Home arrow School arrow Looking back!
Looking back!
Wednesday, 18 December 1996

Paul Mathew
Paul Mathew
I arrived in Loyola on 15th December 1963. I was met at the gate by a priest who introduced himself as Fr. Kennedy. He picked up my suitcase and said ‘Paul, follow me’ as he walked away rather vigorously. I ran to keep pace with him. He led me into a room on the western side of the old auditorium. My neighbour was Phil Allencherry. Before Fr. Kennedy left, he hoped I would have a pleasant stay in Loyola. Well it has lasted 32 years!

As I look back memories come flooding the mind my first Rector-Principal, Fr. Joe Kennedy, a man of lightning decisions and of great warmth; in his world, children and value education took centre stage; Fr. Power, a fitness enthusiast and an American committed to English and the Englishman Shakespeare; Fr. Simon Kirsch — he never had time for anything except physics and his beloved lab. There were others — all greatmen:

Freedom of expression
Freedom of expression
Frs. Tony Roberts, Larry Hunt, Frank McGauley and Ken Judge. If there was an ubiquitous principal in Loyola, it was Fr. Ken Judge. Nothing escaped his eye. Reynold D’souza, always busy with pen and paper; Deryk Ward, a lion in his scout den but known to students as the Bulldog. His bark was worse than his bite! Mr. Mammen of the Chemistry department, a committed marxist, who never missed an opportunity to attack the almighty dollar. The Fathers looked on benignly! Mr. Rao, the Registrar, forever putting little reminders in the teachers’ pigeon holes and supervising jug, a system designed to correct errant behaviour among students. Pandeyji — the ageless Hindi Pandit of sunny smiles and caustic remarks; he spared none! Pretty Patel — the Lady on the Bicycle and made famous for not ever having taken even a day’s leave throughout her teaching career in Loyola!

Plumb in the middle of the assembly ground stood a sturdy tree with spreading branches and a cemented platform built around it. Loyoleans called it the ‘Greenwood Tree’, a powerfully evocative landmark for most old Loyoleans. A lot of them miss it. Loyola is unique because it has always recognised the students’ freedom to express themselves. I have seen it work on students. It has been good for them. Loyoleans are a step ahead of their peers.

Should we rest on our laurels and gloat on past glory? We must have the courage to pause for an occasional review to ensure we are properly focussed and headed in the direction of the goals set by the founding Fathers. For me, personally, the last 32 years have been a period of incredible growth and fulfilment. It has been nothing short of a love story.
 
< Prev   Next >
[ Back ]