S. F. S. Through the Ages 

(The Story)

The 19th Century.

Nagpur- India

In 1821 a British Garrison was established in Kamptee and Nagpur had a status of only being a substation. Lord Wellesley had adopted a policy of annexing the Kingdoms of native princes. The Princely States of Satara, Nagpur, Jhansi and Udaipur were liquidated on the grounds that there was no legitimate heir to the throne.

The Bhosles, the rulers of Nagpur lost their Kingdom to the British in 1853. The result was, that the relative importance of Nagpur started increasing.

Annecy Savoy-France

The Congregation of the Missionaries of St. Francis de Sales- M.S.F.S. was a community at Annecy in France. It was established on October 24th 1838 as a Diocesan Congregation. They offered their services to take charge of mission territory. Thus, at La Feuillette, the Mother House of the M.S.F.S. four priests were chosen to go to India in the care of the vicarage of Visakhapatnam.

INDIA-Visakhapatnam

The priests reached Visakhapatnam on 19th Feb. 1846. Among them were Fr. Lavorel and Fr. Thevenet. Later, for mission work they were sent at Kamptee and Aurangabad respectively. Fr. Lavorel reached Kamptee on 19th Aug. 1846.

Kamptee

In July 1849 the Bishop of Visakhapatnam arrived in Kamptee. He was welcomed by Fr. Lavorel and the other Fathers of M.S.F.S. had joined him later at Kamptee. After consulting Fr. Lavorel and the other priests, the Bishop was convinced of the need of opening a school. The British Government had just enacted a Law making schooling compulsory to all children of European Soldiers.

A School for boys was set up, with Fr. Larvie as Manager, Bro. Charles Gaillard as Head Master and a Seminarian as an assistant teacher. There, later on, on the same spot St. Joseph's school for boys was erected. This was the simple beginning of S. F. S. at Kamptee under the patronage of St. Joseph in the year 1852.

On Wednesday, 4th March 1867 Fr. Mabboux opened a school in a small low-roofed room and placed it under the patronage of St. Francis de Sales. This room was attached to a chapel (Presently where the old priests live beside the park) Br. Alick Rigley became the first Head Master and the first boy enrolled in the register was Nicholas Appao. The first day closed with four boys on the register.

The School developed to five standards very quickly and the need for more room was felt. A big plot was acquired adjoining the mission compound. Fr. John Thevenet was called from Aurangabad to build a school on this plot. He came to Nagpur and work started on the foundation on 18th Nov. 1868. The building was almost completed within a period of one year i.e. till Dec. 1869

St. Francis de Sales-School Nagpur

Fr. Mabboux moved in the new building with 50 European boarders and orphans from Kamptee. This event took place on 21st Jan 1870, which also marks the date on which the school became fully independent from Kamptee. It is the memory of this event which is celebrated this year.(21st Jan. 1870 to 21st Jan.1995) as the completion of 125 years of the school at Nagpur.

The Early days:

Urdu was taught as a second language but it appears that it was given up about 1872. Latin was introduced at about the same time. This however helped Fr. Mabboux to raise the Govt. Grant by Rs. 100/- (quite a sum in those times) By 1874 the school developed as to have eight classes and for the first time three boys passed the eighth class entrance exam.

Under Fr. Pelvat the school acquired great reputation. It was raised to a full-fledged High School with the addition of the first year of First Art (F.A.) course. The School became affiliated to the University of Calcutta. Five students passed the matriculation. Quite a remarkable achievement in those days! This increased the number of students so rapidly that additional accommodations became urgent. The Second floor was built in 1884 which was used as the dormitory (The present V Classrooms)

With the arrival of Fr. Bonaventure, the number of boys who passed the middle school examination was more than double of that of the previous year. But unfortunately frequent transfers of staff and lack of qualified teachers affected the progress of the school and the matric results were poor.

The Dawn of the 20th Century:

At the time when Fr. Coppel became Principal S. F. S. Had a full-fledged Junior College-Known as First Art then. It was a 2-year course after the matric, after which a boy could prepare for B.A. in one of the Colleges. With the intention to improve the matriculation result Fr. Coppel himself started teaching the 18 students of the Matric class. He taught them all the subjects six to seven hours a day. When the results came, out of 16 boys who appeared all passed and one of the students stood 1st in the honour list. (The merit list)

Fr. Coppel used to take his students for long walks setting them the example of physical endurance in walking and cycling, thus laying seeds of all-round development of the student. The gymnasium was started, a printing press was opened, and scientific apparatus was bought for the labs and brass instruments for the school band. In 1905, a music class was opened teaching Piano, Violin, flute, mandolin, harmonium, banjo-3 hours a week for a fee of RS 7/- per month

In 1906, the St. Joseph's sisters took charge of the S. F. S. School kitchen and they also opened a Sick room for boys of the school. (This room was upstairs where now the old priests live besides the park) Later, on 6th Jan 1945, the magi came to S. F. S. school in the shape of four Holy Cross sisters. They replaced the St. Joseph's sisters who had given 40 years of devoted service to the school.

“All round development” becomes the Motto

During the times when the Salesian Magazine was founded, a library was opened in the school with new tables and excellent stock of reading books. In the science room (Presently where the K.G.Il.C and IA Classes are) experimental work became, a regular part of curriculum. Out door life was encouraged. The hockey team became one of the best in Nagpur and carried away several times the much-coveted "Coronation Shied".

The annual sports were events known all over Nagpur and large crowds turned up to witness them. The school was at its best when the 1st world war broke out and in 1915 removed Fr. Dufresne who was Principal, from the scene of his labours.

All French religious working in the school were recalled by their country for the war effort. More lay teachers (Non-priest teachers) had to be employed and the expenses of the school were thus greatly increased. Still with courage and determination the school progressed. The "old study Hall" (above the tacca rooms) was inaugurated furnished with new benches and fitted with electric lights.

In 1919 the Fathers returned from the war. The years that followed the war were years of financial stringency for the whole mission and for the school as well. Fr. Dufresne found it very difficult providing for all his students many of who were orphans or came from poor families.

A teacher’s room, or staff room was opened where the principal used to meet his teachers every day. In 1920 an Amphitheatre for the science room was built-This was in class KGII-C that is presently at the corner near the grotto)

In 1932 S. F. S. Had 400 students- in those days the school had classes up to the 9th standard-The K.G. had two K.G.l. and K.G.ll.

The 7th class exam was the Junior Cambridge and the 9th class exam was the senior Cambridge.

In 1937 Fr. Deage took the Chair of the Principal. Under his direction, the school kept up and improved its excellence in studies, discipline and sports ranking it as one of the best school in Nagpur. The school band was in top form; in fact a new dress was introduced. The band boys looked smart with their new blue peaked caps, blue tunics and blue slacks. The school band was called upon to play for important functions in the town.

The study of Hindi was now encouraged with the students appearing for Prarhambic and Pravesh examinations. Co-curricular activities were encouraged. The Doongaji memorial Inter School Elocution was started. The Ivan Cooke essay competition was started and also the House System. Bishop Eugene inter-school Hindi Elocution too was started.

On 1st June 1951 S. F. S. School was handed over to the diocesan clergy and the M.S.F.S. left the school after 84 years of service.

The New Challenges

Fr. Francis D' Souza became the First Principal of S. F. S. after the school was handed over to the diocesan clergy.

The school faced a huge rush for admissions. Every one knew, that it was time to do some thing to increase its capacity. The school geared up to face the challenge. The west end extension was built by Fr. D.Souza. to house the priests, and the whole of the 1st floor was opened, to accommodate classes for students. The number in the primary division of the school was increased and separate arrangements had to be made. The Children's Park was constructed by Fr. Desa, for them. With all this happening no stones were left unturned in the effort of keeping the high standards of the school.

With the House system in full bloom it added colour to the annual sports, which were now required to be held on a large scale. The gymnastic displays were added to it. The various formations, the Board jumps, the jumps through the rings of fire were events watched with awe and admiration.

The introduction of the Higher Secondary Examination of the Board saw the gradual closure of the Cambridge section. The Constantly increasing numbers, called for more spacious laboratories with better equipment. In fact the need was felt for three full-fledged labs for Physics, Chemistry and Biology.

As the saying goes- “when the going gets tough the tough get going" S. F. S. stood up to the challenges. During the tenure of Fr. Matthew Fernandes, the East wing was expanded on a large scale. The school could now boast of a large well-equipped Auditorium with a seating Capacity of 1000.

The year 1970 saw the completion of 100 years of the school. However because of the Bangladesh war it was celebrated in 1971.

The last 25 years too saw S. F. S. facing up to the problem of expansion of its facilities.

1. The Boarding was closed down and the dormitories converted into classrooms.

2. The garden in front made place for a cycle shed.

3. A Junior College was opened because the school adopted the S.S.C. Board Exam. Pattern and was attached to the school.

4. The seating arrangement on the grounds was increased by converting it into a stadium.

These are one and all examples of how the School has kept on facing the challenges of the new times. Thus the tradition of keeping alive the past and the courage to adapt and change with the times has seen the school through 125 years. The Spirit lingers with a promise of another long innings.