History

• It was the proposal of the saintly Metropolitan of Calcutta, Bishop George Edward Lynch Cotton, to create quality schools in India that resulted in the founding of Bishop Cotton’s on April 19, 1865. The institution was opened for both boys and girls in a sprawling bungalow named Westward Ho in High Grounds and went through many highs and lows till 1870. In 1871, the management acquired 14 acres of land on St. Mark’s Road and shifted the school, demarcating two different areas, one for the boys’ school and the other for the girls’ with a wall separating the two. In 1911, the management acquired Stafford House and its surrounding eight and a half acres with access to both Residency Road and St. Mark’s Road and shifted the school, giving Bishop Cotton Girls’ School an identity of its own. In 1915, money was sanctioned to construct the beautiful administration block and the now famous Quad. More buildings were constructed in the 50s and 60s including the Chapel of the Holy Family. The first Indian Principal to take charge of the grand legacy of the School was Mrs. CA (Acca) Joseph in July 1963. The school has grown from strength to strength since then, with successive principals contributing to the improvement of infrastructure and overall academic excellence of the school. The mission to provide the best all-round education for girls continues in the new millennium.

Future

• During the last few years, the school has upgraded its infrastructure, constructing new buildings with spacious and well-ventilated classrooms, state-of-the-art laboratories and research facilities, a multimedia center with networked computers and educational software, an indoor swimming pool and a well-stocked library with plenty of reading room. In the course of the next few years more building will be constructed and the facilities continuously upgraded to keep pace with the quantum leaps in education.

Principals Over The Years

Miss F Elmes (1913 – 1934) was the first Principal of the Bishop Cotton Girls’ School. She expanded the building adjoining Stafford House.

Miss R.M. Waller (1935 – 1944) is remembered for her intellectual and administrative talents. During her tenure she served the School faithfully and set it on firm ground.

Miss M.E. Hardy (1945 -1952), a good sports woman and disciplinarian, came to Cottons after years of service as a missionary in Burma. The Church of South India (CSI) came into existence during this period.

Mrs. C.M. Gaughan (1952 – 1954) steered the School through this turbulent period with her calm, wise and courageous leadership.

Miss C.B. Schiff (1954 -1957) strengthened the involvement of parents and encouraged cultural activities, especially Music and Art. The building of the Art Room and the extension of the Staff Room were accomplished during her tenure.

 Miss C.M. Millington (1958 – 1962) had been on the Staff of the school before she took over as Principal. The Raman Science Block and the Chapel of the Holy Family were constructed during this time. The Examination system changed over from the Cambridge Certificate to the Indian School Certificate Examination (ISC).

Mrs. Acca Joseph (1963 – 1972) took over as the first Indian Principal in 1963. Her able administration helped this School to establish itself strongly as a self sufficient unit. The Centenary Year was celebrated with great enthusiasm. Distinguished personalities like Mr. V.V. Giri and Mrs. Indira Gandhi visited the School. The School Library was inaugurated and the New Boarding Block was built. Indian Culture was intricately woven into the fabric of the education system. A strict disciplinarian herself, she demanded high standards from her Staff and Students.

Miss Grace Samuel (1972 – 1973) came to Cotton’s after nine years in the U.S.A. A warm and gentle person, her primary concern was to help the students to achieve academic excellence. She introduced audio-visual aids and urged the teachers to improve their approach through self-evaluation and adoption of fresh methods of teaching.

Mrs. V.M. Chandran (1973 – 1978) a member of the Staff from 1959, took over as Principal in 1973. Her outstanding achievement was the construction of the School Auditorium, the best of its kind in the city. Although she did not stay to witness its completion, it was her enthusiasm and hard work that made it possible. The Parents’ Block was inaugurated during this period. Mrs. Chandran’s affection for the children and sympathetic understanding of the Staff and Parents endeared her to one and all.

Mrs. G. Clarke (1978 -1988) initiated the introduction of two new Houses – Elmes and Waller – to the existing Barton, Foley and Maiden Houses, as the number of Students had increased. The pale green tunics changed to dark green. In keeping with the times, Computer studies were introduced. The strength of the School went from 700 to 3000. Six additional classrooms were built and the shift system was introduced. The work on the Auditorium was completed and a new Dining Hall for the Boarders was planned. The Bishop Cotton Women’s’ Christian College was started in 1985, the first of its kind in the Diocese.

Mrs. Elizabeth Joseph M.A., B.Ed (1988 – 1999) a member of the Staff from 1971, took over as Principal in September 1988. Several structural extensions and additions were made during this period. The School Auditorium was renovated, the mezzanine floor and stage built with co-ordinating interiors and the lighting system. The Hostel side of the campus acquired a multi-purpose Dining Hall with the Staff Quarters built above it.

Mrs. Stella Samuel M.A., M.Ed., Ph.D (1999 – 2005 ) a member of the Staff since 1974, took over as Principal in June 1999. The Adminstrative block was renovated which is a wonderful blend of the old structure and and ultramodern interior including a board room. The new ISC block took shape under her guidance. An efficient School transport system in collaboration with with BMTC was introduced. To keep pace with the progressive world, Internet, Intranet, Fax, Email have been installed.

Mrs. Princess Franklyn M.A, B.Ed, M. Phil (2005 – 2010) took over as Principal in June 2005. It was during her tenure that the Resource Centre was inaugurated for the staff to equip them with the latest in technology. it is equipped with 17 computers and an overhead projector. The Lyceum software was installed with the help of Intel, Microsoft & Pacsoft. Through the program, the school had e-governance, a connected community of teachers, parents, students and it gave an edge to our administration as well.

Mrs. Lydia Joshua: M.A, B.Ed (2010-2014) The turning point in the year 2010 was the change in leadership. Mrs. Lydia Joshua took over the reins of Bishop Cotton Girls’ School on 21st May, 2010. Mrs. Joshua showed the determination and grit as her namesake, the leader Joshua who he led the Israelites into the Promised land.

School Motto

The spirit of the school is symbolized in its Latin motto NEC DEXTRORSUM NEC SINISTROSUM (Neither to the right nor to the left). The Rev. Dr. G. U. Pope, who was Principal of the school from 1871 to 1882, coined it from a phrase in the Old Testament in which Joshua is commended by God for being a true follower of His law, not swayed either to the right or the left. The motto represents the integrity and determination with which all Cottonians seek their goals and pursue their dreams.

• This is the Crest of Bishop Cotton of Calcutta in whose name the School was founded in 1865.Crest of Bishop Cotton Following a common practice, the School adopted his crest for its own.
• The Crest is divided, vertically down the center, the sides being called Dexter (right) and Sinister (left) having reference to the Shield itself. Thus the Dexter is on the left of the Crest as we look at it. The arms of this half of the Crest are those of the Bishopric of Calcutta – The Bishop’s Mitre (head dress), the Bishop’s Staff and the open Bible.
• The other side of the Crest (the Sinister) contains the arms of the ancient house of Cotton of Comber mere in England to which Bishop Cotton belonged. The White figure-of-eight like shapes represents skeins of cotton. The chevron (the inverted V) is supposed to represent the gable of a house and was usually granted to a family for distinguished service in a siege. One of the Bishop’s ancestors was a famous general and this might have been a reward for military service.
• May the School grow from strength to strength along the path charted by it founders.

School Song