About Us

GLIMPSES INTO THE PAST

Silver Jubilee celebration of the Spartan Schools calls for a brief introspection.

How did we pick-up courage to start this venture? From our unflinching faith in Our Father. Did we have a smooth sailing? No. We had doubts, fears, apprehensions, at times taking us to the brink of frustration.

How did we overcome them? By Grace.

“T’was grace that taught my heart to fear; and grace my fears relieved;

How precious did that grace appear, the hour I first believed.”

Sitting on the 25 Km stone, how do we feel? You said it- relaxed, because faith sustains.

Through many dangers, toils and snares; I have already come;

It’s grace that brought me safe thus far, and grace will lead me home.”

Silver Jubilee Prayer

Thank you Lord for your Grace that sustained Spartans all over the World for the past 25 years. Continue to guide us wherever we are. You know our needs. Grant us those needs, to enable us to perform duties assigned to us by you. Our wants may be many, and even unjustified. Grant them only if they please you. Above all, Lord, bless a hundred fold anyone who has helped the growth of this institution.

In the Beginning

The urge of Mrs. Anna Jacob to build up a school of her dreams – something special and unique – was lying in cold-storage for a decade, primarily due to the frequently transferable nature of the job of her Soldier Husband. Solution to this problem emerged in 1979. The run-way was cleared for Anna’s dreams to take off.

The Gestation Period: 1979 to 1982

Anna’s dream developed wings in early ’79. The maiden flight christened ‘Junior Spartan School’ took off on 6 June ’79 with just eight passengers (5 of Nursery and 3 of LKG), two crew members, and Anna in the cockpit, We did not go for any publicity-not even a sign Board outside our house which housed the School. Our best publicity agents should be parents of our students, we felt. The Growth was slow, but sure.

Moving from a bedroom to a thatched shed on the terrace of our own house, UKG was added In June 1980. Emphasis shifted to working up the Spartan Work Culture – a combination of behaviour pattern, personal traits, teaching methods, et. al. – all that goes into laying a foundation for children to bloom – easier said than done. This Culture made a Spartan stand out. A School Uniform was introduced. We established our identity – something different.

In June 1981, with the addition of Stds. I & II, the strength shot up to 93 students and 5 teachers – the maximum that could be accommodated in our ad-hoc premises.

Visits by educationists. Anna invited a few educationists to visit Jr. Spartan at it’s infancy. Ms. Snow from the U.K., a renowned authority on Kindergarten training, then retiring as Principal, St. Mary’s Training College, Pune, was the first in the line. She, Anna’s teacher in the sixties, visibly delighted at the performance of her student, showered encomiums so lavishly that it came as a shot-in-the-arm for Anna. Then came the then-Principals of Asan Memorial, Jessie Moses, S.B.O.A. and other Schools- very eminent educationists. The outcome? Anna conducted a seminar / Refresher Courses for K.G. teachers of the above Schools. at their request. Acceptability and recognition of Spartan methods were evident.

The Spartan Educational Trust. The Spartan Educational Trust (S.E. Trust) was registered as a Charitable Trust in 1979. Col. Jacob Koshy, Anna’s husband, then a serving Army Officer was it’s first Chairman & Managing Trustee (Honorary), a post which he held with dedication and vision until his retirement from Army Service in 1983. The said Trust purchased some land, and commenced construction of some buildings in Mogappair, where the Spartan Matric. Hr. Sec. School is located now. The year was 1982. The decks were being cleared for moving in to a proper School premises with facilities for planned expansion.

The School Site at Mogappair. On finalizing the Master Plan with our Architect Mr. Vergis Oommen in end March, one of our Trustees, Col. K.C. John, volunteered to supervise the construction of the structures essential to accommodate the few classes, the Office and Toilets on a war-footing. He completed it in good time. By May 1982, the embryo nursed and nurtured in Anna Nagar for three years was ready to be launched. On 7 June, 1982, at 9 a.m. the Spartan School of the S.E. Trust was born at Mogappair. That was “Zero-hour”.

Major Events in the Growth of Spartan School: 1982/83 to 2007/08

Activities Common to most years (Not to be repeated) Normal activities of the School every year may include developmental & construction work; progressive addition of classes; normal facilities provided including conveyance; Board Examinations and their results; competitions/activities; out-door educational visits; teacher-student inter-actions; teachers’ model class, seminar, workshop and the like. These are not being mentioned in paragraphs below, except where laurels are won at District level and above.

General Development and Build-up

From 7 June ’82 with Std. III added, all eyes were glued to, all efforts concentrated on build up and development-catching up on lost time in stages.

Stage 1: Up to Standard X (Matric) 1982/83 to 1987/88

Until adequate concrete accommodation was built-up, classes had to be in sheds. With the constraints of space and funds, we could not wait that long to give shape to the Founder’s dreams. With ample space and fresh air available, co/extra- curricular activities such as Story- telling, Classical and Indian Folk Dance, Carnatic and Instrumental Music, Band, Choir, Public Speaking, Essay-writing, Quiz, Painting, Art & Craft, Drill and Physical Education, started in stages. Every student had to join at least one of the above activities, depending on his/her choice/aptitude. Social activities, celebrations of Festivals and National Days, Sports Meet, PTA Meetings and the like received a fillip. The Spartan Work Culture was further strengthened, by supervision at all levels emphasizing a sense of responsibility, truthfulness and honesty. Widening the scope of learning, Project fortnight was introduced annually for all. Completion of Ground and First floors of Concrete Block I in 1984/85 enabled us to furnish and equip the Lab. and Library. Toilet facilities were provided on each floor, separately for boys and girls.

Consequent to retirement from the Army in 1983, Col. Jacob Koshy resigned Chairmanship of the S.E. Trust, and accepted the post of Secretary of the Trust and Correspondent of the Schools, devoting full time for the School/Trust work.

The House System (4 Houses) was introduced in 1986/87 to build up a healthy competitive spirit. Associations were formed to gain in-depth knowledge in various subjects.

Approval of Govt. of T.N. was accorded in 1985/86 for running the School as a Matric. School, commencing with Std. VIII. Our first batch of Std. X students appeared for the Board Exam in 1988. The strength grew to 550 students and 28 teachers.

Stage 2: Std XI to STD XII(Hr. Sec.) 1988/89 to 1991/92

Academic Performance Std.X Board Examination results from 1989 to 1992 gave us visible feathers on our caps, since in appreciation of the remarkable results, we were presented each year, with a Shield from the Director of School Education, and a letter of Appreciation from the then Minister for Education. The 1990 results gave a clean Sweep of centum First Class and Distinctions with no Second Class, no third class, and no failures.

Additional Facilities provided

Computer Training for students of Std.III and above was introduced in 1988/89, well before the Govt. introduced it in the syllabus of Std.VI. Our Computer Laboratories were so well equipped, and artistically laid out that in Feb C2, the then Honourable Education Minister of T.N. who visited our School accompanied by the Director of School Education, spent more than 10 minutes inspecting the Labs. He congratulated our Vice Principal Mrs. Sara Alexander who was in charge of the Computer Centre, paying glowing tributes.
Audio-visual room with the required facilities, equipment and ambience with a well stocked Video Library of selected Educational Video Cassettes, Cds, and DVDs
The Spartan Social Service League was launched with 25 students of Std. VI in 1990/91.

Special Achievements

In Special Competitions for Children’s Day organized by the Central Bank for all City Schools in 1987, all members of our team won prizes.

Our Road Safety Patrol (RSP) Contingent was at the peak of their glory in 1989/90 and 1990/91, having bagged the Best RSP School Shield, and the Best RSP Teacher Award; having had all the 14 students fielded by us participating in the Republic Day Parade on the Marina; in the Drawing and Painting Competition for Road Safety related Slogans conducted by the City Police in 1989/90, the first four prizes having been bagged; most RSP Sports prizes having been bagged by our Contingent in 1990/91.

The Spartan Matriculation School was up-graded to Hr. Sec. School in 1991/92. The student strength had by then crossed 1000, with 46 teachers excluding Part time teachers.

Stage 3: Development & Diversification: 1992/93 to 2007/08 Land & Buildings.

The Main School Building of Ground plus three floors was dedicated in 1993 by His Grace, Rt. Rev. Geevarghese Mar Athanasius Episcopa
A beautiful independent building with 2000 sq. ft Toy Room, a toddlers’ pool on the terrace, and a protected out-door play space for our Kindergarten children was christened Agape in Jul ’99 by His Grace, Rt. Rev. Thomas Mar Timotheos Episcopa..
A spacious chapel with class rooms on 1″ and subsequent floors was christened El Shaddai Block in Feb 2006 by His Grace, Rt. Rev. Dr. Zacharias Mar Theophilus, Suffragan Metropolitan.
A small building at the main entrance, housing a branch of the Corporation Bank providing all types of Banking Services including ATM.
On a School site in Mogappair, approximately 1 km South of the Main Spartan School, we have now constructed concrete buildings to house an exclusive

CBSE School, blessed and dedicated in June 2007, by His Grace. Rt. Rev. Dr. Geevarghese Mar Thoeodosius Episcopa,

Academic Performance

The tradition of 100% Pass (often Centum First Class) in the BoardExams of Stds. X and XII continues to be maintained. We are also proud of the number of centums scored by our children in different subjects, the number of our Std. XII students emerging with flying colours in TNPCEES, All India Competitive Exams, and in tests/interviews for scholarships. We have always aimed at high academic performance by all our students, and not to train Gladiators.

Additional Facilities

CBSE School. LKG to Std. VII following CBSE Syllabus in progress. It is exclusive by all standards. We invite you to pay a visit and convince yourself, if in doubt.
Talking Computers. 35 in a Special Computer Lab. for children of Std.II and below.
Special Coaching in selected sports and games by National level coaches. We have started with Swimming and BasketBall
Special Training in Quiz and General Knowledge for a selected few.
Mini Gymnasium.

ECA Achievements above District Level

Here are the performance details of some of our students who excelled in specific fields at State level and above:-

Jessy who passed out of Std XII in 2007, the then fastest Indian Girl under 16 represented India in “Sprints” in the Commonwealth Meet in Australia, the World Meet in Morocco, and the Asian Track & Field Events Meet in China when she was with us in the Hr. Sec. classes.
Charles Isaac Samuel, again an old student who was State Champion in Speed Roller Skating in 2003/04, participated in the Nationals, and represented India in the said Championship in Italy the same year, and at Beijing, China the following year.
Abhinav secured prizes in three events in the Sub-junior State Gymnastic Championship at Coimbatore in 2003/04.
Sujatha secured 3d place in Karate at the National level Meet held in Bombay.
Venkateswaran, Std. VII, a swimming prodigy had won 30 medals in the State and National level competitions this year. He has just been selected by the Govt. of USA to continue his studies and undergo intensive training in Swimming in the U.S. on a full scholarship.
Isaack Koshy, Std VII participated in the National Equestrian Championship at Officers Training Academy, St. Thomas Mount. Out of 42 participants in his age group, he emerged 5* in the National Line-up in Dec ’07. In Feb ’08, he participated in Aroville Horse Tournament, Pondicherry, and won 2 Gold and one Silver medals.

Shaping the Spartans

There is much more than brilliant academic performance and superb extra-curricular accomplishments that go to make a real Spartan. Three of them are in our motto: Discipline * Simplicity * Courage. Inculcating each of these qualities in each member of this family is a commitment. It includes our obligations and responsibilities to the less privileged in our society. This is our calling. We are in constant touch with more than a dozen Homes/ Organisations taking care of the under-privileged or deprived people in our society. We give ample opportunities for our students to be exposed to the realities of life with such people so that they genuinely learn the need to care and share, and form that habit.

The Glue that sticks - SPARTAA

I wish to sum up these Glimpses with a very personal and delightful observation made over the past 25 years. And every passing year it gets strengthened more and more. It is that deep sense of belongingness that every true Spartan has, and willingly exhibits for and with every other true Spartan, and all that identifies with Spartan. Many old students who are in Chennai make it a point to visit the School and meet the present generation of Spartans whenever they can. They turn up in good numbers for important functions such as annual sports and annual day; and cheerfully participate in activities – even without being invited (Why should I be invited to come home?!, seems to be the question.) Spartans away from Chennai make it a point to visit the School and spend some time there whenever they come to Chennai. I met one such true Spartan during our Annual Sports Meet last month. Knowing that she now lives in Hyderabad, I asked her what brought her to Chennai. Her reply stumped me: “Uncle, I came with my sister (also a Spartan) for this Sports Meet; I take it as a pilgrimage – either for Annual Day or for Sports Day. Can’t I come to my Home?-this is our Home.” I felt like crying-out of joy! More often than not, the first telephone call we receive on my wife’s (The Principal’s) birthday is an out- station call from one of the Spartans. During the rest of the day, we get at least another dozen calls from out-station Spartans. I have a question to my readers (other than Spartan) – How many of you can remember the birthday of any of your Principals? Spartans from outside India keep in touch. That is the glue which sticks – SPARTAA, stands for Spartan Alumni Association.

We have a website http://spartanmatricschool.com/ Please do make use of it and be in touch.

Looking back into the past 25 years, I see The Spartan School blossoming and the Spartaa taking roots under Divine Grace. Looking ahead at the next quarter century I see generations of Spartans converging on the Spartan Birthplace, Mogappair to thank the Good Lord for whatever Spartan meant for them, and to sing together as members of the Spartan Family:

“Let there be love shared among us, let there be love in our eyes;
May now your love sweep this nation Cause us O Lord to arise;
Give us a fresh understanding, Of brotherly love that is real,
Let there be love shared among us, Let there be love.

Jacob Koshy,
Secretary & Correspondent.

Lt. Col. Jacob Koshy