Dr. & Mrs. (Dr.) Sadashiva Rao Ullal, Ladies and Gentlemen,
Before I place before you on behalf of the Rector, Staff and Students the report of our school life and work of the past year 1974–75, let me welcome you all and in particular you, Doctor & Mrs. Sadashiva Rao Ullal. It is not very often that a distinguished old student presides at the School Prize Day of his own school. We have that honour and privilege today.
And a distinguished student you have been, Sir, all along in your school and college student days here on this very hill, and in your medical student days both in our own land and abroad. I have no need to detail your successes. They are well known and the eminent position you hold today as a Cardio Thoracic Specialist is the natural crown of those successes. Your Alma Mater is justly proud of you, Doctor.
No less are we happy to have Mrs. (Dr.) Sadashiva Rao Ullal to give away the prizes. Perhaps this is the first time that the prizes are given by one who is not only a partner in life of the President but in profession also. We are doubly honoured and privileged.
At the very outset we express our deep gratitude to God Almighty for His innumerable graces granted to us to carry on our difficult task of educating the little ones and the teenagers, and for His loving guidance in solving our difficult problems.
We sincerely thank our parents of students, benefactors, friends and well-wishers for your keen interest in our school. Our thanks also go to our devoted staff, teaching and non-teaching, for their full co-operation and devoted service.
And now to begin the report, the strength of the school was 1764, 59 more than the previous year, and distributed as follows:
Primary Department, Std. I to IV – 452
Middle School, Std. V to VII – 544
High School, Std. VIII to X – 768
We have to confess that there is a great rush for admission to our school. While we appreciate the confidence the parents have placed in this school, we regret our inability to admit all that seek admissions. Though we tried to restrict the number of admissions, much against our will, the pressure of applications forced us to increase the strength in VIII Std.
May I be permitted to recall that overcrowding in classes hinders individual attention, hampers good discipline, and retards progress and efficiency.
Results: The school has maintained its good tradition in this respect. Out of 173 boys who appeared for the VII Std. District Level Examination, 169 passed, securing 97.7%.
In the X Std. Public Examination, 214 students were declared eligible out of 230 who appeared for the examination, a percentage of 93.4.
Ananth Agarwal secured the 20th rank in the State. Malcolm S. M. Saldanha and Francis G. Cardoza have been awarded merit scholarships for distinction.
Staff: Changes in the staff are a normal feature and we had them last year. Rev. Fr. D. Rasquinha S.J., who was the Headmaster for the last five years, was transferred to Bangalore. A capable, hardworking and selfless priest, he toiled silently for the ever more improvement of the school and for the good of its students. We miss his jovial presence and thank him for all that he did for the school.
Rev. Fr. L. Pinto, who had been the Assistant Headmaster, has assumed charge as Headmaster from June 1975. Rev. Fr. A. F. D’Souza from St. John’s High School, Bellary, has taken the place of Rev. Fr. L. Pinto.
Sri L. Fernandes and Sri B. Shambu Shetty have filled the places of Sri V. M. Saldanha and Sri F. I. Menezes. Rev. Louis D’Souza and Sri R. L. D’Souza are two enthusiastic additions to our staff. Rev. Fr. M. Rodrigues, after serving for two years, was transferred to Nagaland.
Rev. Br. B. Rosario S.J., who has a diploma in mechanics, joined the Craft Department. Sri C. A. Aranha has gone abroad to better his prospects.
Sri Fabian D’Souza, Rev. Fr. Gerald D’Souza and Miss Vinaya Suvarna have been appointed for the English Sections in the Middle School Department.
After nine years of service in the High School, Sri Sheikh Usman N. D. S. I. left us for Hassan on transfer. Sri Faustin D’Souza, Secondary Grade Assistant, retired on 1-1-1976 after 24 long years of service in the Middle School Department.
We are proud to record the higher qualifications acquired by the following teachers: Sri M. C. Sanjeeva (M.A. in Politics), Sri Ananthakrishna Rao (M.A. in Kannada), and Sri L. Fernandes (M.A. in Politics).
It is with deep sorrow that I have to record the sudden demise of Sri J. B. D’Silva on January 29, 1975, while in service. He taught the small boys faithfully and efficiently for 32 years as a Secondary Grade Assistant in the Middle School Department. May his soul rest in peace.
Sports and Games: It is very encouraging to note that quite a number of boys take part in sports and games which help to develop their physical personality. Our teams took part in tournaments but failed to come up to the mark. However, they made up by winning laurels at the Taluk Level by capturing all the three shields — Junior, Intermediate and Senior — and also securing the coveted Championship Shield.
N.C.C.: We place on record the keen interest taken by the three officers of our three N.C.C. wings — the Army, Navy and Air — namely Sri Kairanna, Sri Manjappayya and Sri D’Leema. Three cadets — Ashok Ponnappa, Ludovic Lobo and Linus Prabhu — took part in the Republic Day Parade held at New Delhi. The N.C.C. Naval wing won the trophy for the best “Kit Lay Out” in the Annual Training Camp held at Manipal.
Scouting: The Scout Troop and the Cub Pack are trying their best to develop the qualities of heart and mind of our students in full scout tradition. Sri Shambu Shetty has come forward to give a helping hand to continue scout activities with the co-operation of Keith D’Souza, a President’s Scout.
Science Club and UNESCO Club: Sri L. Fernandes and Sri R. Tholpadi guided the activities of the Science Club. The working models prepared by the members of the club won distinctions at both District and Zonal Level Science Fairs.
The UNESCO Club, under the able guidance of its Moderator Rev. Fr. L. D’Souza, was involved in various activities within and outside the school.
P.T.A.: We are very happy to note that parents and guardians are taking an active interest in the Parent-Teacher Association, as is evident from the large attendance at General Body Meetings. The Annual General Body Meeting was held in January 1975 in the Old Boys’ Hall with Sri S. P. Currie as the Chief Guest.
With the encouragement and co-operation of the P.T.A., we have been able to go ahead with the proposed new building of the Primary School. The second slab is almost complete and the roof will be on by April. Many parents, old boys and friends have come forward with handsome donations.
Social Service, Class Magazines, School Annual, Inter-School Tournaments, Excursions, Drawing, Music, Elocution Competitions, General Knowledge Tests, Public Speaking, Parliamentary Activities, Leadership Training Camps and the Music Club are among the main activities in which students are encouraged to take part.
Last year, our School Magazine “The Littleman” and the X Std. Class Magazine were judged the best in our District. Our singers and musicians won laurels in many competitions in town.
Teachers too have seminars and discussions to acquaint themselves with modern findings in adolescent psychology and education, enabling them to guide students to grow into mature persons.
Conclusion: Let me conclude as I began, by thanking you all once again for having responded to our invitation. We take it as a mark of appreciation of our work and your willingness to help us in our difficult task.
My special thanks to our distinguished guests, Dr. & Mrs. Sadashiva Rao Ullal, for presiding over today’s function and distributing the prizes.
Let me close this report invoking God’s blessings upon you all and on our school, its staff and its students.
L. D’Souza, S.J.
Headmaster
Mangalore,
6-2-1976