Bangalore Province

Gulabi Higher Primary School - Bangalore

In June 1960, when Bangalore claimed to be a beautiful city with gardens, Bethany Sisters set foot at Jayamahal Extension, Bangalore to extend their services to the society in the field of education. The towering structure of Gulabi Higher Primary School that magnificently stands today at the cross-roads of Jayamahal Extension is a symbol of pride and achievement of the school community of Gulabi. The present glory is a story of the past endeavours of those who contributed towards it. Gulabi remembers them with respect and gratitude. Mgr. RFC Mascarenhas, the ‘Servant of God’ and the Founder of the Bethany Congregation foresaw that the presence of Bethany Sisters in the capital city of Karnataka State would facilitate transactions in the educational department and with the Government officers. He with Sr. Prescilla, the then Superior General visited his friend Archbishop Thomas Pothacamury in 1955, seeking a suitable site in the Archdiocese of Bangalore. Meanwhile obtained the necessary permission from Rt Rev. Raymond D’ Mello, the Bishop of Mangalore to erect a religious house in Bangalore Archdiocese. Ten months before the Founder’s death, a house at Jayamahal Extention was rented under Sr Macrina the Superior General that became the first Bethany house in Bangalore. It was blessed by Archbishop Thomas Pothacamury on 19.3.1960.

The Archbishop of Bangalore laid the foundation stone of the school on 15th April 1961. Twenty-one tiny tots seeking good education were enrolled into the portals of Gulabi School on 22^nd May, 1960. The first portion of the building was blessed on 23.05.1962. The school was accorded (Education) departmental recognition in 1962. Classes were added year after year that reached standard VII in the year May 23^rd 1966. About 400 students were enrolled by 1963 and Sr. Anysia, the first headmistress of Gulabi School organized its first Annual Day on 24th January 1963 in collaboration with her Staff.  On 31 January, 1965 the Sisters vacated the rented house and occupied part of the school building as their residence and continued to concentrate on education.

Gulabi Higher Primary School has classes from L.K.G. to Std. VII. Each class has 3 sections. The strength of the school is 1500. The new Gulabi auditorium is indeed a dream come true, a dream shared with expectation and excitement by students, staff, sisters, parents and well-wishers of Gulabi. The whole process of the auditorium becoming a reality was a powerful experience of God’s providential care. The band of Srs. Anysia, Avia, Gloria, Theresia, Lidwine, Trina, Hilerian, Rose Ann, Noel, Assumpta, Gloria, Bonita, Hilarita, Evelyn, Susan were the torch bearers in discharging their responsibility as Heads of Gulabi Higher Primary School with great tact and devotion and have made their mark in its history. Sr Tressy heads the Primary School and is continuing the good work of her predecessors. Following in the footsteps of the great teacher- Jesus and being convinced of the importance of His teachings Gulabi School strives to instil in the students, the BES Core values through regular retreats, prayer, Eucharistic celebrations and catechetical instructions. The students have been performing extremely well in the exams conducted by the Archdiocese of Bangalore.  

The qualitative band of teachers forms the guiding force of Gulabi who in turn are the constant learners by keeping abreast with the current trends through in-service programmes. These have brought laurels to school by performing well and have made Gulabi a well-known institution in Bangalore north district. The department of education has a special place for Gulabi in its record. Mrs Mabel Plassy and Mrs Jaya Nanda have been honoured by the Education Department with the ‘Best Teacher Award’. Gulabi strives to fulfil the vision of its Founder by bringing education to foster fullness of life at all levels especially to the poor, marginalized and the girls.

Sr Evelyn BS
Correspondent

 Sr Susan BS
Headmistress

School Building

Outgoing Batch -VII-A