St. John the Baptist High School & Junior College Website, Thane, Mumbai (Bombay), Maharashtra - India - History - Ex

		The Late Rev Fr. Torcato Pereira. (1932-35)

		The Late Rev Fr. Wilfred Pereira. (1935-42)

		The Late Rev Fr. Hubert Mascarenhas. (1942-44)

		The Late Rev Fr. Stanislaus Pereira. (1945-48)

		The Late Rev Fr. Avelino Rebello. (1948-55) To the students, Fr. Rebello was not a Principal whom they dreaded but a Principal who was a friend, philosopher and guide. A wise teacher always on cordial terms with those he taught. Be it in the classroom or on the playground, he was a source of inspiration to one and all - a loving and sympathetic father in the real sense of the term. LOVE, the "Summum bonum" was his guiding star. There's hardly a student who will not speak of him with affection. His affectionate pinch had a better effect than hundreds of eloquent sermons or tons of moral advice. He was a moral teacher following the example of Goldsmith's Village Preacher:- "He tried each art, reproved each dull delay." "Allured to brighter worlds and led the way." In his seven years with this institution he had done a lot of it. He threw his heart and soul into the manifold duties of the school. He had given not only of his very best in thought, word and deed but he had given his all to it. He had poured out his very life blood to rank it as one of the foremost Catholic Institutions. The debt the school owes him is inestimable. To him goes the credit of securing excellent results at the S.S.C. Examinations and they have been rolling on and may they roll on forever. Another lasting monument to his memory is the Cabinet system of government introduced by him in the school and which all the Principals after him have continued to follow with greater zest and fervour.

		Rev Fr. Leslie Miranda. (1955-57)

		The Late Rev Fr. Frank Lobo. (1957-61) He was a powerful speaker ; a Priest keenly interested in educational reconstruction and achieved much for this institution. He was made an Honorary Magistrate by the Government of Maharashtra. The present primary school building with a much needed hall was built by him. He was President of the Headmasters Association and Diocesan Inspector of Schools. The "HOLY CROSS CONVENT" is his legacy to the people of Thane.

		The Late Rev Fr. Pascal D'Souza. (1961-66) A priest with unflinching courage of conviction and unparalleled devotion to the work entrusted to him by his superiors categorically impressed the Education Department Officers to implement whatever beneficial measures he wanted introduced in St. John's. The stately three-storewide building was his foresight that sprang up within a period of two and a half years. The old Church was given a face lift, keeping intact the picturesque Portuguese architecture

		The Late Rev Fr. Valerian Godinho. (1966-74) Fr. Godinho had great love for St. John's - he worked endlessly to get the best of every individual - Month of May was no vacation for him. He worked tirelessly preparing the Time Tables of the Teachers with utmost care. When the new Scholastic year would begin in June, at the first Staff Meeting he would allot work to the Teachers - especially of the school Prize Distribution. Only after that in the month of July he would take a month's rest. Immediately after his return he would call a staff meeting and take a feedback of all the practices for the Prize Distribution Day:- he himself would go through every item lest there be any flaw. Though he would be away for a month, his heart and soul would be in St. John's . During one of his holidays, he composed the 'School Anthem' and set it to music, which is still sung everyday. He would think of every teacher and bring a small gift for everyone alike, and distribute with great joy - his heart full of love was packed in each gift; this was not just one year, but all the years he was in St. Johns . Though he was stern and strict yet his love was beyond measure - Yes, those were the days, the days of fatherly love.

		Rev Fr. Vincent Gonsalves. (1974-75) He was appointed the Parish Priest, but obliged to carry on the Principal's duties as well, since the Principal Rev. Fr. Herculan Silveira was in the U.S.A for higher studies. Since no radical changes were needed then, he carried on for a few months without interfering in the working of the school. He was an astute administrator.

		Rev Fr. Herculan Silveira. (1975-80) He officially took charge of St. John's on 1st March, 1975. In order to celebrate the International year of the child, he once again converted St. John the Baptist School into a co-educational institution. He did the Herculean task of starting a School for the children in special care. He gave St. John's a beautiful library, separate science laboratories - Physics, Chemistry and Biology, an all time primary office, well-equipped aids room, SANCHAYIKA - the children's own bank, table tennis pavilion and Junior college within a short span of five years.

		Rev Fr. Ernest Fernandes. (1980-86) An orthodox priest of deep learning and great piety, an astute administrator at his official desk at school, a sympathetic teacher who takes the class with him at all times and above all every inch a sportsman - all these rolled into one is Rev. Fr. Ernest Fernandes. The budding sportsman of St. John who entered the arena in the Nationals at different places in different disciplines will always remember the untiring efforts of Rev. Fr. Ernest Fernandes to have them groomed. He was the President of the Thane District Basketball Association and Chairman of the Thane Amateur Athletic Association. He was seen rendering signal service to bring the association to lime light. The Thane District Hockey Association really got a boost from Fr. Ernest Fernandes as its Chairman. He was a prominent member of the Dadoji Konddeo Stadium Club House.

		Rev Fr. Simon Borges. (1986-94) He aimed at child-centered education. He rightly stated that "Education is a bi-polar process". At one end is the teacher and at the other end is the child. In spite of the great number of children in school, he did his best to make this feasible through seminars, new methods, involvements of parents and teaching aids. He implemented the 'Play-way' method, introduced in the New Education Policy.

		Rev Fr. Ivan Mascarenhas. (1994-2000) He was a personality who hardly raised his voice, but could stress his point very firmly and clearly. Efficiency and capability were his hallmark. He undertook the mammoth task of changing the total outlook of School building. The school raised its head high with the elevation of the fourth floor. The entire interior of the school was given a new look. Fr. Ivan helped St. John's regain its former glory.

		Rev Fr. Andrew Mukadom (2000-02) He came from the Sacred Heart School, Vashi. Dazzled by gigantic task of administering such a large institution, he felt, the call of the hour was, value based approach to education and life. His invaluable contribution towards the institution was to install the statue of the Patron St. John the Baptist at the portico of the new school building.