Sunday School
Our Mission
"Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it" (Proverbs 22.6)
St. Gregorios Indian Orthodox Cathedral hosts one of the largest Sunday Schools of the Malankara Orthodox church in the United Kingdom, fostering a vibrant community comprising approximately 130 students and 26 dedicated teachers.
Sunday School classes are held regularly, every Sunday after Holy Qurbana (except on days of other significant church feasts, events or extended church service), for classes Pre-School to Year XII. Sunday school sessions begin with a general assembly. The general assembly includes sessions of liturgical and devotional songs; discussions of the Gospel readings and important events in the church calendar. This is followed by the regular Sunday School class lessons as per the curriculum.
Curriculum
The curriculum currently being followed is as prescribed by the Orthodox Syrian Sunday School Association of the East (OSSAE) for the Outside Kerala Region (OKR). Further information and resources can be found at https://ossaebodhanam.org/.
From the academic year, starting in January 2024, the SGIOC Sunday school, and all Sunday schools in the UK, Europe and Africa region, will follow the curriculum used by the American dioceses of the Malankara Orthodox Church, Further information and resources related to this curriculum can be found at https://talmido.org
Exams and Results
All classes have 2 exams a year, a mid-year exam held in July and a final exam conducted in December. The exams are conducted simultaneously with all other Sunday Schools in the UK, Europe and Africa (UEA) region. All students at the Sunday school are required to take the exams.
Students in class 10 take the final Class 10 certificate examination, and students in class 12 take the final OSSAE Veda Praveen Class 12 certificate examination conducted for all regions by the OSSAE.
We have received results for the class 10 and 12 exams from 2023. The students at our Sunday School have done well and achieved a very good result.
- All students in class 10 achieved a grade from C+ to A.
- All students in class 12 achieved a grade from B+ to A+.
- The only A+ in class 12, in the whole diocese, was achieved by one of our students.
Activities:
OVBS
The Orthodox Vacation Bible school (OVBS) is an important activity conducted annually at most Sunday Schools. The annual OVBS stands as a highlight in the Sunday school calendar.
The London Sunday School OVBS is run over 2 days, either before the summer holidays in July or, soon after the holidays in September. The OVBS offers four sessions of classroom learning and multiple engaging music sessions, games and delicious food for the children.
The London Sunday School OVBS 2023 was conducted on the 16th and 17th of September. The OVBS 2024 theme is "Let's pray"- St Luke 11:1.
The OSSAE UEA has requested and invited submissions of theme-based cover page drawings from students to be included in the books, and composition of theme-based poems or songs from students/ teachers to be included in the Song Book.
Any interested students or teachers should provide their entries to the headteacher by the 11th of February 2024.
The OSSAE UEA has announced the registration fee is £15 per child for the year 2024.
Talent Competition
The Sunday School conducts a Talent competition at the Parish level, based on rules and criteria set by the OSSAE-UK region. The events in the Talent competition include solo song, group song, elocution, quiz and essay-writing events for different age categories.
Eligible students are then selected to participate in the District level competition (South Zone) and the Diocesan level competition.
The details and rules of the Talent Competition 2024 are now available and will be shared in the class's WhatsApp groups.
The Talent competition will be held on the 21st of April
Other activities
The Sunday School also participates in the annual church events including the Feast of the patron saint St Gregorios (Parumala Perunaal) and the Christmas Carol Service.
All Sunday School activities and events are possible due to the active involvement and help provided by the church members, parents and all the church spiritual organizations; and guidance provided by our Vicar Rev. Fr Nithin Prasad Koshy
Admissions
Dr. Benoy Daniel
Head Teacher
Sunday School Announcements
- Sunday school assembly and classes will be held after Holy Qurbana.
- The OVBS 2024 theme is "Let's pray"- St Luke 11:1.
- The OSSAE UEA has requested and invited submissions of theme-based cover page drawings from students to be included in the books, and composition of theme-based poems or songs from students/ teachers to be included in the Song Book.
- Any interested students or teachers should provide their entries to the headteacher by the 11th of February 2024.
- The OSSAE UEA has announced the registration fee is £15 per child for the year 2024.
Sunday school talent competition
- The details and rules of the Talent Competition 2024 are now available and will be shared in the class's WhatsApp groups.
- The date of the Parish level competition will be finalized soon.