Introduction Of The School

The school is founded on the faith that in Jesus Christ, God has given new life and hope for the human kind; and the church have been called to share this life and this hope with all the people through UNITY, WITNESS AND SERVICE.

The school is located in the heart i.e. the Civil lines area in the city Bilaspur, the second largest city and the state of Chhattisgarh. The city itself is well connected to all the parts of India thereby making the school strategically ideal and accessible.

History

Any journey must begin with an assessment of where one ahs been. The following is a brief historical sketch of the development of this school and its services rendered to the society.

Missionary leadership

India has long been the destination for missionaries the Stone Camp Movement and their missionaries from the Unite States, Canada, Great Britain and Australians deserve a special mention in this regard.

The first stone Campbell Movement missionaries sent to India where four single women: Ada Boyd, Mary Kingbury, Mary Grabiel and Laura Kinsey. They were sent by the Christian Womens Board of Mission (CWBM), America in the year 1883. The first three of the above mentioned made Bilaspur their first station and started Girls Orphanage. Thus on 6th November 1885 Chanta Girls School was founded with sixteen students and one Rajput Teacher. This proved to be the precursor to the present day institution- Burgess Memorial Girl’s School.

Though the early work was slow it was deliberate and the fruit of their labours became evident with the growing successes. By the year 1898 there were nearly 300 students. During this time Miss Bertha Lohr (1892-93) gave her valuable resources to the school.

In 1920 a big amount was collected in the memory of Mrs. O A Burgess (CWBM President 1890 – 1902) and was given to the Chanta Girls School. Thus began a new era in the history of the school and subsequently the school came to be known as the Burgess Memorial Girl’s School, Bilaspur.

A plot was purchased and many buildings were made at the cost of nearly one Lac of Rupees. Miss Ada Boyd, the first missionary also donated a large amount. With such financial help the fully equipped school building was inaugurated in 1926, by his Excellency Sir M. Butler.

During this course, Miss Mattie W. Burgess (1893 – 1909) gave her services and leadership to the school. The school has a synthesis of missions and had a distinct privilege of activity of both America Mission and the Canadian Mission activity. An example of the valuable service rendered by the Canadians is Miss Emma Jane Ennis (1909 – 1914). She served as a missionary – teacher for more that three decades in the school and eventually reached the position of  Director. She was awarded several medals by the British monarchy for her service in India. Her love, concern & compassion for the people of India can be seen clearly when she wrote “If the people of Canada and the U.S.A knew the Indian People as I know them, there is nothing they would not do for them, and it would not be a sacrifice.”

Later, Dr. Miss Vida C. Elliot (1941- 1951), a missionary of the United Christian Missionary Society, took over from Miss Ennis in 1941 an gave her valuable service to the school Mrs. Mary Pollard, another missionary of the UCMS, America, in her brief snits and Mrs. Miriam Terry (1958 – 59) also gave their prime efforts, and under them the school scaled further new heights.

INDIGENOUS LEADERSHIP:

Even the Indian counter parts of the missions like Miss Prossano K Shah (1957c- 58), and later Miss Kanchan P Shah(1959-1965), Miss Z Rahim (1965 – 198) and Mrs P H James (1989 – 2001) has given a sustained leadership in their own capacity.

In 1971, the mission work of the American Disciples and the British Churches of Christ merged with the other groups to become the united CHURCH OF NORTH INDIA and the school was also given this, new united and indigenous church.

Mrs P S Pillai who took the charge in 2002 is the present official and giving her leadership to this great institution established for the glory of God and the church. The dynamic and visionary leadership provided by the Rt. Rev. Dr. P. C. Singh, Bishop, Diocese of Jabalpur, CNI and the present chairman of the school management committee is also a blessing and an assent in the present scenario of the school and it is making considerable achievements towards progress and growth.

AIMS & OBJECTIVES

The purpose of the school is to provide scholastic and quality based education to the girls and train them in wholistic manner, for their future responsibilities and roles in the family and society in the context of India. The school tries to inculcate a rational and scientific approach and behavior in their subjects keeping intact the holiness of thought and life, in the contemporary world in the light of the Christian faith. The school life is all about “The Opportunities”, to learn and grow to be human and prudent.

SCHOOL MOTTO:

The school derives its strength and vision in the commandment of our Lord Jesus
Christ in Matthew 10:8 “Freely ye have received, freely give.”

EMBLEM & COLOUR:

The school emblem consists of a staggered Ellipse, denoting, the life in its discrepancies and abomalies in the fallen & marred state of humanity, in ignorance. Two Ellipses from the base, for God and His Son Jesus Christ the ultimate reality ad the very source of all good life and being the centre has an open bible, the source of all knowledge & wisdom. The torch denotes the enlightenment; we get through the achievement of the truth. It also has the school motto and school name embedded between the Ellipses.

The green colour denotes prosperity through education and the golden colour & the white denotes the union of the soul with God & Purity respectively.

ACADEMICS PROGRAMME:

The school provides education, following the states recommendation for secondary education. As such it runs the classes for Science, Arts and Commerce stream under he state board of Education Chhattisgarh (Chhattisgarh  Madhyamik Siksha Mandal, Raipur). The classes offered are from Std. 1 to 12 (+2).

The medium of instruction is Hindi, the national language of India & the language of the masses.

CAMPUS LIFE          

Besides regular classes of studies, the school offers ample opportunities for development through extra – co curricular activities. Science club and Eco –club provides interaction opportunities for the students.

Games & sports are offered at both elementary and specialized level. Students have faired particularly well in cricket, Baseball, hockey, Soft Ball etc. & other sports also. N.C.C. Girl’s Guide & Red Cross activities are also offered.

Spiritual and moral life formation are achieved with daily prayers (All student) & chapel time (residential students).

The school tries to inculcate a feeling of National and Community life in their students, and abhors discrimination based on cast, creed & religion.

The school also has a well versed Library for the students to use, for their studies. It also has a hostel attached for its out stationed students.

The campus provides sufficient activities in the form of student organizations, to develop the leadership qualities, in the future generations.