SFS Pune

SFS School stands on the land purchased by Fr. Francis Moget in 1965. Shaanwadi receives its name from the village of Shaan in Liechtenstein, Switzerland. Thanks to the support and help of the people there, SFS School and Parish Church has become a reality.

In 1990 Fr. Perry Da Silva as Superior and Manager, and Fr. Archie Fernandes as Principal started this English medium school with the nursery class called "Mother Goose". From 1991, Fr. Terrie Pinto took charge and helped the School to grow into a High School.

The collaboration of the Sisters of the Franciscan Missionaries of Christ the King provided a solid foundation up to the Primary Section. With the motto of the school, "Knowledge-Unity-Service", well ingrained into the students, the first batch passed the S.S.C. exam with 100% results in March 2001.

After the transfer of the Sisters of the Franciscan Missionaries of Christ the King to Snehalaya, Wagholi, the task was given to the Fatima Sisters. Sr. Turbin then shouldered the responsibility of the school with love and dedication. The ability of handling the school was appreciated by all, even by her Superiors. She handed over the charge to Fr. Anthony Lopez msfs and left for their school in Mumbai. Fr. Placido Periera is the present principal of the school.

SFS Mumbai

St. Joseph's High School, Kurla - West was established on 13th of June 1973 with the Primary Section. The Secondary Section was started later on 13th June 1996.

The founder, Fr. P.J. Mendes msfs adopted the motto "Education opens the Heart and witnessed through Wisdom , Love, Service:" The School is managed by Missionaries of St. Francis de Sales (Fransalians) with a vision of being Agents of Social Change.

The PTA, formed on 8th July '2005, has parent members for each section, the Secondary and Primary. A General Body Meeting is held once a year and the Executive Committee meets every two months. Fr. Peppin Jayaraj is the present principal of the School.

SFS Nallasopara

The expanding Bombay city became increasingly over-populated and enticed people to move to the remote suburbs. Fr. Joe Rebello and Fr. Mario D'Souza made a request to the Archbishop of Bombay, Simon Cardinal Pimenta, for a Fransalian centre in the suburbs. The Archbishop handed the mission area of Nallasopara to the Missionaries of St. Francis de Sales (MSFS) in 1989. After a thorough study of the prevailing situation in Nallasopara Fr. Joe was strongly inspired to begin a school in the parish. St. Francis de Sales (SFS) School was started in 1990 with the Pre-Primary classes in the residential quarters of the Fathers, 'Pawansuth', in Nallasopara East. In a couple of years a plot of land for a school was bought at Patankar Park in Nallasopara West.

The collaboration of the Sisters of the Cross, Sr. Alzira Furtado, Sr. Gwen, Sr. Flory, Sr. Vivina, Sr. Luiza and Sr. Maud down the years helped the Primary Section to function with dignity and pride.

In 1999 the Secondary Wing of the school was opened in Nallasopara East. Fr. Cyril George was appointed the first Principal of the SFS High School. Fr. Robert Fernandes msfs is the present principal of the school.

SFS Goa

Under the Portuguese rule upto1961, Goa was kept away from English education in schools. The local population preferred English education. This aspiration of the masses compelled Mr. Edward Joseph Soares, a graduate in Arts from the Bombay University, to start an English medium school at Cottarbhat in the house of Mr. Faria. As the school grew in number of students and classes, it was necessary to shift the school to the larger residence of Mr. Mascarenhas at Udoim. With the help of his elder brother, Mr. A.X. Soares, the Dean of the faculty of Arts in Bombay University, Mr. Edward obtained the Government recognition for the new school in 1923. The first batch of eight students appeared for their matriculation examination in that year.

In 1935, the girls' section of the school was started in a neighbouring house that belonged to Mr. Costa. Mrs. Beatrice Soares, the wife of Mr. Edward, took charge of this school.

In 1939, a new school building constructed at Santarxett, Aldona began to serve both boys and girls under the same roof.

After the independence of India in 1947, the entire picture changed. The school was blacklisted as anti-Portuguese. Harassment followed. The renowned teachers of the school, namely, J.J. Pereira, P.J. Pinto and J.J. Godhinho along with a number of students were arrested and imprisoned. Edward suffered a rude shock and his health began to deteriorate. He decided to hand over the girls' section to the Sisters of the Apostolic Carmel and the boys' section to the Archdiocese of Goa. While this work was in progress, there was the sudden news like a bolt from the blue, that Edward was no more on March 19th 1956. His well attended funeral by people from all walks of life was a fitting tribute to this pioneer of education in English in Goa.

The Archdiocese of Goa appointed Msgr. Philipe Mendonca, Diocesan Inspector of Schools and their chief functionary at Arpora School, as the Principal until Fr. Dr. B.J.C. Pinto, a retired Principal of Holy Cross College, Sri Lanka, replaced him. Owing to the ill health of Fr. Pinto, in 1961, the school was then handed over to the Missionaries of St. Francis de Sales (MSFS), and the first Principal, Fr. Vincent Fernandes took charge.

For the MSFS, education meant 'opening of the heart and then the mind'. Such training bridges the gap between the heart and intellect. While insisting on secularism, the spiritual and Indian character of education received great importance. To enhance all-round develop-ment, sports activities became very necessary.

On 23rd June 1992, the co-ed Higher Secondary Section, with classes XI and XII, was started in Arts and Commerce under the Principalship of Fr. Jerson D'Souza. Fr. Mathew Thayil was appointed the Principal in the following year.

Since the old premises proved insufficient, the St. Thomas Education Complex, on the adjoining hilltop near the ground was contemplated. On 20th April 1996, the foundation stone of the proposed complex was laid at the hands of the son of Aldona, Rt. Rev. Dr. Filipe Neri Ferrao, Auxiliary Bishop of Goa and Daman.

Saturday 14th February 1998 marked a red-letter day in the history of St. Thomas School, when parents and well wishers of St. Thomas Higher Secondary and Boys' High School gathered to witness the blessing and inauguration of St. Thomas Educational Complex at the hands of Rev. Fr. Thomas Fernandes msfs, an ex-student and chief sponsor of the project.

Under the Principal-ship of Fr. Paul Sagayam, the Higher Secondary School concentrated upon conscientizing the youth and instilling in them lofty ideals of discipline, freedom, enlightenment, wisdom, justice and above all love of the country and fellow persons. The motto of the school is 'character building and imparting of spiritual values.'

The special features of this institution are its ideal location, excellent infrastructure, dedicated staff, and the family atmosphere prevalent in the campus. Under the supervision of Fr. Sunny Joseph, the present Principal, the school is well known for its academic excellence.

In acknowledging the all-round performance of this institution, the Government of Goa has granted permission to commence the science stream from the academic year 2004 - 2005.