Mount Carmel Convent Anglo-Indian Girls High School

Mount Carmel Convent Anglo-Indian Girls High School
Location
Tangasseri, Kollam , Kerala
Information
Established	1885
School district	Kollam
Classes offered	LKG to Standard XII
Affiliation	CISCE

Mount Carmel Convent Anglo-Indian Girls High School (often abbreviated as MCCAIGHS or simply MCC) was founded on July 22, 1885 in the Kollam District in the state of Kerala, India, by Mother Veronica of the Passion, the foundress of The Congregation of the Carmelite Religious (earlier known as the Third Order Apostolic of Our Lady of Mount Carmel). It consists of a boarding house located within the convent and a day school. The school is situated in the picturesque town of Tangassery, with the scenic beauty of the Arabian Sea as the backdrop. Tangasseri, the site of ancient Portuguese, English and Dutch settlements, has an important niche in the history of Kollam and still remains unique because of its Anglo-Indian community. The school celebrated its Quasquicentennial (125 years) Anniversary in July 2010.

The Main Gates and Chapel

The school was founded by Mother Veronica to cater to the educational needs of girls, empowerment of women and the less privileged. In 1889, it was recognised by the erstwhile Madras presidency as a 'European Convent School'. The establishment changed its name to 'Mount Carmel Convent Anglo Indian Girls School' when India gained her independence in 1947, before which it was known as ‘The Mount Carmel European School’. It is one of the oldest schools in the state and holds the reputation of being the top-ranked as well. Despite the coming up of a large number of schools in the past few years, the popularity of MCC has not dwindled. The present strength of the school has passed 4000 and is still increasing year by year. The school is affiliated to the Council for the Indian School Certificate Examinations. The students are famed for their fluency in the English language for more than a century.

The school is currently headed by Rev. Sr. Premila Fernandez whose kind guidance and management is its mainstay. The school has an excellent faculty and state-of-the-art laboratories. MCC offers classes from LKG up to Std XII. The students are divided into four houses: Blue, Green, Red and Yellow (White). The Inter-House Cultural Fest and The Annual Athletic Meets are conducted with great vigour and enthusiasm to foster the competitive spirit and sportsmanship of the different houses.Various clubs and groups like The Literary Club, The Eco Club, The FM Radio Club, etc. provide ample opportunities for the students to prove their talents.

The school also offers classes in Catechism, Moral Science and value education for the spiritual well-being of its pupils. First Friday Holy Masses and rosary recitals are conducted for the Catholic students. The ambient and prayerful air of the adjacent convent cultivates religious tolerance and peaceful co-existence among the pupils.

LE REVENIR- The Homecoming of Carmelites

The maiden alumni reunion of this quasquicentennial institution was held on July 16, 2011, which, incidentally is also the feast day of Our Lady Of Mount Carmel. Styled Le Revenir (French- "The Return"), the function was inaugrated by Mrs.Lida Jacob, Chairperson of the Commission for Right to Education Act. The official website of the school was launched by leading playback singer and former student Chitra Iyer, who was the celebrity guest. There are talks of making Le Revenir an annual event.

School Magazine

An annual magazine christened "Carmeline" is published by the school to showcase the budding talents of the students.

Literary articles, poems, short stories in English, Malayalam and Hindi languages and artworks including pencil drawings and ink sketches are featured in it.

Former Principals

Some of the former Principals who contributed to the growth and flourishing of Mount Carmel with each of their unique touches:

Sr.Lawrence

Sr.Bertha

Sr.Mary Patricia (who was at the helm for nearly three decades,making her the longest-serving Principal of the school)

Sr.Mary Antoinette

Sr.Angel Thomas

Sr.Helen Lois