Bishop Cotton Girls' School

2022-05-18T15:22:51Z

104.184.49.182:

{{Use dmy dates|date=September 2021}}
{{Use Indian English|date=October 2018}}
{{more citations needed|date=February 2018}}
{{Infobox school
| name = Bishop Cotton Girls' School
| logo = Bishop Cotton Schools crest.png
| image = File:Quadrangle in Bishop Cotton's Girls' High School.jpg
| motto = ''Nec Dextrorsum Nec Sinistrorsum''<br />''(Neither to the right nor to the left'')
| established = {{start date and age|1865}}
| closed =
| type = [[Private school]], [[boarding school]]
| religious_affiliation = [[Protestant]] ([[Church of South India]])
| president =
| head_label = Principal
| head = Mrs. Lavanya Mitran
| r_head_label =
| r_head =
| chair_label = Chairman and Moderator
| chair = Rt. Rev. [[Dr. Prasannakumar Samuel]], Karnataka Southern Diocese
| founders = Rev. [[Samuel Thomas Pettigrew (East India Company chaplain)|S.T. Pettigrew]], Rev. [[J. Gordon]] and Rev. [[R. Firth]]<ref name = History>[http://cottongirls.com/history.asp A History of Bishop Cotton Girls' School, Bangalore] Retrieved 2010-01-28.</ref>
| specialist =
| address = St. Marks Road
| city = [[Bangalore]]
| county = [[Karnataka]]
| country = [[India]]
| postcode = 560 001
| local_authority =
| ofsted =
| staff = 150 (approx.)
| enrolment =
| affiliation = [[Indian Certificate of Secondary Education]] Examination (ICSE) and The [[Indian School Certificate]] examination (ISC)
| gender = Girls
| lower_age = 4
| upper_age =
| houses = Barton, Elmes, Foley, Maiden, Millington, Waller
| colours = [[Green]] and [[Gold (color)|gold]] {{color box|green}}{{color box|gold}}
| publication = The Cottonian
| free_label_1 =
| free_1 =
| free_label_2 =
| free_2 =
| free_label_3 =
| free_3 =
}}

'''Bishop Cotton Girls' School''', or '''BCGS''', is a private all-girls' school for [[boarding school|boarders]] and [[day pupil|day scholars]] in [[Bangalore]], [[Karnataka]], [[India]]. The school offers academic [[scholarships]], which aid students from lower income backgrounds to afford [[tuition]] and boarding [[fees]]. It has been awarded the International School award by the [[British Council]].

The school curriculum is based on the [[Indian Certificate of Secondary Education|ICSE]] format of education, and has teaching facilities from Kindergarten, 1 to 10 (ICSE) and 11 and 12 (ISC).

==History==
{{Original research|section|date=February 2015}}Founded in 1865, it is one of the oldest established [[boarding school]]s in [[Asia]].

The school was named after Bishop [[George Edward Lynch Cotton]], the son of an Army captain, who died leading his regiment in battle. He was a scholar of [[Westminster School]], and a graduate of [[Cambridge University|Cambridge]]. In 1836 he was appointed Assistant Master at [[Rugby School|Rugby]] by Doctor [[Thomas Arnold]], one of the founders of the British public school system.

It was the proposal of Bishop Cotton to create schools in India that resulted in the founding of Bishop Cotton's on 19 April 1865. The institution was opened for both boys and girls in a bungalow named Westward Ho in High Grounds. In 1871, the management acquired 14 acres of land on St. Mark's Road and shifted the school, demarcating two areas, one for the boys school and the other for the girls, with a wall separating the two.

In 1911, the management acquired Stafford House and its surrounding eight and a half acres with access to both Residency Road and St. Mark's Road and shifted the school, giving Bishop Cotton Girls' School its own identity. In 1915, money was sanctioned to construct the administration block and the quad. More buildings were constructed in the 1950s and 1960s including the Chapel of the Holy Family.

The first Indian principal to take charge of the school was CA (Acca) Joseph in 1963.

Extracurricular activities includes sport, debate, creative writing, dramatics, declamation, verse speaking and choir.

It is affiliated with [[Bishop Cotton Boys School]], which is situated across the street on St. Marks Road.

==School motto==
Nec Dextrorsum - Nec Sinistrosum

"Neither to the right nor to the left", the motto reflects the spirit of the school. It is taken from a Latin translation of a phrase in the Old Testament of the Bible. The new leader Joshua is commissioned by God to be a true follower of His law, 'neither to the left nor to the right'.

==School shield==
{{Original research|section|date=February 2015}}The crest of the shield is the family crest of Bishop Cotton of Calcutta. The crest is divided vertically - the right side (dexter) has the arms of the Bishop of Calcutta. The Bishop's mitre on top is green on a white background and the staff and open Bible are in the bottom half on a red background. The left side (sinister) has three skeins of cotton and a chevron (inverted v) on a blue background. This side represents the ancient house to which Bishop Cotton belonged. The crest thus symbolises the godliness, service and courage for which the school stands.

==School song and founder's hymn==
The Bishop Cotton [[school song]] was penned by Rev. [[Herbert Pakenham-Walsh]], of the Brotherhood of St. Peter, Warden of the school from 1907 to 1913, later to become bishop. The words were set to music by N. M. Saunders, Esq.
With its refrain "On, Straight, On", it follows the spirit of the school motto, "Nec Dextrorsum Nec Sinistrorsum", [[Latin]] for "Neither to the Right Nor to the Left". The tradition of singing the school song and the founder's [[hymn]] in the chapel or in assemblies held in the auditorium continues to this day.

==Academics==
The school, administered along the lines of Junior, Middle and Senior School, works through three school terms, each ending with examinations. Students of Class X appear for the Indian Certificate of Secondary Education Examination (ICSE) by the beginning of March. Students of Class XII take up the Indian School Certificate Examination (ISC).

Subjects taught at the ICSE level include English, an Indian or foreign language, History, Civics and Geography, Environmental Education, Mathematics, Physics, Chemistry, Biology and a choice between Home Science, Computer Applications, Fine Arts and Physical Education. At the ISC level, the school has three main streams, the Science stream, the Commerce stream and the Arts stream. It is mandatory for both streams to take up English and Environmental Education.

For the Science stream, the subjects offered are English, Environmental Education, Physics, Chemistry, Mathematics/Home Science and a choice between Biotechnology, Computer Science, Hindi, Kannada, Fine Arts, Biology and Environmental Science. For the Commerce stream, the subjects offered are Accountancy and Commerce and a choice between Business Studies, Mathematics, Economics, Computer Science, Fine Arts, Environmental Science and Physical Education. For the Arts stream the subjects offered are English, Environmental Education and History along with choices among Literature in English, Second Language, Environmental Science, Physical Education, Economics, Computer Science, Fine Art, Home Science, Business Studies, Political Science and Psychology.

The school offers language options of Hindi, Kannada, Tamil, Telugu, Malayalam, Bengali, Nepali, French and German.

==Sports==
Organized games includes the inter-school games competitions.
* Cottonian Shield - basketball
* Cottonian Shield - hockey

==Principals==

* Miss F Elmes (1913–1934) was the first principal. She expanded the building adjoining Stafford House.
* Miss R.M. Waller (1935–1944).
* Miss M.E. Hardy (1945–1952) came to Cottons after years of service as a missionary in Burma.
* Miss E.J. Drayton (January 1953 – 2 June 1953).<ref name=Drayton1>{{cite news|title=Drayton Murder Suspect Charge-sheeted|url=http://archive.deccanherald.com/deccanherald/july01/files.asp|accessdate=3 October 2017|agency=Deccan Herald|issue=Bangalore|publisher=Printers (Mysore) Private Limited|date=30 June 1953|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171003124817/http://archive.deccanherald.com/deccanherald/july01/files.asp|archive-date=3 October 2017|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref name=Drayton2>{{cite news|title=Drayton Case Reopened|url=http://archive.deccanherald.com/deccanherald/oct242004/files.asp|accessdate=3 October 2017|agency=Deccan Herald|issue=Bangalore|publisher=Printers (Mysore) Private Limited|date=22 October 1954|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171003174729/http://archive.deccanherald.com/deccanherald/oct242004/files.asp|archive-date=3 October 2017|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref name=Drayton3>{{cite news|title=City's oldest college finds new home|url=http://www.thehindu.com/thehindu/mp/2002/04/22/stories/2002042200360200.htm|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20020817083137/http://thehindu.com/thehindu/mp/2002/04/22/stories/2002042200360200.htm|url-status=dead|archive-date=17 August 2002|accessdate=3 October 2017|issue=Bangalore|work=[[The Hindu]]|date=22 April 2002}}</ref><ref name=Drayton4>{{cite news|title=Bishop Cotton Girls|url=http://thebestiscschoolsinbangalore.blogspot.com.au/2012/04/bishop-cotton-girls.html|accessdate=3 October 2017|date=26 April 2012}}</ref>
* Mrs. C.M. Gaughan (1953–1954).
* Miss C.B. Schiff (1954–1957). The building of the Art Room and the extension of the Staff Room were accomplished during her tenure.
* Miss C.M. Millington (1958–1962) had been on the Staff of the school before she took over as Principal. The Raman Science Block and the Chapel of the Holy Family were constructed during this time. The Examination system changed over from the Cambridge Certificate to the Indian School Certificate Examination (ISC).
* Mrs. Acca Joseph (1963–1972) took over as the first Indian Principal in 1963. The library was inaugurated and the boarding block was built.
* Miss Grace Samuel (1972–1973) came to Cotton's after nine years in the USA.
* Mrs. V.M. Chandran (1973–1978) a member of the staff from 1959, took over as Principal in 1973. Her achievement was the construction of the auditorium, although she did not stay to witness its completion, it was her enthusiasm and hard work that made it possible. The Parents' Block was inaugurated during this period.
* Mrs. G. Clarke (1978–1988) introduced two new Houses - Elmes and Waller - to the existing Barton, Foley and Maiden Houses, as the number of students had increased. The pale green tunics changed to dark green. Computer studies were introduced. The strength of the School went from 700 to 3000. Six additional classrooms were built and the shift system was introduced. The work on the auditorium was completed and a new Dining Hall for the boarders was planned. The Bishop Cotton Women's' Christian College was started in 1985, the first of its kind in the Diocese.
* Mrs. Elizabeth Joseph (1988–1999) a member of staff from 1971, took over as Principal in September 1988. Several structural extensions and additions were made during this period. The auditorium was renovated, the mezzanine floor and stage built with co-ordinating interiors and the lighting system. The hostel side of the campus acquired a multi-purpose Dining Hall with the Staff Quarters built above it.
* Dr. Mrs. Stella Samuel (1999–2005) took over as Principal in June 1999 after having served the school for 25 years as a member of the staff. She had joined the school in 1974. The Administrative block was renovated, and the ISC block took shape. A school transport system in collaboration with BMTC was introduced. Internet, intranet, fax and email were installed.
* Mrs. Princess Franklyn (2005–2010) was brought on a transfer from a School in Tumkur.
* Mrs. Lydia Joshua (2010–2014).
* Princess Franklyn returned (June 2014 – October 2014). During the course of the academic year she had to retire and left Ranjitha Kanagaraj as the principal-in-charge.

==Notable alumni==

* [[Anuradha Doddaballapur]], cardiovascular scientist and captain of the [[Germany women's national cricket team]]<ref name="ttoi 2020-10-05">{{cite news |title=How Bengaluru gully cricketers starred in German national team |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/bengaluru/how-bengaluru-gully-cricketers-starred-in-german-national-team/articleshow/78485093.cms |access-date=19 July 2021 |work=[[The Times of India]] |agency=TNN |date=5 October 2020}}</ref>
* [[Patralekha Paul]], Bollywood actress
* [[J Jayalalithaa]] Puratchi Thalaivi Selvi J Jayalalithaa, actress, politician, General Secretary of [[AIADMK]] and [[Chief Minister]] of [[Tamil Nadu]], [[India]]<ref name=Hindu>{{cite news|title=When Jayalalithaa was a wide-eyed little girl|url=http://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-national/when-jayalalithaa-was-a-wideeyed-little-girl/article2024871.ece|accessdate=12 July 2015|agency=The Hindu|issue=Bangalore|work=The Hindu|date=17 May 2011}}</ref><ref name=Hindu2>{{cite news|title=Who's that serious-faced little girl?|url=http://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-national/tp-karnataka/whos-that-seriousfaced-little-girl/article2024797.ece|accessdate=12 July 2015|agency=The Hindu|issue=Bangalore|work=The Hindu|date=17 May 2011}}</ref><ref name=Vidya>{{cite news|last1=Iyengar|first1=Vidya|title=They were once tots too: Famous Bishop Cotton Alumni|url=http://www.bangaloremirror.com/columns/sunday-read/They-were-once-tots-too-Famous-Bishop-Cotton-Alumni/articleshow/38693074.cms|accessdate=12 July 2015|agency=Bangalore Mirror Bureau|issue=Bangalore|work=Bangalore Mirror|date=19 July 2014}}</ref>
* [[Gautami]], South Indian actor<ref name=Vidya /><ref name=Hindu3>{{cite news|last1=Rangan|first1=Baradwaj|title=Gautami talks about her milestone movies and Kamal|url=http://www.thehindu.com/features/cinema/gautami-talks-about-papanasam-kamal-haasan/article7411378.ece?homepage=true|accessdate=12 July 2015|agency=The Hindu|work=The Hindu|date=11 July 2015}}</ref>
* [[Kiran Mazumdar-Shaw]], chairman and managing director of [[Biocon]] Ltd., and India's richest woman in 2004
* [[Nafisa Joseph]], [[Femina Miss India|Miss India]] Universe 1997, [[model (person)|model]], and an animal rights activist
* [[Rani Jeyraj]], [[Femina Miss India|Miss India]] first runner-up 1996
* [[Sharmila Nicollet]], ranked India No. 1 in golf
* [[Aiyshwarya Mahadev]], Secretary [[All India Mahila Congress]]
*[[Monisha Unni]] , South Indian actress
*[[Nikki Galrani]], South Indian actress
*[[Kriti Kharbanda]], Bollywood actress

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
* {{Official website|http://www.bishopcottongirls.com/}}
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20170421085836/http://cottoniansconnect.com/ Cottonians Connect] Old Cottonian website]

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[[Category:Church of South India schools]]
[[Category:Bangalore Civil and Military Station]]
[[Category:Nondenominational Christian schools in India]]
[[Category:Schools in Colonial India]]
[[Category:Christian schools in Karnataka]]
[[Category:Boarding schools in Karnataka]]
[[Category:Girls' schools in Karnataka]]
[[Category:Primary schools in Karnataka]]
[[Category:High schools and secondary schools in Bangalore]]
[[Category:Private schools in Bangalore]]
[[Category:Educational institutions established in 1865]]
[[Category:1865 establishments in India]]

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Bishop Cotton Girls' School