Kolkata on 1 April 1954 was, well, a quite different city. The Independence of the country was only seven years old. India was practically reborn and so were its cities. Kolkata, still, had much more green and open expanses of land. Its southern parts were sparsely populated and this cozy community was waiting for an educational institution where learning and growing up would happen in a happy and innovative environment. A new nest that would teach their little ones to fly on confident wings.

South Point School, an English-medium and co-educational school, opening its gates at 16 Mandeville Gardens on 1 April 1954, was an answer to the community’s prayers.

It captured the popular imagination since the moment of its foundation. Shri Satikanta Guha and Smt. Pritylata Guha, Founder and Associate Founder of the School, nurtured earliest Pointers – just twenty in number — with an inspired mix of love, care and utmost responsibility. To help the Founders fulfil their vision and mission was a handful of dedicated teachers. And, the initial faculty was an enviable collection of stalwarts from the cultural, literary and artistic milieu of Bengal. Their genius improved manifold the ambience of creative purposefulness so that every child who crossed the gates of the early, quaint bungalow knew his or her potential would never be left unfulfilled.

The School which had welcomed twenty children in a distant summer has spread its rainbow wings in much the same way as its students have. The journey, taken since 1954, has been a magical one, marked by splendid milestones. The comely bungalow soon grew into newer, bigger buildings so that it could bring more and more children into its fold. The early faculty handed the batons over to a burgeoning number of teachers who were equally committed and fully trained to keep up with the changing times. South Point High School was the first co-educational School in the city to be affiliated to the West Bengal Board of Secondary Education. The first School Final batch was sent up in 1958.

April seems to be the happiest month in the evolution of South Point. On another 1 April – this time in 1960 – it was upgraded to the Higher Secondary level. The High School found a new, and the present, premises on 8 April 1970 at 82/7A Ballygunge Place. The School is now run by the South Point Education Society.

The growing family of South Point has the rare distinction of winning a place in the Guinness Book of Records (1984-1992) as the world’s largest School.

SOUTH POINT HIGH SCHOOL - INFRASTRUCTURE

GENERAL

South Point is committed to nurturing its pupils in a happy and holistic environment. The School pays attention to minute details of all the facilities so that each and every Pointer is groomed and guided to discover his or her best while in School and when outside it. The stress is on quality learning – in academics as well as co-curricular activities.

SAFETY STEPS & CERTIFICATION

Ensuring safety and security for its vast number of pupils has always been the priority for South Point. It can feel the pulse of parents and guardians who leave their dear wards in the care of School year after year. South Point is like the second home for all pupils who come here to study. And it is as safe, risk-free, hygienic and secure as their home is.

MEDICAL CARE

Complete with comfortable beds and first-aid facilities, the First-Aid Rooms in both South Point School and South Point High School are supervised by most responsible and caring Matrons. They take care of ailing pupils and provide basic medical aid. Doctors are called in, if necessary. And, in case of an emergency and if the pupil lives far, the School informs parents and organizes hospitalization.

BOOK COUNTER

Pointers can buy their books, exercise books, stationery and School satchels from the well-stocked sales counter at South Point School. It provides the entire set of books, exercise books and the required stationery from Nursery I to Class VIII before the term begins every year. Students of Classes IX and X can collect their exercise books from High School. The book counter is open from 9 a.m. to 3.30 p.m. from Mondays to Fridays.

CANTEENS

Both South Point School and South Point High School have a canteen which stocks adequately wholesome food at a reasonable price for students. Pupils from Classes II to V can get food from the canteen against coupons which guardians should buy beforehand from the Canteen Counter. High School pupils need not buy coupons, they can buy directly from the canteen.

AUDITORIUM

The air-conditioned auditoria with most up-to-date acoustics at both Junior and High Schools add to the institution’s communication and activity facilities. An essential wing of the School infrastructure, the auditoria serve multiple purposes throughout the year.

The South Point School auditorium can seat 300-plus people while the capacity at High School is 200-plus. Regular recreational activities and celebrations at the auditoria include the Investiture Ceremony, Christmas Parties, Inter-House Competitions, Rabindra Jayanti, Teachers’ Day Celebrations, co-curricular classes, career counselling sessions, seminars and workshops for teachers and pupils as well as the daily Assemblies. The auditoria are the nerve centres of School, of a large number of educational, cultural and social functions. While they are easily accessible from all classrooms, activities at the auditoria do not disturb teaching and learning in any of them.

LIBRARIES

To cater to the needs of senior Pointers, the High School Library houses a collection of nearly 35,000 titles, including magazines, newspapers, periodicals, subject and general reference titles besides help-books for competitive examinations which they can either borrow or browse through. Internet facilities and educational CDs supplement classroom teaching in High School.

Computer Lab

Three Computer Laboratories have been set up to teach pupils of both South Point School and South Point High School – from the little ones of Nursery classes to senior Pointers. Efficient and trained teachers are in charge of the Computer Labs to help pupils access and learn the latest software. Computer textbooks are customised for Pointers while trainers take them through the virtual world such as newspapers, book marketing, conservation and railway reservation, with the help of software such as Libra Office, Tuxpaint, Notepad, Word Pad, G Compris Scratch Programme etc.

Physics, Chemistry and Biology Labs

South Point High School has well-equipped and properly ventilated Physics, Chemistry and Biology laboratories, catering to Classes XI and XII pupils for their practical classes. Teachers, demonstrators and lab assistants are always there to guide them and help them learn the subjects hands on through interesting experiments and practical lessons. The Chemistry lab has an elaborate exhaust system, providing a perfectly hygienic environment to everyone. With ample space and scope for work at the labs, Pointers enjoy every step of appreciating and comprehending science. Attention is paid to not overcrowding the labs and to letting each student make the best use of lab hours.

Composite Science Lab and Mathematics Lab

Students from Classes VI to X have a composite Science Lab. They have a separate lab for Mathematical studies as well.

PLAYROOM

he South Point School Nursery Playroom is where the first seeds of joyful learning are sown. It is a cheerful and well-lit haven with colourful walls painted with child-friendly characters and illustrations. It is equipped with a Doll’s House, Slides and a Jungle-Gym made of child-safe moulded material. The shelves have various types of soft toys, dolls and also some well-crafted wooden toy furniture which the children enjoy playing with.