ABOUT US

About Us (History of Mount Carmel School)
The First World War fell as a death knell to the little school of Mount Carmel, Ahmedabad. With great tenderness and love the German nuns tilled and nurturedthis little school,but were compelled to abandon this place on the dawn of 1915, back to their native land. The school, left in the lurch and almost orphaned, was salvaged by the Parish and was run only for eight to redeem the prestige of the school, should it soon go into oblivion. So was the will of the Lord, that the Apostolic Carmel Sisters held this Little school of Mount Carmel Ahmedabad in the palm of their hands. They created one more abode for the Lord in North India, on January 23rd 1923.

Sisters Xavier, Marianne and Angelica who joined the community on 28th January 1923 were to take charge of the school. The pioneers had hard spadework to do in those early, transitional days; for the teaching members, including the superior, it was a big project, but they bravely shouldered the entire responsibility of the newborn Mount Carmel School and soon got into good stride.

In June 1924 a small boarding establishment came into being as feeder to the existing school. All the people around were well disposed towards the school. As the numbers in the school increased by leaps and bounds it was found advisable to open Std. V. But the Education Department came in the way of opening Std. V although up to 1922 the class existed. Finally in October 1926 after a lot of tension and trouble and prayers the glad tidings of the opening of Std. V came as a ray of sunshine. The Educational authorities greatly recommended the work of the school.

In1932 during Mother Carola’s time it seemed to be the dark ages for the school. Due to incorrect data of the previous inspector, the recognition of Std. V was withdrawn from June 1933 to 1934 but every cloud has a silver lining. In 1935 June Std. V was reopened after the big success of the Inspection and the year was crowned by the holding of the First Parents’ Day and prize distribution. The silver lining of 1935 had its eclipse and a complete one at that when the sisters were asked to shift to another place in favour of the rightful claimants – the Jesuit Missionaries who were going to start a school for the boys. House hunting was taken on by Mother Xavier with Ms. Tamna (a loyal teacher) and Mr. Lobo. The Jesuits helped the sisters to spot a place at Shahibaug. On 1st June 1935 the school was shifted to Shahibaug. By 4th June everything was in place which brought a lot of joy to every heart. School reopened on 11th June. Mr. Bhumgara a Parsee gentleman helped to make convenient bus arrangements for the children coming from the city, the bus provided a joyride for the children.

In1932 during Mother Carola’s time it seemed to be the dark ages for the school. Due to incorrect data of the previous inspector, the recognition of Std. V was withdrawn from June 1933 to 1934 but every cloud has a silver lining. In 1935 June Std. V was reopened after the big success of the Inspection and the year was crowned by the holding of the First Parents’ Day and prize distribution. The silver lining of 1935 had its eclipse and a complete one at that when the sisters were asked to shift to another place in favour of the rightful claimants – the Jesuit Missionaries who were going to start a school for the boys. House hunting was taken on by Mother Xavier with Ms. Tamna (a loyal teacher) and Mr. Lobo. The Jesuits helped the sisters to spot a place at Shahibaug. On 1st June 1935 the school was shifted to Shahibaug. By 4th June everything was in place which brought a lot of joy to every heart. School reopened on 11th June. Mr. Bhumgara a Parsee gentleman helped to make convenient bus arrangements for the children coming from the city, the bus provided a joyride for the children.

The foundation stone was laid on 10th April 1939 by Rev. Fr. J. Villalonga, Thanks to the energetic contractor and his devoted assistants. The building sprang up almost like La Fontainis “Dream Castle” in the very same year. On 20th December it was blessed and made habitable by Fr. J. Villalonga. Her Excellency Lady Lumley, wife of the Governor of Bombay inaugurated this edifice of learning. The third and final shift took place on 23rd December 1939.

The majestic building did not mean the end of problems. Students were not allowed permission to the Matriculation exam, unless they had attended the matriculation class of one or more recognised schools for not less than 110 days in the aggregate school year and unless they produced satisfactory testimonials. Rev. Fr. Villalonga once again came to the aid of the sisters. In 1938, the Matric class was to be opened at St. Xavier’s (Mirzapur) where Sr. Joan and Sr. Maria along with their Maths master conducted the class. They achieved cent percent results. The second batch appeared in 1940 from MCC, Navrangpura – results – cent percent. After Miss. Khandwala’s inspection she recommended the school recognition for five years.

In 1953 , a new block ‘Carmelita’ was added at Navrangpura to accommodate the Middle school.

In 1958, the’Annexeblock’- an extension to the main building was put up by Sr. Zena together with Sr.Loyola. With a futuristic vision and on the recommendationof Bishop Pinto S.J. a parallel Gujarati medium section was started from StdVIII upwards to cater to the local students.

The long felt need of a school in the city for the little ones materialized on 1st March, 1952 at ‘Sunbeam’ (Khanpur).

The Inspectors heartily praised the teaching and discipline of the school and were highly pleased with the fine accommodation given to the pupils year after year. Students passed piano- forte examination with honours and merit. The school was honoured with the visit of the Duke of Edinburgh, 1959 and Cardinal Valerian Gracious in 1960 who appreciated the work done by the school.

Carmel Cote – a fine architectural building came up on the banks of the river Sabarmati around 1964. The Primary section was shifted into this building.
Mount Carmel school celebrated its Golden Jubilee in 1973.

Sr. Maria Rosa’s dream of starting a computer unit was realised in 1987. A small contribution was made by each student towards this project thereby fulfilling her dream of providing computer training a reality- the first of its kind among all the sister schools.

The Higher Secondary Section was put up on pillars on the third floor. Std XI
( Arts and Commerce stream) commenced in June 1992.

Mr. R. Sundaram, Collector of Custom and Excise sponsored the Basket Ball Court(1995). The basket Ball team under the guidance of Mr. David Colaco, the Sports master won Laurels for the school year after year.

During the years that followed the school faced enormous damages due to the earthquake in 2001. Help came from all over. While the damaged school was being rebuilt, classes were held under the tents and in the Annex Block. The Higher Secondary section functioned in the afternoon for some time. Under the guidance of Sr. Margaret Angela and the Principal Sr.Vimala Paul the whole school was rebuilt. It was indeed a trying time for the Management, Staff and the students of this school.

To cater to the psychological needs of the students a counselling section was introduced. And so the stage was set; an impressive school building in the heart of the city, a state-of the art- infrastructure and a schoolof eighteen hundred children. But all this was not enough to set Mount Carmel apart from the rest of the educational institutions. It was here that Sr.Prescilla Lobo stepped in to take charge of the school in 2005. Since then it had been her mission to elevate the quality of students, the quality of education and thereby of the staff. She has been immensely successful in trying to inculcate the importance of discipline among everyone in school—discipline in work and in life. Under her able guidance and leadership, the floodgates of creativity were thrown open to students in the form of bringing out school magazines, putting up annual functions that found the city wonderstruck.
Time to time school inspections found the school catering to the all-round development of the students. It came as a matter of great joy and a tremendous sense of achievement when the school was awarded with the ‘Best School Award 2008. We, the Carmel family, look back with a deep sense of contentment that the long years of struggle has finally borne fruit.

In 2007, Sr. Prescilla Lobo was awarded by the Indian Solidarity Council—New Delhi. The National MahilaRatna Gold Medal Award – 2007 the International Education Society, New Delhi, awarded –RashtriyaVidhyaSaraswatiPuraskar Award 2007 and the Eminent Citizen of India Award in 2008.

We entrust our mission in the hands of the Almighty to lead us forward.

The turning point in the History of Mount Carmel has been its tremendous growth in the field of sports. Students have been participating in different sports activities and winning accolades right, left and centre. They go through rigorous practices for months together leaving nothing to chance which has helped them to break past records. Under the banner of Mount Carmel we have won laurels in skating, Basket-ball, swimming, badminton, lawn tennis, kho-kho, cricket etc.

• The government of Gujarat has introduced the Semester system for std. V to X.
• Less number of students seeking admission in the Gujarati medium has compelled us to close down this medium of instruction. In its place an additional English medium has been started from June 2011.
• Students are encouraged to participate in a variety of competitions held in school and Inter School level throughout the year. Apart from the school and Inter School competitions, they also excel in Talent Search, Elementary Exam, Olympiads, SwaachBharat projects and other competitions.
• The School Cabinet is a very impressive body that takes responsibility for discipline, cleanliness and order. They learn to become accountable to the work assigned to them.

• P.T. uniforms were reintroduced to inculcate a sense of belonging and to instil in students a spirit of healthy competition.

• The software has been installed in our library for better functioning. It isexhilarating to know that we have more than 20,000 books in our library.

• School Software Information System has been installed in the school to keep in touch with parents through SMS internet and web portal. Parents can have access to their child’s performance on the web portal.

• The School Managing Committee is an advisory body to the Management and the school. They hold regular meetings to settle a variety of issues regarding school matters, staff and students.

• Staff orientations are arranged regularly as and when required. Refresher courses like the Language teaching course, Mind Mapping are organised for staff as well as students.

• The DEO Ahmedabad City requested us to adopt a neighbouring school and to help the poor and weak students in their studies. Our Social Science, Science and Maths teachers took up the project.

Club Activities of our school

The various clubs of our school, namely the Literature club, the Math club, the Eco club, the Social Service club, Carmel Blossoms and the Girl Guides help and guide our students to discover themselves. Students have the liberty to choose a club of their choice.

• Social Service Club: nurtures social awareness and compassion in our girls to reach out to the weak and the marginalised sections of the society. It organises visits to blind school, orphanages, homes for the destitutes etc. Funds are sent towards cancer society and relief work is carried out in areas struck by natural calamities. Students are also sent during exams as writers for blind students. Medical camps are organised for students from time to time. The students of NASEOH (National Society for Equal Opportunities for the Handicapped) avail of our playground thrice a week.
The club has brought in its fold our rickshaw and van drivers to give them a feel of an extended Carmel Family. Having said that, an informal programme was organized for them to show gratitude for their Services. Small funds were raised by students by selling old newspapers and craft items.

• Classical dance classes are held twice a week.Taichi is conducted for parents and ex-students on our campus.Our school hosts seminars for communicative English course regularly.

• Eco Club: creates awareness among students and neighbourhood to save nature through rallies, posters etc. and learn to keep the campus clean. Assemblies are conducted by the Eco club to sensitise students.

• Girl Guides teach our students to ‘Be Prepared’ for every situation. Regular meetings and camps are organised. They see to the overall cleanliness of the campus and are in charge of general discipline.

• Literature Club: It tries to sensitise students about the beauty of the English language. Members of the club put up assemblies, skits and create awareness to speak the language. They also train the students to participate in debates, declamation, recitation, JAM etc. Classics relevant to their topics are screened regularly for students to enjoy and appreciate the language.

• Singing classes are held every week by FR. Vincent D’Souza to prepare the students’ choir for the exams conducted by the Royal College of London.

• The school magazine is released every alternate year.