Discover over 80 years of transformative education, character formation, and service to society in Andheri, Mumbai.
From humble beginnings in 1944 to a landmark educational powerhouse in Mumbai.
Fr. Denzil Keating SJ started Holy Family High School in 1944 as a parish institution in an old single-storied structure. The school’s first headmistress was Ms. Maud D’Costa. The school began with just 5 classrooms and 80 students.
In 1963, a new school building adjoining the Holy Family Church was inaugurated. The building was extended in the 1970s to have multiple stories, with new classrooms and a school hall. A mini stadium was built on the old school ground using funds donated by Mr. Jitendra Shah. A few years later, the building became too small to cater to the growing number of parishioners. The building was sold and a more spacious one constructed, with its own playground, on a plot of land not far away.
On 22 October 1985, Fr. Lisbert D’Souza, S.J., Provincial Superior of the Bombay Jesuit Province blessed and laid the foundation stone of this new school building. On 16 July 1988, Bishop Ferdinand Fonseca blessed the new school building.
On 7 January 1989, under the tenure of Fr. Tony J. D’Souza S.J. as vicar, and Fr. Francis Gonsalves, S.J. as principal, the new school building was formally inaugurated by Simon Cardinal Pimenta, the Archbishop of Bombay. Thanks to the efforts of the students in the form of donations, raffles, and school fetes, a new hall and classrooms were constructed.
In 1995, the school celebrated its 50th Golden Jubilee with a grand display of fireworks and buried a time capsule at the foot of the Holy Family statue, to be reopened in the year 2045. In 2005, the school celebrated its 60th Diamond Jubilee fete organized by Principal Fr. Francis Swamy, S.J. and the PTA.
Founded by Fr. Denzil Keating SJ with Headmistress Ms. Maud D'Costa, starting with 5 rooms and 80 students.
Established to foster collaborative educational partnerships between parents and faculty.
Opened Marathi Section starting with Std. VIII to provide mother-tongue education for the local community.
Shifted to the spacious modern campus on Mahakali Caves Road, formally inaugurated by Simon Cardinal Pimenta.
Celebrated 50 glorious years of educational apostolate and sealed a 50-year time capsule.
Celebrated 60th anniversary with a Grand Fete; commenced Holy Family Open School capability.
Introduced Semi-English school stream and built the state-of-the-art campus swimming pool.
Honouring the dedicated Jesuit leaders who safeguarded, expanded, and led Holy Family High School & Jr. College across more than eight decades of academic and spiritual formation.
Fr. Andrew Rodrigues took over as the principal of the school from the academic year 1st August 2022.
Fr. Malcom Nato took over as the principal of the school from the academic year 2019 – 20.
Bro. Vaz took over as the principal of the school from the academic year 2014. He was earlier the Vice-Principal of the school.
Dr. Fr. Francis Swamy was amongst our longest serving principals. He is now the Manager at St. Xavier's High School, Fort.
Handsome, tough and meticulous to the smallest detail. Academics, sports and everything else went on improving. Jesuit educational policies at about this time began to change. An option to work for the poorer section led to a shift in the admission policy. At least 40% students were now accepted in the school from the poorer sections of society.
The sports loving, silver-haired maths genius, was busy putting HFHS on the sports map of Bombay. But he also made the school a memorable and lively place to be in, with innovative co-curricular activities, and his personal touch.
He had an important role in opening of the Marathi section. He literally carried the school on his shoulders to Mahakali road, to its new and spacious premises, with grounds and a stadium!
The gentle, kind, singing Principal. With him the high standards came to be maintained through his foresight and detailed planning.
The return of the prodigal – Fr. Joe D’Abreo returned with his apt anecdotes and brought back the firm, kind and spotless look to the school.
A Spaniard with a mastery over Hindi, and a slant for science, extended the school building and equipped it with some of the best laboratory equipment, still in evidence today.
Quiet and unassuming; but he kept the family spirit alive in the school.
Fr. Jiminez made way for another great teacher and fund raiser … Fr. Basil Fernandes. He looked after the completion of the first phase of building a proper school structure.
At the Chakala junction, on the Andheri Kurla Road, there existed a small property consisting of an open space, a garage, an out-house kitchen, and two small building structures – one had five rooms and verandah, the other had three rooms and a verandah. This caught the eye of Fr. Denzil Keating s.j. who that very year was appointed parish priest of Holy Family Parish. So with some financial assistance from the church authorities, he bought this property …. and thus was Holy Family School born – in 1944. Just five class and 80 enthusiastic students! The first Principal was rightly Fr. Keating himself; and the first Headmistress Ms. Maud D’Costa who served the school till 1959. They both struggled to put this small babe on its feet. Maud through her organisational abilities and Fr. Keating through his kind yet firm approach guided this infant school so as to make its mark on the educational map of Bombay.
Understanding the profound values and symbolic elements that guide every Holy Family student.
The motto of our school is “LOYALTY THROUGH SERVICE”. It sums up all the ideals we wish to see mirrored in a Holy Family Student. The value of “loyalty†is displayed through service to God, the nation, fellowmen, the school, one’s own family and to oneself. The student realises that his life is a God-given gift and he sees a purpose in his life on earth. Hence he makes a conscious effort to discover and develop his talents and abilities by making the best use of the opportunities that come his way, and uses his abilities for the service of others.
As a citizen of India, he takes pride in his country’s cultural heritage, respects it and works towards the building of a better India of tomorrow. He recognises all men as his brothers and strives towards service when required especially towards the poor.
The Azure Blue Background: Blue is a colour that expresses peace, harmony and serenity. The education imparted at Holy Family High School aims at making the life of the student in perfect harmony with all existence, reflecting an inner peace that springs from a well-ordered life.
The Band of White: Represents purity of heart and sincerity of purpose that should characterise every student's endeavour.
The Three Crosses: Symbolises the price a student must pay for his development in each of the three spheres: spiritual, intellectual, and physical. Full development in each of these areas is achieved through personal sacrifice and effort.
Traditional Jesuit Marching Hymn • Sung with Valour and Devotion
Noble Knight, leader of a brave array, lead us on, O lead us on
We will fight ’neath thy sway (2×)
What tho’ foes gather near, we don’t fear (2×)
We’ll not shun, we’ll not quit this our noble career.
“We will fight ever true to death to thee:
True to God, to faith and thee, true to thee!”
Lead us on gallantly, ever on valiantly
’Neath thy banner to fight for the Church and its right.
All for God’s own greater glory is our cry, our battle cry!
Not for gain, nor in vain is our strife in this life;
But for God who is our king,
All to Him our hearts we bring.
Growing stronger and stronger as fighting lasts longer
And purer and purer to make heaven surer
With crosses and trials and many denials – we’ll fight!
“But to die loyal and true to our king who doth reign on high!
Ignatius lead us on – till we die!!”
