Principal Message 2021 Principal Message 2022 Principal Message 2023 Farewell Speech Std. XII 2024 Message for parents of ICSE Board

From the Principal's desk

PRIORITISING THE WELL-BEING OF TEACHERS & CHILDREN- NEED OF THE HOUR

Every morning when I wake up I say a prayer of thanks to God for the safety of myself, my loved ones and the children in my care. In today's world, safety concerns have become a significant part of our daily lives. Whether we are at home, on the streets, or in our workplaces- safety remains a top priority. Women, though educated and independent, often find themselves questioning. "Are we truly safe?

Our teachers are fortunate to work in this beautiful campus where they feel safe and happy. The crime driven society of today makes the safety of female employees as well as of children a critical concern for any school management. At our school, under my leadership, safety is not just a policy-it's a culture. I am proud to share some of the healthy practices that are followed in our school to ensure the safety and well-being of all staff members and children.

Robust Security Measures: Our school premises are equipped with round the clock surveillance systems, including CCTV cameras that are strategically installed throughout the campus. Every nook and comer of the campus is strictly monitored including the areas that are most accessed by the children inside or outside school campus.

Strict Security Checks and ID Cards: No outsiders or trespassers are allowed to enter the school premises without undergoing a gate security check. The wearing of school identity cards is compulsory for all employees, children and visitors at all times.

Compulsory Police Verification: All staff members must undergo compulsory police verification to confirm their identities and ensure that no criminal record exists against them. This process further strengthens the school's safety standards not only for the employees but also for parents who entrust their wards' safety to the school.

Strict Anti-Harassment Policies: The school management enforces zero tolerance to any form of harassment. The strict anti- harassment policies are in place to maintain a healthy school culture where staff and children feel secure. Regular sessions are held to raise awareness about these policies. Further, the school authority takes immediate action to resolve such issues to ensure the self-respect and welfare of the staff members. There is a comprehensive grievance redressal mechanism to address the concerns of not only the staff but also of students related to safety. These safe spaces facilitated by trained counsellors allow staff and students to express themselves without fear of judgement.

Strict No to Bullying: In addition to these measures, our school has implemented regular anti-bullying drives and an anonymous reporting system to ensure the safety and well-being of students. Anti-bullying classroom boxes have been introduced, allowing students to discreetly report any incidents of bullying. These systems are designed to provide a secure and supportive environment, encouraging students to speak up without fear ensuring that their concerns are addressed promptly.

POSH Act Awareness Sessions:
In compliance to the POSH Act, our school holds regular training sessions on the Prevention of Sexual Harassment (POSH) Act. These sessions, led by legal professionals, educate staff about the Act, its origin, and the types of harassment that fall under its provisions. The school not only raises awareness but also underscores its commitment to maintaining a safe and respectful environment for the staff members and children.

POCSO Act Awareness Sessions: Our school holds regular training sessions on the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act (POCSO). These sessions educate both staff and students on the importance of understanding their rights, recognizing inappropriate behaviour, and taking action. The school's commitment to these policies ensures that children are provided a safe, secure, and nurturing environment for learning. Our school has also established a committee dedicated to child protection, including the local Child Protection Officer (CPO). Regular internal audits are conducted by this committee to inspect the safety measures.

Wellness and Support Programs: The school recognizes the importance of the mental and emotional well-being of its staff and students and therefore it arranges for regular wellness programs and counselling sessions. For children, there are structured counselling sessions to help them manage emotional stress or any safety related concerns and also sessions on mental health, yoga, and meditation are held to promote self-care and self-love. Our staff members have unrestricted access to designated support groups where they can discuss work-related or personal safety concerns. By providing such an open environment, the school fosters a sense of security and belonging.

Accessible and inclusive Working Conditions: The school management has made conscious efforts to create safe and healthy working conditions. This includes adequate lighting in specific areas like corridors, play grounds, classrooms, basement, stationery and store rooms, rest rooms for the free movement of staff and students. Besides this, the designated restrooms for the staff and senior students, provisions for sanitary napkins, and the installation of incinerators for safe disposal are a few more additions when it comes to catering to special needs of women and teenage children. Health and hygiene standards are emphasised, with regular sanitation of common areas, availability of the school's medical room, providing first aid facilities, medical camps and health check-ups with well-maintained health reports.

Teaching and promoting self-defence: Self-defence for women and children are the need of the hour and they are most vulnerable to crimes. Beyond physical safety, the school emphasises the importance of self-defence awareness. For this, workshops on personal safety and self-defence techniques by professionals are conducted for them. Our children are taught basic self-defence methods using everyday items they carry in their bags, such as spectacles, pens, pencils, mobile phones, perfumes and car keys. It’s a fantastic way to quip themselves with the knowledge and skills to protect and fight against any forceful act.

Safe Digital Environment: Human reliance on technology has pushed the increase in cyber-harassment crimes targeting especially women and children. To handle this, the school ensures a safe digital environment through secure internet usage policies, monitored online interactions, and digital safety training for staff and students. Workshops on cyber safety and responsible online behaviour are conducted regularly. The local experts in the field of technology and cyber-crime officers are invited to conduct sessions on digital safety.

Collaboration with Local Authorities: The school maintains strong relationships with local law enforcement and emergency services, such as police patrols and partnerships with nearby hospitals. This collaboration ensures swift assistance in case of any external threat or emergency thus ensuring that both staff and children are protected.

In a world where fear and uncertainties are all around us, it is comforting to know that our school prioritises the safety and wellbeing of our staff and children. As educators, we are not just responsible for imparting knowledge but also for setting an example of what a safe and supportive environment should look like. I am proud to be part of an institution that values the safety of the staff and students, ensuring that every day we step into school, we do so with peace of mind, reassuring our families of our safety and doing justice to our work. We are women of courage and confidence.

Sr. Prabha
Principal

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