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Published by Repro Graphics, 2018-06-17 04:52:58

Carmel Convent - Celebrating 60 years

Ten Years of Growth, Ten Years of Service
By and large, Carmelites remember with love and gratitude the School where they grew from childhood into adolescence and blossomed into womanhood. They learnt to mix freely with everyone irrespective of caste or community – the whole class being one unit. Everyone got a chance to be Monitor as well as to ring the big brass plate that was the first school bell!
The School gave great importance to discipline and punctuality. Holistic education was imparted - physical, intellectual and moral. Students developed the ethic of hard work and daily study. Emotional education did not receive much attention in those days, but life was stress-free and carefree even though elders and teachers maintained strictness.
As the new decade rolled around, the good Sisters could look back on a job well done and look forward to fulfilling more of the dreams of service of their foundress, Mother Veronica.
HEAD GIRLS
Mohana Vyavaharkar Indra Bhalla
Muriel D’Souza
Faye Sequeira
Savitri Sublok Felicia D’Souza Marguerite Suares Nimmi N. Sadhvani Ismet E. Merchant Joan Alvares
1953 – 1954 1954 – 1955 1955 – 1956 1956 – 1957 1957 – 1958 1958 – 1959 1959 – 1960 1960 – 1961 1961 – 1962 1962 – 1963
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1963 - 1973
Music, theatre, fine arts - The gifts shine through
The XXXVIII
International Eucharistic Congress – 1964
New School Logo
new House Names
Centenary Celebrations
of the Congregation


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A time of expansion
Indo-Pak War
A new School Uniform
Koyna earthquake
New School Of ce
Annual Concerts


Hill Road decorated to receive Pope Paul VI on December 5, 1964. Born Giovanni Battista Montini on September 26, 1897 and ordained priest on May 29, 1920; Pope Paul VI reigned as Pope from June 21, 1963 until his death on August 6, 1978. He
was the first Pope to set foot outside Italy and travelled across six continents. He was therefore known as the Pilgrim Pope. He travelled to the Holy Land in January 1964 before journeying to India for the 38th Eucharistic Congress in December 1964. He was beatified on October 19, 2014.
1963-1973
The XXXVIII International Eucharistic Congress – 1964
Amomentous event, firmly imprinted in every Bombayite’s memory, took place in 1964 when the Oval Maidan at Churchgate was chosen, by His Holiness Pope Paul VI himself, as the venue of the XXXVIII International Eucharistic Congress.
This mega religious event opened a glorious, new chapter in the two thousand year history of Christianity in India. It was a proud privilege for Bombay to be chosen as the setting for this historic occasion. The saga of this religious congress began to unfold in November 1964, reaching its climax with the Pope’s historic arrival in Bombay the following month on December 2.
Carmelites remember being part of the spontaneous and unprecedented welcome accorded to His Holiness as he stepped onto Indian soil. The eighteen-mile route from the airport to the Oval Maidan was full of surprises. Mount Mary Basilica atop the hill projected itself into prominence with its illuminated steeples, all clearly visible across the waters of the creek to the Papal motorcade as it passed by Mahim Causeway.
Together with fifty thousand students, Carmelites greeted the Pope at the Students’ Rally on December 4 at Don Bosco, Matunga. Once again, on December 5, they lined Hill Road in tremendous anticipation, waving papal
flags and even kerchiefs as His Holiness drove by, en route to Mount Mary Basilica. The fishermen’s nets shimmering in the sunlight, festooned with gaily-coloured garlands, covering the entire stretch of road to the Mount was a sight to behold!
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Close-up of the great guru, inspired missionary and brilliant genius, Rev. Fr. George Proksch S.V.D. (who later took on the Indian name Guru Gyan Prakash), whose courageous adaptation of Indian Classical music, song and dance was the most effective medium to carry the Word of God to the people of India.
Carmelites also took part in the ballet “Anutam Prem” (No Greater Love) staged on several nights at the Brabourne Stadium. This ballet, conceived, designed and choreographed by the Late Rev. Fr. George Proksch S.V.D., depicted the story of the Holy Eucharist in the classical styles of traditional Indian dance forms. Participation in the ballet necessitated strenuous practice which the girls readily undertook. Some were also part of the Polyphonic Choir of one thousand five hundred voices which contributed richly to the liturgical beauty of the services, making each evening a triumph of devotional as well as musical splendour such as the country had never experienced. Indeed we were privileged to be there!
For the benefit of the Papal envoys, the V. Rev. Msgrs. Marcinkus and Macchi, who arrived in Bombay soon after the announcement of the Holy Father's decision to attend the Congress, His Eminence Cardinal Gracias arranged a full strength rehearsal of the Congregational and Polyphonic Choirs at a Parel stadium on October 31, 1964. The envoys were very impressed!
A section of the one thousand strong Gregorian and Polyphonic choir at a grand rehearsal at the Parel stadium on October 31, 1964
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A view of the altar from the West, framed between the University Clock Tower and the gabled roof of the Bombay High Court
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Ex-student Faye Sequeira Ferreira is to the extreme left in the first row; teacher Mavis Coelho is second from left in the second row
The Congress Polyphonic Choir of one thousand five hundred voices trained and directed by Rev. Fr. J.B. Fernandes S.J., and the accompanying orchestra of musicians. Their performance at the liturgical services at the Oval made each evening a triumph of devotional as well as musical splendour, the first of its kind in India.
Rev. Fr. Proksch conceived, designed and choreographed the ballet, composed the music and songs, and directed the ballet 'Anutam Prem'. It was the outstanding feature of the Congress cultural programme.
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A tableau of various nursery rhymes and fairy tales including Red Riding Hood, The Pied Piper of Hamelin and The Old Woman, enacted for the Annual Concert. In the background is the eight-foot tall Old Woman’s Shoe. Years later, Sr. Maria Rosa remarked, “They had a big shoe the height of the stage, made of plywood. Oh, that brought the house down! That’s how the School got a name...with all the plays.”
Annual Concerts
Apostolic Carmel’s reputation for staging excellent plays was established right from its inception. Be it Himani – a Hindi version of Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs (directed by Fr. Proksch in 1965) or The Old Woman Who Lived in a Shoe, spearheaded by Sr. Hildegarde – no stone was left unturned in a bid to put up a polished final product.
In a Persian Market was staged in 1965 starring Zarina Noronha, Tasneem Merchant and Beatrice D’Souza Zuzarte in the lead roles. In the words of the cast...
The Khalif of Persia had a very beautiful daughter. Everyday people would flock to the market to buy and sell their wares. One day a handsome merchant came to town and by chance looked upwards and spotted the beautiful princess. Their eyes met and it was love at first sight.
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The school badge in its earliest iteration. The two different colours on the upper part of the shield are for the two Houses: Red (for St. Agnes) and Blue (for St. Cecilia). The lighted lamp below assumed a more stylized look later. ‘God Is Our Strength’, the School motto, is at the bottom of the badge.
A New School Uniform
Rich or poor, senior or junior, the school uniform was that great equaliser – so important in a school – catering to all classes of society. As the girls shifted from St. Andrew’s High School to Apostolic Carmel High School, they continued with the same uniform of white blouses under navy blue drill pinafores. A few years later, they received their own uniform of a white blouse worn over a navy blue skirt with the school tie.
However, navy blue was also the colour of the Bombay Municipal School uniforms. While the boys at these schools wore a white shirt over blue shorts, the girls wore a white blouse over a blue pleated skirt – very similar to the School uniform – the only item of differentiation being the school tie. Thus, in the year 1965, a decision was taken to change the colour as well as the style of the uniform.
Two students discuss lessons on the way to school, in the early 1960s. This was the first uniform designed by the School – a navy blue skirt with a big box pleat and two smaller pleats on the side. Over it was a white blouse, puffed with a one inch band at the waist, worn with a red or blue tie; pinned with a steel badge. Loretta Ferreira Pereira recalls, “The skirts were attached to little white petticoats inside and the blouse was worn on top. It was very easy to wear. It was more like a dress but looked like a skirt and top. We had only two houses... red and blue with the tie to match.”
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The Class of 1965 poses for their Annual Photo. Clearly visible are the school ties in red or blue; pinned with a metal badge.
The new uniform introduced in 1965 was a grey pinafore with a white blouse and red tie. This pinafore had a box-pleated skirt with two broad straps overlapping in the front and open at the sides. The uniform was meant to be knee-length and a valiant plea to ensure this was made in several circulars sent by the School to the parents. However, in 1971, in accordance with the prevailing ‘Mini’ fashion, the students were given permission to wear a slightly shorter uniform – no more than two inches above the knee. Mothers were requested to cooperate with the School and watch the hem-lines of their growing daughters’ uniforms – else the School would be compelled to send students home to have the uniform lengthened.
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The Indo-Pak war
The eruption of the Indo-Pak war in August 1965 cast a shadow of gloom as it resulted in thousands of casualties. It ended in a uN mandated ceasefire and the subsequent issuance of the Tashkent Declaration. (However, a thirteen day war broke out
yet again on December 3, 1971 following Pakistan’s pre-emptive strike on eleven Indian air bases and East Pakistan’s desire to “break free” which India helped them accomplish. Thus was born Bangladesh.)
For the students, war meant gearing up for the imminent air raids by adhering to a host of ‘dos and don’ts’; going through the gamut of safety norms and evacuation drills that were taught by Msgr. George Fernandes. The school notice board came alive with news snippets from the warfronts. The one tangible way the students could support the war effort (apart from fervent prayers) was to donate their mite towards the war victims’ fund. Knitting
sweaters and mufflers for the jawans (soldiers) seemed to be an emergency in itself. Everything served to stoke the flame of patriotism and live up to the “Let’s stand united as one cohesive nation” mantra.
Students vividly remember this phase in the School’s history. Maureen Remedios Valladares recalls, “For us high spirited girls, the danger that loomed large seemed strangely exciting...we revelled in it.” Loretta Ferreira Pereira reminisces, “We were in class with Sr. Columbelle. The planes would y overhead while the
sirens went off. We were trained to bend and go under the desks. The funny thing was that we had to conduct ourselves in silence, which was impossible with the sound the desks made when we went under! Also, if you had a not-so-lean partner, you could not t under the desk!” Mala Menon Bhate also remembers, “We could hear those sirens blaring and the planes going up and down and we had to run, but there was no silence!”
Surviving calamities
The School had its first brush with a natural calamity when on December 11, 1967 an earthquake of magnitude 7.5 on the Richter scale with its epicentre at Koyna, sent ripples of fear amongst the community. Sr. Maria Rosa, still a teacher, recalls grabbing her violin and running downstairs when she felt the tremors in the middle of the night. “The buildings around were old and ramshackle. I grabbed my violin thinking that if the buildings tumbled, I could at least play on the streets and pass the hat around!”
Some of the ex-students still recollect the fear psychosis that gripped them for weeks on end. Dr. Margaret Gonsalves Miranda recalls, “We felt the Koyna earthquake tremors here too. I remember the aftershocks. There was a stampede whilst we descended the stairs. Everyone was so upset...trampling over books and everything.”
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Sports
A signi cant milestone was the acceleration of the School’s commitment to sports training, enabling the girls to leave behind a positive legacy for decades to come. Mrs. Aileen
Soans, inducted into the School in 1963 to take on Sports, was a very dedicated teacher going far beyond the call of duty, proceeding at a frantic tempo to meet deadlines. She did a stupendous job of training the students in track and eld events as well as basket-ball,
hockey, throw-ball and volley-ball.
Earlier held on a small-scale on the School grounds, Sports Day received a well-deserved
boost in 1968. For the rst time, it was
held on the BMC’s Green Belt (now
known as SARRA grounds) behind
the High School building. The nals of
100-metre and 400-metre races, 4x100-metre relays
as well as many other races could now be held in
style; all this preceded by a Grand March Past. In
1971, Fr. Rufus Pereira, Principal of St. Andrew’s High School, invited all the Bandra schools to utilise this school’s large, well-maintained grounds, allowing the School to hold its Annual Sports Day in a far bigger space – a practice which continues to this day.
The time-table of the First Annual Athletic Sports held on Friday, January 26, 1968 on BMC’s Green Belt. Finals of the High Jump, Discus Throw and Shot Put were held earlier in the week but prizes were awarded at the Annual Sports Day.
Mrs. Aileen Soans
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Manuela Sequeira Nazare Saldanha recalls, “Mrs. Soans was a formidable woman and very enthusiastic about Sports. She truly took a lot of trouble and Apostolic Carmel definitely ruled! We also played for the Bombay and Maharashtra teams so practices were strenuous. I would wake at 5 a.m. to go to Khalsa College in Matunga for Hockey for the Bombay team and after school, I would go to the Central Railway grounds at Kings Circle for Volley-ball practice.”


Fr. Rufus Pereira, Chief Guest, with Tr. Natalia de Souza in the background at St. Andrew’s High School grounds
Mr. Cecil Soans (husband of Mrs. Aileen Soans) preparing to make an announcement at the Annual Sports Day in 1968
Emerald House marches past Sr. Maria Rosa, Principal on St. Andrew’s High School grounds
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Winds of Change
Like a breath of fresh air, in 1966 Sr. Maria Rosa waltzed in from Australia after a brief stint there. Violin in hand – music being her forte – she won the hearts of students, staff and parents alike. She started with teaching English, Maths and Science to Std. IX. In 1968, she was appointed Headmistress of the School and took over the reins from Sr. Aimee who was retiring and relocating to Aldona, Goa. She led the School to soaring heights, taking off like a rocket from the launch-pad firmly laid by Sr. Aimee and the Pioneer band.
She remembers with a degree of trepidation the mission entrusted to her, “Mother Theodosia, the great pioneer, told me that our Bombay foundation at Bandra was one of the most important of the convents...that they had a lot of expectations from me.... that I would have to rise to the occasion and deliver the goods. A host of hopes rested on me.” That she rose to the occasion and exceeded expectations, was heard in a commendation from Valerian Cardinal Gracias, at
her farewell in 1977. It is an all-conclusive testimony to her achievements. “Our educative effort in Bombay owes much to you not only in the area of curricular activities but also extra-curricular. I express my deep gratefulness to you
for all you have done for us.”
Sr. Maria Rosa with her warm and dynamic personality soon endeared herself to one and all. An ardent nature lover, she found ‘something amiss’ when she moved into the School. With help and encouragement from Mrs. Mary Ferreira, a long-time Carter Road resident, she set up a rose garden on the terrace above the school hall. The garden which started out with just a few pots soon grew to forty and was the pride and joy of the School. In fact, the School won an award for one of the rose plants. A steady supply of roses to MacRonell’s Roof Garden earned the School some much needed funds but when the roses started disappearing, Sister had to strike a deal with the students! If it was their birthday, they could approach her and choose a rose of their liking. In an era of frugality, that rose truly made the day special for the birthday girl... a gift none have forgotten!
Sr. Maria Rosa in the Library with the Reading Laboratory, introduced to students in Std. VI. It was an experiment in promoting reading ability and Apostolic Carmel High School was one of ten schools in Bombay chosen to conduct this experiment.
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A gifted violinist, Sr. Maria Rosa had a great love for music. She credits Sr. Aimee with having set a very high standard for the School in singing. Now was the time to take this standard even higher. The girls made a first-time entry in the Madrigal Cup, a musical event, and went on to bag the first and second place in this ‘A class’ competition adjudged by an Englishman from Trinity College of Music. Later, in 1970, at the All Bombay Inter-School Choral Singing Contest all three participating choirs won
prizes. Sr. Maria Rosa recalls with pride, “We had three groups performing at this competition and we won two first places and one second. Imagine coming back with three trophies! It was the first time we, an aided school, had got into that league competing with private schools. That was one of the highlights of my life.”
In the background, Sr. Maria Rosa plays the violin at a school event
As a Maths teacher, Sr. Maria Rosa took a keen interest in all things numerical. The school in Australia used a system of coloured rods to represent a number; each number from one to nine in a different colour. As the material was not available in India, she requested a Jesuit workshop in Mangalore to make them using their sophisticated machinery. The rods formed a system and not a single piece could be misplaced. Sr. Maria Rosa says of it, “There was so much capacity with those rods; to give a three-dimensional knowledge of maths. They offered a sensorial experience. In fact, if I had more time, using that and my mathematical knowledge, I could have taught Algebra to Std. III.”
The grand piano, a prized possession of the school, was acquired during Sr. Aimee’s tenure. However, when Sr. Maria Rosa took office, she found the piano in a bad
state. She had it tuned and repaired, turning it into a precious asset that was put to good use for the next few decades. This was made possible through the good offices of altruistic patrons like Mr. Richard Marquis, a band leader and Mr. H.E.V. Fernandes, a prominent businessman.
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A Time of Expansion
There came a time when the school
building needed to be expanded to
accommodate the growing numbers. Massive
leakage problems in the school building were proving
worrisome but nevertheless needed to be addressed on a
priority basis. With insufficient funds at their disposal it was difficult
to forge ahead. The Institution benefited from the generosity and
goodwill gestures of many affluent contacts, family and indulgent parents,
many of whom turned magnanimous benefactors. They willingly gave of their
time as well as financial and material assistance. Their friendship helped change many
a distant dream into reality for the School. The students, too, rallied to give of their best, especially the proceeds earned from tuck-shops, raffles, etc. The much needed funds were also raised through film shows, from time to time.
In 1968, a floor was constructed over the Hall to house three classrooms, a needle- work room and a spacious library. The newly-formed Parent Teacher Association (P.T.A.) raised funds in the form of interest-free loans of Rs. 100 from every family and set up a Science laboratory and Gallery classroom on the first floor; the loan was paid off when the student finished school.
The spacious Library was furnished with the help of yet another of the School’s
well-wishers. Mr. Claude Castelino (father of student Christina), designed the shelves
and cupboards for the additional books the School would undoubtedly procure in the
years to come. The students thoroughly enjoyed this new reading space. Enid Blyton and Georgette Heyer; Nancy Drew and Hardy Boys... the Library had them all and the avid readers could not wait to get their hands on them.
The Library also housed Sr. Maria Rosa’s prized collection of semi-precious stones of spell-binding radiance. It all started with a solitary stone generously gifted to her. This was supplemented by stones of lustrous colours culled from river beds during the reinforcement of the Koyna dam, post the earthquake; from private collections of individuals and even iridescent corals and other sparkles from the Andamans where a Carmel Convent exists. Over a period of time, the School had amassed a scintillating array of stones and crystals that came to be displayed – a collector’s pride indeed!
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Students using the new School Library. Sudha Ravi Ravishankar recalls how she made utmost use of the Library. “I loved reading and enjoyed the Library. There was so much to read and explore and that made a big difference to me. If I had free time, I would go there to read the newspaper. Whenever we were doing a project or working towards a competition, we would get information from the Library. Today’s kids no longer do that as they prefer the Internet.”
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A student outside the converted Pre-Primary block circa 1985
Around the same time, the erstwhile Sunday Circle Block finally became available to the School. While the land in front of it was earmarked for a basket-ball court; the building itself was renovated into classrooms and the Nursery section was started. Retired teacher Patsy Smith recalls the bedlam; especially on the first day of school. “I taught for twenty-one years. I remember those times when we necessarily had to close our doors and windows so that the Nursery children would not run out. If one cried, the others followed suit. But they soon grew to love and trust their teachers. We did not have separate teachers for the Nursery and K.G. The teachers taught the Nursery in the morning shift and the K.G. in the afternoon shift.”
Tr. Patsy Smith with students from the Class of 1997 at their Christmas party circa 1986
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Certi cate of Merit awarded to a student on completion of the Nursery course at Apostolic Carmel High School
Visible in the background is a mural of Jesus with little children, artistically painted by Mr. Faustin Baptista, the talented husband of Tr. Purerose Baptista who volunteered to paint the walls. Other walls feature Nursery Rhymes like Mary Had a Little Lamb, Jack and Jill, etc.
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The land for the basket-ball court needed to be levelled and reinforced with cement. It was an onerous job to tackle and that too with a measly budget. While the students raised funds through daily tuck-shops and weekly film shows in the School Hall, good Samaritans like Mr. T.C. Punjabi and Mr. A.V. D’Souza helped out by accomplishing the task at minimum cost. Such was Mr. D’Souza’s intensity of purpose that he continued supervising the crucial laying of concrete slabs even though his mother had passed on, that very morning. Such was the quality of his workmanship that the court weathered twenty-five years of continuous usage before it was re-laid under the stewardship of Sr. Muriel Rita in 1995. Alice Nazareth D’Souza reminisces, “Our School was practically the rst to have a basket-ball court and team in the 1970s. The other school was Our Lady of Good Counsel High School, Sion. Our School team comprised Christabelle D’Lima, Beaulah D’Abreo, Gretabelle D’Lima, Barbara Noronha and Barbara Dharmai.”
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Shakuntala Vazirani, Class of 1970, was the rst 'elected' Head Girl of Apostolic Carmel High School
Head Girl Elections, New House Names and a New School Logo
Until the year 1968, the School Pupil Leader (popularly known as Head Girl) was chosen by the teaching staff. She had to be good in studies and show leadership qualities. The year 1969 witnessed the first elections with Shakuntala Vazirani being the first ‘elected’ Head Girl. She recalls, “The teachers nominated seven girls and students of Stds. VIII – XI had to vote for the candidate of their choice by secret ballot. There was healthy and friendly canvassing and I remember telling my best friend, Anuradha Velaskar who was also one of the contenders, that I would vote for her and she should vote for me. One of my supporters had put up several posters... “Let Kalidas’ favourite be yours too. Vote Shakuntala!” Counting of votes was done by the teachers in the Staff Room, in our presence, and there was much excitement as one could guess the winner even before the counting began. It was an awesome experience being exposed to an election process at such a young age.”
Of Democracy Day in 1970, Shakuntala Vazirani recalls, “I was the School Principal. I took Sr. Maria Rosa’s place and sat in her office for the day. Sister left me a note with instructions. When we met again at the Alumni Reunion in 2010, she was amazed to find that I had preserved the note for forty years.”
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1969 also witnessed a make-over in the Houses. Perhaps this had become a necessity as the number of students in the School brimmed over. The earlier two Houses – Red and Blue proved too cumbersome when ‘teamwork’ had to be organised. Hence, Green and Yellow were added with a switch-over to Ruby House (red), Emerald House (green), Diamond House (yellow) and Sapphire House (blue); a welcome change perhaps inspired by the impressive crystal
collection displayed in the Library! Elections to the new posts of House Captains were conducted a few days after the Head Girl’s elections and naturally resulted in hectic activity, with students vying for the posts, and speculation running high.
Around this time, the School logo too got a new, more modern look while the elements i.e. the lamp, the Cross and the two stars remained the same.
The new School badge: The lamp (now shaped like a diya) dispels the darkness of ignorance and narrow-mindedness. It enlightens and inspires one to strive for excellence. The Cross is a call for each one to live in the presence of God’s love. The two stars guide in times of difficulty and help one lead a life of virtue so that the Carmelite may shine brightly.
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Excursions
During this decade the School undertook various excursions outside Bombay – North India being a popular destination. The Class of 1970 had the unique privilege of meeting with the late Smt. Indira Gandhi, the then Prime Minister of India, and posing for a group photograph with her. Shakuntala Vazirani recollects, “I have vivid memories of that unforgettable visit to the Prime Minister’s residence. She actually spent time and spoke with us. We were just standing there in a daze...could not imagine we were actually in the presence of Indira Gandhi. Years later, I still talk about that privileged and memorable meeting.”
On another trip to Agra, the students were fortunate to be able to gaze spellbound at the Taj Mahal, resplendent in all its pristine beauty on a full moon night, thanks to
the generosity of a bus driver who insisted on taking them free of cost as the School couldn’t afford it. Sr. Maria Rosa recalls, “The Taj Mahal on a full moon night... it was a sight for the gods! There were only two guards and a few tourists. I remember a lady just standing and gazing. After a while I plucked up courage to ask her, “Are you enjoying yourself?” And she replied, “I’m speechless! This is my sixth visit to see the Taj by moonlight.”
The School’s last excursion in the year 1972 was to Srinagar, Kashmir where the group encountered unexpected cold weather and snow despite it being the month of October. They somehow braved it but a decision was then taken to discontinue these trips much to the disappointment of the later batches.
Class of 1965 on an excursion to Poona. L-R: Radha Madhavan, unknown, Sr. Aimee, Mavis Coelho
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The Class of 1970 meets the late Smt. Indira Gandhi, Prime Minister of India. L – R: Perin Merchant, Sr. Maria Rosa, Sr. Agnes Mary and May Rodrigues
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Class of 1968 on an excursion to Bangalore and Mysore
Excursion to Shimla


Students go to Agra to see the Taj Mahal in October 1970. Sr. Maria Rosa accompanies them.
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Intercom System
The Intercom system introduced by Sr. Maria Rosa in the year 1970 proved a boon to the School. Operated from the Principal’s Office, it put the entire School sorority on ‘high alert’. In a way, everyone was now monitored! Daily School Hall Assembly was discontinued thus saving a considerable amount of time and energy; parading and student movement was also eliminated. After a calm and composed Morning Prayer at their desks conducted over the intercom system, students could slide into study mode without delay. However, it was a two-way system – while students could hear the Principal’s announcements, she could also listen in to their chatter with a simple flip of the switch! This major ‘takeover’ as it were, greatly improved the discipline of the School though none can forget Sr. Maria Rosa’s face flushed with annoyance when decibel levels rose beyond a tolerable limit.
A New School Of ce
The School had hitherto functioned from a small office staffed by the nuns themselves. Friendly and willing neighbours especially Mr. Jose Marian Antonio Desa, the Fee Clerk of St. Andrew’s High School, and his son, Joseph Francis (Joe) Desa, assisted Sr. Aimee from time to time in filling this gap. Thus without proper infra-structure, official procedures had yet to be formalized and administration related paperwork and records put into place.
Around the year 1969 – ‘70, the School acquired some steel furniture at throwaway prices. With these and with the appointment of Miss Teresa Sequeira as Head Clerk in 1970, the new school office soon materialized. An ex-student of the School herself, Teresa exemplified the excellence of Carmel and made Apostolic Carmel High School her second home, till her retirement in 2008.
In the year 1974, Teresa was joined by Mrs. Ubretta Rodricks who took over the functioning of the Primary School office. Sr. Thelma recalls, “Ubretta knew exactly how the of ce functioned. As a new Headmistress, I was unfamiliar with the accounts but she would sit with me and take me through the books. I could safely leave it to her capable hands.”
Mr. Joseph Francis Desa (better known as Joe), father of Olinda, Jean and Marise Ann, ex-Carmelites, along with his father, ably assisted Sr. Aimee with the School’s paper work. He was a student of Sir J.J. School of Architecture and a great philanthropist. His daughter, Jean Desa Coelho later taught in the School.
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Taken in the year 1984 in the Primary school office, from left to right are Miss Caridade Sequeira, Miss Betty Vessoaker, Mrs. Ubretta Rodricks and Miss Teresa Sequeira
Miss Teresa Sequeira (right) and Miss Caridade Shirley Sequeira at work in the school office in the mid-90s. As the Head Clerk of the Secondary Section, Teresa, along with her sister, Shirley (who joined in 1976), ran the office with such sincerity and meticulous care that every file and folder, pin and paper, pen and pencil, seal and stamp had its designated place. Principals would come, serve their term and go but Teresa would remain a constant factor that would keep the wheels of the Apostolic Carmel machinery well-oiled and rolling without hitches and glitches. Whether it was getting an appointment sanctioned from the Department or a retiring teacher’s pension, a new student’s admission or a leaving certificate, nothing got done without Teresa’s
timely intervention. She officially retired in 2008 but was requested to continue until a suitable replacement was approved by the Department. She continued in office till 2012 when personal commitments took over and she had to leave. In the background are the steel cupboards purchased by Sr. Maria Rosa, still in use today.
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Centenary Celebrations of the Congregation
Another unique event that will go down in the annals of the School’s history is the centenary of the Order of the Apostolic Carmel in India in 1970. The Congregation looked back at their pilot venture in Mangalore from where it progressed across the length and breadth of India and Sri Lanka and then beyond to Kuwait and Melbourne, Australia. It was also a matter of pride to acknowledge that the Convent in Bandra had completed eighteen years of existence.
The School and Carmelite institutions all over the country participated wholeheartedly in the celebrations. The month-long events in Bandra started with a community programme on November 18, 1970. A Thanksgiving Mass was celebrated the next morning, followed by a lunch for the poor in the School Hall.
Sr. Bernita feeding the poor as part of an outreach programme to celebrate the Congregation’s Centenary


A scene from ‘The Marriage Feast of Cana’. The play, produced by teacher Mohana Vyavaharkar Kothare (also Head Girl of the rst batch – the Class of 1954) as an Indian Dance Drama, featured more than sixty dancers. Mariola Saldanha D’Silva, an ex-student, is seen as Jesus (seated behind the kneeling bridegroom).
On December 12, a large gathering of parents, teachers and children attended the concelebrated Mass at the St. Andrew Church. A cultural programme, held the same evening, consisted of the lighting of the lamps by past and present representatives of the Institution. The pièce de resistance was the main item ‘The Marriage Feast of Cana’ an enthralling dance drama set against a colourful blend of Indian and Jewish culture. The Hon’ble Shri S.P. Kotwal, the then acting Governor of Maharashtra, presided over this cultural programme. In his speech, he lauded the great contribution the Order had made in the spread of literacy and education in India.
The School also started a Centenary Memorial Fund; the proceeds of which would go towards setting up classrooms for a Commercial Institute. As part of this fund-raising drive, the School screened the film ‘Kelly’s Heroes’ at Metro Cinema on February 13, 1971. Advertisements in a souvenir and ticket sales allowed them to collect a tidy sum of money. Construction of this Centenary Memorial Extension was completed by December 1972 thanks to Mr. Vinod Velaskar and Mr. Pramod Velaskar of M/s Satellite Engineers and Mr. J. D’Sa of M/s Design Collaboration. These newly-built classrooms became fully operational in June 1973 when the Centenary Commercial Class offered Elements of Commerce & Book-keeping and Typing from Std. IX.
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Mrs. Pearl Pereira D'Sylva, an extraordinary artist, passed on in April 2009 after a long illness
An Extraordinary Artist
In the year 1972, talented student Pearl Pereira won acclaim in the field of Fine Art. Her painting ‘Peter’s Denial’ secured for her the first place in an Art competition sponsored by the Vatican for the International Bible Year.
Miss Pearl Pereira receives the medal from Bishop Simon Pimenta in 1973, while Sr. Maria Rosa looks on
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Spice Vendor (at the Bandra Market) – One of Pearl’s later works
Sr. Maria Pia, in her capacity as Secretary, All India Association of Catholic Schools, informs Pearl Pereira of the receipt of the award


Twenty Years of Service
And thus the School sailed towards its twenty-first year. The enriching experience garnered over the previous twenty, blended in eloquent harmony in the young School’s journey into the future. Apostolic Carmel High School was now considered one of the foremost schools in the area and on one occasion carried away the shield for the Best School in the Suburbs; thereby sustaining the School’s remarkable record of top-notch achievements. The Shield now rests in the Principal’s Office along with other laurels.
HEAD GIRLS
Yvonne Braganza Tasneem E. Merchant Jennifer Sequeira Chanda Mohini Kohli Rohini de Lima Ingrid Coelho Shakuntala Vazirani Patricia Martis
Geeta Shetty Lizanne Fernandes
1963 – 1964 1964 – 1965 1965 – 1966 1966 – 1967 1967 – 1968 1968 – 1969 1969 – 1970 1970 – 1971 1971 – 1972 1972 – 1973
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82
1973 - 1983
Trailblazers on the playing field
Physics, Chemistry, Biology - New Labs
New Maths - Algebra, Geometry
Sports - Of Trophies
and National Champions
Another new school uniform


Open Day gains importance
The Carmel Chronicles
Volley-Ball
Hockey
New basket-ball court
R.S.P. / Guiding / Social Service
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1973 - 1983
The School rolled smoothly into its third decade with Sr. Maria Rosa still at the helm implementing new concepts and practices; hurdles and prejudices surfaced occasionally but the Institution survived them all. Change was a constant feature in the life of the School.
The Impact of the New S.S.C. Syllabus
In the year 1972, the Maharashtra State Education Department changed the syllabus. From 1975 onwards, the S.S.C. exam would be held in Std. X instead of Std. XI. This new syllabus, introduced from Std. VIII onwards, brought about drastic changes.
With an eye on this change, Sr. Maria Rosa took on Miss Margattam Iyer in the year 1969 to teach New Mathematics. Miss Iyer arrived with an in-depth understanding of the subject and encouraged by Sr. Maria Rosa, attended further courses; thus becoming something of an expert. She had
her own logical method with regard to teaching concepts. She modestly says, “I didn’t do anything extraordinary. I just took things step-by-step. I did not go from Step 1 to Step 2 if the students did not understand the rst step. I thought that was the way to teach and so did it my way.” As a result, the School was well-prepared and introduced New Maths a year ahead of schedule. This also benefitted students answering the old S.S.C. syllabus in 1975. Through late 1974 and early 1975, she also conducted classes for the parents which enabled them to coach their wards at home.
Miss Margattam Iyer taught Mathematics from 1969 until her retirement in 1994. Students were in awe of the perfect circles she drew on the blackboard. Known for her dry sense of humour, Miss Iyer would famously remark, “I get plenty of practice drawing circles. You girls get so many zeroes in your Maths papers!”
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While English and Hindi continued under the new syllabus, the students had to compulsorily take on a third language. The choice lay between Marathi and French with French being introduced in Std. VIII.
Elementary Mathematics (Arithmetic, Algebra and Geometry) and Higher Mathematics (only higher level Algebra and Geometry) as options were dropped in favour of New Mathematics (only Algebra and Geometry) across both batches in 1975.
The curriculum for General Science (Physics and Chemistry) and Physiology & Hygiene was re-designed. Shown on the mark sheet as Science, subjects covered were Physics, Chemistry & Biology.
Indian Administration & Civics was clubbed with Social Sciences (History and Geography).
Guiding, Road Safety Patrol and Social Service were now co- curricular activities (coded 75, 76 and 73 on mark sheets of the new S.S.C. course) as was Physical Education (coded 72).
Mark sheet of the old S.S.C. course followed until 1975
Mark sheet of the new S.S.C. course which came into effect in 1975 and continued till 1995
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The logo of The Bharat Scouts and Guides
The Girl Guides from the Classes of 1976 and 1977 with their Guide Mistress, Tr. Genevieve D’Souza
While Road Safety Patrol (R.S.P.), Guiding and Social Service had always been a part of the School curriculum, albeit as extra-curricular activities, they were now introduced as co-curricular activities and the grade received mention on the S.S.C. mark sheet. Students had the option of choosing any one of the three subjects. While teacher Genevieve D’Souza was placed in charge of Guiding, teacher Lynette Fernandes came on board in 1976 to take up R.S.P. Under her able guidance, the School held the shield for the Best Platoon at the North-West Zonal Rally for nine consecutive years.
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R.S.P. cadets from the class of 1975 with Tr. Genevieve D’Souza. The cadets would march at the Intra-Zone Parades at Shivaji Park. If they won, they would report to Cross Maidan later in the month for a larger and grander Inter-Zone Parade. As winners of the Parade, the cadets would receive certificates and an official photograph would be clicked at School the following day.
Tr. Lynette Fernandes
In the twenty-six years
(1976 – 2002) she taught
at Apostolic Carmel High
School, Tr. Lynette earned
a reputation not only for her discipline with the R.S.P. squad but also for her expertise at Needlework. Thanks to her, the Carmel girls of the eighties and nineties finished school, well-versed with not only tacking, hemming, smocking and basic dress-making but also more complicated embroidery stitches like chain stitch, herringbone and French knot.
Various trophies on display at the School’s Golden Jubilee exhibition in December 2012. Visible front centre is the shield for the Best Platoon won at the North-West Zonal Rally. Their years of success are marked along the edge of the shield (the ninth one hidden by the table skirting).
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Tr. Lynette Fernandes


Students were now spending more time participating in Sports and Physical Training (P.T.) often having to squat on the ground; uniforms looked shabby by the end of the day! A more sensible option was thought out and the uniform re-designed; the pinafore could be easily taken off and the blouse worn with shorts for P.T. or Sports. Out of concern and understanding, students were allowed to continue wearing the old uniform through the next two academic years provided the length passed muster – no more than two inches above the knee!
This new uniform of a tunic with a sash was the cause of much excitement among the students. The fashionistas among them would wear the sash lower, on the hips, making the uniform look like the low-waisted dresses that were in vogue then, much to the annoyance of their Principal. This continued till Sr. Muriel Rita (Principal from 1995 to 2006) put paid to this fashion by insisting on loops to hold the belt at the waist.
Footwear, however, continued to be ordained by Bata. Daily wear comprised grey socks and black leather shoes in ‘Pathfinder’ style. On Sports/ P.T. days, the students were expected to wear white canvas shoes with the grey socks. In the year 1977, Bata introduced blue and white canvas shoes which the School immediately adopted. This brought to an end the era of blanco’ed or chalked white tennis shoes. No longer were the students in fear of Mrs. Dubash’s rigorous uniform checks and her subsequent wrath because their shoes were not sufficiently white. Nirmala Menezes Rego recalls, “We had our famous white canvas shoes with embarrassing potatoes underneath which we really wore out. We would have P.T. after the lunch break. If the shoes were washed and didn’t dry in time, we would be in trouble. Chalk was therefore the instant remedy!”
Instructions issued by the Principal’s office detailing the new uniform. Teresa Sequeira recalls, “I had to go to Kaystell’s on Hill Road to get this new uniform stitched. We hung a sample near the Primary Office with instructions on how to follow the pattern correctly. Nevertheless, we ended up with all sorts of patterns in varying shades of grey! We then appointed Mr. Barney D’Silva of Barnstormers to take over as the ‘official tailor’ of the uniform.”
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Student Leaders of the Class of 1977 with Sr. Maria Rosa and Sr. Marcilia in the new school uniform. Seen here with trophies and awards won through the academic year.
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The change in the Science syllabus also warranted new Science laboratories. The Laboratory Fund started in March 1974, allowed the School to raise funds for two new ones to be built above the Library. In the academic year-end circular sent out to the parents a year later, Sr. Maria Rosa wrote of her gratitude to Dr. Hubert Noronha, Mr. A. Motiwalla of Alwood Corporation and Mr. A. E. Merchant for guiding and assisting teachers Radha Madhavan, Perin Merchant and Hamida Merchant in fitting out the laboratories. Hazel Nunes Punde in her capacity as a Science Teacher says, “I knew we had one of the best- equipped laboratories. In terms of audio-visual aids, the Sisters made sure we had the latest so that we could impart the best possible education to our girls.”
Yet another fall-out of the new S.S.C. syllabus was the shortage of seats for students at the Junior College level in 1975. Colleges did not have space to admit students answering the new syllabus as those answering the old syllabus were given first preference. Thus, schools were requested to commence classes for the Junior College to accommodate these students. Apostolic Carmel High School chose to offer classes in the Home Science stream only. This resulted in a need for some more construction on the School premises. Again, the School’s benefactors put their best foot forward. While Mrs. Melanie Pereira and Mr. Harumani helped out with the planning of these courses; Mr. Makkuni Balakrishna donated a large sum of money in memory of his late daughter Shyla, a student of Std. IX who succumbed to brain cancer. The School also screened the film premiere of ‘Crazy Girls and a Funny Boy’ at Metro Cinema to raise funds for this project. The new wing known as the Carmel Technical School was inaugurated on July 11, 1977 by Mrs. Perin Bhiwandiwala, President, Soroptimist Club and blessed by late Bishop Longinus Pereira. It also offered Government Certificate Courses in Home Science, so that students could supplement their family income. The Technical School shut its doors in 1980.
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Sports – Of Trophies and National Champions
Basket-ball reached dizzying heights of success under the coaching of Mrs. Aileen Soans and Mrs. Mildred Fernandes, who produced and groomed three brilliant teams – mini, midi and senior level. These teams set out to win laurels for the School and emerged State champions. Sr. Maria Rosa recalls, “We had all three teams competing at the State level and one year we were the champions in the State at all three levels. In fact, at one time (in a lighter vein) I was asked by the Sports Department not to enter our girls as the others were getting disheartened! Full credit to Mrs. Soans, Mrs. Mildred Fernandes and Mr. A. V. D’Souza!”
Volley-ball, introduced in the School in 1970 as a team sport, was not far behind. In 1973, the School’s team was chosen to represent Bombay at the District Level Winter Tournament. Hockey, the last of the three team sports to be introduced, took off in 1974. The team soon proved itself when it reached the finals of the Junior Girls’ Hockey League organised by the Bombay High Schools Sports Association in January 1975.
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Ananthalakshmi went on to play basket-ball for the Bombay and Maharashtra state teams until 1989. In 1980, she received Maharashtra State’s Shiv Chhatrapati Award presented to the year’s outstanding basket-ball player. Across the years 1980, 1982 and 1984, she played four times for the Asian Basket-ball Championships in the women’s and girls’ teams. She was also part of the Indian basket-ball team at the Ninth Asian Games held in New Delhi in 1982.
Marissa Sequeira excelled not only at basket-ball but at hockey and track & field events too. In 1975, at the age of thirteen, she won the 100-metre dash in the Junior category at the National level meet held at Hyderabad. She went on to play both, basket-ball and hockey for the Central Railways team throughout her college days.
The 1975 Maharashtra basket-ball team comprised five Apostolic Carmel High School students – Karen Curzai, Marissa Sequeira, Beena Nagpurkar, Alka Khanna (all standing) and Ananthalakshmi (seated second from left)
The district basket-ball tournament in Nashik in 1975. Gracelyn D’Souza Fewkes (seated second from right) recalls, “It was bitterly cold but we had to wake early and take a cold shower before breakfast. Nonetheless, we thoroughly enjoyed ourselves.”


The basket-ball team with Sr. Astrid and Mrs. Soans circa 1977
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The basket-ball team at the Maharashtra Inter-School Championship held at Jalgaon in October 1975. Myola Mathias (seated third from right) along with Barbara Noronha (not in pic) played for the Maharashtra State team at the national level, which won Gold in 1973.


The winning basket-ball team with their shield, Vice Principal Sr. Marcilia A.C., Principal Sr. Astrid A.C. and Mrs. Aileen Soans taken in the early-eighties
The basket-ball team
with Sr. Astrid and Mrs.
Soans. Standing in front of
Sr. Astrid is Linda D’Souza
who, along with her sister
Loretta, played basket-ball
for the Western Railways
team as well as the
Maharashtra team. Linda
also represented India twice,
in the mid-eighties, at the
Asian Basket-Ball Championship held at Hong Kong and Manila.
Sophie Menezes, standing third from right, went on to referee inter-school basket-ball matches.
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A.C.H.S. wins the final of the Hooper's Club Open Basket-ball Tournament dated February 10, 1977
Ananthalakshmi outstanding in basket- ball, A.C.H.S. dominates at Inter-school Level Source: Evening News of India, November 5, 1976
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A.C.H.S. wins the final of the G.S.B. Inter-schools Basket-ball Tournament Source: The Times of India, November 1, 1976
Runaway victory for A.C.H.S.
A.C.H.S. wins the final of the Bombay Y.M.C.A. Inter- school and Junior College Basket-ball tournament for girls


The School’s first hockey team with teachers Mildred Fernandes and Aileen Soans and coach Bruno Fonseca circa 1976
The hockey team with Sr. Astrid, coach Bruno Fonseca and Mrs. Soans, with the trophy of the All-Bombay Inter-School tournament
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The Baton Changes Hands
June 1977 saw Sr. M. Astrid Alvares A.C. take over the reins of the school from Sr. Maria Rosa. An extremely gentle and soft-spoken person, she was an administrator par excellence. To her goes the credit of the Teachers’ Preparation Book, a separate Headmistress for the Primary Section in 1979, Personalised Education and even the revival of the Parent Teacher Association. She was also responsible for the first School Magazine, Inter-House One-Act Plays and the Carmel Girl contest.
Sr. M. Astrid Alvares A.C. (Principal from 1977 to 1982) with the entire staff of Apostolic Carmel High School, Bandra during the academic year 1981 – 82. Her tenure in office was cut short as she was elected to the Provincial Council in 1981. She was elected the Fifth Provincial Superior in 1984 (Bandra was established as ‘Headquarters of the Western Province (earlier known as Central Province) of the Apostolic Carmel Order’ in 1972). Shortly thereafter she was diagnosed with cancer. She succumbed on January 12, 1994 after a long battle with the disease.
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In the Principal’s address, Sr. Astrid expresses her delight at the students’ efforts to bring out their first School Magazine
The Carmel Chronicles
The School Magazine is a veritable record of the year gone by. Named ‘The School Annual’, the first edition of the magazine was launched during academic year 1980 – 81 under the guidance of teachers Joyce D’Souza and Maryann Pereira with Maria D’Cunha as its first student editor. It contained an Art, Hindi and Marathi section in addition to the main English section. In 1983 – 84, a French section was added.
The cover of the first School Magazine that released in 1981. A big ‘C’ comprised various facets of student life like music, sports, art and public speaking; in the centre, the School Badge. The next few magazine covers were identical in design but with a different background colour i.e. yellow, green, maroon.
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Co-ordinators of ‘Voice of Carmel’ – teachers Natalia de Souza and Hazel Nunes
In 1991, the Magazine was renamed ‘Voice of Carmel’ after a Name Contest won by Ayesha D’Souza
The cover of the first Carmel Buzz launched in 2009
In 1991, the magazine underwent a change. It was now a twenty-four page bi-annual booklet called ‘Voice of Carmel’, co-ordinated by teachers Natalia de Souza and Hazel Nunes; and edited by Geeta Nadkarni and Shonet Saldanha. In 2009, the magazine took on the avatar of a bi-annual eight-page bulletin and was re-christened ‘Carmel Buzz’. As Co-ordinator, teacher Mercy Isaac introduced quizzes, crosswords and even drawings and paintings in order to increase student participation. It is now released annually as the School’s website updates most parents on the events taking place.
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Open Day
In the early 1980s, there was a paradigm shift in the students’ perspective. Television had become an essential feature of urban lifestyle. With wider exposure, they got to be more competitive. Private tuitions became the norm. A larger number of students aspired to become graduates; with post-graduation an acknowledged follow- up. Apart from academia, they got involved in other
streams like music, athletics, swimming, chess, etc. With both parents employed, families enjoyed financial comfort and children were encouraged to pursue a career of their choice.
The “Open Day” concept which started in the late 1960s gained momentum in this decade. Earlier, parents hardly kept tabs or were even conversant with their child’s progress in class. It was their ward’s performance in the examinations which was of paramount importance and which served as a “wake- up” call.
“Open Day” became an active interaction between the teacher and the parent, enabling parents to keep abreast of their child’s academic growth and discuss how best to encourage them in their pursuits. Teacher Margattam Iyer recalls “Open Day used to start after school hours. Parents would come back from work, freshen up and turn up at 8 p.m. We could not turn them away. When I meet some of the children today, I feel really proud of them. I revel in the fact that some of them are doctors, lawyers, principals of colleges, event managers, Bollywood stars, etc. They are doing exceedingly well. I do feel we have helped them go ahead and achieve their aspirations.”
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