From humble beginnings...

"I HAVE tried," said the man as he breathed his last. And the Kellet High School bears testimony to these words. Celebrating its centenary this year, the school too has never stopped trying to grow.

Prof. F. W. Kellet came to India in 1892 to teach History at the Madras Christian College, which at that time was in George Town.

He had friends in and around Triplicane whom he visited regularly. During such visits, the plight of the poor children touched him deeply. He realised that they wanted to study but had no means to do so. He spent many hours teaching and reading to them. He bought the existing Aryan School and looked after it with about 200 students. But ill health dogged him and he was forced to return to England where he died in 1904.

The school was then renamed Kellet High School. Initially, it came under the Wesleyian Mission. Today, it is a government-aided higher secondary school managed by the Church of South India, Madras Dioceses.

Says Mr. Edwin Masilamani, the present Head Master, "Today, the school has on its roster 1,200 pupils and from Std. VI to Std. XII are English medium. We also have facilities like a computer centre, NSS, NCC, Scouts and Junior Red Cross. After the Gujarat earthquake devastation, students of the NCC, Scouts and Junior Red Cross collected money and material to send to those in need. And the NCC regularly conducts street cleaning and also has many eco-awareness camps."

Situated in the busy Triplicane area, this portal of education has produced many engineers, doctors, lawyers and other professionals. One alumnus, D. Sundaram, now employed with Hindustan Lever, says that the school instilled in its students the need to build character, acquire values and to be able to look ahead without losing sight of tradition and customs. Another alumnus, Dr. Vijayakumar, a Professor of Nephrology in Stanley Medical College, says that 30 years ago the school thought it was necessary for the students to visit an exhibition in Bangalore for further learning and understanding.

Continuing with this quest for knowledge, a Tirukkural Kazhagam was started under the auspices of the then Chief Minister , C. N. Annadurai. This association gives the student an opportunity to appreciate art and literature. Competitions are conducted and prizes given. This association has a fund that is maintained by the teachers to be used for the expenses incurred. The Literary Association is a part of the curriculum and this encourages students to participate in all the activities of the association.

The Bishop Rt. Rev. Dr. Devasahayam takes active interest in the day-to-day running of the school. He lays stress on value education and also quality of education.

The Parent-Teacher Association began functioning from 1974. The Old Students Association as a token of gratitude to their alma mater, has donated two classrooms, computers and furniture. And to keep the memories of their school forever imprinted on their minds, these "old boys" have promised to help the school in future too.

March 31 will mark an important milestone in the growth of the school. That day, the arch, the gate and two classrooms will be inaugurated. Also a centenary souvenir and a stamp will be released.

From humble beginnings, the school has grown and the beneficiaries have been plenty, and each successive generation tries to give its best to the school.

And the words of Kellet, now the school's motto, encourages its students to continue to try...

NIMI KURIAN

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