A Journey of 50 years… Golden Jubilee of Little Flower High School.
In these prevailing fast paced times where most commodities endure short shelf-life and falls in the “use it – throw it – refuse it” category – anything having longevity attracts plentiful attention. In this era of “come and go”, to find an educational edifice standing tall on its well-deserved merits, growing in tandem with the locals and surrounding localities while shining bright over 5 decades is a rarity. At the sleepy foot of the majestic Yeoor Hills, for the areas adjacent to the winding Pokhran Road #2, from the landmark Cadbury Junction, meandering up to the scenic Upvan Lake and back where it joins the arterial Ghodbundar Road at Maria Plaza – Little Flower High School in its present stature has come a long way. The high school is now abuzz with a celebratory fervor – amongst its management, staff and students alike. The now-bustling and much-sought-after real estate locality, once holding address to many famous companies is gearing up for the golden jubilee – to celebrate an institution that is so much loved, much sought after and much revered, for what it has given to the society and its populace since its inception. Little Flower High School in its growth path has become more than just an alma mater to most – it became a place that nurtures a feeling of belonging, where teachers are parents-away-from-home, where academic excellence coexisted with sportsmanship and innate extra-curricular talents in equal measure – LFHS, the melodious- sounding initials of the school stands larger than life to everyone who has entered and walked out of its hallowed portals. And, now, its illustrious alumni – which constitutes to being the “Who’s Who” alongside those successful in every sphere, sector, stage and segment, in India and across the globe – is coming forward in unison, with concerted effort, leaving no stone unturned to cherish their nourishing (alma) mother (mater) on her 50th year of birth – for the bountiful she has selflessly provided and continues to nurture within her loving embrace.
natus est florere (Latin) or फुलण्यासाठी जन्मलेला … born to bloom – the mere motto of LFHS evokes the aim and ambition of what the school stands for. The school is named after a Catholic Saint – Marie Therese Martin, a French nun from Lisieux in France who is simply known as Little Flower – who lived a religious life of just 24 years while blooming in inspiration to many. Little Flower school started as a sister-school to the already established St. John The Baptist school Talao Pali – catering to the educational needs in the far-flung places away from the town-center of the lake city of Thane. As a first English medium school in the precincts of the Pokhran Range, the school had humble beginnings similar to its patron saint. But true to its motto, there were plenty of blooms over the years until now. Be it the priests and the nuns who helmed the school, the teachers who moulded the young minds and the staff who contributed tirelessly to keep the school running. And, we needed someone who could take us back to those formative years of LFHS and bring alive the milestones that the school crossed on its journey till date. It was a unanimous decision by the alumni think-tank to approach one multi-faceted teacher to do the honors – a teacher who most consider as a leading light and synonymous to LFHS herself – the one who can best chronicle the school from her nascent days till the lady has reached her grand age of 50.
Mrs. Amla Stanley – a living encyclopedia of LFHS history, the longest serving head mistress was effusive and ebullient while narrating the nostalgic and glorious past of the school, describing in detail all that ensued along the way until the present day, providing nuggets of information laced with lively anecdotes, verbal sketches, humorous moments and times of struggles – all of which contributed to the culture, spirit and character of the school as it is known today.
Mrs. Stanley or Amla ma’am – as she is referred to affectionately and in reverence was emphatic about the birth of LFHS… “started as a little flower but soon grew on to become an estate of flowers – with big, fragrant and beautiful blossoms…”.
The school started in April 1972 by Reverend Father Valerian Goudinho, a visionary priest who took upon himself the task of catering to the educational needs of the children of the industrial labourers residing in the locality. The school began functioning within a rented premises in the MHADA building #47 at Vartak Nagar with two divisions each of KG., STD I & STD II that were managed by a few teachers who worked in both morning and afternoon batches.
In March 1979, Reverend Father Donath D’Souza took charge as the principal of the school and lead her march towards becoming an excellent institution known for its teachers and quality of education and well-turned-out students who went on to garner laurels in their own chosen fields. Rev. Fr. D’Souza is till date the longest serving principal of LFHS. Most of the students remember him for his constant presence in their academic years as a father-figure and guide.
One of the first milestones the school achieved was the establishment of the science lab with a single cupboard and a handful of apparatus – a brainchild of Mrs. Stanley with her science background and acumen which she painstakingly setup with her colleagues – serving to setup the first experiment experience to students who then went on to face the challenges of life with aplomb.
The growth of the school in her developmental years was boosted by the support of local stalwarts and common folks alike – who stood by the school with pride and extended wholehearted backing on its intentions of being a source of education and understanding.
From the beginning and very much till today, the school and its spread-out environs was similar to “an amusement park”. Children could run, play and explore without boundaries as in the true sense of unhindered learning (it is to be noted that in the early days, the school literally had no compound walls…!).
In the initial years of overall paucity of funds and resources, the teachers who were part of the school were her true and trusted soldiers as they kept aside personal gain while opting on imparting of knowledge. Lack of funds saw the teaching staff work for about 5% of the salary in comparison to what was earned by their colleagues from other schools.
Some teachers of the bygone era still summon fond memories. They are considered as the pillars of the school epitomizing their commitment to teaching and students welfare. Mrs. Meena Pereira, Mrs. Shenoy, Mrs. Julianna, Mrs. Doris, Mrs. Manjari, Ms. Celine, Daisy Bose and Lena Colaco, the indomitable Correia sisters, Jonita teacher for her musical manner of teaching… Mrs.Stanley herself being one of those stellar teachers and a head-mistress par excellence, chose to mention about “one Sara ma’am who worked for LHFS from day one, was part of the staff at St. John The Baptist school. Having given sufficient years of service, she was eligible for government benefits in due course of time. However, she chose to forego these when asked to shift her services from St. John to LHFS…”. Such was the saga of the teachers in those days. Famous words of John Fitzgerald Kennedy come to mind… “Ask not what the country (school) can do for you, but ask what you can do for the country (school)…”. This attitude enabled the school to be self-sufficient in terms of the studies imparted within the portals. No additional coaching or tuitions were needed. And, this proved to be a god-send to most of the parents and families who had simple households with meagre incomes.
“The approach to the school in those days was more like mountaineering…”, Amla ma’am said with a laugh. Her mention about the topography around the school had a story within. Literally, the students who read at the school climbed mountains to reach the top of their lives. The strenuous up and down paths to approach the school from different sides proved to be a regimen that contributed to the daily exercise needed for those sprightly legs. This helped in gathering medals, trophies, plaques and shields for the school during sports and athletic competitions at the district and state levels on regular basis. No coach was needed – the school setting in the hilly slopes was a natural trainer to bring the best out of the sporting stars of LHFS. Later on, the school did take the services of Mr. Shaji – a freelance coach of repute who trained and honed the best athletes of the school almost on a pro-bono basis and guided them compete with the best in the country at the national level.
Having said about the school set on the foothills, the months during the monsoons, was the best time to enjoy being at LHFS. The school during the rainy season seemed like some famous schools from Panchgani, Mahabaleshwar or Ooty because LHFS was no less in scenic beauty! The fresh gusts of wind bringing in the sweet petrichor from the first rains, streams of water running down the slopes after a downpour, the lush green vegetation carpeted all around – all of which forms a sight to behold. And, yes… rainy season also meant playing the slush and plenty of paper boats set afloat by the students… it was the first signs of trials that was to come later in life where each one had to steer their own ships (future) through rough seas (circumstances) and reach shore (ambitions) successfully. The sylvan vistas of the school also contributed in a big way of learning amidst the nature. The success came from the very first batch of standard Xth students of LFHS – 31 candidates appeared the SSC exams and all but two passed with flying colours – 93% result on debut at the board examination is no mean feat…! It was not a flash in the pan for LFHS. The second SSC batch outshone the first batch by securing 100% results. Achieving success became second nature to the “Little Flowers”. Since then, the LFHS roll-of-honor proudly features its famous daughters and sons who kept her flag flying high in each academic year.
Another significant piece of input about the school – as it stood within verdant locales, there were occasional visitors to the premises – snakes. During the rainy season, while the morning assembly was in progress, unbeknownst to the students, the school peons would go through every classroom to ensure it was free from any creepy-crawlies. However, Amla ma’am with a voice of surety says that these reptiles or insects in whose territory the school stood, never ever harmed any student or staff till date. It was as if nature and its inmates knew that this LFHS is a sacred temple of learning, the staff were the religious and the students were the devotees.
Little Flower school was most colorful in the days leading up to the school annual program. There was a strong cultural milieu that was fostered in the school. The variety of dances, plays, recitals, speeches during the annual day kept the audience in rapt attention, parents and guardians were left brimming with pleasure and satisfaction to see their little ones on stage, performing with confidence, dancing in tune and sync, singing mellifluously and speaking with oratorial skillfulness. In her own words, Amla ma’am says “… the school was and looked simple and unexceptional from the outside, but inside it was vibrant, effervescent and alive…”. The teachers were the silent force behind the success of the annual programs – working in the shadows, applying those finishing touches, imbibing imagination and drawing powerful performances from the students to leave those gathered in awe and admiration. Even the dignitaries and distinguished guests gracing the occasion were happily compelled to praise the school for its caliber, capabilities and competencies.
An unknown fact about the school and its origins was revealed by Amla ma’am during her lucid recount of its history. “The institution was initially intended to become an Industrial Training Institute (ITI) to provide employable technical training and hands-on-experience keeping in mind the numerous companies that dotted the vicinity…!!!”. That could be the answer to why the school presents an unassuming shed-like structure – more aimed at an industrial training center in the years to come rather than a simple school. However, future had something else in store for the school – the enthusiasm of the teachers and the zeal of the students combined to change the course… LFHS grew from strength to strength as a school. The ITI plan remained as a proposal amongst the papers in some files and personal discussions and soon forgotten.
From humble beginnings, modest resources, unassuming setup Little Flower High School has indeed grown into a valley full of beautiful and fragrant flowers, still serving the lower and middle strata of society, steady, sturdy and secure amongst many schools still jostling for claim and fame – its teachers who are highly respected icons and its students who have spread themselves far and wide, shining in their own right. But wherever they be – the school binds them together. Years gone by or geographical distance or the ups and downs of life could never separate those who fervently call LFHS as “my school, our school”. This golden jubilee year is a celebration for the management, teachers and students alike – honoring an institution for what it means to each one, what it has given to everyone and what it is for everyone at Little Flower High School and around it. The invitation for February 4th, 2023 to be part of the golden jubilee celebrations resonates with a personal warmth that is very distinct to those who belong to the school…
Do join us to relive the nostalgic memories, renew friendships and get regaled with life’s myriad experiences.
May the red-lettered day for LFHS become a get-together like none before… may there be many more nostalgic moments, strong and treasured friendships and a cherished and fulfilling life and future to all at LFHS. Long live Little Flower High School, may it flourish and grow on the way to achieve a glorious centennial and beyond… hip – hip – hurray…!
Sibby (Paul) Lijo
(Batch of 1990)
