Since its inception, St Xavier’s Higher
Secondary School, Mapusa has grown to become one of the most sought after
educational institutions of the state. Even if at a crossroad on which subjects
to choose, most students are certain about their preferred institution, with St
Xavier’s topping the lists of many. Its inclusion in the list of 100 best
schools in India by the Engineering Watch School Summit 2013, New Delhi, is
evidence of this.
Forty years down the line, the school is instrumental in promoting all round growth and development of its students and nurturing them. The plethora of activities conducted by various committees provide an opportunity to the students to build up their self esteem, sharpen their skills and meet and deal with challenges, thus enabling them to rise to greater heights.
The Ruby Jubilee was launched with an inaugural ceremony in June 2014, with the inaugural mass followed by the felicitation of the meritorious students at the March 2014 HSSC examination by His Grace Archbishop of Goa and Daman Rev Filipe Neri Ferrao who also laid the foundation stone for the new wing. As part of the Ruby jubilee celebration, a series of programmes were organised throughout the academic year. An Inter HSS Talent contest, titled, ‘Xplorica’, showcased the talent of ten different higher secondary schools. An inter school cricket tournament was also organised for boys and girls of the Mapusa II Super school complex. The 40th Annual Sports Day cum prize distribution was held on a grand scale. The school also inaugurated the basketball court set up to international standards, named after St Joseph Vaz.
The closing ceremony of the Ruby Jubilee celebrations was held on June 25, 2015 with a solemn Mass at St Xavier’s Ark Hall, followed by the felicitation of the meritorious students of the school. His Grace Archbishop of Goa and Daman Rev Filipe Neri Ferrao was the Chief Guest and presided over the Eucharistic celebration. Michael Lobo, MLA of Calangute constituency, was the Guest of Honour.
The school has an excellent record of results at the HSSC Board Examination March 2015, registering a pass percentage of 100 per cent in Commerce stream, 99.22 per cent in the Arts stream, 96.21 per cent in the Science and 95.52 per cent in the Vocational stream with a state record of 254 Distinctions, 369 First Classes, 132 Second Classes and 2 Pass Classes with an overall pass percentage of 97.54 per cent. NSS volunteer Rajeshwari Sawant of XII Commerce represented Goa at the Republic Day Parade in New Delhi while NCC Cadet SCUO Narendra Parab of XII Science was declared Best NCC Cadet in Goa for the year 2014-15.
Shashikant Khandolkar, a professor of Economics at St Xavier’s Higher Secondary School, Mapusa, has been part of the institute for the past 33 years. He has seen the institute grow with him. He joined St Xavier’s College in 1974 as a first year student and after completing his MA from the college which was then affiliated with the Bombay University, he joined DMC to teach for a year. In 1982, he joined St Xavier’s Higher Secondary School and is proud to be a faculty member of the prestigious institute since then. “There have been drastic changes from the time I joined till now. Besides education, St Xavier’s also gives emphasis to sports and discipline. St Xavier’s Higher Secondary School has always been the overall champions in sports,” says Shashikant.
He further adds that every year there is an unmanageable crowd flocking to St Xavier’s Higher Secondary School for admissions and students have a long waiting list. “There is a wonderful relationship between the students and the faculty. Even though they pass out from the institution and move on to the college section, they are still on the same campus. Through word of mouth, they know about the different functions at the school and make it a point to visit the teachers. Some of our students who are abroad visit the school when they come down on holidays,” concludes Shashikant.