Over the years, samaritans have sought to provide the basic advantage of education to many marginalised children, when their parents simply could not afford to send them to school. There are many examples in different pockets across India and the state, where schools were started due to the initiative taken by a handful of individuals who cared.

St Anne?s English High School is one such endeavour that was the result of an initiative taken by a few nuns from Mander, who wanted to present the gift of education to tribal children.

Though there are many examples of such endeavours, some among them fizzle out after some years. Fortunately, there are others that not only shine, but they also set an example for many more to follow. And fortunately for many girls, St Anne?s School happens to fall in the latter category.

The institution that started with only a handful of students has today spread its wing, reaching remote villages, and admitting free of cost students from the interior pockets of Jharkhand.

Something extra

The strongest feature of St Anne?s School is the enthusiasm with which its pupils participate in every school activity.

The sisters, who understood that a school is essentially a space for students, left a lot of scope for the girls to partake in the school activities.

Whether it be a matter of academics, school discipline or hygiene, the participation of students in class projects or the performance of students in extra curricular activities, each individual pupil is given a role through which she may add on to the school?s functions positively.

This exercise also inculcates a sense of belonging and a true sense of team work, as every individual is made responsible for the other.

Team lessons

In the future, to reinforce the students? participation in the school, the administration has plans to start what they term ? in-group studying.

This process will include study groups with seven to eight girls in each group, who will learn and practise class lessons together.

Each child would be included in a group according to his or her learning capacity. Those who are stronger or quicker, would be responsible for helping their friends. The essence of cooperative learning will be exchange of ideas. ?Like in every other school, here too, we have a mix of all types. With cooperative learning, students who are good in studies can help out others, especially those who cannot afford tuitions,? feels the principal Sosane Bara.

Besides, the management has also decided to rope in students to visit nearby villages to teach the rural children, who are dropouts.

Helping out

The Young Christian Students? Association and Universal Solidarity Movement is yet another school group that helps pupils develop their latent skills. The members are involved in philanthropic work, too, on a day-to-day basis.

Cabinet rules

The school cabinet means serious business here. According to their roles in the cabinet, students are assigned different tasks, which include looking after the institution?s administration as well.

There are different posts, mainly that of the prime minister, deputy prime minister, health minister, and ministers of education, information, communication, culture and sports.

Cabinet members also collect money that is used for maintaining the premises and for petty purchases. It is also their decision to host different cultural activities.

Prayer please

Yet another indicator of the students? hold over activities is the prayer group that organises and plans morning assemblies.

It?s the girls, who decide the morning tasks, that includes news reading. Besides this, there is also an eco-club that plays a vital role in keeping the school premises clean.

Band blast

Other major activities include yoga, drum and flute lessons and an all-girls school band. The band is so popular that they are a regular feature in Raj Bhavan functions and have also bagged the first prize in Haridwar in October 2005.

But the laurels do not end here. The school has also bagged prizes in yoga, karate and basketball at the national level. Besides, pupils have received the President?s Award for its guide and scouts.

A passion for picnics

St Anne?s students have excelled in debates, quizzes, elocution, painting and sports activities.

But before one imagines them as a sombre lot, the students also know how to have their share of fun ? through picnics. This year the management has decided to take everyone to Puri.

fact file

Name: St Anne?s Girls? High School

What is it: A minority school for girls coming from underprivileged backgrounds.

Established: 1974

Address: Purulia Road, Ranchi

Phone number: 2204-786

Number of Students: 1,200

Number of Teachers: 10

Principal: SISTER SOSANE BARA

School fees: Free of cost

School Motto: Love, service and dedication

Academic session: April to March