St. Paul's School, Belgaum
Encyclopedia
St. Paul's High School is a Jesuit
Society of Jesus
The Society of Jesus is a Catholic male religious order that follows the teachings of the Catholic Church. The members are called Jesuits, and are also known colloquially as "God's Army" and as "The Company," these being references to founder Ignatius of Loyola's military background and a...

-run High School
High school
High school is a term used in parts of the English speaking world to describe institutions which provide all or part of secondary education. The term is often incorporated into the name of such institutions....

 located in the Cantonment
Cantonment
A cantonment is a temporary or semi-permanent military or police quarters. The word cantonment is derived from the French word canton meaning corner or district, as is the name of the Cantons of Switzerland. In South Asia, the term cantonment also describes permanent military stations...

 area in Belgaum
Belgaum
Belgaum is a city and a municipal corporation in Belgaum district in the state of Karnataka, India. It is the fourth largest city of the state of Karnataka, the first three being Bangalore, Mysore, Hubli-Dharwad....

, India
India
India , officially the Republic of India , is a country in South Asia. It is the seventh-largest country by geographical area, the second-most populous country with over 1.2 billion people, and the most populous democracy in the world...

. It was founded in 1856. It celebrated its 150th year in 2006. It is a boys' school and is recognized by the Government and managed by the Society Of Jesus.

The school
School
A school is an institution designed for the teaching of students under the direction of teachers. Most countries have systems of formal education, which is commonly compulsory. In these systems, students progress through a series of schools...

 has an outstanding tradition in sports; mainly football
Football (soccer)
Association football, more commonly known as football or soccer, is a sport played between two teams of eleven players with a spherical ball...

, hockey
Hockey
Hockey is a family of sports in which two teams play against each other by trying to maneuver a ball or a puck into the opponent's goal using a hockey stick.-Etymology:...

, cricket
Cricket
Cricket is a bat-and-ball game played between two teams of 11 players on an oval-shaped field, at the centre of which is a rectangular 22-yard long pitch. One team bats, trying to score as many runs as possible while the other team bowls and fields, trying to dismiss the batsmen and thus limit the...

 and athletics
Athletics (track and field)
Athletics is an exclusive collection of sporting events that involve competitive running, jumping, throwing, and walking. The most common types of athletics competitions are track and field, road running, cross country running, and race walking...

. The Father Eddie Memorial Football tournament for Senior Boys (Under 17) and the Indal Trophy (Under 15) are conducted every year on St. Pauls 'A' ground, while the Royceton Memorial Trophy (Under 14) is conducted on 'B' ground. The latter draws a big crowd with teams from Goa
Goa
Goa , a former Portuguese colony, is India's smallest state by area and the fourth smallest by population. Located in South West India in the region known as the Konkan, it is bounded by the state of Maharashtra to the north, and by Karnataka to the east and south, while the Arabian Sea forms its...

, Kolhapur, Mumbai
Mumbai
Mumbai , formerly known as Bombay in English, is the capital of the Indian state of Maharashtra. It is the most populous city in India, and the fourth most populous city in the world, with a total metropolitan area population of approximately 20.5 million...

, Pune
Pune
Pune , is the eighth largest metropolis in India, the second largest in the state of Maharashtra after Mumbai, and the largest city in the Western Ghats. Once the centre of power of the Maratha Empire, it is situated 560 metres above sea level on the Deccan plateau at the confluence of the Mula ...

, Bangalore
Bangalore
Bengaluru , formerly called Bengaluru is the capital of the Indian state of Karnataka. Bangalore is nicknamed the Garden City and was once called a pensioner's paradise. Located on the Deccan Plateau in the south-eastern part of Karnataka, Bangalore is India's third most populous city and...

 and other cities taking active part.

The school divides its students into four Houses
House system
The house system is a traditional feature of British schools, and schools in the Commonwealth. Historically, it was associated with established public schools, where a 'house' refers to a boarding house or dormitory of a boarding school...

 namely Gold, Green, Blue and Red.Each house colour is depicted on the student's uniform,either as a badge or as a coloured shirt. Competition is fostered among the pupils of each house in sports and studies alike.

The school magazine is the Paulite. It was known as the St Paul's Annual initially.

Location

The school is situated in the city of Belgaum (North Karnataka), near the girl's school St. Joseph's Convent High School
St. Joseph's Convent High School
St. Joseph's Convent High School is an all girls school in Mumbai, India. It is an institution under The Sisters of St. Joseph of Tarbes .-History:...

 and the Fatima Cathedral.

History

The school was founded in 1856. Fr. Charmilliot, an Austrian Jesuit first stepped into the compound of St Paul's as the chaplain of Our Lady of Mount Carmel chapel, that existed on these premises. From that day the Jesuits never left these premises even though their nationality might have changed. First the school had Austrian and German Jesuits fathers. Then they were replaced by the Portuguese Jesuits. Now Indian Jesuits of the Goa Province run the school.

Growth

From humble beginnings of 4 class rooms and 66 students the school has grown to over 2000 students. Though it was started primarily for the Catholics, it has opened its doors to students of all religions, castes, ethnic backgrounds and colour. Chances and opportunities to develop their talents and qualities are provided to all, whether rich or poor. Admissions are not decided on the basis of economic status or religion. At present scholarships and help are provided to those who are economically backward.
Our new Headmaster Fr.Gerald Furtado has brought about a lot of changes in the school.First of all he has started a new cultural fest called the "Anandotsav".He has also started an inter-school cultural fest called the "Ananya".He has included a new period in our time tabe i.e. CCA(Co Curricular Actiivities).In this various Clubs nurture the talent of all the students.

Academic standing

The school got its recognition on 30 November 1868 from the Bombay University because it was part of Bombay Presidency. The first batch appeared in the Matriculation Examination in 1917. It was given government grant-in-aid already from 1917.

The school, right from the beginning, has had a very good academic record and has provided students opportunities to develop their talents in dramatics, elocution and sports. The Inspector, Mr. H. Davies wrote with great pride in 1936, “The upper classes are extremely well graded and taught, the School’s record in the Matriculation Examination being one which over a long period has entitled it to respect….The percentage of passes (24 sent up and 20 passed) is therefore 83% as against the University general average of 35% and the school stands first among the English Teaching Schools of the presidency. The best English education is given here and conversation in English is compulsory unlike the other schools in the city. Discipline in language, dressing and mannerisms is the priority of this rich institution. It has earned distinctions at ten times the average rate for the presidency and has once more secured the Latin prize.”

After the advent of the new millennium, the school has undergone a change with the long-standing principal Fr. Jacob Carvalho retiring. The school faces new challenges in retaining its rich heritage in the absence of the senior staff who all retired after completion of their tenure.

Sports

St. Paul's has enjoyed a rich sporting history. It has been the number one soccer team by winning almost all the major soccer tournaments held here. Some of its players have also gone to participate in the nationals.

Other than soccer cricket also enjoys a high position. The famous Shanbag Trophy has been won by our team several times.

Expansion

By the 1950s English education gained importance throughout the country. From St. Paul’s, Jesuit Fathers pioneered in setting up other High Schools - Vidya Mandir High School, Nesargi; Sarvodaya Vidyalaya in Khanapur, and St. Xavier’s High School
St. Xavier's School, Kolhapur
St. Xavier's High School, Kolhapur, India, is an English medium school in the town of Kolhapur in southern Maharashtra. It admitted only boys till 2008 but is now coeducational. It admits students from kindergarten till the Secondary School Certificate i.e. the 10th standard...

 in Kolhapur. Later these institutions were handed to various other groups to be continued.

Reorienting goals

In 1974 a lot of rethinking was being done about education, especially in Jesuit institutions. The boarding, which had been started, had for some years a supplementary section called the orphanage, which catered to destitute children whose parents had died in the plagues or other epidemics of the time. In 1974 there was a rethinking of the hostel project when the old hostel was closed. In its place the hostel reopened its doors to the boys from the villages around. Their education is highly subsidized.

In 1981 the school celebrated its 125th jubilee.
In 2006 the school celebrated its 150th jubilee.

Motto

The motto of the school is "Induamar Arma Lucis" ‘Let us Put on the armour of Light’, which means 'Be a Light to others, bring Light to the world around you by your words and above all, by your actions'.

150th year celebrations

The 150th year celebrations of the school were held in 2006 on 10 February and the passing out parade of the S.S.L.C jubilee batch. Throughout the year the school conducted extracurricular activities and celebrated the jubilee year. The school conducted a cultural fest in October 2006 known as the Anand Utsav. The school held the valedictory ceremony of its 150th year from 7 December to 10 December.

On 7 December the school held celebrations for the students and parents. In the morning there were programmes and a magic show by Junior Marcos. On 8 December there was a grand celebration for the ex-students and teachers. Prayer services and dances were held on the occasion. On 9 December the main valedictory function was held. On this occasion a skit was held which depicted the events from the birth of man to St Paul's in its present state. On 10 December the famous singer Shaan
Shaan (singer)
Shaan , is an Indian playback singer, and television host. He hosted the shows Sa Re Ga Ma Pa, Sa Re Ga Ma Pa L'il Champs, Star Voice of India and "Star Voice of India 2"...

graced the stage and delighted the crowds with his songs.

Notable alumni

  • Vice Admiral John Desilva
  • Dr Hermano Fernandes
  • Olympian R.S.P.Dalgado
  • Mr Ajitsingh Nimbalkar I.A.S retd.
  • Bishop Peter Machado
  • Olympian Reynold D'Souza
  • Dr Fr. Walter de Souza S.J.
  • Mr Narendra M Murkumbi.
  • Fr.Roland.Coelho
  • Olympian Saude George
  • Dr Arun Bali
  • Prof Venit Coutinho
  • Dr. Nilesh Patil
  • Dr.Qamar Mulla.

The Paulite

The school magazine, the 'Paulite', as it came to be known later on, or the 'St Paul's Annual', as it was known initially, was the brainchild of Fr. Claude Saldhana S.J. who taught the matriculation Class for a number of years. He published the first annual in 1941 mostly with articles by staff members and ex- students. But by the next year the main contributors were the boys.

By 1946 the committee that published the annual consisted of senior students. The 'annual' became a magazine, which was published 3 to 4 times a year under the name 'Sevak.' It contained articles by students as well as letters from the ex-students. After that, staff members took it upon themselves to publish the magazine changing the name to 'The Paulite.' Fr pat de Lima S.J. with a little help from various teachers, in particular from Fr. Thomas Ambrose S.J., took over from them and published the magazine for many years until he retired from the school.

After 1992 there was a big break. It was only in 2004, that some parents, who were ex students, published the magazine thrice or four times a year. In the year 2006, with the school Jubilee, a concerted effort was made to revive the 'Paulite' to give the boys a chance to practice their skills at communication in prose and poetry.

House system

The school students are divided into four houses. They are Green, Red, Blue and Gold Houses. The houses are led by the four house commanders.Two new posts are recently created which rank above the commanders they are the School Pupil Leader(SPL) and the Assistant School Pupil Leader(ASPL).Master Aditya Gan of 2009-2010 batch was the first SPL and Master Shrinivas Katwe was the first ASPL.

Passing Out parade

The school conducts a passing out parade for the S.S.L.C. batch. It is conducted in February every year. The S.S.L.C batch marches for the last time on the turf of the school ground. The junior students put up dance performances to entertain on the occasion. All the High School students of Std VIII and IX salute the Xth Std students. When the S.S.L.C. students march for the last time with lamps, the song 'Now is the Hour' is played. After the Passing out Parade is completed, the students pose for photos with their friends and teachers.

Till recently the passing out batch wore white shirts and black pants with a tie. Then the school decided to make them wear their normal school dress thus not making the SSLC batch feel special. This rule may be revoked.

School anthem

The school anthem is Cheer Boys Cheer


Cheer boys, cheer, cheer the Blue and Gold

Hail to thee O St. Paul ! (twice)



We thy loyal trusted band

We will ever be true

Light bearers and labourers

True and pure and steadfast



Chorus: Let's put on the armour light

Glory of St. Paul

Let's put on the armour light

Fight for God and Country



Alma Mater, our friend and guide

Stay in shade and sunshine (twice)



Lend us light and wisdom lore

Ne'er to fail or falter

Be life's journey perilous

Thou to us a beacon!



External links

  • http://www.goajesuits.in/stpauls/
  • http://www.stpaulsbelgaum.webs.com
The source of this article is wikipedia, the free encyclopedia.  The text of this article is licensed under the GFDL.
 
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