******Our History******

EDUCATION, always a key priority with Catherine Mc Auley, was also the key to development in British Guiana on the threshold of the twentieth century. The Sisters, fully aware of the needs for Secondary Education, began classes in 1897 for a few girls in the communityroom in Dettering Hall. In 1899, the School became a Boarding School as well. Eugene Fernandes, its first boarder, later joined the Sisters of Mercy to become Sister Mary Gabriel, a renowned Head Mistress and household word of St. Joseph High School for 36 years.She succeeded Mother Columba who was the first Principal of the School(1897-1920). The boarding school was erected on Sussex Street. Then in 1925, a large two-storeyed building was erected at Charles and Howes Streets. In its spacious hall was constructed one of the best stages in the country and witnessed excellent dramatic performances produced by Mother Columba, a professional dramatist.

Such was the Mercian influence of the Sisters in the Elementary and Secondary Schools in such a short time that Bishop Butler wrote:"...the morality of the town was greatly improved."The Commercial Class,begun in 1938 by Sr. Elizabeth Robinson (Scranton), grew so rapidly that in 1939, an Annex to the High School had to be built. In that year also the University of London recognized St. Joseph High School as an approved Secondary School. The Fiftieth Anniversary of the Sisters in British Guiana in 1944 brought the honour of the coveted Guiana Scolarship to the School, being won by Elsa Goveia. This achievement was an accolade to the high standard of the School which had a staff of dedicated Sisters and lay teachers. By 1951, there were over 500 students enrolled and in 1953 the Old Girls' Association was formed. In 1955, the Board of Governors was established.

In the 1950's with the rumblings that the Charlestown district was to become an industrial site, plans for relocating both the Convent and High School were put into action. In March 1960 the ground-breaking ceremony for the new High School in Woolford Avenue took place and on October 4th,1961, the School was blessed and opened. The Principal, Sister Mary Consolata Muldowney (Scranton) together with the staff and students and above all, the Old Girls' Association, had worked hard to make the dream of an expansive school become a reality.

Throughtout the expansion, worthwhile contributions were made through diligent work in fundraising, through staging operettas in the original St. Joseph High School by Sister M. Joseph D'Abreu and also soliciting Deeds of Covenant fron various business firms in Georgetown.

The expansion went on. On 23rd April,1969, the 75th Anniversary of the Sisters,under Sr. Ellen Convery (Scranton), a new wing housing the Science Labs and the Home Economics Department was blessed and opened by Bishop L. Guilly,S.J.

Sr. Admirabillis Brown was the second Guyanese Principal of the School(1969-1971),succeeded by Sr. Therese Marie Marques, another Guyanese(1971-1983). In 1974, St. Joseph High School was officially granted Grade A status. Scholastic Blessings, as well as blessings of vocations, had indeed crowned the work of the Sisters, who throughout the years passed the torch of the Christian values of love of God and Fellowmen, dedication and commitment to many generations.

In January,1984 the School was then run under the capable hands of Mr. Govind until Mr. Arthur Brown took over the reins in September of that year. Assisted by all, the School functioned under Mr. Brown at extremely high levels during his four years as Principal.

After Mr. Brown's departure, Mrs. Joan Kendall continued the good work which was started by the Sisters of Mercy until her retirement in 1996. Ms. Gloria Croft now continues to lead the students in living up to the motto which was started in 1897 -TO KNOW, TO LOVE, TO SERVE, and to hold the flag and shield of this Great School to peaks that are extremely hard to reach or to be compared to.

It was therefore with great pride that our School hosted its Centenary Celebrations in August, 1997.

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