ST. THERESE'S DOWN THE YEARS!

1958: The first 3 Sisters with their charges in Vasco.

1959: The original school at Appa Pai's, Vaddem, Vasco.

1969: Building: Srs. Michael, Columba, Fr. Cromacio.

2008: St. Therese's as it looks today, up on Mangor Hill.

On a warm summer morning, a dozen years after the Great War, three young Presentation Sisters from Ireland entered the sleepy coastal town in Goa named after the great explorer Vasco da Gama. Three months later on Wednesday 6th August 1958, in rented premises belonging to timber-merchant Appa Pai, just off the main St. Andrew's Church, the smiling Sisters opened a little school. Today, five decades later, from those humble beginnings St. Therese's has grown into Vasco's most prominent high school.

Appa Pai's little dozen-room bungalow no longer exists, a multi-storied commercial building having supplanted it. But the genial Sisters had long moved on - after a decade at Pai's, they acquired land and built a lovely three-storied school on spacious grounds in the svelte surroundings of Mangor Hill. Gone too are the original Irish Sisters - names that tumble off the lips like Mother Columba, Sister Michael, Sister Loyola - but the new school is now a bustling hive of over a thousand students, excitedly preparing to celebrate its Golden Jubilee.

The Presentation Sisters of the Blessed Virgin Mary were founded in Ireland in 1775 by Nano Nagle. To celebrate this Jubilee meaningfully, Sister Anice George, Principal, has commissioned a committee composed of alumni, parents, faculty and Sisters to plan a year-long calendar of events and projects that will bring the entire community together in the spirit of fellowship, thanksgiving and, renewal of the ideals that are the core values of a Theresian education in the context of a modern Indian society.

The Jubilee Steering Committee, chaired by Mr. Gustavo D'Souza, has lined up several activities to ensure that the Jubilee Year will not only be a memorable occasion for all members of the great Theresian community but will also be an ideal opportunity for everyone to reaffirm the Presentation spirit - the motto inscribed on the Nagle family's coat of arms was Non Vox Sed Votum, "Not Words But Deeds" an ideal they steadfastly promote.

A special Grand Jubilee Celebration in December 2008 is being planned worldwide. Simultaneous celebrations will coincide with the Goa festivities and will be digitally linked through the magic of the internet to underscore the spirit of unity and kinship among all Theresian alumni across the world. This is only the first step in the strengthening of the alumni association which aims to establish and link up with local chapters in other parts of the world.

A major highlight will be the recognition of all our good teachers of the past five decades. The idea behind this is to honour their achievements and lives which embody, to a very high degree, the school ideals of being "followers of St. Therese endowed with a passion for justice and the skills for development." Their shining example inspires us!

Other projects include a commemorative souvenir, a memorial to the school founders, a faculty reunion, an updated alumni directory, essay writing contest, sporting events, spiritual activities and civic projects. Already in the pipeline are special commemorative items for sale, available by November, 2008.

St. Therese's High School has reached a truly golden moment in its history. From its humble beginnings in down Vaddem to its modern campus on Mangor Hill, St. Therese's has grown mightily but remained steadfast in its mission. As the school approaches the big Five O, the entire Theresian community prepares to celebrate a glorious past and chart a more vibrant role for the future! Begin the countdown!