So coloured my life is and so coloured those days. I can remember but it is for God's sake it seems to me everytime I'm in her premises. Oh! My Alma Mater, Oh! Those days, I always mutter come back, come back please.
I admitted here in class two in section A. But at the commencment I've started my expedition in a wrong way as I took part in the class of section B in the very first day of my school life. In that little age I was surprised at why my teacher didn't call my name? But for being afraid I didn't ask so.
Then at the last progress report of the annual exam my roll number suddenly descended from 48 to 7. Amazed? Not really descended, descended in number but ascended in progress. But my class roll number became 6 in the next class. I can remember Brother Binoy who taught us by tape, a special way of learning English. We were spellbound in his teaching style.
Class 4. My roll number didn't flactuate. One of my best memories for this class is severe punishment given by our respectable Teacher Mr. Abdus Sobhan to many of us. Not our first boy could get rid of this. The reason was many of us were laughing during one minute vow of silence for a news of death of somebody I can't remember. Actually I can't call up my mind also for what we were laghuing. His punishment style was strange and we gave it a name "Frog style." But the finishing was pathetic. Everybody bagan to cry and beg pardon to him one after another and he also released successively.
Then for the first time I acquired place. Among three my roll was two in class five. Some of my friend and me were assembladged for a mission to demoted the position of our first boy and replace one of us there. We succeded and me and Romeo jointly possesed the place.
Saturday, 15 November 2008
Thursday, 13 November 2008
My Alma Mater
Writing about something great? Does this 'great' indicate an institution specially an educational one? If the answer is yes and that 'great' indicates an educational institution which flourishes many lives every moments with its magical touch, which build an umimaginable strong basement on which there stands so many unperishable edifices those provide places to many geniuses in their rooms then I just recall a name for this 'great' institution and this is nothing but our 'St. Gregory's High School.' This is my base to build up myself, to lead me in a perfect path and to make me an inevitable one in this world. This is what actually what I call "My great Alma Mater."
About St.Gregory's High School :
Compiled From :
Spotlight
St. Gregory's - A Portrait Of Glory And Tradition
Aslam Khaleel
One of the most enviably rated and historic educational institutions of this subcontinent - the St. Gregory's High School (SGHS) - is one of the very few schools that has served India, Pakistan and Bangladesh for such a long time.
Father Gregory de Groote had founded his tiny seat of learning - the St. Gregory's High School - 125 years ago. How little we know of those first few years! In the “Indo-European Correspondence” of March 21, 1883, an article states that the staff would be increased from two to four. But Father Gregory had many irons in the fire, and could not personally direct the nascent school. Twice started, it collapsed from lack of public interest. The second attempt at revival was taken near the old railway colony.
The Holy Cross Fathers and Brothers returned to Bengal after an absence of six years. Father Francis Boeres, c.s.c. nurtured it to develop into a sustaining institution for the next twenty years. In Jan. 1889 the school reopened on the ground floor of the present St.Francis Girls' School. Four Sisters and Mr. La Touche made up the staff, along with Father Boeres as Principal. The Inspector of European Schools granted recognition in April, 1889. In 1890 a Volunteer Cadet Corp was formed. In 1892 the roll held 26 boys and 19 girls. In 1896, Bishop Hurth, Father Boeres and twenty boarding boys moved into five new rooms, which are now the teachers' room, the foyer part of the hall, and two rooms opposite the front rooms. In 1897 these rooms were extended to the south. A second floor was added.The enrollment of boys and girls increased to 85.
In 1898 quarters for the girls were enlarged on the other side of the church. Along with Eurasians, there were six Bengali boys and two Bengali girls. Two boys and a girl appeared in the University Entrance Exams. Additional land for south and southeast of the school building was purchased in 1906. The ground was leveled and a wall was constructed. By then there were 58 boarding boys. The total number of boys and girls was 122.
The present library section was built in 1910. Fr. T. Crowley, later to be Bishop, was nominally headmaster from 1912 to 1915. In 1912 girls sat in the new St Francis' School. Numerous students from Chittagong left for that city and the enrollment of boys came toonly 72, with 34 in the hostel. Mr. Andrew Gomes Doctor, a small boy from 1908 to 1911, recalls that the Headmaster's Office was located in the dining room. The room in the southeast corner was theHeadmaster's Office. In 1914 the present Darjeeling Building was built. At that time the Scout Troop was started and it had 40 scouts. Late in 1915 Father Crowley resigned as Headmaster.
The Scouts took part in two events to benefit the Scout Movement. This year Bengali replaced Latin as the second language. In that same year Bro. Eugene was going strong with his Cadets. Father Boulay was Headmaster at the time up to 1918. Actually Bro. Peter, c.s.c. ran the school as Father Boulay was recuperating in Shillong. From 1919 until 1921, Father Blinn was the Headmaster, but Father John Hennessy was the School Secretary who did all the work.
In July 1923, Fr. Hennessy gained permission to change the European Style School to participate in the Board Examinations. On June 2, 1924 the recognition was granted; Father had pointed out that most brilliant Bengali boys wanted to take the matriculation examination but were not permitted to do so under the rules of European Schools. Father Hennessy had previously founded Bandura Holy Cross High School, and now had the satisfaction of placing St. Gregory's on the path to excellence and stability. In 1922, Bro. Bertin performed the duties of Headmaster.
Father Finney acted as Headmaster during Bro. Anthony's sabbatical in 1925. The first Matric exams of the Dhaka Board had only one candidate, and he passed in the First Division.
In 1927 a third floor was added for the Brothers. In 1926 theschool sent three boys to the Dhaka Board Exams, all passingwith distinction. In 1927, of the six candidates, 3 passed in theSecond Division, two in the 3rd, and 1 failed. In 1928 resultswere better: of five, 1 passed in the First Division and 4 in the2nd.
In March, 1929 Brother Walter came from Bandura to becomeHeadmaster at St. Gregory's. This charismatic man remainedas Headmaster until January, 1938.
The amazing development during his time set a congenialteacher-student harmony. The first "Gregorian" came out in1933. The present “hostel building” was built in 1931. In 1936Bro. Walter went home where he passed away. In 1938, Bro.John Heim, a dynamic and friendly Headmaster, died in Shilongfrom Blackwater Fever. Bro. Bernardine then became Headmaster in 1939.
From 1940 to 1950, a third eminent educationist became Headmaster. Bro. Jude during difficult times gained the highest reputation for the school by his infinite patience and devotion to duty. Our boys took from first to tenth places time and time again. He ensured 90% and above average on all exams. Like the days of Bro. Walter every year saw an addition to the sports begun by Fr. Hennessy. The Scouts and the St. John's Corps brought many laurels.
The years 1947 and onward were not so happy years. In an emergency, St. Greg's opened its doors to offer space to Collegiate School. Then Notre Dame College began here as St. Gregory's College. To offer opportunity to students pouring into the country whose mother tongue was not Bengali it was decided to introduce the English Medium section.
Under Brother James, from 1950 to 1955, St. Gregory's experienced its Golden Era. Education authorities urged to increase enrollment and this encouraged many enterprising boys to add glory to their Alma Mater.
Mr. Nicholas Rozario, returned with his Cubs winning the First Prize in Chittagong. In 1954 six rooms were added on the roof to house the Brothers. On July 17th, our team won the City Football Championship.
In 1955 the school enjoyed peace and progress. How blessed theschool has been with teachers of the highest calibre : Bros.Martinian, Thomas More, Fulgence, John, Peter Nolasco; Mr. B. C.Choudhury, Mr. P. C. Sarker, Mr. Peter Costa, Mr. Nalini Sarkerand Mr. Ganguly. In the years of Bro. James' administration, wehad an excellent administrator and a literary genius as well. Hehas published several books, most notably an entirely new andpleasant formal of Tagore's "Geetanjali".
Bro. Martinian was Headmaster in 1956. Bros. Peter Nolasco, Eligius, Beville and Donald Allen were with him. For the first time, the school became a matriculation examination center.
From 1957 to 1962, Bro. Fulgence was our Headmaster. The enrolment went up to 894. Our cricket team took the School City Championship. On June 21st, 1958, our Bengali Medium boys presented a programme on Tagore's works. The Matric gave us 1st, 7th, 18th, 19th and 27th places. Brother Donald Becker put on the Gregorian Science Fair for the first time. Bro. Paul Malich helped out the science teachers in encouraging our boys. In 1960, AhmedShafee secured the First Place in Matric. Our Scouts went with Mr. Nicholas Rozario and Bro. Paul to the 1961 Rally in Lahore. Mahbub Hussain Khan of St. Gregory's took First Place in the Matric Exam.
In mid-August, 1962, Bro. Thomas More became Headmaster, after being with us for so many years. St. Gregory's took 1st, 2nd, 3rd and 4th places in the Junior Group of the E. Pak Science Fair. On August 14, our Scouts and Cubs hosted a rally at the school with 2500 city scouts. National Awards were presented to Bro. Bertin, our former Headmaster, and to Mr. Nicholas Rozario.
The year 1964 brought us the "Gregorian", and a flurry of farewell parties. Bro. Paul and Bro. Donald Becker were leaving. How can we forget those wise Prefects of discipline?
March 4, 1965 had our boys winning the Provincial Basketball Championship. In 1966, February 2nd to be exact, our first "Spotlight" came out. Again we took the Basketball Championship. And, on Matric, we secured the 5th and 9th places. Bro. Donald was back with us, and the Science Fair was fantastic. He was also the driving force behind the wins we have in basketball.
The S. S. C. for 1967 gave us the 1st and 8th places. Tagore's "Dak Ghore" was staged in mid-August. Our boys took all the prizes in theEnglish Handwriting Competition of the British Council. Raqibul Hasan became Intermediate Champ in the City Sports. In the Pak ScienceFair, our boys won the majority of awards. Abid Hasan, S. S. C., received a gold medal in the All-Pak Science Fair, and the title, “JuniorScientist". Our Scouts and Cubs won four Firsts and one Second prize in the Comilla Rally. St. Greg's won the Basketball Championship again.
On June 15th our boys gave a sad farewell to 'Bro. Thomas. Bro. Robert became Headmaster. Then started the civic disturbances. On a hartal day, after an operation and still recuperating, our good ol' Bro. Hobart had to walk all the way to the airport. On Feb. 27 Brother Gerald went to Mohammadpur St. Joseph's, and Bro. John took his place. On Matric we secured the 2nd and 11th places in Humanities. In August of 1969 Mr. Hardiment staged Shakespeare's “Macbeth". Dacca T V gave broad coverage to our Science Fair; also to aspecial programme by our Scouts. Then Mr. Hardiment's production “Macbeth" was filmed in the studio. On S. S. C. we took the 17th place in Science, and the 19th in General Merit.
We also secured a splendid trophy case, the former shrine of St, Philomena in the church. Just to go back for some touching details over the years. The story is told that one guardian wanted the best and so persuaded Bro. Walter to admit his girl into the primary. Each day, and as far as Class Seven, the girl came dressed as a boy. No other student even doubted her, “We never suspected that Shankar was a girl". Not long after she had left, some boys were caught pelting stones at the St. Francis' girls. Bro. Walter brought in one of the girlsfrom next door to point out the boys. A brighter boy remarked, “She looks like our friend Shankar".Shankar!" Brother Walter explained the whole thing to the boys about Shankari. Believe it or not !
Bro. Hobart came to this country in 1948 and joined our school in 1961. Once a boy was chatting with Brother. He asked what Brother's final wish was; the answer is touching, "I am just the 'mali' working in a garden; the plants I raise and nourish are my kids; unworthy though they are, they are my flowers to bloom in the future.” “What could I wish more than to die as a gardener?"
Our senior-most and most dedicated teacher was Mr. Nalini K. Sarker. He joined the school in 1936 when Bro. Walter encouraged him to become a teacher.
The year 1971 is momentous for us all, for in that year we gained our independence. At the beginning, the school acted as a shelter, but on Mar. 31st, Pakistani soldiers -- without reason or mercy --hauled some of them into trucks. Mr. N. C. Sutradhar, Paul Palma, andMr. D. N. Paul Chowdhury and his two sons Subal and Utpal were among the innocent victims. Bro. Hobart and Bro. Robert tried in vain to reach them in Jagannath College hall, where the hepless people were shot that very night. Another of our retired teachers, Mr.Peter D'Costa, was also shot in the village. The big consolation was that Gregorian Tajuddin Ahmed became the first Prime Minister of Bangladesh.
The year 1972 began under the sovereign rule of Bangladesh. In all the confusion, the new adaptations and rules of the government placed the clock of education back. The standards and successes of St. Gregory's and many other schools fell to low levels. With the dropping of English Medium, and the unrealistic rules of curtailing students' fees, it is little wonder that any school could continue to exist. Some of our teachers were murdered; some of our best non-Bengali students were forced to leave. As bad as the year was, however, we did win the National Basketball Championship once more. In 1973 Bro. Hobart was absent, and Mr. ldris had to direct the “Alochhota" and the “Spot-light”. The S. S. C. results werefantastic, St. Gregory's boys snatched the 1st, 2nd,3rd and 15th places. They were Khondoker Nazrul Kader, Saad Khan, Habibur Rahman and Humayun Kabir.
We celebrated our 75th year in 1974. Mr. John Rozario and Mr. B. G. Choudhry also retired this year. Bro. Robert also went on leave, and was accorded a Royal Guard of Honour by our Scouts at the airport. In 1975, our own Arup K. Roy also secured the Second Place in theCommerce Division. In June, with Brother Robert back in 1976, our Interact Club was inaugurated. Today that Club is the best in the sub-continent with many members. Our 1976 S. S. C. results were not up to the mark. They reflected the condition of the country, and only one boy got star marks.
For the opening of school on Jan. 8, 1977, St. Gregory's glistened with a new coat of whitewash. We did lose in basketball to St. Placid's, however. On March 31, 1977 everyone felt gloomy. Bro. Robert bade farewell to become Headmaster at St. Joseph's. He had been Headmaster from June 15, 1968 to March 31, 1977, and "them wasn't a day that he did not have to contend with processions of every variety". He was the nicest person that St. Gregory's could ever have. His generosity and amiability encompassed every person in and around St. Gregory's.
Bro. John Rozario took his place as Headmaster. At the end of the year we felt sad at the retirement of Mr. S. R. Choudhury and Mr. M. M. Ganguly, with a combined total of about 90 years to the school.
The year 1978 found our school emerging from the doldrums. We again became the Basketball Champions. Our students did admirably at the Science Fair here in the school and the National Science Fair. Our S. S. C. results gave Rehmat lqbal and Musa Rahman the 11th and 18th places in Science. The school magazine, now under a committee of teachers, came out in 1980.
In 1981 we again became National Basketball Champions. Our boys also took the First Place in the National Science Fair. February 18th was a red-letter day for us when President Ziaur Rahman visited the school on a flying visit to the old city. On S. S. C., Bazaul Huq wasplaced 13th, and many boys received star marks. Brother John, our Head-Master, resigned to become District Superior of all the Brothers, and Bro. Gerald became our new Headmaster. Brother John was a strict Headmaster, and he had to be too, in order to remedy and remove many drawbacks evident in the school. The school energized once again under the leadership of Br. John Rozario with the reunion of its old boys in 1981. The driving force towards this highly successful reunion was Grn. Dr. F.A. Azim (1956) and other fellow Gregorians like Bishwo Madhob Banik (1956), Yousuf Rahman Babu (1967), Shakil Kasem, Rizwan Khair (1974), Dr. Tanvir A. Khan (1968), Sawkat Osman (1968), Faisal Yousuf, Humayun Q Choudhury (1968), Aslam Khaleel (1978), Ahsan Habib (1979), Kaiser Huq (1979), Ehsan Khaleel (1980), Niamat Elahee (1981), etc. This huge successculminated in forming the backbone of the Gregorian Association (TGA) which finally took shape in 1985. This gathering heralded the Hundred Years of St. Gregory's High School. It brought back so many of our students resident in the country (and abroad), and messagesof gratitude from thousands of our boys who are overseas.
For the opening of school in 1982, all minds were focused on the events to come. In February, again the Basketball trophies became ours, for the City. Five of our boys won the Second Prize in the National Science Week. In April all the energy of Brother Gerald and our Gregorians was channeled into committees to prepare for the end of the year celebration. We had no worries at all, so far Brother Gerald cooperated and counseled all of us. Brother Gerald is truly one of the most active persons that St. Gregory's had ever seen and an architect of the modern St. Gregory's that we have today. He is at home in the position of Headmaster, friendly and considerate to one and all. His education policy is based on shared responsibility and respect for persons. He holds competition as the main aspects of his educational policy. He is stern and unyielding when he feels he must be, but in most things he is always eager to know, to understand and to encourage all. It is in his face, in his response, that he wants his students to grow up perfectly in their own individual ways. Onlythen can they tread the path of life as competent, confident, and independent Gregorians. Under his able leadership, the school with the help of its former students, successfully organised the Centenary of the school which was parrticipated by about a thousandGregorians from Bangladesh, Pakistan and India. This success represented the intensive planning and synergetic work effect of the teachers, ex-students and staff with Br. Gerald as the central force. Br. Gerald retired as headmaster in 1991 and passed away while working in Chittagong.
Beyond any doubt that has been the purpose of the school for the past Hundred Years. As Bro. Walter once so aptly wrote, “The Gregorian must be molded to know his place in society, with his fellow man, and above all --his duties to God and Humanity".
Brother Marcel, c.s.c. took over as headmaster in 1991 and continued his duty till 1992. In 1992 the school celebrated its 110 years along with the Gregorian Association Reunion. Brother Marcel became sick, went back to his homeland Canada and died there in 1995. After that Brother Bijoy was headmaster for a short time. Then Brother Robi Purification took over as headmaster. But in 1998 he went to the USA for higher education. During his absence Fr. J. S. Peixotto, (PhD in Physics) came in as acting headmaster who is quite renowned as the 'Principal' of Notre Dame College.
In 1998 the St. Gregory's rocked the world when its one time student Professor Amratya Sen won the Noble Prize in Economics. It drew more attention than ever when Professor Sen visited his childhood seat of learning in December 19, 1998. He dug the first ground ata brief ceremony for the new school building.
On February 2, 1999, Archbishop Michael Rozario laid the foundation of the new six-storey building which is undergoing last moment finishing touces for the 125th celeberation. Again in 1999 SGHS drew global attention when one of its former students Osman Siddique(1967) became the first person to become US ambassador to Fiji and accompanied President Bill Clinton during his state visit to Bangladesh.
In 2000 St. Gregory's entered its 118th year of existence and embraced the new millenium with fervour and festivity with students and alumni and with Fr. Peixotto in charge. Br. Robi came back and took charge as Headmaster & Secretary in 2001. Till this day he is steering St. Gregory's through the new millenium that Br. Gerald dreamed.
About St.Gregory's High School :
Compiled From :
Spotlight
St. Gregory's - A Portrait Of Glory And Tradition
Aslam Khaleel
One of the most enviably rated and historic educational institutions of this subcontinent - the St. Gregory's High School (SGHS) - is one of the very few schools that has served India, Pakistan and Bangladesh for such a long time.
Father Gregory de Groote had founded his tiny seat of learning - the St. Gregory's High School - 125 years ago. How little we know of those first few years! In the “Indo-European Correspondence” of March 21, 1883, an article states that the staff would be increased from two to four. But Father Gregory had many irons in the fire, and could not personally direct the nascent school. Twice started, it collapsed from lack of public interest. The second attempt at revival was taken near the old railway colony.
The Holy Cross Fathers and Brothers returned to Bengal after an absence of six years. Father Francis Boeres, c.s.c. nurtured it to develop into a sustaining institution for the next twenty years. In Jan. 1889 the school reopened on the ground floor of the present St.Francis Girls' School. Four Sisters and Mr. La Touche made up the staff, along with Father Boeres as Principal. The Inspector of European Schools granted recognition in April, 1889. In 1890 a Volunteer Cadet Corp was formed. In 1892 the roll held 26 boys and 19 girls. In 1896, Bishop Hurth, Father Boeres and twenty boarding boys moved into five new rooms, which are now the teachers' room, the foyer part of the hall, and two rooms opposite the front rooms. In 1897 these rooms were extended to the south. A second floor was added.The enrollment of boys and girls increased to 85.
In 1898 quarters for the girls were enlarged on the other side of the church. Along with Eurasians, there were six Bengali boys and two Bengali girls. Two boys and a girl appeared in the University Entrance Exams. Additional land for south and southeast of the school building was purchased in 1906. The ground was leveled and a wall was constructed. By then there were 58 boarding boys. The total number of boys and girls was 122.
The present library section was built in 1910. Fr. T. Crowley, later to be Bishop, was nominally headmaster from 1912 to 1915. In 1912 girls sat in the new St Francis' School. Numerous students from Chittagong left for that city and the enrollment of boys came toonly 72, with 34 in the hostel. Mr. Andrew Gomes Doctor, a small boy from 1908 to 1911, recalls that the Headmaster's Office was located in the dining room. The room in the southeast corner was theHeadmaster's Office. In 1914 the present Darjeeling Building was built. At that time the Scout Troop was started and it had 40 scouts. Late in 1915 Father Crowley resigned as Headmaster.
The Scouts took part in two events to benefit the Scout Movement. This year Bengali replaced Latin as the second language. In that same year Bro. Eugene was going strong with his Cadets. Father Boulay was Headmaster at the time up to 1918. Actually Bro. Peter, c.s.c. ran the school as Father Boulay was recuperating in Shillong. From 1919 until 1921, Father Blinn was the Headmaster, but Father John Hennessy was the School Secretary who did all the work.
In July 1923, Fr. Hennessy gained permission to change the European Style School to participate in the Board Examinations. On June 2, 1924 the recognition was granted; Father had pointed out that most brilliant Bengali boys wanted to take the matriculation examination but were not permitted to do so under the rules of European Schools. Father Hennessy had previously founded Bandura Holy Cross High School, and now had the satisfaction of placing St. Gregory's on the path to excellence and stability. In 1922, Bro. Bertin performed the duties of Headmaster.
Father Finney acted as Headmaster during Bro. Anthony's sabbatical in 1925. The first Matric exams of the Dhaka Board had only one candidate, and he passed in the First Division.
In 1927 a third floor was added for the Brothers. In 1926 theschool sent three boys to the Dhaka Board Exams, all passingwith distinction. In 1927, of the six candidates, 3 passed in theSecond Division, two in the 3rd, and 1 failed. In 1928 resultswere better: of five, 1 passed in the First Division and 4 in the2nd.
In March, 1929 Brother Walter came from Bandura to becomeHeadmaster at St. Gregory's. This charismatic man remainedas Headmaster until January, 1938.
The amazing development during his time set a congenialteacher-student harmony. The first "Gregorian" came out in1933. The present “hostel building” was built in 1931. In 1936Bro. Walter went home where he passed away. In 1938, Bro.John Heim, a dynamic and friendly Headmaster, died in Shilongfrom Blackwater Fever. Bro. Bernardine then became Headmaster in 1939.
From 1940 to 1950, a third eminent educationist became Headmaster. Bro. Jude during difficult times gained the highest reputation for the school by his infinite patience and devotion to duty. Our boys took from first to tenth places time and time again. He ensured 90% and above average on all exams. Like the days of Bro. Walter every year saw an addition to the sports begun by Fr. Hennessy. The Scouts and the St. John's Corps brought many laurels.
The years 1947 and onward were not so happy years. In an emergency, St. Greg's opened its doors to offer space to Collegiate School. Then Notre Dame College began here as St. Gregory's College. To offer opportunity to students pouring into the country whose mother tongue was not Bengali it was decided to introduce the English Medium section.
Under Brother James, from 1950 to 1955, St. Gregory's experienced its Golden Era. Education authorities urged to increase enrollment and this encouraged many enterprising boys to add glory to their Alma Mater.
Mr. Nicholas Rozario, returned with his Cubs winning the First Prize in Chittagong. In 1954 six rooms were added on the roof to house the Brothers. On July 17th, our team won the City Football Championship.
In 1955 the school enjoyed peace and progress. How blessed theschool has been with teachers of the highest calibre : Bros.Martinian, Thomas More, Fulgence, John, Peter Nolasco; Mr. B. C.Choudhury, Mr. P. C. Sarker, Mr. Peter Costa, Mr. Nalini Sarkerand Mr. Ganguly. In the years of Bro. James' administration, wehad an excellent administrator and a literary genius as well. Hehas published several books, most notably an entirely new andpleasant formal of Tagore's "Geetanjali".
Bro. Martinian was Headmaster in 1956. Bros. Peter Nolasco, Eligius, Beville and Donald Allen were with him. For the first time, the school became a matriculation examination center.
From 1957 to 1962, Bro. Fulgence was our Headmaster. The enrolment went up to 894. Our cricket team took the School City Championship. On June 21st, 1958, our Bengali Medium boys presented a programme on Tagore's works. The Matric gave us 1st, 7th, 18th, 19th and 27th places. Brother Donald Becker put on the Gregorian Science Fair for the first time. Bro. Paul Malich helped out the science teachers in encouraging our boys. In 1960, AhmedShafee secured the First Place in Matric. Our Scouts went with Mr. Nicholas Rozario and Bro. Paul to the 1961 Rally in Lahore. Mahbub Hussain Khan of St. Gregory's took First Place in the Matric Exam.
In mid-August, 1962, Bro. Thomas More became Headmaster, after being with us for so many years. St. Gregory's took 1st, 2nd, 3rd and 4th places in the Junior Group of the E. Pak Science Fair. On August 14, our Scouts and Cubs hosted a rally at the school with 2500 city scouts. National Awards were presented to Bro. Bertin, our former Headmaster, and to Mr. Nicholas Rozario.
The year 1964 brought us the "Gregorian", and a flurry of farewell parties. Bro. Paul and Bro. Donald Becker were leaving. How can we forget those wise Prefects of discipline?
March 4, 1965 had our boys winning the Provincial Basketball Championship. In 1966, February 2nd to be exact, our first "Spotlight" came out. Again we took the Basketball Championship. And, on Matric, we secured the 5th and 9th places. Bro. Donald was back with us, and the Science Fair was fantastic. He was also the driving force behind the wins we have in basketball.
The S. S. C. for 1967 gave us the 1st and 8th places. Tagore's "Dak Ghore" was staged in mid-August. Our boys took all the prizes in theEnglish Handwriting Competition of the British Council. Raqibul Hasan became Intermediate Champ in the City Sports. In the Pak ScienceFair, our boys won the majority of awards. Abid Hasan, S. S. C., received a gold medal in the All-Pak Science Fair, and the title, “JuniorScientist". Our Scouts and Cubs won four Firsts and one Second prize in the Comilla Rally. St. Greg's won the Basketball Championship again.
On June 15th our boys gave a sad farewell to 'Bro. Thomas. Bro. Robert became Headmaster. Then started the civic disturbances. On a hartal day, after an operation and still recuperating, our good ol' Bro. Hobart had to walk all the way to the airport. On Feb. 27 Brother Gerald went to Mohammadpur St. Joseph's, and Bro. John took his place. On Matric we secured the 2nd and 11th places in Humanities. In August of 1969 Mr. Hardiment staged Shakespeare's “Macbeth". Dacca T V gave broad coverage to our Science Fair; also to aspecial programme by our Scouts. Then Mr. Hardiment's production “Macbeth" was filmed in the studio. On S. S. C. we took the 17th place in Science, and the 19th in General Merit.
We also secured a splendid trophy case, the former shrine of St, Philomena in the church. Just to go back for some touching details over the years. The story is told that one guardian wanted the best and so persuaded Bro. Walter to admit his girl into the primary. Each day, and as far as Class Seven, the girl came dressed as a boy. No other student even doubted her, “We never suspected that Shankar was a girl". Not long after she had left, some boys were caught pelting stones at the St. Francis' girls. Bro. Walter brought in one of the girlsfrom next door to point out the boys. A brighter boy remarked, “She looks like our friend Shankar".Shankar!" Brother Walter explained the whole thing to the boys about Shankari. Believe it or not !
Bro. Hobart came to this country in 1948 and joined our school in 1961. Once a boy was chatting with Brother. He asked what Brother's final wish was; the answer is touching, "I am just the 'mali' working in a garden; the plants I raise and nourish are my kids; unworthy though they are, they are my flowers to bloom in the future.” “What could I wish more than to die as a gardener?"
Our senior-most and most dedicated teacher was Mr. Nalini K. Sarker. He joined the school in 1936 when Bro. Walter encouraged him to become a teacher.
The year 1971 is momentous for us all, for in that year we gained our independence. At the beginning, the school acted as a shelter, but on Mar. 31st, Pakistani soldiers -- without reason or mercy --hauled some of them into trucks. Mr. N. C. Sutradhar, Paul Palma, andMr. D. N. Paul Chowdhury and his two sons Subal and Utpal were among the innocent victims. Bro. Hobart and Bro. Robert tried in vain to reach them in Jagannath College hall, where the hepless people were shot that very night. Another of our retired teachers, Mr.Peter D'Costa, was also shot in the village. The big consolation was that Gregorian Tajuddin Ahmed became the first Prime Minister of Bangladesh.
The year 1972 began under the sovereign rule of Bangladesh. In all the confusion, the new adaptations and rules of the government placed the clock of education back. The standards and successes of St. Gregory's and many other schools fell to low levels. With the dropping of English Medium, and the unrealistic rules of curtailing students' fees, it is little wonder that any school could continue to exist. Some of our teachers were murdered; some of our best non-Bengali students were forced to leave. As bad as the year was, however, we did win the National Basketball Championship once more. In 1973 Bro. Hobart was absent, and Mr. ldris had to direct the “Alochhota" and the “Spot-light”. The S. S. C. results werefantastic, St. Gregory's boys snatched the 1st, 2nd,3rd and 15th places. They were Khondoker Nazrul Kader, Saad Khan, Habibur Rahman and Humayun Kabir.
We celebrated our 75th year in 1974. Mr. John Rozario and Mr. B. G. Choudhry also retired this year. Bro. Robert also went on leave, and was accorded a Royal Guard of Honour by our Scouts at the airport. In 1975, our own Arup K. Roy also secured the Second Place in theCommerce Division. In June, with Brother Robert back in 1976, our Interact Club was inaugurated. Today that Club is the best in the sub-continent with many members. Our 1976 S. S. C. results were not up to the mark. They reflected the condition of the country, and only one boy got star marks.
For the opening of school on Jan. 8, 1977, St. Gregory's glistened with a new coat of whitewash. We did lose in basketball to St. Placid's, however. On March 31, 1977 everyone felt gloomy. Bro. Robert bade farewell to become Headmaster at St. Joseph's. He had been Headmaster from June 15, 1968 to March 31, 1977, and "them wasn't a day that he did not have to contend with processions of every variety". He was the nicest person that St. Gregory's could ever have. His generosity and amiability encompassed every person in and around St. Gregory's.
Bro. John Rozario took his place as Headmaster. At the end of the year we felt sad at the retirement of Mr. S. R. Choudhury and Mr. M. M. Ganguly, with a combined total of about 90 years to the school.
The year 1978 found our school emerging from the doldrums. We again became the Basketball Champions. Our students did admirably at the Science Fair here in the school and the National Science Fair. Our S. S. C. results gave Rehmat lqbal and Musa Rahman the 11th and 18th places in Science. The school magazine, now under a committee of teachers, came out in 1980.
In 1981 we again became National Basketball Champions. Our boys also took the First Place in the National Science Fair. February 18th was a red-letter day for us when President Ziaur Rahman visited the school on a flying visit to the old city. On S. S. C., Bazaul Huq wasplaced 13th, and many boys received star marks. Brother John, our Head-Master, resigned to become District Superior of all the Brothers, and Bro. Gerald became our new Headmaster. Brother John was a strict Headmaster, and he had to be too, in order to remedy and remove many drawbacks evident in the school. The school energized once again under the leadership of Br. John Rozario with the reunion of its old boys in 1981. The driving force towards this highly successful reunion was Grn. Dr. F.A. Azim (1956) and other fellow Gregorians like Bishwo Madhob Banik (1956), Yousuf Rahman Babu (1967), Shakil Kasem, Rizwan Khair (1974), Dr. Tanvir A. Khan (1968), Sawkat Osman (1968), Faisal Yousuf, Humayun Q Choudhury (1968), Aslam Khaleel (1978), Ahsan Habib (1979), Kaiser Huq (1979), Ehsan Khaleel (1980), Niamat Elahee (1981), etc. This huge successculminated in forming the backbone of the Gregorian Association (TGA) which finally took shape in 1985. This gathering heralded the Hundred Years of St. Gregory's High School. It brought back so many of our students resident in the country (and abroad), and messagesof gratitude from thousands of our boys who are overseas.
For the opening of school in 1982, all minds were focused on the events to come. In February, again the Basketball trophies became ours, for the City. Five of our boys won the Second Prize in the National Science Week. In April all the energy of Brother Gerald and our Gregorians was channeled into committees to prepare for the end of the year celebration. We had no worries at all, so far Brother Gerald cooperated and counseled all of us. Brother Gerald is truly one of the most active persons that St. Gregory's had ever seen and an architect of the modern St. Gregory's that we have today. He is at home in the position of Headmaster, friendly and considerate to one and all. His education policy is based on shared responsibility and respect for persons. He holds competition as the main aspects of his educational policy. He is stern and unyielding when he feels he must be, but in most things he is always eager to know, to understand and to encourage all. It is in his face, in his response, that he wants his students to grow up perfectly in their own individual ways. Onlythen can they tread the path of life as competent, confident, and independent Gregorians. Under his able leadership, the school with the help of its former students, successfully organised the Centenary of the school which was parrticipated by about a thousandGregorians from Bangladesh, Pakistan and India. This success represented the intensive planning and synergetic work effect of the teachers, ex-students and staff with Br. Gerald as the central force. Br. Gerald retired as headmaster in 1991 and passed away while working in Chittagong.
Beyond any doubt that has been the purpose of the school for the past Hundred Years. As Bro. Walter once so aptly wrote, “The Gregorian must be molded to know his place in society, with his fellow man, and above all --his duties to God and Humanity".
Brother Marcel, c.s.c. took over as headmaster in 1991 and continued his duty till 1992. In 1992 the school celebrated its 110 years along with the Gregorian Association Reunion. Brother Marcel became sick, went back to his homeland Canada and died there in 1995. After that Brother Bijoy was headmaster for a short time. Then Brother Robi Purification took over as headmaster. But in 1998 he went to the USA for higher education. During his absence Fr. J. S. Peixotto, (PhD in Physics) came in as acting headmaster who is quite renowned as the 'Principal' of Notre Dame College.
In 1998 the St. Gregory's rocked the world when its one time student Professor Amratya Sen won the Noble Prize in Economics. It drew more attention than ever when Professor Sen visited his childhood seat of learning in December 19, 1998. He dug the first ground ata brief ceremony for the new school building.
On February 2, 1999, Archbishop Michael Rozario laid the foundation of the new six-storey building which is undergoing last moment finishing touces for the 125th celeberation. Again in 1999 SGHS drew global attention when one of its former students Osman Siddique(1967) became the first person to become US ambassador to Fiji and accompanied President Bill Clinton during his state visit to Bangladesh.
In 2000 St. Gregory's entered its 118th year of existence and embraced the new millenium with fervour and festivity with students and alumni and with Fr. Peixotto in charge. Br. Robi came back and took charge as Headmaster & Secretary in 2001. Till this day he is steering St. Gregory's through the new millenium that Br. Gerald dreamed.
A Tribute To "My Father"
"Father"- a word which is spontaneously rendered to my heart with every single breath of mine. Many people say that the person who is one of the most important persons of my life is now in a new world where there lies eternal peace though I do believe he lied, lies and will lie in my heart and in my world for an everlasting peroid. This honourable person and that word are blended to each other and so I know this honourable person as my father who is really a great personality whose moral and ideal has ascended him to such a place where only great men can be stabled.
What can I write about such a great man? It will never be finished the utterance of those very unfading moments. Simply speaking I must admit every father loves his children and also do his best for their welfare. So, what the difference? I don't know actually. But like every child my father is the best of all to me.
What can I write about such a great man? It will never be finished the utterance of those very unfading moments. Simply speaking I must admit every father loves his children and also do his best for their welfare. So, what the difference? I don't know actually. But like every child my father is the best of all to me.
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