In times when ‘all-girls’ schools are a dying trend, one of the oldest girls’ convent school in the city has turned 100. Nestled in the busy streets of Byculla, St Agnes High School Convent of Mary and Jesus is celebrating its centenary, even as its many famous alumnae reminisce about their good ol’ days of small sheds, strict nuns and pigtailed “boisterous” girls.
Started by missionaries of the Convent Jesus and Mary in 1912, St Agnes in its initial years housed two schools under the same banner — one affiliated to the Council for Indian School Certificate Examination and the other to the state board. In the early 70s, both schools were merged into a government-aided state board school. Currently, around 2,000 girls study in the school. In 1992, the school opened its doors for special students, as they opened a special school as well.
Recalling days when the school did not have a high school building, school alumnae from the older batches said students then had to study in small cottages. Mehroo Hozdar, who attended in the school in 1950, said, “Today, the school is a sprawling structure, but I still remember the days when we studied in small sheds. The nuns wore crinkle-free habits and would groom us into proper ladies. We were even taught to climb the stairs on tiptoes and not stomp our way about making noise.”
The school has produced many famous personalities, including singer Usha Uthup, who’s sung in more than 13 Indian and eight foreign languages, renowned media professional Farzana Contractor, famous cancer specialist Dr Anita Borges, advocate Manjula Rao and IAF squadron leader Delshad Master. While Rita Pinto, another alumna, will be writing memoirs of the school, writer Braganza D’Cunha will contribute about how her English teacher inspired her.
Alumna Dr Ruzbeh Mowdawala said, “Girls’ schools have their own charm. We live in a world where boys don’t exist and their talks bring blushes to cheeks. On the centenary this January 21, we plan to exchange notes about the wonder years we spent in the hallowed corridors with the current batch of students at a special dinner, followed by song-and-dance celebrations.”
