St Thomas Mat HSS’ golden jubilee

From two students then, to 1,000 students today, the school is a fully- fledged higher secondary school, with 50 staff members and equipped with labs, library, a mini stadium with athletic track and volleyball and basketball courts.

It is said that the school began with an idea to serve north Madras when it was a neglected and backward area, with regard to education.

Inaugurating the golden jubilee celebrations of the school, Prof. P. J. Kurien, Deputy Chairman, Rajya Sabha, said, “With the commercialisation of education nowadays, it is truly enjoyable to learn how this school started and grew on the outskirts of a village in North Madras, in the verandah of the founder’s home, with two children from the street. This school has shown the three drives that one needs to provide good education — determination, dedication and devotion —and this has resulted in creating a generation that this nation requires.” He further added, “The nation is not built in the halls of Parliament, but the nation is built in its classrooms and the classrooms of this school are a good example.” He also presented awards of recognition to the longest-serving teachers of the school, the longest of which is 45 years.

Abraham Zachariah, Chairman and Correspondent of the school, delivered the presidential address and Shirley A Zac, Principal, presided over the meeting.

Over the years, various eminent personalities have come as guests to the school. Actors Sivakumar and Kamal Haasan, cricketers Robin Singh and Sudha Shah, the late KM Mammen Mappillai, Chairman & MD, MRF; Olympians Sebastian Xavier and Wilson Cherian; athlete Shiny Wilson; former DGP, Walter Devaram, Dr. Prateep Philip, C Sylendra Babu among others, who distinguished themselves in various fields, have addressed the students and motivated them.