SCHOOL HISTORY
FORWARD WILL WE MARCH ALWAYS
Half a century ago, a seed was sown. It germinated in all its glory and splendor, in the fertile educational field of Devlali Camp. Like the Biblical Mustard seed, it grew from strength to strength taking care of many who came as little nothings but left armed with knowledge enough to carve a niche for themselves in this wide world. Thus came into existence St. Patrick Convent School on 2nd of July 1956, temporarily housed in the neighboring St. Patrick Church compound.
Founded by late Mother Fausta and her faithful band of sisters – the late Sr. Linda Sequeira (Mother Lucia), the late Sr. Anna Susanna Fernandes (Sr. Fatima) and Sr. Susanna Kshirsagar, the school started with some children, just to name a few: Hazel V, Gonsalves, Cynthia M. Gonsalves, Vincent James James, Christi Robert James and U, Lourdnathan.
It was not an easy journey for those who initiated this venture. Having no place to stay in Devlali, the sisters had to travel from Nashik Road with little or no transport at their disposal in those days. This they did for a whole year till they were offered the Parochial House as their residence which made their venture a little easier to accomplish.
To fulfill the long felt need of the hour – “An English Convent school in the area” – an official recognition was sought from the Executive Officer of the Cantonment Board and each year a new class was added, until in 1969 St. Patrick Convent School was a full-fledged High School, securing cent percent results almost every year till date.
Devlali still holds dear the motherly qualities of the late Sr. Linda Sequeira better known to her students as Mother Lucia who held the reins as Principal from 1962 to 1971. It was she who laid the foundation stone of the present school building on 13th December 1968. Until then the Secondary Classes were held in Morey bungalow on Anand Road under the charge of the late Sr. Josephine Fernandes, well completing 18 years of dedicated service as a great builder and Principal of St. Patrick.
Sr. Antoinette officially known as Sr. Constance Fernandes and fondly remembered as Sr. Connie by one and all, succeeded as Principal from 1980 to 1983 and again from 1988 to 1989. She with her dynamic qualities as friend, philosopher and guide gave St. Patrick and its students the long awaited, all round facelift and polishing they required. Sr. Theresa Carmel took hold in 1983 upto 1988 keeping the good work followed by the soft spoken and humble Sr. Mariam Thomaas who held office from 1989 to 1991. Sr. Maria D’ Souza’s infinite capacity for hard work and discipline moulded the students from 1991 to 1995 in the true spirit of a Principal. All that was started by her predecessors was looked after well by Sr. Victoria Gonsalves who was Principal from 1996 to 1998.
From Silver to Gold and now towards diamond St. Patrick has achieved a lot in terms of academics as well as in other fields. Students have constantly fared well in their Board exams more often securing cent results. This has been achieved eith the close collaboration, co-operation and co-ordination of the students who are mischievous and naughty, none- the-less brilliant and a devoted and loyal teaching staff. Students have appeared for the MTS exams, Scholarship exams, the, the Hindi grade examinations and the Drawing exams and have come through with flying colors. They also take part in interschool competitions for drawing, elocution, patriotic singing, etc. and have won many trophies in this regard. Not to be left behind in sports. St. Patrick students participate in interschool matches for football and badminton and also take part in the swimming and tours for the students and staff every year.
The school has grown from a caterpillar to a butterfly and is under constant development, journeying from rented and donated accommodations to its own huge structure carefully overseen by the late Sr. Zelia. A school hall dedicated to the foundress of the congregation, Rev. Mother Clara is used for multipurpose activities and was built under the able guidance of Sr. Sunita Margaret Bunch, Principal of the school from 1998 to 2002. She also constructed the wing of the Pri-Primary section. Sr. Afra D’ Souza, Principal from 2002-2005 was the backbone in building the school compound wall which was absolutely necessary to keep predators like leopards at bay who often visited the school from the neighboring villages. She also made a kindergarten Park and for better learning an audio-visual room.
In the year 2005-2006 the present Principal, Sr. Conceicao Pereira (Sr. Cosu) renovated and computerized the school office and its striving hard with her dedicated band of staff members to maintain the past glory of the school and to raise it to newer and even greater heights.