On
July 13, 1899, the late Roque Santana Gracias founded Union High School, a
pioneer English School in Salcete, Goa. In 1932, the Archdiocese of Goa
acquired the school and called it St Theotonius Union High School. Twelve years
later, in 1944, the institution was entrusted to the Goa Jesuits Society. Today
the school is famously known as Loyola High School, a title bestowed in memory
of the founder of the Jesuits, Saint Ignatius of Loyola.
Recently,
the school at Margao as well as its Principal have been awarded with the White
Swan Award. The White Swan Award is a humble tribute presented by the Asia One
business magazine to those that have made a difference in the world of
education. It is an honour that celebrates the towering achievements of
educationists and educational institutions. Loyola High School was awarded with
the White Swan for being the most influential brand in education in the country
while Fr Pedro Rodrigues was awarded with the White Swan for being the most
influential leader in education across the country.
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Fr
Pedro, a gentle soul, was very modest when he shared the story of how he was
contacted for this award. “First and foremost, I didn’t know about this award.
I received a call from the United Research Service from Delhi, an organisation
that deals with Asia One magazine. They stated that they had presented business
awards in the past, and that this year they were presenting awards to recognise
the efforts of leaders in the field of education. They informed me that they
had researched over a thousand schools from all over India and Loyola High
School has contributed a lot towards education in the country,” he said. He
also stated that he is humbled by the awards and credited it to all the efforts
of the past principals and past teachers who had worked hard to make the school
a great institution.
Francisco
X Da Costa, the immediate past president of the Loyola Ex- Student Association
(LESA) stated that he and the other members were overjoyed when they heard the
good news. “Such an award will influence the educationists and create an impact
in society,” stated Joaquim Da Costa, the current president of LESA and
ex-headmaster of a school himself. While sharing his views on the award, he
added, “I feel proud and happy that a school that has always maintained high
standards in the field of education has been rated as one of the best schools
in the country. Fr Pedro Rodrigues is
such a soft spoken and unassuming man but he is an intellectual and he deserves
this award.”
