Saturday, January 19, 2008

St. Gregory's High School, Dhaka celebrates 125th Anniv.


Bird's eye view - St. Gregory's High School campus at Laxmibazar, Dhaka

Church and St. Gregory's School

School gate and watchful gate-keepers

National anthem by students - old hostel in the background

Teaching staff participate assembly

Assembly


Moving into classes


Class room

Exam hall

IT room

Library


Assisting teacher

Recess hour

Majestic view of newly constructed Academic blocks


Darjeeling building on left

Sports on south of church buildings

Table tennis

Scout camp fire

Trophies

Old building - central hall



View of old building and church

F.A.Boeres - reopened School in 1889-1910




(Pics credit: SGHC DVD)
St. Gregory’s High School, Dhaka celebrated its 125th anniversary of establishment on Dec 13 and 14 last year.

History of this school goes back to 1882, when Belgian missionaries (Benedictine Father Gregory de Groote) founded the nucleus of this school. It failed to stand due to lack of public interest. Later, Francis Boeres reopened it in 1889 in the ground floor of the present St. Francis Javier's Girl’s School. The School started giving primary level education and received recognition of the European Schools. In 1892, the roll strength was 26 boys and 19 girls.

Francis. T. Crowley, took over as Headmaster in 1912 and abolished system of co-education. For girls, a separate section was made known as St. Francis Javier’s girls School. Bengali was introduced to replace Latin as second language. He was interested in Scouting and in 1923, introduced Basketball first anywhere in Bangladesh.

The school under Bro Bertin came under Country Education System in 1924. Bro Walter a dynamic and charismatic missionary joined school in 1929. The present hostel building went up in 1931. During his tenure the school saw phenomenal rise in all fields, such as, education, debating, cultural and sports. The school began to bag places in the Board’s Merit list. Next came Bro Jude, another dedicated educationist. During his time, 1940 to 1950, boys secured high positions in merit list of Board time and again.

After 1947 partition, medium of education of the school became English, Bengali section also ran side by side. From 1950 to 1975, the school performed brilliantly, winning exams, debating & science fair. The school became the most prestigious school in the city, enrollment in 1958 was more than 1000 boys.

On the one side of the playground, stand new buildings for school, classrooms, a library, a spacious teacher's room, a large IT room and an extensive assembly hall.

On the other side of the playground stand the old school buildings with the attached Holy Cross Church. Both buildings, however, are in urgent need of maintenance or else they will crumble away to nothing. When it rains, the church's roof leaks profusely.

The school celebrated its 100 years of establishment in 1982. Over 800 Grn from all over the Bangladesh, Pakistan and India attended the function.

The School has produced many faces renowned nationally and internationally, notably, Tajuddin Ahmed who stood 12th in merit list and became first Prime Minister of Bangladesh; former President of Bangladesh Prof Badruddoza Chowdhury who stood 2nd in combined Matric Exam of undivided Bengal; former Law Minister Dr. Kamal Hossain, international lawyer and jurist; former vice-President of Bangladesh Barrister Maudud Ahmed and Noble Laureate Dr. Amartya Sen and so on. A reception was accorded to Prof. Amartya Sen on Dec 19, 1998, in school campus. In 1999, SGHS drew global attention when one of its former students Osman Siddique (1967) became the first person to become US ambassador to Fiji.

In the School supplement for celebration of 125 years anniversary, one former teacher of 1957-67, from USA, Bro Donald writes “ The building was old, the class rooms small as well as playing field, but St. Gregory’s High School did not let these matters hold them back from achieving to the best of their ability and this carried them on in their later life in all ventures.”

St. Gregory’s High School Dhaka indeed is a great name in the arena of education of Dhaka.

36 comments:

Shireen said...

One can just tell by looking at the pictures the sort of school that produces well disciplined, polite good mannered young men.

Anonymous said...

Left Polical leader Mr. Mujahedul Islam Selim was a brilliant product of this school, he stood 8th in Board's combined merit list of 1965.

Anonymous said...

I am proud to be a humble part of this institution respected for its academic excellence and high reputation.
Fahim

Anonymous said...

I am eternally grateful to St. Gregory's for giving me a great education and even a greater dream. This is where I found myself, learnt about discipline, honor and respect. Great teachers like Mr. Anthony Gomez, Mr. Nilotpal Sarkar, Mr. Shamsul Haque and Brother Hobbart taught me and thousand other students to think outside the box, go the extra mile and attain success. It is because I was fortunate enough to be a student here, I have a successful consulting business in the business capital of the world today. Thank you St. Gregory's from the bottom of my heart. Someday soon, I hope to pay you back at least a little of the enormous debt I owe you.

Anonymous said...

Anyone knowing St Gregory's school Alumni website?

Anonymous said...

wow. looking at this pictures brings out old memories. I am proud to be part of this history.
I graduated 1983.
AK from TX, USA

Partha Sarker said...

I graduated from the school in 1986. All these pictures bring back the memories of my school where I spent 11 years (KG till class 10) of my life. I remember we worked hard to organize the first centennial in 1982. How time flies by? We used to sing a song, 'St. Gregory's boys and brothers one...'

Is there anyone from 1986 batch?

Anonymous said...

Brings me back lot of memories. We were 1980 batch. Send me the link for alumni website if there's any. If not lets do it. tfhossain@yahoo.com

Tareq

Ershad Ahmed said...

Sorry. St. Gregory's School Dhaka or its Alumni may not have website.
For info, contact Grn. Aslam Khaleel (1978) email: khaleels@daffodilnet.com

Rupam said...

I am a Gregorian of batch 1990. My name is Rupam Kumar Sarkar. Last couple of years i was looking for my old friends. I was not fortunate enough to find any one of them. If anyone see this from 1990 batch please contact me. My email address is rsarkar@bigpond.net.au OR rupamkumar@yahoo.com .
I am really blessed that i had opportunity to study in a great school. I am grateful from bottom of my heart to my school St. Gregory High School and special teachers like Mr. Nilotpal Sarkar, Mr. Anthony Gomez, Mr. Phlip D' Rozario, Mr. Gabriel Rebeiro, Mr. Syed Serajul Huq, Bro. Hobart. I still can remember Mr. Gabriel Rebeiro told me oneday " This School is your second home, dont forget this." How can i forget this my dear teacher? This school made my life, and wherever i am today, only because of my school. I always think how I can pay you back my beloved school. Whatever i say and whatever i do for you is not enough. You are such a great.

Ershad Ahmed said...

LINK FOR ALUMNI St. Gregory's School, Dhaka is:
http://dhakastgregory.multiply.com

For further info may contact Grn Aslam Khaleel (1978) at khaleels@daffodilnet.com

Anonymous said...

i still remember the half lit hallway and the dust settling and the mingling of dust and light. my dad also went to the same school and once walked through the same hallway, probably pondering on the same thing. i remember the bookshelves in the back which were always locked. old books had a musky smell to them...sometimes i still wake up and find that smell lingering in the air.

my dad still mentions a quote that is probably still framed on the wall. "morning shows the day" was written there. i don't really remember seeing that quote, but they probably put it down. what i do remember are my first assembly in all white. the national anthem playing and the raising of the green & red. the military/scout drums, our neighbors in st. Francis ;) , the visit of Prof. Amartya Sen, a burger joint not far away from the school and of course all my teachers who spent their days crafting me...



L.C. from Canada
almost from the class of 2001/02??

Anonymous said...

I graduated in the year 1970 from this school. I am a mechanical Engineer working in canada, but sometimes when I open the web page of this institution, I am completely lost in the past.

Anonymous said...

I am Sushanta, batch of 1988. If anyone from my batch reads this msg, please write back at: sushanta200@yahoo.com

Unknown said...

I matriculated in 1954. My brother matriculated in 1950. Jagadish Babu, Brother Jude and Brother Martinian were my teachers. After a carrer around the world and in Brazil, now I live in San Juan Capistrano, California. I have very fond memories of Dhaka and old St.Gregory's.
Murshed Alam Ahmed

Unknown said...

BTW, when we thank our teachers for being there for us, lets not forget The Al-Mighty God for His Guidance and our parents who spent their hard earned money to make us what we are today.

Anonymous said...

Hi!i am abir.batch"10.i just want to tell that-I am proud to be a gregorian.

http://www.google.com/rahimmor said...

Hi,

I am very proud to be a Gregorian.
I graduated in 1964. I have learned all the best things in my life from the teachings I received from the school. I have very fond memories of great teachers like Ganguli, Nalini Sarkar, N. C. Sutradhar, Shamsul Haque, D. N. Paul, Brother Hobart etc. I am specifically proud to know Brother Thomas Moore (Assistant Head Master) who encouraged me to excel in sports. Due to his inspiration I became Inter-School and Inter- District School Champion in 1959.
- Obaidur Rahim

Star Dust said...

Abid Hasan _ I graduated in 1968. I have fond memories of Nalini Sarker, Suthrodhar, Scout master Rozario, Kamel Ali, Bro. Felix, Bro Thomas More, Bro Hobart who taught me debating, editing the school newsletter SPOTLIGHT and poetry recitation. I am indebted to Bro Donald Becker who taught me science and assisted me in the Science project, that won the Gold medal at the All Pakistan National Science fair held in Karachi in 1967 and I represented my country in the Youth Science conference organized by CENTO the same year in IRAN. I am outside the country for 33 years, living in Australia as a senior Defence engineering executive. Thank you St. Gregory for an excellent education. I think I may be able to still remember the School song:-
"St. Gregory's boys are brothers one. They play the nobler part. Who bars our ways, before our boys? united one at heart. Round the old flag we will rally. In every battle field, St Gregory's colours first to fly. The Very last to yield. St Gregory's boys on the land or on the sea, our future lies with you. Other Schools may envy us; our scholastic joys. But right is might they dare not fight St. Gregory's happy family of boys."

Kamal Kanti Dey said...

I have no direct connection with St. Gregory High School, Dhaka. But one of my colleagues Sri Sunil Das happened to be an alumnus of the institute. We both worked in Jalpaiguri Zilla School as teachers here in West Bengal, India. Sri Das visited his alma mater after over forty years. He told me about the experience of his visit. He was simply overwhelmed by the warm and cordial reception given to him by the present teachers, students and all incumbents of the school. He will cherish the memory of the love and honour showered on him. He values it as the most precious treasure of his life. As his friend and ex-colleague I understand and share his feelings. It was at his request that I opened the school's website and took a good look. My friend is rightly proud of his old school and so am I, though I have no direct connection with it. I wish greater success in all spheres of activities of the school in the days to come. Thanks to all.

Dr E.P.Rozario (Greg-'90) said...

I am proud to be a Gregorian.
Dr E.P.Rozario (Batch '90)

siam salahuddin said...

I AM PROUD TO BE A GREGORIAN.

Anonymous said...

don't understand x y z
understand i am a gregorian
& am proud of it
shahed ali '91

PERVEZ AKHTER said...

Dear Gregorians,
My name is PERVEZ AKHTER. I joined the school in Class-III in 1964 and left the school with a heavy heart in the year 1968 when I was selected to join P.A.F.College, Sargodha in then, West Pakistan.
I badly miss my good old Teachers Viz. Bro. Thomas Moore, Bro. Hobart, Bro. Ronald, Bro. Fulgins, Bro. Donald,SirPeter D'Costa,Sir Idrees, Sir Kamil Ali, Sir Abdul Mannan, Sir Razi Siddiqui, Sir Suthradhar, Sir Gabriel Riberio and our Good Old Scout Teacher of the 5th Dhaka Troup, Mr. Nicholas Rozario.
Among my Class Fellows, I still remember M.Jahangir Khan,Ansarul Haq, Nisar, Ali Ahsan,Ashraf Ali,Mehboob Raja, Khurshid, Rukhshad Faizi Khan and of course, my best friend and my Brother, Muhammad Ali Ashraf whom I had met when he visited Karachi as the Director Marketing, Hotel Dhaka Sheraton and when I visited his residence in Dhaka a number of times while being in the Merchant Navy. Since long, I have got no trace of Ali Ashraf! Can any body please do me the favour of locating Ali Ashraf and asking him to contact me on my E-Mail Address which is pervez1955@gmail.com
I shall remain ever grateful for this kind act of yours.If Ali Ashraf himself happens to see this message, he should please contact me immediately.
Any of my Class Fellows who seems to have recognized me could please contact me on my E-Mail Address accordingly.
I am really proud to be a GREGORIAN !
So long for Today.
Warm Regards.
Pervez.

apurba nandy said...

APURBA
i am a gregorian i proud of my school

Asgher said...

I am the SSC batch of 1969 of St.
Gregory's High School.Anybody of this batch may contact me to share
some fond memories.
asgher.sheriff@gmail.com

Best regards to all Gregorians
Asgher Sheriff

Anonymous said...

I was glad to discover this website and joyed going through the contensts posted by readers expecially who had an association with the school.

I would love to make contacts with my school friends who were with me in St Gregory's High School, Dhaka (English Medium) where I studied from 1953 till 1961. I also studied in Kindergarten uptil class 2 in St. Xaviers School, Dhaka whose boundaries touched St Gregorys.

Presently I am living in Karachi (pakistan)

Mirza Sabir Hossain
Email ; rsvpkhi@yahoo.com

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Anonymous said...

Mohdudul Huq
1963 Batch
Working as Senior Planner
Planning and Development Department
City of Houston
Housto TX 77002
Working since 1984
Graduate and Post-graduate studies from Bangladesh, Canada, UK and US universities.
Very poor Alumni Network and not friendly in communication.

sanjoy2011 said...

I left my favourite during the political anarchy in 1990 and came to India, when i was in Std-V. Then Father Gerald Cregar was the HeadMaster. Any one from that batch please Contact sanjoybhowmik07@gmail.com

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Kh. Nasir Gul said...

It was a pleasant surprise to read the comments of Abid Hasan, a 68 graduate. I just want to say the feelings are similar as I am sure must be of all other proud Gregorians. My name is Kh. Nasir Gul(fondly called GUL by class mates) from 68 batch. If Abid or anybody else reads this,kindly contact me
khawaja_nasir@hotmail.com

Anonymous said...

I graduated in 1970. Anyone from this batch may contact me at liaqatali52@hotmail.com.

Proud to be a Gregorian.

Liaqat Ali

Anonymous said...

I matriculated in 1980 form St Gregory school.Pl contact me at zafarbabu@hotmail.com from that batch.

Anonymous said...

I am Dr. Mohammad Hanif Baig, studied class 3-5, 1968 - 1970 in St. Gregory School, I remember very well Father Hobart very loving teacher he play basket ball with me, Sir Nicholas our scout master, Sir Ganguly, Sir Kalim teaches us Urdu, Sir Manan wearing Quaids cap and Shervani teaches Islamiat,I remember Science exhibition too,
My heartiest compliments and prayers for all our teachers
any one from that era can contact me at my email:hanif.baig@mhef.edu.pk

Best Regards

Dr.Mohammad Hanif Baig
08.01.2016


Asgher said...

Dear Dr.Mohammad H. Baig
As-salamm wau alaikum & Happy New Year

Nice to see your post and your vivid description of the teachers of St. Gregory's School.I was in the same years of yours but in class 9 & 10.Your article made me go down the memory lane with fond remembrance of good old days."Nostalgia"
I am presently based in Karachi and E-mail address is
asgher.sheriff@gmail.com

Best regards
Asgher Sheriff