CJM Hampton Court school celebrates its 100 glorious years in service of students in Mussoorie
CJM Hampton Court school celebrates its 100 glorious years in service of students in Mussoorie
Ajay Ramola
Mussoorie, March 1
Convent of Jesus and Mary Hampton Court school founded in 1922 completed 100 years of its glorious service of providing quality education to the students especially those from poor strata in Mussoorie, on Tuesday.
CJM Hampton Court, Mussoorie an institution offering incredible education, holds an excellent reputation in educating and enriching young minds, with ethics and values needed to live a prosperous and peaceful life.
The Alumni groups of the school from around the country Including eminent Bollywood singer Lucky Ali graced the occasion. The ex-students especially those who studied in boarding fondly remembered their alma mater and shared their experiences.
A new building and an auditorium was opened for the students and a computer lab sponsored by Alumni association was dedicated to the students. A gala evening followed by dinner for the members of the alumni association and the staff was organised later.
Lucky Ali, a former student of the school later speaking to media persons said, “to see the school reach new heights and celebrate its centenary is a moment of joy and to be with the school teachers and alumni friends, the fond memories of the childhood have refreshed once again.”
Speaking on the ongoing Russia-Ukraine war he said, “War is not a solution to any problem and effort should be made to resolve all issues through a dialogue”.
At night Lucky Ali visited various shops and posed for a selfie with his die-hard fans.
CJM Hampton court school with a glorious history was started by the sisters of the Religious Congregation of Jesus and Mary who arrived in Mussoorie in the year 1845. After starting the prestigious girls’ boarding school (C.J.M Waverly) a need was felt to start a boarding school for the boys as well. In the spring of 1921, Rev. Mother Sister Clare Superior General of the Congregation made her visit to India and granted the long-awaited request, to start a boys’ school, as they also wanted the motherly affection of nuns.
Fortunately, Hampton Court-Preparatory school for European girls was up for sale, which was purchased by the RJM Sisters after considerable negotiations. In the year 1922, Hampton Court Preparatory Boys’ School began its operations in providing residential education to the boys. A school that started with just sixteen boarders and six-day scholars under Rev. Mother Sr. Colette (First Principal), Mother Xavier(Superior) and a handful of staff members, stands tall today amidst the mountains, declaring a proud journey of completing hundred glorious years of serving the society and uplifting it through education.
By 1930 Hampton Court proudly stood on the educational map of northern India. The boarding was discontinued in the year 1988 when a need was felt to provide quality education to the residents of Mussoorie. An extra feather was added in the hat when the school was affiliated to Higher Secondary and Senior Secondary in the year 2004 and 2013 respectively. From then till date CJM Hampton Court has produced pupils, who are excelling in all the fields in India and abroad.
From 1922 till date, the school has followed the pedagogy of the Mother Foundress St. Claudine Thevenet, to attend to each individual keeping in mind their dignity and emotional intelligence. Stressing on the participation of each child in every activity, event and occasion to develop a feeling of togetherness and love among all. Today the RJM, wholeheartedly serve the people through Christian educational institutions, serving almost 800 students from the local population of Mussoorie itself. CJM Hampton Court offers all modern facilities for education, comprising of latest and hi-tech labs and new technologically advanced smart classes to compete with the fast-changing blended learning environment.
‘Looking at the Past, Gratitude for the Present and Working for the Future’ has been the roadmap for accomplishing these 100 years. To mark the commemoration of the Hundredth Year of Success and Service, an Opening Ceremony of The Centenary Year (1922-2022) was held on 1st March 2021. It began with the Eucharistic Celebration offered by Rt. Rev. Bishop Francis Kalist (Bishop of Catholic Diocese of Meerut) who also presided over the function as the Chief Guest. To partake in this celebration Provincial Sr. Antoinette, of the Delhi RJM Province, Provincial Bursar – Sr. Josna Fernandes, Sr. Gracy Paul (In-charge of Education Delhi Province as well as the Principal of CJM Delhi), Principal CJM Hampton Court, Sister Anita Mathews and Manager Sr. Sophie were present. Rev. Priests, Brothers and Sisters also graced this occasion with their valuable presence. Alumni members also became a part of this historic moment and became nostalgic remembering their good old days spent and shared their memories of the past. To name a few Anil Raturi (I.P.S) Former DG of Uttarakhand Police (Presently serving in the Right to Service Commission as a Commissioner), Retired L.t. General A.K. Bhatt and Ramesh Mittal (Founding Member and President of Alumni Association), were present.
To mark the hundred years of excellence as a special event, 100 balloons were released in the sky. The ITBP Academy Brass Band added colour and flavours, to the celebration with their wonderful and well-synchronized tunes. The students depicted the rich cultural heritage of Uttarakhand through Garhwali folk dance. The programme ended with the School Song followed by the National Anthem. Principal Sister Anita Mathews, Manager Sr. Sophie and the Sisters Community of CJM Hampton Court, along with the staff and students expressed their gratitude towards God and also prayed for his blessings on everyone for many more years to come.
“ Hundred Glorious Years’ in the truest sense is for acknowledging all blessings and serving the Lord and society with dedication. CJM Hampton Court has been a fountain of quality education and has reached the pinnacles of success with the consistent efforts of RJM Sisters, dedicated faculty members and students”, said Rev.Sr Anita Mathew, Principal, CJM Hampton Court, Mussoorie.
