Celebrating 75 years of dedicated service

By
anjum
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86
833

St Lawrence’s Convent Girls’ School, Karachi is celebrating its Platinum Jubilee this year.
Seventy-five years of dedicated service to thousands of young girls of the metropolitan is a hallmark in a country that has just turned 64 years old.
It would not be wide of the mark to say that the missionary schools, many of which preceded Pakistan’s independence, have been responsible for providing quality education.
St Lawrence’s Convent Girls’ School, too, has believed in imparting quality education with tremendous significance given to character-building.
The school was founded in January 1936 by the Sisters of the Franciscan Missionaries of Mary as a day school with 115 male and female students.
Mother Mary Britwald was its first Principal, and many principals and headmistresses have served the school since then.
Some familiar names are Sister Mary Duarte, Sister Esther Burns, Sister Doris D’Cruze, Sister Joyce Correa, Sister Bernadette Fernandes and Mrs Rita D’Souza.
In 1972, the school was nationalised by the then government, leading to a fear that the standards of the institution might drop.
However, Catholic laywomen bravely took up the challenge and responsibility of heading the school.
In 1973-74, Mrs Alice D’Souza, followed by Mrs Margaret D’Souza, served at the primary school; whereas Mrs Clarice Monteiro remained the Principal until the school was denationalised in 1990.
Today, the fledgling institution that began with a mere 115 students provides education to around 1,120 girls.
Little girls enter the school in Kindergarten-I and remain here for 12 years, proudly identifying themselves as Lawrentians wherever they go.
The seal of the school represents ‘The ship of our life sailing on stormy water led by a star’.
This ship needs to be steered carefully, if it is not to be lost amidst the currents and storms of life.
The school tries its best to provide quality education to the middle-class at an affordable fee.
Curricular and co-curricular activities are a tradition at the institution, and efforts are made to make the school and learning a blessed and delightful experience.
The students at the Matriculation level do very well, and many achieve accolades for the institution.
The faculty of the school comprises individuals who selflessly devote their services to provide an effective learning experience for the students in their charge.
The school boasts of a number of teachers who have spent over two decades at the school and whose names have become synonymous with St Lawrence’s Convent Girls’ School.
The school administration has planned to hold several programmes to mark the significance of its Platinum Jubilee.
The opening celebration would take place next month, followed by an inter-school elocution contest.
For the next three months, alumnae would inspire current students at the morning assembly as part of the ‘I began my baby steps at this institution and today I stand tall’ programme.
A gathering for former students would be held in October, and a Mela would be organised the following month.
A concert has been planned to take place in December, followed by ‘Teachers old and new’, a gathering of the building blocks of the school.
In January next year, a programme titled ‘Mothers and daughters bond’ would be held.
A Sports Gala would take place in May, followed by the closing programme.
The school sincerely thanks the efforts of the two Sisters of the Franciscan Missionaries of Mary who served the school as Principals of the Primary and Secondary sections, Sister Joyce Correa and Sister Bernadette Fernandes respectively.
Their sincere efforts to make the institution reputable are indeed commendable.
May God continue to guide the institution and may our efforts to make higher achievements never dampen.

Mrs Christine Martins is the Principal of St Lawrence’s Convent Girls’ School, Karachi

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86 COMMENTS

  12. I feel so privileged to have studied and graduated from St. Lawrence's Convent, as did my sisters Jennifer, Penny, Toni and Marian, taught by our beloved nuns – Mother Sabina Paula, Srs. Rose Winifred, Flora Coeli, Srs. Terence, Nativity and a host of others who influenced our lives immeasurably – thank you with all my heart!

  16. Congratulations!I am blessed that I have spent my precious childhood years learning from this great institute.I want to thank each and every teacher of this school who played a vital role in my education Life.
    Proud to be a Lawrentian!

  18. MASHALLAH…TODAY I CAN PROUDLY SAY THAT YES I AM A LAWRENCIAN….AND I AM PROUD TO BE !!! I STARTED MY SECONDARY EDUCATION FROM THIS PLACE AND THIS SCHOOL GAVE ME ALOT….I HAVE RELALY ENJOYED EACH AND EVERY DAY IN THIS CAMPUS AND LAST BUT NOT THE LEAST MAY GOD BLESS MY SCHOOL AND KEEP SHINNING 🙂
    BEING THE ALUMUNAI OF THIS SCHOOL I AM REALLY HAPPY ON THE 75 YEARS OF CELEBRATIONS 🙂
    WE THE LAWRENCIANS ROCK 😀

  19. proud to be a lawrentian…………………..I Miss u st.lawrence's soo much remembrin golden days when i was in school……….love my school 🙂 <3

  20. I am proud to be a laurentain. I miss the good old days when I was in school, the fun i use to have and also all the teachers I had if it was not for them I would not be where I am now. God bless all the teachers who ever are still there from my time. I am really happy that it is celebrating 75 years and hope they ae many more ahead. Alma Taylor(Misquita)

  21. I am proud to be a laurentain. I miss the good old days when I was in school, the fun i use to have and also all the teachers I had if it was not for them I would not be where I am now. God bless all the teachers who ever are still there from my time. I am really happy that it is celebrating 75 years and hope they ae many more ahead.

  22. MY SCHOOL <3 <3 <3

    75 years!! WOW!

    I always credit all the good that I have or do to good schooling and good parenting. I've been very lucky in both areas.

  23. PROUD TO BE A LAWRENTIAN =]
    Although sad , 🙁 coz only one year left to matriculate!!
    on the other hand, tooo happy that i cn proudly say.. im a part of St. Lawrence's !!
    May God Bless our school!
    and all the Teachers from Kindergarten right Upto Secondary Level! who taught us with their brilliant efforts that we are here celebrating its 75th B'day!! Platinum Jubilee very proudlyy 🙂 Special Thanks To Mrs. Christine Martins, by the efforts of whom, everything is improvedddd!! <3 THANKS ALOT MA'AM WE LOVE YOU <3 We'll specially miss her C.B classes :)))
    LONG LIVE SLCGS <3

  24. SALAM TO MY PAKISTAN AND MY SCHOOL, I M PROUD THAT I MADE A LITTLE BUT APPRECIABLE CONTRIBUTION TOWARDS MY SCHOOL BY HOLDING ITS NAME IN 2ND POSITION THROUGH OUT IN KARACHI BOARD.NO ONE CAN BE MORE PROUD THEN ME FOR THE MARVELOUS 75 YEARS OF MY SCHOOL. LOVE IT. ITS A GREAT SCHOOL. I SPECIALLY MISS MY LAST 2 YEARS OF SECONDARY AND YA THE "C.B" CLASS TOO. THAX MRS.MARTIN AND THE TWO Sisters of the Franciscan Missionaries.(THE FOUNDERS)

  25. Proud to be a Lawrentian….had a wonderful childhood there and have great memories of fun times!

  30. proud to be a Laurentian! Looking forward to a posting of a list of the graduating class of '72 …. or was it '73??? 😉 Either way, I hope, since I have registered my name, that many others will too, and we can possible 'meet up' on cyber space again!

  31. It feels so good to read a article written on my beloved school-the place where I got my education from the kindergarden to all the way to the 10th grade. It's a place where I have learnt everything beside the studies and have spent my 11 years. I'm so happy that St. Lawrence's Convent School is celebrating its 75 successful years. I'm so proud to be a Lawrentian and even now living in the United States I proudly tell my fellow students and teachers that I am from this school. Long live St.Lawrence's Convent. I miss my school and my school days…:(

  36. THOUSANDS OF PAGES REQUIRED TO SAY SOME THING ABOUT MY SCHOOL.I LOVE MY SCHOOL ALOT. PROUD TO BE LAWRENTIAN. I CAN'T FORGET THE TEACHERS.

  37. stay blessed…….. may you have many more years <3… love st lawrence's proud to be lawrentian 🙂

  39. we are really proud to be a Lawrentian ……………………………………..<3<3……

  40. i cannot tell in words what this school has given me.. i am and will always proud to be a Lawrentian. i really want to thank Mrs. Christine Martins, whatever i am today is just because of her.. thank you soo much ma'am..

  43. Congratualations……..Fortunately i am one of those girls who have spend 10 years of life as a Lawrentian. I can proudly say “I began my baby steps at this institution and today I stand tall” because of being Lawrentian

  47. God bless my school for ever we have learned a lot and this is our learning tree and deserves a standing salute.
    Saima Zafar
    former student from 1976 to 1987

  48. Proud to be the part of this school, studied 12 years & treasured unforgettable moments for life time. best school, best teahers, so all cheers for them & the celebration…..Hip hip hooray

  49. So many memories so many flashbacks into a life long long ago. I can never forget the most beautiful days of my life. My friends my teachers, many that I have lost contact with over the years. I miss those corridors, the neem tree, the cool and serene chappel, the nooks and corners, the ringing of the bell. Do we still have the same school song…. "bless this school O' God we pray….. I am a very old student from I think class of 74-75. Fouzia Zubair formerly Fouzia Tungekar….. Hope to be in KArachi in Nov. Insha Allah.

  50. proud to be a laurentian ,hav been there fron kindergarten to metric and then college too.miss my friends and cudn't find any .MY NAME IN SCHOOL WAS KULSOOM SOFIA TUNGEKAR .i wish i could find some of my friends through this .will love to attend all the celebrations and will try my best inshallah.

  51. spend best and important time of my life in ST.LAWRANCES….I am proud of my school and thankful to my parents for choosing this great institution for me….I am thankful to all my teachers,sisters who thought me….my school and my teachers mean a lot to me….
    I love my school and i miss my school…..

  52. I would wish that proud Lawrentians would come together to expand the facilities, not necessarily in its current location, but maybe in a new location. It's such a sad moment to see that where population of Karachi has been growing at the rate of 7% per year compounded, the number of students that the school can accommodate has grown by less than half of that or about 3% p.a. over the same period. Obviously, those that had invested in the brick and mortar 75 years back are effectively bearing the cost of providing affordable education to students today. I believe graduates of yester-years should come together and do the same.

  53. proud to be Lawrentian…..miss my old days in school especially secondary years and all the GREAT and lovely teachers who dedicated their whole lives for the campus. I miss my school NO… my great school…..God bless all the teachers and my school!!

  54. It gives me a feeling of great pride & honour to have studied throughout from primary onwards to college level in St. Lawrence's Convent school. The dedication of teachers in teaching and grooming young ladies was marvellous. I congratulate the entire staff, management and administration for their hard work, and students and ALUMNI on this great occasion of completing 75 years. PROUD TO BE LAWRENCIAN ……
    I am an Alumni, completed my 10th grade in 1971. My name was SEEMA SHARIF, now Seema Ansari. I would love to meet my old colleagues.

  55. meee tooooooo count me in . I am from the batch of 83 ,84 .do report of any favors required . Maiden name SARWAT FAROOQUI

  56. I love u st-lawrence..My my school:) one day i ll definitely visit u and will spend the whole day there.

  57. Congratulaions to each and every one associated with St. Lawrences. I am Proud to be a Lawrentian ….God bless our school. forever and forever Amen

  58. My mother Margaret D'Souza was the principal and before that she taught at the school for many many years. My mom truely believed in going the extra mile for all students regardless of their family status and gave of herself selflessly. Mom just turned 92 years and was thrilled to hear about the upcoming celebrations. We live in Calgary Canada.

  59. Cheers to St. Lawrence's Girl School! What wonderful memories I have of that place. Here's to another 75 years! Celia (Pinto) Lobo

  60. Vow! that's so great – Proud to be a Lawrentian! I was in the school from LKG to matric and enjoyed the good old days and still enjoying as we are all in Canada now – and we do have aluminus as and when we can – so we are still living upto the name of St. Lawrence's Girls.
    I do remember all the nuns and the principals (Sr. Bernadette was one of my favourites). I doubt if she remembers me.
    Rose (Anthony) David

  61. Hi Seema – my name is Rose (Anthony) David are you the girl who lived near the school if you are i wonder if you remember me I think my sister Lourdes Anthony was in your class in 1971 – if it is so please email me on [email protected]

    THANKS & BEST REGARDS

  62. Proud to be lawrention coxv r the lucky students who r the part of this celebrating ……….had a gr8 tym and had loads of memories with this school

  66. CONGRATULATIONS TO MY 2ND HOME FOR PLATINUM JUBILEE CELEBRATIONS ,NONE OF THE NEW SCHOOLS OPEN AND GROING LIKE MASHROOMS ,CAN COMPETE U ,I FEEL WE HAD THE BEST TIME OF LIFE IN ST LAWRENCES U HVE MADE ME A GOOD HUMAN ,AND AGOOD PHYSICIAN ,ALL CREDIT GOES TO MY LOVELY SCHOOL ,I WILL ALWAYS SALUTE U FOR UR SERVI

  67. congratulations…………..had a wonderful time and loved being there ..proud to be part of this school ….i miss my school …

  72. I am proud to be a student of St. Lawrence College. Although I was not in school but my mother Farrukh Agha was a student there. She has some fine memories attached to the school. As we lived in the vicinity , it was a source of solace for us. Kind regards.

    HINA SHERIFF

  74. is there any other occassion happening at s.t lawrence ?/ if it is then please post the time and date for(ex-students)
    P.S im from the batch of 1992

  75. i am a proud and successful lawrentian…..God Bless our teachers and our principals sister joyce & sister barnadett. i wish i could attend this auspicious occassion. had beautiful childhood memories.

  77. i am a proud and successful lawrentian…..God Bless our teachers and our principals sister joyce & sister barnadett. i wish i could attend this auspicious occassion. Have beautiful childhood memories.

  78. Loved the school made me what I am…. Hope it stays long and prospers… Proud when I was there, proud now as its illumni… Long Live SLCGSS…!!!!!

  79. my my my dear school i realy luv u and miss u a lot . i am tabassum eqbal year of 1989-90 . I AM PROUD TO BE LAWRENTIAN. my old memories ,my child hood ,my firststep omg i luv my teachers, my friends MISS SAKINA MATHS TEACHER . MRS TREESA ENGLISH ,MRS SIDDIQUE URDU TEACHER PRIMARY SEC , MRS HELEN ,MRS SHAOOR ,MRS KHADIJA ,MISS BUSHRA . MISS REHMAT ,SISTER DORIS .always cut -1 for english spelling heheh .sister JOUYS primary principleand sooooooooooooooooo many beloved teachers i remember all and pray for them always . may Allah almighty always bless my school .TABASSUM EQBAL

  80. Proud to b a Lawrentian 🙂 missing my school alot.. may this School Always continue in providing best education!!

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