Founded in 1944 in Spain, the Missionaries of Christ Jesus by Mother Maria Camino, along with two other dedicated women, Concha Arraiza and Maria Theresa Unzu. Their mission was to make a difference in the World.
Unlike traditional religious orders of their time, the Missionaries of Christ Jesus chose a distinct approach. They lived among the people they served, wearing no habits and maintaining minimal structures. Today, they are a global presence, with missionaries in ten countries and sisters from twelve nationalities.
In 1948, Mother Camino and four sisters arrived in the North East of India, invited by Bishop Fernando to work in the Hansen Disease patients at Wadanang, Garo Hills. This marked the beginning of their pioneering work in Garo Hills. For 23 years, the Missionaries of Christ Jesus were the only sisters serving in Garo Hills.
The early years, the sisters faced language barriers, harsh living conditions, and encounters with wild animals. Despite these obstacles, they persevered, establishing a strong presence in the region. Their apostolic tours took them to remote villages, where they shared prayers, taught, and learned from the local people.
St. Xavier’s School has a modest origin story. On a chilly February morning in 1951, the school began its journey in two small rooms and a veranda of a simple “katcha” school building near a jackfruit tree. This tree has stood witness to nearly six decades of children learning, growing, and thriving.
Initially, the school started as a Garo medium school with classes A, B, I, II, and III. The sisters would visit families to encourage them to send their children to school, emphasizing the importance of education, discipline, and cleanliness.
As the school grew, so did its offerings. The Garo medium primary school expanded to become a Middle English medium school in 1959. In 1961, a new building was constructed, which still stands today, echoing memories for countless past pupils.
Emerging Mission:
In 1950, we pioneered the first boarding school in Garo Hills, utilizing the Lower Primary classroom as a makeshift dormitory. Over the years, our boarding facility underwent significant transformations:
In 1954, a boarding building was constructed, marking a major milestone, and in 1970, the present boarding facility took shape, providing a safe and nurturing environment for students.
The boarding school has always been a symbol of inclusivity, embracing students from diverse socio-economic backgrounds, religion or caste. Initially, we provided free care to our boarders, later parents contributed in kind.
Empowering Village Girls through Home science:
To empower and equip adolescent girls from rural areas, we incorporated home science for comprehensive formation an essential activity. This program focused on providing adult literacy skills, as well as training in Drawing and painting, Tailoring and sewing, knitting and embroidery and craft making.
Milestones and achievements
In the mid-fifties there was a petition from officers who were being transferred to the Garo Hills for an English medium school as it was difficult to bring their families along, similarly the local Garo citizens too requested the sisters for an English medium school to be able to expose their children to outside influences and better prospects. Thus in 1958 Conception Sagaseta de llurdoz began the first ever English school in the Garo Hills. The first student was Mr. Asthutosh M. Sangma an IAS officer, Mr Nikseng Marak, Mr Benedict W Momin, Mingnonette W. Momin, Mr Tony Marak all of them are well placed and influential in today’s society and have made Xavier’s proud while contributing much to Meghalaya. Later as years rolled by the school alumni under the leadership of Sr. Mary Joseph laid the foundation of Mother Angeles school in the year 1992. In the same year another school in Balamagre was established by the alumni which is now enhance by the Missionaries of Christ Jesus. It stands as a beacon of education to the students of the remote villages around it.
In 1959, the English section was introduced, marking a significant milestone. Two years later, in 1961, the present building was blessed. In 2001, construction began on a new primary building, to merge the Garo and the English section further expanding the institutions facilities. In 2021 the inception of Higher secondary block began which was eventually inaugurated by Shri Saleng M Sangma M.P and blessed by Rev. Bishop Andrew.
In the early years, the school followed a unique system. Students studied in the Garo medium until class V, then transitioned to the English medium in class VI by repeating class V. Boys who completed class III in the Garo section had to transfer to another school if they wished to continue their education in the Garo medium.
Vision and Mission
Guided by the motto “Love in Service” St. Xavier’s Higher Secondary School aims to empower students with selfless dedication to uplift both themselves and others. Our mission is to nurture compassionate individuals who prioritize the well-being of others, instilling values that go beyond material success. We strive to shape visionary leaders who can make a positive impact on the world.
Philosophy of Education
The Missionaries of Christ Jesus are committed to nurturing mature, spiritually grounded women/men of strong character. They strive for excellence in all endeavour, fostering a sense of responsible freedom and developing individuals who are principled, courageous and selfless. Their mission is to empower agents of positive social change while ensuring integrity and quality education for all.
School Objectives
St. Xavier’s Higher Secondary School aims to prepare students for SSLC and HSLC examinations while fostering holistic development through spiritual, moral, physical and intellectual training. Committed to shaping responsible citizens the school provides moral education and Christian values to students empowering them to become future leaders responsible mothers, and contributors to society.
As part of our social outreach initiatives, we support orphans and under privileged through training, education and employment assistance, Girls are encouraged to organise themselves in youth group.
The Faithful Torchbearers
St. Xavier’s Higher Secondary School has been blessed with dedicated and hardworking headmistress throughout its 75 years. Mother Maria Camino Sanz Orrio was the first torch bearers to establish the school with the support of other Spanish Sisters, Magdaline Cortes, Sr Maria Isabel Aurusa, Sr Julia Jimenez, Sr Maria Teresa Villanvueva, Sr Conception Sagaseta. The flame lit by Mother Camino is still carried by the remarkable and relentless spirit of the sisters of Missionaries of Christ Jesus. The contribution of Ms Celina Pinto (1966-1968) and Ms Joan Pinto (1968-1969) as the first teachers from outside the state is worth mentioning as they instilled a strong passion for music and dance among the students.
The reign of a new era was taken over by a line of dedicated sisters which continues till date. To begin with the faithful torch bearers was Sr. K Theresa Alappat whose love for mathematics had inspired the students. We also have Sr. Lydia Sequeria (1972- 1975) whose motto was to celebrate the light in every child Sr. Marline Pinto (1975-1982) the dynamic, energetic, innovative headmistress who was an epitome of a loving mother and firm teacher has taken a special place in the heart of many students Sr. Violet Fernandez who officiated from 1983-1992 had fostered in the students good values, dignity and unwavering discipline. Her calm personality invoked respect from one and all we cannot forget the glorious era of Sr. M. Remo (2008-2016) who gave a series of toppers and cent percent in SSLC examination during her tenure. She was followed with Sr. Maria D Silva whose eventful era began in 2017 and continued with same cent percent result and toppers . Her eventful era of expanding the school to the level of Higher Secondary, providing infrastructure to facilitate students and handling covid situation with modern technology, with strong academic progress leaves an indelible mark in the history of St. Xavier’s.
NIOS – a strong foothold for dropouts
In 2009 – 2010, St. Xavier’s embarked on a pioneering venture with the National Institute of Open Schooling (NIOS) to support dropout students in pursuing their education. The program commenced with weekend classes, catering to students who had discontinued their formal education. Today, we proudly proclaim that the school centres NIOS examinations and cater classes with St. Xavier’s Secondary School. Currently 300 students have been enrolled.
This initiative demonstrates St. Xavier’s commitment to providing educational opportunities for all, particularly those who have faced challenges in their academic journey.
