l St Anthony?s School started in 1971 in a rented house. Then it just had two students.

A year later, the school spread to two rented houses at North Office Para and the people of the area started sending their children to school.

J.V. Francis and his wife Sylvia Francis founded the school in the state capital.

Francis used to teach at Loyola School, Jamshedpur, and St Xavier?s School, Doranda.

In 1972, he devoted full time for the school and worked for its expansion.

They purchased a plot of land worth Rs 2,000 from provident fund and with tremendous faith in god both the husband and wife marched forward to fulfil their dreams.

?With their commitment and vision, they purchased the land now where the school is situated presently on instalment basis. They also mortgaged land to get loans from the building,? said principal C.A. Francis.

In 1976, the school was shifted and the campus formed to build a small school. Subsequently, extra classes were added to the newly-constructed school. The school got its affiliation from ICSE in 1978.

Now the school is spread in two acres of land. In 1980, the first batch of 14 students appeared for board examination.

With all students getting a first division, the school was recognised as one of the best English medium schools in the state capital.

The principal says ?We have made computer application mandatory seensing the present demand for the IT sector. And we believe in making Home Science mandatory for both boys and girls.?

l Both parents and students have to go through an interview. The school mainly concentrates on the extent of involvement of parents with a child during the first four and half years of his life.

?During the interview, we observe the parents involvement with their child. We also ask suggestions from parents about various concept of education. We judge the environment and various other aspects required for a child?s growth,? the principal said.

l The school wants to increases the number of classes and include Classes XI and XII.

There is no canteen in the school due to space constraint but the school management has decided to start one, which would be part of the home science lab in the school.

The school is very soon going to introduce additional subjects like home science in Classes XI and X and computer application from Classes III to VIII.

?We have made computer application mandatory seeing the present demand. Similarly, after studying home science both boys and girls would be trained on home management if they face any unforeseen circumstances,? added the principal.

l The school believes in holistic education. When students pass out of the school they are well-versed with spoken English. The school organises different events on a day-to-day basis. ?Academic wise, we have a very sound atmosphere,? said Francis.

But, lack of space has deprived students to enjoy different sports activities.

l The school has Old Association Students called Antonio?s Alumni Association of St Anthony?s which was formed in 1999. The association organises fete.

At present, there are 35 students in the association who organise events for a cause. The association had collected money for Ananya Chakarborty, former head girl of the school who was suffering from bone cancer. She passed away. The association had collected funds of Rs 4.5 lakh and donated to her family for treatment.

We are trying to make association more active by starting a free clinic as there are lot of students who have become reputed doctors,? added the principal.

l Names of students are enrolled for the annual election for the council. The class teachers propose the process of the nomination. Election is held after a class teacher?s approval. Canvassing is done before the election and the students in the election fray are asked a lot of questions. The representatives are selected through voting and cabinet of the students? council is formed.

l Students also visit Leper Colony near Over Bridge. They distribute cots, blankets, soaps among the patients. They talk to the leper patients and stage little programmes and spend time with them to make them feel special.

l It is mandatory for students to take part in the NCC. It was formed in 2001. The cadets are involved in tree plantation, blood donation camps and other activities. There are four houses in the school Brahmaputra, Ganga, Godavri and Yamuna.

Only students of Class X joining the NCC becomes an optional subject.