ST. THOMAS SCHOOL IN TRIVANDRUM

 

This was  post to the Secretary. St. Thomas Educational Society, Trivandrum

My sister Leela's daughter in law, Simi,  is in Australia.

What I gather from Leela is Simi works with children at the KG level. Leela tells me, in Australia, they are very much concerned at the development of children from the very young age. Leela adds, the job pays much better than other positions in Australia.

Right now I am reading 'Hidden Potential' by Adam Grant. He's a well known author.

He writes:

The success that students achieve as adults could be predicted simply by looking at who taught their Kindergarten Class. A study  by Raj Chetty, one of the World's most influential economists revealed that by age 25, students who happened to have had more experienced kindergarten teachers were earning significantly more money than their peers.

To the question why, the intuitive answer is that effective teachers help students develop cognitive skills. Early education builds a solid foundation for understanding numbers and words. Sure enough, students with more experienced teachers scored higher on maths and reading skills at the end of kindergarten.

Forwarding because:

1. You are heading St.Thomas

2. Anoop tells me he regrets he couldn't be in St.Thomas

3. Looking at a recent performance of Leann, at the Pattoor Church and certainly of the students at the STRS annual School day, I can understand what Anoop missed.

4. Not that Christ Nagar was bad, but it didn't give him what St.Thomas has been giving over the years

5. Once when Anoop completed SSLC, we wanted to put him at St.Thomas for the 11th. Lila had a relative teaching there. We met him with Anoop. He asked Anoop, "What's your name?"

6. There was a scared expression on his face, on the enquiry in English, before he answered. 

7. Years later, I was at the Foreign Exchange seat at SBI Tvm. One day, an engineer at the state govt. visited the office. He wanted traveller's cheque for his son who was proceeding to US for higher studies after CET.

8. I responded it could be done. The next day he returned with his handsome son.

9. I asked the young man what his name was.

10. The response was similar to Anoop's a few years back

11. Though I guessed correctly, I asked him where he did his schooling. Christ Nagar was the answer

12. No wonder I thought.

13. Those days every beam in the school exhorted,"Speak English."

14. My consternation was most of the students didnot know how to speak in English, let alone good English

15. It's why St.Thomas is way ahead.

16. I can understand very well why, when Anoop mentions what he lost, by not being at St.Thomas.

17. Yes, to me St.Thomas is much more than a mere school, that churns out good results.

18. St.Thomas influences the wholesome development of the child entrusted to its care.