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St. Joseph’s Convent High School turns 125 !

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In 1890, Venugram (also Belgaum or Belagavi), was a small hamlet of just 20,000 odd persons who frowned upon the education of girls. However, since it had been declared a British Cantonment, it was the destination of several British Officers who, arriving with their families, desired to have a secular education, like in England, for their daughters.

St. Joseph’s Convent High School Belagavi
St. Joseph’s Convent High School Belagavi

The British officers here, both civilians and military, petitioned the Archbishop of Goa and the Patriarch of the East Indies to establish an English Medium School in Belgaum (now Belagavi) for girls. The Archbishop in turn, requested Mother Stella of the Canossians in Hong Kong to spare a few of her nuns for this proposed School in Belagavi.

Mother Stella sent five sisters by a ship that almost capsized in a storm in the South China Seas. The ship reached Cochin in 1890 and the Sisters made their way to Belagavi, covering some of the distance by bullock cart. On arriving here they purchased an old bungalow and started St. Joseph’s School in 1891.

The Canossian Sisters
The Canossian Sisters

In those days, Belagavi used to be ravaged by the plague epidemic regularly. Sacrificing their own lives, and braving many hardships, the intrepid Canossian Sisters worked tirelessly to educate Belgaum’s girl-children.

For one hundred and twenty-five years now, the Canossian Sisters have taught the children of Belgaum the importance of discipline, the values of compassion and kindness, the joy of giving and helping and of trusting God. Along with a quality education they have given the children a moral compass.

The Tamarind tree so synonymous with St. Joseph’s Convent Belagavi
The Tamarind tree so synonymous with St. Joseph’s Convent Belagavi

St. Joseph’s Convent High School started its 125th year Centenary Celebration with a commemorative rally from the School to Globe Talkies, then towards the Hanuman Statue in Police Lines, up Havelock Road and back to the School Gates via High Street on 22nd January 2015.
A grand celebration has been planned on Friday, 22nd January 2016.

39 thoughts on “St. Joseph’s Convent High School turns 125 !”

  1. Thank you Uday for sharing this info! Passed out in 1976 and all the sweet memories of school days flooded back seeing the assembly ground with “the Great Tamarind Tree”.

    Wonderful to be nurtured by this great institution and pleasure to have been part of it’s great legacy.

    Wishing always all the very best to my alma mater!

    Dr. Neeta Baporikar

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  2. All what I am today the moral values and the confidence in me is hugely contributed by my school. Those were the best days of my life. I love my school and am proud of being a josephite. long live St Joseph ‘ s convent high school. It’s the best anyone can ask for.☺

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  3. Dear Mother Principal,
    St. Joseph’s Convent Girls’ High School.
    Camp, Belgavi(Belgaum).

    Madame,
    As a Ex-Alumnus(Male Student) of your neighbouring School i.e. St.Paul’s High School, Belgavi(Belgaum) of the Batch of 1953 and on behalf of my younger sister, Miss Hasina Ahmed Shaikh, now residing in Pune ( Poona),an Ex alumnus of your prestigious school(Left school in 1957 to migrate to Pune(Poona), are happy to know that your school is celebrating 125 years of its founding. We, therefore take this opportunity To Congratulate Your Goodself, the Sisters and the teaching and non-teaching staff on this meritorious occasion of 125 year Anniversary of your School and MAY THIS SCHOOL PROSPER in its NOBLE WORK.
    Regards.
    Jan M. Shaikh(Ex-Paulite Batch of 1953)
    Mrs. Hasina Iqbal Shaikh(nee Hasina Ahmed)(Ex-Alumnus Left in 1957)

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  4. I heartly thank all the sister teachers n other staff . for building good values in us and help us become what we are today
    The tamarind tree, beautiful garden, assembly makes us remind the school days we will always miss it and I’m proud to be apart of this wonderful school .

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  5. Great to know that our school is 125 yrs old and proud to have studied there for three years and pass my board exams from this lovely school and its wonderful teachers and loving sisters who looked after us. ..

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  6. simply great ,verrrrrry proud to be an ex student. studied from 1 to 8 .Never forgot my school. After me my bro daughter is in the same school. I feel sorry i cannot send my daughter to my school as my hubby is in defense. I love my school a lot.

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  7. Congratulations !! How wonderful . I (Precilla Fernandes D’souza) graduate from St Joseph 1969 and is residing in the US for the past 30yrs ! I would like to see a picture of my colleagues from 1969 batch please!!
    Thank you ,My best wishes to you all !!!

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  8. Congratulation to Our Principle and the Sisters and the teaching and non-teaching staff on this meritorious occasion of 125 year Anniversary . I Precilla Fernandes (maiden name) from 1969 batch did well in life from the good education from St Joseph’s . I am residing in Florida USA for the past 30yrs . If anyone has the 1969 batch group picture would love to see it .Please do forward it to [email protected].

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  9. I was educated in this school .l still remember my teachers who taught me .Kopikar , Madhush Kamla ,Rosy Ilona, Sr Julia. N many others.the moral values n the confidence in me is because of my school.lpassed out in the year 1962 -63. I proud to be a Josephite

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  10. I passed out in the year 1962-63 . I’m proud to be a Josephite.The moral values n the confidence in me is because of my school . I still remember many of my teachers n nuns who taught me.Wishing all the best to my alma mater.

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  11. Hello .. to all linked,
    I was a student from kg to 4th at this great school left in 1969
    I do remember some teachers Monica, Mary…was too young nevertheless feel proud for good teaching..
    there a great history of lives knit
    I am in Mumbai if any one from that period please get in touch.

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  12. I am proud to say that i studied in st joseph’s convent high school,camp,belgavi.i remember those days in the boarding under the care and love of mother carolene ,katherene used to take care of all kids.mother pasquena was our principal.they all taught us importance of discipline,faith in god .i am now serving as public prosecutor in karnataka.Thank you all my school mentors.congrats

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  13. My lord Christ, bless me reach highest peak of happiness n bliss.Josephites have always rocked as ever.Those lovely memories of playing around d flag pillar post in T.C.H school,eating bhelpuri which r teachers tought to make, climbing tree house and breaking toilet glass with friend r lovely memories…and my teachers who helped us grow.Luv u all n let 125yrs celebration b grand n memorable as ever.

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  14. Dear Mother Principal
    St. Joseph’s Convent High School
    Camp Belgaum

    Dear Madam, I’m Richard Rozario, a Paulite of batch 87′. I’m messaging these few lines on behalf of my sisters- Sandra and Susan Rozario who are an alumnus of 84/85 batch of this prestigious institution. As young children, we had very fond memories of our beautiful town.
    Over the years, I migrated to Pune and right now I am living in Perth, Western Australia. Sandra still lives in Belgaum and Susan lives in Doha, Qatar. We cherish our school days and all the benevolent Father’s and Mother’s who helped us complete our education since we were not financially sound. We had lost our father when we were kids. I appreciate the help and guidance bestowed upon us and may God bless both our School’s abundantly.

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  15. But I should honestly admit that Co-education is good.it teachs us to mingle,love,care n respect opposite sex people as well.

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  16. I am proud to b a josephite.It was an awesome learning experience at st.Joseph convent belgaum.The deciplined ambience,not only adds value to ur personality but it enriches ur social,emotional n intellectual quotient .I am glad to b a part of this institution with a rich heritage and hence resolve to put my daughters also in this school with closed eyes.
    My earnest compliments n best wishes to sister Maggie ,sister Thankam and the elite team of teachers n administrative staff.I pray to God to help the institution in continuing the fabulous odyssey for all times to come.

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  17. Thanks Allbutbelgaum, to sheer this memory, passed out in 1992 student st. Joseph’s convent high school,

    I am proud to b a josephite.It was an awesome learning experience at st.Joseph convent belgaum.The deciplined ambience,not only adds value to ur personality but it enriches ur social,emotional n intellectual quotient .I am glad to b a part of this institution with a rich heritage and hence resolve,
    My earnest compliments n best wishes to sister’s and the elite team of teachers n administrative staff.I pray to God to help the institution in continuing the fabulous odyssey for all times to come.

    Aziza Begum w/o Zakir Husain Talikoti

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  18. Thanks to sheer this passed out March 1972 of St Joseph Convent School Belgaum.I am proud to be Josephite.I am also proud of my father Mr.H.D.Kazi Ass.Commissiner of Belgaum 1965.It was an awesome learning sxperience at St.Joseph Convent Belgaum.The disciplined anbience adds value to your personlaty & also enriches your social,emotional & intellectual quotient.I am glad to bea part of this institution with rich heritage.I pray to god Almighty to help this institution in continuing fabalous Odyssey for all times to come.From SHAHNAZ KAZI/ W/O Mr.ABDULMAJID M HUDLI Industrialist o Kolhapur.

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  19. Came to know abt the 125th year from my sister cum teacher Mrs. Usha Rao. I was very happy to hear any it but cud not attend the function. I am a passed out student of the 1971 batch. Any friends pl contact me at [email protected]. By the way I am Lakshmi Rao.

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    • [email protected] is my email adress. I put out a message earlier about where we lived. I was in in St. Joes 56-62. please get intouch cuz we had friends with Cardosa surname. Also Dunns and Williams, Andrade and Almeida. Would love to reconnect and catchup. Have allumni parties and give my contact into out. tc. tnx

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  20. Hi I passed out in 1993.At present dwelling in Lko. Proud to be a Josephine.I still remember my teacher Mam Phillu,mam Kanti etc.The values I imbibed from the school I have taught to my children.

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  21. hi…my name is kakoli mitra….passed out in 1977 from ST Josephs convent,Have wonderful memories of studying there for two years and completing my 9th and 10th.anyone of that batch and time?would love to connect…Mother Pasquina was the aprincipal.

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  22. hi…my name is Flossy Rodrigues….passed out in 1975 from ST Josephs convent,Have wonderful memories of studying there for two years and completing my 10th.anyone of that batch and time?would love to connect…Mother Pasquina was the principal.

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  23. Looking to hear from Noami of Class four in 1961. Also Asha Inamdar same class. I was Norma Martin lived in Barafwala compound Havlok road and near Muslim chawl.

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  24. Its.a great honour being a passed student of this incredible school. Moral values, intense education, utmost care, brilliant educators, excellent ambience, unimaginable care by our principal,teachers and the Staff. I am proud and privileged to be a part of this wonderful school. Unforgettable memories of my schooling for 10 long years are ingrained within me.. love my school… proud to be a Josephite. long live my teachers and school..amen.

    Reply

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