Olcott Memorial Higher Secondary School

Supported by: Wipro

Olcott Memorial Higher Secondary School is a full-fledged school with students from KG to Grade 12. It is located in Chennai and caters to the underprivileged children and first-generation learners of the community. The school aims to constantly upgrade and empower teachers and students to face challenges with ease and achieve success in whatever field they are pursuing.

Detailed overview

Operational: MI Kids (Multi Intelligence Kids) class is introduced for Primary students to develop spoken and comprehension of the English language. This year we mobilized 30 scholarships for the passed-out students’ higher studies. Resumption of Annual Day, Project Day, Sports Day, etc., took place, which had been suspended for the last two years under COVID-19 pandemic.

Admission of students for the academic year 2022-23 took place. The school now has the overall strength of 476 students for this academic year 22-23. Free uniforms for students of classes 1 to 12 were distributed. Textbooks for grades 1 to 12 were handed out to students. Spoken English class for middle school children has been introduced through ELF learning.

Eye screening was done on all the students of classes 1 to 12. Two volunteer counsellors were appointed to support students’ mental and physical needs. Got recognition for conducting English Medium at a Higher Secondary Level.

Educational (for teachers):

Training for teachers by SIP to develop the MI Kids class for primary students took place. An online seminar on how to take science lessons simply (for English medium students), was conducted for English and science teachers (from classes 1st to 12th) by Ms. Varuni and Ms. Geetha and it continues. A training course on communicative English for teachers was organized through WebEx meet and it continues.

Teachers who are familiar with computer functions are volunteering to teach their fellow teachers basic computer skills (Word Processing, Spreadsheet, PowerPoint Presentation, Internet Navigation, E-Mail Management, Touch/Voice Typing) through a program called KT – Knowledge Transferring. This program continues to be operational.

Educational (for students):

• Empowering students to face the challenges of the global world.
• MI Kids (Multi Intelligence Kids) class is introduced for Primary students to develop spoken and comprehension of the English language.
• An awareness program on Yoga was conducted for students by the Ministry of Environment, Rajaji Bhavan.
• Scientific ideas for sixth-grade students were explained by an NGO called Eikas Foundation and it is continuous. 
• Students of classes 9 to 12 had various online classes by volunteer organizations to ensure better usage of the tablets given to them. Spoken English was the highlight of these sessions. 
• Roping in more volunteer organizations to interact and conduct various sessions with the students.
• Teachers of all classes took bridge classes to strengthen their basic learning skills.
• Extracurricular activities, karate, and yoga were introduced for middle school students.
• Stem Gym is introduced to enhance Science learning for middle school students.
• Student volunteers supported computer learning for 10 days for senior classes.
• Maths and Science activities are supported by IMSc for grade 8
• Life skill training on Saturdays is introduced for students of upper primary and middle school.
• Drug awareness talks are being organized monthly for senior students.
• Digital learning and revision for senior classes 9 to 12 supported by “Need Book”.
• Activity-based Science learning was introduced for grades 6–9.
• In the National Children’s Science Congress, our students were district toppers.
• 21 students attended the workshop (organized by Mega Music Forum titled “Yuva Rasika”) held at “Bharathiya Vidhya Bhavan.  Ghatam Karthik explained the thalam concepts in a playful manner which kindled the interests of the students and made them feel enjoyable.
• Rotary Club created an awareness talk for girls on mensuration health and hygiene.
• The fire drill was organized for students before Diwali.
• Youth Achievement Award by Ullas Trust was bagged by 4 students of grade 9.
• Awareness of the POSCO Act was given by the Rotary Club.
• 30 Students visited the American Consulate for a music seminar and library visit.
• Talk on the importance of segregation of household waste was given to students.
  Plans for the next 1-3 years

  Increasing the number of students in the school:

  • By creating awareness among parents that mother tongue education is best for students from 1st to 5th class
  • By quoting the pass percentage in the previous years
  • By highlighting the many activities of the students in the school
  • Many students had to move to their hometowns as their parents lost their jobs due to Corona. Bringing them back and convincing them to continue their education.
  • Elevating class XII pass percentage and average scores.

  Process for procuring recognition for English instruction for cases 11th and 12th:

  To ensure students are comfortable taking the board exam in English medium special classes and bridge courses will be organised.Various activities, motivational talks, and field trips will be undertaken to expose children to the reality of the outside world.

  • Working towards enhancing the pass percentage of classes 10 and 12.
  • To improve the general discipline of the students.
  • To continue professional development workshops for teachers as per the need.
  • Organize an outing for teachers.
  • Revision and support to board-going students to be strengthened.
  • Plans in progress to commence English medium in class 11 Commerce stream for the academic year 2023-24.
  • Continue and sustain bridging classes for students.
  • To improve the general discipline of the students.
  • To continue professional development workshops for teachers as per the need.
  • Organize an outing for teachers.
  • To sustain and continue all the activities planned for this year.