The chief aim of the Daughters of the Cross is to give their pupils a sound, moral, Religious and intellectual education.

Curriculum & Examination

The medium of instruction is English. Hindi, Bengali and Nepali are taught as second languages. The course of studies followed leads up to the Indian Certificate of Secondary Education (I.C.S.E.) Examination at the end of Class Ten. Moral and Ethical instruction form a compulsory part of the curriculum and numerous activities are encouraged which make for the physical and cultural development of the girls.

Monthly and terminal reports will be sent to parents; the latter will be sent to parents who have paid the school fees up-to-date. Special arrangements cannot be made for pupils who are absent from the main examinations or any part of them. Answer scripts submitted by pupils will not be made available to the parents or to others.

A pupil who fails to attain the required standard in all the prescribed subjects will not be promoted. The annual examination is meant to confirm the result of the years work. Promotions are granted on the basis of the whole year's work. The decision of the school authorities with regard to promotion is final.

There is a distribution of prizes towards the end of the year but prizes will be forfeited if pupils leave before the end of the School year.

Admission and Withdrawal of Pupils.

The headmistress reserves the right to herself to refuse admission to any girl without giving reasons.

Applications for admission are accepted in June-July. On the basis of these, entrance examinations are held in the School in mid-September. Formal admission for successful candidates is complete after the admission form has been duly filled and the advance fee and admission fee have been paid.

No pupil will be admitted without a Transfer Certificate from the last School attended.

No pupil suffering from an infection or contagious disease contracted at home can be admitted or retained in the School. The School authorities require a medical certificate to the effect that the student is fit for a hill climate, before she joins the school.

The School management, acting through the Headmistress, reserves the right of resigning care of any pupil who fails to reach a standard of education proportional to her age, or who, in their opinion, is unsatisfactory. The Headmistress does not bind herself to give any reason.

General.

The School year begins on March 1st and ends in the 1st week of December. No reduction of fees will be made for pupils returning late after the holidays. Parents are requested to keep strictly to the calendar of holidays allowed by the School authorities.

The School is regularly visited by a well qualified doctor, besides the Infirmarian watches over the health of the children. There is also a well equipped dispensary.

Boarders write to their parents once a week. The Headmistress controls the pupil's correspondence.

Girls are not allowed to leave school or to have visitors in the parlour, without the express consent of the parents given in writing to the Headmistress.

Boarders are not permitted to bring books, magazines or other periodicals into the School without the Headmistress's permission. Girls introducing or distributing harmful literature in the School may be dismissed.

All possible care is taken of the boarders' clothing, but the School authorities will not hold themselves responsible for loss of articles. At the reopening of School each year, parents should see that no unserviceable articles of clothing are included in their children's kit.

There are short holidays at the end of June and also at Puja time. Parents are obliged to take their children home at these times.

The school arranges an escorted plane party to Calcutta at the beginning and at the end of the holiday periods. Parents who wish their children to be included must inform in writing at least five weeks in advance.

In the event of withdrawal of a pupil from the school all dues must be cleared in full before a transfer certificate can be issued.

A full calendar month's notice must be given before the withdrawal of apupil. If a pupil is withdrawn after the 1st October, one more month instalment will be charged, even if a month's notice was given.

The school management, acting through the Headmistress, will require the withdrawal of a pupil who fails for two consecutive years in the same class.

Students are not allowed to bring jewellery to school. Only small earrings are permitted.

Enrolment in the school implies, on the part of the pupil and parent, willingness to comply with the requirements and regulations of the school. Parents are earnestly requested to cooperate with the work of the school by enforcing regularity and disipline by taking a general interest in the children's progress.

Visits.

Boarders naturally miss home, but in their best interests, less visits would greatly improve their concentration. This also equalises the situation as many parents are unable to visit often.

For the holiday (Winter, Easter, Mid-term, Pujas) pupils must be accompanied both on going out and returning by their parents or by same only appointed person, to whom a letter of authorization must be given.

The School opens about March 1st and closes about December 1st.

Fees.

FEES FOR BOARDERS WITH EFFECT FROM 1ST MARCH 2002.

a) Board and lodging. May be paid in 10 monthly instalments but, PREFERABLY IN ONE OR TWO ADVANCE INSTALMENTs
Rs. 20,000/- p.a.

b) Tuition fee per month. Rs. 600/- for 12 months.

c) Science fee (classes IX & X) Rs. 100/- p.m.
(Class VIII) Rs. 50/- p.m.

d) Library and Films. Rs.400/- p.a. payable in the first instalment.

e) Games. Rs. 350/-

f)Laundry Rs. 100/- p/m/ for 9 months.

g) Medical Attendance. Rs. 200/-

h) Development Fee. Rs. 500/-

i) Computer Fee. (Compulsory for class III upwards) Rs. 700/-

j) Winter Maintenance fee. Rs. 1000/-

k) New Admission fee. Rs. 1000/- (not refundable)

l) Security Deposit. Rs. 2000/- (Refundable)

m) Examination Fee. (Kg - IX) Rs. 300/- p.a.

n) Examination fee Class X. Rs. 450/-

o) ICSE Examination fee. Rs. 1000/-

p) Late Fee 2% of the total bill to the nearest rupee.

Parents are requested kindly to inform in writing by 20th November if their children are not returning in the following year. In this case, fees till December only are to be paid by 20th November. If fees till February of the following year are not received in time, it will be taken that the student is not returning and the seat will not be kept.

Notice for the withdrawal of a Boarder at the end of the year should be given at the latest by the end of December, otherwise one instalment will be charged before the Transfer Certificate is given.

Payment should be made by Bank Draft on The State Bank of India or Money Orders in the name of St. Helen's Secondary School, Kurseong.

Admission Fee is not refundable.

No reduction in fees is made for broken periods.

Extra equipment, repairs to shoes, etc., form separate charges. The actual cost of these when incurred, will be included lit monthly bills,

Bills should be cleared by the 20th of the month if bills run into arrears for more than two months, the girl is liable to be removed form the School. No pupil will be allowed to return to school after the long vacation unless her dues for the previous year have been cleared in full.

The travelling expenses of the children should be remitted in advance.

Entire Outfit List Compulsory

Coloured pinafores for girls in C1 K.G. - III
1 Cream pleated skirt (1") and merino cream blouse (long-sleeved)
6 White cotton petticoat
3 Navy blue pullovers (can be supplied by the School)
1 Navy blue blazer (no piping). Crest to be procured at School.
1 Navy blue overcoat.
4 Navy blue serge gym tunics (three box pleats, back and front, and a square neck) with belts (serge).
1 Special sports uniform (supplied through the School)
6 Navy fast coloured bloomers,
2 Navy blue serge skirt (1" pleats) and 1 navy blue tie.
10 White cotton blouses with well fitting shirt collars and short sleeves.
4 Long sleeved white cotton blouses.
3 Pairs of navy blue divided skirts for girls from C1 - III upwards
2 Pairs navy blue shorts (pants with pockets) for girIs from Cl - Ill upwards.
2 Pairs white canvas keds.
6 Cotton vests.
12 Pairs navy blue socks (not black)
3 Pairs white socks.
12 White cotton knickers
3 Fannel (flannel?) nightgowns or suits
3 Cotton nightgowns or suits (long sleeves)
1 Dressing gown
6 sheets
4 pillows cases.
3 Dozen white cotton handkerchiefs.
4 Hand towels
2 bath towels
8 table napkins
3 Pairs strong black leather shoes. (Boots not allowed)
2 Blankets
1 quilt, pillow (Bedcover lent by School)
1 Hold-all with full name marked
1 waterproof with hood & umbrella.
1 Pair gum boots
A few coloured dresses for holiday wear
1 Torch
1 Badminton racket.
Ties will be procured at School, Badges also.

Stationery including stamped envelopes and inland forms and toilet requirements must be supplied FOR THE YEAR at the beginning of each year. Please include toilet paper, soap, toothpaste, toothbrushes, hair oil, cold cream, soap dishes, plastic mug, extra hair pins and clothes brush. Each child should also be provided with washing soap/powder, shoe cleaning kit (for leather and keds) and mending/darning requisites. Hair ribbons and clips should be navy blue. black or white.

The School has a tuck shop. Pocket money should be given to the pupils for March, from April it will be billed (Rs. 25/- p.m. minimum). Any Tuck supplied should be reasonable in quality and in airtight containers.

Each article of clothing should be well marked with the given roll number with red thread.

Each pupil should be provided with two complete lists of all the articles of her outfit. It is absolutely necessary that each child be provided with a complete outfit, in good condition.

The first instalment for a new boarder should be paid by 1st February.

All applications to be made to

The Headmistress,
St. Helen's Secondary School
P.0. Kurseong,
Dist Darjeeling.
Pin 734 203