St. Joseph's Academy

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St. Joseph's Academy is a Kindergarten to Class 12 school located on Rajpur Road, Dehradun, India.

ST. JOSEPH’S ACADEMY – THE PAST 70 YEARS

Inception

St. Joseph’s Academy was the scene of a very impressive ceremony when the institution was formally opened and blessed on March 1, 1934 by Rev. Fr. Athanasius, in the presence of a large number of people from Dehra Dun and Mussoorie. Rev. Bro. A. M. Keogh was the first Principal of SJA.

In the beginning…

There were the growing pains which were ignored by the school's intrepid pioneers. During the thirties the numbers remained small. In 1936 an imposing block was built, providing dormitory accommodation for one hundred boarders, and ample classrooms for two hundred students. It took quite some time to gain recognition.

The forties saw a rapid increase in numbers. The aftermath of Independence had its joys and sorrows. These changed the very fabric of St. Joseph’s Academy. Even the school crest and motto were changed. The decade of fifties brought greater laurels to SJA. Students rose to great heights and were honoured by all.

‘Man is only complete in the first place, when he is making something other than himself… …the aim of education therefore is to produce makers.’

1959 was a landmark in the history of the Academy, for in March, the school celebrated its twenty-fifth anniversary. When SJA first opened its doors in 1934 the roll-call was just twenty-one; in 1959, over a thousand students were attending it. A new building – the South Block was also built. The grain of mustard had indeed grown into a great herb!

Further Developments

War is a dreary affair and loss of lives is perhaps inevitable. In the 1965 war, our school lost some of its ex-students who made the supreme sacrifice of their lives in the service of their motherland. The war apart from compelling us to dig trenches and observing blackouts did not affect us much.

A decade full of turbulent times (two wars with Pakistan, right on the heel of a traumatic Chinese aggression in ’62), historical achievements- ‘the giant leap for mankind (Neil Armstrong’s first step on moon), saw S.J.A step into a new era of achievements and successes. The NCC, which had been introduced in 1950, remained a prominent part of the school curriculum. Enthusiasm for participation in sports reached an all time high. In 1963 the Senior Cambridge Examination became the Indian School Certificate Examination (ISC). Bro. Dooley and Bro. Mahoney remained the stalwarts who helped students raise the bar. In 1969, the school celebrated Gandhiji’s Birth Centenary with solemnity and a variety programme was staged. As the pressure for admissions increased, keeping in mind the need of the hour, the boarding house was closed in 1970. The Junior School Block, (which has been reconstructed since,) was built in 1977.

The Rewarding Years

‘Remember, Rejoice, Renew.’

By 80’s St. Joseph’s was already a well-established institution. The decade was one to remember those great people who helped shape SJA, to rejoice for its accomplishments and renew old and forgotten ties. The 'Horse Shoe' - an open air theatre - was constructed along with The New Auditorium, which has since staged so many plays and cultural functions. ‘The Academician’ was reborn as a monthly newsletter. Brother E.T. Dunne was the inspiration. No sooner was he inspired, than he began to work on his brainchild. The newsletter was a great success. Bro. Carroll introduced computers into the school for the first time. Computer Studies were made a compulsory subject. The decade of 80’s was a time of jubilees. The school celebrated its golden jubilee in 1984. Mr. V.B.Gupta was invited to launch the Golden Jubilee celebrations with a demonstration of India’s first hot air balloon. The great epic Ramayana was staged in S.J.A to commemorate the event.

On completion of the construction of the auditorium, Mother Teresa was invited to grace the occasion. A cultural programme was organized. SJA progressed by leaps and bounds…

Modernization

Since 1990, SJA has progressed on strength to strength. In 2004, the school had a strength of about hundred times the number of students there were at the end of 1934. Teaching with the help of visual aids was introduced. Computer studies became an essential subject and was introduced in the lower classes. Interest in sports was at an all time high. New buildings were erected between 1999 and 2003 in order to accommodate the increasing number of students. The old Middle School Block was replaced by the Millennium Block and the old Junior School block was reconstructed. Both these buildings were bigger and better equipped with state-of-the-art facilities in every classroom. The buildings also include a Prayer Room, a Music Room, and a fully functional Computer Lab. The Junior School was also given a fully equipped state-of-the-art multimedia room cum auditorium, two activity rooms and a modern cafeteria. Three new basketball courts replaced the Horse Shoe.

Several alumni of the school went on to become important figures in India, including Admiral V.S. Shekhawat, PVSM, AVSM, VrC, ADC (former chief of the Naval Staff), Air Marshall S.K. Sareen, PVSM, AVSM, VM, ADC, (former chief of air staff), the indomitable Major H.P.S. Ahluwalia, Mr. Prem Hari Har Lal (eminent author), Air Marshall Man Singh AVSM, VM, VSM and Mr. Navtej Sarna (spokesperson for ministry of external affairs).

In 2004, St. Joseph’s Academy completed 70 years. To commemorate this occasion the well-known play ‘Peter Pan’ was staged. A new open air stage having a seating capacity of five thousand people was also built.

The following is what a sincere student said in July 2006:

"The growth of the Academy gives us a deep and abiding satisfaction. We remember the loyalty of the Brothers and the staff throughout the years; we remember all those truly great scholars and sportsmen; we remember the heroes who gave their lives for the Motherland. We don’t boast, we just love to dwell on our past achievements, anticipate a bright future and thank God for all He has given us."

‘For all that has been –Thanks. For all that will be – Yes. ‘