Principal's New Year Message 2021

Dear Parents, Teachers and Students

Another calendar year is drawing to an end. When we look back, what do we see? What emotions do the events of this year’s journey around the sun bring? Perhaps the year has been dominated by covid 19, sadness or discord, and we won’t be sorry at all to see it go. Perhaps 2020 will stand out in our memories for unexpected and surprising moments of joy. Maybe we’ll be glad for what we learned, even if that schooling was difficult and unwelcomed. God was at work. As we reflect back and look forward is to remember every moment of this past year. And because of that, no matter what, because of God, we can move on the journey – in peace. Loving God, thank you for another year of life and your faithful, loving presence.

Tomorrow starts a new year. It’s usually a time for resolutions, a time to give some thought to where we have been and where we might be going.

Look at our life. Make a sincere effort to find out in which single area we can improve. Focus on charging that part of our life. Prayer to that single resolution, asking God to help us make that change.

Let us welcome the New Year 2021 with hope, happiness and joy. I wish you all a bright and prosperous New Year 2021.

God bless you!

God bless you!
Sr.Gracy Paul

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Claudine Feast Day Message 3-2-2021

Good morning dear teachers, parents, well wishers and students,

Today is a very special and a happy day for all of us; very specially CJM Families in India and all over the world. In 1818, 6th October Claudine responded to the call of a unique teacher and planted a seed for the Congregation of Jesus and Mary. That seed grew up and spread branches in 6 continents, established institutions to nurture the young children among them the poor girls. For this the pedagogy of St. Claudine was love. She was an educator by vocation and woman of love and faith. She wanted to form women capable of earning their living by honest work to make a happy home.

She helped the students and taught the teachers to be true to themselves , to be simple, carry out duties responsibly, to be impartial and dedicated, teachers and sisters to be real mothers to the children entrusted to their care. For that Claudine used her methods, like prevention of faults, attention to the individual, concern to give practical formation, preference to the poor, especially, for those who have the most faults and the fewest qualities. Claudine was a bridge maker. She encouraged and enabled people who have trusted in her to take any risk and cross the barrier.

On this day, the feast of our Foundress, I can visualize St. Claudine as a bridge builder of her time. She brought hope to the hopeless, love to the loveless, meaning to those who had lost meaning, reconciliation to those separated by walls, new life to those destroyed by war. After 2020 years we too are called to renew our commitment to continue the legacy as bridge builders for a new tomorrow, especially to the youth, the vulnerable and to our common home, Mother Earth.

I have a poem for you named ‘The Bridge’ by Joy Cowley

The Bridge by Joy Cowley

There are times in life
When we are called to be bridges,
Not a great monument spanning a distance
And carrying great loads of heavy traffic,
But a simple bridge to help one person from here to there
Over some difficulty
Such as pain, fear, grief, loneliness,
A bridge which opens the way
For on-going journey.

When I become a bridge for another,
I bring upon myself a blessing
For I escape from the small prison of self
And exist for a wider world,
Breaking out to be a larger being
Who can enter another’s pain
And rejoice in another’s triumph.

I know of only one greater blessing
In this life, and that is,
To allow someone else
To be a bridge for me.

Wish you all a very Happy Feast. May St. Claudine bless each one of you to bring peace by building bridges. Then with her we too say “How Good God Is!”

Regards
Sr. Gracy Paul
Principal

"The unfolding of your words gives light; it imparts understanding to the simple"

100 years is an occasion to rejoice and celebrate and to feel proud of the achievements and look forward with great hope. I thank the Almighty God for guiding and inspiring this institution, Convent of Jesus and Mary, New Delhi in travelling a long distance leaving behind 100 memorable milestones. The institution grew in these years and stands as a majestic pillar at the centre of the capital of India, New Delhi imparting education to the girls, including the poor, giving them holistic , integrated and all round development , thus , providing an ideal platform to exhibit their talents and grow in mutual respect and tolerance of our cultural, regional, religious and linguistic diversities.

Convent of Jesus and Mary stands out for its service to the under privileged and the poor through projects like "Ujala ' - evening classes for the students from neighboring schools, Premdhan - a crèche for the underprivileged and Khrist Raja Secondary School - a branch of CJM for the poor. The lamp was lit 100 years ago and has brought life and the light of education to lakhs of families, communities, society and the world at large.

I salute all those who have spent their time and talents in these years to raise this institution to great heights. The true form of education meets the need of body, mind, heart and spirit empowering one to live, learn, love and to learn a legacy. Convent of Jesus and Mary, New Delhi aims for this and fulfill the vision of its Mother Foundress, St. Claudine to be mothers to children and lives up to the motto "To Serve with Love."

I would like to remember and thank God for all the past teachers, co-workers, benefactors. well-wishers, principals, managers, past and present students who have worked tirelessly to make Convent of Jesus and Mary, New Delhi what it is today.

I feel privileged and humbled that God has given me an opportunity to serve Convent of Jesus and Mary, New Delhi. I hope to leave for posterity my love filled service to this great institution. God bless you Convent of Jesus and Mary and everyone who is serving to keep your light burning forever.

Convent of Jesus and Mary, I love you, may you continue to prosper with God's blessings in the years to come for the next century.

Thank you and Congratulations!
God Bless You
Sr.Gracy Paul

Unless a wheat grain falls into the earth and dies, it remains only a single grain; but if it dies, it yields a rich harvest.The Bible John 12:24

Change is a continuous process. You cannot assess it with a static yardstick of a limited time frame. Two hundred years may be a speck in the ocean of eternity, a milestone that marks our growth, unfolds our creativeness and heightens our objectives and aspirations. As we look back at our Congregation’s story of two hundred years we cannot but be grateful for the bountiful blessings God has given us in educational, pastoral, social and spiritual ministries.

‘Those who drink the water, must remember those who dug the well.’ As the Religious of Jesus and Mary celebrates their Bicentenary this year (1818-2018), I dedicate this issue of the magazine to the sisters who have gone before us and also all the sisters of the congregation who work in various fields in various capacities to bring God’s love and compassion into the lives of the people we serve.

The primary mission of Religious of Jesus and Mary is to make the young women, especially the ones on the margins of the society, understand and appreciate the proper role of women in society to protect the values of the family, or life and of peace. The millions of students who have passed through the portals of RJM institutions world over make significant contributions to their family, society and country.

We are a caring community where students’ needs are a priority and where tradition and modernity are respected and encouraged to co-exist.

It is indeed an honor to be the principal of Convent of Jesus and Mary, the school that stands for excellence, the school which is an alma mater which all alumni reminisce, the school which has helped to give the world many an important dignitary.

Today CJM represents 28 countries in 4 continents and is the ethos of moral values. As we celebrate our bicentennial, we recommit ourselves to the very proud legacy of our foundress, St. Claudine Thevenet. This year also marks the 175th year of our presence in India and many luminaries have paved the way for many others to follow through the portals of our esteemed institutions and three colleges in India.

Today CJM represents 28 countries in 4 continents and is the ethos of moral values. As we celebrate our bicentennial, we recommit ourselves to the very proud legacy of our foundress, St. Claudine Thevenet. This year also marks the 175th year of our presence in India and many luminaries have paved the way for many others to follow through the portals of our esteemed institutions and three colleges in India.

We thank God for all that we have achieved so far in our mission through various countries. I take this opportunity to thank all teachers, parents and students who have helped us in celebrating the Bicentenary Year of the Congregation and the 175th year of our presence in India.

Thank You
God Bless You
Sr.Gracy Paul

Success comes to those who work hard and stays with those who don’t rest on the laurels of the past.

The function of education is to teach one to think intensively and to think critically. Intelligence plus character that is the goal of true education. At CJM, we strive not only to enable our girls to increase their knowledge but also to create women who are multi-faceted individuals. We also endeavour to blend academic excellence with good human value system to accoutre our girls to care for others and develop a concern and respect for the environment.

In the fast changing scenario of digital revolution in the 21st century, our biggest challenge is to prepare our students for a globalised world. While being ever respectful of its heritage and traditions, innovations are hallmarks of CJM.

At this institution students are provided with unparalleled opportunities both in academics and in sports. The sporting environment thrives with a new tennis academy providing professional coaching in tennis, that has been started at the school.

A committed and supportive management, dedicated teachers, caring and co-operative parents fraternity all blend harmoniously to create a child-centric school thus bringing out the best in every child.

A dream does not become reality through magic; It takes sweat, determination and hard work. So my dear girls, keep your dreams alive. Understand to achieve anything requires faith and belief in yourself, vision, hard work, determination and dedication.

Remember all things are possible for those who believe.

God Bless

Sr. Janet
( Principal )

The year 2015-2016 has indeed been a fruitful year for CJM. It was a year replete with learning, exposure, achievements and success for our students and teachers. While we have excelled academically in the AISSCE examination with a hundred percent in subjects like Psychology, History, Sociology, Political Science and Physical Education, our school has also made a mark in the interschool activities such as the Bournvita Quiz, Heritage Quiz, MUNs and numerous debates. The two school awards, Clean and Green School Award, and the School Excellence Award 2016 conferred on our school this academic year bears testimony to our constant striving for excellence in all fields.

In Indo-German students Exchange Programme, where CJM played host to the German students of St. Michael’s Gymnasium, Paderborn, gave our students global exposure. It was an enriching experience for all. As a progressive school, it is gratifying to see that, while we look to the future and strive towards perfection we have continued to impart a value based education to create students who are ambassadors of peace and goodwill and catalyst of positive social change.

In this Jubilee Year of Mercy, it is a privilege for our students to participate in the school’s outreach programmes like Ujala and work done at Prem Dhan. Like true CJMites, our students have risen to the occasion by being sensitive, kind and philanthropic, be it contributing to the earthquake relief fund for victims of the Nepal earthquake or the thalassemia patients and many more. Through these initiatives, we in CJM continue to carry forward in obedience and simplicity the legacy of our Mother Foundress, St. Claudine Thevenet, in serving the less privileged and needy with love.

As you march ahead dear students, gifted with nobility and goodness, may you stay blessed in all you do. May these words of our mother Foundress be your inspiration.

‘Let us be sure of one thing: only through obedience shall we achieve success; once the bond is broken, even structures which appear strongest collapse. God ordinarily grants more graces to our submission than to any other means we might use to attain success.’

Sr. Janet
(Principal)

“We cannot always build the future for our youth, but we can build youth for the future”- Franklin Roosevelt

The only person who is educated is the one who has learned how to learn and change. Change is inevitable. It’s the way of life. We find today that the socio-economic scenario is changing rapidly and to enable students to find a place in this ever changing and fiercely competitive world, we at CJM, facilitate students to surge forward with an indomitable spirit and dedication to excel in all spheres.

One thing I believe to the fullest is that if you think and achieve as a team, the individual accolades will take care of themselves. ‘Talent wins games, but teamwork and intelligence win championships. “When a team outgrows individual performance and learns Team Confidence-Excellence becomes a reality”- Joe Palemo. At CJM, we move forward together. Our strength has been and always will be our ‘Team Work Spirit”

On 9th May 2014, CJM successfully installed a 10.5 KW Solar PV Power Plant in the school. Also, a Rainwater Harvesting System was established in school premises, which has helped to sensitize students towards environment.

It was indeed a matter of great pride for us when SOE Global Education Award for the Best School was conferred on CJM. I received this award in India International Center on 5th October 2014 among an august gathering of both National and International dignitaries. On World Teachers Day 2014 CJM bagged the ‘National Teaching Excellence Award’ by the Confederation of Indian Universities for outstanding contribution in the areas of teaching and Pedagogical Methodologies.

The school also participated in the prestigious pan India competition. ‘The Young Economist’ hosted by the Shri Ram College of Commerce in which it emerged victorious from over 120 other schools.

Our achievements as we stand today have been due to each member of our institution and the tremendous positive support of our management. It has been a marvelous manifestation of conscientious hard work, excellent team spirit and profound love for the process of education.

Let the self exploratory journey of education be a delightful one in the years to come.

Sr. Janet
(Principal)

“I try to learn from the finite, the lessons of the infinite”. I firmly believe in what Arthur Young said three hundred years ago. The Lord in his Love and Generosity has given us life; it is for us to turn the precious gift of life into an many splendoured thing. Experience and knowledge should show us the way to God.

“The purpose of life is to live it, to taste experience, to reach out eagerly and without fear for newer and richer experience”- Eleanor Roosevelt

This year (2013-14) has indeed been varied and full of rich experiences. The year began with an exchange programme with a German school. Our students learnt a lot from their visit to Germany and their stay with their German hosts. A trip to Europe was organized and the students gained valuable, personal experience and insight of civic planning and organization, aesthetics, independence and team spirit. Trip to various domestic destinations, especially those of historical interest gave them first hand experience of what so far had been theoretical knowledge limited to text books. In our exchange programme with CJM Lahore, the visit of the Sisters and teachers from Pakistan created deeper understanding and established that despite political boundaries we are “soul sisters” in our efforts to realize St. Claudine’s vision. I was invited to be a part of a delegation visiting Spain to exchange ideas, establish and forge bonds between the two countries in the field of education.

It was indeed a proud moment for us at CJM Delhi when Sr. Monica Joseph, RJM, an alumnus of our school was elected Superior General of the Congregation of Jesus and Mary- the first Indian to occupy this glorious position. Our students won laurels for the school when they achieved exceptional success in interschool competitions held throughout the year. The school was given the International School Award by the British Council, a culmination of the year long enthusiastic effort by every students and teacher of the school.

Truly I feel blessed and rejoice in the hope that you dear students prove to be good global citizens who achieve success in different spheres. I pray that each of you find success in your personal and social lives and have the courage to stand up for a just cause.

Sr. Janet
(Principal)

The principal goal of education is to create human beings who are capable of doing new things, not simply of repeating what other generations have done.

In our globalised world, where people are both rooted and rootless, local producers and global consumers threatened in their identities yet continually remaking those identities, people have a lot to learn from each other. Globalization has a multi-dimensional impact on education with its emphasis on the utilization of information technology. Education is an important investment in building human capital that is a driver for technological innovation and economic growth. It is only through improving the educational status of a society that the multi-faceted development of its people can be ensured. True education must also ensure to improve the lives of others and leave the community and the world better than how we found it.

In this quest we, at CJM, aim to assimilate the best our world has to offer. Consequently, we don’t limit ourselves to the boundaries of our neighbourhood. Instead, we expand our horizons to all parts of the globe. The various international School Award activities conducted through the year, was one such aspect through which students got an insight into foreign cultures, their music, art and heritage. This helped us accomplish our mission of connecting with people from all parts of the world and forming a human network.

The world is a book and those who do not travel read only one page.

Hence, the year saw the students visiting the Kennedy Space Centre, in Florida, USA which expanded their horizons. CJM also played host to students from Germany in course of a student exchange programme. Our students also did the school proud by relentlessly proving their mettle in various fields of competition, both national and international.

This magazine encapsulates the endeavours of the CJM family towards excelling in all that we undertake and building for ourselves, a truly global heritage.

Sr. Janet
(Principal)

“Climb every mountain Ford every stream Follow every rainbow Till you find your dream A dream that will need All the love you can give Every day of your life For as long as you live”

“Live life to the fullest.” This is my message to you dear students and parents. Life is a many splendoured thing and therefore I ask you to explore all facets of your lives, enhance them so that you can lead richer and more complete lives. Due to the severe pressure of competition it’s often easy to ‘slip’ into overemphasis of academic excellence. I say slip because this often leads to the creation of high achievers who are unidimensional, insensitive personalities prone to succumb to pressure.

In CJM we believe that the spiritual, emotional and physical sides of an individual need to be explored and developed. Hence effort is made to ensure that each student in each class has the opportunity to participate in co-curricular activities. We strongly believe that each individual is special. Through value education classes and career counseling we try to assure our students that each one has a special role in this world. The goal is to discover the role and fulfill it to the best of one’s ability.

This year has been abuzz with activity and progress. An important milestone in CJM’s history, a memorial to our mother foundress: the St. Claudine Block, is ready! Along with that many new innovations have been introduced: smart classes for Classes III to X, a new math lab, computerization of the library etc. Now St. Claudine herself welcomes all of you to enter the school gates. A beautiful statue of the saint has been installed in front of the senior school.

All this would not have been possible without the concerted effort of the CJM family. I would like to extend my deepest gratitude to all the parents, students, collaborators and benefactors who helped to raise funds for the new building. The entire effort was a huge success because of your generosity and unstinted support.

This magazine is a celebration of the uniqueness of each individual who is part of CJM, Delhi. It celebrates special moments and encapsulates happy memories.

Sr. Janet
(Principal)

Nature to God perpetually working and we need only look around us to see and to feel that truth of a Providence to which our deepest instincts turn. ~ E.D. Chapin

It is important to establish a bond with nature. To enjoy its beauty and serenity. This process is therapeutic, helps restore our balance and endows us with a positive perspective.

Nature teaches us important lessons in generosity. A tree sustains life yet it seeks very little in return. It gives us a munificent bounty of fruits and flowers. The tree which provides sustenance and succour gives us an important lesson in leading full and rich lives. It teaches us that giving is a fulfilling and enriching experience.

Our Mother Foundress St. Claudine Thevenet did not perhaps completely envisage the value of the gift that she had given us. The numerous lives she would touch. With kindness and love each one of us can be a powerful agent of change. A change the world yearns for can be engineered by our own goodness of heart.

You dear teachers, parents and students have done just that! You have been instrumental in creating the change that you wish to see in the lives of our own students, in the form of better, modern facilities.

I wish to thank you profusely for your generosity and support in our endeavour to raise the new building. Without you this would not have been possible. I also thank you dear staff members and the PTA for your dedication and co-operation, in our endeavours.

We have introduced many changes in the course of the year for the benefit of the students: the SMS alerts to parents, computerized report cards and SMART classes. E learning is constantly being promoted. The library has been completely computerized and we plan to have a new library along with other facilities in the new building. As you may have observed the new building is coming up at a brisk pace. I take this opportunity to request you to give your continue d, unstinted support to raise more funds for the new building. We plan to bring out a brochure in July and hold a fete in October as fundraisers.

Once again dear parents, staff members and students, I thank you for your support and pray that God blesses each and every one of you and your families.

Sr. Janet
(Principal)

If we don’t change, we don’t grow. If don’t grow, we are not really living. ~ Gail Sheehy

CJM has always believed in the principle of being: of constantly evolving based on the spark of divinity within each of us. Change is the constant, a signal for rebirth, the egg of the phoenix. Thus, I am pleased that the theme chosen for this issue of the magazine is ‘metamorphosis’.

Metamorphosis is important to us- to constantly reinvent ourselves, to be stirred to excitement at every new venture, to turn into a butterfly and to move on and enjoy each new experience and human interaction to the fullest- yet to remain constant and unchanging in our foundation and character. That is the kind of transformation or awakening we want our students to experience, which involves experiencing life with all their being, not just their intellect.

The power of the mind can open up life-changing ways of thinking and existing and grant us an opportunity in every challenge we face. Change your thoughts and change your world. You can exist in the mind-created abyss of hell or the elevated horizons of heaven. We wish that each of our students explores and discovers her own peace and stretch of horizon that she can claim as her own.

The academic year that passed was a potpourri of experiences, each with a unique flavor which our very own culinary crew, the journalism group and their mentors, have served up to us in this issue of ‘Happenings’. I wish them the very best in this venture and am sure that they have already benefitted by delivering the joy of coordinated effort, creative expression and their own metamorphosis into better skilled people.

Sr. Janet
(Principal)