Fr. Vijay Joyson Dsouza
Principal

Annual Report 2025–26

Respected Correspondent, Chief Guest, Members of the School Management Committee, Parents, Staff, Students, and Well-wishers — With immense gratitude to God Almighty and to our Patroness, Mother Mary, I stand before you to present the Annual Report of St Mary’s English Medium School, Kannarpady, Udupi, for the academic year 2025–26.

A Legacy of Excellence:

Founded in 1984 by our visionary founder, Late Rev. Fr. J. P. Tauro, St Mary’s continues its mission of nurturing socially responsible and morally upright global citizens. We gratefully remember Late Rev. Fr. Mathew Vaz, whose vision shaped our present campus. Guided by our Correspondent, V. Rev. Fr. Charles Menezes, the school functions within the strong framework of CESU, under the leadership of:

Most Rev. Dr. Gerald Isaac Lobo, President and Bishop of Udupi Diocese

Msgr. Ferdinand Roque Gonsalves, Vice President

Rev. Fr. Vincent Crasta, Secretary

V. Rev. Fr. Charles Menezes, Joint Secretary & Correspondent

Our Strength

The true strength of St Mary’s lies in its dedicated staff and vibrant student community. This year, our school is home to 1,755 students from Playschool to Grade 12, guided by 160 staff members — 85 teaching and 75 non-teaching. We have grown in every aspect — academics, technology, professional development, communication, and behaviour management. Teachers attended training sessions to align curriculum with CBSE’s updated pattern, ensuring holistic learning across grades. We also supported learners from diverse backgrounds through extra and remedial classes — affirming our belief that every child can succeed with care and guidance.

Academic Excellence:

Our students brought great pride to the institution with their remarkable performance in the 2025 Board Examinations. The Grade 10 batch achieved 100% results, with 44 students securing distinctions. Master S. Hemanth emerged as the topper with an impressive 97.2%. In Grade 12, Master Shawn Charles Lewis from the Science stream secured 94%, while Master Aaron Benedict D’Souza from the Commerce stream scored 89.8%, reflecting their dedication and consistent effort. Heartiest congratulations to the achievers, their parents, and our dedicated teachers for This success which reflects their perseverance, teachers’ commitment, and the school’s focus on continuous improvement.

Faculty Development:

At St Mary’s, teachers are lifelong learners. Ongoing professional development and collaborative workshops kept our faculty updated on CBSE guidelines and innovative pedagogy. Regular staff meetings encouraged reflection, feedback, and growth. Teachers also attended workshops by Mr. Jaikishan Bhat, Ms. Vamshipriya Amar, and the Senses Electronics Team — enhancing their skills in digital teaching and smart-class usage

Student Leadership and Governance:

Democracy begins in the classroom.

This year, Digital Elections for the School Parliament and a solemn Investiture Ceremony instilled leadership, responsibility, and teamwork among students. The Student Council worked actively with staff and management in planning and executing school activities.

Houses and Co-Scholastic Activities:

Our house system — Synergy, Melody, Elegancy, and Serenity — fostered teamwork and healthy competition. Students participated enthusiastically in debates, quizzes, art, music, and creative writing contests. We also introduced Clubs and Enrichment Programs to encourage creativity, leadership, and values:

Parent–Student Awareness Sessions and Career Counselling

Guest Lectures and Motivational Workshops

Themed Assemblies promoting patriotism and cultural values

Co-Curricular and Cultural Activities:

From Playschool to Senior Secondary, students showcased their talents through storytelling, singing, dancing, fancy dress, art, and public speaking. National festivals and special days were celebrated with enthusiasm, nurturing patriotism and unity. Assemblies with creative themes promoted reflection and community spirit, and best Class wise noticeboard Awards were presented.

Events and Celebrations

“Every day is a good day — There is something to learn, care, and celebrate.” Some highlights of the year include:

• Environment & Social Awareness:

Awareness based activities were held by our students like Sand Carving, and Beach Cleaning at Malpe and World Environment Day was observed by the students.

Cultural & Religious Harmony:

Through vibrant celebrations of Bakrid, Deepavali, Patron’s Day, and various National Festivals, the school nurtured an environment where students embraced cultural diversity and religious values. These events helped strengthen bonds, deepen understanding, and inspire a harmonious spirit among everyone on campus.

Health & Wellness:

Yoga Day, the Comprehensive Health Check-up Camp, and Mental Wellness Workshops were organized to promote physical fitness, early health awareness, and emotional well-being among students.

Tech & Industry Exposure:

Grades 11 and 12 visited NITK Surathkal and the KMF Nandini Unit, Brahmavar, gaining practical exposure to technology, automation, and industrial processes. The visits enriched their learning and inspired career aspirations.

Clubs & Publications:

The inauguration of the school clubs marked the beginning of a year filled with creative exploration and skill-building. The release of the Marian Panorama magazine further offered students an opportunity to express their ideas, achievements, and artistic abilities through a well-curated publication.

Joyful Journeys:

Students from Grades 8–12 enjoyed joyful educational trips to Mysore, museums, parks, heritage sites, beaches, and historical locations, gaining new experiences and happy memories.

Prathibha Sinchana:

- Talent Fest: Students showcased their talents in music, dance, and singing, demonstrating confidence, creativity, and enthusiasm throughout the event.

Science & Art Exhibition:

Students presented innovative science models and creative artworks based on the themes of Ladakh and Karnataka, showcasing their curiosity, imagination, and research skills.

Annual Sports Meet:

was Held on October 27 and 28, the event celebrated students’ skill, discipline, and sportsmanship through a series of exciting athletic competitions.

Community outreach drive:

On November 6, 2025, students from various clubs reached out to rehabilitation centres, special schools, children’s homes, and old age homes across Udupi. Through simple acts of giving, heartfelt conversations, and shared moments of joy, our students touched many lives—and returned with a deeper sense of empathy, gratitude, and compassion.

Children’s Day:

A friendly cricket, volley ball and throw ball match between students and teachers was held to build team spirit, camaraderie, and joyful interaction between them.

Achievements

We take immense pride in the remarkable accomplishments of our students and staff, whose dedication and talent continue to bring laurels to St. Mary’s.

Anvith R. Shettigar of Grade 7 has won multiple distinguished awards in drawing competitions conducted at the national and state level.

Sampreethi S of Grade 8 has won 2nd Prize at the National Level Letter Writing Competition.

Our Senior Secondary students have shone brightly this year. At the AICS Inter-College competition, where they secured First Place in both Street Play and Quiz.

In the Aloysian Fest 2025, our teams won top positions in Management and Marketing events. At Avishkar 2025 organized by SMVITM, Bantakal, our students Aryan Farook and Mithil Ramesh Shriyan of grade 12 Science have secured First place in Science Quiz Competition and Yash Kulkarni of grade 12 Science secured First consolation prize in Science model presentation.

This year, our students achieved notable victories in various sports, reflecting their hard work and passion. Avya M. Kanchan of Grade 10 won Silver Medal in Javelin Throw Under-17category at the CBSE Cluster Meet and was selected for Nationals,held at Varanasi. Our School Under-17 Boys’ Team won Silver Medal in 4x400m Relay held at Davangere and Under-14 Volleyball Team secured 2nd Place at Cluster VIII, held at Bengaluru.

In AICS Inter-School Volleyball Tournament held at Glowinstar Integrated School on November 4, 2025:

Our school secured Second Place in Under-17 and Under-14 Boys’ Teams.

Anston Sean Mathais was awarded as Best Smasher in Under-17category. And Samhith Kotian was awarded as – Best All-Rounder Under-14 category

AICS Interschool Football Tournament held at St. Mary’s English Medium School on November 6, 2025 – Our school emerged as the Winner in the Under-17 Girls category.

Avya M. Kanchan (Grade 10) was awarded Best Goalkeeper.

Under-17 Boys category in the tournament held on November 6, 2025, at our campus. Prinson D’Souza (Grade 10) was awarded Best Player of the Tournament.

Distinguished Faculty Honours:

Mr. Vinaya Suvarna S (Teacher) was awarded the Adarsha Shikshaka Award by the Department of School Education, Udupi.

Mrs. Amratha Shetty (Teacher) honoured with the esteemed Kanakashri National Award by Akshara Deepa Foundation, Akshara Deepa Prakashana, Gadag, and the District Kannada Sahitya Parishad, Dharwad.

Kindergarten and play school:

The total staff on roll in Kindergarten and play school is ELEVEN, which includes four non-teaching staff members. We have 260 students in kindergarten and 40 in play school.

Before the school re opened we conducted the orientation programme for the play school and kindergarten parents, in the first week of June. The 5th of June was the first day of school for kindergarten and 9th of June was for Play school.

In St Mary’s we introduce Bunnies for Kindergarten. It is the youngest section of Bharat Scouts and guides designed for children aged 3 to 6. Our Kindergarten teachers are trained by bunny leaders training scheme. Teachers conduct the activities on every Saturdays.

Activities Conducted for Playschool and Kindergarten during the year are Dough moulding, stringing beads, paper tearing and paper crumpling, collage, sorting shapes, lacing the board, scribbling, Balancing the ball, colouring, leaf print, and so on. These activities are to strengthen eye-hand co -ordination and fine and gross motor skills development. Outdoor games and multi task drill is regularly played.

To make the kids more confident, determined and ambitious certain activities beyond the classroom were conducted like, Rainy Day, Plantation Day, Colours Day, Fruit and vegetable Day, Rainbow Day, Father’s Day, Raksha Bandhan Day, Krishna Janmashtami, Deepavali, all of these celebrated with great enthusiasm.

Lower Kindergarten children celebrated their first Pencil Day on July 12th 2025. Students were introduced and explained on how important the pencil, eraser and sharpener are for reading and writing. While the LKG students experience to use the pencil for the first time, they are allowed to scribble on the chart for the grip.

Competitions: When student compete, they become more inquisitive and bring out their hidden talents. To exhibit these talents competitions were held for Play school and kindergarten such as Singing in any language, Story Telling, Elocution, Fancy Dress, Advertisement, National leaders Depiction, National Flag Making, Flower arrangement and Colouring.

In the environment of St Mary’s, our kids learn that all toys and materials belong to everyone and so they must share and take turns in playing, which teaches them to develop their social skills.

Students of Playschool and kindergarten are stimulated to eat on their own, use the washroom on their own and other essentials daily activities without the help or intervention of others. This builds confidence in them and they become responsible towards their belongings.

Life is better with Grandparents. They are the treasure of our family and above all precious gifts from above. To make this bond very powerful we celebrated Grandparents Day on 19th July, nearly 350 grandparents participated with their grandchildren.

Sports and Physical Activities: The focus of the health and physical education in the school is on the well-being of the students. Various sports events were conducted for the playschool and kindergarten during the Annual Sports Day. Children had participated and won several prizes. The competitions like Science Exhibition, Worship songs, Elocution, Handwriting for PS and KG will be conducted in the days to come. The prize winners for the competitions held this year will be awarded on the Prize Distribution Day.

Our upper kindergartners will soon climb the steps towards Grade one, and so we proudly honour every child as a graduate and have a grand celebration of Graduation Ceremony in the month of March.

School Improvement and Infrastructure: We continue to strengthen our academic foundation and enhance infrastructure and digital resources — every change aimed at achieving our vision of excellence.

Gratitude

All the achievements of the school are possible only through the dedication of our faculty, the guidance of our management, and the cooperation of our parents and well-wishers. We express our heartfelt thanks to V. Rev. Fr. Charles Menezes, our Correspondent, for his inspiring leadership and unwavering support. A special word of appreciation to our Vice Principal Ms. Rita Quadros, our teaching and non-teaching staff, for their tireless commitment. And our dear parents and supporters — thank you for trusting us with your children and walking hand in hand with us in every endeavour.

As we conclude the remarkable academic year 2025–26, we look back with immense pride and look forward with renewed hope. At St Mary’s, we continue to uphold our enduring motto: “Truth, Knowledge, Discipline.” May God bless our beloved institution and guide us towards greater achievements and brighter horizons in the years ahead. Together we can; together we will.

By

Fr. Vijay Joyson D’Souza

Principal,

St Mary’s English Medium School, Kannarpady, Udupi