History
History of St. Antony’s Educational Institutions
A Legacy Rooted in Faith and Service: From Humble Beginnings to a Beacon of Hope
In the heart of India’s rich tapestry, where diverse cultures, traditions, and unity in diversity weave a story of resilience and beauty lies the enchanting land of Karnataka. Known as the “beautiful Tanujate of Bharata Janani,” this state cradles magnificent rivers, lakes, waterfalls, and lush forests. Nestled within its embrace is Chamarajanagar District, Hanur Taluk, and the serene village of Cowdalli. In an era when education was a distant dream for the poor and downtrodden, a visionary arrived to ignite change.
In 1955, Rev. Fr. Francis Godest, a saintly figure from France with a perpetual smile and boundless compassion, took charge as Parish Priest of St. Antony’s Church in Cowdalli. Observing the villagers’ struggles poverty, illiteracy, and lack of schooling he approached the District Collector of Coimbatore with unwavering determination. With divine grace and official permission, he founded St. Antony’s Educational Institution on August 31, 1956, as a Christian minority school. Starting humbly with Tamil medium classes from 1st to 4th standard, it catered to the local Tamil-speaking community, planting the seeds of knowledge in barren soil.
Growth Through Visionary Leadership and Unyielding Support
As the institution took root, successive leaders nurtured its expansion. Rev. Fr. Cyril D’Souza upgraded it to a higher primary school, still in Tamil medium, laying the foundation for broader access. His successor, Rev. Fr. Jayaraj, recognized the need for infrastructure and secured generous support from AVG Trier, Germany a benevolent organization with a heart for the underprivileged. Their aid transformed makeshift classrooms often multiple grades crammed into old buildings into well-equipped spaces for primary, high school, and college sections.
A pivotal shift came under Rev. Fr. James Dominic, who converted higher classes to Kannada medium in 2001-02, reversing declining enrollments and boosting student numbers. In 2009, Rev. Fr. Francis Xavier inaugurated a magnificent college building, again with AVG’s unwavering assistance, marking a new era of academic excellence.
The Enduring Partnership with AVG Trier: A Testament to Global Compassion
Among all acts of charity, “Annadhanam” (food donation) and “Aksharadhanam” (education donation) stand supreme. AVG Trier exemplified this, becoming the institution’s backbone. They provided not just buildings with spacious classrooms, washrooms, libraries, and sports facilities, but also uniforms, notebooks, mid-day meals, and partial staff salaries. During visits (except COVID years 2019-2020), AVG members engaged with staff and students, offering awesome programs and heartfelt support. They extended aid to alumni and the community, embodying a spirit of service that brightened lives.
Without AVG’s magnitude of heart, St. Antony’s might not have flourished into the “huge tree with many branches” it is today. On behalf of His Grace Most Rev. Bernard Moras (Archbishop Emeritus), Rev. Fr. Vijay Kumar (Secretary, MDES Mysore), our Correspondent Rev. Fr. Arokia Justin, priests, nuns, heads, staff, students, and parents, we extend eternal gratitude to AVG Trier. Your legacy lives in every enlightened mind from Cowdalli.
Recent Milestones: Inspiration and Progress Under Rev. Fr. Roshan Babu
In 2021-2022, Rev. Fr. Roshan Babu, Hanur Parish Priest and Correspondent of Christaraja Institution, stepped in to elevate St. Antony’s. With keen insight, he met staff with care, guided moral and academic improvements, and inspired a renaissance. His efforts updated infrastructure and programs, ensuring the institution’s continued growth.
Today, St. Antony’s stands as a full-fledged educational hub: Tamil medium primary (Grades 1-4), Kannada medium upper primary (Grades 5-6), SSLC high school (Grades 8-10), and Pre-University College (Grades 11-12 in Arts and Commerce; Science from 2027). In a region surrounded by government and aided schools, we excel through dedicated teachers who provide academic coaching, personal care, love, discipline, and moral values—making parents confident in entrusting their children to us.
Academic Achievements: A Record of Excellence
St. Antony’s High School has delivered outstanding results, including 100% pass rates in multiple years. Below is a snapshot of our toppers’ achievements:
| Year | Topper Name | Marks | School Percentage |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2007-08 | Saravanan M. | 504 | 82.85% |
| 2008-09 | Thanuja M. | 521 | 86.66% |
| 2009-10 | Revathy M. | 479 | 100% |
| 2010-11 | Amudavalli | 532 | 100% |
| 2011-12 | Reena Joice J. | 534 | 92.5% |
| 2012-13 | Madhymitha | 542 | 97.27% |
| 2013-14 | Uday M. | 552 | 100% |
| 2014-15 | Jancy Jebamalai Mary | 518 | 100% |
| 2015-16 | Bisalappa C. | 529 | 89.58% |
| 2016-17 | Sumaya Banu | 578 | 87.87% |
| 2017-18 | Manju S. | 552 | 94.91% |
| 2018-19 | Srikanth N. | 572 | 88.37% |
| 2019-20 | Lukman Pasha S. | 549 | 100% |
| 2020-21 | Rani S. | 543 | 100% |
| 2021-22 | Monika S. | 553 | 100% |
| 2022-23 | Thanuja S. | 565 | 96.15% |
| 2023-24 | Fareena M. | 535 | 91% |
| 2024-25 | Nethravathi V. | 565 | 100% |
Our consistent 100% results in 2009-10, 2010-11, 2013-14, 2014-15, 2019-20, 2020-21, 2021-22, and 2024-25 reflect the dedication of our staff and the grace guiding us.
A Future Bright with Promise
From a single spark in 1956 to a flourishing educational oasis, St. Antony’s embodies the power of faith, compassion, and community. We honor our founders, benefactors like AVG Trier, and leaders like Rev. Fr. Roshan Babu for turning dreams into reality. As we look ahead, we commit to expanding horizons—introducing Science streams, digital learning, and more—while upholding our motto: “Education Through Love, Discipline, and Service.”
In the words of our ethos, “Among all forms of charity, food and education are the highest virtues.” St. Antony’s continues to illuminate lives, one student at a time, under God’s grace and the support of all stakeholders. Join us in this enduring journey of hope and transformation.
