St. Arnold’s Vijayanagar

History

St. Arnold’s School, Vijaynagar, Indore (formerly known as St. John’s School) was inaugurated on 29^th June 1990. Bishop George Anathil SVD lighted the lamp and invoked the blessings of the Almighty on everyone who would be benefiting through this institution. The presence of Fr. Ignatius Thottappilly SVD, Provincial Superior of INC, Fr. Thomas Thalachira SVD, the former Provincial, Sr. Florentia, Vice – Provincial of Holy Cross Sisters, priests, brothers, nuns and a sizable number of well-wishers solemnized the occasion. Fr. Augustine P.A. who supervised the construction work proposed the vote of thanks. The school started functioning on 2^nd July 1990 as per the contract with the Indore Development Authority with 66 tiny tots in the LKG. Though the school was expected to have tow mediums, only English Medium was started because there was no application for Hindi medium. The Holy Cross Sisters of Hazaribagh are teaching in the school. Fr. Cajetan D’Mello SVD is the first manger in charge. With 5 acres of prime land for school and playgrounds on the Bombay Agra Highway towards the industrial city of Dewas the school has been started with a view to self sufficiency and greater SVD presence in Indore city.

The seed of St. Arnold’s School Vijaynagar was sown in the year 1990 by the Divine Word Missionaries, popularly known as the SVD Fathers and Brothers, who were approached by the Indore Development Authority for a good English medium school.  While there were other Catholic schools in the city, the population in and around Vijay Nagar, on the northern outskirts of Indore city, off Bombay Agra Road, was increasing rapidly.  Hence, after having discussed with the local residents, both Catholics and of other religions, the Society of the Divine Word laid the foundation stone for a school building on 74/C Vijay Nagar and named it after the Founder of the Society of the Divine Word (SVD), St. Arnold Janssen. 

The school was affiliated to the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE), Delhi and accepted both female and male students.  As the years went by the initial number of 90 students increased rapidly and the Management added improved infrastructure in terms of buildings, playground, music room, audio visual room, library, computer laboratory and other facilities. 

Today St. Arnold’s Higher Secondary School Vijaynagar has over 2000 students guided by a pool of 75 well trained teachers and ably assisted by an efficient support staff.

St. Arnold Janssen (1837-1909) was a great educationist and a philanthropist. A man of prayer and service-he was inspired to found three religious congregations to bring light and knowledge to the ends of the earth through love and service. One of the religious Congregations he founded was the Society of the Divine Word (SVD) Society. St. Arnold’s H.S. School is one among various schools in India started by the SVD Society.

St. Arnold Janssen had a flair for mathematics and won gold medal for mathematical essay on curves. He achieved this goal by hard work and prayer. As an educationist, he won the appreciation of the students in his teaching career because he presented the subject in an interesting way. The purpose of teaching was to lead forth young minds into knowledge and young souls into truth. Thus his exemplary conduct won the esteem of all. We prayerfully place our institution under his guidance and specially remember him on 15th January each year. The followers of St. Arnold Janssen are trained to promote peace, truth and justice through educational, medical, pastoral developmental services and through communication media.

Motto

Life-giving-Word: The Word has a significant position in every religion and in every person’s life. Our ancient sages of India reached God uttering OM, the eternal sound. In Hebrew-Christian Scriptures, the Word of God is the ultimate reality, who creates everything and from whom life emerges. The same Word of God became flesh in Jesus Christ who declared: “I have come so that you may have life and have it in abundance.” When we speak words of love to our friends we enhance their lives. They begin to enjoy life in fullness. Every Arnoldian is expected to knit friendships of life-giving relations rooted in the Word. It is something that is cherished more than information, knowledge and wisdom. In sharing Love in the Word we share life.

Miles Stones

29/01/1990               Inauguration of the School

02/07/1990               Classes begin

15/01/1992               Parents’ Day was celebrated. Fr. Provincial, Ignatius Thottappilly SVD inaugurated the pre-primary block of St. Arnold’s school by cutting the ribbon.

01/06/2002               Fr. Cajetan D’Mello SVD went to Manila to study Counseling.

29/09/2002               Secondary Students participated and won first rank in Group Singing (Flok Song) by IPS Academy for Sahodaya (CBSE) School, Indore

05/10/2002               Shushil Shukla and Piyush Trivedi participated in the Hindi Debate by Govt. Girls School Indore District Level and got first and third rank respectively.

25/10/2002               Shankey Bansal and Shohini Moitre participated in the Hindi Debate Competition by Hindustan Times for all the Indore School and got second and third rank respectively.

17/12/2002               Secondary Students (Girls) participated in Cricket Tournament by Itma School (Indore Level) and got first rank.

10/01/2003               Mohit Tantre participated in the Debate Competition by Satya Sai School for Sahodaya (CBSE) Schools Indore and got second rank.

23/01/2003               Saptharishi Mitra participated in the Drawing Competition by Vidya Sagar School for Sahodaya (CBSE) School, Indore and got first rank.

01/07/2005               Fr. Cajetan D’Mello SVD became the principal of St. Arnold’s Higher Secondary School.

28/08/2006               St. Arnold’s Higher Secondary School secured the 2^nd position at the Inter school Table Tennis Competition held at SICA School.

26/09/2006               St. Arnold’s Higher Secondary School was declared the overall champions (out of 24 schools that participated) at the inter school Chess Competitions held at Gujarati Samaj Higher Secondary School.

18/10/2006               St. Arnold’s Higher Secondary School won the first potion at the inter school Hindi poem Recitation Competition held at SICA school Indore.

01/07/2008               Sisters of St. Joseph Tripute join for the school apostolate.

18/09/2008               The new Multipurpose Hall in the precinct of St. Arnold’s School was inaugurated by Dr. Durairaj SVD, the Provincial Superior and the VG Fr. Jolly John blessed the new hall. A large gathering of school children and the parish peoole witnessed the function. A short culural programme was later presented by the students on the occasion.

15/01/2011               It was a special day for the Arnoldians.  It was the Feast Day of our Patron, St. Arnold Janssen and the 21^st Annual Day of St .Arnold’s School, Vijay Nagar.  Hence the occasion was celebrated with great enthusiasm and gusto by the management, teachers, staff and students.  The cultural fiesta organized by teachers and students on the occasion enthralled everyone present during the celebrations which began at 5.30 PM.  The entire program included dances, drama, skits, songs and of course speeches!!  Some of the highlights from the students included dances, skits and songs on the themes of Saving the Planet and our Mother Earth, promotion of Harmonious Living in a multi-cultural and multi-religious society, Protection of Environment and of course jokes, jokes and jokes.   

21/01/2011               The day belonged to the tiny tots.  The day was the Annual Sports Day 2011 of our pre-primary children.  It was also called the ‘Grand Parents Day’. The celebrations began at 4.30 in the afternoon with the Chief Guest Dr. Bharat Chhaparwala lighting the traditional Indian lamp accompanied by the Guest of Honour Mrs. Ritu Grower, who later declared the Sports Day 2011 open.  The Principal, Fr. Cajetan D’Mello SVD earlier introduced the guests to the audience and thanked all of them for their presence.  Among the several sports items were Banana Race, Vegetable Race, Fruit Race and Family Race.  There were dances, skits and speeches.  Fr. Prasad SVD, the Special guest, assisted by the Principal and the Headmistress, distributed the prizes to the winners.   Later the guests together with their children enjoyed the ‘mela’ which included Riding the Camel, Riding the Horse,  Merry-go-round, the Micky-Mouse Play House, Tambola and several food stalls that served hot and delicious food. 

27/01/2011.              The day was a mixture of happiness and sadness, tears and smiles, similar to a Chinese Take-Away recipe of Sweat and Sour Chicken Noodles!!  The day was when our final year students said Goodbye to their Alma Mater. The schools girls had now grown up as Ladies and the school boys had now become Gentlemen.  True to the spirit of the day the Ladies had donned lovely Sarees and the Gentlemen were now Men In Black! The short but sweet program which took place in St. Arnold’s Hall at 10.50 in the morning included several songs, skits and dances.  There was awarding of plaques and Good Bye speeches from the out-going students.  The Principal, Fr. Cajetan D’Mello, SVD, administered the Oath of Allegiance to all out-going Arnoldians and would be Alumni. The program ended with a sumptuous Lunch enjoyed by all present.  Good Bye friends!  So-Long, Farewell!  Adios Amigos!!

Confreres who worked and are working