St Anthony’s Boys’ School will be history soon

St Anthony’s Boys’ School will be history soon
Bangalore, Feb 15, DH News Service:

On Sunday, yet another remnant of old Bangalore bid adieu amongst some fan fare, a lot of nostalgia and heavy heartedness.


The 109-year-old St Anthony’s Boys’ School on Convent Road in Richmond Town will become part of Bangalore’s folklore after the school’s management decided that the 2009 - 2010 academic year will be its last hurrah.

The quaint little colonial structure in one of Richmond Town’s historic lanes counts former India Cricket Captain Rahul Dravid, Hockey player Anil Aldrin, Nandan Nilekani and swimmer Hakimuddin as its alumni. The school, which offered classes till fourth was started in 1901 by the Good Shepherd Irish Sisters and was known for its discipline.

A majority of those, who completed Class IV at the school went straight to the St Joseph’s Boys High School to complete the rest of their schooling.

Incidentally, the management’s decision was prompted by the fact that St Joseph’s has now started its own primary classes. And the present students of the school too will be transferred to the St Joseph’s Boys High School.

Dravid, who was present at Sunday’s farewell function attended the Thanksgiving Mass and also hoisted the school’s flag. Recollecting his days at St Anthony’s, Dravid said that he learnt his early cricket at the school’s ground and was responsible for moulding his character.

“A lot of us will continue to bring our children to the area and share our memories even if the school is not present,” he said.

The farewell function was also attended by a number of former students who brought their families along.

Manoj Pasangha, President of the Past Students and Parents’ Association called the closure a sad moment and said, “The school was iconic and taught us great values. Although it was a catholic school, it was secular in its functioning.”