Fostering excellence in sports and academics

St Patrick's School, Gumla: A Football Powerhouse

Established in 1996, St. Patrick's School has emerged as a prominent educational institute offering science, arts, and commerce streams. The school has gained national recognition for its exceptional achievements in women's football. The girls' teams of the school have secured consecutive victories in the U-17 Subroto Cup International Football Championship in 2022 and 2023. The institute has, so far, produced 39 national players who participated in various prestigious tournaments, including SGFI, Khelo India and AIFF competitions. Notably, nine international footballers from the school, including Sumati Kumari, Viksit Bara and Elizabeth Lakra, have represented India at the SAFF Championship. Sudha Ankita Tirkey's participation in the 2022 FIFA U-17 Women's World Cup further solidified the school's reputation as a football powerhouse. These achievements are supported by the govt-run residential girls' football training centre in Gumla.

Netarhat Residential School: A Legacy of Leadership

Known as Jharkhand's Queen of Hills, Netarhat, is home to a residential institute which follows the Gurukul model of education — the Netarhat Residential School. This school has produced numerous distinguished alumni who have excelled in various fields. Notable graduates from this school include top bureaucrats like Trinath Mishra (IPS), Pratyush Sinha (IAS) and several officers serving as secretaries in the state govt. Many former students have also achieved prominence in medicine, engineering and academics with personalities like Dr Ajay Kumar and Satyadeo Prasad making significant contributions to the govt and society. Military officers, including Brigadiers RNP Singh and N P Singh, had also studied at this institute. Currently, two alumni, V D Ram and Sukhdeo Bhagat, are serving as members of Parliament. The school's success is attributed to its emphasis on leadership development, teamwork and instilling a proactive approach to challenges.

Roman Catholic Upgraded Middle School, Karangaguri, Simdega: Hockey Talent Cradle

This Catholic mission school in Simdega has established itself as a premier institute for women's hockey in India. It has produced nine international players, including prominent names like Sangita Kumari, Beauty Dungdung and Deepika Soreng. Currently, Beauty and Deepika represent India in the senior national team touring Australia. The school's hockey programme was initiated by principal Fr Benedict Kujur before 2010. He made it mandatory for students to bring hockey sticks and participate in regular practice sessions. This initial initiative led to the emergence of several international players, including Alka Dungdung and Alfa Kerketta, who made their junior international debuts in Spain in 2016. The success continues with newer talents like Nisha Minj and Nirali Kujur currently training in the junior India camp, maintaining the school's legacy of producing top-tier hockey players.