From the beginnings to our days
(By late Sri A.D. Hazra, on the occasion of the Golden Jubilee).

We came away from Boitakhana to Ballygunge on a crisp winter morning of January 1937.
Welcoming us at the junction of Ritchie Road and Ballygunge Circular Road under the shade of a
giant mahogany tree, later a victim of the axe of some thoughtless city official, was a freshly
painted signboard : St Lawrence High School, conducted by the Jesuit Fathers.

As the first group of teachers and students entered the compound, they couldn't but be overawed
by the sheer size of their new school building, neatly painted in cream colour, and of the 6 acre
compound sprawling behind it. The property was once upon a time the summer residence of the
Mullick family, better known for their Marble Palace in North Calcutta. A beautiful flower garden
delighted visitors, also the imposing row of tall eucalyptus trees along Ritchie Road. A marble
fountain near the western gate and another on the eastern side of the property adorned the land
giving it a Victorian look.

The first batch of students remember the large pound at the back extending from nearly one end
of the boundary to the other. White marble benches surrounded another two smaller pounds
closer to Ballygunge Circular Road. A garden of delight ! This was the site of our new school. Fr
Joseph Arimont, S.J., himself an old timer of Boitakhana, took over the direction of the new
school. In the short span of two years he gave the school a definite thrust. Time tables, syllabi and
examination schedules were firmly set. In this he was ably assisted by Mr M. Banerjee,
Headmaster and his close collaborator. The weekly test system spread over the three terms was
introduced and hostel life was organized on the pattern of a scout group. His most precious legacy
perhaps was his choice of the school motto , Like Gold in a Furnace. ^^

1939  brought in the war years, and while battles were fought on far off fronts, the rigours of war
took their toll on the school. The marble benches and fountains of the erstwhile Mullick's garden
were sold out to ease  the precarious financial situation. Fr. L. Schillebeeckx courageously steered
the young institution through much of the difficult forties. Days became even darker when the
dismal hooting of sirens reminded Calcuttans of the reality of the world conflict. The few Japanese
bombs dropped over Kidderpore Docks drove thousands out of the city. In the school, the
number of students fell off sharply. The monthly contribution from the Government for payment of
teachers was reduced from Rs 200 to Rs 180. But the worse was still to come.

In 1943, the Government requisitioned the school land and buildings for the Royal Air Force.
Staff and hostelites became refugees overnight. Still God provided in the person of Swami
Animananda who placed his Boys Own Home at the disposal of our school. With the few
students left, it became nearly impossible to run the institution. Still the teachers commuted every
day between Calcutta and Cossipore, and to come to the rescue of the hard pressed Director,
they voluntarily offered to draw their salaries at reduced rates. Once again Providence had its
ways. Two days before the payment of salaries that month, news came that Lord Wavell,
Governor General of India, had been pleased to sanction the sum of Rs 17,000 as rent for the use
of the premises on Ballygunge Circular Road.

Back in Ballygunge in 1945, the school shared with the rest of the country the economic harshness
of the after war years, the horrors of the 1946 riots, the sorrow of the partition of Bengal and the
happy dawn of Independence. Fr. August Cordeiro had taken over with the title of Rector and
Headmaster. In January 1953, the old Mullick's villa surrendered to a demolition squad. A new
residence had just been completed in line with the original school building. Another block on the
Western corner of the property was erected in 1958 to house the Primary Section. The latter was
the work of Fr A. Wautier. Under his dynamic rectorship the school population increased fast,
partly thanks to a vintage fleet of four mini buses. The school was upgraded to the class XI Higher
Secondary status. With Government subsidies the science laboratories were installed and the
success at the Board exams reached an all time high of 100%. The process of consolidation in
academic and other fields was continued and extended during Fr T. Richir's time. He introduced
the NCC Air Wing which was to distinguish itself during the next 22 years by the smartness of its
Cadets and the quality of their drill and parades. Fr Richir personally designed the school uniform
which is still today the distinguishing sign of the Lawrencian in South Calcutta. ** During his time
also, the school concert with its display of artistic talents among Staff and students became an
annual event. ^

Heads succeeded one another continuing the work of their predecessors. The new Higher
Secondary syllabus (Cl XII) was introduced in 1978 with science and commerce streams. A
novel feature was the opening of a Bengali medium stream for Cl XI-XII commerce. In the same
spirit, a Bengali medium section destined to cover the entire primary and secondary course was
launched in 1980. To respond to the increasing space requirements, the Hostel which for many
years occupied the top floor of the school building was relodged in 1981 in an entirely new
complex erected on the site of the old swimming pool. There too we now have a beautiful school
chapel. In 1984, the school library and reading room, known as Rabindra Granthagar, was
inaugurated. Finally in 1986 in keeping with the demands of the electronic age a computer room
was opened where boys from Cl VII to Cl XII have facilities for hands-on experience.

But what of the many who have nurtured the young plant and contributed so much to the steady
growth of the school. Among them, we may single out three, who more specially sum up the love
and devotion which endear teachers and students to one another. Mr M. Banerjee, a towering
figure, besides being Headmaster, taught History and Geography in the senior classes,
Mathematics in the Junior section, corrected homework, evaluated exam papers. Often unable to
complete by 5 in the evening the clerical work which he took upon himself, he would shuffle the
registers into the large pockets of his kurta to be back punctually the following day by 9.30 a.m.
A mathematical genius was Mr K.C. Mukherjee who introduced the boys to a love for and
confidence in an otherwise dreaded subject. Mr R. Chakravorty, the Bengali Master, is
remembered for his loveable ways and for the thoroughness of his secretarial work as Assistant to
the many Rectors he served.

The story is not complete and will never be. It goes on, with generations of staff and students
following another. We know it is a story of love. One does the planting, others do the watering.
"The one who plants and the one who waters really do not matter. It is God who matters, because
He makes the plant grow. We are fellow workers with God." (1 Cor. 3,7-10).

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