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An Era of Punishment - “Spare the rod and spoil the child”

Submitted by Pramod Mankar on September 5, 2014 - 9:29am.

Punishing children, using corporal punishment was regarded normal and accepted in many schools and institutions. (23 Aug14, Pg 6 Times of India ICSE ordinance against Corporal Punishment) The legacy of corporal punishment in our school goes back to the beginning of 19th century, (Reminiscences of my school days 1901 to 1906 by Joseph B Gomes ) when from pulling chins, tugging ears, thrashing with a cane and belting was freely used in the name of discipline. Whether it was for academic lapses or for bad behaviour in class, one wonders what compelled our teachers to be so harsh and severe then. Could be a couple of reasons, the boys who came from different backgrounds, egos, temperaments, some with mischievous tendencies and adept in concealing their pranks needed to be tempered, restore order and sanity in class. The other reason could be prevailing belief that “Spare the rod and spoil the child” Some parents would even approve of such severe punishments to some of our teachers privately or in PTA meetings. “Do what you want but see that my son/ward is brought to his senses and he studies”

Some nostalgic memories of Fr. Valero Aleu on his 14th death anniversary on 26th July

Submitted by Pramod Mankar on July 25, 2014 - 11:59pm.

Some people leave indelible impressions in our lives. Rev Fr. Valero Aleu SJ was one of them. Fr. Aleu as a young boy had aspired to become a world cup football player but that was not to be, he was destined to come to India from Spain. He was an ardent Hindi teacher, strict disciplinarian and when he meant business he was deadly serious. But, outside the classroom he was mischievous, had a great sense of humour and was also a friend and guide.

It was his practice to visit homes of boys to know if conditions were conducive for studies, to instil confidence and to know them better. He was fond of swimming and would take us to M.G.M.O. swimming pool at Shivaji Park when our pool needed repairs. He would also take us for outings in our school bus. One Thursday morning on a visit to an orphanage in Vile Parle, a small boy from the orphanage took a liking for Fr and clung to him. Fr was overwhelmed and had to take him along with us to South Bombay and leave him back at the orphanage in the afternoon, such was his aura.

The prevailing saying with the boys those days during the examinations was “Copy, but don’t get caught”. There were no hidden cameras or CCtvs then. Fr had uncanny ways of supervising. He would come snooping behind doors, walls and pillars to catch boys cheating especially during Hindi and Marathi examinations.

Eddie Pinto

Submitted by stephengomes on July 25, 2014 - 3:15am.

Eddie Pinto the younger brother of Leo Pinto (Olympian and Hockey goalkeeper) passed away on July 24th 2014 in Mississauga Canada. Eddie was also a Stanislite and was an athlete and goalkeeper for both Tatas and the school. He is survived by his wife Gladys also a hockey player in her days.

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Stanislaus Cool (This is an extract from the book 'Bomoicar: Stories of Bombay Goans 1920-1980')

Submitted by denzil on July 21, 2014 - 2:34pm.

Stanislaus Cool

by Tony Noronha

When I first arrived in Bombay in 1937, it appeared too vast to my nine-year-old head. I had never been in a city that was well-lit and abuzz till 8.30 pm.

I was brought to the city by our Goan vicar, Fr Jose Remedios, after two years of kindergarten at the Fatima Convent in Grande Daman. But it was really my mother, a nanny to some British and American children in Bombay, who had set the tempo for my life when she'd got me admitted me to St Stanislaus School in Bandra.

I arrived in school on April 30, 1937, at the start of summer vacations. There were only about 50 of us left in the boarding; the rest of the 600 boarders had gone home. The very next day, I set out on my first holiday on the Great Indian Peninsular Railway to the Jesuit house in Lonavala. We climbed hills, and marveled at canals that supplied water to Bombay below.

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Remembering “ Dr Joe Maumkel ” on his 7th death anniversary

Submitted by Pramod Mankar on July 15, 2014 - 5:04pm.

The journey through memory lane in St Stanislaus’ High School would be incomplete if there is no mention of Joe Maumkel. Kaippary Alphonso Maumkel came to work in the School at the young age at 17. The Spanish speaking Jesuit fathers found his name a tongue twister and named him Joe. Sir Joe was a simple man doing simple tasks of importance with a smile for the school for more than 60 years. His presence and his assistance was everywhere those days. Those were the special moments of elation when he brought those notes like “Tomorrow is a Holiday “

He will be always be remembered for bringing the world to us through Visual Instructions (VI), those documentaries and Thursday movies in the school hall. One can never forget that documentary film shown on USA that made us dream of that country when besides learning the physical and political features in Geography there never was any hope of ever visiting that country. The film on human body’s blood circulation and immune system, with the red blood corpuscles ferrying oxygen to different organs and parts of the body and the army of white blood corpuscles fighting the antibodies invading with diseases and infection. And those Thursday movies like “Moby Dick” of wanton whale killing.

He was fondly called Dr. Joe as he was in charge of the school Infirmary and attended our wounds, injuries and occasionally administering in his patent style of darting an injection. The legacy of the SSESA Staff Healthcare belongs to Dr. Joe. The “Joe We Care” fundraiser has evolved into the present day Teachers Healthcare program.

Remembering Master Donald on his 40th death anniversary

Submitted by Pramod Mankar on March 5, 2014 - 6:40am.

Master Bernard Donald was an all rounder, an outstanding sportsman and a teacher

teaching many subjects like Maths, English, French and Gen. Science. Whether it was hockey, football or cricket he was always there to play for the staff. Those were the days when cricket was played with equal fervour like hockey and football. The grand cricket match much hyped and played on the school ground on a fine day for cricket amidst the rigours of seasonal monsoon. It was on the afternoon of 30th July 1941 between the staff and the students, the brains versus the brawns. Sir Gregory was the leading the staff and Simon Pinto the skipper for the boys. Master Donald was the hero and spearhead of the bowling attack, when the brawns were skittled like nine pins for paltry 66 runs. Although Master Donald did not score, with stalwarts and big hitters like Master Hubert, Fr. Britto, Master Anthony, Master Hashumani, Master Frank Gomes and Master Neeff they romped home comfortably. Once again the Masters proved that they were brainy and brawny and were not only good in teaching inside the classrooms but were equally good outside. (So vividly described in 1943 St. Stanislaus Magazine)

Master Donald was a towering personality, calm, composed and soft spoken. He was studious in nature and nobody ever dared to take any undue liberty with him. But I do remember there was one boy Agnello, who dared and paid heavily. He forwarded a concocted fake geometrical rider which made no sense and asked Master Donald to solve it. While Sir was busy solving on the board from the corner of his eyes he noticed that Agnello was laughing slyly.