- St. Francis' College, Lucknow
St. Francis' College is a recognized but unaided Anglo-Indian minority institution in
Lucknow established and administered by "The Catholic Diocese of Lucknow", a charitable religious society. The college was founded in 1885 as St. Francis' School and Orphanage. It was established with the object of imparting modern education primarily to the students in a manner that would consere their "Religion, Language, Script and Culture".Overview
Infobox University
name = St. Francis' College
image_size = 100px
motto = "Pax-et Bonum" ("peace and all good [be with you] .")
established =1885
type =Unaided Anglo-Indian School
endowment =
staff =
faculty = Science
principal = Fr. Vincent Pinto
students = 3,000
city =Lucknow
state =Uttar Pradesh
country =India
campus =
free_label =
free =
affiliations =Council for the Indian School Certificate Examinations , New Delhi I.C.S.E ISC
website = [http://www.stfranciscollege.edu.in](quoted from the college diary)
St. Francis' College is a recognised but unaided Anglo-Indian minority institution established and administered by "The Catholic Diocese of Lucknow", a charitable Religious Society registered in Lucknow under the Societies Registration Act XXI of 1860.
The College was founded in 1885. It was established with the object of imparting modern education primarily to Catholic students in a manner that would conserve their "Religion, Language, Script and Culture, "but is open to all, irrespective of religion, caste or community".
This institution is situated in
Hazratganj - the central and posh locality [not any more] of Lucknow and as such, is very convenient for parents/ guardians seeking education for their children. The College has awell-maintained, spacious campus with artistic and imposing buildings, playgrounds and well-grown trees along the boundary, providing an atmosphere for good health and education. It is equipped with modern laboratories, spacious classrooms, a well stocked library, gymnasium with a wooden floor, two indoor badminton courts, table-tennis, basket-ball and volleyball courts and two extensive playgrounds for football, hockey, cricket with athleticsand a beautiful swimming pool and a well equipped computer lab. The College is the premier and prestigious Institution of the city and as such can compare favourably with the best institutions not only in Uttar Pradesh, but in the country.The college aims at giving a value based wholesome qualityeducation to develop along with intellectual excellence andachievement, the multi-faceted personality of the child as a moraland social being, with special emphasis to inculcate healthy moralvalues. Students are helped to become mature persons, imbibedwith values to be worthy citizens of our country.
College students excel in academics. In ICSE 2006, Ahmed Emad secured 97.0% which was second highest in India after 97.6% held jointly by a student of Patna and a girl of Mumbai.
In ICSE 2008, Syed Danish Hasan, an ex-student of St. Francis' College secured 96.80% with 9th rank in All-India Merit List.
Students
The College provides education for boys only.
Medium
English is the medium of instruction. However, great importance is given to Hindi and Sanskrit - the languages of the Nation and cultural heritage.
Sections
The College has the following sections:
*Pre-Primary - Nursery and KG
*Primary -1 to V
*Middle and Secondary-VI to X
*Senior Secondary- XI to XIIAffiliation
The College is affiliated to the
Council for the Indian School Certificate Examinations , New Delhi and prepares students for theIndian Certificate of Secondary Education examination (10-Year course-I.C.S.E.) andIndian School Certificate examination (+2 courses) ISC.Courses of Study
Curricular: From Nursery to Class X General education in all the subjects is provided.
For Classes XI and XII the College provides courses ofstudies in English, Hindi, Science (Physics, Chemistry, Biology),Mathematics, Computer Literacy and SUPW only.
Co-curricular: Besides academic courses, for the all-rounddevelopment of students, the College provides co-curricular activitieslike debates, dramatics, elocution, music, art/craft, socially usefuland productive works, electronics, food craft, etc.
Religious/Moral Instruction: Religion is taught to Catholic/Christian students. For others, a course of Moral Instruction isgiven, for inculcation of sound moral values and character formation.
Games and Sports: The College has large play-fields forhockey, football, cricket, indoor badminton, table-tennis, courts forbasketball, volleyball and facilities for swimming, gymnastics andAthletics.
Physical Education : For physical education and fitnessregular training is provided through P .T. and swimming as a part ofthe curriculum.
Functions and Programmes: Teachers' Day, Children's Day, Parents' Day, Independence Day, Republic Day, Patron's Day, Christmas Day, Workers' Day, etc. are celebrated with cultural and field activities organised according to the spirit of the day and purpose of the function/programme.
NCC: Air Wing of the NCC exists in the College.
Service to the community: Awareness and action orientedProgrammes. Participation is compulsory for all the students.
Other Activities: Excursions, picnics and various projectsare undertaken during the year. OFA : (Old Franciscans'Association) organises youth festival "Cross Roads" and otheractivities. Students are encouraged to participate in variouscompetitions in and outside the College.
Administration
"The Catholic Diocese of Lucknow" - The Founder Bodythrough the Catholic Education Society Lucknow administers theCollege.
Management Committee : This body manages the day-to-day affairs of the College.
Academic Council : Sectional and subject-wise StaffRepresentatives form the academic Council of the College to managethe curricular and co-curricular activities.
Student Council : College captain. House captains/Vicecaptains and other prefects appointed from among the Class XII
boys are made responsible for discipline to the extent possible.They become responsible and develop initiative, trust and a senseof fulfillment.
Staff: The College is staffed by well qualified, experienced,competent and committed members motivated and oriented toprovide adequate and appropriate teaching and training to students.
Disciplinary Committee: Headed by the Vice-Principal,the House Masters and the P.T.I, see to the discipline on the Campus.
Parent-Teacher meetings: Regular Parent-Teachermeetings are held to bring together parents and teachers to co-ordinate and co-operate for the all round growth of children.
Publication
The Franciscan, the College Annual magazine is publishedto give an insight to Parents/Guardians and well wishers about theCollege happenings and to encourage literary skills among thestudents.
History of SFC
The institution had a very humble beginning. From the first two destitute childrento the present strength of nearly two thousand students is a far cry, yet it is arapid expansion of the Church in NorthIndia, the Diocese of Allahabad became too big to be handled by one man. Hence theDiocese of Lucknow was carved out and Fr. Conrad De Vito, 0. F. M. Cap., was appointed as its first Bishop. However due to the war the British had interned all foreignmissionaries at Dahradun and so it was not till 16th February 1947, that Fr. Conradwas consecrated as Bishop of Lucknow.
as Principal from 1953 to 1958.
In
St.
Francis of Assisi was the son of a rich merchant, Pietro Bernardone and lady Pica. His childhood wasSt. Francis was known for his love and concern for animals. He always attended to any creature that needed help and these creatures reciprocated his love. At Gubbio, he tamed a ferocious wolf that killed children. This wolf, now followed him like a puppy, and sat at his feet. On another occasion, swallows kept chattering and disturbing him. They stopped their chatter when St. Francis said, " My little sisters, the swallows, it is now time to speak. Now listen to the word of God and be quiet".On 4th October 1226, God called Francis to his eternal reward. His untiring efforts to work in Christ's vineyard were not left unrewarded. In 1228, he was declared a Saint. Many later Saints were inspired by St. Francis of Assisi.
College Anthem
"We will Answer"
Tho' no bugles may blow and no drums beat, Tho' we hear not the marching of proud feet, Tho' no flags and no pennons the day greet, We will answer when Duty shall call.
Refrain : To the end we'll be true; we'll forget not, All the care Alma Mater thou spared not, To the spirit of Francis we'll fail not, We will answer when Duty Shall call
Through the heat of the day and the burden, And thro' sweat and thro' toil without guerdon, To dishonour we shall not be lured in; We will answer when Duty shall call.
With a heart and a will where the right be, Aitho' arduous the task there or light be, We'll be found in the thick where the fight be, We will answer when Duty shall call.
Words by V. E. Vance
Principals
Principal from 1947 to1948Principal From 16/05/1977 to 12/01/1979
*Rev. Fr. Baptist D'souza, DiocesanLucknow DiocesePrincipal from 13/01/1979 to 30/06/1981
*Rev. Fr. Oswald Lewis, DiocesanLucknow DiocesePrincipal from 01/07/1981Houses
The staff and students are divided into four houses.
* St. Andrew's - Blue
* St. Patrick's - Green
* St. Francis' - Yellow
* St. George's - RedHouse staff, captains and vice captains manage the houses and help in discipline and inter-house activities. Thus qualities of healthy leadership, participation, competition, co-operation, mutual understanding self-reliance and discipline are learnt and developed in the students.
Old Franciscans' Association
The alumni association of St. Francis' College is called the Old Franciscans' Association (OFA). They are the organisers for CROSSROAD which is the annual Inter Collegiate Festival in Lucknow.
External links
* [http://www.stfranciscollege.edu.in/ Official Website]
* [http://www.freewebs.com/stfranciscollege St. Francis' College Web site]
* [http://www.angelfire.com/ms/stfranciscollege/ Another St. Francis' College Web site]
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