St Joseph's College, Allahabad

St.Joseph's College, Allahabad
Location
Allahabad, India
Information
Type Private
Motto Semper Sursum - Always Aim High
Religious affiliation(s) Roman Catholic
Established 1884
Principal Rev. Fr. Rolfie D’souza
Number of pupils Over 7000
Campus Urban
Houses St.Francis, St.George, St.Patrick, St.Andrews'
Colour(s) Light Blue      ,Navy Blue     
Affiliation The Indian Certificate of Secondary Education Examinations (ICSE) and The Indian School Certificate Examinations (ISC)
Former pupils Ex. Josephites
Website www.sjcallahabad.org

St. Joseph's College, widely known as SJC, established in 1884, is a prominent CISCE affiliated school in Allahabad, with considerable high rankings both in the state and in India as well.

The college was founded in 1884 by the Capuchin Friars of Ancona and Bologna, Italy, and is currently under the aegis of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Allahabad. It is affiliated to the Council for the Indian School Certificate Examinations (ISC & ICSE). With over 6000 male students collectively enrolled within its main, annex and girls' wing campuses, the college preferably is one of the largest schools of Allahabad in terms of pupil strength. The institution follows a unique and holistic approach to nurture its students to their full potential. Besides curriculum, a horde of other activities and games encourage the students to hone their talents. The motto of the College is Semper Sursum - Always Aim High.

Fr. Rolfie D’souza is the current Principal of the college. The current College Captain is Kanha Mishra. Students of the institution are known as Josephites.

History

St. Joseph's College, was founded in 1884 by the Capuchin Friars of the province of Ancona & Bologna, Italy, under the management of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Allahabad. The school began with a large parochial school for the Cathedral Parish located first in a rented house. The foundation stone of the nucleus of the present building was laid by Rt. Rev. Dr. Peschi on 1 January 1884. Bishop Poli called this little school St. Joseph’s Collegiate. In 1887, it was recognized as a middle school; it was recognized as ‘European High School’ affiliated to Cambridge University. In 1907, it came directly under the Bishop & the parish priest of the Cathedral. It was handed over to the Irish Christian brothers of Nainital in 1908 who looked after it until 1916 when Bishop Gamigna took it over. With a boarding of 26 students, the total went up to 63 in 1920. Another story was put up in 1922 by Rev. Fr. Camilus, OFM Cap. The coming of the new headmaster in the person of Msgr. O. Hogan who graduated from the Allahabad University and trained in Oxford, put the school on the top of academic results. This excellence was continued by his successors such as Fr. A. G. Rego and still continues to be the top school in the city. The school building was further extended with the class 7th & 8th block, Chemistry Lab block put up by Rev. Fr. Augustine between 1932 and 1942. In the 1960s the Class IX-X block and the junior section block was built along with a large auditorium, a gymnasium, and a swimming pool by Re. Fr. Cyril E. George. The swimming pool was added in the year 1974.

The boarding was closed in 1980 and the existing buildings were converted into biology & physics laboratories along with four classrooms. In 1983 the commerce section was added by Rev. Fr. Thomas D’Souza. Later, it was started again in 2006–07 by Rev.Fr. Louis Mascarenhas. In 2007 a state of art computer lab was added followed by a toilet block in 2008. In 2009, another wing ‘Jubilee Block’ was added to the junior section with a broad staircase and an elevator by the present principal Rev. Fr. Louis Mascarenhas to mark the 125th year. Many other projects were taken up such as an open stage and portico in front of the old building with a magnificent statue of St. Joseph. A reading room was named after Fr. Rego and renovated with full air condition with help of the batch of 1985. Chemistry lab was given running L.P. Gas line with help of the batch of 1986.1987 batch came up with a proposal to build a cafeteria. A lawn tennis court was added in the year 2013 with the help of 1988 batch. Fr. Rego Scholar Award and Rego English Excellence award was instituted for the toppers of ICSE by the batches of 1974 and 1988 respectively. Digital classrooms were introduced in and E care department was added in the year 2011.

A new stage was constructed in the Hogan Hall and the staff room was shifted near the reading room in the year 2012. Three more classrooms were added above the Chemistry lab and Music Room and Art room above the cafeteria. Vijayanta, the first Indian manufactured battle tank of the Indian Army was dedicated to future generations of Josephites by alumni of this institution who joined the Indian Army. The memorandum stone states “May this trophy symbolizing the gallant Indian Armed Forces motivate the future generations of the school to achieve unprecedented glory in every field of their endeavor”. The “Vijayanta” tank is an indigenously made tank. It was introduced after the 1971 war and it has seen action during Ex Brasstack, OP Vijay and OP Parakram. It is known and praised in several countries for its excellent gunnery which has all been made by Indian scientists. It weighs 37 tons and has a 105mm smooth bore main gun. It has a crew of three persons – a commander, a gunner and a driver. It has infrared night vision capability also.

Fr. Antony K.K. also restarted the Old Boys association. Sharad Verma Memorial Inter-school debate competition was instituted in memory of Late Sharad Verma, an Alumnus.

With the arrival of Rev. Fr. Louis Mascarenhas in the year 2005 began a new era. He restarted the commerce section in 2006. In the year 2007 a state of art Computer Lab was added followed by a toilet block.

Rev. Fr. Stany Michael D’Souza constructed the steps around the boundary wall and a concrete road leading the Cathedral during his tenure 1988 to 1997.

In 2009, another wing "Jubilee Block" was added to the junior section with a broad staircase and an elevator by the present principal Rev. Fr. Louis Mascarenhas to mark the 125th year. Many other projects were taken up such as an open Stage and portico in front of the old building with a magnificent statue of St. Joseph. A reading room was named after Fr. Rego and renovated with full air condition with help of the batch of 1985. Chemistry lab was given running L.P. Gas line with help of the batch of 1986.1987 batch came up with a proposal to build a CAFETERIA. Lawn Tennis Court was added in the year 2013 with the help of 1988 batch. Fr. Rego Scholar Award and Rego English Excellence award was instituted for the toppers of ICSE by the batches of 1974 and 1988 respectively. Digital classrooms were introduced in and E care department was added in the year 2011. A new stage was constructed in the Hogan Hall and the staff room was shifted near the reading room in the year 2012. Three more classrooms were added above the Chemistry lab and Music Room and Art room above the cafeteria.

The college also has a Mig 21 fighter jet aircraft gifted to the students by the then Air Chief Marshal of the Indian Air Force and a former alumnus Norman Anil Kumar Browne.

College anthem

For St. Joseph, Our Patron, we stand
United In both head and hands.
Our Lips shall always speak of his praise
Our minds and hearts to him we raise

In praise of our college we sing
As the glad hosannas ring.
Since you have shown the way to victory
Our motto then shall always be
Semper Sursum, our Alma mater,
Semper Sursum, always aim high

To St. Joseph, our patron, We pray,
Teach us to labour day by day.
Our Flagging zeal and courage renew
To keep our conv’nant ever true.

Let us unite, all Josephites,
Let us all strive for greater heights.
Love, truth and peace out guiding stars,
Will lead us on to happy hours.

Tune (As in we Stand for GOD...)

Principals

  • Fr. J.G. Coony (1908–1909)
  • Fr. J.L. Maher (1909–1915)
  • Fr. Camilius (1916–1921)
  • Fr. Augustine (1921–1942)
  • Fr. C.E. George (1942–1952, 1959–1966)
  • Fr. R.D' Mellow (1953–1959)
  • Fr. A. Rodrigues(1966–1975)
  • Fr. J.C. DSouza (1976–1977)
  • Fr. H. Patrao (1977–1981)
  • Fr. Noel DSouza (1981–1982)
  • Fr. T. D' Souza (1982–1986)
  • Fr. I Fernandes (1986–1988)
  • Fr. S.M. D'souza(1988–1997)
  • Fr. K. K. Antony (1997–2005)
  • Fr. L Mascarenhas (2005–2014)
  • Fr. R. D'souza(2014–present)

Josephest

The biggest cultural event of the college is Josephest, which is held annually at the end of October. A number of schools from the city as well as from other cities in the state participate in this cultural extravaganza. A multitude of events are organized during this 2-day fest, ranging from literary, art and craft, music and dance competitions to skits, quizzes and computer programming competitions. The most notable among these are the English and Hindi JAMs, debates, band and group dance competitions.

Major events are held in the Main Auditorium, which has a seating capacity of over 800 people. Minor events are either organised in the Hogan Hall, the reading room or the respective designated areas such as Computer Laboratory, Gymnasium or Art Room. The events are judged by distinguished jury members invited from various institutions and organisations in Allahabad.

Notable alumni

References

    Its the best school in Allahabad.

    Coordinates: 25°27′21″N 81°50′43″E / 25.4559°N 81.8452°E / 25.4559; 81.8452

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