History St. Joseph High School (Guyana)

1 history

1.1 years
1.2 old girls association
1.3 board of governors
1.4 relocation
1.5 cirriculum updates
1.6 co-ed

history
early years

“the sisters shall feel convinced no work of charity can more productive of society or more conducive happiness of poor careful instruction of women.”

this conviction led sisters of mercy, community of roman catholic nuns, establish st. joseph’s mercy high school in 1897, 3 years after launched mission in guyana.

the school began secondary education classes given few girls in sisters’ community room @ dettering hall, former dutch residence, located in charlestown ward of georgetown. in 1899, became boarding school, mother columbia, trained dramatist, first principal. served twenty-three years (1897–1920), and, during tenure, school produced dramatic performances.

she succeeded guyanese-born sister gabriel fernandes, engineered expansion of school construction of new two-storied building @ corner of charles , holmes streets in 1925. new building brought space more classrooms , separate drama hall, more performances staged.

to cope rapid growth of school, sisters appealed mercy center in united states help, and, in 1935, sisters mary consolata muldowney, austin , clarita first american sisters join staff @ st. joseph’s. @ same time, boarding facility closed make room increased number of day students.

in 1938, under direction of sister mary elizabeth robinson, commercial business department added. demand specialty grew rapidly annexe built in 1939 accommodate these students. new three-storeyed structure accommodated infant school department, admitted both girls , boys. 1939, st. joseph high school recognized university of london secondary school.

in 1944, celebration sisters celebrated fiftieth anniversary since arrival in guyana, , event made more memorable award of coveted british guiana scholarship st. joseph high school student, elsa gouveia.

as demand more classes grew, more expansion took place @ school. in 1950, art department introduced. these developments, school did not receive financial aid government. 1 of main sources of funding income generated annual “tour around world” fair held around mid-year. @ fair, cultural displays , tastes of various countries, such ireland, england, spain, india , china, presented.

old girls association

another important milestone in school’s history establishment of old girls’ association in 1953. three-fold mission of organization was:

to promote bond of friendship among members , loyalty school
to in progress of alma mater providing scholarships among other things
to provide spiritual , social aspect of members.

among many activities organized association weekend spiritual retreats, garden parties , publication of magazine. funds raised school’s building fund. in 1956, organization granted first award. given school’s best all-round student, , won josephine deabreu, third form student @ time. association presented public address system school, welcomed assembly.

board of governors

after thirty-five years of dedicated service, sister gabriel retired in 1954. succeeded sister mary consolata muldowney. during sr. consolata’s tenure @ helm, board of governors school established; in 1955. first members were: sisters consolata , elizabeth robinson, patricia o’connor, aldora d’ornellos, celestine defreitas , carlos gomes. during same year, home economics classes introduced under direction of sister margaretta phillips, , @ juncture, enrollment had risen 620 students.

relocation

by time, preparatory section relocated building under new name, stella maris. made way further development @ st. joseph high, and, in 1957, science department added, sister mary emerentia bowyer in charge. main subjects taught biology , health education.

towards end of decade, charlestown district rezoned industrial site. meant school had relocated. moved woolford avenue, in thomas’ lands section, starting new era st. joseph high school.

on 25 march 1960, ground breaking new construction took place. followed laying of cornerstone on 2 july 1961 , formal blessing/opening on 4 october.

the new building boasted spacious foyer, airy classrooms, , art room, biology , home economics labs. heading biology department sister celine marie kirsch, arrived in guyana in 1960. construction of new school opened way greater success. in addition science, mathematics, history, foreign languages , english, art, business, needlework , cookery made curriculum. also, through hard work of sister consolata, university boards gave permission oxford , cambridge examinations written @ school.

in effort cater all-round development of girls, school introduced supervised games , other extra-curricular activities, such drama , ballet. sports given boost development of grounds @ eastern end. assistance of joseph , everest vieira, m.j. mahanger , georgetown town council.

sister consolata stepped down in 1964 , returned united states. next 5 years, school led sister mary ellen; after time, sister mary admirabilis, second guyanese-born nun appointed head post took over.

coinciding sisters’ 75th anniversary, in 1969, newly constructed northern wing blessed open. section houses biology, chemistry , physics labs, home economics , technical departments, cafeteria , expansive patio.

cirriculum updates

the decade of seventies ushered in dramatic changes. sister therese marie marques promoted principal in 1971, , within first 2 years in position, curriculum revamped meet requirements of national development. under new system, courses craft, co-operative development, homemaking, school leaving , west indian literature added. in 1973, red cross officials invited form unit in school offered courses in home nursing, maternal , child care services , first aid. in same year, school received confirmation of grade status ministry of education.

new house , merit systems introduced in 1973 provide students incentives conduct , citizenship. following year, diploma system, emphasizing both academic performance , personality assessment, introduced.

co-ed

in 1975, complying government mandate, st. joseph high school officially became co-educational institution. first time, boys admitted lower forms. years before this, school had been admitting boys sixth form program, not many physical alterations had made.

the 70’s , 80’s challenging years school. although sisters had virtually lost freedom direct school’s operation, sister therese co-operated government when resigned in december 1983 ended dynasty of sisters of mercy @ st. joseph high school.

the following year, history created when, first time, male, mr. guru govind, appointed head, though in acting capacity. months later, left reside in united states , succeeded mr. shivraj, served short period.

in 1984, new school year began newly appointed principal mr. arthur brown, has been described disciplinarian , hard worker, has been credited restructuring curriculum sustain high degree of discipline , improved academic standards. credited ensuring cafeteria operated in best interest of students , engaging co-operation of parent teachers association in carrying out projects benefited school.

mr. brown left job in 1988 , succeeded mrs. joan kendall. of highlights of mrs. kendall s eight-year tenure improved exam results, refurbishment of school facilities , establishment of environmental club , class councils. these councils formed foster better relationships among parents, teachers , students. apart ensuring classrooms kept in clean , tidy manner, class councils played meaningful role in helping promote social, academic , moral development of child. mrs. kendall credited restoring observance of st. joseph day on march 19, @ school.

taking on mrs. kendall after retirement in 1996 ms. gloria croft acted in position 1 year , replaced ms. brenda garrett subsequently retired in 2001. since time, mrs. ingrid fung has been headmistress continues lead students live motto started in 1897 - know, love, serve, , hold flag , shield of great st. joseph high school peaks extremely hard reach or compared to.