St Joseph’s Convent

coonoor - nilgiris - Tamil Nadu

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A Brief History of St. Joseph's Convent Coonoor

In the year 1899, the then Bishop of Coimbatore, Msgr. Louis Bardou and the Parish Priest of Coonoor, Fr. Dennis Peyramale approached Mother Marie Flavie in Bangalore to resolve a major problem faced by the European Planters in Coonoor, with regard to the Education of their children. They requested the Congregation to open a Convent and an English Medium School. Inspired by the Holy Spirit, Mother Marie Flavie graciously accepted the offer.

Riding through the narrow, hilly mountain roads in a jutka, she arrived in Coonoor, accompanied by Sr. Margaret Mary. On the 9th of February 1900, the sisters took possession of Dublin Castle donated by Sir Lawrence O’Reilley to the Coimbatore Mission.

By 1910, the ever growing school witnessed the opening of St Gabriel’s Boarding. The strength of the school gradually increased as admission both of boarders and day scholars began to pour in. It was found necessary to erect a double story building to house the increasing number of students- that stands firm and tall till date. In the year 1936, a spacious Chapel was built above the school hall. Within a span of two decades, the Institution made significant strides in every field. The Senior Cambridge Syllabus was streamlined into the Anglo- Indian Board of Education.

15th Feb, 2000 was a red -letter day in the history of the school. The Centenary Year Celebrations marked the beginning of the next 100 years of service, of kindling the light of knowledge and learning in young minds. If St. Joseph’s Convent has stood the test of time, it was only because of God’s goodness and mercy.

Rightly, the school decided on an apt theme for the Centenary programme “To God be the Glory”. The three- day celebration began with a concelebration of the Holy Eucharist with Rt. Rev. Dr. Anthony Anandarayar D.D., Bishop of Ootacamund as the Chief Celebrant, with many priests too. The service was attended by many sisters of our Congregation and the religious of the Congregations in and around Nilgiris, besides parents, friends, well-wishers, past students, and our own students. The beautifully trained school choir did indeed help to lift our hearts heavenwards. Thus began a pattern of prayer and outreach to all.

The specially planned events that soon followed were an Exhibition of the School down the hundred years, a colourful Cultural Programme, a captivating Magic Show, a Recollection Programme by Rev. Fr. Augustine Vallooran, V.C. of the Divine Retreat Centre, Chalakudy, an Inter -School Cultural Festival and one day seminar for the teachers of English speaking schools, Nilgiris by Rev. Fr. Dr. Joe Mannath, an internationally reputed psychologist and counselor, and writer. The First Holy Communion and Parents Day Celebrations marked the closing of the Centenary Year. A souvenir was published to mark this momentous event.

NEW COMMUNITY 2012 – A HOME OF LOVE

When the sun was setting

And the birds were moving to their nests,

The Sisters of St Joseph’s Convent Community,

Joyfully entered the new house

A house of blessing, a home of love

Singing “How lovely is your dwelling place O Lord!”

19th March 2012, Feast of St Joseph, beloved patron became a golden letter day at Coonoor, because it was a day of blessing and inauguration of the new community building. Dublin Castle where the early sisters lived since 1900 had been transformed into new St Joseph’s Convent. It was a day to remember with gratitude all the sisters who lived and rendered their services, with the spirit of sacrifice, simplicity and courage.

The formal function took place in front of the new building during which Sr Maria Goretti Martis, the Provincial unveiled the plaque. Sr Mercy Jacob, Superior General inaugurated the new community building. The lamp was lit to symbolize the presence of Jesus the great Light in the new house. Bishop Rt. Rev. Amalraj blessed the house. The Sisters gathered in the new Chapel while the Bishop blessed the Tabernacle and Crucifix and the choir sang showers of blessings. It was a great moment of deep joy and communion with all the SJT sisters.

Special mention should be made of Fr. Divakar OFM Cap. who designed the new Chapel. The tabernacle was gifted by the staff.

St. Joseph's Convent Boarding

Coonoor, Ooty – The Queen of Hills, Tamil Nadu
(Under the care of the Sisters of St. Joseph of Tarbes)

Introduction & Aim of the Boarding Ministry

Located in the serene hills of Coonoor in the Nilgiris, St. Joseph’s Convent Girls’ Boarding offers a unique blend of spiritual formation, academic discipline, and holistic living. Overlooking the lush green slopes of Ooty – the Queen of Hills, the boarding house provides a calm and inspiring atmosphere conducive to growth. Guided by the vision and charism of the Sisters of St. Joseph of Tarbes, the aim of the boarding ministry is to nurture faith-filled, confident, and responsible young girls who are rooted in values and prepared to meet life’s challenges with grace and strength.

Daily Routine

The structured routine at St. Joseph’s Boarding instills discipline, balance, and self-reliance, while nurturing the body, mind, and soul:

5:30 AM – Wake-up and hygiene
6:15 AM – Yoga & Meditation
6:30 AM – Supervised study
7:30 AM – Breakfast
8:30 AM – Departure to school
4:00 PM – Return from school and refreshments
4:00 PM – Outdoor play / Physical exercise/bathing
5:30 PM – Evening study session
7:00 PM – Dinner
7:30 PM- Recreation
8:00 PM – Study Time
9:00 PM- Lights Out
Weekends include spiritual sessions, recreational activities, manual work, movie time, and optional outings to nearby scenic spots.

Values Inculcated

In line with the charism of Communion espoused by the Sisters of St. Joseph of Tarbes, the boarding life at Coonoor focuses on:

Faith and Spirituality – through daily prayer, Mass, and catechism
Unity and Simplicity – fostering a spirit of togetherness and humility
Discipline and Punctuality – through structured routines and personal responsibility
Respect and Compassion – for all, regardless of background
Academic Excellence – encouraged through study habits and support
Service and Social Responsibility – cultivating a heart for others

Sisters’ Involvement in the Growth of the Boarders

The Sisters of St. Joseph of Tarbes serve not only as administrators but as spiritual mothers and mentors who guide the girls through:

Daily prayer and moral instruction
One-on-one mentoring and counselling
Academic supervision and study assistance
Character and leadership formation
Organizing retreats, motivational talks, and cultural sessions

Their constant presence ensures that each boarder feels loved, guided, and valued.

Celebrations and Community Life

Life at the boarding is enriched with joyful and meaningful celebrations, which offer students an opportunity to express themselves and build lasting bonds:

Freshers’ Day – A joyful welcome to new boarders with songs, skits, and games
Farewell Ceremony – A warm send-off filled with gratitude, blessings, and fond memories
Christmas Celebration – A spiritual and festive time with Nativity plays, carols, and joy-filled sharing
Children’s Day – A fun celebration with performances, games, and surprises arranged by the Sisters and staff

These celebrations bring life and color to the boarding, reinforcing unity, creativity, and gratitude.

Conclusion

Surrounded by the majestic beauty of Ooty’s misty hills, St. Joseph’s Convent Girls’ Boarding in Coonoor stands as a sanctuary of love, learning, and light. With the loving guidance of the Sisters of St. Joseph of Tarbes, the boarding is more than a residence—it is a home where girls grow into women of integrity, wisdom, and compassion.

St. Joseph's Convent A.I. Girls Higher Secondary School

“The most valuable skill we learn in school is the ability to learn.”

Introduction

The Greatness of a community is accurately measured by the compassionate actions of its members. Yes the success of our community life and its mission is the effort of every individual sister living under the one umbrella called St Joseph Convent Coonoor. Our ambition is so broad that we include the aspirations and needs of others, for their sake and ours as well. Before we embark on the journey of our mission. we remain grateful to the almighty god for his providential care for guiding and leading us through the year 2024-2025.

Anglo Indian School

Results of the Board Exams held for the year 2024 to 2025

For Std 12- 98%,
Std 11- 98%
Std 10- 97%

A glimpse into the year’s activity

The academic year commenced with a series of meaningful events that set the tone for a productive and spiritually enriching year.

Rev. Fr Thisai Jerry, a renowned Catholic priest, singer, and musician, inspired teachers with his orientation program on June 3rd. The academic year officially began with a solemn Eucharistic celebration offered by His Excellency, Most Rev. Dr K. A. William Emeritus Bishop of Mysore on the 18th of June.

You can teach a student a lesson for a day; but if you can teach him to learn by creating curiosity, he will continue the learning process as long as he lives.” – Clay P. Bedford

At St. Joseph’s, we embody the spirit of vibrant way of learning beyond the classroom through Co-curricular and Extracurricular Activities through the clubs. These initiatives complement our academic programs, fostering personal growth, skill development, and creativity. By providing platforms for students to explore their passions and interest. Therefore, the entire school community is divided under the umbrella of various clubs like Language Clubs like Tamil, English, Hindi and French. The students here are encouraged for a Creative writing, Essays, Poems, and we nurture their unique talents for elocution, Debate. As a part of the English club Our school actively participated in the Inter-School Drama Competition conducted at St Hilda’s Ooty.

We have other clubs like maths, science social, computer, customer clubs involving a lot of activity with regard to the field.

Annual School Sports

The Annual School Sports Meet is one of the most highly anticipated events of the year. This year, we were honored to have Mr. Col C.P. Varghese as our Chief Guest. The day was filled with excitement, featuring track events and impressive displays. The overall trophy was won by St. Michael’s House.

Common Celebrations of School

Independence Day Celebration

The Chief Guest of the day was Rev. Sr Mercy Jacob, Former Superior General sister hoisted the national flag, followed by a march-past and pledge ceremony.

Foundation Day

August 15th holds a special significance for our school, as we celebrate a Triple Feast commemorating our nation’s Independence, the Assumption of our Blessed Virgin Mary, and the Foundation Day of our religious congregation.

Teachers' Day

Our school community came together to express gratitude to God for the gift of our teachers and their vocation. The celebration began with a Eucharist, followed by a cultural program presented by our students.

Canonical Visit

We were honored to welcome Rev. Sr. Jesus Cevallos, our Superior General, Rev. Sr Sophie Frank, General Councilor, and Rev. Sr Jeyarani, our Provincial Superior, to our campus. Our students warmly welcomed them with a vibrant dance, showcasing the rich heritage of the Nilgiris.

House Feast

On September 28, 2024, our school celebrated the Feast of the Archangels. Students from Std VI to VIII organized a prayer service, scripture readings, reflections, and a skit, centered around the theme “The Angels: The Invisible Agents of God.” We were blessed to have Mother General to witness this special program.

On August 30th, our school hosted an Inter-House Drama competition, judged by Rev. Fr Eugene, Dr Josephine Gladys, and Mrs Reena. St Michael’s House won the first prize, with Shivya Sona S. receiving the Best Actor Award.

On November 14th, our school celebrated Children’s Day with the theme “We are the Change Makers.” The students had a mesmerizing magic show by Mr Shyam Nelson, a renowned magician and juggler who has performed on different TV channels.

The VII Std students organized a Diwali Assembly with the theme “Light Tomorrow with Today.” On the 25th november. The celebration aimed to create awareness about our cultural heritage, appreciate diversity, and to instill universal values.

The SJT Education Day was on 26th November. This celebration recognized the hard work and dedication of educators and students in their pursuit of academic excellence. This special day honored the pioneering spirit of our Foundresses and the patroness of SJT education, Mother Marie De Anges, for her lasting impact on women’s education.

On November 30th, 2024, a solemn Valedictory Service was held for the outgoing students of Std XII. Rev. Fr. Noel Stephen Rozario, Principal and Correspondent of St. Joseph’s College of Education, Ooty, delivered a meaningful message on the theme “To Strive, To Seek, To Find, and Not to Yield.”

The school fete, held on December 6th and 7th was a resounding success. The event was the culmination of a week’s worth of preparations, transforming the school ground into a vibrant carnival.

A captivating Christmas play,the story of the three wise men’s journey to Bethlehem was staged by the junior classes on December 4th. The young actors brought the ancient story to life with their energetic performance. Mr Noel Otter from Timber Tops School, Connor, was the guest the day

The School Annual Day program : Quacent Aura 2025 is one of the awaited event of the year Which was the culmination of the old and the young, the past and the present coming together to give Glory to God Alone ( Soli Deo Gloria) for the 125years of excellence in the field of education. In The morning we had Inaugural mass offered by his Excellency Most Rev Amalraj, the Bishop of udhagamanalam and concelebrated by the Priest and our sisters who served and lived in this community in the years past.

In the afternoon we had the school Annual Day program with colourful display of Dances,drama and singing. we were happy to have Mrs Nirupama Menon Rao our Alumni, the first I F S officer of India and Ambassador for South East Asian Countries as our Chief Guest of the day and Rev Sr Mercy Jacob and Rev Sr Sheela V J and Mrs Rita Lopez Sherrel as the Guest of Honour. The school management wished good farewell to mrs Rita as she is retiring on 28th August 2025.

Other Activities

We also offer regular classes in, Dance, Music, karate, chess, and Table tennis. Our Junior Red Cross (JRC) and Scouts & Guides participate in awareness programs on environment and other global issues organized by NGOs. Apart from this we give awareness to our students on POCSO and negative impact on the use of drugs.

Josephite and Legion of Mary

Josephites come once a week for a common prayer to say the rosary of St Joseph and Mother Mary. Every first Friday of the month student take active participation in the school mass under the guidance of their catechism teachers. The Season of Advent and Lent is being made more meaningful for them. Josephites do take active role on August 15th Foundation day and SJT Education Day. They high light the significant role played by our early sister in field of education and in the faith formation of our catholic students through the skit, dance and singing.

CIHDSA - Centre for Integrated Human Development and Social Action

CIHDSA was commenced in the year 1996 by Rev. Sr. Anne.
CIHDSA was established officially in the year 1997, July 26th. The following programmes were initiated in the beginning.
CIHDSA functioned with Sr. Anne as Director and four staff. Sr. Anne was also the founder of CIHDSA from 1997 to 2005.
First programme of CIHDSA was to form women sangams in and around Coonoor local areas. Women were given trainings like leadership training, capacity building training, legal trainings, awareness programmes and entrepreneurship training. Through these programmes many women developed economically and started their own business.
One common problem all the women faced in the town and villages was drinking habit of their husbands or sons. So from the year 1996, counseling for men, women and families was done by Sisters and staff. So slowly patients were admitted as in patients and started de-addiction treatment for 7 days, then gradually increased the days to 10 days to 21 days.
We treat alcohol and drug addicts the people who come with lot of problems are solved and given awareness to the family members how to take care of them. We also take care of the children’s education specially for tribal.

ICSE History, Vision and Mission

The foundation of a school is often driven by a vision for education, a commitment to knowledge and the dedication of its founders. Our school began its journey in the year 2020 with the noble vision of providing quality education exclusively for girls. Over time, responding to the needs of the community, it transitioned into a boys’ school named as St Joseph’s Convent School, while continuing its commitment to academic excellence and holistic development.

We follow the ICSE syllabus, offering a balanced curriculum that nurtures intellectual growth, moral values, and extracurricular talents. With dedicated teachers, modern facilities, and a student-centered approach, we strive to shape young minds into confident, responsible, and compassionate individuals ready to face the challenges of the future.

We believe in nurturing the all-round development of our students through a vibrant blend of academic and co-curricular activities. Alongside the core curriculum, we organize various academic competitions such as elocutions, digital poster making, photography, Science and Math exhibitions, and Essay-writing contests. These activities enhance critical thinking, creativity, and communication skills, while fostering healthy competition among students. Cultural programmes form a vital part of our school calendar. Events such as annual day, Christmas play allow students to showcase their talents and appreciate diverse cultural traditions. We also promote extracurricular activities like music, classical dance, western dance and karate.

Our school offers a range of clubs to suit different interests – including the Science Club, Tech Club, Literature Club, Math Club, Robotics, 3D – Lab and E- Library These clubs provide hands-on learning experiences and encourage collaboration and innovation among peers.

For parents who seek an education that fosters critical thinking, creativity and a global perspective, the ICSE board is an excellent choice. Investing in an ICSE education today is an investment in your child’s bright and successful tomorrow.

Our Vision for Education

Inspired by Jesus, our Divine Teacher, and our Foundresses, we, the Sisters of St. Joseph’s of Tarbes, are urged:

To make our primary concern – the building of love, peace and harmony within the Institution and in the society around.
To enable our staff and students to grow in all aspects of human and spiritual life.
To create an atmosphere in which they become persons actively responsible towards family, society, country and the world at large, and thus promote love, peace, justice and unity.

Our Mission: We the Sisters of St. Joseph of Tarbes radically share the Vision and Mission of Jesus “Father, May they all be one” (John 17:21)

Our Goal: To mould young individuals, to be intellectually enlightened, morally upright, spiritually inspired and socially committed, emotionally balanced, skill-based youth to serve the society.

Lay associates