A Brief History of St Joseph's High School, Matigara

St. Joseph’s School began on 15th February, 1961 at the request of the guardians and parents of Siliguri town who had made a written appeal to His Grace, Archbishop Vivian Dyer of Calcutta for a missionary school. Initially the school was located in Sharaf Bhavan, a rented building in the heart of Siliguri Town. The two pioneers, Late Sr. Gerard Majella F.C. and Sr. Jane Francis F.C. both Anglo Indian Sisters travelled by the bus daily from Gayaganga which is about 20 kilometres from Siliguri. In 1963, the Jesuit Fathers of Darjeeling Province who had some land in Matigara(7 km from Siliguri) sold about five acre of land to the Daughters of the Cross in Matigara.

The Foundation for a new school building (the present convent) began on 8th September to coincide with the Foundation Day of the Daughters of the Cross Congregation. After one and a half year in May 1965 the present primary school building was ready. The late Bishop of Darjeeling, His Grace, Eric Benjamin blessed the new building and celebrated the Holy Mass in the new Chapel. The new session began in June 1965. On 31st July, 1965 the sisters too moved to Matigara. Sisters Gerard Majella, Sr. Jane Francis and Sr. Mary Gerard and Sr. Xavier Clare formed the first community of Matigara with Sr. Xavier Clare as the Superior.

On 15th February, 1966 St. Joseph’s was recognized as a Primary School from KG, I-V. The new building (the High School) was completed in the year 1972 and the school was recognized as Junior High School during the principal ship of Late Sr. Anne Magdalene. She was succeeded by Sr. Marie Vianney . In 19…. permission for the introduction of Class IX was granted. Finally on 6th March 1975 during the principal ship of Late Sr. Joseph Celine, F.C. the School was granted NOC for affiliation to the Council, Delhi. The first batch of 8 students wrote their ICSE and all passed with flying colours. Sr. Joseph Celine was succeeded by Sr. John Berchmans. The school celebrated its Silver Jubilee during her time.

In 1991 Sr. Jacinta F.C. succeeded Sr. John Berchmans. She introduced ISC Science and Humanities in 1997. The first set of ISC wrote their exams in 1999 and all passed well. After Sr. Jacinta, Sr. Catherine held the fort from 2000 to 2003.

Sr. Margaret who was the Vice Principal from 1990-1997 was re-appointed as the principal in September 2003. The school introduced Commerce Stream for the ISC Exams. In 2011 the school completed 50 glorious years of service. After a record 10 years of service to the school, Sr Margaret bid adieu in 2013. Sr. Jacinta was appointed as Principal for the Second time. She continued till 2018, after which Sr Lucy took over. Presently she is at the helm of affairs at St Joseph's High School, supported by Sister Marian Joseph in the Accounts Section and Sister Sheela as Sister Superior