Lonavala, The Cathedral Vidya School.
(CISCE), and its students appear for the Council's ISC (Grade 12) and ICSE (Grade 10) examinations. English
is the medium of instruction. Hindi
is taught as a second language and Marathi
or Sanskrit
are taught as third languages. Examinations are held at the end of every school term. The school's students have performed well at the ICSE and ISC examinations and the school has maintained a 100% pass-rate.
College Board
's Advanced Placement program has been conducted in the school since June, 2004. Talented students, who would otherwise be uninterested in a mainstream classroom, are offered the chance to pursue accelerated learning (college-level) courses in subjects including English, Calculus (AB and BC), Physics, Biology, Computers, World History, Chemistry and Economics. The school is the only AP Examination Center in Western India.
For the ISC course (consisting of grades 11 and 12) the school divided its student body into three streams: Commerce, Science, and the Humanities. However, as of 2008 this is no longer required and students now have the option of either choosing a particular stream or choosing subjects from different streams.
Students achieving distinctions (above 75% per term in Senior School) throughout the year become eligible for the Honours Prize for that year. Those who achieve fifteen points on a complicated scoring system, at any time after Grade 8, are awarded the Scholar's Badge. This is a much-coveted honour and there are rarely more than three recipients in any given year.
classes and house games are attended by students on a weekly basis. Students are coached in sports. Talent is spotted during Inter-House sporting competitions and is groomed by qualified coaches. Students compete in Inter-School, District, Zonal, State and National level competitions. School, as well as House teams, are formed for football, basketball
, cricket
, rugby
, throw ball , water polo
and squash
.
Students participate in DSO, MSSA, and Anglo-Scottish tournaments. Students can also participate, in an individual capacity, in sports including badminton
, athletics
, table tennis
, squash
, swimming
, chess
, tennis
and gymnastics
. The Inter-House Athletics Competition (known as Sports Day among the students) is held during the latter half of the academic year.
Debates for Senior School students are conducted in Hindi and English. The faculty, along with the Debates Captain, choose the topics and these are intimated to the students eight days in advance. Inter-House competitions are held annually with each house being represented by four speakers. The school sends delegations to the Frank Anthony Memorial Debates, and other competitions.
Dramatics and elocution are two other extracurricular activities. The Annual School Play is held during Founders' Week in November, and includes students from all sections of the school. The Inter-House Dramatics Competition is held every year, alternately in English and Hindi. The Annual Elocution Competition, held in English and Hindi, is one of the most eagerly-awaited events in the school calendar. Students perform pieces of their choice and are judged on their audibility, clarity and personal styles.
Model United Nations is another activity of the school. The school sends delegations to MUN in Mumbai and India, as well as a delegation to the Harvard Model United Nations (HMUN). Students also conduct the Cathedral Model United Nations [see below] themselves once a year.
Students of Grade 12 are appointed as Prefects, Captains, and Club Secretaries. The Prefectorial Council, consisting of School Prefects and the Head Boy and Girl, maintain a close link with the school authorities, and perform a range of duties. House Captains manage their house, and strive to lead it to victory in the House Championship. They are assisted by Vice-Captains and Monitors. Games Captains guide prospective talent, as well as organizing teams for competitions in their games. Club Secretaries coordinate activities and manage members in the school's clubs.
A school band is formed from the students. Tryouts for the school band are held once a year. The band plays rock-and-roll inspired music. It performs at the School Music festival, and at music festivals held across schools and colleges in Mumbai.
18.936178°N 72.832825°W
Private school
Private schools, also known as independent schools or nonstate schools, are not administered by local, state or national governments; thus, they retain the right to select their students and are funded in whole or in part by charging their students' tuition, rather than relying on mandatory...
located in Mumbai
Mumbai
Mumbai , formerly known as Bombay in English, is the capital of the Indian state of Maharashtra. It is the most populous city in India, and the fourth most populous city in the world, with a total metropolitan area population of approximately 20.5 million...
, Maharashtra
Maharashtra
Maharashtra is a state located in India. It is the second most populous after Uttar Pradesh and third largest state by area in India...
, India
India
India , officially the Republic of India , is a country in South Asia. It is the seventh-largest country by geographical area, the second-most populous country with over 1.2 billion people, and the most populous democracy in the world...
, established in 1860.
According to the Education World-C fore Survey of Schools 2010, the school has been ranked first in the all India ranking of the best schools in India.
It was ranked first in the Western region as the most respected school in colaba and ranked first in India for its distinguished alumni. It is a partner school to Bancroft's School
Bancroft's School
Bancroft's School is a co-educational independent school in Woodford Green, London. The school has around 1,000 pupils aged between 7 and 18...
.
History
In 1860 Bishop Harding and the Cathedral Chaplain opened a grammar school within the walled city of Bombay which, along with a smaller establishment for girls, were the first of many strands that have joined to form the Cathedral and John Connon School.A Choir School, established with the objective of providing choristers for the St. Thomas Cathedral, Mumbai, the first Anglican Church in Mumbai was founded in October, 1875. Meanwhile The Bombay Scottish Education Society was founded in 1866. The society put up a building on the Esplanade, and named it for Mr John Connon (then Chief Registrar of Bombay).
In 1878 a high school in Byculla, set up by the Bombay Diocesan Society, was merged with the Choir School to form the Cathedral High School. The present Senior School building, a blend of Indian and Gothic architecture, was erected in 1896. A girls' school had been started in 1880.
In 1922, in a public meeting held at the Town Hall, the present Asiatic Society of Bombay
Asiatic Society of Bombay
The Asiatic Society of Mumbai, a learned society in the field of Asian studies, is based in Mumbai, India. It can trace its origin to the Literary Society of Bombay which first met in Mumbai on November 26, 1804, and was founded by Sir James Mackintosh. It was formed with the intention of...
library, a suggestion was put forward by the principal of the Cathedral Boys' School for the Cathedral Schools and the Scottish School to work together, instead of competing, and thus the Anglo-Scottish Education Society was conceived. The schools were re-organized into the Cathedral Boys' School, the Cathedral Girls' School, and the John Connon School.
In the 1960s co-education was still viewed with trepidation, and when in 1965, the Principal, Rev. Ridding, stated that the only way to solve the financial and logistical problems of the school was to make it co-educational, some people felt so strongly about it that they went to court to thwart the school's plans. Justice Lentin, a man famous for his courageous judgments, pronounced that the school had every right to merge if it so desired. The merger proceeded smoothly.
Today the old boys' school is the Senior School; the old girls' school is the Middle School; and the John Connon School is the Junior School. The Infant School, located at Malabar Hill
Malabar Hill
Malabar Hill, a hillock in southern Mumbai , India is an extremely upmarket residential area, most known for the Walkeshwar Temple which houses the Banganga Tank. Situated at a height of 50 metres Malabar Hill, a hillock in southern Mumbai (formerly Bombay), India is an extremely upmarket...
, was set up in 1965.
Cathedral has opened a residential branch in Lonavala, The Cathedral Vidya School.
The Cathedral Vidya School (Lonavala)
The Cathedral Vidya School, Lonavala is a co-educational English-medium residential School. It is a branch of the famous 150-year old Cathedral and John Connon School in Mumbai, whose philosophy, aims, objectives, academic and administrative systems, it follows...
Academics and curriculum
The Cathedral and John Connon School is affiliated with the Council for the Indian School Certificate ExaminationsCouncil for the Indian School Certificate Examinations
The Council for the Indian School Certificate Examinations is a private, non-governmental board of school education in India. It conducts two examinations in India: the Indian Certificate of Secondary Education and the Indian School Certificate...
(CISCE), and its students appear for the Council's ISC (Grade 12) and ICSE (Grade 10) examinations. English
English language
English is a West Germanic language that arose in the Anglo-Saxon kingdoms of England and spread into what was to become south-east Scotland under the influence of the Anglian medieval kingdom of Northumbria...
is the medium of instruction. Hindi
Hindi
Standard Hindi, or more precisely Modern Standard Hindi, also known as Manak Hindi , High Hindi, Nagari Hindi, and Literary Hindi, is a standardized and sanskritized register of the Hindustani language derived from the Khariboli dialect of Delhi...
is taught as a second language and Marathi
Marathi language
Marathi is an Indo-Aryan language spoken by the Marathi people of western and central India. It is the official language of the state of Maharashtra. There are over 68 million fluent speakers worldwide. Marathi has the fourth largest number of native speakers in India and is the fifteenth most...
or Sanskrit
Sanskrit
Sanskrit , is a historical Indo-Aryan language and the primary liturgical language of Hinduism, Jainism and Buddhism.Buddhism: besides Pali, see Buddhist Hybrid Sanskrit Today, it is listed as one of the 22 scheduled languages of India and is an official language of the state of Uttarakhand...
are taught as third languages. Examinations are held at the end of every school term. The school's students have performed well at the ICSE and ISC examinations and the school has maintained a 100% pass-rate.
College Board
College Board
The College Board is a membership association in the United States that was formed in 1900 as the College Entrance Examination Board . It is composed of more than 5,900 schools, colleges, universities and other educational organizations. It sells standardized tests used by academically oriented...
's Advanced Placement program has been conducted in the school since June, 2004. Talented students, who would otherwise be uninterested in a mainstream classroom, are offered the chance to pursue accelerated learning (college-level) courses in subjects including English, Calculus (AB and BC), Physics, Biology, Computers, World History, Chemistry and Economics. The school is the only AP Examination Center in Western India.
For the ISC course (consisting of grades 11 and 12) the school divided its student body into three streams: Commerce, Science, and the Humanities. However, as of 2008 this is no longer required and students now have the option of either choosing a particular stream or choosing subjects from different streams.
Students achieving distinctions (above 75% per term in Senior School) throughout the year become eligible for the Honours Prize for that year. Those who achieve fifteen points on a complicated scoring system, at any time after Grade 8, are awarded the Scholar's Badge. This is a much-coveted honour and there are rarely more than three recipients in any given year.
Co-curricular activities
Sports are part of the school's extracurricular activities. Physical EducationPhysical education
Physical education or gymnastics is a course taken during primary and secondary education that encourages psychomotor learning in a play or movement exploration setting....
classes and house games are attended by students on a weekly basis. Students are coached in sports. Talent is spotted during Inter-House sporting competitions and is groomed by qualified coaches. Students compete in Inter-School, District, Zonal, State and National level competitions. School, as well as House teams, are formed for football, basketball
Basketball
Basketball is a team sport in which two teams of five players try to score points by throwing or "shooting" a ball through the top of a basketball hoop while following a set of rules...
, cricket
Cricket
Cricket is a bat-and-ball game played between two teams of 11 players on an oval-shaped field, at the centre of which is a rectangular 22-yard long pitch. One team bats, trying to score as many runs as possible while the other team bowls and fields, trying to dismiss the batsmen and thus limit the...
, rugby
Rugby football
Rugby football is a style of football named after Rugby School in the United Kingdom. It is seen most prominently in two current sports, rugby league and rugby union.-History:...
, throw ball , water polo
Water polo
Water polo is a team water sport. The playing team consists of six field players and one goalkeeper. The winner of the game is the team that scores more goals. Game play involves swimming, treading water , players passing the ball while being defended by opponents, and scoring by throwing into a...
and squash
Squash (sport)
Squash is a high-speed racquet sport played by two players in a four-walled court with a small, hollow rubber ball...
.
Students participate in DSO, MSSA, and Anglo-Scottish tournaments. Students can also participate, in an individual capacity, in sports including badminton
Badminton
Badminton is a racquet sport played by either two opposing players or two opposing pairs , who take positions on opposite halves of a rectangular court that is divided by a net. Players score points by striking a shuttlecock with their racquet so that it passes over the net and lands in their...
, athletics
Athletics (track and field)
Athletics is an exclusive collection of sporting events that involve competitive running, jumping, throwing, and walking. The most common types of athletics competitions are track and field, road running, cross country running, and race walking...
, table tennis
Table tennis
Table tennis, also known as ping-pong, is a sport in which two or four players hit a lightweight, hollow ball back and forth using table tennis rackets. The game takes place on a hard table divided by a net...
, squash
Squash (sport)
Squash is a high-speed racquet sport played by two players in a four-walled court with a small, hollow rubber ball...
, swimming
Swimming (sport)
Swimming is a sport governed by the Fédération Internationale de Natation .-History: Competitive swimming in Europe began around 1800 BCE, mostly in the form of the freestyle. In 1873 Steve Bowyer introduced the trudgen to Western swimming competitions, after copying the front crawl used by Native...
, chess
Chess
Chess is a two-player board game played on a chessboard, a square-checkered board with 64 squares arranged in an eight-by-eight grid. It is one of the world's most popular games, played by millions of people worldwide at home, in clubs, online, by correspondence, and in tournaments.Each player...
, tennis
Tennis
Tennis is a sport usually played between two players or between two teams of two players each . Each player uses a racket that is strung to strike a hollow rubber ball covered with felt over a net into the opponent's court. Tennis is an Olympic sport and is played at all levels of society at all...
and gymnastics
Gymnastics
Gymnastics is a sport involving performance of exercises requiring physical strength, flexibility, agility, coordination, and balance. Internationally, all of the gymnastic sports are governed by the Fédération Internationale de Gymnastique with each country having its own national governing body...
. The Inter-House Athletics Competition (known as Sports Day among the students) is held during the latter half of the academic year.
Debates for Senior School students are conducted in Hindi and English. The faculty, along with the Debates Captain, choose the topics and these are intimated to the students eight days in advance. Inter-House competitions are held annually with each house being represented by four speakers. The school sends delegations to the Frank Anthony Memorial Debates, and other competitions.
Dramatics and elocution are two other extracurricular activities. The Annual School Play is held during Founders' Week in November, and includes students from all sections of the school. The Inter-House Dramatics Competition is held every year, alternately in English and Hindi. The Annual Elocution Competition, held in English and Hindi, is one of the most eagerly-awaited events in the school calendar. Students perform pieces of their choice and are judged on their audibility, clarity and personal styles.
Model United Nations is another activity of the school. The school sends delegations to MUN in Mumbai and India, as well as a delegation to the Harvard Model United Nations (HMUN). Students also conduct the Cathedral Model United Nations [see below] themselves once a year.
Student leadership
Students have a forum called the Student Council which meets every month to discuss issues. The Council, whose members are elected by their class mates, acts as a link between the school administration and the student body in addition to giving children experience of democratic procedures. The Student Council is more of a passive forum, presenting suggestions given by the faculty to students and collecting the feedback. It is more akin to an organisation of student poll takers.Students of Grade 12 are appointed as Prefects, Captains, and Club Secretaries. The Prefectorial Council, consisting of School Prefects and the Head Boy and Girl, maintain a close link with the school authorities, and perform a range of duties. House Captains manage their house, and strive to lead it to victory in the House Championship. They are assisted by Vice-Captains and Monitors. Games Captains guide prospective talent, as well as organizing teams for competitions in their games. Club Secretaries coordinate activities and manage members in the school's clubs.
Cathedral Model United Nations (Symposium)
The Cathedral Model United Nations event is run entirely by the school's student body. Over a period of three days, students assume the roles of delegates representing countries. They form committees and debate on topics of global importance. From a start in 1996 - the first CMUN had only one committee (Asia and Pacific Council), it has grown into an event with over 300 delegates attending. CMUN 2007 was groundbreaking as it was the first to have delegates from outside Mumbai. Schools like Mayo College, La Martiniere for Boys, Doon School, and others attended the conference. 2011 featured the first international delegates from Rato Bangala School from Nepal. Though they didn't win much, they were outstanding. Delegates included Aayush Poudel, Amber Upraity, Ananda Gauchan, Ashraya Upadhya, Kamakshi Kanojya, Tanisha Rayamajhi and Tingi Gurung.House system
There are four houses in the school - Barham, Palmer, Savage and Wilson - named after four founders of the school i.e. the founders of the joint venture of the Cathedral School and the John Connon School. (Original names: Canon Barham, Bishop Palmer, Arthur Savage, Percival Wilson). Students are distributed between these houses, and each is headed by a House Master/Mistress (selected from among the teaching staff). House Captains are selected from the 12th standard to lead each of the houses. The objective of the House System is to foster a sense of collective responsibility and solidarity amongst students. The House System serves as the center of school life, with students from the houses competing at sports, games and other co-curricular activities.School choir and band
The school choir dates back to the time when the school had its genesis as a choir school providing choristers to the St. Thomas' Cathedral. The Founders' Day Service and the Christmas Carol Service are the two most important events for the Choir. The choir's repertoire includes hymns, sacred classics, as well as secular music.A school band is formed from the students. Tryouts for the school band are held once a year. The band plays rock-and-roll inspired music. It performs at the School Music festival, and at music festivals held across schools and colleges in Mumbai.
School motto
The school's motto is Clarum Efficiunt Studia translated as Studies Maketh Famous. This motto was adopted by Thomas Arthur Savage, Headmaster of the school, from Bacon's essay on “Studies”.
Studies serve for delight, for ornament and for ability…….. the general counsels and the plots and marshalling of affairs comes best from those that are learned.
School badge
In 1923 the Cathedral Schools and the Scottish School were amalgamated to form The Anglo-Scottish Education Society. Miss Whitfield, the Principal of the Girls' School, wanted a badge which was representative of both elements of the Society: Anglican and Scottish. A badge was designed in which the Bishop's Mitre represented the Anglican side, while the Scottish neighbours were symbolised by the white diagonal cross of St. Andrew. The school badge is inspired by this design.Notable alumni
- Ratan TataRatan TataRatan Naval Tata is the present chairman of Tata Sons and therefore, Tata Group. Also, he is one among the few in the world...
: Industrialist and head of the Tata Group - Cyrus Pallonji MistryCyrus Pallonji MistryCyrus Pallonji Mistry is the youngest son of Irish construction magnate Pallonji Mistry. He has been appointed deputy chairman and chairman-designate of Tata Group and its holding company Tata Sons, which will make him the first non-Indian national to head the Indian conglomerate...
: Deputy Chairman, Tata Sons. - Cyrus BroachaCyrus BroachaCyrus Broacha is a TV anchor, Theatre Personality, Political Satirist, columnist and author. He is also a stand-up comedian and prankster, best known for his show Bakra on MTV and his show The Week that Wasn't on CNN-IBN.-Early years:...
: Comedian, VJ and actor. - Rishab Todi: Of Todi Industrial estate .
- Jamshyd Godrej: Industrialist and head of various Godrej Group companies
- Rahul BajajRahul BajajRahul Bajaj is an Indian businessman, politician and philanthropist. He is the chairman of Indian conglomerate Bajaj Group and member of parliament. Bajaj comes from the business house started by a Rajasthani Marwadi businessman Jamnalal Bajaj. The US$ 1.32 Billion Bajaj Auto is his flagship company...
: Industrialist and head of various Bajaj Group companies - Shapoor Mistry: Industrialist and head of various Shapoorji Pallonji Group Companies
- Rajdeep SardesaiRajdeep SardesaiRajdeep Sardesai is an Indian journalist, political commentator and news presenter. Sardesai is the Editor-in-Chief of IBN18 Network, that includes CNN-IBN, IBN-7 and IBN-Lokmat.- Biography :...
: Indian Journalist & political commentator with CNN IBN - Ashok Advani: Media - heads the Business India Group of publications
- Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto: former Foreign Minister, President and Prime Minister of Pakistan.
- Karisma KapoorKarisma KapoorKarisma Kapoor , often informally referred to as Lolo, is an Indian actress who made her debut in 1991, and appears in Bollywood films. During her career, she has been part of many commercially and critically successful films, Raja Hindustani being the most notable of them, as it was her biggest...
: Bollywood actress - Fareed ZakariaFareed ZakariaFareed Rafiq Zakaria is an Indian-American journalist and author. From 2000 to 2010, he was a columnist for Newsweek and editor of Newsweek International. In 2010 he became Editor-At-Large of Time magazine...
: journalist and author. - Homi Bhabha: noted scientist.
- J.R.D Tata: industrialist
- Milind Murli DeoraMilind Murli DeoraMilind Deora is a Member of the 15th Lok Sabha, the lower house of Parliament, from the Mumbai South constituency.-Early life:...
: Member of Parliament. - Salman Rushdie: novelist and essayist, 1981 Booker Prize winner.
- Siddhartha BasuSiddhartha BasuSiddhartha Basu is an Indian television producer-director and quiz show host, most known as producer-director of shows like, Kaun Banega Crorepati , and Dus Ka Dum . He is Chairman and Managing Director of Big Synergy Media Ltd., established in 1989 as Synergy Media Ltd., which produces these shows...
, television director-producer - Arundhati Ghosh
- Jehangir SabavalaJehangir Sabavala-Early life and education:Jehangir Ardeshir Sabavala was born to an affluent Parsi family in Bombay , India. His mother belonged to the aristocratic Cowasjee Jehangir family. He studied at Cathedral and John Connon School, Elphinstone College, and earned a diploma from Mumbai's Sir J. J. School of...
, Indian painter - Kiran DesaiKiran DesaiKiran Desai is an Indian author who is a citizen of India and a permanent resident of the United States. Her novel The Inheritance of Loss won the 2006 Man Booker Prize and the National Book Critics Circle Fiction Award...
: 2006 Booker Prize winner - Khalid Mohamed, film director and critic
- Rahul BoseRahul BoseRahul Bose is an Indian actor, screenwriter, director, social activist, and rugby union player.Bose has appeared in Hindi films such as Pyaar Ke Side Effects and Jhankaar Beats. Time magazine named him "the superstar of Indian arthouse cinema" for his work in parallel cinema films like English,...
: actor, social activist, rugby union player - Pamela Ballantine, M.B.E.: social activist
- Sanjay GhoseSanjay GhoseSanjoy Ghose was an Indian rural development activist known for his pioneering contributions to community health and development media...
: rural management, community health, rural development media - Amisha PatelAmisha PatelAmeesha Patel is an Indian actress who appears in mainly Bollywood movies. Making her acting debut in the blockbuster Kaho Naa... Pyaar Hai , Patel won critical praise for her performance in Gadar: Ek Prem Katha , which became one of the biggest hits in the history of Hindi cinema, earning her a ...
: Bollywood actress - Wing Commander Hufrid Mulla Feroze (Retd)
- Farrokh Langdana : Dir, Exec MBA; Prof, Fin/Econ. Rutgers Business School, NJ
- Kareena Kapoor: Film actor
- Rajat Kapoor: Film actor
- Fareed Zakaria
- Sidhanth Juwarker: Environmentalist
External links
- Official website
- Official website of the Cathedral and John Connon School's Alumni Association
- A Cathedralite's Photoblog: Pictures of, and information on, the Cathedral and John Connon School
- Seventh Heaven: A blog for Cathedralites around the World
- Blog set up by the Ex-President of the Alumni Association
18.936178°N 72.832825°W