| St. Paul's School | |
|---|---|
| Motto | Induamur Arma Lucis |
| Established | 1856 |
| Type | Government Aided -All Male |
| Headmaster | Roland Coelho, SJ |
| Students | 2256 |
| Grades | LKG-10 (SSLC) |
| Location | Belgaum, Karnataka, India |
| Campus | St Paul's High School, Camp, Belgaum - 590001, Karnataka. |
| Colours | Blue, red, green and gold |
| Website | www.goajesuits.in/stpauls/index.htm |
St. Paul's High School is a Jesuit-run High School located in the Cantonment area in Belgaum, India. 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 has an outstanding tradition in sports; mainly football, hockey, cricket and athletics. 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, Kolhapur, Mumbai, Pune, Bangalore and other cities taking active part.
The school divides its students into four Houses 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.
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The school is situated in the city of Belgaum (North Karnataka), near the girl's school St. Joseph's Convent High School and the Fatima Cathedral.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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 in Kolhapur. Later these institutions were handed to various other groups to be continued.
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.
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'.
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 graced the stage and delighted the crowds with his songs.
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.
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.After that Spl was Pratik Deshpande AND ASPL Agnel D'zouza for The Year 2010-2011.Now Master NAkhil Inamdar(GOLF CHAMPION) Is THe SPL and Master Pranav Pai Is The ASPL.For THe Year 2011-2012.
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.
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!