Regina's stories of school in 1950s

Regina - 2018 photo

Regina (born 1943) attended first the Nano Nagle Primary School and then moved to St Anthony's. In the late 1940s. She was interviewed for this article in mid-2018. Regina passed away on August 31, 2018 at her residence in Egmore.

This is her story -

My great grandfather lived on what was commonly called 3rd Street ( Thulasingham Street). My father ( Amalorepavanathan ), and his sisters ( aunts) had studied at the school. Those were the days when students went from Form to Form ( Std. to Std. system came in later)

I was the 10th in a line of 12 children of the family. 

From Kindergarten, students moved to the main school which was co-educational.

The girls wore white blouse and blue pinafore. I recall Mother Augustine's presence ( designation unconfirmed) and the large pet dog she reared - when the dog passed away it was big news in the campus.

Our school worked from 9.30 am to 12.30pm, and from 1.30 p.m. to 3.30 pm. But classes for Std.10 students went on till 4.10 p.m. The Anglo Indian students were served lunch free at a lunch room.

Most students lived in Pudupet, Chintadripet and Egmore.

A key fun and well-remembered event was the annual fancy fetes on campus. Games, food and fun.

Another event was called Reverend Mother's Day - students were given a special treat.

There was a jumble sale at Christmas time and gifts were given to children.

One teacher that students of our time - 1950s - can never forget was Ms Stevens. A portly lady, she drove in her car to school; and if there were hawkers at the gates, would disperse them loudly. The buzz among the students then was that Ms Stevens, who handled Std.9 often suggested to her students to take tuitions from her. And she did made a fortune. She lived on Montieth Lane and later migrated to Australia.

The annual Sports Meet was held at Rajarathinam Stadium down the road.

These are teachers of that time -

Ms Fernandez, Ms Rosario, Ms Samuel, Ms Leela ( who also taught short-hand), Ms. Neaves and Ms Stevens. Ms Surendra.

Nuns of that time - Sr Kevin who taught Catechism and Sr. Anthony.

School fees of the time -

Rs 5 for Std1.

Rs.6 for Std.8

Rs.7 for Std.9

Rs.8 for Std.10/11.

Students were offered Commerce and Typewriting ( from Std.8 onwards to Std.11).

In my time (in1960), there were only 11 students in Std.11 since many moved on to other schools to choose other subjects.  The small batch took the Anglo Indian School Exam at Christ Church, the centre on Mount Road ( which it was for many years). The exams were held in November and results were out in January.

Most students at the school were Christians but in  later years, many families especially the Anglo Indians migrated to other parts of the city; some went abroad.

Regina ( left) and her sister Jayaseeli