I, Bro. Shaji Joseph as the Principal of the School do not know much about the History of this institution. I joined as the Principal of the School in June ,2016. My knowledge of Ambikapur is only from the day I reached Ambikapur for the first time as the Principal of the School. As the Provincial Superior asked to send a short History, I did not know what to do. However, I asked Bro. John Minj to write something about it and two of the teachers. One of the teachers namely Mrs. Sheela Mary Thomas who was the first teacher appointed by the Then Principal Bro. Sebastian. I also asked the second senior most teacher to put down something about the School. The teachers responded positively and they have put down their view of Montfort School. Bro. John has not written down anything as he said he has not got much idea about this place and its’ History. First few paragraphs of this are an extract from “The History of Montfort Brothers of St. Gabriel 1715 to 2010.” I have copied as it is from page no. 500 and 501.
THE IDEA OF STARTING AN INSTITUTION AND A COMMUNITY IN Ambikapurwas organized in May 1996, when Bro. Philip Thadathil, the then Provincial Superior, camewith Brothers Barnabas Teteand M.O. Sebastian to Banea and Ambikapur in connection with the starting of a school at Banea. Ambikapur Diocese was willing to give the Brothers some land at a place called Nani Ashram, about 5km from the Bishop House. Later the Province decided to make the Ambikapur Project a multipurpose one as sufficient land could be obtainedfrom the Diocese. Finally, a 12-acre plot was registered on Sept. 29, 1999, in the name of the brothers after paying Rs. 5Lakhs as Token Money to the Diocese. It was considered a Centenary Project.
In July 2000Bro. M.O. Sebastian came to Ambikapur. While staying in the Bishop’s House, he enclosed the Property and built a part of the Brother's Residence and a few classrooms. According to Bro. Sebastian the Bishop suggested he start with an English Medium School. Thus, the School started on July 10th, 2001 with seven students and a lady teacher. Bro. Kriti Chand joined Bro. Sebastian in September. He took over the management of an existing workshop for welding and fabrication near Bishop House. Construction Building on the school started on Feb. 10, 2001, and on the brothers’ residence in March. The construction work on the technical School building started in 2002.
Bro. William Kerketta Replaced Bro. M.O. Sebastian in 2002, the same year Bro. Shaji Thomas replaced Bro. Kriti Chand. In 2003, Bro. Shaji Thomas was the Superior and the one in charge of the vocational training center while Bro. Patras Kujur was the Principal of Montfort School. From 2004 -2005, Bro. William Paul was Superior and Principal From 2005 to 2008. Bro. Gabriel Lakra replaced Bro. William Paul in 2009, Bro. George Pottakaran joined the community as Principal of Montfort School and Bro. JOHN Minj as Bursar.”
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The Montfort School History Written by the first teacher of the school.
The Montfort School History written by the teacher who was appointed on the very first day of Montfort School is given below. A Photograph of the First Seven Children, The Principal Bro. Sebastian and the first teacher are also shared here. There are 8 students in the photograph but only seven had registered with the school as students. The 8th one came only for a few days.
Montfort School Ambikapur was established in 2001. (L.K.G.) Rev. Bro. Sebastian was the First Principal of this School. This School began with Seven Children and One Teacher. Bro. Joy Thomas was assisting Bro. Sebastian. These Brothers were staying at the Bishop House. In 2002, they completed the construction of Brothers’ residence and shifted to the school Campus. The Year of 2002, Bro. Shaji Thomas came to Ambikapur. When the School began, it was only Four Rooms. The Medium of instruction was English. Hindi was taught as a Second Language in all Classes.
Our School is Situated in Sargawan, Ambikapur. It is an interior area. Most of the Students came from the Poor Families.
After One Year Bro. William Kerketta took Charge as the Principal [2003-04]. Bro. Shaji Thomas was the Manager of the School. U.K.G. Classes began. Step by Step the Classes increased. The Hard Work of Brothers and Teachers slowly increased the number of Students. Gradually Infrastructure also grew up well. So Many Classrooms built up. This period St. Johns the Baptist Sistersjoined with Us [Sr. Elsy, Sr. Shiny, and Sr. Beena].
Bro. Patras Kujur was the 3rd Principal of the School [2004-05]. He also encouraged and motivated the students to Participate in many Cultural Programmes. During thisperiod the Superior General Rev. Bro. Rene Delorme visited our School and inaugurated the V.T.C..
After Bro. Patras Kujur, Bro. William Paul took Charge as the Principal [2005-2008]. Bro. William interacted with the Parents and also the People of Ambikapur. He started house visiting. Every Saturday Brothers, Sisters, and Teachers went to the students' house and asked about their Studies and their Welfare. This was the turning point of School. Remedial Classes started for the Weak Students. It was very helpful for the Parents and the Students. From time to time,we organized a variety of activities like recitation, elocution, singing, dancing, drawing interschool Competitions, etc. We Organized an Annual Function. It was a good platform for showing our Students Hidden Talents. All the Students participated in the Programme. Most of the Competitions were held in their respective house vice. The Annual Function was very Colorful and Beautiful. It was the Talk of the Town and All the People came to know about Montfort School, Ambikapur. The strength of the students increased and getting more Admissions. During this period, ‘A’ Block Ground Floor Construction was Completed.
In 2008, Bro. Gabriel Lakra took Charge from Bro. William Paul. Sr. Annis was the Headmistress. He completed his responsibilities very well. He was the Manager of this School till 2022.
In 2009, Rev. Bro. George Pottakaran, was appointed as the Principal of this School. Sr. Annis was the Headmistress Later on Sr. Punita Mary took charge. Bro. George added the facilities of the Science Lab, Library, Computer Lab, Tata Class edge, etc. First Batch of the C.G. Syllabus of 10th Classes passed out in 2012-13 with 100 % results. The first Batch of C.B.S.E. passed out the 2013 - 14 Session with 100 % results. He completed 1ST floor of ‘A’ Block. Six Years he Successfully completed his responsibilities.
In 2015 Bro. James KC took charge as the next Principal. He also encouraged the Students in their Curricular and Co-Curricular activities. He initiated giving more facilities to Scout Guide Students. He organized Scout Guide Camp activities.
At present Bro. Shaji Joseph is the Principal of Montfort School, Ambikapur. We got the upgrade of C.B.S.E affiliation to Senior Secondary in 2016 under his able leadership. Our first batch of senior Secondary students 79 of them, wrote their board exam in 2019. He has developed the school in many ways. By building more Classrooms and giving more facilities to the students. He has completed the ‘B’ Block building. Now also the Construction is going on for the further requirements. He built a Boys Hostel with proper facilities. He also worked hard to level the ground and maintainthe Campus, Greenery, Interlocking the Ground,etc., and also built up the Baskets Ball Court, and Volley Ball Court for developing Students' Sports Spirit.
He has appointed Coordinators, Talented Teachers in Various Subjects. The strength of Students got increased and getting more Admissions. Now the Strength of the Students is more than two thousand. Bro. Shaji Joseph has provided many facilities such as a Good Library, Computer Labs with all Internet facilities, a Language Lab, etc. He motivates the students in different ways to compete in the world. He organized various Competitions Such as Interclass Bulletin boards, Christmas celebrations, Diwali celebrations, Annual Functions, and Educational Tours. To Promote Competitive Team Spirit in Games, Sports, Academic and Non-Academic Activities. Students get a chance to work on their Physical and Mental abilities to achieve Goals in their Life. During the Time of Pandemic Period Online Classes were taken Smoothly under the Proper Guidance of Principal Brother Shaji Joseph.
Brother Shaji is not only a catalyst to the Students, But He is one to the Teachers as Well, He is the Pillar of Strength that binds each and every one together and encourages them to Function Smoothly. It is with His Extreme Hard Work and Foresight that Ambikapur Montfort is Counted among the Best Schools today with a respectable number of 2000+ Students.
Every Year Brothers gives giving Seminar to the Teachers. It helps them to improve their Personal Development and increase their Confidence level.
In 2001, Bro Sebastian planted a Small Seed, Now It’s a Big Tree.
