S.T. Mary's Hindi High School, Jamshedpur
S.t. Mary’s School Bistupur was started with a view to reach out to the less privileged and the poor of non-Tisco children of Dhatkidih and the Catholic children. One of its aim was to impart Christ’s message of hope and love to all children.
Rev. Fr. Charles Durt S.J. took charge of St. Mary’s Parish on 12th February 1953. In consultation with the Parish organizations, he started the classes at St. Anthony’s Chapel, Dhatkidih and appointed Mr. A.F. Wilson as its first teacher in 1953 with 42 students. They were collected from the basties of Dhatkidih and grouped into classes I to III. The classes were conducted in one room part of the chapel amid the din and noise of the basties around.
In 1954, a class with 10 – 15 children was conducted on the verandah of the parish house St. Mary’s. Another class was simultaneously conducted at Sacred Heart Convent School basement. At Bistupur Miss Ratnamala was the teacher and at Sacred Heart Sr. Clemencia A.C. and Monica Tirkey were teachers.
Finance for the school building was raised in a unique way. The so called “Black book” fetched Rs. 30000 from the ordinary simple people with no name of a big donor recorded. The parish association made regular collections through lotteries, housie games, dramas with coupons. Sardar bahadur sir Indra Singh donated Rs. 1000, whose name plate was installed in 1955 on the wall of the building. IS and WP company (Indian steel and wire products) donated the iron-rods for the school building.
In 1976 the first batch of students appeared for the matric examinations. The credit for upgrading the school to the status of High School goes to Rev. Jesus Calvo S.J. The president of the management committee was Bishop Joe Rodricks.
At present, Rt. Rev. Dr. Felix Toppo S.J. is the president, Rev. Fr. Joy Paul is the secretary of the managing committee, Sister Maria Lini A.C. is the Principal and Sister Joyce A.C. is the vice Principal.
