South Point School

South Point High School is Kolkata’s first coeducational school. It is one of the most prestigious schools in Kolkata. It has produced excellent results over the years in state-level examinations.In 1992, South Point group of schools, consisting of the junior and senior divisions, made an entry in the Guinness Book of World Records as the largest educational institute in the world..The existing South Point School in Kolkata of the MP Birla Group, which is being managed by R S Lodha, has around/more than 12,500 students on its rolls, and is reported to be the second-largest school in the world. The group now plans to set up a second institute between Rajarhat and Ruby General hospital on the EM Bypass with a similar capacity. It is scouting for a suitable site near Kolkata

History

The South Point School was founded by Late Satikanta Guha on April 1, 1954 at 16 Mandeville Gardens. It is also important to mention the contribution of Mrs. Pritilata Guha, wife of Satikanta Guha in nurturing the school from its humble beginnings. For several years, she was in charge of the Junior School, and she was an extremely able administrator. It initially started with 14 students which has now grown up to nearly 13000.The South Point High school became the first co-educational school to be affiliated to West Bengal Board of Secondary Education.

The current principals are:

• SPS Smt. Madhu Kohli
• SPHS Smt. J. Solomon (on 2008)

Campus

The junior section of the school is located at 16 Mandeville Gardens. Having started with only 14 children, it now has about 13,000 students, 325 teachers, and 225 members of non-teaching staff. Indeed, South Point held the record for being the world’s largest school from 1984 to 1992 according to the Guinness Book of World Records. It was also awarded with "The best disciplined school" for 7 consecutive years which was later taken over by Hartleys. Some other names must also be taken behind the success of this institution. The likes of late Ashutosh Mukherjee, better known as Ashu Babu and Prithwish Kumar Kar, Late Prof. J.P.Bose, Late Prof. Biswanath Chatterjee, Gaur Hari Khara had been the architects behind the school's prosperity.

There are two buildings. The high school building is located at 82/7A Ballygunge Place. Students study up to Standard 5 in the junior school before studying at the High School.

The campus is under CCTV surveillance. 32 cameras have been installed covering all the gates and the corridors of the school. City based leading security solutions provider Panorama Electronics installed the system.

Emblem and Motto

The school motto is "Courage to Know," as illustrated in the school's emblem.

The School Magazine

The school magazine, "ASCENT" is published annually by the South Point Education Society. Poems, articles and paintings of students of all classes are published.

The Newsletter

The Newsletter of the school is called the "POINTER".

Annual Prize Distribution

The Annual Prize Distribution takes place every year at the Science City Auditorium (at present) on the 4th of July. Students of all classes securing the first ten ranks and the highest scorers in different subjects receive the awards. This is followed by a cultural programme put up by the Junior and the High schools.

The School Anthem

The school anthem, sung at all ceremonies and events organized by the school -

We'll never stop, Pointers one and all

We have work at hand, and that is our call

We will never turn away from those in need

We'll help everyone, that is our creed.

We are the Pointers, ready to grow

We are the Pointers, with 'Courage to Know'

We are the Pointers, challenges we'll face

We'll make the mark in the human race.

Famous Students

• Renowned filmmaker: Rituparno Ghosh
• Dancer: Tanusree Shankar
• Socialite: Shreya Shah
• Percussionist: Tanmoy Bose
• Cricketer: Snehashish Ganguly
• Administrators: Debasis Som, Roshni Sen
• Parliamentarian: Nilotpal Bose
• Doctors: Dr.Subhankar Choudhury, Dr.Soumitra Roy, Dr.R.K.Gopal
• Vocalist, Performance Artist: Somen Saha, Sumit Basu
• Musician: Anupam Sen Gupta
• Singer: Amit Kumar, Ritobroto Maitra, Sumit Basu
• Academicians: Dr. Soumyo Mukherji, Dr. Sushanta K. Mitra, Dr. Avinandan Mukherjee, Mrs Rita Sen

References

Dr.Suranjan Das

External links

• South Point Ex-Students' Association
• Web Community of South Point High School
• Active Web Group of South Point 1978 Madhyamik and 1980 HS batch
• Site on the school created by an ex-student
• Webgroup of 2003 batch
• A good site to know more about the school