Information For Parents

The Cathedral Vidya School, Lonavala

The Cathedral Vidya School (An affiliate of The Cathedral & John Connon School) Village: Shilatne, Post Office: Karla , Taluk: Maval, District: Pune, Lonavala, Off. Old Mumbai- Pune Highway, Pincode: 410405 Telephone: - 91 2114 - 282693 , 282113, E-mail: [email protected] Website : http://www.cathedral-lonavala.org

About the The School The Cathedral Vidya School has been set up in collaboration with The Cathedral and John Connon School, Mumbai, (estd. 1860), which is one of the most prestigious educational institutions in India. The Cathedral School has nurtured minds as diverse as JRD Tata, Ratan Tata, Anand Mahindra, Salman Rushdie, Anita and Kiran Desai, Fareed Zakaria, Homi Jehangir Bhabha, Muhammad Ali Jinnah…………

Our School is a co-educational English-medium residential School. It is a branch of the famous 149-year old Cathedral and John Connon School, Mumbai, whose philosophy, aims, objectives, academic and administrative systems, it follows. Set against the scenic backdrop of the Sahyadri Hills, The Cathedral Vidya School, Lonavala, imparts a broad-based and holistic education in a pollution-free, 40 -acre campus. Its programmes have adapted the best of traditional schooling, marked by a strong academic core, to the needs of an increasingly technology-driven and qualityconscious society. The School’s fundamental values are hard work, discipline and simplicity. These values, practised in a nurturing and supportive environment, are visible in every sphere of School life. Mission The Cathedral Vidya School, Lonavala, aims to create articulate, compassionate and rational individuals, proudly Indian in essence, humanistic and universal in outlook. An innovative programme, delivered by caring educators, addresses the needs of the times and guides the children towards academic and human excellence. The School accords the highest priority to the realization of talent & potential at all levels of the Faculty and Administration so that the young shall never be denied the finest, the latest, and the most meaningful in the realm of knowledge and life.

The Academic Programme

The academic programme is skill-based, challenging, contemporary, and offers a variety of options to children of varied abilities. While the importance to recall of core knowledge cannot be sufficiently emphasized, teachers are encouraged to make their classes active learning experiences through the pupils’ meaningful understanding rather than mere rote memorization. The children gradually build a sound academic base by learning various ways of accessing knowledge, processing information, utilizing the skill of reference, and by systematic and regular study habits. The desire is always to develop the students’ ability to flexibly and creatively apply, what they are learning. The School takes its assessment system beyond mechanical testing of out-of-context knowledge. Its learning programmes, instead, integrate multiple opportunities for evaluation in which students’ skills of comprehension, expression, analysis and research are gauged. At the same time, students have the opportunity of reviewing their work and receiving suggestions on its improvement. The School offers : ™ Classes 4 – 7 (ICSE) - Indian Certificate of Secondary Education ™ Class 8- 10 IGCSE - International General Certificate of Secondary

Education ™ Class 11 – 12 IBDP* - Introduction of International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme (August 2009)

Keeping in mind the increasing reach and importance of globalisation, The Cathedral Vidya School, Lonavala, will offers the prestigious Geneva-based International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme in Classes 11 & 12 from August 2009. This programme is known for its high standards and emphasis on critical thinking, intercultural understanding and exposure to a variety of points of view. It has a reputation for vigorous assessment, equipping students with the skills and attitudes necessary for success in higher education and employment.

The various academic programmes are delivered in spacious, bright and wellventilated classrooms. The class size has been restricted to 25 students. A separate Laboratory Block houses the Physics, Chemistry and Biology Laboratories which enliven and augment the School’s Science education programme. The laboratories conform to international standards. The IBDP requires considerable internet-based research and digitalisation of all scholastic work. Consequently, the IB students will have exclusive access to their own IB Resource Centre located in the Central Library mezzanine. Additionally, two well-equipped Computer Laboratories address the needs of Information Technology and Computer Education.

The School accords high priority to its Library as a major learning resource. The Library has a stock of 10,000 books covering a wide range of disciplines and genres. This ample facility also includes a Teacher Resource Centre which members of the Faculty use for research, production of pedagogical material, and for accessing knowledge domains vital for serving children’s learning needs. The key to a high-quality educational experience lies in locating and nurturing excellent teaching talent. No effort has been spared in this endeavour, and the result is a Faculty of committed, dynamic, experienced and versatile educators who have a deep liking and respect for children, and an abiding interest in their welfare. The future of the students of The Cathedral Vidya School, Lonavala, is therefore entrusted to motivated and involved staff who are given every opportunity to update their skill sets through workshops, refresher courses and in-service training programmes. The Developmental Activities Programme

A holistic school programme addresses as many areas as possible in a child’s ability range. Thus, the co-curricular activities programme has been designed with as much thought and care as the academic one. The School offers self-enrichment activities like Art, Pottery, Sculpture, Western and Indian Music, and plans to offer Indian Classical Dance. These activities not only enable children to discover their latent interests and talents, but also raise self-confidence, self-esteem and self-worth. While co-curricular activities are woven into the main time-table, hobbies, societies and clubs (Maths, Nature, History, Science, Chess, Cookery, Gardening, Debating, Elocution, Dramatics, Journalism, Paper Recycling and Craft) are pursued during the children’s spare time. These Spare Time Activities supplement the academic and developmental activities programmes besides inculcating skills vital for the creation of a confident and self-possessed personality. The Games & Sports Programme

Participation in Games & Sports is compulsory, regardless of aptitude or ability. The School believes that the sporting experience teaches children the importance of team work, honourable conduct, individual discipline, respect for officials and humility in victory and grace in defeat - values that would stand them in good stead in later life. The School has facilities for Cricket, Tennis, Football, Basket Ball, Badminton and Table-Tennis. A 200-metre athletics track and a regulation size swimming pool also form part of the games & sports infrastructure. The Outreach (Community Service)Programme Considerable importance is attached to the children’s participation in community service. The experience of serving mankind inculcates compassion, sensitivity, and gentleness, and, thus, helps achieve the true goals of education. The School’s Outreach Programme is carefully planned to include different kinds of service: from keeping their school and its campus clean, helping the less fortunate in a variety of ways, caring for the environment, planning and taking part in projects promoting awareness of social issues; to taking the initiative, in whichever way they can, to make the world a better place. The Outward Bound Programme

Regular study tours and excursions are organized to sensitize children to the richness of our historical, cultural and natural heritage. Trekking and nature camps are cherished activities which not only expose children to the excitement of adventure, but also build stamina, courage and character. The Residence Programme

A strong feature of a residential school is its charming campus life which at The Cathedral Vidya School is safe, caring and enriching. Housed in simple but aesthetic and comfortable residences, and looked after by trained House Parents, the children contribute to, and benefit from, a productive and vigorous residential life. Recreational facilities, House nights, and socials balance the rigours of the demanding academic programme.

The School has separate residences for girls and boys. Grouped class-wise, the children sleep four to a comfortable bedroom with an attached study. Every floor has accommodation for married House Parents, recreation areas with TV, music system, and indoor games.

The children have their meals in the bright and cheerful Central Dining Hall. All meals are supervised by the teacher-on-duty and the House Parents. The School’s

modern kitchen prepares nutritious and appetizing meals under the supervision of an experienced caterer. The School has a well-equipped infirmary managed by a qualified and experienced Resident Nurse. Ailments requiring a higher level of medical attention are attended by a visiting Physician. The School also has arrangements with a local hospital for medical emergencies. The House System A strong House System, comprising the four Houses of Palmer, Savage, Barham, and Wilson fosters a sense of solidarity, co-operation, sporting spirit and healthy competition. The Houses are looked after by House Masters, House Mistresses and House Prefects. Pastoral Care and Tutorial System The success of the residential school system of education depends, to a large extent, on the quality of pastoral care extended to the students. While academics, developmental activities, and games & sports address a child’s intellectual, cognitive and physical development, pastoral care focuses on the emotional, spiritual, physical and psychological well-being of the children. To achieve this, the Head of Pastoral Care leads a team of House Tutors who are responsible for looking after the noncurricular aspects of their tutees’ lives. All the members of the academic staff are attached as tutors to the Houses. They help identify, broaden and develop their tutees’ talents and interests, and give advice about choices and decisions. In addition, pastoral care givers are an important source of reassurance and guidance for those children who, for whatever reason, are finding life difficult. Leadership Development and Student Governance The School believes that the ability to assume and effectively discharge responsibility is an essential life skill, the foundation for which is best laid at a young age. Thus, the School grooms children in leadership roles at several stages of their development. One such role is that of a Prefect. Members of the Prefectorial Council contribute to the organization of day-to-day life and to the care of all the students. They help the new-comers settle in, provide support, and act as mentors for the young students. They discover that with seniority comes the responsibility of leading in the right way and upholding the honour of the School.

The students also have their own democratic forum called the Students’ Council which meets every month to discuss day-to-day issues directly affecting them. The Council, whose members are democratically elected by their class and dormitory mates, acts as a link between the School administration and the student body in addition to giving children a first-hand experience of democratic processes and procedures. The School encourages, through various forums, the development of self-discipline, self-control, social awareness, positive thinking, and responsibility towards the environment, community and nation - qualities without which leadership cannot be effective.

Personal, Social and Value Education While Value Education cuts across all curricular areas, specific classes in Personal & Social Education and Life Skills address issues concerning teenagers and boarding school life. The students are also expected to follow the School’s Code of Conduct which involves the practice of unimpeachable behaviour, showing courtesy, respect and thoughtfulness to everyone in and out of the School community, and a commitment to excellence in everything they do. Personal grooming, impeccable turnout, personal hygiene and cleanliness are also important features. Other Information Weekly & Fortnightly Boarding: The School follows the Weekly boarding system whereby students from nearby locations are allowed to spend the weekend at home every week. As such, parents can collect their children from School on Friday evening and bring them back by Sunday evening. However, children spend an uninterrupted month at School at the beginning of the new term so as to get used to boarding school life. On select weekends when children are in School, treks, picnics and outings are arranged for them. Admissions: The admission process is designed to enrol students with adequate academic ability and sound character. Entrance at all levels is conditional on the availability of seats, performance at the assessments, and interviews and track record. Admission notices are published well in advance in leading dailies. Parents interested in enrolling their children in The Cathedral Vidya School, Lonavala, are required to first register them. Registration forms are available October onwards, or can be downloaded from the School website. Assessments for admission are held in Lonavala & Mumbai.

Fee Structure:

Details of Amounts

Grade 4-7

IGCSE (Grade 8 – 10)

IB* (Grade 11-12)

Annual Fee (Tuition, Lodging & Boarding)

Rs. 4,00,000/(per annum)

Rs. 4,00,000/(per annum)

Rs. 5,00,000/(per annum)