The History of St. Mary's High School

St. Mary’s School, one of the prominent private schools for girls, was established in 1955 by the Sisters of the Institute of the Blessed Virgin Mary, now known as the Congregation of Jesus which was founded in 1609 at St. Omer by Mary Ward, a daring English Woman, a pioneer in education for women,. Her main aim was education of girls which was unheard of at that time. She began schools in all 5 continents for this purpose. Her spirit has inspired countless women all over the world to dedicate their lives wholeheartedly to the service of humanity by "referring all to God". It is an International Institution specially devoted to the care of youth.

The C.J. Sisters in India and Nepal are part of this worldwide Mary Ward Family. In December, 1853, in response to Bishop Hartman's appeal for missionaries to work in India, sisters from Germany came to Patna.

At the invitation of His Majesty, Late King Tribhuvan, St. Xavier's School was started in Kathmandu for boys in 1951, and St. Mary's for girls in 1955.

The request to begin a school for girls in Kathmandu by Fr. Moran S.J., the Founding Father of Education in Nepal, was responded readily by Sr. Benigna who sent Sisters Winfred, Frances and Marie Therese, to Kathmandu on 26th January, 1955 to begin their work on the soil of Nepal. They established a school for girls moved by their conviction, “IT IS AN HONOUR TO WORK FOR GOD”. Frs. Moran and Niessan, S.J., played an important role in the growth of the school.

Soon preparations were set afoot to get the school ready in a house known as "Thulo Bhawan", owned by a Rana family. On 15th February, 1955, St. Mary's wide opened its portals for 15 students, Sr. Winfred being its first Principal. The first batch of Senior Cambridge Students graduated in 1961.

Due to transportation problems, the need for a hostel was apparent. Some of the students were carried on Dokos to school from distant places such as Dilibazaar, Godavari, etc. By March 15th arrangements were made to accommodate 20 boarders, but the number increased to 45 by the end of the year. Srs. Silveria, Srs. Carissa, and Benedicta joined the community by the end of June.

As the number of students and boarders increased it was necessary to look for a bigger place. The work of completing the future school building was taken up in early 1956 and the sisters and boarders moved into the new premises on 1st July, 1956. It was necessary to extend the school building to provide more dormitories, wash rooms, toilets and dining room. In 1958 new classrooms and dormitories were added The first years were difficult for the Sisters. There were no proper furniture, kerosene oil lamps were to be used; besides, they had no vehicles of their own neither were there any public buses.

The existing Grotto of Mother Mary which was built in 1957, has its own story. The many stones that went into the making of the Grotto were carried stone by stone by the sisters and children. They always made a daily visit to the Grotto especially at the examination time as is seen even today. At one time an interesting conversation was overheard. Two little ones were looking at the number 1957, inscribed on a stone at the Grotto. One asked, “What is this number?” and the other replied, “This is the telephone number”.

Between the years 1960 to 1965, the Mary Ward wing, a three storey building, providing an auditorium, a large dormitory, classrooms and teachers' quarters was constructed. By 1965 the strength of the school had risen to 465 out of which 174 were boarders.

By 1964, the school had 29 teachers and 11 sisters. The majority of the students were Nepalese but Kathmandu being the Capital, there were children of many Foreign Ambassadors and staff of Foreign Aid Agencies. Extra curricular activities were Scouting, Nepali singing, dancing, and P.T.

In 1967, a part of the present playfield in the Primary Section was given to us by His Majesty, King Mahendra, whose daughters Princess Sharda & Princess Shobha were students of St. Mary's. In 1976 a government poultry farm in the same area, where the play field is, was handed over to the school in 1977 and it was restructured to be used as classrooms.

An additional wing was built in 1967 for a Chapel. The sanctuary of the beautiful chapel was designed by Sr. Benedicta. All who visit our Chapel pray and are inspired by the words, " I AM WITH YOU ALWAYS".

A new school building was constructed in 1967-68 with four classrooms and a Science Section. The equipment for the Science section was donated by Misereor, Germany, in 1970. In the same year an extension was added with six classrooms, needlework rooms, library and a staff room. A third extension with six more classrooms was built in 1979 - 1980. This is the main school building along the main road. Mother Rita took charge of the school as principal in 1970.

The Nepal Board of Education introduced the new Plan for Education in 1974, so we had to change over from Senior Cambridge Examination to School Leaving Certificate Examination which meant, changing over from English to Nepali medium. English was taught as a second language and the first batch of SLC students was sent up in 1977. Some students continued to take up Senior Cambridge Examination till 1988 after completing their SLC Examination.

Mother Benigna succeeded Mother Rita in 1979 as Principal and Superior. On Education Day, 24th February, 1980, St. Mary's received the Birendra Vidya Regional Prize and a cash award of Rs. 15000/- for good SLC results. Excellence in academics, co-curricular activities, leadership training and what is more, values like hard work, cleanliness, punctuality, honesty, caring for others became the trade mark of St. Mary’s and its products.

1980 saw the completion of 25 years of St. Mary's presence in Nepal. The beautifully illuminated Office Block and the Hall gave the whole place a festive air. We were blessed with the visit of their late Majesties, King Birendra and Queen Aishwarya at the jubilee celebration. On 24th March, a Thanksgiving Service was conducted in the School Hall. The PT display on 26th was attended by Her Majesty late Queen Aishwarya, her two sisters Princesses Komal and Prekshya and her sisters-in-law Princesses Shanti, Sharda and Shobha. Other celebrations were a Cultural show, Reunion of past pupils.

Mother Teresa, a Nobel Prize Winner visited St. Mary's on 7th Sept 1980 and she addressed the students.

It was time for St. Mary's to reach out to other areas. In 1982, St. Mary's school in Pokhara was started, Srs. Rufina, Scholastica and Asha being the pioneers in this new venture. The School in Pokhara has developed into a big establishment with many facilities for children. An evening school is conducted for the children who are very weak in studies and who have no opportunity of joining a formal school.

On 7th Feb, 1983, Her Majesty the late Queen Aishwarya came to St. Mary’s to admit her daughter, Princess Shruti in Class 2. It was a cause of great joy for His Majesty the late King Birendra to visit St. Mary's on Parents' Day in 1984 for the first time, to see his daughter Princess Shruti, perform on the stage.

In 1985 Sr. Mary took over as Principal of St. Mary's School. Again on Education Day, the same year, the school received the Regional Birendra Shield and a cash prize of Rs. 15,000/- for best SLC results.

On 23rd Jan, 1985 St. Mary's celebrated Mary Ward's 400th Birth Anniversary.

As an expression of gratitude for the spirit of the CJ sisters, inherited from Mary Ward, The Life of Mary Ward was acted out by our students at the end of which the Prime Minister, the Hon'ble Lokendra Bahadur Chand unveiled a painted picture of Mary Ward teaching children. The Sports Council presented a trophy to the school in honour of Mary Ward's Jubilee Year.

Sr. Aloysia's dream of giving basic education to the street children of the locality became a reality when we started a School for them in 1986. Inspired by the venture of the Sisters, the students of class 8 volunteered to teach these marginalized children. Later they were formally registered as part of Mary Ward School. Sr. Frances gave her time and energy for teaching 54 unfortunate ones.

On 5th August, 1986, Srs. Benigna, Carissa, Frances and Thecla received a special decoration from the West German Govt. for their many years of service in the field of education in the Kingdom of Nepal.

As the number of students in Mary Ward School increased, a small house was bought in Jhamsikhel and On 16th July, the sisters took up residence and began classes there. Later in 1988 a school building was constructed as Mary Ward School overflowed with children. It was meant for children from K.G to class 5.

In order to give an opportunity to these children to complete their schooling, we decided to begin another Mary Ward School in Lubhu as an extension of the School, Jhamsikhel. It has already sent out three batches of SLC students. In both these schools Adult Literacy, Tailoring for dropouts and for illiterate women, are conducted by the sisters. This small beginning has now developed into a Tailoring Course, after completion of which the women receive a Diploma, enabling them to be self-supportinve. Both of these Mary Ward Schools are supported by St. Mary's School and some generous benefactors from Nepal specially ASMAN. Lhubu has a small dispensary and our sisters conduct medical outreach programmes.

In June 1990, Sr. Eugenia took charge as Principal of the school. In Sept. of the same year, St. Mary's Ex-students' Association was officially inaugurated with the acronym ASMAN (Association of St. Mary's Alumnae, Nepal) Netra Shah, the very first student to be admitted as a boarder was nominated as the first President. ASMAN as an extension of St. Mary's continues the work of empowering the lower strata of society. The contribution they make to the society is commendable.

A Suggestion had been made to open a school in Gorkha. On 17th Nov. 1991, St. Mary’s School was started in a seven-room apartment, Srs. Rufina, Jyoti and Joyce being the pioneers. Then followed the blessing of the new building site at Tera Kilo by Fr. Sharma who laid the foundation stone. St. Mary's High School, Gorkha, besides giving quality education to the children around, runs Tailoring and Literacy Centres where women are helped to be self sufficient and self supporting. They conduct regular women's empowerment programmes.

Sr. Aloysia handed over the reigns of St. Mary's to Sr.Regina as superior on 16th Jan, 1992.

On 28th April, 1995, the Higher Secondary Science Section was registered with the Education Office at Sano Thimi. The first batch of 35 students was sent up for the exam in 1996 and they did well, three of them coming up among the top ten.

24th March, 1995 was a triple celebration for Sr. Frances - 40 years in St. Mary's, 60 years in religious life and 80 years of age. St. Mary's School as well as ASMAN made the day memorable for her in the company of her relations and the German Ambassador.

In March 1996 Sr. Eugenia handed over office of the Principal to Sr. Margaret Mary. In June 1998 Sr. Regina, made over the office of Superior to Sr. Jane Frances.

On Education Day 24th Feb 1999 Sr. Margaret Mary received, on behalf of the School, the Best School Award, a shield and a cash prize of Rs 50,000/-

432 of our students were part of the opening ceremony of the SAF games on 25th Sept. 1999. Sr. Margaret Mary received the Award of Appreciation from the then Prime Minister, Krishna Prasad Bhattarai for the outstanding Contribution the School made in the SAF games.

The services of Sr. Jane Frances was needed in Patna and so she left Kathmandu in 2000 after being superior for a year and a half during which time she made a very unique contribution to St. Mary's and handed over the responsibility to Sr. Edwina.

In the same year the Secondary Section was extended with the faculties of Commerce and Humanities.

This year 2005, the Higher Secondary Section completes ten years. We can proudly say that the School has kept up its record of excellent results.

Hosim Prasai, one of our students had been awarded “Aishwarya Vidya Bhushan” for achieving the highest marks among the girls in the Board Examination of Class 12. She was felicitated in our School on 16th Oct. 2003.

St. Mary’s is proud of her excellent performance not only in studies but also in extra-curricular activities. She remains an inspiration to many of our younger students.

The end of February 2001 saw the completion of the new Primary School Building which has a Staff Room, a Library for Junior Students, a Computer Lab, six Classrooms, a Room for Gymnastics and a Music Room.

Sr. Benigna, the founder member of St. Mary's School, surrendered her soul to God on 2nd October 2001. She was a pillar of Strength to St. Mary's. The St. Mary's Schools in Kathmandu, Pokhara and Gorkha and Mary Ward schools owe their existence in Nepal to Mother Benigna's foresight and untiring efforts.

The Benigna memorial Award is given every year to a student of the Primary Section of St. Mary's School who shows herself outstanding in social awareness. ASMAN too has initiated a Benigna memorial Fund for the benefit of the students of Mary Ward Schools.

All connected with St. Mary's , were overjoyed to hear that Sr. Margaret Mary was one among those specially honoured by His Majesty King Gyanendra to receive the distinguished title of "Prabal Gorkha Dakshin Bahu" (4th class). The school congratulated Sr. Margaret Mary very warmly.

We are proud to have many of our ex-students as members of the staff in St. Mary's. St. Mary's has 97 teachers who are dedicated to their profession. It is to their credit that St. Mary's flourishes and brings forth good results and genuine and integrated women in society. Teachers’ Orientation program is a regular feature. The strength of our School is around 2000 which includes our students, Teaching and Non-teaching Staff.

According to the New Education Policy of 2002, all our CJ Schools in Nepal were registered as St. Mary’s Educational Trust on 15th Sept. 2003.

As the school expanded, facilities too had to be expanded. Computer Education from Class 1 and a specially designed Diploma Course in Computer for +2 Students were introduced. St. Mary’s felt the need to provide for the students an expanded Library, a Music Room two more Basket Ball Courts, Aqua Guard drinking water for all students and more toilet facilities.

Extra-curricular activities, like Physical Training, Singing, Dancing, Music, Gymnastics are given much importance. Besides these Inter School and inter house Debates, Elocution, Dramatics, Quiz and Talent Contests, One-act Play Competitions are encouraged. Parents' Day celebrations are regularly arranged for different classes. Parents’ Orientation days for the newly admitted students are a regular feature. Regular Science and Handwork Exhibitions help our students to develop their potentialities. Annual School Magazine and a Quarterly News Letter encourage creative writing in our students.

St. Mary’s Day is celebrated every year since 1999. Special attention is given to celebrations such as Bal Diwas, Guru Purnima, PT and Sports, Cultural and One-act Play Festivals, Talent Contests, Principal’s Birthday, Teachers’ and Students’ Farewell, Jubilees, Workers’ Day, picnics, etc. St. Mary’s Band deserves a special mention the students display their talents at our P.T. Display and for other occasions.

Daily Assemblies with prayer before the school begins, set the tone for the day. Prepared Assemblies are conducted by various classes once a week. Talk Programmes for personal growth and regular Career Counselling by ASMAN for the senior students are also conducted.

Drama Club, Literary Club, Environment Club, Leadership Training Service, Young Christian Students’ Movement and Scouting form a part of the school activities.

Exposure programmes are conducted for the students so that they become aware of the situation of our society. St. Mary’s students get involved in helping those affected by calamities, Mary Ward Schools in Jhamsikhel and Lubhu.

Collecting money for the poor, collecting clothes for the needy and interacting with them and their occasional visit to Old Age Homes and Orphanages make them aware of the social situation in our Country. Some of our students take the initiative of sponsoring the financially challenged children of Mary Ward Schools.

Due to structural failure, our oldest school building had to be reconstructed and the foundation was laid on 29th October 2003. An enormous amount of shifting of furniture, office rooms, staff rooms and class rooms had to be adjusted in the available space. Teachers, students and parents were actively involved in raising funds for the new building and they are gratefully remembered.

A number of Awards has been introduced since 1999.

• Winfred Memorial Award in memory of our first Principal for the best student of Class 9.
• The Best Student Award for Class 12 in memory of late Chandreswori Mathe.
• The Best Student Award for Class 10 in memory of our ex-student late Mona Bajracharya.
• The Best Student (English Language) Award in memory of late Mrs. Bimla Naidu, the mother of Miss Kamla Naidu.
• Sajani Memorial Award in memory of our ex-student, late Sajani Shrestha for the Student who makes considerable improvement in studies and behaviour.
• Benigna Memorial Award for the Best Student in Social Service awareness.

St. Mary's is proud to celebrate its Golden Jubilee Year in 2005, rendering an important contribution to the world of education especially in empowering the women and children of Nepal. Thousands of our students are doing well in life, in Nepal and abroad, making their solid contribution to society.

“Our Vision of Education is to form fearless and vibrant citizens being ready to face challenges and to make responsible decisions. Believing that Education is a powerful agent of social transformation, we move towards the empowerment of women and formation of students inculcating in them a sense of justice, religious tolerance, compassion and love. They are led to appreciate God’s Creation, value life, human dignity and potential and thus to pursue fullness of life.” In our quest to create a just society, where all God's children are restored to their God given dignity, rights and freedom, we are guided by Mary Ward's Motto,

ALL FOR THE GREATER HONOUR AND GLORY OF GOD !