About UsPRESENTATION CONVENT HR. SEC. SCHOOL

About Us

Presentation Convent Hr. Sec. School, Srinagar has a history of 84 glorious years in the field of education. We look back with a sense of gratitude and satisfaction at the enormous contribution this institution has made in the lives of all those who have passed through the portals of their Alma Mater. We now invite you to take a journey down the memory lane as we retrace our steps, to the journey which began in Ireland.

Back Bone Of Your School

THE PRESENTATION SISTERS

The Congregation of Presentation Sisters is a worldwide network of Catholic Religious Organization founded by the valiant and saintly woman- Nano Nagle in 1775, in Ireland. Living up to the legacy left behind by this visionary, the Presentation Sisters respond with compassion to the needs of those made poor and challenge the unjust structures, which threaten the dignity of the human persons. Today the Presentation Sisters and associates work in five continents across the globe and follow in the footsteps of Nano Nagle in promoting the rights and dignity of human persons. We are involved in a variety of ministries like education, holistic health, spirituality, faith formation, social, pastoral, legal consultancy, counseling, etc.

Today Presentation presence can be felt not only in the cities but also in the remote villages of India as well as other countries. We strive to keep the flame of Nano’s lantern burning bright by reaching out and touching the hearts of human persons, offering them support and a resolve to live with dignity and honour. We take up issues like human rights violations, protection of child right, exploitation of natural resources and gender discrimination. Our NGO status in the UN enables us to use the means of advocacy and lobbying to represent these issues effectively.

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BEGINNING OF PRESENTATION CONVENT HIGHER SECONDARY SCHOOL

Maharaja Harisingh, the last ruler of the princely state of Jammu and Kashmir required a distinguished school for the children of his subjects. So he requested the Head of the Church in Kashmir to request the Presentation Sisters of Rawalpindi to open a school in Srinagar. For this purpose the Maharaja allotted 10 acres of land on the banks of the pristine river Jhelum on lease. The founding members of Presentation Convent School, Srinagar were Mother Peter Conway, Mother Sacred Heart, Mother Annunciata and Mother Xavier. After receiving the invitation, the Sisters travelled from Rawalpindi via Uri and reached Kashmir after the journey of three days. On reaching Kashmir, the sisters rented a house on the banks of the Dal Lake at Boulevard and started their school on 17th March 1936. Most of the students were foreigners then mainly the children of British families living in Srinagar.

A few students from distinguished families were also admitted. The school had boarding facility in the initial years, which was discontinued later. While they stayed in the rented house in Boulevard and conducted classes there for the students, the actual building was being constructed at Rajbagh. The official functioning of school in Rajbagh began on 15th June, 1939. The cost of starting the first school and constructing the second school and the convent was borne by the government. The school was co-ed until 1977. We were granted recognition for B.A degrees for women but the college department was closed down in 1947 after the partition of India. The Govt. College for women was opened thereafter in a former palace building on the hotel road, later renamed as Maulana Azad Road.
Unfortunately a devastating fire on 12th January 1965 completely destroyed the school building and the second storey of the house. The first storey and the impressive clock tower remained to tell the tale.

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OUR PRESENCE TODAY

Located on the banks of the Jhelum river and surrounded by the lofty mountains, mighty oaks and majestic chinar trees, this temple of learning can boast of wonderful infrastructure and sprawling lush green grounds. The magnificent and enchanting clock tower still stands tall shrouded in mystery. Our school without doubt is a jewel in the crown of Kashmir valley and in a unique way it adds to the beauty of this paradise on earth. From the portals of this temple of learning have walked out thousands of young girls who have proved their mettle as they carved a niche for themselves in diverse fields within and outside the country. The school has successfully reached 84 years of excellence. From its modest beginnings in 1936, it has grown and spread its branches much like the awe-inspiring oak trees in the campus.
The school celebrated its silver jubilee in 1961. The bicentenary of the death of Nano Nagle – the Foundress of Presentation Sisters was celebrated in 1984. The school crossed another mile stone when it celebrated its Golden Jubilee in 1986. The classical movie, ‘The Sound of Music’ was performed on stage by our students at Tagore Hall to mark the occasion. It was a mega success and it was appreciated by one and all. A school magazine was published on this occasion in which Dr. Karan Singh wrote, “I have the happiest recollections of my association with this school several decades ago when Mother Peter was the principal. In my autobiography ‘Heir apparent’, I have recorded how much I enjoyed going to this school and many years later my daughter Jyotsana also studied there.”

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TERCENTENARY YEAR OF THE BIRTH OF VEN.NANO NAGLE-2018

Due to political situation of Kashmir from floods to social disruption of various types school was unable to involve students in other activities besides limiting them to bookish knowledge. Tercentenary year of the birth of Nano Nagle gave us another opportunity to involve students in exhibiting their talents in the form of an open day where Mrs. Mathoora Masoom KAS, Director, Department of Floriculture who is an alumni of the school graced the occasion as chief guest. Sr. Regi O Joseph inspired the staff and students to make a difference by taking this step of presenting an annual day differently.
The open day itself was with a difference that every class was a venue for the variety entertainment programs beginning with a skit on Nano Nagle, titled -“The pilgrim path’’- which not only made everyone think differently but also pause for a while to make a shift in their attitude towards life, power, positions and money. Parents were touched by the variety of programs put up by their wards. It showcased students’ creativity, organizational skills, their giftedness, their ability to dream and work in a team towards achieving their dreams as well. Their self-confidence and passion for life was displayed in the street play where light was thrown on women empowerment, honouring girl child and gender equality. Demonstrations of working models, projects on save Dal lake, exhibitions of art and craft of Kashmir, graphic designing, debates and panel discussions on current affairs such as global warming, home-work a boon or a bane gave the students a platform to express their creativity and build up their self-confidence and leadership qualities. The issue of global warming created awareness on our contribution to the world changing scenario which is frightening as well as thought provoking. Healthy food and food habits together with a healthy life style with practice of Teikawando for self- defense made an impact on parents helping them to make a choice for a stress free life .The Lady with the lantern was seen moving around urging the audience to take one pace beyond by becoming partners with us in education, enlightenment and empowerment of one another and together making a difference in the world. Of-course, “we are the world, we are the people to make a difference in the world’’ resounded from all corners of the school in different voices.
I am sure Nano would have been happy to see her lantern being carried on centuries after her life. Time and seasons move on as they will, imprinting on history the marks it has made on humans. In a world that seeks self -importance with might as right, we were challenged today to gamble our time and energy for love and to partner with others in ushering a new era where hatred will give way to compassionate love. Only when we are able to harness for God the energies of love we can become agents of transformation.
Let us be the change we want to see in the world today. ……So let us take down our lantern…..for the world needs us.

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Vision

V

We, at Presentation Convent Hr. Sec. School, Srinagar strive to create an internationally acclaimed institution whose foundation rests on the pillars of human values of truth, justice, equality and harmony in a collaborative environment. We aim at nurturing and empowering each student to discover the light within to realize her true potential by working in tandem with the Sustainable Development Goals for a better tomorrow. We believe in simple living and high thinking to meet the challenges of life with optimism, shared responsibility, life-long learning, sense of dynamism and deep rooted relationships leading to positivity and constructive transformation.

Mission

M

Our mission is to uphold the motto of our school ‘virtue and labour’ by providing value based quality education to the students, igniting their creativity and imagination, promoting life skills of critical thinking, problem solving and fostering in them love for nature. We encourage a spirit of tolerance, respect for one another and inclusiveness for global citizenship and holistic approach to life, leading to excellence with humility to serve the society as an exemplary citizen.

VEN. NANO NAGLE – THE LADY OF THE LANTERN

H

Nano Nagle – the Lady of the lantern, a woman who pioneered Catholic education in Ireland was born to very wealthy parents in 1718. This was a period in Irish history when the English imposed the oppressive Penal Laws, which severely limited the Irish people. It was a crime of treason to educate the Irish and it was forbidden to practice the Roman Catholic faith. Therefore, Nano had to leave the country and go to France to be educated. On her return to Ireland, the sight of the people who lived in appalling poverty, oppression and degradation deeply distressed Nano. Soon she set about alleviating the misery and improving the lot of the poor of Ireland. Nano knew that without education there could be no permanent change possible in the society. Realizing also that the Irish were deprived of both faith and education, at great personal risk, Nano opened her first hedge school in 1754 with an enrolment of 35 girls. Soon she had seven schools in and around Cork city. In this way she took a stand against some of the injustices of her time. Nano educated the poor children during the day, visited and nursed the sick and the suffering at night carrying a lantern. This lantern became a symbol of the Presentation Sisters throughout the world. In order to carry on the great task began by her, Nano founded the Presentation Congregation in 1775. After having spent her life in service of the poor and the downtrodden, Nano Nagle, the trailblazer went to her eternal reward on 26th April 1784. It is to be mentioned here that in the year 2005, Nano Nagle was voted as Ireland’s greatest woman of the millennium for her contribution in the field of education and in particular for pioneering girls’ education in Ireland. Nano’s spirit of selflessness, her undaunted spirit, her determination in the face of persecution, her struggle for justice, her devotion to the poor and her particular love for the children have become a source of inspiration for all the Presentation Sisters all over the world.

PLATINUM JUBILEE – 2011

The year 2011 was a land mark in the history of PCHSS, celebrating 75 years of unwavering devotion and commitment of all the sisters and staff members who have worked tirelessly for the cause of education in the valley. On this momentous occasion, a musical extravaganza“ Annie” was performed by the students under the able guidance of Mr. George Puliankala and his team. On 27th July, Mr. Omar Abdullah, Chief Minister, Jammu & Kashmir was the Chief Guest along with many other VIP’s forming the line of Guests of Honor His Excellency Mr. N.N Vohra, Governor, Jammu & Kashmir and Most Rev. Dr. Peter Celestine, Bishop of Jammu Srinagar Diocese. Sr. Jyoti, the Principal of school expressed her gratitude for all those who have gone before us on whose shoulders we stand and all the students who participated, audience and well-wishers for their supportive presence.