St Vincent’s HS School, kaniyapuram
- Status: High School
- Principal: Joseph Jin Christopher
- Contact Number: 2752633 , 9633265470
- Website:
About the school
St. Vincent High School was established on November 21, 1947, under the visionary leadership of Dr. Vincent Dharera, a distinguished figure hailing from Belgium and serving as the first bishop of the Thiruvananthapuram Diocese. At its i n c e p t i o n , t h e e d u c a t i o n a l l a n d s c a p e i n Puthukurichi Forane was challenging, with limited access to high school education, particularly following the closure of Saint Joseph High School in Thiruvananthapuram, leaving Attingal as the sole provider of such education in the vicinity. This geographical disparity posed significant hurdles for s t u d e n t s f ro m a re a s l i k e K a d i n a m k u l a m ,Puthukurichi, and Puthenthope, who faced arduous journeys to access education in Palayam St. Joseph High School or Attingal Government High School.
Responding to this pressing need, Father Vincent Dharera pioneered the establishment of a high school in Puthukurichi Forane. Despite proposals from other locales like Puthenthope and St.Andrews, Father Vincent Dharera decided to establish the school in its current location.
Originally known as Punnakkad, the school commenced its operations in a modest setting,housed within a thatched shed divided into two rooms, one serving as an office and the other as a classroom. Mr Walter Fernandes and Mr J. P. Pereira assumed the roles of the first teachers, welcoming Mr. Samson D'Cruz of Puthenthop as the inaugural student, followed by Balakrishnan Nair from Pothencode.
Mr. Richard Fernandes B.A.LT. was appointed as the fi r s t H e a d m a s t e r, o v e r s e e i n g t h e e a r l y development of the institution. Notably, Mr. Walter Fernandes also served as Headmaster during the nascent stages of the school, followed by Mr. J.P. Pereira. Remarkably, Mr. Samson D'Cruz, the school's first student, later transitioned into a teaching role and eventually served as Headmaster,exemplifying the institution's commitment to continuity and service.
In a significant milestone for gender inclusivity, the admission of girls to St. Vincent's High School was facilitated in 1972, following an order by the Thiruvananthapuram RC School Manager, Mark Netto.
However, this decision was met with legal challenges, culminating in a landmark judgment in 1978 by the Kerala High Court, affirming the admission of girls to the school.The managerial oversight of the school evolved over the years, initially under the stewardship of F a t h e r T h o m a s P e re i r a , P a r i s h p r i e s t o f Puthenthope, and later under Father John Panakkal, Parish priest of St. Andrews, before transitioning to the RC Schools Corporate Management.
Despite humble beginnings, St. Vincent High School has witnessed remarkable progress,evolving from a simple thatched shed to a modern,three-story edifice equipped with state-of-the-art facilities. Nestled amidst lush greenery, this institution stands as a testament to the enduring pursuit of educational excellence and community empowerment.
