SFX High School Siolim Goa

A Brief History of the SFX School

St. Francis Xavier's High School (SFX) was founded on 21 May, 1937, by Mr Miguel Antonio de Souza, in Corlim, Mapusa, Goa, India.

The Siolim Fransalian Education Society of the missionaries of St. Francis de Sales (MSFS) manages St. Francis Xavier's High School, Siolim, Goa.

In May 1950, Mr Miguel Antonio D'Souza brought his SFX School from Mapusa to Bamonvaddo, Siolim and set it up in a large private house. This house still stood in the SFX present premises of the school till 1986.

Mr. D'Souza was the Principal cum Headmaster. He was also teaching English and Mathematics. His wife, Mrs Lourdes Sanches de Souza, was the Portuguese language teacher, in charge of preparing the students for the 3rd grade examination of Portuguese, the official language of Goa during the Portuguese regime.

As Mr. D'Souza's health became worse, it was his wish that someday after his demise the SFX School should be donated to the Archdiocese of Goa.

After his demise, his son Mr Francisco Sanches de Souza, was appointed temporarily as the Principal and in December, 1953, the SFX School was handed over to the Archdiocese of Goa by the founder's wife, Mrs. L. S de Souza.

The Patriarch of the East Indies, Don. Jose Alvernaz, appointed Rev. Fr. Catarino Roberto Fernandes, of Bamonvaddo, Siolim, as the principal, and on 1 June, 1965, the Bishop Raul Gonsalves, the Patriarch of the East Indies, asked Fr. Roberto through the Diocesan Director of schools, Mgr. Filipe Neri Mendonca, to hand over the SFX to the Missionaries of St. Francis de Sales (MSFS) or “Fransalians”, and Fr. Anthony S. Fernandes was appointed as the principal cum headmaster. The Higher Secondary School for Arts and Commerce was started on 19 June, 1988 and Science was added on 1 June, 1989.

Golden jubilee 1937 – 1987

The Golden Jubilee Year of St. Francis Xavier’s High School, Siolim, was inauguratedon Monday, 6 July, 1987, at 10.30 a.m. Fr. Arminz Nazareth, MSFS, acting provincial of the Missionaries of St Francis de Sales, Maharashtra-Goa Province, presided over the inaugural ceremony. The School, commonly called “SFX” in Siolim was founded by Mr Miguel Antonio de Souza, BSc., on May 21, 1937, in Corlim, Mapusa. Later, in December 1953, it was handed over to the Archdiocese of Goa, Daman and Diu.Golden Jubilee in the life of an institution is a significant landmark, especially for an educational institution. This is a great occasion for all those associated with the institution ever since its inception and provides opportunities to take stock of the achievements and plans for the future.In the past 50 years this Institution has been a blessing to the village of Siolim as well as to the neighbouring villages moulding thousands of youngsters in order to develop them into responsible citizens of this country and fervent members of the Church.These celebrations also coincide with the 150th anniversary celebrations of the Foundation of the Congregation of Missionaries of St. Francis de Sales (MSFS). Whether it is in the life of an institution or person, crossing 50th mark is considered an achievement of stability and public recongnition. Such an achievement, while it deserves celebration, invites a more committed response in the service of the children, youth and the village of Siolim, Goa.Judging from the records, one can see that St. Francis Xavier’s High School has grown not only in number of students but also in the excellence of its performance in studies and games and sports.

Happy Memories of 70 Years of SFX Siolim - 1937-2007

At Bamonvaddo, Siolim, several attempts were made to run an English medium school for the education of the local youth. The famous Fr. Lyon began St. Joseph’s High School at Bamon vaddo but it was transferred later to Arpora. Mr. Lucas of Bamonvaddo tried to continue the school for sometime but it died out with him. Mr Aleixo Joao Carvalho – father of Rev. Fr. Samson Joao Carvalho – conducted a private school in his own house at Bamonvaddo for several years, but had to shut it down for lack of continuity. Mr. Sadashiv Dessai also attempted running a school in his own house, but later he transferred it to Mapusa.Strangely enough, while schools originated in Siolim went elsewhere for better prospects, the founder of SFX, Mr Miguel Antonio D’Souza brought his infant school from Mapusa to Bamonvaddo, Siolim in May 1950. In December 1953, after Mr D’Souza’s demise, it was handed over to the Archdiocese of Goa and Fr. Catarino Roberto Fernandes was appointed Principal. In 1965, the Fransalians (Missionaries of St. Francis de Sales) took over the school. Fr. Anthony S. Fernandes, MSFS, as Principal and Fr. P.J.Mendes, MSFS, were the first Missionaries who took charge at SFX.At the arrival of the Fransalians, there started a spurt of enthusiasm at SFX and numbers on the rolls began to shoot up. All the succeeding Principals, Fr. Vincent Fernandes, MSFS (1966), Fr. K. Joseph, MSFS (1967), Fr. Archiebald Fernandes, MSFS (1972), Fr. P.M. Joseph, MSFS (1979), Fr. Felix I. Mendes, MSFS (19829, and Fr. V.D. Joseph, MSFS (1987), Fr. Anthony Lopes, MSFS (1991), Fr Salvador Fernandes, MSFS (1994),Fr. Joseph Pottemmel, MSFS (1994) and Fr. Sunny Joseph (2000) have worked very hard to raise SFX to its present level of excellence.The school can now boast of a magnificent building. The foundation-stone of the new building was laid by the then Auxiliary Bishop of Goa, Mgr. Raul Gonsalves, on 3rd December, 1969. For the next 14 years Bro. Anthony D’Souza, MSFS,supervises the construction work until he handed over his work to Bro. Gregory Botelho, MSFS, in 1984.During last 50 years the school has achieved much. The students of SFX have become Doctors, Lawyers, Teachers, Officers and good farmers. In the field of Games and Sports, SFX is a giant in Goa. Above all, the students of SFX are known for their maturity, good conduct, academic excellence and co-operation. Besides from Siolim, students from as far as Mandrem, Arambol, Carmorlim and Kherim flock to SFX. The total strength today stands close to 2,000 with 25 divisions in the whole school.