Maryknoll Higher Primary School, Barkur, was founded by Fr Marian F. C. Castelino in 1940, seven years prior to our Independence, with a view to provide education to the people of Barkur and the neighbourhood. The school completes 75 years during the current year. It is time to celebrate the Platinum Jubilee of the school. It has been decided to celebrate the Jubilee on Friday, December 18, 2015.
60 Old Students of the school got together on Sunday, August 23, 2015, in the School Hall in order to revive the nostalgic memories of their childhood in the school which gave them their great future. The past and present teachers were present for the interaction along with the Correspondent, Fr Valerian Mendonca. The programme commenced at 4.15 p.m. with a Prayer Song by the present students of the school.
Fr Valerian welcomed the gathering. Sr Margarita, the Headmistress, presented a report of the origin and growth of the school. Elaborating on the purpose of the get-together, the Correspondent sought the suggestions of the august assembly regarding the celebrations. The suggestion of forming an ‘Ad Hoc Committee’ of the Senior Students for the Platinum Jubilee Celebrations was accepted unanimously. It was also suggested that the formation of the formal Old Students’ Association be considered by the Committee at an appropriate time.
The Correspondent presented the immediate felt needs of the school and suggested that they be implemented in memory of the Platinum Jubilee of the school:
Painting of the school building
Repair of the roof of the school
Renovation of the Computer Centre of the school
Celebration of the Platinum Jubilee
Bringing out a Souvenir of the Jubilee
Formation of a School Benefit Fund.
Further, the representatives from the ‘Old Students Committee’ have been nominated for the ‘Platinum Jubilee Celebrations Committee’. The members are, Ashok C Poojary, Augustine Arunraj Dias, John Almeida, Cynthia Dias, Metilda Joyce Serqueira, Suresh Acharya, Ophilia Lobo, Kishore Gonsalves, Gowri Poojary, Patrick D’silva, Anup Hedge, Anthony Parkash D’souza, Fr Henry D’souza, Akshay Kalkur, Ivan Rebello, Sanketh Shetty.
The region wise representatives have also been nominated to bring together the old students of the school spread all over the world. Following are the nominated members,
John Almeida - Mangalore
Ivan Rebello - Mumbai
Kishore Gonsalves - Overseas
Anthony Prakash - Bangalore
The Souvenir Committee was also among the discussions and names were suggested as the representatives. The suggested names are Eric Soans Barkur and Ivan Rebello.
The revered Chooda Master and Vanaja Teacher spoke enthusiastically, on behalf of the past teachers, hoping that the rare Jubilee would be celebrated with befitting grandeur, and an amount of not less than Rs 50 lakh collected for the purpose. Mr Ivan Rebello and Fr Henry D’Souza expressed the sentiments of whole-hearted cooperation by the Old Students to fulfill the Jubilee Projects.
The Correspondent proposed an Appeal for the purpose to be presented to the Old Students and Well-Wishers of the school, which was approved unanimously.
Teacher Rosy Lewis compered the programme and Teacher Alice D’Souza proposed the Vote of Thanks.