The March Newsletter - Madras Christian College Higher Secondary

Editorial Team
Chief Editor
Haniel IR
Reporters
Abraham Ebenezer
Esther Nancy
Giftson David
Jenesha Blessey
Kumaran Prabu
Sanathoi Irom
Selva Kumar K
Teja
Yograj Joshua
Designers
Joshua Dharmaraj G
Terrynson Laishram
Faculty Moderators
P.Raju
N.Chendhilvel
M.Christiana Rathnavathy
Lucas Edmond
Hello everybody,
We have reached the end of final
term… I hope you guys have
enjoyed this year! As such, this is
our last issue of our official
newsletter for the 2014-2015 school
year.
As summer is coming, you guys
probably have prodigious plans that
you want to do in your vacation…
Well, waking up late, hanging out
with friends, going for a tour, and
lazily sleeping; that's what most of
us do in our vacation! However, you
guys could use your time to learn
something new. Maybe sign up for a
MOOC (massive online open
course)? A good website for
MOOCs would be edX.org, a site
founded by Harvard University and
MIT. They have various courses and
classes from universities and
companies, all for free.
This month, you can read about this
year's fifth and tenth grade students'
farewell, the American Cultural
programme put on by our middle
school students, and the Global
Scholars' Cup, a world renowned
academic competition that came to
Chennai. Sign up for the art class and
sharpen your creative skills!
I thank the whole faculty, especially
Mr. Lucas Edmond. I am so happy
that we had a faculty like him. I have
learnt a lot from him, and he helped
me a lot too. We look forward for
their continued leadership next year.
We wish you a great summer. And
remember, drink plenty of water!
Haniel and the Cambuzz Team
American Culture comes alive at MCCS with the American Revue
Students from VI S1, VII S, and VIII E put
together a special American cultural music and
dance programme, The American Revue, on
Thursday, March 26th. Under the direction of
English teachers Lucas Edmond and Christiana
Rathnavathy, along with a guest teacher, Ms.
Rima Abhyankar from the US, the students
learned about traditional American dance and
music, which they then shared with all of the
classes of the middle grades.
Students from VI S1 brought to life the timeless
musical classic, Rodgers and Hammerstein's
The Sound of Music. They sang two hit songs
from the production, “Do Re Mi” and “So long,
farewell.” Both songs turned out extremely
well; not having previously taken any formal
music classes, the students practiced daily to
learn how to sing. The last song, “So Long,
Farewell,” was especially fitting to the Lucas Edmond was presented a Tanjore Plate by the Headmaster
ceremony as this show marked the end of Mr. Lucas's time at MCCS.
A choir of seventh and eighth standard students also sang. One group sang a prayer song, while another sang a beautiful,
romantic duet from Disney's Aladdin, “A Whole New World.” This popular song epitomizes the values of Disney, the
animation and entertainment company which has introduced American culture and values across the globe.
Students from the seventh and eighth standard put on two dances: an American folk dance, which featured a combination of
traditional line, circle, and square dances to folk music, and an Indian-fusion dance, which showcased traditional Indian
dance moves set to American and Indian music. The American dance, choreographed by Mr. Lucas, included the Virginia
Reel, the Heel-Toe step, the Oh Susanna, and a typical square dance. These dances go back to early America and have their
roots in European and African folk dances. The Indian-fusion dance, choreographed by Ms. Rima Abhyankar, combined
elements of modern Indian dance, Punjabi bhangra, and bharatnatyam with American dance and music. The students danced
well and had fun performing.
Students from VIII E gave commentary on the program, explaining American culture and how each song and dance was
uniquely related to the history and tradition of America.
Even though we are in India, culture is something we can all share together as humans. By celebrating a culture other than our
own, we can learn to open our minds and our hearts to the world around us, fostering understanding and good will with
people from across the globe.
-Lucas Edmond
THE BRIDGE KEEPER
There was once a bridge which spanned a
large river. During most of the day, the
bridge sat with its length running up and
down the river, parallel to the banks. This
allowed ships to pass through freely on both
sides of the bridge. But at certain times each
day, a train would come along and the bridge
would be turned sideways across the river,
allowing a train to cross it.
A switchman sat in a small shack on one side of the river where he operated the
controls to turn the bridge and lock it into place as the train crossed. One evening as
the switchman was waiting for the last train of the day to come, he looked off into
the distance through the dimming twilight and caught sight of the train lights. He
stepped to the control and waited until the train was within a prescribed distance
when he was to turn the bridge. He turned the bridge into position, but, to his horror,
he found the locking control did not work. If the bridge were not securely in
position it would wobble back and forth at the ends when the train came onto it,
causing the train to jump the track and go crashing into the river.
This would be a passenger train with many people aboard. He left the bridge turned
across the river and hurried across the bridge to the other side where there was a
lever switch he could hold to operate the lock manually. He would have to hold the
lever back firmly as the train crossed. He could hear the rumble of the train now,
and he took hold of the lever and leaned backward to apply his weight to it, locking
the bridge. He kept applying the pressure to keep the mechanism locked; many
lives depended on this man's strength.
Then, coming across the bridge from the direction of his control shack, he heard a
sound that made his blood run cold. “Daddy, where are you?” His four-year-old son
was crossing the bridge to look for him. His first impulse was to cry out to the child.
“Run! Run!” But the train was too close; the tiny legs would not make it across the
bridge in time. The man almost left his lever to run and snatch up his son and carry
him to safety. But he realized that he could not get back to the lever. Either the
people on the train or his little son must die. He took a moment to make his
decision.
The train sped safely and swiftly on its way, and no one aboard was even aware of
the tiny broken body thrown mercilessly into the river by the on rushing train. Nor
were they aware of the pitiful figure of the sobbing man, still clinging lightly to the
locking lever long after the train had passed. They did not see him walking home
more slowly than he had ever walked to tell his wife how their son had brutally
died.
Now if you comprehend the emotions which went through this man's heart, you
can begin to understand the feelings of our father in Heaven when he sacrificed
his son to bridge the gap between us and eternal life. Can there be any wonder
why the earth shook the temple and the skies darkened when Jesus died? How
does he feel when we speed along through life without giving a thought to what
was done for us through Jesus Christ?
Think about the Saviour
Treasure Him in your life
Testify to prove that Jesus lives.
- J. Jeslina Kezia
TATA Brings Programming Education to Students
From automobiles to airline companies, the TATA Enterprise is a company that
encompasses nearly every industry possible. The multinational company has
even ventured into education and has taken steps to promote computer
programming among school students. Called the Insight Camp, the new project
will be a special course for students to learn the ins and outs of programming and
have a special opportunity to learn directly from TATA.
The Insight Camp, organized by the TATA Consultancy Service, will be held in
the months of April and May for a duration of about 18 days. It will be held in our
school computer lab; this year marks the 8th year in succession that the program
will be conducted at our school. Around 50 higher secondary students have been
selected for this camp. They will be given training in C and C+ +, and at the end
of the course they would be doing a project in C +. Besides coursework, there
will also be special sessions where CS experts will discuss with the students
pertinent topics such as mind mapping, interviews, and career development.
Awards and certificates will be given at the end of the term.
-Yograj Joshua, VIII S
Heritage Club
The members of the Heritage Club visited Santhome church, Fort St.George and
the meteorological department as a part of their club activity. The visit enabled
the students to take a look at the Santhome Church which was built by the
Portuguese around 1830. It also contains the tomb of St.Thomas, the disciple of
Jesus Christ who came to India as a missionary. The Fort St.George is a store
house of paintings, utensils, weapons, dresses, coins and rare photographs of
ancient Madras City. Visit to the weather station provided information about
weather measuring instruments and forecast techniques.
-Shanthi Ida
“O taste and see that the lord is good” Ps 34:10
A Farewell to the 10th Standard
Students retreat
The primary school students had their retreat on March 26th 2015, Mr. Charles
Mani and his team engaged the students with their melodious songs with
rhythmic steps , classic stories and a puppet show all conveyed the message in
an enchanted way. The students were marveled by the program and enjoyed it.
Farewell fit for the Fifth
On March 23rd,
2015, the school bid
farewell to the fifth
standard students. As
this group was the
first batch to
complete 7 years with
the primary school, it
was indeed an
emotional moment
for both the teachers
and the students.
The students
conducted the
function, meaning
that they not only
danced, sang, and
gave speeches, but
also said the prayer,
read the Bible reading, and delivered the Vote of Thanks on their own, all roles
typically assigned to teachers. The school Head Girl, Sneha, was the host for the
programme. The function started off with the prayer given by Franklin of V B
and the Bible reading by Elruach of V C. Then, the students took a walk down
memory lane and shared about their time in the primary school. Several students
beautifully described their experience from L.K.G to 5th and how they
improved in their studies. There was also a skit on the thought on how important
it is to deal with problems in our life. Though young, the students acted in a
professional way! The programme also included a colourful choreographed
performance by the students. The program was truly beautiful; it certainly
brought back the memories of my 5th farewell: the laughter, the dance, the
songs, and the sweet memories.
At the conclusion of the event, the class teachers of V A, V B & V C shared their
experience with their classes and wished the students a bright future. The
programme came to an end with the vote of thanks by Mohammed Ghouse of V
A. Mementos were given to all the students.
The students, with a firm educational foundation received from the primary
school, will certainly succeed in all of their future endeavours! We look forward
to their good work in the sixth standard block.
“We only part to meet again.”
- Kumaran Prabu, VIII S
The 10th farewell
party, held on March
6th, was exciting and
imaginative. The
chief guest for the
event was Rev. K.
Praveen.
Mr.Natrajan, science
teacher, delivered a
compelling speech
about honesty, hard
work, and honour
meant to motivate
the students to
continue excelling in all they do. Other notable speeches from the day included a
fun speech by Anitha ma'am and an encouraging speech by Rev. K. Praveen.
Apart from the speeches, the choir also sang
spectacularly. Joseph of X E rendered a
Madras Christian College HSS
beautiful song.
78, Harrington Road,
Chetpet, Chennai-600 031
We hope that the 10th standard students
Phone: 044 - 28365205
have an enjoyable and restful summer break.
After all the studying from the board exams, E-Mail: [email protected]
Website: mccschool.edu.in
we are sure they deserve it!
-Yograj Joshua, VIII S
MCCS makes its mark at the Global Scholars Cup
Over the weekend of March 8th, a group of nine eleventh standard students,
accompanied by teachers Moses Peter and Lucas Edmond, travelled to the
American International School in Taramani to compete in the Global Scholars'
Cup, an international scholars tournament organized by Yale University of the
US. The event, held over the two days, consisted of team debates, writing
competitions, and a live quiz bowl event.
The nine students, grouped into teams of three, enthusiastically participated in
the various events. At the award ceremony, every one of our students received
at least one medal for an event. Alan Jones of 11S received special recognition
for his debate skills, and on the second day of the tournament, was asked to
compete in a champion debate in front of all the participants. Along with seven
other students from various elite schools in Chennai, Alan debated eloquently
about India and superheroes.
Further, while each of our teams won awards, one of our teams, consisting of
Alan Jones, Sanathoi Irom, and Calvin Rupert Emmanuel, ranked well enough
overall to receive an invitation to the global tournament held in Kuala Lumpur,
Malaysia later this year. This is an amazing honour, as very few schools across
the world are invited to the auspicious and competitive competition.
Apart from their academic winnings, our students also represented MCCS
well in the scholars' talent show. Enosh George of 11S performed a tantalizing
beat box routine to Eminem's “Lose Yourself,” while a student from a rival
team sang the rap portion of the song. Steven Sam, also of 11S, skillfully
played the piano while singing a rendition of Rihanna's hit song “Stay.” Both
were hits with the crowd.
Overall, contrary to what one may imagine of an “academic tournament,” the
event was anything but boring and stuffy; rather, it was exciting, challenging,
and most of all, fun.
All of the students not only left with several medals (and a stuffed alpaca), but
with a greater appreciation for academics. Academics does not simply mean
rote studying and memorization for exams; rather, academics can be
invigorating!
-Lucas Edmond
Swimming
S. Preethi of IX S participated in the state-level swimming competition held at
Madurai. She won the gold medals in the 25 meters butterfly, the 25 meters
breaststroke, the 4×50 meters medley relay, the 4×50 meters free style relay, the
100 meters breaststroke and 50 meters breaststroke. She created a new record
in the 25 meters butterfly and the 25 meters breaststroke.
She also represented the state at a national competition held in Gujarat and got
4th place in the 50 meters breaststroke.
-Esther and Jenesha XI S
Clubs Valedictory
The primary school clubs had their valedictory function on the 26.2.2015 with
the Second club activity. The students showed excellence in all the activities.
The club activities were not only interesting but also informative.
Alan Jones, XI S got the highest points in the World Scholar’s
Cup, 2015 Chennai Round held in American International
School, Chennai. His team has been selected to participate in
the Global Round to be held in Kuala Lumpur Convention
Centre between 22nd & 26, June 2015.