In 1967 God of rain refused to bestow blessing of rain on the land of Palamau, for three successive years. The district lay like a paralyzed monster. The then Archbishop of Ranchi had to call in the help of the Catholic Church in India. Mother Declan Murphy the provincial of the Sisters of Charity of Jesus and Mary at Delhi received the call. With full approval of Mother General Marie du Cenacle at Brussels, Belgium, three sisters were sent to the area, to join a well organized relief work that was going on under the direction of Father Windy S.J.
The severe drought and what followed was really a blessing in disguise for the people of Palamau. People had seen sisters at work during the famine. They were so fascinated that they did not want to part with their true friends and wished to keep them for the establishment of a good school.
From the head quarters in Brussels of Sisters of Charity of Jesus and Mary assurance was given that the matter would be considered. On the visit of the Provincial to Daltonganj Fr. Soupin proposed to begin a Hindi Medium school in the town. But the residents insisted to begin an English Medium school. Advocate Sinha of Jail Hata offered the lower story of his house to start a school. He also presented his son baby Shashi, as the first student of the English medium school. In a single room, named as Vijaya Niketan, and with a single student, the noble and foresighted vision of Mother Machilda was to shape up the lives of thousands of students. On July 18,1969, three sisters accompanied by Fr. Saupin reached Daltonganj from Nirmala College, Ranchi. Sr. Vimla the incharge, Sr. Marcelline the Montessori teacher and Sr. Sunita were the pioneers to begin this venture. It was decided that the teaching would begin on 1st August, 1969.
As the number of students continued to grow, it was obvious that a site to build a school had to be found soon. In January 1970, a plot was bought in Chianki, near the aerodrome. There was a strong need of a School, where the pupils could find the best education.
Mr. Adhikari, the architect sketched the plan for a convent and the school building. In February 1970, the foundation for the convent building was laid. Mr. Agrawal assisted Mr. Adhikari . During the Puja holidays sisters came to live in their own convent and after the holidays classes started in the new convent building. In 1971, 152 more children arrived and bus facility was provided for them.
In early 1972, school construction started. To economise on a too small budget a round building was proposed. The villagers looked in wonder at the large well. Soon the magnificent Round Building came up and classes moved to the new building. On 1st January, 1977 the foundation of the Hall and Science block was laid by Bishop Saupin, S.J. In 1975 Vijaya Niketan had 340 students. By 1979, there were 675 students. Three new Buses plied for the students.
The school was named SACRED HEART SCHOOL, in the year 1982. Between 1969 to 1979, the first baby students grew to maturity. The first batch of I.C.S.E. Examinees, took their board examination from 11th of Feb, 1980. The board result showed that our students could compete with those of any similar school at All India level.
The Round Building, which shaped many hearts and left indelible memories in Ex. Sacred Heartians, now was insufficient to accommodate the ever growing number of the students. Spacious class-rooms with better facilities was the pressing need. Hence, Senior Block was constructed in the year 2006, this building stands gorgeous, promising to create its own horizons. Matchless New Science Labs, Library and Computer Lab came up in quick succession. The school has stone laid attractive small assembly ground for juniors and a big assembly ground, capable of facilitating 5000 people, besides an open playground.
The most fascinating place for LKG and UKG students and visitors is the new Baby Park, with shady trees, play materials and artistically painted boundary wall.
The entrance gate opens to a beautiful flower garden. The statue of the Sacred Heart of Jesus, with his arms open, beckons all to this hallowed portal and embraces fondly. Reverse to it stands the school auditorium with Grand Renovated face-lifted look. Fifty years old L.K.G. Block is demolished and a multipurpose school hall is underway at the same site.
Trees alongside the road and boundary wall triple the joy of the inmates and gives envious scenic beauty to all wayfarers. For a moment one forgets that he or she is in the otherwise heat-stricken Palamau.
We believe, “The Heart of education is the education of Heart.” Overwhelmed with God’s blessing and confident of his faithfulness, we hope to take the wings of every opportunity to ascend the pinnacle of success and carry forward our legacy.