Culture :

Culture is the core beliefs, values, traditions and symbols which give the organizations its particular meaning and purpose. The culture of a genuine CJ School is a reflection of the Charism and vision of Mary Ward and her belief in the capability of women to 'do much' in the service of others. CJ Schools have a common culture, tradition, vision and goals. An authentic CJ School has a distinctive spirit that will over flow to everyone passing through it teachers, students, parents and supportive staff.

CHARISM :

Charism is a special grace, a gift offered by God to our foundress Mary Ward to build up a particular community and through her to all its members. The charism of the CJ is the particular way in which we love and serve God and people.

The three spiritual experiences of Mary Ward that form the basis of our charism are:-

The 'Gloria Vision of 1609' the glory of God is the ultimate end of Mary Ward's life and work

'Take the same of the Society of Jesus' (1611) : This inner voice Mary Ward heard confirmed the Ignatian characteristics of Mary Ward's life and ministry, including education.

'The Just Soul vision of 1615' showed that freedom, justice and sincerity should be the qualities (disposition) of those who are members of the Institute.

CHARACTERISTICS OF MARYWARD (CJ) EDUCATION

1. Aworld- view and vision of the child to be educated:

CJ world - view includes a specific concept of God, self, creation, human beings and history.

• Belief about God : CJ Education acknowledges God as the 'Parent of Parents and Friend of Friends', creator, Redeemer, and Sustainer of the cosmos, author of all reality, truth and knowledge. God can speak to his children at anytime, anywhere, even at a mirror. God's love calls for a response expressed in freedom
• Belief about self : I am a child of God created in his own image and likeness. God has a plan for me; my purpose in life is to fulfill God's plan for me. I maximize my talents to be used for the good of others and leave a legacy.
• Belief about creation : All created things are an expression of God's love. They are a means to know, love, serve, and be happy with God. If I misuse the gifts of creation, I sin and break my relationship with God. CJ education creates a sense of wonder, reverence and mystery in learning about creation.
• Belief about human beings : All human beings are children of God, equal in dignity. Hence there is need to respect every human being.
• Belief about sin and the need for redemption: CJ Education recognizes the reality of sin and its effects in the life of individuals and society. The divinely established cosmic order gets disturbed by man's ego and greed. The grip of the ego is so strong that humans tend to live in darkness rather than in the light of God. CJ Education helps to dispel this darkness. Forgiveness and a change of heart is possible because of God's mercy.
• Jesus our Model: God sent his son Jesus Christ to redeem creation from bondage and sin. Jesus invites everyone to collaborate with him in this work of redemption and be his companions in this mission.
• The Igantian path : Mary Ward chose the Ignatian path to respond to God's call and developed an educational philosophy rooted in Ignatian principles-Experience, Reflection and Action - and adapted it to the changing need of the time. She made a difference in the world through her response, her identity, commitment and mission and passed on her legacy to the world through the Congregation of Jesus. All CJ Schools have a commitment to this legacy.

2. CJ Education imparts Holistic Education

Mary Ward spoke of developing the whole person - body, mind, heart and spirit. To meet our four basic needs, the need to live happily, to learn enthusiastically, to love passionately and to leave a legacy behind we need -

• Physical development : CJ Education helps to keep the body fit, clean and healthy. It includes a welldeveloped programme of physical education, games and sports. It nurtures talents, ensures 100% participation in cocurricular activities.
• Intellectual Formation: CJ Education focuses on a growing ability to reason reflectively, logically and critically. Development of effective communication skills in speaking and writing, facility with modern instruments of communication, critical evaluation of the influences of mass media, cultivation of positive thoughts and healthy attitudes, use of creativity and innovation to challenge the mind, creative writing solving puzzles, reading books and collecting quotations to stimulate the mind are activities we undertake to facilitate intellectual formation.
• Schooling of the heart : CJ Education believes that the formation of the young is a work of art. It helps one to be aware of the connection of thoughts, feelings, actions, habits, attitudes, character and destiny. It inspires students to open their hearts before God in prayer. They learn to love, forgive, share, care and relate to each other responsibly and respectfully.
• Spiritual Development: Faith formation is integral to CJ Education. All Christian children of the neighborhood are admitted in a CJ School. They are given faith formation with active participation in Bible study and study of the Sacraments. Value Education and Spiritual formation are given to all our students to help them to live a personalized faith in God. Training in celebration of cultural and religious diversity with mutual respect is given to all age groups.

3. The Spirit of the MAGIS - Quest for Excellence :

• The management, staff and students of a CJ school challenge themselves with the spirit of the MAGIS. We constantly challenge ourselves with the question: 'What more can I do to help our students to be women/men of conscience, competence, compassion and commitment ? 'We ask ourselves, if Ignatius, Mary Ward and Mother Teresa could, why not I ? If Dr. Kalam could, why can't I ? Thus the CJ family lives a life that matters, that makes a difference by adding value to others.

4. Focus on Education for Justice, Empowerment of Women and particular concern for the Poor :

• The CJ School's policies and programmes bear witness to justice and focuses on education for girls and their formation in leadership. It ensures a school for the poor along with a fee paying school. The school climate promotes a special concern for the poor and strengthen remedial classes by teaming up bright students with slow learners.

5. Thrust on environmental concerns :

• We create awareness in children to conserve the earth's resources and promote their responsible use. We inculcate in our students eco-based healthy habits like saving energy, water, waste management and control of pollution causing health hazards.

6. Lay collaboration:

• CJs and non CJs work together as a single body in the formation of students. Teachers chosen to join a CJ School will be women and men capable of understanding its culture and contributing to its implementation. The management and teachers discuss the vision and hopes, aspirations and experiences, successes and failures. Friends of Mary Ward is a involvement leads to commitment. Our work ethos calls for zeal and commitment.

7. CJ School Principal:

• The role of the Principal as an apostolic leader is vital in the development of common vision, preserving unity within the educational community and in providing inspiration. The Principal ultimately remains responsible for the execution of the education policy of the school and for the distinctively CJ nature of education.

8. A sense of Community:

• CJ Schools rely on a spirit of unity among staff, students, parents and management. We lay stress on community values and equality of opportunity for all and thus foster a community of support. Learning together, praying together, growing together and encouraging one another are our key characteristics.

9. Parental Involvement:

• As far as possible, a CJ School helps parents to understand and value CJ culture so that there is consistency between the values promoted in school and those at home - Parents are the real support groups behind children's holistic growth. We believe that all of us - parents, teachers and the management - are equally responsible for the education of students.

10. Every Child counts :

• Personal Care and concern for the individual is the hallmark of CJ Education. The students need to feel that they are loved and cared for by the school community, the management and the staff. They should have access to the Principal and the teachers without much formality. Teachers must listen to the students, their achievements or failures and help them to enhance their self-esteem and confidence. Time to time we interact with parents and families to seek parental cooperation and thus create an energized and positive school climate.